Ways To Make The Most Of Our Winter Wonderland
As soon as the first snowflakes fall, Québec City gets into its winter groove. From late November to late March, the region is one giant playground while Old Québec dazzles with its enchanting blanket of snow. So bundle up, because theres no shortage of warm-hearted fun. Grab your hat and mittens and experience the best of winter : it’s time to tackle winter like a local!
Here are 7 winter experiences you wont want to miss:
- Hôtel de Glace
- Hôtel de Glace
Watch All The Oscar Winning Movies
Make some popcorn and cuddle on the couch with a blanket and start your bucket list quest to watch all the best picture Oscar winning movies ever made. A subscription to Netflix is a great way to accomplish this goal, they have almost every one available for rental!
Click here for a list of the Best Picture Winners.
Fun Winter Activities To Do Outside
Fresh air, sunlight, and physical activity are important for your child’s physical and mental health. So encourage him to go outside and get moving.
The average teen spends between 79 hours each day using electronics. That means many teens likely aren’t getting the recommended 60 minutes of exercise.
While your teen might be concerned about looking good when they go outside, make sure they dress appropriately for the weather. Frostbite and hypothermia pose serious risks to children in the winter.
Additionally, if your teen is going to engage in winter sports, like snowboarding, skiing, or hockey, insist on helmets and other safety gear.
Here are some fun winter activities your teen can do if you live in a cold climate:
- Build a snowman or snow fort
- Go on a winter photo scavenger hunt
- Go winter camping as a family and learn survival skills
- Have a snowball fight
- Hold a bonfire and let your teen invite friends over
- Host a snow sculpture competition
- Ice fishing
- Shovel snow for someone in need
- Skiing, downhill or cross-country
- Take a winter hike
Read Also: Fun Family Things To Do In Wichita Falls Tx
Watch The Blooms Unfold
Tulips, roses, and orchids will all be in bloom, and luckily NJ has plenty of spots to view them. Whether you walk through rows of tulips at Holland Farms or take close-up photos of the roses at Deep Cut Gardens, there is beauty popping up all over the state. Make sure you check out our guide to spring flowers and where to see every bloom.
Take The Christmas Train To Leavenworth
If you want an organized way of visiting Leavenworth during winter, join one of the train trips organized by Alki Tours! The winter journey starts from Seattle aboard a special, chartered Amtrak train.
Once on board, relax and enjoy your continental breakfast, listen to strolling musicians, magicians, and even Santa. Youll travel through the Cascade Tunnel, the second-longest in North America, and eventually reach the Bavarian-style village.
Soak up the Christmas atmosphere as youre surrounded by festive entertainment, food booths, sleigh rides, and a village that resembles a sea of lights! In the evening, the train will take you back home, and youll have a cozy dinner on your way.
Read Also: Unique Things To Do In The Adirondacks
Stick To An Indoor Workout Routine
Have you been trying to get yourself into shape for years now? Well, take advantage of the coming winter season, and stick to a regular workout routine. It doesnt have to be a really difficult or challenging one. YouTube is filled to the brim with workout videos and channels, making it easy to work out for free at home! At most youd have to purchase some basic weights and a yoga mat, but that small investment will be worth it. With workout styles varying from yoga and pilates to dancing, weight lifting and even boxing, you are bound to find a fit for your fitness routine. Blogilates and Popsugar Fitness are excellent channels to start from.
Spend A Weekend On A Wine Farm
Planning a weekend away with young kids can be tough! But Spier Wine Farm does not just tolerate kids, they welcome them. The farm offers wine tasting for the whole family , superb picnic options, plenty of open spaces and the Eagle Outreach facility, among other things.
Get your City Pass and get a FREE wine tasting & bottle of chenin blanc at Spier Wine Farm!
Recommended Reading: Things To Do In Healdsburg This Weekend
Eat At A Delicious Restaurant
Canmore has so many options when it comes to places to eat, and after all the outdoor activities on this list, youll be hungry! Bailey has a lot of favorites in Canmore, so she hopes you have time to try them all.
When it comes to cafes, you really must try Communitea Cafe. They serve the best pad Thai Bailey has ever had as well as good coffee.
For a hearty winter meal thats cheap, head to The Rose and Crown or The Drake. These pubs arent fancy, but with great deals and huge portions, youll love them.
If youre looking for a fancy night out, Bailey loves Sauvage . Elegant, delicious, but a little pricy. Or, head to The Sensory Restaurant & Lounge and try the chefs 3-course meal paired with wine perfect for a date night. Another favorite is the Iron Goat, but Bailey mentions more on them below!
Visit The Village Of Lights Christmastown
Leavenworth is known as one of the best Christmas towns in the USA. Every year, this small mountain village comes alive with festive lights and holiday spirit!
Experience the magic of the lighting festival in Leavenworth. Watch half a million lights sparkle around you, enjoy the music and Christmas entertainment, and meet strolling carolers and holiday characters.
