Beat the blues — and gray days — with these great local escapes
For me, this is the hardest time of year. Skiing is pretty much a wrap and those sun-filled yet snowy days are in the past. It should be spring, and yet things are just gray.
There’s mud and rain and damp air and cold when all we want is to take a lovely walk in lighter clothes.
So why not escape it? Here in the Northeast, we are surrounded by ways to burst out of the bubble of bleh and find some warm, comfortable joy. Consider these easy-to-access day (or overnight) escapes to brighten your day — and your mood. Blooming Beauty in Boylston: Fields of daffodils, endless blooms of color and all kinds of fun is what you’ll find all this month and beyond at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill.
One of its most highly anticipated spectacles of the year is almost here. The Field of Daffodils, a stunning seasonal display of more than 25,000 blooming daffodils stands poised to dazzle visitors. The Field of Daffodils was first planted in 1991, and because of the spreading nature of daffodils, it has grown and evolved in the decades since. Today, a variety of cultivars can be seen each season, the earliest of which, “Rijnveld’s Early Sensation,” began showing color in March.
While blooms are weather dependent, the Garden expects the field to be at its most vibrant around the third week of April. Visitors can enjoy this special springtime experience seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and should follow the Garden on social media @NewEnglandBG for bloom updates. Visit nebg.org/spring-at-the-garden for information about other exciting experiences and educational programs coming this spring.
While your visit can center on all those fabulous blooms, you can add extras to your escape.
You can lunch right on site at the Garden’s Farmer and the Fork (nebg.org/ farmer-and-the-fork/), where you’ll find creative sandwiches, soup and even a nice selection of local craft beers. Stop on the way at nearby Davidian’s Farm and Market (davidiansfarm.com) in Northboro for great coffee and baked goods — along with whatever local harvest items are available.
Soothing Space in the Seaport: The Seaport District of Boston is hot, even at this still chilly time of year. For a great escape, book a day visit (or overnight) at the Breve Spa (omnihotels.com/hotels/ boston-seaport/spa).
Located inside the newish Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport, Breve offers the chance to settle into a day of pampering in the middle of the vibrant city.
Check in and change
into a plush robe and slippers. Choose spa treatments — classic massage and facials as well as special body treatments like their Thermal Salt Detox. Before, after and between treatments you can relax in the sauna, work out with their Peloton bikes, Cybex and rowing machines, and order lunch on site. Their outdoor pool and hot tubs reopen in early May.
Overnight is easy with their spa packages. And since they have full hair and make up offerings, you can glam up and then savor one of the Seaport’s many restaurants — or choose one of the many great dining options on site.
Cozy Cape Comfort: Sure, the sea wind can be raw and the sky somewhat gray, but what pairs up better than a brisk, cool walk on an nearly empty beach and a warm and inviting spot in which to hunker down after?
Ocean Edge in Brewster (oceanedge.com) is well known for its summer setting, but spring is a great time to visit as well. After a beach walk, settle into the resort’s La Salette Lounge where you can sink into a comfy chair and enjoy a cocktail or two by a crackling fire.
Of course, there’s also the Beach House Spa for some R&R.
There’s also a new “Suite Dreams” program designed to help you sleep well. Stay in a Mansion with the upgrade and you’ll be treated to snacks like kiwi, bananas, and almonds (known to help induce sleep), a sleep sound machine featuring ocean waves, a weighted blanket, and a satin eye mask which you can take home. What’s better than a warm day and a good night’s rest to chase away the grays?