Tanya Edwards

New Year’s Eve can be celebrated in any number of ways, but one thing we always recommend is getting a really nice dinner at one of your favorite restaurants. The high-energy, buzzing rooms fill with luxurious and creative menu additions—and, ideally, flowing champagne. It's always an epic night out on the town. Obviously, restaurants around the greater Boston area are gearing up to throw the best parties in town with great food, and we’ve highlighted a handful of our favorites. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to New Year’s Eve 2025 in Boston

For those of us not getting out of the city ahead of the holidays, it'll be a fun weekend in Boston. You could check out a pop-up maker market and an iconic light display—and read on for more. Our on-the-ground editor and writers traverse the metro area looking for the best of the best things to do, updated each week. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

The last thing you want to deal with this holiday season is a Black Friday crowd, mall parking or missing shipped packages. So forgo those follies and instead treat yourself to a fun shopping experience—that also supports local. These holiday markets are not only decked out in splendor (hello, hot cocoa and twinkle lights!), but you’ll leave knowing you supported small businesses by buying gifts that stand out from everything else under the tree. When you’re done, check out one of the many Christmas events in Boston or get some more cheer from a Boston Christmas lights display. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Christmas in Boston

Winter in Massachusetts is brisk, but if you bundle up and clutch a hot drink with your mittens, it can be charming. One of the best winter activities—which isn't dependent on snow—is hitting an ice rink. Boston and the surrounding area has no shortage of rinks fit for all levels, fit for locals and tourists alike. Make a magical day of it by coupling the activity with a look at some holiday lights. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston

Christmas Day can be packed with celebrations, fun events with family, and of course, the most fun Celtics game of the year—but it’s not everyone’s favorite meal to cook. Whether you’re sick of cooking for the crew, want to treat your family and friends to a nice meal out, don’t celebrate Christmas and need to get out of the house, or just need a bite after cheering on the C’s at the Garden, we’ve got you covered. Many restaurants around the Hub are open on Christmas Day with celebratory prix fixe menus packed with holiday classics, or just their classic menus. Ahead, find out picks for the best places to celebrate a Christmas meal in Boston, along with adjusted hours and special menus. For more joyful activities to make your holidays merry and bright, check out the jaw-dropping splendor of Boston’s best Christmas lights, grab some gifts at some of Boston’s winter holiday Christmas markets, or celebrate the season at a festive bar.   RECOMMENDED: See the full guide to Christmas in Boston

There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than gazing upon elaborate displays of glimmering holiday lights. Here's where to wander around Boston for gorgeous lights displays, tastefully decorated trees and more outdoor festivity. Get ready to drink in lights in town, or take an evening ride to celebrate the sparkliest season. To complete your Yuletide experience, lace up at one of the best places for ice skating in Boston, visit a festively decorated bar or restaurant or check out the best holiday markets in Boston—and then enjoy these beautiful holiday light displays. RECOMMENDED: See the full Christmas in Boston guide

The holiday season in Boston is packed with exciting, fun and charming things to do. As the weather finally gets colder, indoor activities become so much more appealing—and if we must be outside, there best be mugs of hot cocoa available! Set the table for the season at a holiday lunch or Feast of the Seven Fishes, or get together with some of Boston’s best chefs at a collaboration dinner. For families, you’ll find holiday lights and opportunities to meet Santa—we hope you’re on the nice list. There’s even a festive story time with one of the city’s favorite dogs. Read on for fun holiday ideas. RECOMMENDED: See the full guide to Christmas in Boston

November in Boston brings shorter days, cooler temps and increasing holiday cheer with every passing day. Winter is just around the corner, so everyone wants to get outside whenever they can. (Before you know it, you'll be thinking about the best skiing spots near Boston.) Along with classic stick-season activities like checking out the best museums in Boston and planning the best Thanksgiving in the city, here's what to do this month. RECOMMENDED: How to have an amazing fall in Boston

Friendsgiving can look like a lot of different things, but essentially, it’s getting together with friends, usually the week of Thanksgiving to celebrate without all the formality and family obligations. It's a time to come together, enjoy good food and drink, and honestly, relax in the run up to the holiday. While some friends go out for a big meal, there are also drag brunches, Thanksgiving-themed hot dogs, brewery tap takeovers and more on the calendar this year.  Of course, you can also celebrate Thanksgiving in Boston with a traditional holiday meal and the pies from the best in town.

