By Melissa Kaufman

With plunging temperatures, a briskness in the air and frequent inclement weather, there has never been a better time to warm up and relax. Thankfully, while awaiting the arrival of Spring, there are numerous ways to delight in the current season offering warmth, leisure, tranquility and excitement, simultaneously. Whether it is mug of decadent, steamy hot cocoa, a warm bowl of chili, a steam room at the spa, or enjoying a musical performance outdoors alongside the glow and warmth of a firepit, Bucks County is chock full of unique ways to increase comfort even with a chill in the air! Read along for a vast selection of ways to relax and shake off those Winter chills with the help of local Happening List favorites! Also, don’t forget to cast your vote for this year’s Happening List HERE.

Visit a Local Spa/Salon

Whether it is receiving a full body massage, facial, reflexology, sauna session, manicure/pedicure or hair cut/style, this season is a great time to indulge in a relaxing, pampering experience. Let your skin soak up much-needed moisture through indulging in a hydrating massage or rejuvenating treatment and unwind in some of the county’s and Happening List’s most coveted spas and salons:

The Salt Cave, Newtown & Doylestown, 2020 Happening List Winner for Day Spa

Stop by the Salt Cave and enjoy a host of innovative ways to relax, including “Salty Siestas,” offered on Wednesdays for $20 cash. Relax in the salt cave for a 45-minute session while lounging in a zero-gravity recliner, as meditative music plays in the background. Prioritize both your mental & physical wellbeing and reap the benefits of salt therapy; boosting immunity, expanding lung capacity, reduces symptoms of allergies &respiratory issues, as well as relieving stress and aiding in skin ailments.

Yardley Day Spa, Yardley, 2020 Happening List Finalist for Day Spa

Treat yourself to a facial, spray-tan, hair cut/color/treatment, waxing, massages, nail manicures and treatments, and other wellness options to soothe and eliminate daily stressors. Even pick-up skin care products to create your own-at-home spa day!

Radiance Spa at the Bucks Club, Jamison, 2020 Happening List Nominee for Day Spa

Enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating spa, microneedling session, couples session, facial, waxing, or body treatment. You can even shop at their online store for skin care needs and customize your own at home spa treatment. Be sure to check out some of their weekly specials, which include a New Client Special, Tuesdays-Fridays, offering $30 off a 1-hour or longer massage!

Zanya Spa Salon, Lambertville, NJ, 2020 Hunterdon Happening List Finalist for Day Spa

Conveniently book an appointment online at Zanya for a stress-relieving hair cut/style/treatment, makeup session, facial or skincare treatment, as well as comprehensive massages and other body care treatments. Health and safety is at the forefront of Zanya’s mission and they consciously work to ensure all protocols are effectively followed.

Beauty Releaf, Beautyreleaf.com

Pamper yourself at home! Treat yourself to makeup & skincare of the highest quality from Beauty Releaf. Indulge in lip treatments and even order a special-edition, Lip Tasker in “Danielle’s Red” to support Danielle, a scad heart attack survivor with 10% of each purchase in the month of February supporting www.scadresearch.org to further promote research and wellness.

Namaste Nail Sanctuary, Newtown

Indulge in a private, socially-distanced manicure or manicure at Namaste, where they emphasize personal hygiene, safety and wellbeing. Each of their chairs offers Deepak Chopra Dream Master audio-visual system that can be used for no extra charge and all services are conducted in a private, enclosed area.

Enjoy a Warm, Hearty Meal

The Winter season is the ideal time to enjoy many hearty, comforting and warm favorites, such as chilis, soups/stews, casseroles, steamy Italian dishes, as well as spicy Mexican cuisine and can be easily prepared from the comfort of home, enjoyed on-site or via takeout at local restaurants. Check out some of these Happening List winners for flavorful ways to increase the temperature:

Steam Pub, Southampton, 2020 Happening List Winner for Late Night Drinking, Finalist in multiple categories including Appetizer, Lunch, Beer Bar, Happy Hour & More

Known for its delicious pub fare, Steam Pub has plenty of options that'll warm you from the inside out. Just some suggestions: French onion soup, short rib mac & cheese, cheese steak spring rolls, or any of their burgers. Finish your meal with a giant gooey cookie baked in a skillet.

