It may not yet seem like it judging by the view outside, but spring has arrived.

Although it arrived Friday, many Western New Yorkers know that it may take several days ... or weeks ... to feel the full thawing effect of spring.

But the turning of the calendar brings with it a yearning to turn down the heat, escape the house and explore the region once again.

As the weather begins to turn toward the better, many local attractions open up once again to satiate cabin fever sufferers. Here, in alphabetical order, are some recommendations for things to do in the coming weeks.

1 The Buffalo Bisons open their 2009 season April 9 with a new look and a new affiliation. After a successful run with the Cleveland Indians, the Bisons will serve as the AAA affiliate this year of the New York Mets, and the team redesigned its logo and uniforms to conform to their Empire State connection.

The Bisons open the season with a 3:05 p.m. game against the Pawtucket Red Sox at the newly christened Coca-Cola Field downtown. In addition to the team’s normal roster of promotions, its all you can eat pack is back for 2009, with the purchaser having the option this year to choose from among a series of games.

• 846-2000 / bisons.com

2 One might expect the Buffalo Zoo to be a rather quiet place during the winter, but there’s been plenty of action of late at the Parkside Avenue facility.

The zoo welcomed a new polar bear, Nanuq, on Feb. 20. He came from a facility in Wisconsin, and zoo officials hope he might mate during his time in Buffalo due to what wildlife officials consider to be favorable genes for the captive bear population.

Before that, the zoo welcomed a new giraffe, Malia, who was born Jan. 10, and a new black howler money, Mochima, who was born in Mid-December. The Rainforest Falls jungle habitat also went through its first winter, as the 18,000-square-foot facility opened in the fall.

The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through July 1, when hours expand.

• 837-3900 / buffalozoo.org

3 Christians are set to celebrate Easter on April 12, which means members of the local Polish population will pluck their pussywillows the day after for Dyngus Day.

Events are scheduled across the region for Dyngus Day, which is a Polish post-Lent day of celebration. The centerpiece of the day is the Dyngus Day parade, which starts at 5 p.m. April 13 at Buffalo’s Broadway market.

North Tonawanda’s Dom Polski Club traditionally hosts a party for Dyngus Day, but be sure to check the Dyngus Day Buffalo Web site for frequent updates as the day nears.

• 472-2976 / dyngusdaybuffalo.com

4 Local golfers are likely beyond anxious to take the cozies off of their golf clubs and get back into the swing of their favorite pastime.

Area courses will be open sooner than one might think — depending, of course, on Mother Nature’s cooperation. Officials at Deerwood Golf Course in North Tonawanda said the course would be open by mid-April if the weather’s nice, a sentiment echoed by golf employee in the Town of Tonawanda, which operates the Sheridan and Brighton courses.

And if you just can’t wait to swing a large metal stick, the Town of Tonawanda batting cages on Brompton Road will open the first week of April — again, depending on the weather.

• 695-8526 (Deerwood) / 504-3663 (Brighton and Sheridan)

5 The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum in North Tonawanda opens for the season April 2. The museum encompasses the seven structures that once housed the company’s manufacturing components.

Museum officials will waste no time in presenting special events, as the annual Victorian Tea will take place 2 p.m. April 25. The formal event features appetizers, sandwiches and desserts, with Janet Reinhold — a member of the Herschell family — set to speak at the event.

Visitors on other days can tour the facility from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday through June 8, when hours expand.

• 693-1885 / carrouselmuseum.org

6 If the ice has started flowing down the Niagara River, that means Mississippi Mudds is likely frying up more sweet potatoes and grilling more burgers.

The Niagara Street staple opened a few weeks ago to begin its 22nd season. While it might be too early in the season to enjoy a meal from atop the patio, local diners can eat their sandwich inside or take it home with them until it’s warm enough to eat outside. Not to mention that finding a parking spot might actually be possible this early in the season.

If your tastes are a bit more exotic, you can go a few blocks down the City of Tonawanda thoroughfare to Old Man River, which should open soon and features bunny dogs (grilled carrots), white hots and a clam bar.

• 694-0787 (Mississippi Mudds) / 693-5558 (Old Man River)

7 Although it’s open year-round, some people might not want to bundle up to visit the North Tonawanda City Market on Payne Avenue at Robinson Street. As the mercury climbs, though, the excuses dwindle.

There are 99 vendor spots from which shoppers can opt to buy produce, baked goods, flowers and anything else that’s available on that given day. The oldest farmer’s market in Niagara County — 101 years old and counting — is open from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

• 693-3144