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 - the Running of the Brides, 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 would be much better if our home town team, the New England Patriots were in it.  Naturally, the Super Bowl would be even more fun to watch if the Patriots played in it here in Boston - well, at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. 

But 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

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 . . . 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.

Want to really splurge?  Check out these VD extravaganzas: 

• Sensing Restaurant at the Fairmont Battery Wharf Hotel in the North End - Make reservations for the special Valentine's Day dinner, buy a bottle of Dom Perignon in Sensing to toast your love, and spend the night in the hotel for only $10 - OK, not a bargain, considering what the cost of the DP will be, but certainly romantic!  Call Sensing at 617-994-9001 to reserve.
• L'Espalier in Back Bay plans a "Weekend of Romance" featuring many options for prix-fixe meals. Call 617-262-3023 for reservations.   Check out other French restaurants in Boston.

For something more affordable but still very nice, check out Vlora's 3-course Mediterranean mezze tasting for $28.75/person in Back Bay (545 Boylston / 617-638-9699).  Other Back Bay restaurants

Or some of Boston's terrific Italian restaurants such as Canestaro's in Fenway or Grotto on Beacon Hill.

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.

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, winter rates can be half or even less of what you'd pay in July. 

How to find a bargain rate?  A good place to start is by checking rates at HotelsCombined for your target dates.  I just did that (randomly selecting February 20) and found great rates below or just above $100 for some of the city's top hotels:  the Park Plaza near the Public Garden, the Onyx near TD Garden, Back Bay Hotel (formerly Jury's), the Fairmont Battery Wharf in the North End, and the waterfront Marriott Residence Inn Tudor Wharf in Charlestown (just a 5-10 minute walk from TD Garden).

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 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.

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

Even if Boston has no snow, Massachusetts ski areas near Boston make and groom it daily - so head for the slopes for a day or more of fun. 

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.

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.