Some insist New England’s four seasons are summer, winter, fall, and mud. Let the haters hate: We’ll celebrate the new season every chance we can. Here are some ideas for where to go to enjoy sweet springtime.

New England Aquarium whale watches

Hi-speed catamaran whale watches out of Boston resumed March 26. The destination is Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a feeding ground for whales, including humpbacks, finbacks, minkes, pilot whales, and endangered right whales. The catamarans feature outside decks, but if it’s brisk out there on the water, there is also a climate- controlled indoor cabin. Naturalists with the New England Aquarium lead the three-hour outings, and sightings are guaranteed: If you don’t see a whale, a ticket for a future whale watch is yours. www.bostonharborcruises.com

Clam shacks

New England’s clam shacks have been clammed up all winter and are slowly reopening. Sullivan’s at Castle Island, famous for fried clam bellies and lobster rolls, has reopened this spring — for the 65th time. Spring hours are seven days a week, 8:30 a.m. to about 5 p.m. But, since this is spring and the weather is iffy, Sullivan’s says, “we will close if there are more seagulls than cars in the parking lot.’’ Call 617-268-5685 to be sure. www.sullivanscastleisland.com

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge

Make way for ducklings, Purple Martins, and Red-winged Blackbirds at the Parker River wildlife refuge in northeast Massachusetts, about an hour north of Boston. Drive, bike, or walk the 6.5-mile Wildlife Drive and spy the migrating birds in the salt marshes, dunes, and maritime forest. (Many of the refuge’s ocean beaches are closed for the piping plovers beginning April 1 through the summer.) Good news: Bob Lobster, about a mile from the refuge on Plum Island Turnpike, reopened for the season on April 14. Order fried clams, lobster rolls, and steamed lobsters, and eat outside on picnic tables with views of the Merrimack River and the illustrious Pink House, which has celebrity status in this neck of the woods as an oft-photographed-and-painted landmark and also a sought-out perch for snowy owls, eagles, and other birds. http://www.fws.gov/refuge/parker_river/

Boston Duck Tours

Speaking of ducks, the splashdown countdown is over — the Boston Duck Tours resumed on the first day of spring, March 21. The tours take place on a WWII-style amphibious landing vehicle which, after touring town, splashes into the Charles River. Sights you’ll see include Beacon Hill, Old North Church, Boston Public Gardens, Newbury Street, the State House and the North End. www.bostonducktours.com

Herring Runs

Each spring, herring migrate to spawn in rivers on Cape Cod. There are several spots that are perfect for viewing the spring phenomenon. You’ll know the herring have arrived by the number of seagulls hovering overhead.

Wellfleet is a hotspot for herring runs. “We generally see our first herring on Wellfleet’s Herring River in the first week of April,’’ says John Riehl of the Friends of Herring River. “Because we are surrounded by cold ocean, spring comes generally late to the Cape, so the herring are a nice harbinger.’’ Riehl says an average run is typically 20,000 herring, and the run lasts until the end of May. “We have been counting herring for the past seven years, with about 30 volunteers,’’ says Riehl. www.friendsofherringriver.org

The herring run at the Stony Brook Grist Mill and Museum in Brewster is also popular and typically takes place in April, or when the air temperature reaches 50 degrees or warmer, according to S. Kyle Hinkle, executive director, Brewster Chamber of Commerce. www.brewster-capecod.com

Boston Public Garden

Boston’s celebrity swans Romeo and Juliet return to their home at Boston Public Garden from their winter getaway at the nearby Franklin Park Zoo. The pair’s ETA is the first week of May, but the Swan Boat rides will resumed weeks earlier, on April 16. www.boston.gov/parks

Strawbery Banke

Spring will soon hatch baby lambs, kids, piglets, bunnies, and chicks at Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth, N.H. The outdoor history museum will showcase more than a dozen heirloom breeds of barnyard baby animals — and their moms — during their Spring Barnyard Baby Animal event April 23 through May 1. There will be opportunities to interact with some of the animals and to learn about domestic livestock on coastal northern New England farms from the 17th-century to the present. www.strawberybanke.org

Staycation

Get out on the Charles River with a staycation at Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge. Book the hotel this spring and you’ll get complimentary kayaks (single and tandem) to cruise the Charles. The hotel staff will wheel the kayak to the dock, supply life vests, and help with the kayak launch into the river. Double room rates begin at $200 per night. www.hotelmarlowe.com

Baseball’s back

Baseball Hall of Famer Roger Hornsby put it like this, “People ask me what I do in winter when there’s no baseball. I’ll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring.’’ If you can’t snag a ticket for opening day, the Bleacher Bar under Fenway’s bleachers is a fun spot to take it all in. The restaurant is open year-round, but it’s during a game that a hot dog and beer at Bleacher Bar really hits the sweet spot. Get there early and grab a seat by the big window that looks into the ballpark for live action. www.bleacherbarboston.com

Daffodil Festival on Nantucket

More than 3 million daffodils in shades of yellow, orange, white, and pale pink bloom on Nantucket each spring in gardens and window boxes. The 42nd annual Daffodil Festival is Nantucket’s official spring welcome with an Antique Car Parade and Tailgate, picnics, and parades. Wear your daffiest garb — and dress your dogs, too. The festival takes place April 29, 30, and May 1. The Harborview Nantucket hotel, a collection of 11 waterfront cottages is offering a Daffy Picnic Package for the weekend. It includes a 15 percent discount off accommodations and a classic wicker picnic for two with a bottle of Rose and Pellegrino; local, artisan cheese; a baguette; and utensils and place settings. Rates from $530 per night. www.harborviewnantucket.com

Laurie Wilson can be reached at laurieheather@yahoo.com.