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It's Yuletide Season again in the Lakes and Mountains of New Hampshire and we invite you to take a moment from your hectic lives and embrace those family traditions that will live in the memories of your children forever. Wake up each morning to the crisp mountain air while sipping your morning cocoa on the veranda overlooking the frost covered lakes and mountains. After a hearty breakfast in an historic eatery, take the family outside to enjoy what the Central New Hampshire does best - PLAY! - ice skate, ski, snowmobile, ice fish, snowshoe to the mountain summit, walk along the shoreline boardwalk, zip-line down the mountain or well, you decide, there is so much to choose from. Break for lunch and take the family to hunt for the perfect Christmas Tree through fields of planted balsams, take a horse drawn sleigh ride, and then complete your Christmas Shopping with unique gifts and antiques only found in our quaint villages. Finish the day with a great meal fireside and enjoy a holiday concert, performance or event. It's all here waiting for you as part of the annual Yuletide Magic NH celebration.
The Lake and Mountain Regions of New Hampshire are proud to say that they have hundreds of inns, motels and bed & breakfasts that are open during the winter months with a large selection of popular amenities including indoor pools, hot tubs, Jacuzzi tubs, cable television, entertainment centers, fitness facilities, full-service spas, on site dining, activity directors, wireless internet, ski trails, racquetball, ice skating, ice fishing, on site and nearby shopping and plenty more. Many have developed travel packages which group activities like culinary classes, ice skating, skiing, dining, attractions, shopping and entertainment with your accommodations to make your trip to the Lakes Region more economical. You can find many of these packages on www.YuletideMagicNH.com.
Some popular holiday favorite accommodations include The Clarke House Historic Bed & Breakfast in the White Mountains of Campton with its cozy fireplaces, comfortable sitting rooms, onsite ice skating, sledding and bonfires. Cottage Place on Squam Lake in Holderness is a cozy lakeside get-a-way with a large beach area right on Squam Lake -- the perfect spot to launch your snowmobiling expedition! In Danbury, the Inn at Danbury is a lovely country inn that serves up old-world cuisine and New England favorites in their award-winning Alphorn Bistro. Stay at the Inn for the weekend of December 12th and try your hand at German cookie making and explore during the Victorian Inn to Inn Tea.
Sitting alongside the shores of Newfound Lake, the Inn on Newfound Lake is a large country inn with great views of Pasquaney Bay. The elegant inn has been impeccably designed and features the award-winning Pasquaney Restaurant and a large wide veranda. Get out your pencil and thinking cap and guess how many lights garnish the Inn to benefit the Alzheimer's Association.
InnSeason Resorts are two first-class resorts located in the heart of the White Mountains in Lincoln. With spacious hotel rooms and luxury condo suites loaded with amenities and it's very close proximity to Loon and Cannon Mountains, InnSeasons is a great choice for a family or romantic holiday vacation. Just down the road, nestled in an isolated mountain village is Waterville Valley Resort. This unique self-contained area combines the charm of a New England hamlet with the setting of an alpine mountain village. Alpine ski, XC ski, snowshoe, ice skate indoors or out, tax-free shop in the village courtyard, enjoy the fitness club or just relax in your suite.
On a hillside above Squam Lake, The Manor on Golden Pond is steeped in old-world luxury that will have you feeling "manor born". Their award-winning chef will not only serve you an unbelievable meal, he offers culinary classes to guests participating in his popular "Fork in the Road" culinary weekends.
If after your stay here in the Lakes & Mountains you just can't leave, the friendly folks at Roper Real Estate are happy to help you relocate to the area or find the perfect vacation property.
As I said before, the folks of the Lakes and Mountains of New Hampshire love to play. With these great ideas, and loads more that can be found on our events calendar at www.YuletideMagicNH.com, you will not have one dull moment in your stay - unless of course you want to.
