10 “Cool” Things to Do During Winter in Binghamton
I grew up in Ecuador, a very warm place, with clear skies and a lot of sunlight almost every day. However, I did not consider the fact that I was only used to warm weather when I came to Binghamton. My first winter here was definitely an interesting experience! At first, I thought my only option was to stay inside my dorm. But over time, I discovered that winter can be just as fun as summer — you just need to find the right places and activities to stay warm and entertained. Now, as a student who has adapted to Binghamton’s winters, I’m excited to share my favorite winter activities with you!
1. Go ice skating at SUNY Broome
SUNY Broome is home to a fun – a 758-seat hockey arena that hosts a number of groups. The Ice Center welcomes ice skating experts as well as those who are new to the sport. If you have a goal to learn something new this year, what better thing to learn in this weather than how to ice skate?!
2. Have a theater night
Looking for something more artistic? Binghamton offers enjoyable experiences for all theater enthusiasts at the and the Anderson Center. The Forum hosts exciting upcoming events, like Killers of Kill Tony and The Cher Show. On campus, the Anderson Center will host performances such as Die Fledermaus, the University Wind Symphony Winter ’25 Concert, and As You Like It. If you are free during these dates, I would definitely recommend watching one of these shows.
3. Go to a Black Bears game
Binghamton has an amazing ice hockey team: ! The team has dominated at home this season, making their arena a tough place for any opponent. Their games are exciting to watch with friends or family while eating some snacks, so come out for a game sometime!
4. Visit a museum
This one is for my history and art lovers (myself included). Binghamton has a wide selection of museums nearby. Some of the most popular are , , and my favorite, the Ƶ Art Museum. All of them have something new to teach you, whether it is through art, history or nature. I highly recommend exploring one of these places, whether on your own or with company.
5. Enjoy your night at an arcade
This one is for the gamers! Binghamton is home to two amazing arcades: the and . Crowbar is an arcade bar that combines classic retro gaming with handcrafted cocktails and delicious snacks. Robot City is also packed with classic arcade games and pinball machines. Playing in these places will make you feel like a teenager in the ’80s! Due to their unique and fun environment, they are great spots to take a break from work.
6. Visit a local coffee shop
Getting a hot coffee, hot chocolate or tea will make your day so much better and warmer! It is a classic activity that never fails to distract me and make me happy during the winter. Binghamton is home to many coffee shops, including , and . Other coffee shops can also be found on campus, such as the , and the . All of these places have savory drinks and sweet treats that you can get while studying or doing work. This is definitely a cheap and fun activity to do any time on a chill winter day.
7. Have a reading afternoon in the library!
One of my favorite solo activities is going to the library and discovering a new book to read. Binghamton has many libraries open to students and the general public. Some of them are: The , University Downtown Center Library, Science Library and Glenn G. Bartle Library. They all have infinite amounts of books to read and their welcoming environments make them amazing spots to spend the time outside of your house while staying warm.
8. Have a cozy movie night
When it starts snowing or raining, I love preparing something warm to drink and eat while enjoying a cozy movie night with my friends. Ƶ offers movie nights every Friday and Saturday in different locations around campus. Late Nite provides free snacks like popcorn, and you can bring your blanket to enjoy a different movie every week. It is a fun, warm and relaxing activity to do during the winter.
9. Go bowling!
A fun way to bond with your friends or family is always through a good bowling game. You can visit either , , or if you live on campus, The Union. All of these places are great spots to enjoy yourself while staying inside. It is one of my go-to activities when I’m with a large group of people.
10. Try an Escape Room at Xscapes
If you are looking for an activity to challenge your critical thinking and problem-solving skills while having fun with your group of friends, then you must visit . This place has rooms from The Twilight Zone to Wizard and Dragon. There is a themed room for everyone’s preferences and the best thing is their affordable prices. Going to one of these escape rooms is definitely on my to-do list during the winter season.
Paula Andrade is a sophomore from Ecuador. She majors in business administration with concentrations in marketing and business analytics, and minors in global studies. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a marketing career in the nonprofit sector. In her free time, she enjoys reading history, dancing, traveling and watching movies.
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