When you visit Boston or nearby Cambridge during the winter months, you can have a lot of fun by chasing away the cold with a few spins on the ice. Here are my recommendations for three super-convenient public rinks where you can enjoy this sport from late November through mid-March.
Two of these rinks are in the middle of the city, and the third is only 5 minutes away in Cambridge, just across the Charles River.
Best of all, you don't have to have your own skates with you because they all offer inexpensive rentals.
You don't know how to skate? No problem--you can arrange for lessons at all of these rinks. Boston Common's Frog Pond, a 6" deep pool right in the middle of the city, is a favorite children's splashing pool during the summer. In November, a refrigeration system magically turns it into a glassy surface kept smooth by the resident Zamboni.
As you twirl around the ice of this outdoor rink, you'll enjoy the views surrounding Boston Common, established in 1634 and America's oldest park. You'll see the stately mansions of Beacon Hill to the east, the sleek mirrored glass sides of the John Hancock Towers designed by I.M. Pei to the west, and the bare branches of the Common's many trees in all directions.
Best of all, if you need something hot to drink or tasty to eat, you can head into the adjacent Frog Pond Pavilion snack bar.
The indoor Steriti Ice Rink, located in the nearby North End area of Boston, is a great alternative when the outdoor weather is, shall we say, less than ideal--in other words, rain, sleet, strong winds, heavy snow. The waterfront rink is located on the Charles River, right before it widens into the Boston Harbor, so you can enjoy the spectacular views from the ice.
The Steriti is run by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and admission is free. Public skating hours at this rink are limited, so be sure to verify ice availability by calling the number at the end of this article before you go.
Afterwards, stop by one of the terrific bakery/expresso bars or Italian restaurants on nearby Hanover Street.
Across the Charles River in Cambridge, only 5 minutes away by subway, you'll find Kendall Square Community Ice Skating, near MIT. This seasonal outdoor rink is in the middle of a busy commercial area surrounded by hotels, stores, and restaurants. It has its own snack bar, plus you'll find many other dining options nearby, as well as a movie theater. You can easily plan a whole day of fun here--ice skating, dinner, and a movie.