6 Ways to Enjoy a New England Christmas What image does a New England Christmas conjure up in your mind?
A Currier and Ives scenes of a snow-bound village with festivedecorations... skating on a frozen pond... or taking in anexciting holiday show in Boston? And if you have kids... noChristmas is complete without a ride on the Polar Express - NewEngland style.
Here's where you can experience six holiday magic events thisseason...
BRIGHT NIGHTS AT FOREST PARK
Billed as New England's single most popular holiday destination,"Bright Nights at Forest Park" is entering its ninth season.Located in the Forest Park area of downtown Springfield, WesternMassachusetts, it's a wonderland of marvelous displays such asthis year' lost in time display where eight mammoth dinosaurscome to light along side an exploding volcano with flowing lava.
Entrance fee is $12 per car and the show begins on November 23,2005 at 6:00pm and operates through January 1, 2006.
CHRISTMAS AT THE NEWPORT MANSIONS
Each holiday season the Newport Mansions of The Elms, TheBreakers, and Marble House put on a stunning show of spectacularevergreens, trees, thousands of poinsettia plants, fresh flowersand wreaths. The great entrances and hallways displaymagnificently decorated trees. The dining tables are set withperiod silver and china, and mannequins are dressed in authenticcostumes.
You can see this stunning display of seasonal decorations atthese Newport Mansions yourself November 12 through to January1, 2006.
NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS AT OLD STURBRIDGE VILLAGE
Between December 1, 2005 and January 1, 2005 Old SturbridgeVillage in Massachusetts will be transformed so you canexperience a 19th century New England Christmas.
Old Sturbridge Village has always been one of my favorite placesto visit and discover about life in 19th century New England.Now with the holiday season upon us, the village once againdisplays its ability to provide a discovery experience in a funand entertaining way, and with a New England Christmas flavor.
THE BOSTON CHRISTMAS SEASON
Whether you delight in taking in the seasonal favorite of BostonBallet's "The Nutcracker" or soaking up "glad tidings of joy" atSymphony Hall with the Boston Pops Holiday Series,
Boston knowshow to celebrate the season with special shows and concerts. Andof course there's always the Candlelight Carol Concerts atTrinity Church in the Back Bay area, and the famous "FirstNight" celebration.
The Boston Pops kicks off on Friday, December 9th at 8:00pm andcontinues through to their annual New Year's Eve celebration onDecember 31st at 10:15pm. The Boston Ballet performs "TheNutcracker" at The Opera House, and the season starts onNovember 25th with performances through December 30th.
POLAR EXPRESS - CONNECTICUT STYLE
The North Pole Express is a popular nighttime steam train ridewith live readings of Christmas stories, hot chocolate andcookies, sing-along, and holiday surprises. Special guest SantaClaus has a treat for all children, and you're guaranteed lotsof fun and lots of extras.
Essex Steam Train's North Pole Express operates Fridays throughSundays December 2 through December 23, with special early tripson November 25-27. Tickets are sold at the Essex Train Stationin Essex, Connecticut - call (860) 767-0103 or toll free 800377-3987.
NEW ENGLAND CHRISTMAS TIME AT SANTA'S VILLAGE
Way up north is the village of Santa. You can visit him in thesummer, and you can visit him in the fall, but the best to timevisit him is... Christmastime! Santa's Village is located inJefferson, New Hampshire - a spot deep in the White Mountains.Santa is preparing for his world tour on Christmas Eve, but youcan take a peek for a brief time if you hurry.
The village opens for the Christmas season on Friday November25th from 11:00am to 7:00pm. Then every Saturday from November26th through December 17th from 11:00am to 7:00pm, and everySunday from November 27th through December 18th from 11:00am to6:00pm.
Make your New England Christmas magical this year byexperiencing one or more of these attractions. It is after allthe season to create unforgettable memories.
About the author:
Are you ready for more details? Then pick up the complete
New England Christmas Guide containing these and tenother things to see and do at Cliff Calderwood's New Englandvacations site.
