Some may remember the classic scene in Elf when Buddy tells Walter about how he planned his whole snow-filled winter day. “First we’ll make snow angels for a two hours, then we’ll go ice skating, then we’ll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookie Dough as fast as we can, and then we’ll snuggle.” Buddy’s enthusiasm may come off as strange for people who are not fond of the winter cold but for those who relate to Buddy’s excitement, here’s a list of things to do in the winter and the best places for all of our favorite activities.

Ice Skating

Gillette stadium:  While Gillette has a smaller rink compared to some places, it compensates by having a convenient location. Gillette also has a Dunkin Donuts pop up shop inside if you find yourself in need of a hot cocoa or coffee to warm up. With a coat donation to Cradles to Crayons the admission price is $2 off.

Frog Pond:

The Frog Pond is a larger ring located on Beacon Street, Boston, MA, it tends to be a little more crowded than Gillette but has a great winter ambience . The benefits of hauling your cold winter self to Boston is the proximity to great shopping, and food. If you don’t feel like walking around there is a cafe located right in the skating rink that has free donuts and cocoa on especially cold days.

City Hall Plaza Skating Path and Winter Market

For the first time this winter City Hall plaza Boston is being transformed into a literal winter wonderland. The skating path is a new take on a traditional skating rink that is sure to delight skaters who are tired of the traditional circular rink. Also inside the Winter Market is an array of vendors and a DJ to spice up your skating experiencing.

Gillette Prices

Adults: $8

Children (12 and under): $6

Seniors (65 and older): $6

Ice Skate Rentals: $4

TIMES: Monday – 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Tuesday – 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Wednesday – 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Thursday – 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Friday: 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Saturday & All School Holidays: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Sunday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Frog Pond Prices

Mon 10:00AM-3:45PM

Tue-Thu 10:00AM-9:00PM

Fri-Sat 10:00AM-10:00PM

Sun 10:00AM-9:00PM

Ticket sales end 30 minutes before closing.

Admission

Admission price based on skater’s height

58-inches and over: $6.00

Under 58-inches: free

Rentals & Services

Skates

Adult men/women: $12.00

Kids: $6.00

Sizes: 8T all the way up to a men’s 15

MA sales tax included on skate rentals

City Hall Prices

Local Skiing

Blue Hills in Canton offers well groomed ski trails for beginners and experts alike.

Daily lift tickets range from $29-47 depending on the time. For those have never skied before, Blue Hill’s offers group and private lessons.

Hours

Monday – Wednesday   1 pm – 9 pm

Thursday – Saturday     9 am – 9 pm

Sunday     9am – 6pm

Hot Coco

Swiss mix is not going to cut it if you want to have the best hot cocoa experience this winter. For those who are willing to travel into Boston, L.A. Burdick and Max Brenner’s Cafe’s offer gourmet hot cocoa that will change the way you drink winter beverages forever.. Brenners mint-Nutella and salted caramel white hot chocolate is a bucket-list worthy drink as well as L.A Burdick rich Caribbean cocoa bean infused hot chocolate that will transport you to a European cafe.

L.A Burdick Handmade Chocolates

Address: 108 Newbury Street, 220 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116

Hours:

http://www.onesweetmess.com/2013/10/13/milk-chocolate-peanut-butter-hot-chocolate/

Ingredients

1 cup of heavy cream

2 cups of milk – I used skim milk

1 cup of good quality white chocolate chips, Ghirardelli recommended

1/2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon of pumpkin spice

Whipped cream and additional pumpkin spice to sprinkle on top.

Instructions

Simmer milk and cream until hot to the touch and steaming.

Add in your chocolate and stir until smooth and melted.

Stir in peanut butter until just melted.

Pour the mixture into a mug.

Top with mini mallows and enjoy

Winter Movies

A great way to escape the winter cold is to curl up in the coach and enjoy a movie marathon, especially if you have a nice cup of cocoa. Watching a movie set in the winter time will help you get in the winter spirit and start embracing the season. The sudden urges to build a snowman will initiate. On the other the effects of scary movies are heightened due to the eerie winter atmosphere.

Animated

• Ice Age
• Frozen
• Happy Feet
• Polar Express

Non Animated

• Fargo
• The Chronicles of Narnia
• Planes Trains and Automobiles
• Ice Princess
• The Shining
• Whiteout
• Groundhog Day
• Home Alone
• Saint Elmo’s Fire