You Must Visit These 10 Awesome Places in Massachusetts This Winter

When the weather turns chilly, the Bay State offers plenty of incredible opportunities to create memories and explore new places. From snow tubing hills to magical gardens filled with lights, there’s so much to do around every corner. Here are some of our favorite cold-weather adventures and winter day trips in Massachusetts. Which of these seasonal activities will you do first?

1. Ride a horse through a snowy Christmas tree farm.

Even if you’ve never ridden a horse before, this Massachusetts winter horseback riding experience with Ridge Valley Stables through the woods and open fields to the Pell Farm Christmas Tree grove in Grafton is the perfect, unique weekend excursion. Gentle horses and experienced guides’ll guide you along. Rides are typically between an hour and 90 minutes long. Visit the Ridge Valley Stables Facebook page for more.

2. Walk through an enchanting garden of lights.

Gardens Aglow at Heritage Museums and Gardens in Sandwich will fill you with holiday cheer. This spectacular display stretches across 12 miles of walking paths and fills the stunning gardens with twinkling lights. It’s great for families, a romantic date night, or anyone looking to inject a bit of magic into their week. This event takes place on select nights from late November to late December. Visit the Heritage Museum & Gardens website for dates, hours, and ticket information for Gardens Aglow. A little late (or early) this year? No worries — there's always next year!

3. Get breakfast at an old-fashioned sugar house.

Stop in for pancakes, French toast, or Belgian waffles topped with fruit and 100% pure maple syrup at Williams Farm Sugarhouse in Deerfield. Open late February through April, you'll get a taste of authentic local flavor and tradition. Williams Farm has been tapping trees and producing delicious maple products for five generations, a tradition that began in the mid-1800s with Milton Hubbard Williams. This farm is the perfect place to fill up on waffles and syrup on a frosty morning. Don't forget to take some of their famous maple syrup home! Visit the Williams Farm Sugarhouse website or Facebook page for more information.

4. Take an easy and gorgeous winter hike.

This winter boardwalk hike is located in the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge in Newbury. It's one of the most beautiful and accessible trails on the North Shore, offering stunning sea views, wildlife-watching opportunities, and plenty of peace and quiet. This is one of the most enchanting hikes in Massachusetts that you can take this winter.

5. Visit a gorgeous frozen waterfall.

Bash Bish Falls becomes a gorgeous icy sculpture when the temperature drops. What better time to hike to the tallest waterfall in Massachusetts than when the summer crowds are gone, and the air is clear and crisp? The sight of this lovely, frosty cascade will take your breath away. Check out Bash Bish Falls and other frozen waterfalls in Massachusetts this winter.

6. Go snow tubing at a ski resort.

Snow tubing has quickly become one of the most popular winter sports in New England, and it's no wonder why. Stop by Ski Butternut in Great Barrington or Nashoba Valley Tubing Park in Littleton for a ride down a massive snowy hill on an inflatable tube. It's like sledding turned up to 11. Snow tubing is one of the best things to do in winter in Massachusetts.

7. Visit a cozy and classic New England town.

Concord is one of the oldest and most historic towns in the state, transforming into a winter wonderland each year. With comfortable inns, charming lights, a buzzing main street, and plenty of historic sites to explore, like Walden Pond and Minute Man National Park, you won't run out of things to do here on a frosty afternoon. Discover for yourself why you should visit this winter wonderland town in Massachusetts.

8. Warm up with a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich.

There's no better way to ward off the winter chill than with a hot and gooey sandwich, and Roxy’s Grilled Cheese has you covered. With a shop at Central Square and a food truck, this sandwich joint specializes in amazing flavor combinations, such as the Green Muenster Melt, featuring grilled cheese with applewood-smoked bacon and house-made guacamole, and the Hot Honey Bacon, featuring applewood-smoked bacon and Mike's Hot Honey. This grilled cheese joint in the Boston area is one of a kind! Visit the Roxy's Grilled Cheese website for locations and menus.

9. Explore a magical holiday shop in the country.

The Oakwood Farm Christmas Barn will send visions of sugarplums dancing through your head. Located in Spencer, this charming holiday shop stocks a wide variety of handmade decorations, toys, and ornaments in a historic and beautiful setting. This Christmas barn is one of the most enchanting places to do your holiday shopping in Massachusetts. This one is seasonal, so always double-check the hours before you go! Visit the Oakwood Farm Christmas Barn website for days and hours of operation.

10. Get lost in an enchanted wand shop.

When the winter wind drives you indoors, there's no better way to wile away the time than perusing the magical wares at Wynott's Wands in Salem. This shop sells handcrafted wooden wands and is filled to the brim with mystical items and Harry Potter memorabilia. Visit the Wynott's Wands Facebook page for more.

Here in Massachusetts, we don't let a bit of cold weather stop us from enjoying the season. What are some of your favorite things to do in Massachusetts during the winter? If yours isn't listed, please send us a message through our nomination page!

Plan your own trip to Massachusetts this winter with Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner.