Do you want to have fun this winter? If so, then read the following suggestions. Unlike the summer, during the winter, people often do not have to worry about crowds, bugs, or sunscreen. In the summer, it is often too hot to do many outdoor activities. Conversely, in the winter, all one has to do is bundle up; even if it is super cold, being outside can still be fun. Winter is a special time to still enjoy many outdoor activities.
Go Skiing/ Snowboarding/ Snow Tubing
Skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing are fun and popular winter activities. Valentina Esposito, a junior, said that she likes to ski and snowboard because she gets to “hang out with [her] family and get better at the sport.” Math teacher Michael Franklin said, “I love to ski.” Aric Denzer, a freshman, said, “I like to ski.” Be sure to dress warmly; be cautious and listen to any rules/regulations. There are many places to ski/ snowboard/ snow tube in the area, like Campgaw Mt. I recommend driving to them because most of them are hard to reach by public transportation.
Go Fishing
Fishing is a lovely activity, especially in the winter because one usually does not have to worry about needing sunscreen. You can fish at any shore, dock, or water (like Shell Creek Park) unless otherwise noted. Just do not be disappointed if you do not catch a fish, aim to have fun. There are usually more fish farther out in the water. Use a kayak, canoe, or a rowboat to get there, just do not fall off into the cold water. You can also charter a boat and/or go on a fishing trip (some will operate year-round). Here are some companies with fishing trips: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Also, please check out this information about fishing regulations and licenses before you go fishing.
Bake/ Make Hot Chocolate
Something enjoyable that you can do right at home is bake or make hot chocolate. Jessie Vuotto, a junior, said, “I like to bake cookies and brownies.” You can bake cookies, brownies, cakes, desserts, these Pumpkin recipes, and more. Hot chocolate is a great drink in the winter. You could buy it at a store or make it. Make it with either a pre-prepared mix (easiest) or make it from scratch (tastiest, if done right). A good hot chocolate recipe should include milk and/or cream, a sweetener, a high-quality cocoa powder, and high-quality chocolate bars. Remember that these are not usually healthy; I recommend only doing this as an occasional treat.
Go to a Park
Visiting a park is one of the easiest things you can do in the winter. If there is snow, play in it; you could just relax, play a sport, take a hike, take a bike ride (being active should keep you warm), have a BBQ, or have a campfire (the fire would also keep you warm). Some nice parks to visit that are close by are Valley Stream State Park, Hempstead Lake State Park, Greis Park, Grant Park, and more. Other parks that are farther away but definitely worth visiting are Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Wantagh County Park, Cedar Creek Park, Wildwood State Park, Adirondack State Park, and the parks that I mentioned in my last article.
Visit Manhattan
Manhattan is a delightful place to visit. You can get around Manhattan by foot, ferry, subway, or bus. In Lower Manhattan, you can visit Brookfield Place, the World Trade Center, Battery Park, Bowling Green, the Charging Bull, the New York Stock Exchange, Wall Street, City Hall, and the Brooklyn Bridge. In Midtown Manhattan, you can visit the High Line, Hudson Yards, the Edge, Madison Square Garden, the Empire State Building, the NYC Public Library, Bryant Park, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Grand Central Terminal, and One Vanderbilt. All of these attractions are open yearound. Other things to do in the city include shopping, walking, visiting Central Park, visiting the Intrepid Museum, taking the ferry to Staten Island and/or Governors Island, and taking a bus, subway, and/or ferry ride.
Visit Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a fun place to visit, especially in the winter because it is not scorching hot. In Philadelphia, you can walk around the city and see William H. Grey III 30th Street Station, the Convention Center, City Hall, Reading Terminal Market (It has a ton of options for eating that I recommend trying), the Liberty Bell, Independence Visitors Center, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and more. I would recommend staying a night or two to make the stay more worthwhile. To get there, I do not recommend driving because of traffic. Instead, take the train to Manhattan and either take a bus there (there are many companies), which is longer but cheaper, or take the train, which is more expensive but faster.
Go Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling is another exciting winter activity. Franklin said, “I’ve gone snowmobiling before; that’s a fun winter activity.” Franklin said he had fun snowmobiling on a mountain in Lake George. The tour guide took them through the woods and gave them free time. There are over 300 miles of snowmobile trails in the Lake George area going through the beautiful Adirondack wilderness. You can snowmobile independently, with a snowmobile club, or with a tour guide, like Franklin did. To get to Lake George, you can drive, take a bus (there are many companies), or take the train.
