Winter break staycation ideas: Eastern Hills Mall, the Botanical Gardens and the Carrousel Factory Museum

Next week is winter break for many area schools, and if you’re staying in the Buffalo area and braving the cold, you can still have some family fun – check out these ideas.

Summer in February at Eastern Hills Mall – Saturday, February 14^th through Sunday, February 22^nd in the Food Court at Eastern Hills Mall, 4545 Transit Rd. in Williamsville. There will be games and activities throughout the week for children 10 and under. Hours are Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. – find out more at www.shopeasternhills.com.

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The Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens – there’s fun for all ages at the Botanical Gardens, located at 2655 South Park Ave. in Buffalo. The Lumagination light show continues Wednesday through Saturday night (Wednesday and Thursday 6 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 6 to 10 p.m.), and the Orchid exhibit continues during the day (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). On Tuesday, February 17^th, check out the Plants We Eat Picnic (pre-registration required) from noon to 2 p.m., and on Thursday, February 19^th, it’s Kids Day at the Gardens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Wegmans Family Garden. Get more information on these and other events at www.buffalogardens.com.

Herschell Carrousel Factory – the Carrousel Factory, located at 180 Thompson St. on North Tonawanda, will be open Monday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m., offering crafts, games and rides on the carrousels. Visit carrouselmuseum.org for more information. 

Winter break staycation ideas: The Buffalo History Museum, Explore & More and Canalside

Buffalo History Museum
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Next week is winter break for many area schools, and if you’re staying in the Buffalo area and braving the cold, you can still have some family fun – check out these ideas.

Buffalo History Museum – on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the History Museum, located at One Museum Ct. in Buffalo, offers Break Out! – Presidents Past, where you’ll learn about Buffalo’s connections to US presidents, go on a scavenger hunt, make a craft and more. Hours are Wednesday 1 to 3 p.m., Thursday noon to 3 p.m. and Friday 1 to 3 p.m. Friday is also M&T Third Friday, with free admission from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Find out more about the Museum at www.buffalohistory.org. 

Explore & More Children’s Museum – the East Aurora museum, located at 300 Gleed Ave.,  is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Monday, stop by from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and make a red, white and blue snack in honor of President’s Day; Tuesday through Friday, celebrate the Lunar New Year from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit www.exploreandmore.org for more information.

Canalside – for winter break, Canalside is open extended hours Monday through Friday, with open ice skating, ice bike rentals and curling daily from noon to 7 p.m. (ice bikes until 10 p.m. on Friday). You can also check out the Artisan Market in the Winter Village on Thursday and Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. Find a complete schedule of things to do at www.canalsidebuffalo.com.