Thoughts of a New England Christmas spark visions of a Norman Rockwell painting or a scene from a Hallmark holiday movie. These visions come to life, albeit a bit subdued during a pandemic, in a variety of places throughout the region.
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Paul Scharff / Special to Grandeur
Nobska Lighthouse
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A man cross-country skiing in a field at the Notchview Reservation in Windsor, Massachusetts. The Trustees of Reservations.
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Dennis Welsh / Special to Grandeur
Sleigh ride in Bethel
One New England state that is near and dear to Southwest Florida, with its Boston Red Sox connection, is Massachusetts.
“Massachusetts is a four-season destination, but there is definitely something very magical about the holiday season in the Commonwealth,” says Keiko Matsudo Orrall, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism. “Despite the pandemic, the holiday spirit is very much alive in the Commonwealth this year, and that spirit shines through in all 16 of our tourism regions. Our current ‘Love My Local MA’ campaign showcases the unique holiday offerings, both in-person and virtual, that our local businesses, attractions, restaurants and retailers are featuring at this time, and we encourage everyone to take advantage of the many exciting holiday events as they shop local this holiday season.”
The holidays in Massachusetts are magical and offer something for everyone, both indoors and out, according to Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism spokesperson Phyllis Cahaly.
“Enjoy an outdoor vintage, Dickens-inspired scene filled with holiday strolls and shopping, twinkling lights and costumed carolers, coastal lighted boat parades heralding Santa’s arrival, downtown glitz and glamour or a cup of hot cocoa by a cozy fire,” Phyllis suggests. “Winter activities abound, like the quintessential outdoor ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides and downhill and cross-country skiing. Don’t forget the après ski fun. The Massachusetts scenery doesn’t disappoint, from historic ports to quaint towns to the bright lights of the city — sprinkle in some snow on the mountains and treetops and holiday magic comes to life.”
Cape Coral resident Stephanie Dowd grew up in Massachusetts, and her entire family still resides there, spread out between her home state, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. One of the towns Stephanie lived in, Barre, Massachusetts, was the location for a Hallmark movie.
“Many New England towns are certainly the ideal, picturesque, Norman Rockwell scene of the holidays,” Stephanie says. “Most of the small towns have a town common with the white gazebo or bandstand, pillared town halls, plenty of brick buildings and antique homes and estates complete with historic designation plaques, white church steeples, miles of stone walls and plenty of snow for building a snowman.”
Just strolling through the town commons, a feeling of Christmas exudes with the trees trimmed with holiday lights and large wreaths and white candles lighting up the windows of town buildings.
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Southern Harbor
A must-do holiday activity for Stephanie and her family is the Boston Common tree lighting.
“It’s always a beautiful, large, full tree,” she describes. “The Frog Pond on the Common opens for outdoor public skating. And the Make Way for Ducklings statue on the Common even gets dressed up in matching winter hats and scarves or even Santa hats.”
You might even see trees made from stacked lobster pots, she adds.
“There are holiday boat parades held, too, just like we have here, but you see much bigger trawlers, fishing or commercial boats compared to personal watercraft, as the seas are not too boater friendly in the winter,” Stephanie says.
Visitors can choose from cozy bed-and-breakfasts in woodsy winter wonderlands with roaring fireplaces or elegantly decorated hotels with harbor and winter light views.
The Red Lion Inn on Main Street in Stockbridge, painted by Normal Rockwell, is the ubiquitous winter getaway spot, according to Phyllis. And the Four Seasons Hotel on Boylston Street in Boston offers spectacular views of the Boston Public Gardens and the Boston Common and holiday lights.
For travelers looking for a few luxurious activities or places to stay during the holidays, Phyllis recommends the oceanside Chatham Bars Inn with seasonal spa specials and private dining. Other things to do include taking a luxurious two- to three-hour cruise on the Boston Harbor’s Odyssey with tableside service and breathtaking view of the Boston skyline and waterfront landmarks adorned with lights for the holiday season and live music. Another favorite activity is taking a stroll and shopping at the top designer stores along Newbury Street in downtown Boston.
For the more active winter visitor, a first run of skiing down one of the state’s snow-covered mountains — Butternut, Wachusett or Jiminy Peak — adds an exciting snow experience to the holiday schedule.
For skiing in Massachusetts, Wachusett Mountain or Nashoba Valley are great options, Stephanie says.
“They were close by enough that we could drive there after school for evening skiing. Massachusetts certainly doesn’t have the mountains of the northern New England states,” she says. “I would say that skiing and snowboarding are the highlight of a winter season for New Englanders who partake. Kids in New England love sledding and playing in the snowbanks and building snow forts.”
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Snowshoeing on Mount Apatite
For more seasoned skiers who want lots of great powder and tougher, longer trails, Sunday River Whitecap, Sugarloaf and Saddleback mountains are popular in Maine and offer something for everyone.
In Boston, the winter setting is full of romance, including horse-and-carriage tours of downtown.
“This is a unique and romantic way to tour downtown Boston; snuggle up with a blanket, a hot cocoa and your special one as you clip-clop around historic Boston, lit with holiday splendor,” Phyllis says.