From help with the big meal to outdoor activities and ways to give back, these seasonal happenings help you savor Thanksgiving season. To eat day-of, check out our guide to Boston restaurants open on Thanksgiving. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Boston

Thanksgiving falls late this year on Thursday Nov. 28, and if you do not want to be responsible for the big meal, consider a quiet night out, care of Boston’s finest chefs. Many city hotels and select neighborhood restaurants are open on the holiday. Ranging from bar snacks to traditional Thanksgiving feasts—often prepared with a bit more flair than you might see in a home cooked meal—there are options for small and large parties ready to welcome you and yours. Bonus: There will be no dirty dishes for you to tackle after. For other Turkey Day ideas and holiday happenings, also be sure to explore our guide to Thanksgiving in Boston. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Boston

Whether you like your coffee black and in a big mug, chilled over ice with a pump of caramel or a big frothy latte, it’s an essential part of many Bostonians mornings (and afternoons, to be honest). We’re not going to tell you to never go to Dunkin, but there are so many small, independent Boston coffee shops and cafes worth seeking out for a change of scenery. Here are some of our favorite places to grab the best coffee in Boston. And if you take your java with food, be sure to check out the best doughnut shops, best breakfast spots or brunch spots in Boston. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best restaurants in Boston

Celebrate Christmas at this classic, luxurious waterfront hotel with two dining options for guests and locals. On Christmas Day, the hotel annually serves a lavish brunch buffet from 11am—3pm, featuring a raw bar, Wagyu short ribs, Faroe Island salmon and much more. Or, enjoy dinner at Rowes Wharf Grille, from 11am—4pm, featuring hearty classics like Yankee pot roast, Vermont organic turkey breast and baked stuffed lobster.

Nothing says "welcome to chilly season" like a hearty cut of prime rib (just ask every dad ever). Puritan & Co. has brought back their popular prime rib Sunday dinners. The Inman Square favorite is serving a three course meal of salad, prime rib, your choice of two sides, and dessert for $65 every Sunday in December. Reservations are recommended but not required.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition of serving at least seven seafood dishes. It's a festive meal that you can join in whether you’re Italian or not at Geppetto on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Chef Will Gilson and the team at Cambridge Crossing will serve a five-course version for $110 per person, with dishes like clams casino, lobster and crab gnocchi and more. Reservations are recommended.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an Italian-American Christmas Eve tradition of serving at least seven seafood dishes. Chef Jeremy Sewall and teams at Row 34 in Cambridge and Burlington are taking it on this year as seated, multi-course seafood dinners with wine pairings. The price is $175 per person. Feasts are on Saturday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 21 at 6pm in Cambridge, and Sunday, Dec. 15, Thursday, Dec. 19, and Sunday, Dec. 22 at 6:30pm at the Burlington outpost. Reservations are required.

Wish you could eat at Boston’s best restaurants all in one sitting? Geppetto has you covered this holiday season with their 12 Chefs of Christmas events. Every Sunday this December, some of greater Boston’s top culinary talents will gather at Geppetto to create curated, coursed meals showcasing their favorite flavors and festive takes on holiday dining. Each week will see chefs such as The Banks’ Robert Sisca, Woods Hill Pier 4’s Charlie Foster, Amba’s Joey Gonzales, and more. You must book for this event in advance, and it will be $110 per person.

