Winter is the time for cold and snow, but that doesn’t mean you have to keep yourself locked in all day! While the weather may feel a little unpleasant, it also allows for some really fun activities that happen only during the wintertime. From the active to the relaxing, here are some entertaining things to keep you busy during the winter season.

Ice Skating – Indoors and Out

Nothing says “winter” quite like a calming afternoon of ice skating. Even if you aren’t a great skater–it takes balance!–it’s still nice to sit and watch skaters circle round and round the rink. Your closest ice skating option is the Swedesboro outdoor skating rink at Auction Park, which is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on most weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the weekend. The rink even hosts hockey games! If you’re looking for something a little more inclusive, Millennium Skate World in Camden accommodates parties and has other fun activities, like an arcade. So, whether you’re taking a date or the kids, or even going alone, a little ice skating is a good way to enjoy the benefits of winter and get a little bit of exercise.

Weekend Ski Trip Opportunities

Skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and sledding are among the best winter activities. Unfortunately, as you probably know, there aren’t too many options nearby for genuine skiing and snowboarding. However, if you’re willing to travel a little, and maybe even spend a weekend, there are some mountains a few hours away in Pennsylvania. One of your closest options is Mountain Creek Resort in Vernon Township, PA, which has multiple trails, a terrain park, and tubing. Similarly, Shawnee Mountain in East Stroudsburg, PA has all the same activities but with a seemingly greater focus on family-friendliness.

Camping, the Easy Way or the Hard Way

Wait, camping is supposed to be a summer activity, isn’t it? Not necessarily. Camping during the winter offers unique challenges and spectacular views of nature that you can’t get any other time of the year. That doesn’t necessarily mean you have to sit shivering in your snow-covered tent; you could always rent a cabin for the weekend. Nearby Four Seasons Family Campground in Pilesgrove is true to its name – it’s open year-round and offers cabins with full bathroom, heating and kitchens. It won’t be too much work for you to find other campgrounds in the nearby area that are open to visitors during the coldest months.

Carriage Rides and a Dickens Extravaganza in Cape May

Cape May might be a hot tourist area during the summer, but it undergoes a transformation once the snow begins to fall and a calm falls upon the town. You can take a scenic stroll down the quaint streets, visit the lighthouse, and even have a carriage ride give you a historical tour of the town. Talk about romantic! If you time your visit right, you might even make the Charles Dickens Extravaganza, a series of events covering the famous author of “A Christmas Carol.” If you’re in dire need of some holiday spirit, a trip to Cape May might just be what the doctor ordered.