How to beat Cabin Fever as lows hit 15 and more snow heads our way

Tammy Paolino, Cherry Hill Courier-Post
·8 min read

Temperatures lately have spanned from “Yes, you need a jacket’’ to “Only open that door if we are forced to evacuate.’’

And with the omicron variant keeping us home more than usual, the Eagles out of contention and the holidays in our rear view, many of us can feel a good bout of Cabin Fever coming on.

Sure, you can stay home, make the dog nap on your feet for warmth, and finally get around to watching all eight hours of that Beatles’ doc “Get Out,’’ or you can venture out into the tundra and have some family fun.

From a family day roller skating or ice skating to a journey into the wizarding world, here are some ideas for making the most of your winter free time:

Fire & Ice — and lots of chili

The Mount Holly Fire & Ice Festival is back again for another year of sculpting and chili sampling.
The Mount Holly Fire & Ice Festival is back again for another year of sculpting and chili sampling.

If you haven’t been to Mount Holly lately, you’re missing a lot. This historic downtown has new restaurants and a growing craft beverage scene.

A great time to make the journey is Saturday, Jan. 29, when Mount Holly hosts its annual Fire & Ice Festival.

The free event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., will warm you up with chili tastings while you check out giant ice sculptures carved by professional ice artists working on 300-pound blocks of ice.

Live music by Suze & Watson will set the tone for a day of fun.

If you go, share your photos on social media with the hashtag #FandINJ. Visit fireandicefestival.com

The Mount Holly Prison Museum is temporarily closed due to COVID, but be sure to visit Mount Holly's quaint shops or pay a visit to one of its craft breweries, wine tasting rooms or Train Wreck Distillery.

The wonders of Winterfest

Nothing shakes off the cobwebs like lacing up some skates and practicing your figure eights.

This pop-up winter wonderland in Cooper River Park offers a chance to escape without going far from home.

Winterfest, located at the corner of North Park Drive and Cuthbert Boulevard, is open through Feb. 17.

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The primary attraction is the 60-foot by 120-foot ice rink across from Crown Plaza, and Winterfest also features twinkling lights, and food vendors located inside a lodge.

Hours are Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m., Fridays from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 9 p.m. On the final day, Monday, Feb. 17, the park will be open from noon to 9 p.m.

Admission is $7.50 for adults; $5.50 for children ages 5 to 12, senior citizens and veterans, free for children 4 and under. Children between the ages of 5 and 17 who show their vaccination cards will get one free admission. Unlimited skating, not including skate rentals, is available for $125. Skate rental is $6; skate sharpening is $6.50.

Visit CamdenCounty.com/WinterFest for information on parties, skating lessons and more.

All skate or couples only?

If ice skating sounds about appealing as a Polar Bear Plunge right now, consider lacing up a different sort of skates.

Roller skating sessions continue this month at Cape May Convention Hall.

The schedule for January is 4 to 6 p.m. and 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Fridays; and 1 to 3 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. All sessions are “family skate.” The schedule is subject to change.

Admission is $5 for skaters and non-skaters. Skate rental is $5 and blade rental is $7. Children age 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. No more than four minors per adult.

The hall is at 714 Beach Ave., in Cape May. For the schedule and information, visit capemaycity.com/roller-skating.

While you're in town, you can also shop Washington Mall shops, enjoy the city's best restaurants, hike the nature trails at Cape May Point or climb its iconic lighthouse if it's a warm day.

Cozy up to some Birria tacos

Birria Tacos and consommé at Parrilla La Nueva Fogata
Birria Tacos and consommé at Parrilla La Nueva Fogata

Why settle for ordinary tacos when you can have a more delectable version, complete with house made consommé?

And don’t wait for Taco Tuesday to dive in. Birria tacos take your family favorite up a notch.

Here is our guide to where to find them in South Jersey, from Burlington City to Vineland.

Most places offer plenty of other varieties, as well as burritos, for those who don’t see the merits of wet tacos.

Check restaurant websites and social media for availability and updated hours.

Gather ‘round a (different) firepit

Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City has stage firepits and garden firepits available. The outdoor dining areas also have heaters.
Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City has stage firepits and garden firepits available. The outdoor dining areas also have heaters.

