You may have heard how amazing fall in New England is — colorful leaves, candle-lit pumpkins, crisp evening walks. But did you know that winter, with its ice skating and hot chocolate and foggy windows, can be just as lovely? Or what about summer, when the ocean breeze perfectly cuts the heat as you dine on oysters and a glass of rosé?

It turns out that every time of the year in Cambridge has something to offer, and Harvard Law School wants to help you make the most of it. Here are just a few ideas to consider.

Fall

Hand picking an apple from a tree.
Apple picking is a popular fall New England activity. Credit: Paul Marotta/Getty Images
  • Now is the perfect time to simply stroll through one of Cambridge’s many beautiful parks and public spaces. As just one suggestion, peep the changing leaves and historic sites and sights on the Minuteman Bikeway, which mirrors the route taken by Paul Revere in 1775, setting off the American Revolution.
  • Go apple picking at one of several pastoral farms around Boston. (Or, if you have a designated driver, try one of several tasty hard cider taprooms.)
  • Visit Salem, Massachusetts, site of the infamous 1692 witch trials, and today known for fully embracing its storied, spooky history. You can travel there by car, ferry from Boston or get weekend fares on the Commuter Rail.
  • Take a colorful, leafy walk around Mount Auburn Cemetery, the 174-acre historic burial ground of some of Boston’s famous figures, including Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr., Dorothea Dix, Charles Sumner LL.B. 1834, and Felix Frankfurter LL.B. 1906.

Winter

People ice skating on the Frog Pond in Boston.
Ice skaters cast long shadows during Christmas Eve on the Boston Common’s Frog Pond skating rink. Credit: John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
  • There’s a reason why L.A. Burdick’s hot chocolate is famous. Trust us on this one.
  • Go ice skating at the Boston Common Frog Pond.
  • Once you’re in Boston Common, take a walk around Beacon Hill and enjoy the twinkling lights while doing some holiday shopping (or browsing).
  • If there is a little snow on the ground, grab a sled (or even a garbage bag) and check out one of the area’s best sledding hills.
  • Celebrate First Night, a Boston New Year’s Eve tradition since 1976, by attending one of many free shows, activities, and musical performances.
  • Catch a (new or classic!) flick at the Brattle or the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square, and don’t forget the warm popcorn.

Spring

Person walking by lilacs in the Arnold Arboretum.
A visitor passes by a lilac tree in full bloom in the Arnold Arboretum. The arboretum maintains a collection of over 400 lilacs which it celebrates each May on “Lilac Sunday.” Credit: John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
  • Visit Arnold Arboretum any time during the spring and you’re sure to find something in bloom. Particularly popular are the lilacs, which tend to blossom from late-April through May.
  • Likewise, you’d be remiss if you miss the Boston Public Garden in April, when tulips begin to pop up. Enjoy a stroll through the garden’s many pathways, and, for a small fee, take a ride on one of its famous Swan Boats.
  • Now is the perfect time to walk the famous 2.5-mile Freedom Trail, which links more than a dozen sites important in American history, particularly the American Revolution. Also, follow the Black Heritage Trail, which tells the story of African Americans in Boston before and after the Civil War.
  • If there’s still a bit of a chill in the air, cozy up beside the outdoor fireplace at Harvest, located in Harvard Square.

Summer

Children playing at Walden Pond.
Children at Walden Pond in Concord, Massachusetts flock to the giant bubbles created by “Bubbleguy” James Dichter. Credit: Dina Rudick/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

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