Winter Excursions 

BY MAHIMA RAMESH '26

New York City, New York is one of the most common destinations for tourists as it is beautifully decorated in the winter. From classic movie portrayals like Home Alone to age old stories about the famed christmas tree, NYC is highly acclaimed as the destination for true Christmas magic. However, for this reason, there may be large crowds or long waits for a few activities within NYC, so it would be helpful to book a few places in advance! If you enjoy holiday spirit and love Christmas, I encourage you to visit the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Between eighty and eighty-five years old and eighty feet tall, it is beautifully decorated with more than 50,000 multi-colored LED lights! From November 29th to January 13th this year, the tree will continue to be lit, usually from the hours of 5am-12am every day. This attraction occurs annuals, so you have another chance if you miss this year. 

​Additionally, after you visit the tree, the Rockefeller Center has more holiday activities you may do, such as an ice skating rink and astounding viewpoints for pictures. Whether you are with family or friends, the Center is the perfect place to make memories in the background of bright Christmas lights against a snowy winter wonderland. Furthermore, another wonderful place to explore during the winter in New York is Bryant Park. At Bryant Park, you can visit the Bank of America Winter Village, which has a 17,000-square-foot rink with free ice skating. Moreover, many small holiday shops feature artisans from New York who sell exquisite crafts, perfect if you are looking to buy a gift! From small trinkets to extravagant projects, Bryant Park will have some form of a present that is sure to be perfect. Next, for a beautiful place to eat, you can check out the Cozy Igloos at Bryant Park, where you can sit inside an “igloo” that holds up to 8 guests. During the experience, there are many skyscrapers and other attractions nearby, and food and drinks are served. Be sure to book a reservation if you choose to take a ninety-minute session here!

Boston, Massachusetts is a beautiful area to engage in winter activities, and it is only around a forty-five-minute drive away! Its SoWa Winter Festival brings together more than one hundred different small businesses to sell beautiful crafts, food, and art. Furthermore, many lights and heated lamps decorate the area, making it a wonderful place to take pictures in your favorite ugly Christmas sweater or go for a walk in the holiday spirit. Second, the Illuminations Tour is another destination to visit in the winter as it contains a spectacular light show with Christmas-themed decorations to take wonderful holiday pictures. Additionally, there are people singing Christmas carols there. Make sure to listen to all of your favorite songs and get into the winter spirit! Additionally, Snowport, also known as Seaport, is one of my favorite places to visit during the winter in Boston. This area of Boston, often known for other attractions and views, is completely transformed in the wintertime. The Holiday Market at Snowport contains numerous workshops and small shops to purchase food and other small items, such as hot chocolate or mini candles. There are multiple holiday-themed drink shops as well! In addition, you may see a holiday tree lighting. Snowport includes many lights and decorations as well, making it an ideal location for photos. 

Ultimately, New York City and Boston are both wonderful locations to go to in the winter, as they both can bring you into the holiday spirit through their beautiful Christmas-themed lights and decorations. Although Christmas 2023 is behind us now, start planning your trip to these amazing destinations for next year! I assure you, putting in the effort to make your next Christmas absolutely magical will be worth it. I hope you find a place in one of these locations when you plan your next trip!