Unless you are snowboarding or skiing in fresh powder, few things are more appealing outside this time of year than a toasty fire pit.

While fire pits have been popular … well, ever since humans discovered fire … they have enjoyed an even greater appeal as a safe way to gather outdoors and have some fun during the pandemic.

Breweries, wineries, restaurants and bars throughout our area have added fire pits and outdoor fire places to offer a comfortable alternative to dining and drinking indoors.

They have become such a fixture; we predict they will not use their appeal when the threat of COVID-19 finally recedes.

Check out our guide to where to find them here and look for updates soon.

Make like a wizard and apparate

Why stay in New Jersey in February when you can spend it at Hogwarts, Hogsmeade, Godric’s Hollow and Diagon Alley?

"Harry Potter: The Exhibition'' comes to Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute on Feb. 18.

The exhibit, created by Imagine Exhibitions in partnership with Warner Bros., comes as the first "Harry Potter'' film marks its 20th anniversary.

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Tickets are now on sale for the show, which announces itself as "the most comprehensive touring exhibition ever presented about the Wizarding World.''

"Harry Potter'' will take Wizards and Muggles alike behind the scenes, where they can get up close to memorable characters, settings and moments from the books and films and the larger world created by J.K. Rowling, including more recent works such as "Fantastic Beasts'' and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,'' according to the Franklin.

Imagine Studios uses "best-in-class, immersive design and technology to deliver an unforgettable personalized experience,'' according to press materials, that will include original film props and costumes. It will afford Potterheads of all ages "an opportunity to engage with innovative, awe-inspiring and magical environments and installations in ways never before experienced in a touring exhibition.''

Tickets are timed and dated. Daytime tickets for timed entry between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily are $43 for adults; $41 for seniors and military; $39 for children ages 3 to 11. Tickets include museum admission and one planetarium show.

Evening tickets are for timed entry between 5 and 6:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday are $30 for all guests and does not include other areas of the museum, which will close at 5 p.m. Final guests must leave by 8 p.m.

VIP anytime passes are also available for $59.

For more information, visit www.fi.edu

Book your Escape

Exit 4 Escape Rooms T-shirts are shown at Exit 4 Private Escape Rooms in Collingswood.
Exit 4 Escape Rooms T-shirts are shown at Exit 4 Private Escape Rooms in Collingswood.

Family movie nights, family game nights and back yard nights can only go so far.

Sometimes you need to actually leave home to appreciate coming back home.

If you aren’t feeling ready to mix in a lot of public places, consider booking a private escape room for an afternoon or evening of brain teasing fun and team building.

South Jersey has multiple escape rooms, which switch up their brain-teasing adventures periodically so you don’t get too bored.

Exit 4 Private Escape Rooms, for instance, has locations in Glassboro and Collingswood.

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In Glassboro, for instance, you can try to break out of the Cabin of the Jersey Devil, scramble for evidence for the Trial of the Century, or try your hand escaping from a dark wizarding wand shop. Which sounds like a good chaser to the “Harry Potter’’ exhibit to us.

There also are escape rooms in Turnersville, Cherry Hill and elsewhere to check out, so why be bored?

Stroll and shop in Haddonfield

Even if you just want to window shop, this is the town to do it in.

Kings Highway and surrounding streets offer a safe way to get in your steps, get some fresh air and get inspired.

Winterfest Sidewalk Sale runs Thursday, Jan. 20 to Sunday, Jan. 23, with many downtown businesses offering in-store promotions, specials and discounts.

While you're there, you can choose among dozens of local restaurants and cafes, enjoy the outdoor sculpture and get something for your Valentine.

Snow date is Jan. 27 to 30. Visit facebook.com/events/897863603696628/?ref=newsfeed

Tammy Paolino is Features Editor for the Atlantic South region of the USA Today Network. She’s an award-winning reporter and editor who loves to cover trends, diversity, the arts, food and drink. Reach her at tpaolino@gannett.com or 856-486-2477 or on Twitter @CP_TammyPaolino. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: 8 ways to beat Cabin Fever in South Jersey