I have a chance to go up to Boston this weekend, but as much as I want to go (I haven't been to Boston in 15 years), I hesitate because of the cold. Should I wait until spring?

I normally do tons of research before I go away, but since this came up very recently, I haven't had that chance. Therefore, I need to ask more questions than I normally would.

I adore New England clam chowder; which restaurant has the best? Best Italian food?

I plan to check out the posts on this board, but I'd appreciate any help (despite the fact I am a Yankee fan, don't hold this against me!_

Thanks so much!

I'm reviving this thread since I am also wondering about visiting Boston for a long weekend in Jan. Would it be wise to wait until the weather is warmer?

...just out of curiosity...how the heck do you even find a post that is almost 3 years old??

January, in my opinion, is the most miserable month of the year in Boston. Either it is bitterly cold with a wind chill more appropriate for the South Pole, or you get a thaw of a few days and the streets turn into mushy, icey rivers. After the thaw, everything turns into a slippery mess.

That said, if you are more cold-tolerant than I, it is a great time to visit museums and restaurants. Hotel rates are far less expensive. Still, as a walking city, you lose a lot of the charm by visiting when it is that cold.

To Wow,
I'm assuming you are not being sarcastic... By using the Search function. She probably entered something like "Boston+January", read a bunch of posts, and replied to one. That brings it to the top.
I find it usually helps to review some of the old posts before I ask a question. Often the "answer" is right there and I don't have to "wait," or I find something similar like Sheryl did to continue.

To Sheryl: I agree with Gail.
I'd wait if you have a choice and the trip is supposed to be a pleasurable get-away. It gets so windy in the city it's absolutely intolerable.

I'm from Boston and go back frequently to visit family.

The problem with JAnuary, in my opinion, is the possibility of snow.
IT is easy to dress warm if it is cold.

When you go for a weekend, snow can really f**k up traffic for the first day. After the first day, the roads are usually fine. Airport closings & delays are also a potential problem.

If you are only going to be in the city, the traffic will be of less concern.

If you can go another time I would definitely wait. January in Boston is not pleasant and you'll miss so much. Come back in late spring or in October. It's beautiful then.

I can maybe see where the negative comments are coming from. I went in January (for four days in 2003) but thought it was a great time to see the city. In fact I've just spent some time this afternoon convincing a work colleague of this who has already booked a trip for this coming January! [I'm a but worried now that he may all agree with you guys!].

It snowed nearly every day I was there but nothing got held up or anything fortunately. And yes it was cold but I always think places look really nice covered in snow and it's easy to wrap up against the cold. Plus it makes all those pub/bar/cafe stops appreciated more. I don't feel like I missed out on anything or covered less ground because of the snow. Obviously is you are someone put off by that, then it's not a good time for you to go.

Another advantage already mentioned is you will likely get good hotel rates and places you visit may well be less busy but I guess that depends what you want to do.

Having said that, it's easy to see why people say visit in May or October say. However I think I'd take a Boston winter over the heat and humidity of the summer months but maybe that's just me.

Whatever you decide, have a great time in one of my favourite cities. I hope to get back there soon. I'll take any month!

Dave, take it from those of us who have experienced 50 full Boston Januarys, rather than just 4 days of one of them: A dusting of snow can be charming. But frequently in January we get a lot more than that, and it can make life miserable and traffic impossible. Please believe us. There's a reason that nobody answered the OP back in 2002: They couldn't think of anything nice to say.

It's also the month with flight cancellations due to weather.
By the way, I heard first night was cancelled due to lackof funds, though one man has paid for the firworks to go on.

Not exactly. First Night had indeed cancelled the fireworks but not anything else major. They are saying that they'll have to disband AFTER this year's event if they don't get some better corporate support. IMHO, cancelling the fireworks was a well-thought-out publicity stunt.

So well thought out that news is now reporting that some rich guy or company has agreed to fund them - so the "cancelled" fireworks were actually only cancelled for 24 hours. First Night will go on as usual this year (and I would guess for many years to come).

I would pick January over Feb. or March. Sort of the lesser of three evils. It frequently snows enough to cover the gray dirty stuff on the ground and the skies don't seem as leaden in January. I would come as long as you don't mind bearing with the weather and understand that seeing Boston in Jan. is like seeing the beautiful person you love 1st thing in the AM with a cold. Still worth your love but not at their best.