A month-long celebration also contains a Gingerbread House competition, gift wrapping station, Krampus night, an opportunity to win a Christmas tree loaded with gifts, and Santas costume displays.
You can also take a sleigh ride with the kids. If you get hungry after your adventures, visit the Sausage Garten to try a selection of homemade sausages. For a larger dinner, stop at Sulla Vita. Kids will love visiting the Gingerbread Factory!
See A Frozen Waterfall In Banff
There are several opportunities in Banff and the surrounding area to see a frozen waterfall, some more closeup than others. While hiking up Johnston Canyon to see the Upper Falls is the most impressive, you can see the Louise Falls at the end of the Lakeshore trail at Lake Louise or Troll Falls in Kananaskis.
Whichever ones you see, we are certain youll be impressed by not only the stunning blue color but watching the ice climbers.
Spend The Day In Boulder
If youd like to get into nature, but dont want to venture far from Denver, consider a day trip to Boulder. Start the morning off with a crisp hike on the Flatirons Vista Trail one of Boulders best hikes.
Afterward, head to the Dushanbe Teahouse. This famous location is a reconstructed Turkish teahouse that features an array of global teas to keep you toasty.
Next, enjoy a spa treatment at the St Julien Hotel . Afterward, you can shop at Pearl Street or opt to visit the Fiske Planetarium for a well-rounded day of wintery fun.
Where: Boulder, CO just 40 minutes from Denver
Cost: Varies depending on activities.
Sightsee And Dine At New Heights
Another amazing thing to do in Banff in winter for non-skiers is to take a sightseeing gondola or chairlift. Whether its dining at 7000ft at Mt Norquay or just taking in the stunning views of Banff National Park, this is the way to do it. At Sunshine Village, you can take the gondola followed by a chairlift for the highest point for sightseeing in the area.
Regardless of which option you choose, youll be blown away by the views.
Spend An Afternoon In A Spa/sauna
Go from the chill of the Stockholm weather to the intense warmth of a traditional Swedish sauna. Being a popular pastime, theres a real mix of more exclusive spas and ones that are closer to your regular swimming pool with a sauna added on. So whatever your budget, you should find somewhere to get your sauna on.
Apparently a lot of Swedes take a dip in a freezing cold lake before thawing out in a sauna. I was more than happy to stick to the sauna-only experience!
Experience A Magic Sleigh Ride
Feel the wind in your hair as you travel by horse-drawn carriage on this magical wintery ride. Toutes as one of the most magical things to do in Colorado during the winter, you can take a horse-drawn carriage to a beautiful dinner location nestled in the heart of Rockies. Did someone say romantic?
Where: Two Below Zero in Frisco, ColoradoCost: $89 including dinner
Ice Skating In Montreal
This has to be one of the most popular activities in Montreal in winter. While you can go ice skating up on Mount Royal Id recommend visiting the Natrel Skating Rink in Old Montreal by the ferris wheel.
The setting is really picturesque, and along with a main rink, theres also a track that goes round in a loop, taking you under a bridge and closer to Old Montreal. Id never seen an ice skating experience like that before, and loved how pretty it all looked with so much snow around. It was even prettier at sunset with a pinky sky enveloping the city.
Play Around At The Bavarian Ice Festival
As a winter destination, Leavenworth has plenty of things to offer. One of the prominent events organized in the town is the annual Leavenworth Ice Festival!
Also known as the Bavarian Icefest, it welcomes visitors with a wide range of exciting winter activities. Immerse yourself in the Bavarian atmosphere and enjoy the outdoors provided during the festival.
Explore the snow sculpture displays, take part in ice-themed games like the frisbee sweep, ice cube scramble, and stick around to see the stunning fireworks.
Children will love taking the opportunity to try out snowboarding and skiing at Stevens Pass Grom Playground.
On the more festive side of things, youll also find a snowmobile sled pull, live ice carvings, a snowball toss, ice fishing, snowshoe demo day at Ski Hill, and more.
Visit A Winter Rooftop
Stay warm with cozy fire pits, personal greenhouses, and more heated outdoor dining options this winter. Some of the most unique experiences include a rooftop ice skating rink, a winter wonderland themed pop-up, and personal igloos that make you feel like youre in an enchanted snow globe. Grab a reservation at these all-seasons rooftops.
Relax With A Spa Day At Bota Bota
Bota Bota is an old ferry thats been converted into a unique spa experience. Its moored on the St Lawrence River close to Old Montreal. On our visit the water around it was totally frozen, with several inches of snow layered on top. It definitely wasnt sailing anywhere soon!
The spa is famed for its water circuit, which encourages you to go from warm experiences to cold and then to relax somewhere comfortable. This process aids circulation and reinvigorates your body.
With temperatures of -16 outside, I never made it to a cold plunge pool but I did enjoy the rooftop Jacuzzis a lot. At one point my eyelashes and hair froze. Something thats really unique, and only for the bold, is the small opening to the frozen river, which you can access as one of the cold plunge activities.
