7 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

Bundle Up for an Outdoor Adventure 

Short days and cold temperatures don’t have to put your sense of adventure on ice. 

Across Massachusetts, Mass Audubon offers countless ways to lift your spirits this season, including invigorating outdoor experiences that get your blood pumping, and cozy indoor escapes that spark curiosity, creativity, and wonder. 

These seven ideas will help get you on the path to feeling brighter, energized, and inspired.

1. Get Outside for Fresh Air & Curious Tracks

Take advantage of winter’s peaceful moments by layering up and heading out on a short hike. The days following a snowfall offer space for quiet reflection and great opportunities to look for tracks, sparking curiosity that may lie dormant this time of year. Wild Turkey, Raccoon, and Eastern Coyote footprints often show up after snow dustings—follow the clues to see if you can tell where they’re going! 

Some of our favorite winter trails include: 

• Marsh Trail at Broadmoor in Natick, where tall trees line the trail. 
• Fern Trail Loop at Arcadia in Easthampton, to immerse yourself in the woods on your way to the observation tower. 
• Stone Bridge Trail at Ipswich River in Topsfield, for a view of the iconic bridge overlooking the river. 

2. Explore by Snowshoe—Bring Your Own or Rent From Us

Some may be weary of 6+ inches of snowfall. But look on the bright side—that just means conditions are ideal to go snowshoeing! Bring your snowshoes to nearly all of Mass Audubon’s wildlife sanctuaries, when deep snow cover makes them otherwise impassable. 

No snowshoes? No problem! Rent them from: 

• Broad Meadow Brook, Worcester
• Wachusett Meadow, Princeton 
• Boston Nature Center, Mattapan 
• Pleasant Valley, Lenox 

Some fan favorite trails include the Beaver Lodge Loop and Yokun Trail at Pleasant Valley in Lenox, one of our most western and snow-covered sanctuaries. Both routes feature level, gradually sloping terrain with scenic views and signs of beaver activity. 

3. Ski the Trails 

For a faster journey through the sanctuary, some sites also allow cross-country skiing. Get your body moving, your heart pumping, and give those winter dopamine levels a much-needed boost!

Consider Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Sharon for a glide through the woods. Take the Billings or Field Loop trails to find yourself immersed in a wooded wonderland. Bring your binoculars to spot winter birds, including six species of woodpeckers often found here.

Plan your cross-country ski adventure at: 

• Wachusett Meadow, Princeton 
• Ipswich River, Topsfield 
• Habitat, Belmont 
• Broadmoor, Natick 
• Moose Hill, Sharon 

Call ahead to confirm parking details, sanctuary closures, and conditions. 

4. Tap Into Your Creative Side 

At the Museum of American Bird Art (MABA) Education Center & Wildlife Sanctuary in Canton, you can get the creative juices flowing at the intersection of art and nature. 

From pottery and print making to live drawing and watercolors, creative expression is one of the best remedies to feeling down. Open studio programs offer weekly opportunities to unleash your vision with hands-on guidance and support. Take inspiration from the picturesque setting, biological artifacts, and a library of reference photos.

5. Connect with Wildlife Indoors

For a day of family fun, head inside the Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton to meet local species in the indoor exhibit hall. Try to spot the Gray Tree Frog blending in its enclosure, marvel at the resident Great Horned Owl while learning how it came to live at Trailside, and get a closer look at a Timber Rattlesnake and Eastern Copperhead, two rare snake species native to Massachusetts. Getting a closer look at these fascinating creatures is sure to pique your interest!

Plus, drop in on Saturdays and Sundays at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm for a closer encounter with one of our live animal ambassadors. 

6. Cold Weather Coastal Ecology 

Everyone visits the Cape in summer, but winter offers a more unique way to experience coastal beauty. Frosted beaches offer a striking contrast, rewarding those who brave the wind with a bracing jolt to the senses. 

Warm up inside the nature center at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in Wellfleet to take a closer look at the critters of the coast. Six fish tanks provide close-up views of native fish, crabs, and turtles found in the bays, ponds, and salt marshes of the Outer Cape. Take a breath and grab a seat at the comfortable indoor viewing spot to watch the bird feeders attracting local backyard visitors, including Black-capped Chickadees, American Goldfinches, and Northern Cardinals. 

7. Stay Warm While Birding 

If birds keep your winter bright, but freezing temperatures halt your bird walks, we've got the solution. Joppa Flats Education Center in Newburyport offers the best of both worlds: great year-round birdwatching opportunities, plus the comfort of the indoors. From the panoramic indoor observation area, keep an eye on the Merrimack River, where wintering Bald Eagles search for food and often perch on the ice that accumulates on the river. 

Always Remember: You Don’t Have to Weather Winter Alone

Whether you’re spotting tracks after fresh snow, sketching birds indoors, or watching eagles from a warm observation room, winter offers moments of calm and discovery. But the best part? Sharing them with people who love nature as much as you do. Join Mass Audubon to connect with a community that finds joy, wonder, and warmth together—no matter the weather.

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