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Boston Ranked World’s Most Beautiful City In Winter

Author Bob Bronson
People walk on the frozen and snow covered lagoon on the Boston Common after Winter Storm Kenan on January 30, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. A powerful noreaster brought blinding blizzard conditions with high winds causing widespread power outages to much of the Mid-Atlantic and New England coast. The storm dropped over 30 inches in some areas of the state. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)

Bostonians will not be too surprised by the results of this new survey, after all it’s no secret that they live in a beautiful city. Boston has so much to offer all year long with a mix of modern architecture and classical structures that only get better with age.

A new study has revealed the most beautiful cities around the globe in winter, with Boston ranking as the most picturesque to visit this season.

The study, which was commissioned by hotel chain Premier Inn, used eye-tracking technology to analyze how eye-catching 72 cities around the world are when the winter months arrive. The global analysis revealed that Boston in the U.S. took the top spot, capturing the attention of participants for an average 2.67s. York, England follows in second place, with Ireland’s Dublin completing the top three. 

With the latter part of the year rapidly approaching, and the temperature beginning to drop, Premier Inn has conducted an eye-tracking study of some of the world’s most beloved cities to find out which come into their own during the winter. Including 72 cities from around the world, the research reveals which cities are most visually appealing, even in the colder weather.  

Ranking in first place globally as the most beautiful city in winter is Boston, Massachusetts, where its iconic skyline earned it an impressive 2.67 seconds of average viewing time. The city’s famed colonial architecture takes on an extra nostalgic quality when dusted with snow, while the Freedom Trail becomes an even more magical walking route. Boston Common and the Public Garden transform into winter wonderlands, and the Museum of Fine Arts offers warm halls filled with world-class art. 

New York follows in second place, with the darker, colder days transforming the city that never sleeps into a truly magical place that looks like it’s straight out of a movie scene. Salt Lake City, Utah completes the top three with the capital Washington D.C. fourth and Aspen, Colorado famed for its winter activities ranking fifth.  

USA’s Top Five Most Beautiful Winter Cities 

  1. Boston, MA
  2. New York, NY
  3. Salt Lake City, UT
  4. Washington D.C.
  5. Aspen, CO

Congats to the city of Boston and those that get to call it home. If you have never visited the city, it turns out that Winter is a great time to see for yourself.

Bob is a native New Englander, growing up (sorta) in Maine where his love for radio started at a young age. While in high school he hosted radio shows on a local radio station, and he has never looked back. Bob joined the US Navy and served onboard the Sixth Fleet Flagship as a radio and TV host. After serving for 3 years, it was off to Emerson College in Boston. Bob hosted shows in Boston on WMEX, WVBF and WSSH in the 80’s and 90’s before heading to radio stations in Raleigh, NC, Manchester, NH, and New York City. Bob has been married for almost 25 years to Carolyn, a Woburn gal and they have 3 daughters, Nicole, Taylor, and Bridget. Bob and Carolyn are proud first-time grandparents to baby Caroline, who they plan to spoil every chance they get! “I started my career in New England and could not be happier to come back to Boston where I can root for all the Boston sports teams and eat lots of lobster rolls and clam chowder (okay not lots)… It is an honor to host the WROR morning show with LBF and wake up the World’s Greatest City!” Bob writes about recipes and restaurants, pop culture and trending topics.

6 New England Spots Make List Of Most Beautiful Winter Towns

These are the 6 hot spots when it comes to beautiful cold spots

The folks at Travel and Leisure Magazine have rated 6 New England spots that make the list of the 20 most beautiful winter towns in the U.S.A. To us New Englanders it’s not surprising they made the list because we have so many worthy towns in our corner of the country. Plus, they are all just a nice scenic drive away from pretty much anywhere around the Boston area.

