Better Together

Try these romantic attractions with someone you love

By Erin Byers

New Englanders know better than to complain about frigid winters, because they're in on the secret: Cold weather equals serious romance. Winter offers countless opportunities to steal away with the person you love. From quiet, snowy nights by a fire to crisp, sunny days bundled in each other's arms, wintertime is the perfect excuse to snuggle. Here are 10 ways to enjoy Massachusetts with your sweetheart:

1. Coast together through snowy silence on a cross-country ski expedition at Glendale Glide (413.527.0164) in Southampton . Open weekday evenings, the Glide's trails are well-lit and groomed daily. Trek through a canopy of trees or the trail's “Tunnel.” Then head into the warming barn and nestle down by the wood stove.

2. For a steamy stroll in the dead of winter, visit Wellesley College's Margaret C. Ferguson Greenhouses (781.283.3094), where 15 connected buildings showcase more than 1,000 plant varieties year round. Explore the sensuality of orchids or find an oasis in the desert-plant house.

3. Snag a window-side seat in the ornate and cozy Atrium Lounge at the Millennium Bostonian Hotel (617.523.3600). Sip a classic champagne cocktail as the snow falls on Faneuil Hall. The low, comfy armchairs can be pulled in close for intimate conversation or passionate gazing.

4. Brave the blustery weather with a winter picnic on the beach. Take Hy-Line Cruises' high-speed ferry (800.492.8082) to Nantucket, and pick up picnic provisions at Henry's Jr. Sandwiches (508.228.3035) on Orange Street before heading east to Brant Point Beach where, sheltered from the harsh Atlantic winds, the only company you'll find is a 104-year-old lighthouse.

5. Seduce your mate with a glass of bubbly and half a dozen oysters on the half shell at B&G Oysters (617.423.0550) in Boston 's South End. The brushed steel bar, cool, low lighting and daily selection of oysters beg to be lingered over. If you can unlock your loving gaze, take a moment to enjoy the neighborly crowd.

6. Cuddle under a blanket for a traditional horse-drawn sleigh ride. Paradise Stables (508.398.5679) in West Yarmouth has a striking team of horses willing to carry you over the river and through the woods in any weather conditions.

7. Slip your favorite jazz album into the car stereo for a daylong drive down Routes 1 and 1A, hitting Massachusetts ' entire northern coastline from Newburyport to Boston . Stop in Rockport for antiquing, Gloucester for lunch by the water and Manchester-by-the-Sea for boat spotting.

8. Take an enchanting trip into Boston Common after dark. Get rosy-cheeked with a skate on Frog Pond (617.635.2120), and follow it up with a nighttime stroll through the public gardens.

9. Play hooky for a day on the slopes at Wachusett Mountain (978.464.2300). With no crowds and midweek price deals, what better way to enjoy the crisp weather? Be sure to save time for an aprés-ski cocoa and nuzzling beside the crackling fire.

10. Heat up the night at Les Zygomates Wine Bar and Bistro (617.542.5108), where every night sizzles with live jazz. Slide into a two-person booth, order a bottle of  Bordeaux and settle in as an intimately tangled twosome at this romantic Parisian café.