We know, we know, winter can feel like a long stretch, but spring is just around the corner! Though it’s still a little chilly here in the Monadnock region, there are plenty of fun, cozy activities to enjoy that take away the cold-weather blues!
Local Talent Onstage
Keene’s Colonial Theatre is continues its 95th season with a jam-packed February and March schedule! Shows like Cinderella and Wild are playing throughout the month. Check out performance ranging from ballet to folk music and comedy.
Take in a show at the Peterborough Players! This pastoral, charismatic theater is a one-of-a-kind experience that the whole family can enjoy. It’s always an affordable alternative for those days you want to spend outside, but it’s just too chilly. The Players have a great lineup of shows for their Winter Season December through February. In addition, the theater brings broadcasts from The Met: Live in HD, London’s National Theatre, and a Special Screenings Series through April. including Handel’s Agrippina in March and Puccini’s Tosca in April.
Looking for an evening out without the kids? Warm up and have a drink at any of the local restaurants and breweries that also offer all sorts of eclectic live music. Groovy tunes can be found all over the Monadnock region, including Harlow’s in Peterborough (with open mic night on Wednesdays and shows on the weekends), Crotched Mountain’s Ski & Ride’s Onset Pub, with live music on the weekends and during Midnight Madness, and the Peterborough Concert Series at the townhouse, with the James Montgomery Blues Band in March and the Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience in April.
Shop Around
Are you a local shopaholic? If you love to buy local, you’ll feel right at home at Hannah Grimes Marketplace on Main St. in Keene. Not only does this non-profit feature local products made by craftsmen and farmers in the area, but the chic marketplace also aims to help artists learn the fundamentals of entrepreneurship. Walk one block to the Keene Fine Arts Gallery, which features distinctive pieces created by he League of NH Craftsmen.
Depot Square in Peterborough is also a great place to spend a winter’s afternoon. Hop from shop to shop to get your hands-on unique antiques, great finds from around the globe, spring styles, or spend an afternoon browsing the huge selection of new and used books at the Toadstool Bookshop. Grab a bite of whatever you feel like, from traditional Irish dishes to hearty homemade sandwiches in one of the downtown eateries.
Did you know that the Monadnock region has one of the highest artist-per-capita ratios in the country? With those kinds of numbers, it’s no wonder this compelling corner of New Hampshire also boasts several excellent and highly-regarded art galleries, including the Thorne-Sagendorph Art Gallery in Keene, as well as the Fry Fine Art in Peterborough. Find work ranging from mixed media to local landscapes depending on the exhibit.
Kick Back and Stay Awhile!
If you need to get out and mix it up before you go stir crazy, the Monadnock region is a great place to spend a weekend. Our region features a range of comfortable lodging options including bed and breakfasts, country inns and hotels that are minutes from chocolatier shops, fine dining, farm stands, covered bridges and scenic views of Mount Monadnock.
Many of these one-of-a-kind stays come complete with scrumptious breakfasts, like the Chesterfield Inn in West Chesterfield and the Benjamin Prescott Inn in Jaffrey. You can also book a spot just minutes from historically quaint and picturesque downtowns; check out the Harrisville Inn or the Bridges Inn at Whitcomb House in Swanzey. These sweet spots highlight the qualities that ring true to New England. Check out the full list here.
So banish the winter blues with a lovely getaway to one of the coziest parts of New England. Before you know it, these quiet winter days with their beautiful light will slowly fade to spring. Take advantage of this time of year to find time for yourself and make the most of the moment.