Earlier today, I returned to the concrete jungle after a month of suburbia. Throughout the bus ride, my excitement was growing. It was clear, and sunny-the type of day that in a different month would be warm. Unfortunately, when I got off of the Port Authority, I got a slap in the face by the weather. Quite literally, the wind slapped me in the face. Okay, so it wasn’t immediate death by cold, but I decided to walk the 20 blocks home, and by the time I was on the elevator, my skin was still freezing, but my body was sweating from exerting energy in the cold and then entering suddenly into heat.
All of that happiness and excitement I had had about returning to the city started to dwindle. The city remained exciting, but all I wanted to do was moisturize my red face and crawl under the covers while trying to map out ways to get places without having to step outside-which was actually successful for a few days. My motivation to go out and live, after spending a month in a car-filled town, was going to be hard to develop.

All of this being said, we all do want to enjoy our cities and surroundings, even when weather makes things tough, so here are the top 5 Ways to Enjoy Winter (beyond watching movies with friends under blankets.)

1. Exercise. Okay, so you can do this in any city or suburb, but it’s good to sweat a little instead of shivering all the time, and the endorphins can help combat seasonal depression.
2. Lunch Dates. Cheaper than dinner and able to be done before the temperature drops in the evening! I try to get lunch with friends at least once a week. A few of our favorite lunch spots include Parm, Il Violino, Bareburger, and anywhere we can get fajitas. We also just hop into coffee shops occasionally to inspire us to continue walking with warmth, energy, and without breaking the bank.
3. Go further. Cities like NYC where public transit rule can make your winters look a lot different. One of my favorite spots to go is only 10 blocks away from where I live, so I wouldn’t waste money taking the subway, but in the winter, it’s a trek, especially when you have girls wearing tights. So, in the winter, when we’re taking the subway to stay warm, we also use it as an opportunity to explore new areas, and pretty much just to get the most out of our $2.75.
4. Museums. They’re there all year, but sometimes you want to enjoy a beautiful day outside. There’s no need to worry about that in the winter, so it’s the perfect time to explore a museum. Also, student discounts and heat!
5. Brave the Cold. Just on occasion, head out to do those things you can’t do all year like skating, going out for drinks like cocoa, or seeing seasonal shows. Just be sure to bundle up!

A few other suggestions I received from friends included: get drunk to stay warm, make the most of cuffing season, and take a city bus tour on the top level of the bus, so if these suit your fancy, add them to your list!