Submitted by Creative_Practice710 t3_yel53h in boston
Hey guys,
My friends and I (Irish) were thinking of doing a vacation in Boston in early February - we can only go in February. Is it still a good time to visit?
Thanks !!
Submitted by Creative_Practice710 t3_yel53h in boston
Hey guys,
My friends and I (Irish) were thinking of doing a vacation in Boston in early February - we can only go in February. Is it still a good time to visit?
Thanks !!
> slight risk of getting snowed in the whole time
Counterpoint, may also have the slight possibility of walking around Boston post-snow-storm where there are little to no cars on the road and the city is quiet due to that and the snow absorbing sound. People skiing in the streets, snowball fights on the common, popping into the bars that are open.
Boston post-snow-storm is the best.
very true! though, i imagine it would be less magical if you're worried about your flight home getting cancelled haha
Oh damn! It was mainly because of the cheap flights 😅😅
I think you’ve figured out why the flights are so cheap.
😂😂😂
Go somewhere warm, I wouldn't waste an international vacation on a boston winter.
This 👆
Is it that bad 😂
Yes. February is generally very cold and snowy. I would go somewhere warmer.
It’s the coldest, windiest and iciest month with little daylight and everyone is fucking miserable. The snow is like 40% trash and dirt and the city looks hideous.
There are times in February when it’s just too inhospitable outside - it literally hurts your face. People would rather take an Uber rather than walk 10 minutes. You also have a good chance of being snowed in on some days.
If you’re not acclimated to this kind of climate, I wouldn’t do it. You would spend more money on a good jacket and boots than you would plane tickets.
Please come back in the summer or next autumn. It’s absolutely beautiful, shit is hopping, streets are clean and people are in good spirits. Also, we love the Irish and you’ll be treated well.
>It’s the coldest, windiest and iciest month with little daylight and everyone is fucking miserable.
The people who are saying this (you're not the only one) seem to have forgotten about January, which is colder, windier, and darker. The days start getting longer rather quickly during February. Yes, it can still be cold and snowy, but it is warmer than January.
Aww thanks that’s so kind!
Really depends what you are used to but it’s by far our worst weather month.
Yes. This is a no brainer. Don’t waste your money or time. Go somewhere warmer in Feb and consider Boston in the Summer or Fall.
Forget the weather, you can't predict it. Just learn to accept it. I visited New York once in February and walked around carrying my jacket and sweating from the the unseasonable heat wave. I have also been on vacation in Chicago in February and the windy city lived up to its name, bitter cold howling wind. But the food, museums and the hockey game were all still fantastic.
The same will apply to Boston. It might be snow covered in February and it might not be. But in the restaurants, pubs, museums and if you can snag some Bruins or Celtics tickets, snow won't be a factor. If this is when you can afford to go, go and and enjoy.
There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.
And some years we don’t get snow in February at all. Yes, there could be a snowstorm, it could be wet and gross, but if you plan appropriately it will be fine.
I love this response 😄
Chicago is not the Windy City for the weather... It’s the windy City due to the long winded speaches the politicians had a history of giving.
Statistically Boston is windier than Chicago
why not? weather might be interesting. Bring waterproof boots and a warm jacket. Go skiing or skating or rent a snowmobile. The city is beautiful after fresh snow. have fun!
And the museums and theaters will all still be open (barring a major snowstorm) if you enjoy that kind of thing.
It looks so lovely in pictures !!
Ooh imo February is the worst month in Boston. Cold and dirty snow everywhere imo any other month other than feb and early March is good
I love Boston but winter in Boston, no thanks.
Do you mind a bit of snow? Then sure. All these babies can get stuffed, winter isn’t like arctic here.
Don’t have snow where I’m from so that’s part of the appeal!
If it’s snowy. There will be piles of dirty snow piled up everywhere on the sidewalks making it difficult to get around in the city. If it warms up and melts there giant puddles everywhere. Plus there will be salt and sand. It’s not picturesque. The cold isn’t the problem it’s the mess after it snows.
OP could come in October for 5 days and get rain. Like the last 5 days.
So what if it snows one day. Museums are usually still open unless it’s a whopper, bars are open, historical sites are open. Sock cap, some Mittens and waterproof boots. Come walk around. Even in a big storm you’ll find something to do like a big snowball fight in the Common.
Plus you don’t have to deal with near as many crowds or high flight/hotel prices.
