Hi, I am thinking of travelling to Boston from the UK on 27/12 for 5 nights, travelling back 01/01. Just a couple of questions - exactly how cold will it be during this time of year and will any of the attractions/sights be closed? Thanks

On National holidays most places are closed.....but since you're traveling on new year's you shouldn't actually have trouble with that. Some tourist sites may shorten their hours during the winter....and places like national/state parks/cemeteries close at dusk- which must come early that time of year- 4 or 5 pm??

Yes, it will be cooold (glad I'm not you). You probably won't want to walk outdoors much

But nevertheless, you'll have a great time! I bet Boston's pretty incredible on NY's Eve. And snooooow

The above poster does not come from Boston and is clueless..lol It will be cold, cold, cold..and of course it is First Night... the first one in the country and the most successful..This is a story about last years www.boston.com/ae/specials/first_night_2005/ First night is a family event and public drinking and intoxication is frowned upon. It is an exciting time in Boston with people from all over the world. If yourlucky you maybe able to go ice skating on the Frog Pond.. Restaurants and bars(pubs to you) wll be open...For the cost of a button y ou can get nto all the events for free... from jazz to dance.. Just make sure you have your hotel room set up way ahead of time and if your going back to the UK... take a much later flight..lol I'm sure many Bostonians will be adding to this post...

Yep, you're right- never been to Boston during New Years (I've a cousin living there, so that's my main source of info)....but I should have remembered about first night (lots of places have something similar as well)....and I didn't actually see you contradict anything I wrote?

C'mon mooselywild, please stick to stuff you know about!!

Dress warmly -- pack a scarf (muffler) because in addition to the cold, Boston is known for its wind!

My Son and Gf had a blast at First Night last year. Plenty to do!

The Duck Tour closes right before Thanksgiving, Nov. 26.

Actually, you will find that some museums (Museum of Science is one, for example) have EXTENDED hours during your timeframe...

Heres a nifty link that will lead you to the vast selection of museums in Boston...

http://tinyurl.com/zflzl

<scratching my head> I stuck to pretty general info....so I'm not sure what you're getting excited about?

New Year's Eve- every city has something similar to first night.

New Year's Day- most places are closed or close early....(maybe not restaurants and bars, but shopping areas, banks,etc. do, I think.)

Small museums occasionally shorten their hours during the winter.

How many national/state parks/cemeteries do you know that want folks hanging out after dusk?

And it's cooooold in Boston that time of year. Even you agree....

And if only "experts" posted on every thread- this would be a very boring forum- because guess what? THIS IS A TALK FORUM.

Right. Now I think I need more coffee...(And sorry, OP, for the hijacking)

To be specific, the nighttime low temperatures at the time you're visiting can be anywhere between zero and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and daytime highs anywhere from 20 to 60, most likely in the middle. There are years when we barely need our coats when viewing the First Night fireworks, and other years when there's a serious risk of frostbite!

Mooselywild...this is a TRAVEL FORUM.

A forum to talk about travel- OPINIONS about travel, general impressions about travel, etc. Not cold hard facts-read the guidebooks/statistics if you want cold hard facts or professional opinions

For instance? The countless "what to where threads?"

I've said this before but- Galentheape should take EVERYONE's posts with a grain of salt- native or non-native! Anyone's capable of good advice and anyone's capable of bad advice.

Seetheworld- I think YOU may need some coffee- or maybe a jelly donut?

oh, that should be wear, not where!

Geeze! I'm off to watch the news on TV. All the wars going on in the world at the moment - might be more peaceful after reading this lot!!!

galentheage, listen if you want OPINIONS, listen to mooselywild, 'cause she's telling you that the shops will be closed!

If you want FACTS (which most people come here for), you will be able to shop at Copley Pace on NEW YEARS DAY. They will be OPEN! As they are in many place that day.

No one wants generalizations, they want specifics. That's what makes this forum helpful to travelers.

lol, carylspall...yes, probably- (except for the only virtual bloodshed here)

Place, Copley Place. And to verify, I called.

And it's a no-brainer to realize that parks close at dusk -- they do too in the UK.

No thanks on that jelly doughnut, mooselywild.

Oh, so that's what you're upset over? OK- so Bostonians are lucky- nothing 'round here is open then...


You could've just said- "beg to differ- shopping areas in Boston are open NYD"
And travelers also don't want opinions on child raising, etc....but when you post on a web board, who knows what you'll get?

mooselywild, you are so off the mark, it's actually funny.

Guys! I decided to leave the TV off.
You have cheered up a dismal windy,rainy day for me here in Scotland and made me laugh!

"And it's a no-brainer to realize that parks close at dusk -- they do too in the UK."

Boston Common and the adjacent Public Garden do not close, and indeed the Common is the site of many late-night activities, including winter ice skating and First Night events.

The first reponse on this thread, from moosely, did puzzle me since it was entirely speculative and mostly inaccurate.