Time to plan a trip for tea with your favorite friends or family. Locals and guests can enjoy a holiday afternoon high tea this December in the Garden Room of the Newbury hotel—so named for its prime perch on the Public Garden. The experience includes tiers of elegantly prepared tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones and holiday-inspired confections, paired perfectly with a selection of J’enwey Teas. You can also upgrade to cocktails or a glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne. Tea will take place from December 21–23 at 3pm daily. 

Zoo New England’s beloved holiday tradition, ZooLights returns to Stoneham to bring cheer and festive fun to visitors of Stone Zoo. Expect a winter wonderland of tree-lined paths lit by thousands of twinkling lights spanning 26 acres. Take a sparkling stroll through festively decorated Yukon Creek, home to black bears, Canada lynx and reindeer. Every Thursday, Mrs. Claus will make an appearance. ZooLights runs from Friday, November 15 through January 5, 2025.

Can’t get enough holiday wonder? Winter Fest is just what you need. From the creative minds behind Boston’s Wicked Haunt Fest, Winter Fest debuts on December 5 at Hood Park in Charlestown. The event promises to transform two acres into a winter wonderland filled with massive light displays and family-friendly holiday magic. Visitors can meet Santa on weekends and see a life-size gingerbread house and toy workshop. For adults, the Après Ski Veuve Clicquot Gondola Lounge transports guests to Aspen for a champagne toast. Look for treats like decadent hot chocolate adorned with seasonal toppings like house-made marshmallow and crushed peppermint. Beer and wine will also be available. Live music and other entertainment is planned throughout the season.

Every Friday in December, The Koji Club at the Charles River Speedway will be hosting a luxurious holiday lunch. For $99 per person plus tax and tip, enjoy a three-course prix fixe menu of caviar, A5 wagyu beef and of course, dessert. Chef Moe Kuroki is preparing a creative interpretation of Japanese Christmas cake. Sake pairings can be ordered separately and in advance. This year’s newest addition? A personal-sized serving of The Koji Club’s signature caviar service with a jello shot pairing on the side. Reservations are recommended.

The Nutcracker staged by Boston Ballet is one of the season’s most beloved traditions, enjoyed by generations since premiering in 1963. From the dancing to the music and the glittering sets, it's nothing short of holiday magic. Artistic director Mikko Nissinen’s production features opulent Georgian-era sets and costumes—the Nutcracker Bear, for one, is an icon. Seeing the performance at the Opera House, which runs about two hours with an intermission, is engaging for children and memorable for all ages. It runs from November 29–December 29, 2024.    

A bacchanal dinner is a feast inspired by Bacchus, the Roman god of wine, revelry and indulgence. In that spirit, splash out this holiday season at one of Boston’s most luxurious and sought-after winter affairs. The Holiday Bacchanal Dinner at Fairmont Copley Plaza welcomes diners into the 112-year-old gilded lobby of the hotel, which will be dripping in florals and fabulousness. With a menu featuring coal-roasted duck breast, A5 wagyu, and sous vide Maine lobster (or try the opulent all-vegan menu), this $300-per-person event is sure to be an indulgent occasion. The Bacchanal takes place on Wednesday, Dec. 18, from 6:30–9:30pm. A ticketed reservation is required.

Here’s a free, fun thing to do with young kiddos: Join Cori Copley, canine ambassador of the Fairmont Copley Plaza, at a special holiday story time at Boston Public Library. On Tuesday, Dec. 10, at 4pm, share in a reading of Catie Copley, a book about the hotel’s first dog. Longtime concierge and Cori’s caretaker, Joe Fallon will be on hand to answer questions about Cori and the famous pet-friendly hotel—and Cori will be available for pets and kisses. Treats will be also served during the short and sweet program. It's free with no registration required for all, but it's geared toward kids 7 and younger.

