And the winner is... 🏆

BOStoday’s Best of 2022

Boston skyline from the river at golden hour.

We’re reflecting on the stories you loved the most. | Photo by @oschapov

Time flies when you’re having fun, Boston. This year, we sent a total of 250+ newsletters and shared 650+ posts on social media with the goal of keeping our community informed, activated + engaged.

So before we celebrate the beginning of a new year, we wanted to look back on the top BOStoday’s stories from 2022 + give a huge thank you to our readers and members of the community that made this year so spectacular.

🐶 Your guide to dog-friendly places in Boston
Did you know that dogs ride the T for free during non-rush hours? Grab your four-legged friends and explore this list to find the paw-fect place to bring your pup.

🦪 Dollar oyster deals around Boston
We knew this story would be a shucking good time. Save this list of the best spots for bargain Bay State bivalves.

🌳 Spend the day at Walden Pond in Concord
This National Historic Landmark offers a peaceful respite just a quick drive from Boston. It’s famous for inspiring Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden.”

⏰ 10 restaurants open late
Curb those midnight cravings with a late night bite at one of these 10 eateries, including Dumpling Cafe + Bova’s Bakery.

🍽️ 7 new restaurants in Boston
From Moëca to Tonino, this list only scratched the surface of all the exciting new restaurant openings we shared this year. Freshen up your plate with one of these newer options around town.

And that’s a wrap on 2022. Happy New Year, Boston!

Did we miss your favorite?

Let us know which story was your top read of the year.

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Friday, Dec. 23

Boston Pops | Friday, Dec. 23 | 8 p.m. | Symphony Hall Boston, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston | $26-$222 | Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at a holiday performance with the orchestra.
Feast of the Seven Fishes Dinner | Friday, Dec. 23 | 6:30 p.m. | Bar Mezzana, 360 Harrison Ave., Boston | $165 | This seven course dinner features optional wine pairings.

Saturday, Dec. 24

Matzoball® 2022 | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 8 p.m. | Royale Boston, 279 Tremont St., Boston | $40 | USA Today has dubbed this event the “No. 1 Holiday Party of the Year.”
Immersive Nutcracker: A Winter Miracle Dance Class | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 9-10 a.m. | Lighthouse ArtSpace Boston, 130 Columbus Ave., Boston | $35-$40 | Join the 45-minute dance class led by certified dance instructors inside the whimsical Immersive Nutcracker exhibit.
Christmas Eve Brunch | Saturday, Dec. 24 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, 30 Germania St., Boston | Price of purchase | Check out the brewery’s beer and waffle bar to get in the holiday spirit.

Sunday, Dec. 25

Christmas Day | Sunday, Dec. 25 | All day | The BOStoday team wishes you a merry holiday. Before you leave the house, double check for store closings and business’ special holiday hours.
Boston Celtics vs. Milwaukee Bucks | Sunday, Dec. 25 | 5 p.m. | TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston | $144.50-$1,254.50 | Break out your green gear and celebrate Christmas Day with the Celtics.

Tuesday, Dec. 27

Snowmazing Celebration | Tuesday, Dec. 27 | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St., Boston | $25-$35 | Have a snowmazing time at the museum with ice sculpture carving and ice play programming.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

57º | Thunderstorms | 100% chance of rain

Drink

Medford Brewing Company has opened a brewery and taproom in West Medford in an old auto body shop at 30 Harvard Ave. Stop by the new location to try the American lager, New England IPA, or chocolate pastry stout on tap. 🍻 (NBC 10)

Holiday

Maccabee Bar will be hosting a pop-up at Bow Market on Saturday, Dec. 24 from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Ski Bar. Lion Heart Confections will be serving donuts to enjoy with the specialty Hanukkah cocktails. Book a table.

Sports

Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon was the only player selected from New England to participate in the newly revamped Pro Bowl. This is Judon’s fourth straight invitation to the Pro Bowl, which will showcase players’ abilities and conclude with a game of flag football on Feb. 5. 🏈 (CBS Boston)

Cause

The city is collecting winter donations for unsheltered residents. Find the donation bin nearest you to drop off new or machine-washed items like blankets, coats, socks, hats, gloves, and scarves. 🧤

Answered

The answer to yesterday’s Union Oyster House quiz? The toothpick. The picks were imported from South America by entrepreneur Charles Forster, who hired Harvard boys to dine at the restaurant and ask to use them in an effort to popularize the toothpicks as a post-meal ritual.

DYK

In a recent list, Massachusetts was ranked No. 19 for number of trees harvested and distributed from local Christmas tree farms — which means your friends and family on the other side of the country could have a tree from Massachusetts in their home this year. 🎄 (Stacker)

Ranked

Get the confetti ready. Boston made the top 100 of best cities to celebrate New Year’s. Our city was ranked No. 17 based on criteria that considers everything from the amount of nightlife options to the price of a cab ride at the end of the night. Ring in 2023 at one of these events. 🥂 (WalletHub)

Drink

Scrambling to find a last minute gift? Enter: Flaviar — a subscription for those who love premium spirits. Send loved ones a gift subscription and they’ll have the opportunity to taste new, rare, and limited edition spirits of their choice each month. 🥃*

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Taking a break

Holiday decorations on a street in Beacon Hill.

If you spot the City Editors out and about, be sure to say hello. | Photo by @the_wonders_of_boston

As we sit down to our laptops for the last time in 2022, it’s nice to reflect back on the year behind us and be thankful for all the great stories we were able to write.

From getting to know the TikTok creator behind “Adventures with Jed” to rounding up 40+ places to grab brunch, we had fun sharing this wonderful city with you. Thank you for being a reader of BOStoday.

We will be taking a break next week, catching our breath and spending time with friends and family. Your next regularly scheduled newsletter will hit your inbox Jan. 3, 2023. We hope you’re able to step away as well. And if you find yourself with some downtime, here are a few ways to get out there and explore Boston:

Check off a few items on this winter bucket list.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at one of these events.
Try one of these 30+ things to do when it’s cold outside.

Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year.
- Jess and Sara

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Jessica.

Editor’s pick: This week, Celtics players visited Boston Children’s Hospital + “Robbie the Elf,” aka former New England Patriots player Rob Gronkowski, visited a Shriners hospital in Massachusetts to spread some holiday cheer.

If you want to get in the giving spirit too, check out Christmas in the City and Cradles to Crayons. 🎁

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Shuck open the history of the Union Oyster House.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Jessica Burton, Sara Frazier, Sarah Leonhardt, Josh Kranzberg, and Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Peter Baldassare | Advertise with us.

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