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vanessa day
Northeast Woodstock, Vermont’s Wassail Weekend Parade
Holiday Celebrations in the Northeast Time-honored traditions make the season bright for groups touring the historic East t doesn’t take much to get into the holiday spirit, but America’s Northeast goes above and beyond to provide locals and visitors with an array of festivals, parades and shows to enjoy. The Northeast’s small towns and rich history are perfect platforms for celebrating the season, creating a sense of excitement and compassion familiar with this time of year. Every city offers group travelers a different experience, but all will leave them brimming with holiday cheer.
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Plan a visit to the Mid-Atlantic region’s finest woodland wildflower garden. Let our unparalleled collection of native plants inspire you. Fall Group Tours are available by reservation from September 15th—November 7th. Call 302.239.4244 to sign up today.
Tour the Brandywine Valley’s premier naturalistic garden.
Greenville, DE www.mtcubacenter.org
26 June 2010
NEW YORK New York City, a popular destination during the holiday season, is home to some of the nation’s most famous events. The 84th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will arrive on 34th Street, with Santa Claus officially kicking off the season. Visitors can see the Rockettes kick up their heels at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular or head over to Rockefeller Center and its Christmas tree. For shopaholics, a favored tradition is meandering from LeisureGroupTravel.com
one decorated store window to the next, enjoying the themed displays of the department stores. A quick trip over to Staten Island offers guests the opportunity to participate in the Candlelight Tours, where historic Richmond Town is lit by candles, oil lamps and hearths, free for all to explore. (nycgo.com) MASSACHUSETTS Not far from the bustling New York streets, Massachusetts delivers holiday fervor in its capital city. Boston mixes the joy of the holidays with its significant attractions spread throughout the city. The Boston Christmas Festival takes place at the beginning of December and features over 300 artisans selling their unique crafts. Guests can also watch chefs and bakers from around Boston create gingerbread masterpieces in the Gingerbread House Competition. The Freedom Trail winding through Boston is a popular attraction for tourists any time of the year, but especially during the holidays. Historic Holiday Stroll Tours on the Freedom Trail takes place every weekend from mid-November through the end of December, teaching visitors about the evolution of holiday traditions in Boston. Picturesque Boston Common features many holiday attractions and celebrations, including the Ice Skating Pavilion, nightly Holiday Lighting and the Menorah Lighting. All the festivities culminate with First Night Boston, a day-long festival on New Year’s Eve ending with a grand procession down Boylston Street. (bostonusa.com) NEW JERSEY The college town of Princeton truly captures the feel of the holidays, inviting guests to join in the festivities at Palmer Square. The Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place the day after Thanksgiving, and entertainment is provided throughout December, including caroling and LeisureGroupTravel.com
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Northeast horse-drawn carriages. Christmas trees are a staple in holiday celebrations, and the Morven Museum & Garden cannot get enough of them, literally. Its Festival of Trees allows local businesses and clubs to decorate a tree and display it in one of the museum galleries. (visitprinceton.org)
RHODE ISLAND A visit to Newport will have tourists gawking at some of the most magnificently decorated mansions on the East Coast. The Newport Mansions—the Breakers, the Elms and the Marble House—open their doors to showcase thousands of wreaths, yards of garland and bouquets of poinsettias, lilies and roses. Children can visit with Santa while adults tour the immaculate rooms, nibbling cookies and pastries, sipping eggnog and cider. These mansions represent the true meaning of “deck the halls.” (newportmansions.org) VERMONT Woodstock puts on an annual event known as Christmas at Billings Farm, where guests are transported back to the 19th century. The historic dairy farm is authentically decorated and provides numerous activities. Wassail Weekend in Woodstock has been a longstanding event, celebrating the name’s Norse meaning “drink to the health.” Festivities include a parade, house tours, and a medieval banquet. (woodstockvt.com)
ON THE WATER IN NEW YORK CITY
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or groups bound for New York City in any season, Harbor Experience Companies offers many ways to enjoy the harbor from South Street Seaport, including one-hour Statue of Liberty sightseeing cruises aboard a New York Water Taxi double decker catamaran or Circle Line Downtown’s Zephyr, a 400-passenger smooth sailing yacht. Groups will find it impossible to control the laughter aboard a half-hour thrill ride on the high-speed Shark. After the cruise, passengers can enjoy fun events at the Water Taxi Beaches (Long Island City, South Street Seaport or Governors Island) with their awesome views, activities like ping pong and mini-golf, and great food. Offering fully customizable packages, Harbor Experience Companies provide multiple options for groups seeking a unique New York City harbor experience. (harborexperience.com)
PENNSYLVANIA Bethlehem: The name says it all. This city is brimming with holiday spirit, and visitors are in for an experience nothing short of magical. Bethlehem, known as the Christmas City, embraces its Moravian culture. Guests can wander through the Christkindlmarkt, modeled after the open-air markets of Germany. (lehighvalleypa.org) LGT LeisureGroupTravel.com