Big news for the holidays, bakers and people who love to eat delicious things: King Arthur Baking Company is opening a pop-up retail shop for the season on Newbury Street.  Located at 172 Newbury—next door to Ben & Jerry’s—King Arthur Baking Co. opens Thursday, Oct. 3, through December 31. Shoppers can visit the pop-up seven days a week between 10am–7pm, to pick up all the essentials needed for the busy baking season.  While the pop-up won’t host the Vermont brand’s famous baking classes, there will be plenty to browse in Boston. It will be stocked with a wide range of essentials, including King Arthur flours and other ingredients, boxed baking mixes, tools, appliances and more. King Arthur’s rich triple cocoa blend tops our shopping list: It makes everything chocolate even more chocolatey. The shop will also host events, like a author meet-and-greet for their latest baking book, The Big Book of Bread (date TBA). King Arthur Baking Company, which is headquartered in Norwich, Vt., has a history that stretches far back to Boston. Henry Wood began importing flour from England to Long Wharf in 1790. His namesake enterprise was the first flour company in the young United States—and first food company in New England. As time passed, Henry Wood & Company began milling their flour from American-grown wheat. By 1896, it debuted "new and improved" flour at the Boston Food Fair and changed the business name to King Arthur. The company was headquartered in Boston for nearly 200 years bef

Another week, another new restaurant in the Seaport—and this one looks sexy and fun! COJE Management Group, the Boston-based restaurant group behind Lolita, Ruka, Mariel, Yvonne’s and more splashy spots, has announced Mr. H, a “modern Chinese restaurant,” will open on Thursday, Sept. 12.  Located at 225 Northern Ave., across from Legal Harborside, Mr. H leans into the cuisine of mainland China and Taiwan with the atmosphere of an intimate Shanghainese cocktail lounge, according to an opening release. Imagine luxurious gold and red hues, gorgeous murals of flowers and dragons on the walls, and carved wood details. From the street, visitors will see a lightbox of authentic antique Chinese screens circa 1900, combined with an animated neon fish eating a soup dumpling (naturally) hung above the restaurant’s entrance.  Photograph: Josh Jamison Photograph: Josh Jamison Inside, there is a dumpling lounge with a majestic brass dragon as a focal point. Custom velvet Chinese art hangs on the walls, with a chandelier lighting the green and gold banquettes and cherry-red seating. A half-wall divides the space from a six-seat dumpling bar with a 24-carat gold leaf ceiling. The gold leaf extends into the main dining room, which also has an interpretation of a Chinese clay tile roof in green jade. The main dining room is ready for a feast, with an extended row of banquettes with tables that have a red lacquer base, and black lacquer dining chairs with silk cushions for those seated acro

It’s time for every undergrad—and let’s be honest, many apartment dwellers in the Greater Boston area—to celebrate a time-honored annual holiday, Allston Christmas.  (Unfamiliar with this particularly Boston-centric tradition? Allston Christmas refers to all the unwanted belongings left on the curb for anyone to take during the last weekend of August and first weekend in September, when the majority of leases, especially in student-heavy areas like Allston-Brighton, turn over each year.) This year, Stop & Shop is celebrating Allston Christmas in a fun way at its newest location. On Saturday, Aug. 31, and Sunday, Sept. 1, from 11am–1 pm both days, the local grocer is hosting an Allston Christmas party at its store at 305 Guest St. at Allston Yards. The store will have free food samples, holiday music playing—and even Santa Claus will make an appearance to make the festivities more jolly.  Santa is handing out goodies to shoppers, as well. Customers who spend $25 or more will receive a limited-edition Allston Christmas shopping bag. The giant-size vessel is designed to haul your second-hand treasures home (or, maybe a big grocery run). Covered with illustrations depicting scenes from Allston Christmas—think: furniture-strewn streets—the shopping bags are also available at the Mission Hill Stop & Shop. When it comes to Allston Christmas gifts, we’d suggest sticking to wood, plastic and metal items such as bookshelves, nightstands and small appliances. For bedbug reasons, you sho

