Too much snow, too much cold, too much ice?  Have you had enough of winter?  And there is more to come?  There are places where it is easy to forget about the winter.  Plan a pool party – great for kids and adults alike.  The newly opened Holiday Inn Express in Oswego has a pool party package. They have a heated indoor pool and whirlpool. The four-hour pool package includes use of the Banquet Room (bring your own food or order delivery). Towels are provided. 

Alone or with friends, a day or two at a spa will revive you. For the ultimate in relaxation, stay at the luxurious Mirbeau Inn & Spa in Skaneateles.  With gardens inspired by Monet, Mirbeau guests can enjoy soothing massages, yoga, and swim in their indoor/outdoor pool. While it may be snowing, guests won’t mind as they snuggle by the outdoor pool’s fireplace with their favorite libation. They offer a variety of value-laden packages that include yoga, cooking classes, and fine dining.

Turning Stone is more than gambling and shows. Fine tune your

golfing skills at Turning Stone’s indoor practice area with 40 hitting stations, a practice green, and play world-famous golf courses on their golf simulators. There are also indoor courts, one for tennis and another for racquetball. 
Get warm and comfy at the historic River Edge Mansion in Pennellville where some weekend packages include learning how to make quick breads, scones, muffins, cinnamon rolls, plus bread and pizza dough. Other options include pairing wine with foods, cooking with herbs, gingerbread house making, and learning to make Asian fare.  A perfect family or girl’s getaway.

Spend the day at Syracuse’s Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology. It is a learning place for people of all ages and they stay open late one night a week.  Learn from their many hands-on science displays and demonstrations. Planetarium presentations are available on specific days. End the day with an IMAX movie. A wonderful family day.

Thumb your nose at winter by attending this unique winter-time

activity. The Harbor Hotels in Clayton and Watkins Glen feature Fire & Ice packages in February with a riverfront ice bar extravaganza. Guests can stay toasty warm while enjoying their favorite libation from a bar made completely of ice and marvel at 20,000 pounds of ice sculptures. Guests will be dazzled by the fireworks and enjoy wine tasting and hors d’oeuvers in the ballroom before taking a dip in their heated indoor pool.

Tailwater Lodge in Altmar offers a variety of classes from cooking classes to Beer Tasting 101 to Wine Tasting 101 to Fly Fishing 101. Make it a learning getaway by staying the night. 




In March “Wicked” will be playing at the beautiful Landmark Theater in Syracuse.  Buy tickets and then book a room in Syracuse – the Genesee Grande will provide free transport and they have a great restaurant. Or, stay at the newly renovated Hotel Syracuse. 

Want to stay snuggled up in your cozy home? Make something. While I was in Mui Ne, Vietnam Anna, a Russian gal who was in charge of the kite boarding gave me a cute bunny she crocheted. I thought what a great thing to make for kids, or to sell at a craft fare, or to donate for needy children at Christmastime.  She said she found the directions on the internet and has plans to make a horse.