Boston for Christmas

Like Montreal/Quebec, also very cold (colder than NYC - no surprise) and also gets some serious snowstorms in winter, which even ground flights...but, obviously, you cannot predict when the storms will strike exactly (in worst case, flights will be delayed and backed up for a few days). Boston is very good at snow clearance though...so good that we got a car towed one year (because there was no place else to really repark it as the snow was up to 4-6 feet). It's a great city overall and this would be a memorable trip. Hopefully the hotel rates are (way) down in winter.

mbheart, don't forget your US dollar will go much further in Montreal than it will in Boston, 20 percent further at the moment.

Really? I didn't realize that, thanks Norma. We need to research both options and compare costs with that in mind.
Marcia

And by the way, Agnes says .Boston is good at snow clearance? You ain't seen nothin' til you've seen those snow blowers in Montreal pumping snow into a line of huge waiting trucks on the main thoroughfares. Costs millions but it keeps the city moving. There may be only a day or two in the average winter when I think twice about driving.

Can be hit or miss for a white Christmas but it definately will be cold. They do ice skating on Frog Pond at Boston Common. Fanueil Hall will be lit up...very pretty. Numerous Santa fun runs and Ugly Xmas sweater pub crawls around the city....always a good time.

Bruins Celtics and Pats will be playing. Catch a game at the Garden or Gillette. I woild assume the Nutcracker would be on at Boston Ballet.

Beautiful mountains only 90 min drive in NH VT and ME...Skiing sledding and ice skating. Even if you dont ski, they do Austrian sleigh rides in Jackson NH in the mountains. Mt Wasington hotel is a gorgeous romantic hotel up that way too.

I grew up there but havent been back for winter in 10yrs. Im accustommed to xmas onr the Aussie beaches these days!

Hope this helps!

Cold/snow not a detriment at all, in fact we would be happy to experience it.

Will you be happy if you should hit one of these? The City was completely shut down, parking and DRIVING ban, no bus or train running.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2015/03/15/boston-snowfall-record/24822823/

Boston is good at snow clearance? You ain't seen nothin' til you've seen those snow blowers in Montreal pumping snow into a line of huge waiting trucks on the main thoroughfares. Costs millions but it keeps the city moving.

Compared to Montreal, Boston's snow clearance is pitiful. Snow ploughs (if they show up) can't clear the streets with cars parked on both sides. Home owners are responsible to clear the sidewalks, but many don't and get away with it. With an inch or two in the forecast, schools would be cancelled. Bunch of wimps.

https://www.boston.com/weather/untagged/2015/02/03/montreal-is-really-good-at-snow-removal-eh

What other cities have parking space savers?

http://archive.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/gallery/saving_spaces_after_storms/

Compared to VA/DC where I live, Boston snow clearance IS wonderful !!! It's all relative, folks. The point is that, if you're boasting about snow clearance, you're admitting how bitterly cold the city can get in the winter.

We don't usually have a white Christmas, but if we do, it is not substantial. Regardless, if you come to see Boston, I suspect you won't be driving here so you don't have to worry about snow clearance. More recently our snowiest month has been February. Boston is a great city anytime of year. If you are coming to Boston for a few days, I wouldn't bother worrying about day trips. There's more than enough to keep you busy for many, many days. If you do want day trips, comment accordingly and we can come up with some good nearby day trips for winter. What are your interests?

Agnes, when the weather is "bitterly cold" it does not snow.

"What other city has parking space savers?" Apparently, Staynsavor has never been to Philadelphia, parts of Brooklyn and Queens, Chicago. Boston is not unique in using kitchen chairs, lawn chairs, beach chairs, stools, pylons, a coat rack, you name it... I've seen it not just in Boston and not just in winter either.

For the OP, if you hope to see snow on the ground for Christmas, don't put all your eggs in one basket and hope it'll be in Boston. Over the past few years, we've had more than a few days in December where temps have soared into the 50s and even 60s (although I would guess this might seem really cold to someone from Phoenix). So I wouldn't stress about snow removal and I would make every effort to avoid having a car in Boston as parking can be very pricey - use the T, Uber or taxis to get around if you can't walk.

Otherwise, I'd recommend northern Vermont - up around Burlington. You'll find some cold and snow up there - cute stores, nice restaurants, breweries/wineries, you could even do some skiing at Stowe or Jay Peak.

But hopefully you aren't one of those people who panics if 2-4" of fresh snow falls overnight and you have to drive in it. We call that a "dusting" and go on about our day. Southerners and people from the Southwest seem to think it's Snowmageddon.

If you do choose Boston for Christmas and you have a great sense of humor, I highly recommend getting tickets to Somerville Theater's production of The Slutcracker - a burlesque version of the Nutcracker that generally runs the month of December.

I am loving the whole conversation about cold and snow and parking! Although we live in Phoenix now we are from St Louis and know all about winter weather and its unpredictable "behavior". If we make it to Boston we will not be renting a car, and we will not expect anything other than cooler temps than here in Phx! I just want to be able to wear my winter coat and my cute wool hat :) Thanks to all of you for the suggestions!