26 June 2010 LeisureGroupTravel.com

It doesn’t take much to get into theholiday spirit, but America’s North-east goes above and beyond to providelocals and visitors with an array of festi-vals, parades and shows to enjoy. TheNortheast’s small towns and rich historyare perfect platforms for celebrating theseason, creating a sense of excitementand compassion familiar with this timeof year. Every city offers group travelersa different experience, but all will leavethem brimming with holiday cheer.

NEW YORKNew York City, a popular destina-

tion during the holiday season, ishome to some of the nation’s most fa-mous events. The 84th annual Macy’sThanksgiving Day Parade will arriveon 34th Street, with Santa Claus offi-cially kicking off the season. Visitors cansee the Rockettes kick up their heels atthe Radio City Christmas Spectacularor head over to Rockefeller Center andits Christmas tree. For shopaholics, a favored tradition is meandering from

Woodstock, Vermont’s

Wassail Weekend Parade

� vanessa day Northeast

Time-honored traditions make the season bright for groups touring the historic East

Holiday Celebrations in the Northeast

Tour the Brandywine Valley’s premier naturalistic garden.

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.

Greenville, DE

www.mtcubacenter.org

one decorated store window to the next,enjoying the themed displays of the de-partment stores. A quick trip over toStaten Island offers guests the opportu-nity to participate in the CandlelightTours, where historic Richmond Townis lit by candles, oil lamps and hearths,free for all to explore. (nycgo.com)

MASSACHUSETTSNot far from the bustling New York

streets, Massachusetts delivers holidayfervor in its capital city. Boston mixes thejoy of the holidays with its significant at-tractions spread throughout the city.The Boston Christmas Festival takesplace at the beginning of December andfeatures over 300 artisans selling theirunique crafts. Guests can also watchchefs and bakers from around Bostoncreate gingerbread masterpieces in theGingerbread House Competition. TheFreedom Trail winding through Bostonis a popular attraction for tourists anytime of the year, but especially during theholidays. Historic Holiday Stroll Tourson the Freedom Trail takes place everyweekend from mid-November throughthe end of December, teaching visitorsabout the evolution of holiday traditionsin Boston. Picturesque Boston Commonfeatures many holiday attractions andcelebrations, including the Ice SkatingPavilion, nightly Holiday Lighting andthe Menorah Lighting. All the festivi-ties culminate with First Night Boston,a day-long festival on New Year’s Eveending with a grand procession downBoylston Street. (bostonusa.com)

NEW JERSEYThe college town of Princeton truly

captures the feel of the holidays, invitingguests to join in the festivities at PalmerSquare. The Tree Lighting Ceremonytakes place the day after Thanksgiving,and entertainment is provided through-out December, including caroling and

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LeisureGroupTravel.com June 2010 27

horse-drawn carriages. Christmas trees

are a staple in holiday celebrations, and

the Morven Museum & Garden cannot

get enough of them, literally. Its Festi-

val of Trees allows local businesses and

clubs to decorate a tree and display it

in one of the museum galleries. (visit-

princeton.org)

RHODE ISLANDA visit to Newport will have tourists

gawking at some of the most magnifi-

cently 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 rep-

resent the true meaning of “deck the

halls.” (newportmansions.org)

VERMONTWoodstock 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.” Festivi-

ties include a parade, house tours, and a

medieval banquet. (woodstockvt.com)

PENNSYLVANIABethlehem: 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

Northeast

ON THE WATER IN NEW YORK CITY

For 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-hourStatue of Liberty sightseeing cruises aboard a New York Water Taxi double deckercatamaran 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 thehigh-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 awesomeviews, activities like ping pong and mini-golf, and great food. Offering fully customizablepackages, Harbor Experience Companies provide multiple options for groups seeking aunique New York City harbor experience. (harborexperience.com)