It’s that time of the year. Final exams are looming, the sun is setting at four in the afternoon, and the temperature is dropping by the day. But even though Thanksgiving hasn’t even happened, Boston is transforming for the holidays. If you can carve out a few hours between your p-sets and essays, you will be in for a blast. I’ve explored Boston many times during the holiday season, so stick around for some of my best recommendations for places to visit to escape the college grind for a few hours.
Let’s start with Faneuil Hall, an iconic and historic site. Faneuil Hall is one of the most popular stops on the Freedom Trail, and its location near Boston City Hall and Government Center places it at the heart of Boston. During the spring and summer, it’s a bustling marketplace with street performers, souvenir shops, and food stalls that showcase Boston’s historic charm. Come winter, the entire area turns into a scene out of a Christmas card. The columns of Quincy Market are wrapped in twinkling lights and the plaza in front is home to Boston’s giant Christmas tree. Walking through this historic, decorated space feels like moving through a snow globe and experiencing a different side of Boston compared to Cambridge. It is enough to make the Grinch smile.
Contrary to Faneuil Hall’s storied traditions is a contemporary take on winter decoration: the Seaport District. Historically filled with warehouses and parking lots, the Seaport and Boston waterfronts have completely transformed into one of Boston’s most contemporary neighborhoods. The modern buildings sparkle in winter, when dazzling white lights are installed across the community, reflecting off the harbor’s dark waters. And of course, you can’t miss the famous Holiday Market at Seaport, which features over one hundred different vendors, live music, and Instagram-worthy installations. I’d recommend arriving earlier rather than later, as lines for the market can get very long during December.
To the west of Faneuil Hall and the Seaport District is Boston Common. During the rest of the year, it is an enjoyable park, with statues and nice green spaces. However, the park really comes to life in winter, when the Frog Pond is turned into an ice skating rink. While I’ve fallen a few times trying to ice skate, it is definitely a great place to practice due to the large size. It is also so much nicer than the enclosed, artificial feel of the ice skating rinks we are often used to in cities. Ice skating here provides nice views of the surrounding Boston skyline and the festive lights among Boston Common’s trees.
Next to Boston Common is Beacon Hill, with its European-like charm. The brick buildings, cobblestone streets, and townhouses are picturesque all year but are even more enchanting in December. I love walking through narrow streets like Acorn Street, which showcase a welcome difference from the car-dependent wide roads we often find in the United States. It’s easy to get lost with a hot chocolate in hand, feeling one with the environment.
Outside of Boston, walk through the streets of Somerville to explore some well-decorated homes. You can often find extravagant decor that includes stunning lights and animatronic characters. The Somerville Arts Council supports this effort with their Illuminations Tour, which allows you to follow self-guided tours through the neighborhood’s best-decorated houses.
The great thing about many of these sites is that they are easily accessible by transportation from Harvard. Take the Red Line to Charles/MGH to experience Beacon Hill, or stay one stop further to Park Street for Boston Common. So if you’re feeling stuck this school year with all of your work piling on, take a break and explore the city around you. Boston is more than ready to help you do just that.
Roberto C. Quesada ’27 (robertoquesada@college.harvard.edu) has been all around Boston.