365 Things to Do in Boston - New Tips Daily

Join Salvation Army at Skatefest 2015 and help them fight to end child homelessness

The Skating Club of Boston will provide a spectacular skating performance that you, your family, and friends will not want to miss! Multiple national competitors and medalists as well as Olympic Bronze Medalist Simon Shnapir and partner Deedee Leng will all be participating.  All proceeds benefit The Salvation Army's Our Place Day Care Center for Homeless Children.

Their goal is to reach $10,000, so any donation helps! Here's a breakdown of just how much each dollar benefits their cause:

Purchase your ticket here.

This event takes place on Sunday, March 8 from 4:30pm-6:30pm at MIT Johnson Athletic Center 100 Vassar St, Cambridge, MA 02139 

We all know Back Bay to be historic neighborhood, rich in culture and beautiful architecture, but did you know that it's also rich in fine chocolate? What better way to spend a Saturday morning than browsing boutiques on Newbury Street, or wandering down Boylston Street while learning about and enjoying chocolate with your friends.

The tour begins Saturday morning, March 7th at 10:15 AM and meets at Flour Bakery: 131 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116

The walk itself is easy - less than a mile, and you'll get to pick up lots of delicious samples as you go.  Plus , you'll get tips on tasting, buying and storing fine chocolate. 

Advance tickets are required – tour size limited to 16. Reserve your spot today by clicking here! 

Start your weekend off with a bang at the Institute of Contemporary Art. On the first Friday of each month, from 5pm-10pm, the ICA hosts an after hours event, themed around the current gallery exhibitions. First Fridays feature DJs, live performances, gallery talks, specialty cocktails, and more. The Water Cafe at the ICA offers a small bites menu and full bar - this is where you can find the cocktails inspired by the current exhibitions.

This, Friday, March 6th is Southern Exposure: "Hey y'all! In conjunction with our exhibition When the Stars Begin to Fall: Imagination and the American South, we celebrate Southern creativity in all its forms: art, music, cuisine, and cocktails. Thaw out with tunes by DJ Texas Mike and enjoy live blues by Berklee College of Music. Feeling the heat? Refresh with our specialty drink: the mint julep."

Admission is completely free for members of the ICA and only $15 for nonmembers.

These events are 21+

For a complete schedule of the event, click here

Brooklyn Boulders in Somerville isn't your average rock climbing gym. A unique combination of fitness, art, and entrepreneurship, this state of the art climbing facility is 40,000 square feet of awesome.

A variety of climbing classes are offered for first timers as well as climbing veterans. In addition to climbing, Brooklyn Boulders offers tons of other fitness and wellness classes - learn about everything from yoga to parkour to nutrition to slack line. 

28,000 square feet of world-class climbing, fitness classes, personal training, cafe & lounge spaces, dynamic community events, locker rooms complete with saunas and showers, active collaborative workspaces with free wifi, and extensive fitness equipment are just a few of their amazing amenities. 

Check out the calendar of classes and learn more about BKB Somerville here

The first Dine Out Boston week is here! There's no better time than the present to check out that new hot spot you've been itching to go to or test out that different type of cuisine you've always wanted to try. Dine Out Boston allows you to experience some of Boston's best cuisine at a special price. 

Participating restaurants choose from the following menu prices: Lunch  $15/$20/$25  |  Dinner  $28/$33/$38 The chef creates a prix fixe menu - one for lunch and one for dinner - designed to highlight that restaurants cuisine. 

Prices are per person and do not include beverages, tax or gratuity.

"Diners can choose from old favorites to the latest culinary hot spots, from nationally known chain restaurants to local chef owned bistros, from Asian or Argentinean fare to French, Italian, tapas and sushi, from the award-winning restaurants of Boston and Cambridge to the gourmet gems in the suburbs north, west and south of the city"

This event is happening March 1-6 & March 8-13

For a list of participating restaurants, check out the Dine Out Boston website

Head over to Jamaica Plain to take a tour of the Sam Adams Brewery.

Jim Koch, the founder and brewer of Sam Adams beers, helped to pioneer American craft beer industry through his dedication to creating the highest quality product. You'll learn all about the history of Samuel Adams brand and craft brewing process. You'll also get to sample a few beers and with over 30 styles of beer, there is surely to be a variety that you'll love. 

Tours are held about every 45 minutes Monday-Saturday beginning at 10am with special Morning Mash In tours starting at 9:40am-you have to RSVP a month in advance for these ones.

Tours are free, but a $2 donation (or more if you're feeling generous)  is encouraged, all of which go to local charities. 

Parking is tough around this area, so taking the T is recommended. 

For more about the Sam Adams Brewery Tour and other general info, click here

Embrace these last (hopefully) few weeks of winter weather by taking advantage of Boston's outdoor ice skating options. Here are five great spots, as provided by the Boston Calendar:

Celebrate the year of the goat this Sunday, March 1st at the Chinese New Year Events in Chinatown. 

Start out by grabbing some Dim Sum (Chinese version of "small plates," served in the morning, and often through mid-afternoon on weekends - the perfect brunch!). Here are some ideas for great spots in Chinatown, from Boston Discovery Guide:

China Pearl: "Waitresses bustle around with carts of dim sum fresh from the kitchen.  If you don't see anything you like on one cart, you're sure to find plenty on the next.  Lines get long on the weekends; arrive before 10am for the shortest wait"

Chau Chow City: "Another Boston favorite serving dim sum from steam carts is Chau Chow City.Like China Pearl, Chau Chow City has plenty of large tables - excellent place to come with a group."

Great Taste Bakery and Restaurant: "Here, you order off a menu of sorts - really just a paper list.  You check the items that you want.  They arrive at the table, piping hot, as soon as the kitchen prepares them."

After a Dim Sum brunch, head out into the streets to enjoy the festivities,starting with the Lion Dance parade. The traditional Lion Dances are believed to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck. The dances will start on Beach Street at the Chinatown Gate and continue on various paths through he neighborhood, going from business to business and street to street. "Offerings", oftentimes oranges and cabbages,  are placed on a small chair or table by local bakeries and restaurants outside of their front door. 

There will be no shortage of Lion Dances, firecrackers, and drums making this an exciting event not to be missed.

To learn more about the Chinese New Year events, click here

Experience Boston in a different way with this Urban Adventure Quest. "Combine the excitement of the Amazing Race with a three-hour city tour." You'll start out at Boston Common, one of the oldest parks in the nation and from there, make your way through the city stopping at key historical points along the Freedom Trail. Attractions you'll see include the Granary Burial Ground, Quincy Market, Paul Revere's House, and the North End. 

"Guided from any smart phone, teams make their way among well-known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history. Start when you want and play at your own pace. " 

There are tons of start dates to choose from. See them all here!

Learn how to paint a masterpiece at the first ever Whole Foods Boston Beer & Wine Paint Night. Enjoy beer, wine and light appetizers while painting with their own in-store artists.Tickets are only $20 and all of the proceeds go to the Whole Planet Foundation - an awesome non-profit organization dedicated to poverty alleviation through microcredit in communities around the world that supply Whole Foods Market stores with products.

This event will take this Saturday, February 28th at 7pm in their Cafe.