December • 2023
globalheroes.com
Winwtearys Geta
In Sarnia-Lambton
ONTBLUECOAST.COM
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A Getaway Close to Home to Shake the Winter Blues A quick winter getaway is a great opportunity to shake the winter blues and feel recharged, inspired, and ready to make the most of the upcoming year. When looking for the ideal place to kick start the enthusiasm for the whole family, create a new weekend adventure, or just sit back, relax, and unwind, Sarnia-Lambton is the getaway close to home to help you shake the winter blues and have the perfect weekend getaway. VIRTUAL ADVENTURES Some of the newest and most exciting adventures start in a virtual world. From fighting zombies and testing your secret agent skills to trying to find the clues in a virtual escape room to teeing off virtually on some of the world’s best golf courses, the whole family can enjoy a virtual adventure in Sarnia-Lambton. Book a family outing at District Beta in Sarnia and experience fun in the state-ofthe-art VR booths, or relive nostalgia with your favourite classic arcade and console games. Looking to keep your family’s golf game sharp during the
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off-season or when the weather isn’t cooperating with your vacation plans? Book an outing at Bunker In The Bend in Grand Bend or Sticks & Stones Indoor Golf in Sarnia and take a virtual tour of hundreds of golf courses from around the world. OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES Sometimes, the best way to shake the winter blues is by getting active outdoors. With hundreds of kilometres of outdoor trails throughout Sarnia-Lambton,
you can hike, cross-country ski, or snowshoe through winding paths that take you along the breathtaking coastline of Lake Huron and the St.Clair River as well as through the dense Carolinian forests. Visit the Pinery Provincial Park, where you can rent skis and tackle 38 kilometres of perfectly groomed trails that wind through the snow-covered dunes along Ontario’s Blue Coast or put on your hiking boots and discover the trails and waterfall views at
the Rock Glen Conservation Area in Arkona. Widder Station in Thedford not only offers groomed trails that weave throughout their 18-hole golf course, but they also have winter entertainment, cozy campfires and delicious food specials so you can make the most of your outdoor experience when visiting Sarnia-Lambton. TREAT YOURSELF Finding a relaxing and rewarding way to shake the winter blues in Sarnia-Lambton is as easy
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as treating yourself. From a full day of decadence and mindful meditation to locally made homemade specialty snacks, treating yourself is the perfect way to add a little bit of extra to your Sarnia-Lambton winter visit. Book a full-day spa treatment at the Glass and Pillar Spa or SAGE Spa in Sarnia and feel pampered and recharged. Find your inner calm with yoga and meditation from Raven Heart Studio in Sarnia or West Coast Yoga Studio in Grand Bend. Finally, top off the perfect cozy and relaxing weekend by indulging in a local food and beverage pairing. With 16 different craft drink producers and amazing culinary experiences, every area of Sarnia-Lambton provides a unique culinary experience to perfectly complement your cozy and relaxing winter getaway. Plan your winter Sarnia-Lambton getaway today: ontbluecoast.com @tourismsarnialambton @ontariosbluecoast
Unleashing Holiday Magic in New York ALLIE MURRAY
Having long been the backdrop to classic Christmas movies like Elf, Home Alone, and Miracle on 34th Street, New York has always been synonymous with the holiday season. Christmas in New York has not only been notable in movies and television, but the holiday has deep roots in the city. It was Washington Irving (1783-1859), a famous New York author, who brought the idea of Christmas traditions to the United States. In his 1809 book A History of New York, Irving introduced St. Nicholas, a European gift-giver who brought yearly presents to children. Discouraged by the lack of holiday cheer in the U.S., Irving wanted to bring European traditions to the U.S., finding inspiration from the English and Dutch, where the story of St. Nicholas hailed from. His efforts proved to pay off as St. Nicholas—better known as Santa Claus—continues to unite countries every year. If you’re planning to visit New York this holiday season, explore
the city of holiday classics: whether you’re taking the cinematic approach or a traditional Irving-inspired trip, we’ve created an itinerary of must-see holiday classics around the city. ROCKEFELLER CENTER The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is a landmark of the holidays in New York. Since 1933, the tree lighting has been an annual tradition in the city, growing larger and larger every year. In December 1999, having already held the tradition for 66 years, Rockefeller Center hosted the biggest tree in its history, standing at 100 feet tall. While the tree is seen as the epitome of Christmas for New Yorkers, when it's taken down in the New Year, its holiday magic doesn’t end there. Since 2007, the tree has been donated to Habitat for Humanity International to be milled into lumber. This year’s tree will be lit from November 29th to January 13th, 2024. With a visit to the Rockefeller Center, the Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes
is a must-see. Or, experience the magic of the lit tree with picturesque ice skating at the rink, located directly under the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. HOLIDAY SHOPPING Whether you’re looking for the perfect last-minute gift, or just wanting to enjoy some window shopping, the shops and holiday markets in New York are filled with options for every kind of shopper. Stores like Bergdorf Goodman, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Saks Fifth Avenue create specialty window displays every year— they’re so magical they attract tourists and locals alike. The iconic NYC stores also focus on giving back to the community—last year, Saks Fifth Avenue donated $1 million to the Elton John AIDS Foundation and partnered with the artist to host live events throughout the holiday season. In 2020, Bergdorf Goodman launched the Goodness Giving holiday initiative, donating three per cent of sales to participating charities. New York is also home to an abundance of holiday markets,
including the Union Square Holiday Market, which is celebrating its 25th annual event. Similarly, there are festivals at true NYC landmarks, such as The Market at Westfield World Trade Center inside the Oculus, and handmade markets in boroughs like Queens, Brooklyn, and Chelsea. WATCH A SHOW It wouldn’t be a trip to New York without a show—and luckily, there are countless holiday shows every year in the Big Apple. Most notably, the Radio City Rockettes have been hosting the annual Christmas Spectacular since 1933. The 90-minute show features nine numbers, including the fan-favourite “Dance of the Frost Fairies,” which was reimagined in 2022. Similarly, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, performed by the New York City Ballet, is a beloved holiday classic. This year’s show kicked off on November 24th with a timeless score from composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. The show is recommended for ages five and older and will add an unforgettable
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spark to the holiday season. New this year, the Empire State Building is hosting movie nights, including a holiday screening of Elf. The film has three separate screenings throughout December, and entrance to the 86th and 102nd floor observatories are included in the ticket price.
