During these cold, dreary days, a ray of color may be all the inspiration you need to board a train or bus on a little winter adventure.
Here are five bright ideas, from an atrium of pinks and greens at NYBG’s Orchid Show to a stunning rainbow-hued hotel in the heart of East Hampton, to help you start planning your own escape from the grey.
1. New York Botanical Garden
2900 Southern Blvd. | Bronx | nybg.org
Inside the NYBG’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory it’s always colorful and warm. Year long, the park’s 50 gardens and 250 acres are pleasant for a stroll, but when the cold strikes, stick to the enclosed beauty of the conservatory. In addition to its vibrant collection of plants from around the world, The Orchid Show (February 15 – April 19 2020) is a radiant respite from winter’s doldrums.
How to get there: Make the quick trek up to the Bronx landmark on the Metro-North Harlem line to the Botanical Garden Station or take to the subway and ride the B, D, or 4 train to Bedford Park Blvd Station and then walk to the park or hope on the Bx26 bus east to the Garden’s Mosholu Gate entrance.
2. Mosaic House
108 Wyckoff St. | Cobble Hill
You might be surprised to discover there’s a house in Cobble Hill that can warm your soul. Wander down Wyckoff Street, between Hoyt and Smith, and you’ll see it, a facade studded with a spectacular mosaic created by artist Susan Gardner. Stay and marvel, instagram a photo (though it needs no filter), then walk seven minutes to The Chocolate Room for a hot chocolate brownie and vanilla ice cream.
How to get there: Take the F/G to Bergen.
3. National Cherry Blossom Festival
Washington D.C.
Who needs Punxsutawney Phil? Instead of some large rodent prophesying whether spring is going to come early or not, let D.C.’s cherry blossoms (March 20-April 12) show that the much-anticipated season is indeed on its way. Every year, the trees along the tidal basin and throughout the nation’s capital blaze pink and white, turning the city into a series of stunning photo-ops. Cruise under the beautiful boughs with a Blossoms by Bike tour or use the Capital Bike Share as you celebrate the transition from winter to spring.
4. Bogota Latin Bistro
141 5th Ave. | Park Slope
Give winter the cold shoulder and salsa into this festive Colombian restaurant. Paintings and murals adorn all the walls, giving the place a bright and lively ambiance. House highlights include their arroz con pollo and aji, a spicy sauce found on every table. Their sprawling dinner menu is full of delicious options so plan to spend some time deliberating what to order. Wash down your meal with a mojito or a piña colada or enjoy them by themselves. We recommend going Monday-Wednesday when it’s happy hour all day and the crowds tend be to smaller.
How to get there: Take the B, D, M, N, Q, R, 2, 3, 4 or 5 train to Atlantic Avenue/Pacific Street stop in Brooklyn. Transfer for the local R or M train to Union Street (1 stop). This will leave you on the corner of 4th Avenue and Union Street. Cross Fourth Avenue and walk towards Fifth Avenue. Take a left on Fifth Avenue and walk up 3 blocks.
5. c/o The Maidstone
207 Main St. | East Hampton | careofhotels.com
We love winter when it’s snowing and we find ourselves cruising down a mountain and enjoying a rewarding drink by the fire in our Moon Boots. But for the non-skiing set, this season is bearable for other reasons, like affordable rates at luxurious hotels. If you don’t blink at $500/night, consider c/o The Maidstone your go-to summer retreat. But we’re more than happy to wait for winter deals like the one currently being offered at this very posh, vividly decorated hotel. Take advantage of the Romantic Rendezvous at this hot spot, where perks include a gourmet breakfast, a bottle of sparkling wine, and a 20% off dinner voucher.
How to get there: The Hampton Jitney will drop you in front of The Palm Restaurant on Main Street (Montauk Hwy 27). From there head West (in the opposite direction whence you came) and the hotel will be on your right. (About a 10-minute walk.)
Photos:Al Jazeera English, NYBG, Untapped New York, The Maidstone
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram