The best things to do in Boston this week

ZooLights, presented by National Grid, offers a winter wonderland in which visitors take a socially distanced, one-way stroll along tree-lined paths lit by twinkling lights. Spanning the Zoo's 26 acres, walk through the beautifully lit Yukon Creek and see black bears, a bald eagle, Canada lynx, arctic foxes and reindeer. (Through Jan 17; 4pm-9:30pm)

Head to the MFA to check out a pair of particularly timely exhibits. “Women Take the Floor” challenges the dominant history of 20th century American art by focusing on the overlooked and underrepresented work and stories of women artists, while “Black Histories, Black Futures,” which was curated by young scholars as part of the MFA’s new partnership with local youth empowerment organizations, focuses on works by 20th century artists of color.

From Dec 10-Jan 21, stream your way into the holiday spirit as Keith Lockhart leads the Boston Pops Orchestra in holiday classics old and new. Portions of this Holiday Pops program were filmed at Fenway Park, where team mascot Wally participated in the recording festivities.

As the city's premier artistic hub, the 450 Harrison building is a veritable hive of artistic activity in the back of the South End. Stop by Sundays from 11am-4pm for the city's coolest vintage market, featuring a rotating roster of vendors specializing in curated collections of fashion, jewelry, art, furnishings and more.

Through Jan 10, all train lovers can head to the Museum of Science for this fun-for-all-ages temporary exhibit featuring classic winter landscapes and nostalgia. Miniature trains, snow-covered peaks, engaging activities, and even a few surprises await.

Whenever you want to get in the mood for the holidays, displays of Christmas lights are bound to do the trick. Whether a simple decorated tree or an elaborate trail of lights, seeing Christmas lights is one of the essential things to do in Boston during the holiday season.

If you're jonesing for some fresh air, check out one of these top local hiking spots. Serious local hikers may head farther afield to the White Mountains or the Appalachian Trail, but when you just need a little bit of nature, there are plenty of quality hikes near Boston that are easy to get to.

There's no better place to practice social distancing than the city's best parks. Boston may have notoriously fickle weather, but when the time is right to get outside, the city has plenty of beautiful green space to enjoy some fresh air and nature. The so-called Emerald Necklace—the nation’s oldest linear park system—links several of Boston's best parks, including The Fens, Boston Common, and the Public Garden. Other options include the celebrated Arnold Arboretum and the multi-use Rose Kennedy Fitzgerald Greenway.

No matter where your interests lie, you can always find something to get excited about in the Hub. The best things to do in Boston run the gamut—from seriously fun to awesomely educational.

Boston is arguably best enjoyed from the water, and thankfully, there are more than a dozen fun ways to take in the city by boat.