Snow good

There’s something about a coating of the white stuff (snow) to make a town look more beautiful, especially Old New England towns with picturesque mains streets and back roads (as they say). Snow makes everything prettier, that’s why we are always hoping for a white Christmas. If you look at a town’s main street in the summer time it doesn’t look as good as will with an inch or three of freshly fallen snow. That doesn’t mean these 6 spots are only good for wintertime, far from it, they are all very special places that are beautiful places to be any time of year, it’s just they look even better in the winter months.

Hit the road

Here it is early January and winter has set in. We have had a couple of significant snow storms and unfortunately lots of rain as well, but we all know that the season has just begun. That means we have to settle into it and not fight it. If you are already getting a sense of dreaded “cabin fever” (being inside the house too long) then it’s time to hit the road Jack and head to one of these great six New England towns. They are all worthy of their ranking as part of the top 20 most beautiful winter towns in the country and they’re all close by, so fill up the tank and pack a bag. You can hit the slopes, or take a scenic horse drawn ride through the town or relax by  a cozy fire with a hot drink on  a cold New England night.

  • 6. North Conway, NH

    Travel and Leisure magazine says; The picturesque New Hampshire town is a paradise for skiing, snowboarding, and family-friendly sledding, and if you’d prefer to take in your nature views from the comfort of a heated coach, you can, thanks to the Conway Scenic Railroad. Located just a 2.5 hour drive from Boston, North Conway has everything all year round, but you can’t beat it’s location for winter activities and much more.

  • 5. Stowe, VT

    Travel and Leisure says; Outdoor activities run the gamut from downhill skiing and ice skating to snowmobiling and fat biking. Photographers and sightseers, meanwhile, will love the frozen Bingham Falls, the town’s multiple covered bridges, and the quintessential New England architecture. Stowe is a 3.5 hour drive from Boston and well worth it. Beautiful mountain scenery for both skiers and non skiers alike, there’s nothing to not like about Stowe, so go!

  • 4. Mystic, CT

    Travel and Leisure says; Mystic is a quaint old town on the Connecticut shore that’s well known for its long-standing maritime traditions (and for the 1988 film “Mystic Pizza”), but it’s a sleeper hit in the winter. You can get to Mystic in just over 2 hours from Boston. Once there you will enjoy the amazing food scene and of course you have to go to Mystic Pizza and take in the charm of this amazing town.

  • 3. Kennebunkport, ME

    Travel and Leisure says; Most of the popular vacation towns in Maine are summer retreats that slow down considerably in the colder months. This means winter visitors to Kennebunkport can enjoy scenic coastal walks and a community that’s as charming as ever — minus the peak-season swarms. Kennebunkport is about a 90 minute drive from Boston and is just as fun in the winter as the summer months. The best news is, all the restaurants are open, but you won’t have the long waits, and the Bush family will be out of town so you won’t have to worry about the secret service scoping you out.

  • 2. Lenox, MA

    Travel and Leisure says; A well-established summer escape for New Englanders, Lenox is steadily growing its reputation as a winter getaway, too. During the colder months, snow-dusted scenery, as well as cultural happenings at the many museums, theaters, and music halls, make this Berkshires town an utterly enchanting choice. Lenox is located just over 2 hours west of Boston and if you have never been, then you literally don’t know what you are missing. Lenox is beautiful in all seasons, but comes alive in the winter months. Sure you know about Tanglewood and the great concerts and events but Lenox offers much more as well. You can plan a very fulfilling weekend in this wonderful town.

  • 1. Woodstock, VT

    Travel and Leisure says; Vermont isn’t lacking in outstanding winter escapes, but anyone who’s visited during the colder months will tell you that Woodstock is one of the best. This adorable town sets itself apart with rolling hills, old covered bridges, and historic architecture. Woodstock is just under 3 hours from Boston and offers some of the most charming Bed and Breakfast inn and cabins in all of New England. It is a beautiful town for all seasons, but there’s something special about Woodstock in the winter. Be sure to come home with a nice bottle of Vermont maple syrup!

Author Bob Bronson
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