most Christmassy place on East coast

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you had passports you could fly somewhere like Kirkby Lonsdale.

Where is that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were really disappointed in our NYC Christmas visit. I go there every December for work and a few times the kids and DH have joined me for the weekend. The last time they did this was 2 years ago. Let me preface all of this by saying we are fine with cities, crowds, lots of walking and very cold weather. My kids were 11 and 9 at the time.

So many people go to NYC to do the whole Christmas thing. It was so crowded everywhere we went. We could barely see the store windows or the Rockefeller tree, we were crammed like sardines in every store we entered, and my kids couldn't even see anything walking down the super crowded sidewalks because they were surrounded by adults (who are much taller). It was so cold and windy that particular weekend that even going to the outdoor holiday markets wasn't very fun. Ice skating was fine--again, very crowded. The whole trip was so overrated, IMO. Of course we were doing a lot of touristy things but that's kind of what you get at that time of year. We've had much better visits to NYC in the spring and fall.

+1 NYC is great in many ways but it's not Hallmark feels. It's massive crowds of people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were really disappointed in our NYC Christmas visit. I go there every December for work and a few times the kids and DH have joined me for the weekend. The last time they did this was 2 years ago. Let me preface all of this by saying we are fine with cities, crowds, lots of walking and very cold weather. My kids were 11 and 9 at the time.

So many people go to NYC to do the whole Christmas thing. It was so crowded everywhere we went. We could barely see the store windows or the Rockefeller tree, we were crammed like sardines in every store we entered, and my kids couldn't even see anything walking down the super crowded sidewalks because they were surrounded by adults (who are much taller). It was so cold and windy that particular weekend that even going to the outdoor holiday markets wasn't very fun. Ice skating was fine--again, very crowded. The whole trip was so overrated, IMO. Of course we were doing a lot of touristy things but that's kind of what you get at that time of year. We've had much better visits to NYC in the spring and fall.

Yeah, nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded!

-props to Yog

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were really disappointed in our NYC Christmas visit. I go there every December for work and a few times the kids and DH have joined me for the weekend. The last time they did this was 2 years ago. Let me preface all of this by saying we are fine with cities, crowds, lots of walking and very cold weather. My kids were 11 and 9 at the time.

So many people go to NYC to do the whole Christmas thing. It was so crowded everywhere we went. We could barely see the store windows or the Rockefeller tree, we were crammed like sardines in every store we entered, and my kids couldn't even see anything walking down the super crowded sidewalks because they were surrounded by adults (who are much taller). It was so cold and windy that particular weekend that even going to the outdoor holiday markets wasn't very fun. Ice skating was fine--again, very crowded. The whole trip was so overrated, IMO. Of course we were doing a lot of touristy things but that's kind of what you get at that time of year. We've had much better visits to NYC in the spring and fall.

It’s only packed in that Rockefeller center/Times Square/Bryant Park area. Tourists congregate there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quebec City

I’ve been there at Christmas. It was magical.

[Anonymous]

Since OP is driving from VA, I would recommend Asheville NC and The Biltmore, etc.

Or NYC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quebec City

i've heard this. but my kids don't have passports.
-OP

Yikes, you should always have passports.

Why?

DP. So you aren’t stuck in the US?

Spoken from such a place of privilege.

It seems like OP and her DH have passports. It's a privilege she could extend to her kids.

[Anonymous]

The Homestead Inn in Ct does a fabulous Christmas spread. It may be fully booked by now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were really disappointed in our NYC Christmas visit. I go there every December for work and a few times the kids and DH have joined me for the weekend. The last time they did this was 2 years ago. Let me preface all of this by saying we are fine with cities, crowds, lots of walking and very cold weather. My kids were 11 and 9 at the time.

So many people go to NYC to do the whole Christmas thing. It was so crowded everywhere we went. We could barely see the store windows or the Rockefeller tree, we were crammed like sardines in every store we entered, and my kids couldn't even see anything walking down the super crowded sidewalks because they were surrounded by adults (who are much taller). It was so cold and windy that particular weekend that even going to the outdoor holiday markets wasn't very fun. Ice skating was fine--again, very crowded. The whole trip was so overrated, IMO. Of course we were doing a lot of touristy things but that's kind of what you get at that time of year. We've had much better visits to NYC in the spring and fall.

It’s only packed in that Rockefeller center/Times Square/Bryant Park area. Tourists congregate there.

Where else would you go in NYC for the Christmas feels?

[Anonymous]

Bethlehem PA is super cute and the town loves Christmas but I wouldn't go for more than a day or two. As a bonus you can check out Lehigh, beautiful campus.

I would stay at the Madison Hotel in Morristown/Convent Station NJ. As someone mentioned, Morristown is fun (I'm guessing other PP hasn't been there in while, it's had a glow up) and there are several other upscale cute towns in that area. This hotel is right next to the train station so you can go to NYC. Bethlehem PA or Cape May etc day trip depending on your interests.

[Anonymous]

Growing up, we always used to go to Bethlehem, PA so I’m glad others are also recommending it. You definitely would not need 7 days though, so combine it with maybe Jim Thorpe and then head over to NYC.

Alternatively, I could see someplace like downtown Lake Placid being super cozy and Christmassy.

[Anonymous]

Pictures from the 2023 festival in Morristown

https://www.morristown-nj.org/event/christmasfestival/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We were really disappointed in our NYC Christmas visit. I go there every December for work and a few times the kids and DH have joined me for the weekend. The last time they did this was 2 years ago. Let me preface all of this by saying we are fine with cities, crowds, lots of walking and very cold weather. My kids were 11 and 9 at the time.

So many people go to NYC to do the whole Christmas thing. It was so crowded everywhere we went. We could barely see the store windows or the Rockefeller tree, we were crammed like sardines in every store we entered, and my kids couldn't even see anything walking down the super crowded sidewalks because they were surrounded by adults (who are much taller). It was so cold and windy that particular weekend that even going to the outdoor holiday markets wasn't very fun. Ice skating was fine--again, very crowded. The whole trip was so overrated, IMO. Of course we were doing a lot of touristy things but that's kind of what you get at that time of year. We've had much better visits to NYC in the spring and fall.

It’s only packed in that Rockefeller center/Times Square/Bryant Park area. Tourists congregate there.

True, but that's where all the quintessential Christmas stuff is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bethlehem PA is super cute and the town loves Christmas but I wouldn't go for more than a day or two. As a bonus you can check out Lehigh, beautiful campus.

I would stay at the Madison Hotel in Morristown/Convent Station NJ. As someone mentioned, Morristown is fun (I'm guessing other PP hasn't been there in while, it's had a glow up) and there are several other upscale cute towns in that area. This hotel is right next to the train station so you can go to NYC. Bethlehem PA or Cape May etc day trip depending on your interests.

Morristown is fine and cute but definitely not a destination, especially with a 7 day budget.

[Anonymous]

Santa Claus Indiana