February is my vacation planning month and I’m trying to afford Switzerland. Who cares if it snows, it’s still vacation. I’ll probably end up in Scotland or Ireland if the pound stays low.
Sounds awesome! Also heads up Ireland is in Europe so we use the euro - but the dollar is still super strong!
Are you winter sport inclined? My nieces (Co. Waterford) head into the Alps for skiiing in the cold weather. If you are not sports inclined, then you are being a tourist. Everything will be open, but it will be no fun if the weather is bad. We can't predict the weather, but for example, we know it will be raining in Galway next week, but we don't know what days. Boston in February, yes the worst month, is like that. There will be shitty weather, so be prepared to bring plenty of warm clothing, and then use the cloakrooms in the museums, art galleries etc. that you visit.
A lot of people are saying there is a lot of snow in February. Imo February IS the worst month in Boston, but it’s because we often get wet nasty dirty slush everywhere. It’s not the light fluffy stuff you get in December/January.
February is usually when I try to get away to somewhere warm for a couple days if schedule allows lol. It’s pretty depressing.
IMO no, but Vermont or other states that get a ton of snow for skiing always seemed fun (I've never done it so I don't have recs, sorry!)
Do you like snow and ice? If so come
Otherwise don’t
It will be much colder than you experience in Ireland, but at least you are no stranger to wet. I don’t know why no one is acknowledging the weather in your point of origin though — what Boston in February has got over Ireland is blue skies. If it isn’t snowing, it will likely be very cold under a bluebird sky, and that’s not nothing. Get a cozy cabin in Vermont or New Hampshire to play in the snow for a few days, and bundle up well for your city time, and enjoy!
Thanks so much!! :)
I wish for you and your friends a week of mostly cold-and-clear with a couple days of fresh snowfall. :)
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Yeah, to addon, a lot of people who don't like Boston's cold haven't been much worse, because I personally love the snow, the cold, and everything the winter brings, truly a magical time. Besides the dirt slush, I fucking hate that.
Can you handle cold? You’ll be fine. We have a subway system that will get you around no matter the weather. Even in a blizzard, stuff is shut down less than a day
All these people warning you to be afraid of the snow are cowards.
Boston winter can be incredibly beautiful in its own way. Walking the Esplanade or the Arborway when everything is coated in white and a light snow falling around you; there's nothing more serene or peaceful imo, time can feel still. They didn't write the song "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" for nothing.
Even if you end up coming when it's slushy and nasty out, that's not going to actually dampen the fun and uniqueness of any of the stuff you'd be visiting Boston to see like Bunker Hill, the USS Constitution, Old North Church, etc., in my opinion.
As long as you're not a weenie about it and dress warmly, take advantage of the cheap flights!
Thank you! I’m actually hoping for some snow but honestly I think it would be fun regardless !!
Also, all that cold and ice means you have great reasons to duck into a bar for a warming snack, or a drink.. or two.
Best time to visit by far is October-Early November, or during the late spring and summer months (May-August)
That being said, there’s always going to be stuff to do year round, just be prepared for it to be real cold (feels colder in the city because the skyscrapers channel the wind)
My big advice would be to explore outside the city as well. Just take the Pike West and explore all of the towns
Can you ski? That's probably the only thing to make the flight worth it in winter.
I hadn’t thought of it but it seems like the best thing to do!!
Brrrrrr…..if you can take the cold. 2-3 degrees (C) on average…on the bright side, flights and hotels will be cheap
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No
The worst month to come! Don't come! Come in May the earliest. February there is always some blizzard and its when the temperature get the lowest.
no
Peak winter for Boston is February, so freezing the whole time and snow, lots and lots of snow
Yes, it's my birth month so I might be bias, but winter is my favorite part fo Boston, I love snow, and in February it gets the coldest and most snowy, and the fact that it's cheap, it is the best time to visit. Unless you're like the new Yorkers who like to come here in autumn when the leaves are changing colors, beautiful then too.
Boston weather is awful at least six months of the year. January and February are the worst. And it makes Massholes even more miserable than they are already.
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You should never visit Boston. It's a waste of time.
twitterabandoner t1_itymv2c wrote
Probably the worst month to visit tbh. You'd have a slight risk of getting snowed in the whole time if a big storm hit. That said, it's a city worth visiting. Did you have other destinations in mind or is it Boston-or-nothing?