WinterOff season ~33°F highs

Things to do in Boston in January

January is off season (quieter, and often cheaper) to visit Boston, with average highs around 33°F. Museums and indoor sights come into their own, with fewer crowds outside.

Plan a January weekend Where else in January

Best picks for January

What's famous here, weighted toward what shines in January.

1Indoor escape

Museum of Fine Arts

art museum in Boston, Massachusetts, United States

2Indoor escape

USS Constitution

1797 heavy frigate of the United States Navy, oldest commissioned naval vessel afloat

3Indoor escape

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Holidays in January 2027

New Year's Day · Fri, Jan 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day · Mon, Jan 18

Expect busier roads and pricier stays around these dates. See long weekends.

Boston in January: quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Boston?

January is off season (quieter, and often cheaper) to visit Boston, with average highs around 33°F. Museums and indoor sights come into their own, with fewer crowds outside.

What is the weather like in Boston in January?

Average daytime highs are around 33°F, compared with 84°F in the warmest month. Check the forecast a week out; our planner favors indoor stops on rainy days.

What are the best things to do in Boston in January?

Top picks for January: Museum of Fine Arts, USS Constitution, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Harvard Art Museums.