Refreshment for the winter-weary spirit

February 17, 2012

The winter hasn't been anything to complain about, snow and cold-wise, but it's gray, visually and spiritually, as winters tend to be.

If you need an infusion of color, check out one of these local gems. And better yet, they're generally not crowded, crazy places (of course it depends on when you go – at busy museums, consider wearing your own personal soundtrack via earphones). Let the beauty of your surroundings seep in and you'll feel refreshed and a few steps closer to spring.

A section of the water gardens at Wellesley College's greenhouses.

The Ferguson Greenhouses at Wellesley College are open to the public 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Daily (free admission), offering the visual delights of begonias with their deep purple leaves and delicate pink blossoms as well as gurgling water gardens, all in a gently humid environment under glass. In spring, it's worth a return trip to the Hunnewell Botanic Gardens, a beautifully landscaped portion of the campus that features a variety of textures and colors along a gently sloping path.

Take in the iridescent shades of the Blue Morpho and Luna Moth at the Butterfly Place in Westford also open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily (admission charged), offering a senior discount 1-3 p.m. weekdays. While this place may be busy with families and children, it offers a warm respite from the dour winter when colorful butterflies are flitting about. There is also an educational component that includes videos of caterpillars transforming into butterflies.

The courtyard at the Gardner Museum.

Drink in the view of the vine-covered indoor courtyard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum on the Fenway and refresh your winter-weary soul. Punctuated by multi-hued orchids and the white blossoms of jade plants, this multi-story garden is a luxury for the soul. Now that the museum has expanded, crowds shouldn't be quite as burdensome on a visitor, but it is a very popular destination so planning a visit and even buying tickets online ahead of time is advisable.

The colorful Mapparium at the Mary Baker Eddy Library at the Christian Science Center in Boston is another respite from winter. If you haven't walked inside this glass reproduction of a world map, it's a wonderful experience that provides a unique perspective of the world and a place to ponder things larger than this week's issues. Share that world view by bringing a youngster for their special programs on mapmaking during school vacation week, Feb. 21-24.

If you miss the birdsongs and gentle breezes riffling through leaves of warmer weather, relish in the tonal variety of music offered at Berklee College of Music this weekend. The International Championship of Collegiate A Capella is scheduled for Saturday night, a variety of sounds and voices that are sure to inspire with their range and creativity.