Another romantic excursion is dining at Café Boulud with Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud and outstanding wine cellar, located at the luxurious Blantyre Resort in Lenox, Massachusetts, featuring old school charm and romance with luxurious amenities.
There’s no shortage of romantic dining options. The North End has numerous intimate restaurants with candle-lit tables lining the narrow nook and cranny streets of Boston’s “Little Italy.” Some coffee houses and pastry shops are open until midnight.
Christmas is not complete without touring the holiday lights. This year there are holiday lights and tree lightings all around the Commonwealth. New for 2020 is the drive-thru Magic of Lights at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, home of the New England Patriots. Other drive-thru light displays include the Festival of Lights Drive-Thru Light Show at the Boston/Cape Cod KOA Campground in Middleborough and the Bright Nights at Forest Park. For those visiting Martha’s Vineyard, the Oak Bluffs Tree Lighting is slated for December 2.
Driving around looking at holiday lights is a favorite New England holiday pastime, Stephanie says.
“We would often just drive neighborhoods, sipping hot chocolate and enjoying candy canes while looking at lights. Many have the tradition of leaving a little note or gift for those homes with the best lights,” she says. “A trip to one of the many large light displays is a must. In Attleboro, Massachusetts, La Salette Shrine puts on a delightful walk-thru light event. It includes fountains, candle lighting and a Bible story theme as well as the best hot chocolate. For a nonreligious affiliated experience, Bright Nights at Forest Park in Springfield, Massachusetts, is a drive-thru light event like nothing you’ve ever seen.”
Another favorite New England destination for Stephanie during the holidays is Maine. She loves how easy it is to travel state to state in this region in a day and see so many different things. She recommends Kittery, Maine, as in ideal spot to go holiday shopping.
“There are outlets and shops, and everything is picture-perfect holiday decorated,” she says.
Maine’s small towns and cities make Christmas special.
“Historic downtown settings with streetlamps, brick sidewalks, cobblestones and 19th century architecture lend a timeless atmosphere to community celebrations, and festivities reflect local traditions,” says Steve Lyons, director of the Maine Office of Tourism. “For example, in the coastal community of Rockland, Santa typically arrives by lobster boat to light up the town’s lobster trap tree. In the mountain community of Bethel, where snow is almost a guarantee, a horse-drawn sleigh gives visitors rides from the Bethel Inn on the town green, and nearby Sunday River ski resort hosts skiing Santas at an annual ‘Santa Sunday’ holiday fundraiser.”
Bar Harbor, Maine, is fun to visit during the holidays as well, according to Stephanie.
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“Bar Harbor is such a picturesque little New England town with plenty of cozy inns and wonderful little shops that remain open in winter months,” she adds. “The views from Bar Harbor and neighboring Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park are stunning. While some of the park area roads close due to the dangers of the icy winters, the general area is fun to visit year-round and you can cross-country ski the carriage roads or go ice skating in the park area.”
Steve says this year, the Bar Harbor Inn and Spa near Acadia National Park is extending its season through the holidays and offering holiday packages.
“It’s a wonderful year to experience Acadia as a winter wonderland,” he says.
When visiting Maine, Steve recommends travelers take in the sights, tastes and scents of the destination.
“Drink hot cocoa or a hot toddy by a roaring fire in one of Maine’s inns or lodges. Be sure to go to a Christmas tree farm or tree lot, even if it is only to smell the fresh pine,” he advises. “Shop in small independent downtown boutiques for made-in-Maine items and explore one of Maine’s iconic Renys department stores and visit the outdoor retailer L.L. Bean’s flagship store in Freeport and take in the holiday decorations in Freeport.”
Even in the winter months, guests can visit a farmers’ market for locally sourced seasonal food and craft items, he adds.
Portland, Maine, is known as a culinary hot spot and due to the pandemic is adjusting for its diners.
“The culinary mecca of downtown Portland is extending outdoor dining and shopping permits through early January, which means places like the neighborhood bar Hunt + Alpine Club can serve drinks through the holidays at an all outdoor heated and covered winter space they are calling ‘Base Camp at Hunt + Alpine.’ Portland’s Merry Madness celebration is being extended for an entire month, instead of just a weekend,” Steve explains.
While visiting Portland, Steve also suggests booking a “Wine Wise” wine and food pairing experience curated by sommelier Erica Archer in partnership with Portland’s celebrated chefs and delivered to the guest’s location in Portland.
For travelers seeking the winter wonderland feel in accommodations in Maine, Steve has a couple of recommendations.
“It’s difficult to choose one, but I would look for an inn that embraces the holidays and the winter season. My top two picks would be the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport and The Rangeley Inn in Rangeley (home to the newly reopened Saddleback ski resort, December 15).”
Maine during the holidays is like being in a Hallmark movie.
“Whether it’s a small shop or bakery, a Christmas tree farm or a stately home on a tree-lined street all dusted with snow,” Steve says, “these are the quintessential New England sights you see right here…and in the movies.”