Chef and restaurateur Douglass Williams, a two-time James Beard Award semifinalist for Outstanding Chef and Best Chef: Northeast, and his business partner, Seth Gerber, will bring a fourth location of beloved Italian restaurant MIDA to the Fenway neighborhood this fall. MIDA, which has locations in the South End, Newton and East Boston, is known for an Italian-leaning menu, with Williams prioritizing three things: ingredients, wine and hospitality. Dishes are ideal for sharing—from the North Shore fritto misto and glazed duck wings, to the handmade ricotta gnocchi cacio e pepe and short rib lasagna.  Photograph: Courtesy MIDA/Emily Kan The new MIDA location will be at 1391 Boylston Street, which is currently the home of Williams’ DW French. (The chic space previously housed Orfano, a glam Italian American eatery by chef Tiffani Faison.) DW French will host guests for the last time on Sunday, Aug. 18, the team shared on Instagram Friday morning. "We have some bittersweet news to share with you all," the post reads, in part. "Thank you for your support and warm welcome to the neighborhood. We can’t wait to return soon, with a new iteration of the space, bringing our beloved Italian dishes from MIDA to you all." Williams elaborated to Time Out Boston, "Fenway holds a special place in Boston’s heart, and it’s been incredible to watch its transformation in recent years. We’re proud to be part of this neighborhood and contribute to its exciting future." "The enthusiastic respon

Get your clubs ready! Swingers, the UK-originated activity known as “crazy golf,” is opening in Boston in collaboration with a local restaurant group.  What’s “crazy golf?” If regular golf is about focus and stamina, “crazy golf,” an invention from our friends in England, is like the sport on spring break. Imagine wildly themed minigolf courses with obstacles and of course, lots of beer. The Swingers location in London has a beach holiday theme, for example. And next year, you’ll be able to play this wacky version of golf right on Boylston Street. Photograph: Courtesy SwingersA person smiles while playing Swingers Crazy Golf Why Boston? “Having opened in Washington D.C. and New York City, we’ve gotten to know the East Coast of the U.S. and Boston just feels like a natural fit,” says Matt Grech-Smith, co-founder and co-CEO of Competitive Socializing, the company behind Swingers. “It has a great food scene, a vibrant dating culture, thriving nightlife and discerning locals who like finding new experiences.” Plus, it found a good match with Tavistock Restaurant Collection, the Boston dining group behind stalwarts Abe & Louie’s, Atlantic Fish Co., Coach Grill, Joe’s on Newbury and Joe’s Waterfront. “When we found our stunning space in the Back Bay with Tavistock Restaurant Collection, with its exposed wooden beams and red brick, we knew that Boston would be the perfect home for us,” Grech-Smith says.  Located on Boylston between Abe & Louie’s and Atlantic Fish Co. (in what was

Strap into your skates and get roller-disco ready, because there’s a free roller rink in Kendall Square all summer long—with a beer garden and more. Rollerama at Kendall Common, a pop-up roller rink and social space, opens Friday, June 28, at the corner of Third and Broadway near Kendall/MIT on the Red Line. Located in Cambridge’s Innovation District, it’s produced by MIT’s real estate group, which is developing the 10-acre site of a former national transportation systems center over the next few years, to include commercial and residential buildings as well as four parks and a community center. This is the first summer of programming from the newly dubbed Kendall Common. Skating includes free skate rentals and will be open Fridays from 2-8pm and on weekends from 11am-8pm. After July 10, hours will expand to include Wednesdays and Thursdays from 2-8pm as well. Rollerama will be open through September 29. Starting July 17, it will offer more than just skating and free skate rentals. Plans are in the works for local restaurants to offer food and drinks for purchase (not everything can be free!), as well as a beer garden to open later in July. Details about the food and drink options aren’t yet available. There will be open spaces, seating and lounge areas where you can relax and spend some time. The skating rink is worth checking out even if you’re not a skater. A large mural by Massiel Grullón features retro-inspired shapes and movement, spanning more than 7,000 square feet. T

