Winter Blahs

So after the holiday season is over, I always get a case of the winter blahs. There are months of cold and yucky weather ahead, a lot of indoor time (which I hate), and I'm usually itching to go on a trip and am broke! So since I cannot afford to jump on a plane to Bermuda, or hop on a cruise ship to the Caribbean, I am going to list a bunch of local Hudson valley winter activities. Hopefully this will help both you and me beat the winter blahs!

Ice Skating at McCann Ice Arena. In the Mid Hudson Civic Center in the city of Poughkeepsie. They offer ice skating lessons for all levels and have open skate times. Check them out! http://www.midhudsonciviccenter.org/mccann-ice-arena.php#.Ur2vvW10kW4

Mid Hudson Children's Museum. Located near the river and the train station in Poughkeepsie. They have a ton of hands on exhibits and activities. They offer playgroupas for children 5 and under, camps and so much more! http://www.mhcm.org/web/play;jsessionid=6BFA4176EABF92A297A5CF19C37DFA3B

Not too far away is the Albany Children's Museum of Science and Technology. About an hour drive from the Hudson Valley. They offer more hands on exhibits and activities. And they have a planetarium!!!! If you buy an Explorer Membership at the Children's Museum - you can go to BOTH under this ONE membership! http://www.cmost.org/

Rollerskating at Hyde Park Rollermagic. Located on Route 9 in Hyde Park, NY. They offer open skate times, host birthday parties and are the home ofthe Horrors Roller Derby Team! http://www.hydeparkrollermagic.com/

The kids are antsy and need to move? Check out Jumpin Jakes. With locations in both Poughkeepsie and Fishkill, there is plenty to do! http://fishkill.jumpinjakes.net/

Can't get down to the Bronx anytime soon? Well then check out the Trevor Zoo! Located at the Millbrook School in Millbrook, it is open everyday and has great animals to observe all year long! Have a group? They offer group tours as well! http://www.millbrook.org/podium/default.aspx?t=132225

Into museums? There are a TON in our area! Too many to list here, but check out Dutchess County Tourism's page for more info!! http://dutchesstourism.com/listings/childrens-museums/

Is Bowling your thing? Well there are several options in the Hudson Valley. We personally like Holiday Bowl In Wappingers Falls. http://www.hoebowlfamilyfun.com/

Closer to the Kingston area? Check out Wood N Wheel Family Fun Center! They've got skating, arcade, laser tag, a rock wall and more! http://www.woodnwheel.com/

Into sports? Check out The Field! They offer clinics, birthday parties, and lots of other indoor sports activities! http://hvfield.com/

Check out our state parks. There is a ton to do all over the Hudson Valley area: ice skating, snow shoeing, cross country skiing...the list goes on & on!  http://nysparks.com/

There are always movies, the library has great programs, and Poughkeepsie Barnes & Noble has a free, drop in story time on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10am. Bowdoin Park just announced they are allowing sledding and are building an outdoor ice skating rink for FREE USE!!!!

So if you are feeling BLAH, head out to one of these many activities and chase your blues away. I'm going to try one right now!!