El Barrio Cantina & Tequila Bar, Holland, 2020 Happening List Winner for Mexican Food

Let the authentic cuisine and spices of Mexico warm your soul & body and delight in the many delicacies offered by El Barrio. Enjoy flautas, tamales, empanadas which include “Mac and Cheese,” Pulled Chicken & Cheesesteak, as well as a variety of tacos, chicken tortilla soup, fajitas, quesadillas & many more! Even let the drinks provide the heat while sipping on a Spicy Jalapeno Patron Margarita!

Piccolo Trattoria, Newtown, Doylestown & Pennington, 2020 Happening List Finalist for Italian Food

Fill up on warm, flavorful Italian specialties and cuisine all made from scratch! Satisfy and warm up with fresh, lean fish, chicken dishes, homemade pastas and other Italian eats all without the addition of preservatives or additives. Choose from limited indoor dining, takeout or catering.

Lambertville Station Restaurant & Inn, Lambertville, NJ, 2020 Hunterdon Happening List Winner for Outdoor Dining, Most Romantic

Enjoy a scenic and relaxing view while dining inside or out at Lambertville Station. Also offering takeout options via online ordering and even delivery, it is a unique and accommodating experience.

Sip on Warm Beverages

With recent temperatures often hovering at or below freezing, the need to warm up is enhanced and can be easily accomplished through enjoying warm mugs of coffee/espresso/lattes/cappuccinos, hot cocoa, hot ciders & hot teas. Enjoy these beverages at home, on the go, or outdoors surrounded by music & fire pits available at these Happening List favorites:

The Coffee Room, Newtown, 2020 Happening List Winner for Coffee

Stop into locally-owned favorite The Coffee Room, where they serve Counter Culture Coffee, and enjoy sips such as Café Au Lait, brewed coffee, mocha & vanilla lattes, a variety of hot teas, chai lattes & more. Enjoy your warm beverage with a locally-sourced baked good, such as a muffin or biscotti or even continue your quest for warmth with a bowl of seasonal soup!

Covered Bridge Coffee Roasters, Feasterville, 2020 Happening List Finalist for Coffee

Wake up to the comforting and rich aroma of fresh, locally-sourced coffee after purchasing a bag or two of Covered Bridge Coffee Roasters’ vast selection of coffees. Visit in-store, or order online for quick, contactless curbside pickup, local delivery within 15 miles or direct ship to your home. Also available for purchase are an assortment of loose leaf teas & merchandise, which includes coffee scoops, coffee makers, attire, and more. Be sure to check out their in-store specials, offered during their hours of operation, Wednesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm!

Johnson Hall Coffee House, Hulmeville, 2020 Happening List Finalist for Coffee

As an artisan, family-friendly coffee house, stop in for an assortment of warm beverages and small bites (soups, sandwiches, paninis & more are all available). Also take in the rotating selection of paintings and photography all by local artists! Online ordering with speedy pickup is now available, as well. Drinkofferings include americanos, lattes such as Lavender, Cinnamon Bun, Tiramisu, brewed coffees, cappuccinos& hot teas.

Enjoy a Wine and/or Spirits Tasting

With Bucks County home to the renowned Bucks County Wine Trail, many local wineries and vineyards are offering private or public wine tastings, as well as various events to celebrate the season and warm up with flavorful sips amid a firepit or heated outdoor space. If on-site tastings aren’t of interest, pick up a bottle of locally-produced wine to enjoy from the comfort of home, or via Zoom tasting with friends and family! Check out some of these Happening List favorites for sips to savor:

Wycombe Vineyards, Wycombe, 2020 Happening List Finalist for Winery or Tasting Room

Located in the heart of Bucks County, this family-owned vineyard offers a vast assortment of wines, including “Everything Nice,” described as a sweet-spiced apple wine, best served warm. All wines are available to order online for curbside pickup and include a mix of dry white & reds & sweet/dessert wines. The vineyard will reopen for on-site tastings, events and sales in March and until then are solely available for curbside pickup & online ordering. Pick up a bottle or two and enjoy your own tasting at home or together with friends/family via Zoom!

Rose Bank Winery, Newtown, 2020 Happening List Nominee for Winery or Tasting Room

Enjoy the rustic and warm décor of the indoor winery while enjoying an assortment of award winning red, white and fruit (TIP: delight in their Spiced Apple wine, described as “apple pie in a bottle” and often served warm!) wines& hard ciders, all produced and bottled on-site at the winery. Public (Thursday-Sundays) & Private tastings are also available and include an assortment of crackers, cheese and pretzels to enjoy with wine samples. Even choose to order online and pick-up bottles curbside.

