From the twinkling lights on towering evergreens to visits from Santa, a holiday trip to a nearby Northeast destination unwraps a gift basket of seasonal treats, traditions and treasures. Here are five attractions featuring family fun, including Christmas City USA tours, a musical ride on an antique train, a Hershey’s chocolaty getaway and a Lego Holiday Bricktacular.
History and Community at Christmas City USA
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Driving time from Long Island: 2 hours, 35 minutes
When:Â Nov. 14 to Jan. 4
Visitors can look forward to historic tours, a Christkindlmarkt German-inspired holiday market and more. Credit: Lehigh Valley with Love Media/George Wacker
The city in eastern Pennsylvania certainly lives up to its Christmas City nickname.
“What makes Bethlehem truly magical during the holidays isn’t just the lights or the events — it’s how the city weaves together history, artistry and a deep sense of community,” says Lindsey Jancay, vice president and managing director of Historic Bethlehem museums and sites.
Begin a visit at the 1810 Goundie House Welcome Center (501 Main St.). That’s the starting point for the Christmas City Stroll (beginning Nov. 14; $12-$20), and the Bethlehem by Night Motorcoach historic district tour (beginning the weekend of Nov. 28-30; $20-$25), which passes a 91-foot-tall, illuminated mountaintop Star of Bethlehem. Next to the welcome center, Christmas City collectibles are sold at the Schropp Dry Goods Shoppe (505 Main St.).
Take a Christmas City Trolley that takes visitors around town and a tree lighting held in the city’s Payrow Plaza. Credit: Lehigh Valley with Love Media/George Wacker
Sample holiday cheer on a Spirits of Christmas Pub Walking Tour, stopping at an 18th century inn and holiday-decorated Historic Hotel Bethlehem, for your glass of spiced Moravian gluhwein, or glow wine (Thursdays to Sundays, 4 p.m., Nov. 29 through Dec. 28; $30, 21 and older).
Take a self-guided Trees of Historic Bethlehem exhibition featuring 20 evergreens decorated by the local garden club (Nov. 14 to Jan. 11; $15-$25), or attend a free Wassail Party and open house on Nov. 28 at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts. The original settlement, founded on Christmas Eve 1741, was recently recognized as a World Heritage Site and is open for tours.
MORE INFO 800-360-TOUR, historicbethlehem.org
North Pole Express at The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat
1 Railroad Ave., Essex, Connecticut
Drive time from Long Island: 2 hours
When:Â Nov. 13 to Dec. 23
If the idea of a holiday express train to the North Pole brings to mind a certain Tom Hanks Christmas movie, you’re on the right track.
One of a number of themed adventures offered by the historic Valley Railroad Company (tickets starting at $60 per person), the North Pole Express’ 100-year-old locomotives are decorated with garlands and colored lights, and feature conductors and engineers clad in period costume.
During the 90-minute train ride, each car becomes a stage for “North Poleans” performing a live musical version of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” says Joseph P. Cassineri, railroad operations manager. Cassineri continues, “Along the way we pick up Santa, Mrs. Claus and up to 10 elves, who hand out hot chocolate and Mrs. Claus’ special sugar cookies.” Kids are encouraged to wear pajamas so they’re properly attired when Santa gives out gifts of little brass bells.
“It’s geared toward the whole family, so people of all ages experience that Christmas magic,” Cassineri says.
MORE INFOÂ 860-767-0103, essexsteamtrain.com
A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place
100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne, Pennsylvania
The Light Tunnel during the Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place Philadelphia. Credit: Meagan Passero
Driving time from Long Island:Â 2Â hours, 45 minutes
When: Nov. 16 to Jan. 5
Big Bird, Elmo and other beloved characters do their fuzzy best to welcome holiday guests to the theme park inspired by the multi-award-winning children’s TV show.
“Guests can look forward to meeting Santa in his Furry Workshop, singing along to holiday-themed entertainment like the Sesame Street Christmas Parade, and sipping on hot chocolate as they take in the millions of twinkling lights,” says Meagan Passero, communications manager.
Take a selfie with Sesame Street characters like Elmo and Cookie Monster , who are also the stars of Sesame Place shows and parades. Stroll through a bedazzling light tunnel or watch a music and light show beneath a 30-foot tree. Dine on special Christmas menus or browse a Merry Marketplace lined with holiday gift shops. Special events celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year’s Eve.
MORE INFO 215-702-3566, sesameplace.com
Holiday Bricktacular at Legoland New York
1 Legoland Blvd., Goshen
Legoland New York Resort in Goshen features a theme park and resort hotel. Credit: LEGOLAND New York Resort
Drive time from Long Island: 2 hours, 20 minutes
When: Weekends, Nov. 15 through Jan. 3
Get a Lego up on the holidays at the 150-acre theme park dedicated to the plastic brick building toys beloved by everyone from Baby Boomers to today’s tinkering teens.
“The holidays are all about spending quality time with family and friends, and that’s exactly what we aim to create at Legoland New York,” says park spokesperson Lauren Truskowski.
Meet Lego Santa and Gingerbread Man while you enjoy sweet treats like hot chocolate loaded with whipped cream, candy canes and snowflake sprinkles. Strike a pose for a photo under Brick Street’s lit, 35-foot tall Lego tree made from 364,000 green bricks. Themed entertainment includes the Elf Training Academy and Holly Hype Dance Party, 20-minute shows for children featuring the Lego Snowman and Lego Reindeer.
Looking to please the Lego fan on your shopping list? At The Big Shop, pick up branded T-shirts, hats and scarves and choose from hundreds of Lego sets on themes such as Star Wars, Minecraft and Disney princesses.
MORE INFO 845-410-0290, legoland.com
Christmas Candylane at Hersheypark
100 Hersheypark Dr., Hershey, Pennsylvania
Drive time from Long Island: 4½ hours
When:Â Nov. 14 to Jan. 4
This holiday theme park tradition boasts 5 million lights illuminating 121 acres packed with seven roller coasters, concessions and — of course — sweet shops.
The newest ride, the Twizzlers Twisted Gravity giant swing, features its own holiday twist: sparkly lights and a choice of strawberry, chocolate or cherry Twizzlers to nosh as you soar 137 feet in the air, according to the park website. It’s one of the tallest “screamin’ swings” in the world, says park spokesperson Amanda Polyak.
Visitors can stroll to visit Santa and his reindeer, hit the TREEville trail of decorated evergreens, snap a selfie with Hershey characters and enjoy a new holiday show, according to Polyak.
Just outside Hersheypark, the Hershey Sweet Lights drive-through attraction features 2 miles of fields and wooded trails. They are decorated with nearly 600 illuminated, animated displays, including The 12 Days of Christmas and an Enchanted Forest.
MORE INFO 717-534-3900, Hersheypark.com