Best Things to Do in Boston in February

Top 10 Boston events for February

Looking for fun things to do in Boston in February? 

Winter sports to do and view still keep everyone active and entertained - skating, skiing, or watching the action on the ice and court as the Boston Bruins and Boston Celtics entertain the crowds at TD Garden.  For college hockey fans, the Beanpot Tournament continues its 50+ years of intense rivalry.

But you'll also find plenty of other entertaining February events - Chinese New Year, Valentine's Day, the New England Boat Show, and more!

Snow-filled Lagoon in Boston's Public Garden in February

February often brings a mixture of bright and sunny almost-warm days, and cold snowy periods - plus everything in between.   It's a wonderful time of the year to walk around with a camera and photograph all your favorite spots without tree leaves hiding them.

If you're planning what to do in Boston in February, here are events and activities to consider.

10 fun things to do in Boston in February

1.  Join the rivalry at the Boston Beanpot Tournament

If you think competition at professional sports events gets fierce, just wait till you see the intense rivalry on the ice - and in the stands - at the Annual Boston Beanpot Hockey Tournament, providing zip to Boston sports since 1952. 

Held on the first and second Mondays in the month, the Beanpot Tournament pits Boston College, Boston University, Harvard, and Northeastern University against each other.  BU holds the biggest number of trophies - so expect a lot of excitement as the others try to seize the championship!  Check the Boston Events Calendar for February for dates, times, and ticket information.

2.  Keep yourself warm by jumping up and down while cheering winter sports

Between the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics, you can find a hockey or basketball game scheduled every day during February at TD Garden - the month may be short, but it's sweet!

Schedules and ticket information:  Boston Bruins   -    Boston Celtics

3.  Celebrate Super Bowl Sunday

Naturally, the Super Bowl is much better when our home town team, the New England Patriots, competes in it - so the 2011 NFL Playoffs will be exciting this year! Check schedules and ticket information.

Even if you're not at the games, you can still join in the fun with other fans anywhere there's a big screen.  You'll find lots and lots of them, as well as good food, drinks, and other sports fans at Boston sports bars.  For more choices, check out Boston bars near Fenway, as well as bars near the Garden.

Remember, take the T - or take a designated driver.

4.  Declare your love . . . celebrate Valentine's Day

Spend the night or a weekend in one of the Boston hotels offering Valentine's Day packages, and enjoy special amenities such as a bottle of champagne, chocolate covered strawberries, or perhaps a wood-burning fireplace in your room.

Take a romantic walk in the Public Garden (hope for a few lacy snow flakes to set the scene), toast your love while from the Top of the Pru (book dinner at the Top of the Hub (reservations). . . or save a few dollars toward the honeymoon by opting from the adjacent bar instead), or take a romantic dinner cruise around Boston Harbor on one of the bigger cruise boats that operates year-round.

5.  Get that perfect wedding dress - cheap!

Did that romantic Valentine's Day dinner produce a proposal, a "yes!", and a ring?  Join Boston's favorite shopping event, Running of the Brides, and find a designer wedding gown at a deep discount price.  To see what awaits you, check out Running of the Brides photos.

Update - This beloved Boston is no more . . . victim to Filene Basement's 2011 bankruptcy filing, with liquidation expected early in 2012.  So enjoy our Running of the Brides photos - and hope for some sort of miracle to restore Boston's most special bridal event.

6. Make hotel reservations

If you're reading this and wondering, "Is Boston the perfect place to spend a long weekend in February, the answer is "Yes!"  As you can tell from this list of things to do in Boston in February and the Boston Events Calendar for February, you'll find lots to do here this month.  And you'll get the bonus of cheap hotel rates.

Boston hotel rates start to rise again in March - but in February, you'll still find winter rates for half or even less of what you'd pay in July.  Boston is on sale, and it's a great time to stay in a Boston luxury boutique or hotel with in-room fireplaces.

How to find a bargain rate?  Check Trip Advisor which searches all the big booking agencies to find special deals, and then shows you the best rates and discounts, plus recent reviews by other visitors.

7.  Welcome the Chinese New Year

Lion Dancers getting ready for a performance in Boston

The annual Chinese Lion Dance Festival in Chinatown brings in the New Year with a bang as local Chinese martial arts groups parade through the streets performing the dance, accompanied by drums, cymbals, and gongs.  Check the Boston Events Calendar - February for date and time details.

8.  Dine in Chinatown

In honor of Chinese New Year, try a new-to-you restaurant in Chinatown - somewhere you've never been before.  Here are a few recommendations for some of my own favorites:

• Bubor Cha Cha (45 Beach Street; 617-482-3338) - Mostly Malaysian, with some Indonesian and Thai dishes.
• Taiwan Cafe (34 Oxford Street; 617-426-8181) - Taiwanese specialties.
• East Ocean City (25-29 Beach Street; 617-542-2504) - Specializes in fresh seafood, prepared in several regional styles such as Hong Kong/Cantonese, Szechuan, Hunan - try the Fried Twin Lobster.
• Dim Sum restaurant suggestions

9.  Plan a day on the slopes - or an hour on the ice

Even when Boston has no snow at all, Massachusetts ski areas near Boston make and groom it daily - so head for the slopes for a day or more of fun.  For even steeper slopes and mountains, you'll find plenty of wonderful New England ski vacation resorts just a couple of hours away.

Have only an hour or two of free time during your visit to Boston?  Head over to Frog Pond on Boston Common, rent skates, and go ice skating right in Boston.

More Boston outdoor activities for winter

10.  Dream about spring . . . visit the New England Boat Show

The New England Boat Show, held during the last week of the month at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center in the South Boston Waterfront, is the biggest boating event in the Northeast.  With boats up to 50' long on display and over 40,000 visitors, you'll find plenty of excitement. 

If you're coming to Boston for this event, check out nearby South Boston Waterfront hotels.  Get details about the boat show on the Boston Event Calendar for February.