Winter Road Trips

Photo Credit: Melissa Murray

We've just experienced a pandemic - the first to hit America in 100 years. It's time to get out and enjoy our hard fought freedom! It can be challenging to find events that get us out in the winter but, with all the isolation we've all experienced lately, its necessary. Luckily, many broadcast stations are highlighting events in our area that can be traveled to in just a short road trip. Channel 12 News, here in the Northeast, hosts a segment called "Road Trip: Close to Home", which is an excellent source of ideas and travel advice for events in the area. Local newspapers tend to have a list of local events as well. Eventbrite and Meetup.com are also very good sources of ideas, though these sights do host a lot of programs by professional businesses selling their services. That said, there is a plethora of sources to find a local even in our area.

In the winter, the best road trips are relatively short ones. When extreme weather can hit at any moment, it's best to stay in spaces we are familiar with and drive on roads we are comfortable driving. Our major highway, here in Connecticut, is I-95. It tends to remain clearer than other roads in heavy snow. Therefore, I look for travel routes along the I-95 corridor on the winter.

A benefit of winter road trips, despite the weather challenges, is that it provides a new opportunity to experience an area we've been to before. Recently, I visited Mystic Seaport for The Ice Festival held every President's Day weekend. I've been to Mystic plenty of times in the summer but, the Ice Festival was very different. Instead of Ice Cream Sundae's we enjoyed piping hot bowls of soup. Instead of swimming local beaches, we roasted marshmallows. It was a lovely experience and we didn't feel bored though we've been to Mystic before. The winter brings a fresh look and a new set of experiences - don't discount a destination just because you've been there before! In the winter, everything feels different and new!

READ MORE ABOUT THE MYSTIC ICE FESTIVAL HERE!