5 Ways To Spend A Winter's Day In Massachusetts
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Winter in New England can make you feel like a captive in your own home. While we certainly don't recommend venturing out in dangerous conditions, these five Massachusetts attractions are definitely worth braving the chilly air for when the roads are safe and clear!
1. The DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum — Lincoln
This little-known gem is even more beautiful when the giant outdoor sculptures are draped in fresh snow. The DeCordova museum offers 90-minute snowshoe tours on winter weekends so you can get your steps in - and then some! Once you've had your fill of modern outdoor art, head indoors for a hot cup of coffee and a treat from the museum’s whimsical café overlooking Flint’s Pond. They even serve beer and wine if you are so inclined!
2. The Lyman Plant House & Conservatory — Northampton
Located on the lovely Smith College campus as part of their Botanic Garden, the Lyman Plant House & Conservatory features more than 3,000 species of plants, flowers and succulents. The over-sized greenhouse is one of only a few remaining 19th-century plant conservatories in the country. Best of all, the enclosed glass habitat is always toasty warm inside!
3. The Norman Rockwell Museum — Stockbridge
Norman Rockwell is an American icon and a beloved New England native. His "slice of life" artwork is a reminder of small-town Massachusetts in a simpler time, The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge showcases 998 original paintings and drawings - the world’s largest collection of his art. Included are his famous Saturday Evening Post depictions of World War II, and various commissioned advertisements. Be sure to schedule another trip during the warmer months when Rockwell’s studio is open for visitors.
4. New England Sports Park — Amesbury
We can't all be world-class skiers, but even the klutsiest Bay Staters can enjoy the sensation of blasting through the snow at the New England Sports Park. Featuring the steepest snow tubing hill in New England, they boast 12 powder-coated lanes, more than 1,000 tubes for gliding, and a conveyer lift to deliver you back to the top of the hill.
5. The Old Manse — Concord
Living in Massachusetts we certainly see our share of historic landmarks, but the Old Manse in Concord is a must-do for history buffs and fans of literature alike. Built in 1770 for a patriot minister, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne have both called the Georgian clapboard home. Be sure to stop by the specialty bookstore after your tour and if you are feeling up to a brisk winter walk, you can check out the site of the Revolutionary War's first battle.
H/T to Boston Magazine
Featured Image via Facebook/DeCordova Sculpture Park & Museum