Heartbreaking news for all who love Boston’s German beer hall and restaurant Jacob Wirth. The historic Theater District building that housed the legendary beer-and-bratwurst spot—which had been set to reopen this year—was engulfed in a large fire on Monday night. According to WCVB, the four-alarm fire started in the building at 31-37 Stuart St. near the corner of Tremont Street. Since the 1870s, it was home to the Jacob Wirth Restaurant, which was the second-oldest continuously operated restaurant in Boston when it shuttered in 2018. Boston Fire reported a heavy fire on all three floors of the building, which has been under construction for more than a year. The department shared a short video: Heavy fire on ok 3 floors of a building under construction at 31-37 Stuart st. This is now a 4 alarm fire all companies working pic.twitter.com/iB9HqzracE — Boston Fire Dept. (@BostonFire) June 25, 2024 Witnesses said at one point, flames were shooting about 30 feet out of the front of the building. In response to the tweet, an X (formerly Twitter) user wrote that they could “smell the fire all the way in South Boston.”  In another tweet, Boston Fire said all firefighters were ordered out of the building at 11:15pm. The Boston firefighters were battling the flames from all directions, with multiple deck guns and using the adjacent parking garage to access the blaze. At 12:23am, the department reported that the heavy fire had been knocked down. The fire commissioner sa

While at Foxwoods Resort Casino last week for the opening of Grace by Nia, Time Out had the pleasure of sitting down with Guy Fieri to chat about his time in Boston and more.  Over a spread of cocktails—made from the celeb chef’s own Santo Tequila, of course—plus burgers, fries and his famous trash can nachos at Guy Fieri’s Foxwoods Kitchen and Bar, Fieri dished on his favorite Boston chefs these days, catching another Celtics game and how he measures his own success. Wait... is Guy Fieri a Celtics fan? Eagle-eyed Cs fans may have spotted Guy Fieri sitting courtside at the TD Garden during Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Celtics and the Indiana Pacers. "Going to a game at The Garden is one of the greatest,” Fieri told Time Out. “One, Boston fans, they're great. They're crazy, they're tenacious, they're everything." But he isn’t necessarily among them: the Golden State Warriors superfan was just in town for a good time. “I was just there to see great basketball and oh my God, did I see it,” Fieri said. What else does Guy Fieri love about Boston? Of course, the Mayor of Flavortown wasn’t in town just to talk hoops. He also visited some of his favorite chefs in Boston, including fellow Food Network star Tiffani Faison. “I just went over to Sweet Cheeks for barbecue,” Fieri said, noting restaurateur Faison’s win in the third season of his competition show, Tournament of Champions. He is also excited about a hot new restaurant, Seamark Seafood & Cocktails, whic

Prominent Boston restaurateur Nia Grace has introduced her modern-day supper club to Connecticut. Grace by Nia is now open at Foxwoods Resort Casino, with similar soul food, glamorous cocktails and musical panache of the Seaport original—and a few twists.  Owner Nia Grace debuted one of the coolest additions to the Seaport in May 2023, in partnership with Boston’s Big Night, a deep-pocketed entertainment group known for celeb-courting clubs like Scorpion Bar, the Grand and Big Night Live. Also partners with Guy Fieri in Boston and at Foxwoods, Big Night broadened the Roxbury-raised restaurateur’s scope to Mashantucket, Connecticut, an under-two-hour drive from Boston (depending on traffic!). Grace is also the sole proprietor of Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen, which is currently closed while the team “breathes new life” into the Roxbury institution.  Photograph: Courtesy Robin Winchell for Big NightNia Grace welcomes VIPs to Grace by Nia at Foxwoods on Wednesday, May 22. Photograph: Courtesy Robin Winchell for Big Night Photograph: Courtesy Big NightSmoke Break, a cocktail from Grace by Nia, features mezcal, gochujang-honey syrup, raspberry and "smokin' citrus." Grace’s latest is familiar to folks who have visited the Seaport supper club, featuring live music Thursday through Sunday, and a soulful menu inspired by the South. We stopped by the VIP grand opening celebration on Wednesday, May 22—along with fellow Foxwoods operator and the mayor of Flavortown himself, Guy Fie