Newtown Brewing Company, Newtown, 2020 Happening List Winner for Brewery

Operating as a family brewery and taproom, they offer a craft beer experience with a rotating tap schedule, allowing for a unique tasting experience and one that can be different with each visit and order! Visit in-person or order online for pickup and enjoy an assortment of brews which include: their recent collaboration and beer pairing with Naked Chocolate, a Raspberry Milkshake IPA, 1-Year Aged Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout w/Madagascar Vanilla, as well as numerous other options.

Warm Up with a Workout

Get your heart rate pumping, work up a sweat and generate natural, internal heat through engaging in an energizing workout! Warm up in the healthiest of ways through checking out some of these Happening List favorites to increase flexibility and promote an easy way to make exercise an enjoyable & beneficial experience:

Newtown Athletic Club, Newtown, 2020 Happening List Finalist for Gym, Lower Bucks

Enjoy a variety of workout options including group classes (over 200!), individual personal training, swimming, even a Kids Club, and much more in their renovated and ever-expanding location.

FitFormula Studio, Levittown, 2020 Happening List Winner for Gym, Lower Bucks

Sign up for a free-trial and check out their group & personal training classes and options. The studio offers a customized approach, fitness & wellness assessments, as well as nutritional guidance to create for an individualized plan that works best for you and your own needs.

Finisher Fitness, Ivyland, 2020 Happening List Winner for Gym, Central Bucks

Sign up for a FREE 1-week trial, which includes personal training, mobility classes, boot camps, yoga, cardio & core classes and much more.

Prancing Peacock, Yardley, 2020 Happening List Winner for Yoga

Choose from in-person studio classes, outdoor yoga, on-demand via their “Peacock TV,” and virtual live-stream yoga classes and instruction. Private sessions are also available and all classes/instruction are offered in beginner to advanced levels.

Pursue a Creative Activity:

When the temperatures are chilly and the weather is inclement, some of the best and easiest ways to warm up and occupy time is through engaging in a creative activity. Whether it is doing some DIY baking through a bake kit or painting a masterpiece with a kit from a local paint store, the possibilities are endless! Check out some of these Happening List favorites guaranteed to get your creative juices flowing:

Painting with a Twist, Bensalem & Warrington, 2020 Happening List Finalist for Date Night

Indulge your inner artist and paint a masterpiece or simply enjoy the therapeutic/stress-relieving benefits of artistry! Schedule an in-studio session or private party in advance online or pick-up a paint kit to complete your masterpiece from the comfort of home with friends and family.

Board & Brush Creative Studio, Doylestown & Newtown, 2020 Happening List Finalist for Group Outing

Visit this local studio for an engaging DIY Wood Sign workshop experience with friends and family! All supplies are provided and each sign can be customized through distressing the wood, sanding, assembling and choosing the wood stain and paint. No skills are required; anyone and everyone can be a creator!  Also, the option to conduct a virtual DIY Wood Sign Workshop experience is also available and those who are interested can submit an online request via website.

Villa Rosa Pizza & Restaurant, Yardley, 2020 Happening List Nominee for Pizza

Turn your kitchen into a pizzeria and order one of Villa Rosa’s $10 Pizza Kit! Each pizza kit comes with one pizza dough, one 12oz pizza sauce container, one 12oz mozzarella cheese and toppings are available for $2 each. Flex your creativity and inner pizza chef with family and friends and discover and taste your flavorful masterpiece in the form of a hot, bubbling pizza!

The Lucky Cupcake Company, Lahaska, 2020 Happening List Nominee for Bakery

Indulge your inner baker and pick up one of the Lucky Cupcake’s Winter Activity Kits and flex your creativity in the kitchen! Order online via website, email or by phone and choose from a vast assortment of kits, which include, Mardi Mask Cookie Kit, Winter Wonderland Gingerbread House Kit, Snowman Cupcake Kit, Snowman & Gingerbread Cookie Kits, Snow Globe Cookie Cake Kit, Paint Your Own Cookie Kit, as well as Bake at Home Cookie Kits& more!

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