Months ago I wrote an article recommending places to go in Holyoke in the fall. Now that we’re in the midst of winter and many of those activities are no longer realistic for this time of the year, here is an updated version for the winter season! Holyoke is a small town with many fun places. Due to the extremely cold weather, many people hesitate to go outside or to even go to the store. Grab a cup of hot chocolate and a blanket and let’s start. 

Today marks two years since I arrived in Holyoke. Arriving here two years ago in the middle of winter, I didn’t know what to do. However, this year is different. Since I’ve been here, I’ve had the chance to be with myself and explore Holyoke in greater depth. Here are some of my recommendations for things to do on a brisk day:

The first place I would recommend to go to is Springdale Park. The park is huge, with an open space with a big hill, right beside the Connecticut River. What makes this park especially special during the winter season is that the part gets covered with a layer of ice after a fresh snowfall and cold night. The fun comes when you throw yourself from the hill with sleds and slip over the ice. 

After a cold day out sledding and enjoying the outdoors, a good place to go to eat is IHOP in nearby West Springfield. They serve pancakes and hot chocolate and their food is very delicious. Another good breakfast spot is Denny’s which has a wide variety of breakfast foods and they also they serve lunch and dinner. “Greasy, delicious and affordable,” Ms. Martins said after being asked to describe Denny’s in one phrase.

If you are not the type of person who enjoys the snow, there’s other options for a cold snowy day which don’t require facing the outdoors. For example, you can always just stay home and watch Netflix, while wrapped up between warm blankets. Also, you could watch movies like “What happened to Monday” and so many more!