Go Winter Camping
Winter camping is a terrific way to get away from the business and distractions of life and to experience the beauty of winter and the outdoors. Stay one night or multiple nights. Spend the day hiking, relaxing, playing sports, cross-country skiing, sledding, and/or doing some of the other activities mentioned here. When camping in the winter versus the summer, you do not have to worry as much about bugs, bears, other animals, and sun protection. The cold is not a worry if you properly prepare for it. Prepare for it by carefully checking the weather beforehand, not underestimating the cold, and by bringing warm sleeping gear, rain gear, warm clothing, and proper footwear. When leaving your campsite, leave it the same way or better than it originally was. You may be able to camp in a nearby park, or in any other wooded area (unless otherwise noted), for example, Heckscher State Park in Great River, NY. I recommend driving to your campsite because it is more convenient. For ideas on where you can camp during the winter, visit the Camp New York site.
Shovel Snow
Shoveling snow can be a satisfying job or activity. Michael Macchia, a sophomore, said, “I like to shovel snow for my dad.” Shoveling snow can be an immense help to one’s parents. Shoveling a sidewalk or a neighbor’s property is also extremely helpful. Shoveling snow can be dangerous if done incorrectly, so look here to make sure you stay safe. To make your life easier and more enjoyable, dress properly so that you do not feel much cold, shovel snow when it is fresh (otherwise, the snow will be hard and heavy, which makes it difficult to shovel), and do not overwork yourself. You can pour boiling water on ice or snowy pieces that you cannot remove, or you can break them with a hammer.
Visit Huntington
Going to downtown Huntington village is a wonderful way to spend a day. It has a pretty downtown with shops and restaurants; it is beautiful place to walk around. Also downtown is the Huntington Public Library, which is a great place to relax. When in Huntington, I recommend eating at Little Vincent’s Pizza, which is in the heart of downtown; it has amazing pizza. A short walk from downtown is Heckscher Park (not to be confused with Heckscher State Park). It is a beautiful place with various trees, ponds, tennis courts, fields, grass, a hill, ducks, memorials, an art museum, and a playground. A little over a mile north of downtown is the Hamlet of Halesite. It has a scenic small harbor, docks, restaurants, parks, and more. The walk between Halesite and downtown Huntington along New York Avenue is lengthy, but beautiful.
Visit Maine
Consider visiting Maine in the winter. Maine is the largest state in New England. Janet T. Mills, the Governor of Maine, said on the Maine Tourism Associtaion website (Maine’s Official Travel Planner and Adventure Guide), “From the mountains of western Maine to our thousands of miles of jagged, rocky coastline to the gentle hills of Aroostook County, you will quickly see why Maine is known the world over as vacationland. Indeed, here in Maine you will find everything you could dream of: extraordinary made-in-Maine products, delicious cuisine, unmatched scenery and landscapes, endless options for exploration and adventure, and, of course, a wonderful, welcoming people.” The Maine Tourism Associtaion website also says, “Maine is a different kind of playground in the winter: lots of snow, countless frozen lakes still teeming with fish, and endless interconnected snowmobile trails. Maine also boasts some of the best downhill skiing on the East Coast, and thousands of nature’s skating rinks are smooth and waiting for a pickup hockey game. A Mainer invented earmuffs, after all. Put on yours and get out there.” To get there, you can drive, take a bus (there are many companies), and/or take the train.
Play in the Snow
Playing in the snow is a simple but great activity, especially if there is a lot of snow; it is also good exercise (it is definitely better than staring at your phone). Ian Fishman, a junior, said, “For me, playing in the snow is fun.” Fishman went on to explain that when he goes inside afterwards, he gets to have hot drinks and hot food. Denzer said that he likes to make “snow forts.” Making snow forts is great fun. Even if there is a small amount of snow, smaller snow forts can be made. Play outside for a while and then go inside for some tasty hot treats. Make sure to dress properly so that you are not cold and you do not get soaked.
Finally, I have three honorable mentions. Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is a gorgeous place; it is probably best to visit in the shoulder season (the two periods between the peak season and the off season), but you can visit it any time of year; it is just that good. Setting Sail and Watching Seals is a great activity for the fall and the winter. Just simply sepnding time with family can be fun at any point during the year. David Soroka, a junior, said that he likes to “spend time with [his] family.”
So, what are you waiting for? Get going with these activities; you will not regret it.
