My Senior Winter Bucket List
As the semester gets colder and snow begins to hit the ground, this might be my last winter in Boston as a college student. So here's my list of some of the many things you can do during a Boston winter. Between finals and packing up for break, I want to take more moments to soak in and pause, because there's so much more I still want to do.
1. Return to Snowport Holiday Market:
I went last year, and it instantly became one of my favorite holiday spots. Snowport is full of vendors selling handmade items, great food, cozy drinks, and warm, festive energy. I remember wandering around with friends and sipping hot chocolate that warmed my hands more than the weather ever could. This year, as a senior, I want to go back and take it all in slowly, whether it be trying new foods, buying a small gift, or enjoying the lights one more time.
2. Ice-skating at Frog Pond:
I’m definitely not the most graceful skater out there (probably the worst), but I love it. There’s something magical about being on the ice with friends, laughing as we wobble our way around the rink, city lights reflecting off the surface. Even if I spend more time clinging to the wall than gliding, it’s always a highlight of winter.
3. Finally see The Nutcracker:
Somehow, even after four years in Boston, I’ve never gone to see The Nutcracker. It feels like such an iconic holiday tradition, and I’ve always imagined how fun and festive it would be: dressing up a little, stepping into a warm theater on a freezing night, and watching a classic come to life. This is the year I finally make it happen.
4. Wander downtown at night and admire the lights:
One of my favorite winter traditions doesn’t require any planning at all: wandering downtown with no real destination. Boston at night in the winter feels almost otherworldly. The trees wrapped in lights, store windows glowing, the air crisp and still. I love grabbing a hot drink and just walking, letting the city feel soft and magical for an evening.
5. A snowy adventure on campus:
And of course, I want to savor the little winter moments near campus too: a snowy hike up the Hill, sledding with friends on a random night (which of course includes snowball fights), and warm drinks afterward. Those small, spontaneous memories are the ones that sneak up and end up meaning the most.
6. Visit Faneuil Hall & Quincy Market during the holidays:
Faneuil Hall in the winter has such a classic Boston feel. There's a huge Christmas tree, everything is decorated, and performers fill the air with music. Sometimes you can even slow dance a little with friends because the whole place feels like a scene out of a holiday movie. Warm food fill the market air, and the crowds are bundled up and buzzing with energy. Even just wandering around the marketplace feels festive. It’s one of those places where you can easily spend an hour without realizing it, soaking up the holiday spirit.
7. Try a new café or bakery each week:
Boston winter basically demands cozy indoor spots. Trying a new café — or revisiting an old favorite — is the perfect low-stakes break from finals. I love checking out their holiday specials too, whether it’s a peppermint mocha, gingerbread latte, seasonal pastries, or whatever new creation they come up with for December. Nothing hits like a warm drink when it's freezing outside. It’s such a simple way to make the season feel a little warmer and a little slower.
This winter feels like a chance to pause and appreciate everything I’ve experienced here and everything I still hope to. It’s my last season of lights, laughter, cold air, warm drinks, and the memories I’ll carry with me long after graduation.
It’s not a goodbye yet, just a reminder to savor this senior winter slowly and intentionally, with the people who’ve made these years feel like home. As I finish this little winter bucket list, I’m realizing that what I’m most excited for isn’t anything grand. It’s the small pockets of magic Boston holds in the colder months: cozy nights, sparkling streets, spontaneous fun with friends, and the quiet comfort of knowing these moments are fleeting.
Maybe that’s the point: to find joy in the simple things, especially now, in my last season here.