We are now entering the dismal days of winter. The holidays are behind us, football is almost over, and there’s nothing but cold and gray ahead until St. Patrick’s Day. Or is there something more?
It turns out that there’s lots to do around here in the winter if you can motivate yourself to get out of the house. Here are several websites that can help guide you to the activities that most interest you.
Visitpa.com has a feature called 9 Things to do in Pennsylvania in Winter. Each activity has several links to information on how to participate. The activities — which encompass a wide range of abilities and budgets — include dogsledding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snow tubing, iceboating, ice fishing, ice skating, carriage rides and winter festivals. Links across the top of the page direct you to even more activities, such as downhill skiing, museums, shopping, theaters, dining, distilleries, craft beer and more. A feature called Experience Finder lets you filter your search by category, season, region and experience. The site has an energetic, winter-themed design that portrays Pennsylvania as a fun place in winter.
Poconomountains.com also has a section devoted to winter pursuits. Under the Seasons label at the top of the page is a link to Winter in the Poconos.
The section has information on some of the same types of winter fun as VisitPa, such as skiing, snow boarding, snow tubing and snowmobiling. Additionally, there’s horseback riding, showshoeing, indoor waterparks and skirmish paintball. There’s an interactive map to help plan excursions. The site is sponsored by Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, so there is lots of information about local hotels and businesses and deals they’re offering.
If you want to drive a little farther for your winter fun, discoverlancaster.com has a feature called Top 30+ Things to Do this Winter in Lancaster. Many of the activities listed are indoor and can be enjoyed all year. There are numerous shopping, dining and drinking establishments, including craft brewers and distilleries, some of which feature winter specials. There are also museums, train rides, craft studios, cooking classes, farmer’s market (even in winter), music venues and more. There are a few outdoor winter activities such as snow tubing, bird watching and an ice sculpture festival.
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention our own site, AccessNEPA.com. It’s full of seasonal, local activities and events. You can also read my columns and blogs from many of our writers there.
So, you can hibernate away the winter indoors or you can get out and about and enjoy all the events and activities the season has to offer.
Kevin OʼNeill has been a staff artist for The Times-Tribune since June 1993. In addition to doing illustrations and infographics and designing pages for the paper’s print and electronic publications, he writes InSites, a weekly column about websites and apps. Contact: koneill@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5212