There's an adorable activity taking place up north and it involves a dozen sweet dogs. Yes, you can play with 12 golden retrievers and get photos taken with them this holiday season.  Head to Jeffersonville Vermont’s Golden Dog Farm for an aww-inducing Golden Retriever Experience. For $75 a person, you can have a playdate with the farm's super friendly golden retrievers for an hour or so.  Becca and Doug Worple run the farm, and began offering the experience back in September. They told Boston.com that the response was “immediate and overwhelming” with travel Tiktokers posting about the dogs, and the farm’s own account garnering over 2 million views. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Golden Dog Farm - Vermont (@goldendogfarmvt)   The dogs don’t actually live on the farm, they come from local breeders Butternut Hill Golden Retrievers, which is owned by friends of the Worples. The breeders bring in a dozen or so dogs for the day, and they’re all friendly and ready to play and cuddle with farm guests.  Watching the retrievers leap from the back of the truck is pretty adorable, and guests can take photos and videos of the whole group.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jordana Judson | 🗽NYC + FL Content Creator (@jordanataylor)   Farm owner Becca is a professional photographer, and happy to take photos of you with the dogs, as well as selfies you take on your own. She and her husband found their way to Vermont from Oh

There’s not much we’re bigger fans of than a staycation in the city. Whether coming from one of the local neighborhoods, across the river from Somerville or from an outlying suburb, setting into a luxury room right in the center of it all feels so indulgent and fun. Recently, we had the opportunity to take a weekend break at the breathtaking Boston Harbor Hotel, and beyond those famous views, here’s what to expect.  History of the Boston Harbor Hotel A luxury hotel overlooking the Boston Harbor and Rose Kennedy Greenway, the Boston Harbor Hotel, part of the Rowes Wharf building, was built in 1987.  With a location that overlooks the stunning harbor on one side, with views of the Harbor Islands, East Boston and flights coming in and out of Logan airport, and spilling out onto the Greenway on the other, this hotel is all about the fantastic location. Photograph: Courtesy Boston Harbor Hotel For a romantic city getaway with your partner, it’s tough to beat being within walking distance of the North End, downtown and the theater district.  The rooms at the Boston Harbor Hotel The rooms are all luxuriously appointed with classic modern furnishings, and the hotel offers allergen and feather free floors. While we’ll always choose the harbor views, the city views many of the rooms offer are stunning as well. Sailing and history enthusiasts will enjoy all the nods to Boston’s past with history maps and seafaring art rooting the property with a true sense of the city.  Photograph: C

We never thought we’d see the day when the mayor of Boston would apologize for the lack of snow in the city, but here we are. Tuesday, February 13 was supposed to see Boston covered in at least eight inches of fluffy white snow, but instead there was barely a sprinkle across town. Mayor Michelle Wu declared a snow emergency on Monday, however that ended up seeming pretty unnecessary.  Mayor Wu apologized for calling a snow emergency In an appearance on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” late Tuesday, she explained, “I will take being overprepared than underprepared every single time, but it does come with a lot of disruption and inconvenience for families and people trying to get to their jobs.” She added, “So it’s really unfortunate, but we are glad to be safe, rather than sorry.” Mayor Wu explained how the decision to call a snow emergency is made While a bad call on a snow day can be a pain for everyone, the mayor did explain how city officials  arrived at the decision. There was a major change in the storm’s track late on Monday, which is difficult to predict.  “I think it goes to show not only is our climate changing in general that we haven’t had a significant snowstorm now in more than two years, but also the predictability of the weather — every storm can change so quickly on its path, the projections, the amounts,” Wu said.  The mayor acknowledged that keeping the citizens of Boston, especially children, is a big factor.  “It’s basically a calculation of, how likely are we