The air was crisp and thin. As the gondola climbed higher up Loon Mountain, the world below—a quiet collection of snow-dusted pines in New Hampshire’s White Mountains—shrank into a perfect winter postcard. It was my son’s birthday weekend, and watching the pristine scenery unfold, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the beauty that’s just a day trip away in New England. That natural beauty got me thinking about a different kind of seasonal splendor. The man-made kind.
New England is home to elegant, historic mansions that truly come alive during the holidays. They transform into something out of a storybook. Last year, I saw the 15-foot-tall poinsettia tree at The Breakers in Newport, and the image of that stunning, crimson tower has stayed with me. This year, I wanted to find more of that magic. I went looking for the most festive mansions, the ones that go all-out with lavish decorations and holiday programming.
Stepping into a Holiday Spectacle
The grand estates across New England don’t just hang a few wreaths. They launch full-scale holiday experiences. We’re talking about massive outdoor light displays that illuminate acres of historic grounds, intimate candlelight tours that make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time, and Christmas trees so lavish they would make royalty jealous. These places offer what might be your best selfie of the season, a perfect backdrop of Gilded Age opulence meeting festive cheer. The goal is to find those spots where the decorations are so detailed and the atmosphere so thick with holiday spirit that you can’t help but be swept away by it all. The Breakers was a great start, but the search was on for more.
The Festive Spirit Beyond the Estate Gates
The holiday feeling isn’t confined to private grounds. Entire cities get in on the act. Providence, Rhode Island, for example, becomes a hub of activity with its monthlong PVD Holiday Festival. A highlight of this celebration is The PVD Downcity Holiday Market, which for a few days in early December, creates an open-air European-style market. It’s a wonderful mix of local artisans, delicious food vendors, hands-on workshops, and live performances that fill the streets with energy. For a completely different perspective, you can celebrate on the water. Boston Harbor City Cruises releases a full lineup of holiday events, offering everything from a special Christmas Eve cruise to a family-friendly brunch with Santa. It’s a unique way to see the city skyline while wrapped up in the season.
How to Enjoy the Season Without Breaking the Bank
December is a notoriously expensive month. Between gifts, gatherings, and travel, the costs add up quickly. But you don’t have to drain your savings to have a good time. There are always deals to be found if you know where to look. The period after Thanksgiving often brings a flurry of travel discounts. Events like Travel Deal Tuesday can offer significant savings on flights out of major hubs like Boston’s Logan Airport. In the past, the travel app Hopper has shared deals like roundtrip airfare to Florida for under $300 and to Las Vegas for less than $330. It pays to be ready for these sales.
Airlines get in on the action, too. Keep an eye out for major sales from carriers for future travel. For those planning ahead, past deals have included:
- Southwest’s cyber sale offering up to 50% off airfare for early-year trips.
- JetBlue’s Travel Tuesday sale providing a 35% discount on flights.
The savings extend to local fun as well. You can find deals on everything from lift tickets to dinner. Sal’s Pizza, with locations in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, has previously run holiday specials through December, like a small pizza for just $5 or two large cheese pizzas for $15. These small discounts make a big difference when you’re trying to stick to a budget.
New Discoveries and City Adventures
Part of the fun of exploring is finding what’s new. In Boston, the sports scene is always growing, and the opening of PickleBOS in South Boston brought a dedicated facility for the wildly popular game of pickleball to the city. For food lovers, new restaurants are always a draw. The Cactus Club Cafe opened its first U.S. location in Boston’s Back Bay, and to celebrate, it offered a $25 credit for guests who made reservations during its opening week. It’s these fresh experiences, from a new game to a new menu, that add another layer of excitement to any outing. Whether you’re traveling far or staying close to home, the journey is about the discovery. It’s about that perfect moment, whether it’s on a snowy mountain trail or standing in a hall decked out in its holiday best.