6 New England towns to visit in January
You can ride a toboggan, drink Maine beer, or listen to a 25-hour reading of "Moby-Dick."
It may be cold out, but there’s still plenty to do across New England in January. Ahead, discover six places worth visiting throughout the month.
Sip local beers at a brew fest in Portland, Maine
Taste beer from more than 50 Maine breweries under one roof — the heated Brick South Building at Thompson’s Point — on Jan. 13. At Portland’s Winter Session: 2018 Maine Brewers’ Guild Beer Festival, you can enjoy live music, meals from local food trucks, and local beer from the likes of Allagash Brewing, Kennebunkport Brewing Company, and Rock Harbor Brewing Company. Tickets include unlimited brew samples and a souvenir tasting glass. Of course, you must be 21 to attend.
Climb into historic aircrafts in Windsor Locks, Connecticut
You can get a rare look at the cockpits of historic aircrafts during the New England Air Museum’s “Open Cockpit” day on Jan. 13. Visitors will get a chance to climb inside a WWII-era Republic P-47D, a Vietnam War-era Bell UH-1B “Huey” helicopter, and several supersonic jet fighters. Only that day, you can also take in more than 100 plastic scale models of aircraft, military vehicles, ships, and automobiles on display, courtesy of the Wings and Wheels Modelers Club.
A previous Moby-Dick Marathon at the New Bedford Whaling Museum.
Stay up all night at a “Moby-Dick” Marathon in New Bedford
Immerse yourself in all things “Moby-Dick” when the New Bedford Whaling Museum brings Herman Melville’s 1851 iconic novel to life during the 22nd Annual Moby-Dick Marathon Jan. 5-7. The free main event will take place over a period of 25 hours, from noon on Saturday to 1 p.m. on Sunday, when 215 readers will take turns sharing from the novel throughout the museum. Hear parts out loud in the Lagoda, the world’s largest model whaleship, and within the museum’s theater, where theater troupe Culture*Park will perform during the reading of chapter 40. Other events throughout the weekend include a dinner, talks by Melville scholars, artist demonstrations, and a viewing of David Shaerf’s documentary film “Call Us Ishmael,” which examines the novel and its legacy.
Play snowgolf at a winter carnival in Stowe, Vermont
Have you ever played snowgolf or snowvolleyball? Try out these unusual winter sports during the Jan. 13-27 44th Annual Stowe Winter Carnival, which has the theme “StowOlympics!” You can pre-register for the sports, which is recommended but not required, by emailing Huntly Armbruster, the carnival’s producer, at [email protected] or by calling 802-777-5510. Other carnival highlights include a moonlight snowshoe tour, a nationally sanctioned ice carving competition, and a movie night featuring American ski and snowboarding filmmaker Warren Miller’s 2018 film “Line of Descent.”
Ride a toboggan in Camden, Maine
It’s time to toboggan in Camden: The Jack Williams Toboggan Chute at the Camden Snow Bowl opens Jan. 13 for the season. The chute bills itself as the country’s only remaining original, gravity-operated, 400-foot-long wooden toboggan chute. It even hosts the U.S. Toboggan Championships every February. Riders must be 42 inches tall. While you’re in Camden, you can also “ski the sea” at the town-owned ski area, the only East Coast ski spot with ocean views.
Have a fun-apalooza at Cranapalooza in North Conway, New Hampshire
Take the family to Cranmore Mountain Resort, nestled in the heart of Mount Washington Valley in the picturesque White Mountains, for the resort’s signature winter event, Cranapalooza. This year’s Cranapalooza season began Dec. 30 and will continue on Saturday afternoons through March 10. Cranapalooza is oozing with live music, face painting, family games, and giveaways. Join a dance party with a live DJ at the mountain’s Schneider Square. Mingle with Mascot C-More the Penguin. And if you’re looking for even more excitement during your visit, check out Cranmore’s Tubing & Mountain Adventure Park, where guests can ride a tube, mountain coaster, or giant swing.
