New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, located in the heart of New England, beckons travelers with its diverse collection of plants, meticulously curated gardens, and immersive experiences. From vibrant floral displays to tranquil woodland trails, it offers a sanctuary for both avid plant enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. If you think botanic gardens are only good during warm months, let me show you how lovely a visit can be during winter.

The New England Botanic Garden is 200 acres and has 18 distinct gardens.

There’s nothing I like more than seeing fresh flowers during winter. I try to keep a vase of flowers in my kitchen every week so I can enjoy their color and scent.  The conservatory was a plant/flower haven and we loved seeing so many in bloom.

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

Is Winter a Good Time to Visit?

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12 Fun Reasons to Go To Wachusett Mountain Ski Area

Wachusett Mountain Ski Area

12 Fun Reasons to Go To Wachusett Mountain Ski Area

Nestled in the picturesque landscapes of central Massachusetts, the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area beckons winter enthusiasts to embrace the thrill of alpine adventure. Renowned for its pristine slopes, diverse terrain, and family-friendly atmosphere, this ski haven is a hidden gem for those seeking the perfect blend of excitement and relaxation. As the snow blankets the mountain, transforming it into a winter wonderland, the Wachusett Mountain Ski Area emerges as a premier destination for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Here are 12 Fun Reasons to Go To Wachusett Mountain Ski Area:

Amazing Skiing and Snowboarding

Wachusett Mountain Ski Area

Wachusett Mountain boasts a diverse range of slopes catering to beginners, intermediate, and expert skiers and snowboarders, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Wachusett Mountain Ski Area

They have 27 trails and 8 lifts so your choices are endless. The summit elevation is over 2000 feet, so the views are stunning!

Grab a Snack at The Core

Wachusett Mountain Ski Area

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15 Things to do in Portsmouth, NH, During Winter

15 Things to do in Portsmouth, NH, During Winter

As winter blankets Portsmouth, New Hampshire, this picturesque coastal town transforms into a magical wonderland, offering tons of fun activities for locals and visitors alike. From charming holiday festivities to outdoor adventures, Portsmouth has something for everyone to enjoy during this chilly season. Here are 15 delightful things to do in Portsmouth during winter.

Stroll through Market Square

Enjoy a leisurely stroll through historic Market Square, adorned with twinkling lights and festive decorations. The charming shops and boutiques are perfect for finding unique gifts and souvenirs.

Visit the Strawbery Banke Museum

Immerse yourself in history by exploring the Strawbery Banke Museum. During winter, the museum comes alive with special events, including candlelit tours and festive exhibits.

Winter Walk at Prescott Park

Bundle up and take a winter walk through Prescott Park, enjoying the serene beauty of snow-covered gardens and waterfront views.

Take a Wine Class at Stroll Café & Wine Bar

stroll cafe in Portsmouth NH

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Tips on Ice Fishing

Snow pants were never a part of my wardrobe until I met my husband. Sure, I’ve owned them, but it was when I was a kid and I was much more excited that the mittens I was wearing changed colors depending on the weather.  (Remember Freezy Freakies in the 80’s??) My only knowledge of ice fishing was in Chilly Willy cartoons on Saturday mornings.  Now that I have a home on a lake and a husband and kids that can’t get enough outdoor time in winter, I’ve learned to enjoy many fun outdoor activities.  Ice fishing is one of them.  Here are some tips on ice fishing that I’ve learned:

What gear do you need for ice fishing?

It’s all about the gear!  Not all of these are necessary, but some of them certainly make life a lot easier…and more comfortable.

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25 Ultimate Gifts for Kids

As winter approaches, many schools are reverting back to remote learning.  In fact, many schools around us are going remote right after Thanksgiving.  This year, my guide for kids is made up of gifts they can use in the home.  This is a perfect time to create family memories, build their creativity, or learn a new skill. Here are…

25 Ultimate Gifts for Kids

DIY BATH BOMBS

Essential Oil Bath Bomb DIY Kit:  This kit includes everything they need to make 15 luxurious, all-natural bath bombs. The pre-measured ingredients, and a no mess clean-up make this the perfect gift for everyone.  By following their step-by-step instructions, they can make their own bath bombs from scratch in the comfort of their own home.

GRAVITY MAZE

ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run Brain Game:  This kit contains 60 challenges from beginner to expert, a game grid, 9 towers, 1 target piece, and 3 marbles.  They can play their way through the challenges, build spatial reasoning, and planning skills. It is partly an engineering and building toy that provides a great stealth learning experience for young players

BUG CATCHING KIT

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Finding the Fun in Winter

Finding the Fun in Winter

 

Before I had kids, winter meant long months of counting down the days until spring.  Then these two little winter-loving girls were born.   All of the sudden winter turned into months of being…dare I say it…outside!  Yeah…outside…in cold, wet snow for hours at a time.  All of these new items appeared in my house like hand warmers and sleds.  Snow pants somehow crept their way into my wardrobe.  So that’s when I decided to give in and try to find out what the heck people like about winter.  After all, I live in New England so I may as well join these snow-lovers! No one was as shocked as myself to discover I actually have fun outside.  My husband says the key to enjoying winter is to make sure you’re warm, and he’s right. (Don’t tell him that! Lol) With the right clothes and toys, I found so many things I loved to do out there.   Here are some of my favorites:

 

SNOW SHOEING

Talk about a no-skill-needed activity!  If you can walk, then you can snow shoe…it’s that easy! After a fresh snowfall there’s nothing more peaceful than walking through the woods or along the side of a frozen lake.  Snow shoes are pretty inexpensive and they will last you a long time.  They make great snowshoes for kids as well. It’s also good to have a nice warm hat for both adults and kids!

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Review of Ice Castles, Lincoln, NH

Ice Castles, Lincoln, NH 

1.     DRESS WARM: This should be a no-brainer but you’d be surprised at what people do for the perfect selfie! Ice = Cold.  Make sure you wear a warm coat, hat, and gloves.  Snow Pants are a good idea if you will be using the ice slides.

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Winter Day in Boston

bos4

 

 

Boston is a great city for families every season, but in winter it’s sometimes hard finding things to do that will take up an entire day.  There needs to be a good mix of indoor activities along with some outdoor play.  Here is an itinerary for a great winter day in Boston:

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Frost Ice Loft

Frost Ice Loft, Boston mytravelingkids.com

If you want to do something completely different from any Boston experience, Frost Ice Loft is the perfect spot.  When you get to the doors you are dressed in puffy insolated capes and gloves and as soon as the doors open you see (and feel) why.  After a few minutes in the acclimation room, you step in and are completely surrounded by amazing formations of ice.  It is the only building material for the walls, furniture, bar, tables, and couches.  Even your glasses are completely made of ice.  The cape is a welcomed accessory since they keep the room at a constant 21 degrees.

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Learning to Ski at 40

ski

This morning I jumped from an airplane, landed on the top of a snowcapped mountain, and skied down a black diamond trail.  Well…ok…not exactly.  I actually just went up the Magic Carpet and came back down a few times but I can tell you it was just as scary!  I am 40 years old (Ugh…that can’t be right) and I am just learning how to ski. 

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