Looking to meet your New Year’s resolution in Boston? From making new friends to lending a helping hand, check out our local resolution recommendations.

Read more books

Brattle Book Shop | Keep an eye out for the large pencil above the sign at one of America's oldest bookshops and browse three floors of used + rare books.
Beacon Hill Books & Cafe | The multi-story bookstore in Beacon Hill has it all — visit the cafe after book browsing to sip tea and start your new read.
Papercuts Bookshop | Shop the woman-owned, Jamaica Plain bookstore for a curated selection of fiction and nonfiction titles.
East End Books | The Provincetown-based bookstore has a Seaport location that's perfect for cozy winter shopping.
Frugal Bookstore | The Black-owned community bookstore has been a literary oasis in Roxbury for 15+ years, offering books for all readers.
Brookline Booksmith | Head over to Coolidge Corner to see the recent expansion at the two-floor, independent bookstore.

Feeling extra committed? Check out our list of books by local authors to add to your to-be-read pile.

Meet new people

Volo Sports | The Boston chapter of the Baltimore-based company has co-ed leagues for kickball, volleyball, and basically every sport you can think of.
Girlfriends Boston | If you missed our Beacon Hill day with this group for meeting new girlfriends, be sure to follow the Facebook and Instagram pages to stay in the know.
Boston Outdoor Adventures | This Meetup group has 17,000+ members who plan hiking, skiing, biking, and snowboarding excursions.
Brunchclub Boston | Join to meet a new brunch buddy or two. Pro tip: Impress with your foodie knowledge by consulting our brunch guide.

Learn a new hobby

PKL | The South Boston indoor pickleball court hosts leagues, trivia, beginner’s mixers + more events for experience picklers and newbies alike.
Cambridge Center for Adult Education | The Harvard Square center offers cooking, performance arts + business classes.
Improv Asylum classes | Take a beginner’s improv class at the Asylum CoLab in Faneuil Hall — read about our experience at this fun + friendly class.

Watch local theater

Emerson Colonial Theatre | We spy "Swan Lake" coming in February 2025 and "Rogers & Hammerstein's Carousel" in April 2025.
American Repertory Theater | "The Odyssey" is coming to the Loeb Drama Center stage from Feb. 9-March 16, 2025.
Footlight Club | America's oldest community theater is putting on "Yellow Face," a play by David Henry Hwang, from Feb. 8-Feb. 22, 2025.

Shop sustainable

Uvida | Visit this zero-waste shop for personal products and household goods.
Cleenland | Browse an array of refillable supplies like shampoo, dish soap, and produce bags.

Feeling extra committed? Check out our curated guide to 12 thrift and vintage shops.

Volunteer

Animal Rescue League of Boston | The South End animal shelter is always seeking individual or group volunteers and foster parents.
Boys and Girls Club of Boston | Volunteer areas at the after-school program include administrative support, child care, theater, and athletics.
The Greater Boston Food Bank | Help end hunger in Eastern Massachusetts with a food sorting shift at the local food bank.
Rosie’s Place | The first women’s shelter in the country, Rosie’s Place has flexible shifts for volunteers to lead art workshops, teach literacy classes, or prepare meals.
Emerald Necklace Conservancy | Join the email list for invitations to volunteer programs, cleanups, and planting projects, or help keep the Emerald Necklace parks clean on your own time with a DIY cleanup kit.

Feeling extra committed? Check out our roundup of other ways to volunteer around Boston.