What to do with winter guests in the suburbs? (Boston: for rent, how much)

[moving_east]

I moved out here a month ago and don't know the suburbs very well.
I rented a place in Bedford.
I am having some relatives visit 2/12-16 and don't quite know what to do with them given the expected weather.
I know I can take them into Boston.
But is there any way to keep them entertained and not frost-bitten in Bedford and the surrounding areas?
I'm looking for ideas.
Thanks

[Allharv]

It all depends on what they like to do, right? You could consider bringing them to the Burlington Mall or to Tony C's sports bar in Burlington (I haven't gone, but I've noticed the huge screens when going to Wegman's). By "not frost-bitten" I'm guessing that outdoors things or historical tours--if there are any at this time of year--are out of the question right?

[missionhill]

Right-- there are always malls, sports bars, and similar indoor commercial stuff. If you want non-commercial local flavor but mainly indoors you have a major museum in Salem, the Peabody-Essex, and a very pleasant and historic town to walk around in even with all the winter weather. Similarly, Lowell has its national historical park with exhibits on the early industrial economy, and you can walk around in Lowell a bit too. If they like art the Addison Gallery in Andover might be a good visit or the DeCordova museum in Lincoln followed by tea and a little walkaround in neighboring Concord. There's plenty of skiing and skating to be done if outdoor activity appeals to them.

[kingeorge]

Originally Posted by moving_east

I moved out here a month ago and don't know the suburbs very well.
I rented a place in Bedford.
I am having some relatives visit 2/12-16 and don't quite know what to do with them given the expected weather.
I know I can take them into Boston.
But is there any way to keep them entertained and not frost-bitten in Bedford and the surrounding areas?
I'm looking for ideas.
Thanks

It will be tough. You will depend on weather, and how cold it will be.

You can take them to Natick Mall. Hit Concord or Lexington downtown. Try to walk them around Boston, with hope that by that time things will settle.

There is always cross country skiing. It is really beautiful outside. If Minute Man Natural Historic Park is opened, and trails accessible, weather not as cold...

Ultimately, visiting Boston in January and February, as you can already tell is, not something to do unless visitors do not mind bitter cold and snow.

Good luck.

[CaseyB]

They know how to shovel snow? Put them to work!

[ramaka]

Originally Posted by CaseyB

They know how to shovel snow? Put them to work!

Ha ha ha..LMAO!! Good one! I would so welcome my friends if they were up for this idea

[Amontillado]

Great Brook Farm in Carlisle is a place where they have cross-country ski trails and equipment for rent. Most of the trails are easy, so it's a good place for total beginners. But you haven't said how old these visitors are (or you either!) and how much they'd be likely to enjoy physical activity.

Great Brook Farm has an indoor space with a wood stove and picnic tables, so you can have a rest and lunch. But the food service is limited to candy bars, so if you want to eat more than a snack, BYO.

[bUU]

We lived in the area for twenty years and very consistently invited friends and family to visit "during the summer and fall - summer and fall incredible in New England". Once or twice we had winter guests. Once we shivered through a walking tour of Salem. Another time we visited the deCordova museum.

[Atomicdoug]

Originally Posted by moving_east

I moved out here a month ago and don't know the suburbs very well.
I rented a place in Bedford.
I am having some relatives visit 2/12-16 and don't quite know what to do with them given the expected weather.
I know I can take them into Boston.
But is there any way to keep them entertained and not frost-bitten in Bedford and the surrounding areas?
I'm looking for ideas.
Thanks

Give them each a snow shovel. That should keep them busy