Alpine Adventures dares you to ride their 2 zip-line courses made up of 12 zip-lines, multiple "Burma" bridges right out of Indiana Jones, tree houses and treetop platforms from 30 feet to 200 feet off the forest floor. Their professionally trained ACCT certified guide staff promise to give you an exhilarating ride of your life. They also have guided snowmobile tours through Franconia Notch available as well as off-road safari trucks.
On Saturday and Sunday, December 6 & 7, Canterbury Shaker Village presents Christmas at Canterbury with a candlelight stroll, children's theatrical performances, a 19th Century Magic Show as well as trees and wreaths for sale. The event will also feature craft and candy demonstrations, candle making, food sampling, an Artisans Marketplace, and a Gingerbread Showcase and gingerbread house decorating demonstrations.
In the north country of New Hampshire, there's something special for everyone at Santa's Village in Jefferson. Santa and his elves have gone all out to give your family a truly magical experience with themed rides, beautiful decorations and Santa and his reindeer.
Ski and Ride at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford while they celebrate 70 years of skiing history. Gunstock has 220 acres of skiing and riding on 51 trails, 7 lifts and the most breathtaking views of Lake Winnipesaukee. XC Ski and snowshoe on 50 km of groomed terrain and tube NH's longest tubing hill.
The Newfound Region has extended a warm invitation to guests to visit the jewel of the Lakes Region, Newfound Lake for their annual yuletide holiday events, sales and happenings.
When the sun has gone down and the day is winding down, head to the White Mountain Holiday Magic Light Park in Campton where you can ride through a mile of animated light displays with thousands of enchanting lights. Take a family portrait with Santa, snuggle up on a free wagon ride, build a free craft with the kids, sip hot cocoa by the bonfire and just let the holiday spirit take you over. They are open Thanksgiving Day and every Fri-Sun through Christmas weekend and New Years Eve.
Once your settled into your room after an exhilarating day, make your Christmas List and check it twice because New Hampshire is tax-free! In the morning, make room in the car for some great bargains and hit the road. Kellerhaus in Weirs Beach is NH's only ribbon candy and candy cane makers. Their Swiss-styled candy shop is stuffed full of premium handmade chocolates and candies made right on-site and if that's not enough, they have eleven rooms with over 150,000 gifts, cards and stocking treats. On Friday, November 28th, Santa will be there for Cookies and Milk. Bring your camera.
For the Harley-Davidson and Polaris Enthusiasts on your list, make a stop in Meredith at Laconia Harley-Davidson for the very best selection of motorcycle and snowmobile equipment, parts, apparel, and gifts. Just down the road on Meredith Bay, the historic Mill Falls Marketplace has 15 unique shops and 5 restaurants all under one roof and is complete with a 40' waterfall.
In the magical Town Square of Waterville Valley shop and play in a protected mountain village courtyard with horse-drawn sleigh rides, activities, ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and special events.
As you leave the valley, continue on Rte 49 to the end and turn right to find Chesley's Glory Station. They are overflowing with beautiful Christmas decorations including a large selection of holiday florals and ornaments. They are open every day from 10am to 6pm until Christmas Day.
Save room in the trunk for the ride home. Stop in Tilton at the Tanger Outlet Center to tax-free shop over 50 conveniently located brand name outlets just off Exit 20. Coupon books are available and they are open daily.
Yuletide Magic New Hampshire is a Holiday Celebration designed to encourage vacation travel to the Lakes and Mountains Regions during the holiday season. Yuletide Magic NH showcases holiday events during the months of November and December; accommodation, attraction, shopping and dining properties; sample itineraries; photo images and more. Visit them online at www.YuletideMagicNH.com. Yuletide Magic New Hampshire is an initiative of both the Lakes Region Association of NH (www.lakesregion.org) and the Waterville Valley Region Chamber of Commerce (www.watervillevalleyregion.com) in partnership with the NH Division of Travel & Tourism (www.visitnh.gov).
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