Obviously my fiance Macca couldnt resist that one, while I was much happier watching from the sauna!
Bota Bota offers a range of treatments, plus theres a small restaurant on board perfect if you want to spend a whole day there. While I imagine Bota Bota is a lovely place to visit all year around, theres something particularly special about getting cosy in a sauna and looking out at the snowy landscapes around.
Drink Craft Beer In Leavenworth
Celebrate some of the most delicious beer in the west in the Bavarian-style village, Leavenworth. Below are a few of the best craft breweries in Leavenworth where you should head to!
Icicle Brewing Company produces creates some award-winning beers with a supply of local ingredients. Their beer is crafted with excellent malt, yeast, and hops.
The necessary water comes directly from Icicle Creek and it truly does create a superior flavor to that of beer in many other places! Enjoy the beer-tasting experience in the tasting room with snacks like warm Bavarian pretzels and cheese plates.
At the tiny local Doghaus Brewery, youll find a dog-friendly tasting room and will have a chance to choose among many beers created right at the spot.
The mission of the company is to provide a good beer, entertainment, and friendly atmosphere to its visitors. If anything, go for the dogs! Okay and the delicious beer!
Do A Winter Hike At A National Park In Montana
Both Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks have ranger-led hikes in the winter that take you along trails that can be accessed in the winter.
Rangers will teach you more about the history of the park and give you detailed stories about the sights youre seeing and the animals that call the parks home.
Read More:Insiders Guide to Glacier National Park in Winter
In Yellowstone National Park, a great winter hike to do that you can be self-guided is Mammoth Hot Springs.
You cant bathe in these hot springs, but the incredible travertine formations and the thick steam coming up off them in the cold winter air is an unbelievable sight to behold and without all the crowds that will be on the wooden platforms going around the hot springs in the summer.
Visit The Fotografiska Museum
The citys museum of photography is more than just a place to view exhibitions. People flock to this cultural hub for the brilliant on-site cafe and bar, as well as drop-dead gorgeous views to the north.
That being said, the exhibitions are excellent, shining a spotlight on world-renowned and up-and-coming photographers. Any photography nerd like me will want to make this top of your list of things to do in Stockholm in winter or at any other time of year.
Fotografiska is open in the evenings too, making it a top spot for dinner and drinks before or after taking a look at the photography on show.
Tickets for Fotografiska cost £14 per person and this is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon in winter!
Cape Town Free Walking Tours
A great way to learn more about Cape Town is to walk it. Thanks to Cape Town Free Walking Tours you can do just that. They offer a number of free tours. You can choose from the Historic City Tour,in which youll discover the history of the city, from colonial times to the present day, and learn about the people who shaped the city. The Bo-Kaap Walking Tour explores the rich history and beautiful cuisine of this iconic neighbourhood, with its bright colourful houses and cobbled streets. They also offer the Apartheid to Freedom Tour, and custom custom tours based on your interests.
Fat Biking Through The Snowy Wilderness
No other winter activity has grown in popularity as much as fat biking in recent years. Fat biking is one of the greatest winter activities you can get into, and it is so simple to do. Liv Outside in Bracebridge has rentals and trails on-site, and Algonquin Outfitters in Huntsville has bikes for rent with trails nearby. Be sure to register for the 2nd Annual Muskoka Winter Bike Festival on February 1, 2019!
Find You Favorite Tea
Tea is your soulmate during the harsh winds of the winter season, and it is time you find the perfect herbal soulmate for yourself. Some people love chamomile tea, while others adore the oolong tea. I love jasmine green tea. What do you love? If you havent found the perfect tea for you the Twinings Tea Bag Sampler Set has over 20 different kinds to choose from!
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Keep The Kids Entertained At The V& a Waterfront
The V& A Waterfront is a destination in its own right. Theres plenty to do here, including restaurants, museums, shopping, and much more, but its also a godsend for parents. Theres the gemstone Scratch Patch, pirate boat cruises, the Two Oceans Aquarium, an indoor adventure park and much more. Come rain or shine, the little ones will be occupied for hours.
Read about more about kids activites in Cape Town
Make A Gingerbread House
Spend an afternoon putting together a gingerbread house that is filled with all the sweets and treats of the season. This is such a fun activity to do with children! Good Housekeeping has given us inspiration with 34 Amazing Gingerbread Houses or, for an easier option, you can purchase a pre-baked Gingerbread House kit and add your own goodies.
Take A Snowmobiling Tour
Learn what it means to go brap brap with a snowmobiling tour in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Taking a ride on a motor-powered sled is one of the most thrilling things to do in Colorado in the winter.
Snowmobile tours take you through wintery trails and lead to stunning vistas of the famous Rabbit Ears Pass. Trail tours range from beginner to advanced.
Where: Steamboat Snowmobile Tours in Steamboat SpringsCost: $150 per person
