Marble House

Peak tourist season in Newport, Rhode Island is summer.  Founded on Aquidneck Island in 1639, Newport was one of the first major seaports in the colonies, was significant in whaling and the slave trade, and was one of the first popular getaway locations for wealthy American families when the rich first became richer in the 1870s.  Newport is also a major naval base, frequent host of the America’s Cup regatta, location of the International Tennis Hall of Fame (the U.S. Open was first played here in 1895), home to annual jazz and folk festivals, and the summer residence of two presidents.  In short, Newport is where money meets the sea.

The Breakers Library

Being a summer resort doesn’t mean that Newport isn’t a popular destination other times of the year. Year-round, tourists come by land and sea to sightsee, shop, dine and relax.  Christmastime, in fact, is probably the second busiest time of the year.  It’s then that tourists can see holiday decorations in the mansions built here by America’s very rich—families with names such as Vanderbilt and Astor—in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.  Nine of those mansions are operated by The Preservation Society of Newport County.  Three of these—The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House—are especially decked out for the holidays.  Inside are hundreds of ornaments on dozens of trees, thousands of poinsettias, fresh flowers and wreaths, dining tables set with period silver and china, and mannequins in period holiday dress. Another mansion, The Astors’ Beechwood, is not only decorated but populated with actors portraying the Astor family and their servants.  Visitors can tour the home as these characters prepare for Christmas, sing carols, and entertain in the grand ballroom.  Guests can even dine with the family at Beechwood’s Victorian Christmas Feast featuring a multi-course period meal.

The Elms Foyer

The Preservation Society’s Breakers, Elms and Marble House are decorated and open daily for tours from November 15 through January 4 except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.  A Winter Passport ticket providing daytime admission to all three houses can be purchased for $25 for adults and $9 for children ages 6 to 17. Purchased separately, admission to The Breakers is $16.50 for adults and $4 for children ages 6 to 17. Marble House and The Elms are each $11 for adults and $4 for children 6 to 17. Information on additional ticket packages and special holiday events such as visits with Santa Claus on Sundays in December (at no extra charge), holiday concerts and refreshments, and a holiday dinner dance are available at the Preservation Society website.

At Beechwood, a schedule of holiday tours and events is available at the Beechwood Web site.  Standard tour admission is $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 6 to 17. A family rate of $50 is available for two adults and up to four children. Reservations are strongly suggested. Tickets for the Victorian Christmas Feast are $125 for all seatings and reservations are required.

For travelers planning to visit Newport, dozens of choices exist for accommodations and even more for dining.  A couple favorite restaurants of my family are the Red Parrot and the dockside Candy Store at the Clarke Cooke House which my wife and I (and our waitress) agreed makes the best hot fudge anywhere.

All photos courtesy of The Preservation Society of Newport County. The Breakers Library and The Elms Foyer photos by John Corbett.

Jack Hanna of the Columbus Zoo

What do you get when you mix sponsorship from one of America’s largest energy providers and a world renowned zoo? Not withstanding the overall sleep deprived status of the zoos inhabitants, you reap the benefits one of the most impressive and enjoyable Christmas Light displays anywhere. The Columbus Zoo is celebrating it’s 20th year of Wildlights.

The Columbus Zoo, located just north of Columbus, OH at 4850 West Powel Road in Powell, OH has partnered this year with American Electric Power (AEP) to make this year’s Christmas Light display even lighter and brighter. More importantly, the partnership has enabled the Columbus Zoo to make this year’s display greener than ever before. We’re not talking about green lights, though I’m sure you’ll find plenty among the over 3 million lights on display.

Greener, as in reducing environmental impact. AEP’s partnership with the Zoo has enabled them to convert the conventional lighting displays to the more energy friendly LED lights. The result is a brighter light that burns more efficiently and lasts longer than the traditional bulbs. They cost less to operate and by having to replace fewer bulbs will reduce waste.

Mangels Carousel

Wildlights is set to begin November 21 and will be running nightly through January 3. Hours are Sundays through Thursdays 5 pm until 9 pm (10 pm Fridays and Saturdays) and admission is free with your paid Zoo admission. A special member’s only preview is scheduled for November 20.

Local high school choirs and carolers are scheduled to perform at the newly renovated Entry Village on selected evenings. The Central Ohio Model Railroad Club has helped, in part, to provide an impressive model railroad display in that area as well.

I can’t wait to see the animated light display at The Watering Hole. Newly added this year, there is a much touted light display animated and set to music at the central pond. It is scheduled to begin every half hour and lasts approximately nine minutes. To use their words, it is “extravagant.”

Wildlights at the Watering Hole

You can also bring your ice skates (or rent a pair for $3) and enjoy the Frozone Ice Rink. According to the Zoo website, the Ice Rink usage will be based on capacity. That means expect a crowd.

Certainly this is not a comprehensive or ranked list of the many activities you can expect to enjoy at this year’s Wildlights for, as my kids are quick to mention, Santa will also be there. Is it mention or scream? “SANTA, SANTA, SANTA!!!”  Sometimes I get confused. By all means, make sure your kids bring their wish list as Santa will be on hand at the Water’s Edge Events Park to assess naughty and nice and accept last minute requests and pictures. Hint: Don’t pull this Santa’s Beard!

There are so many things to do during Wildlights that you may just forget that there are animals on display. Don’t forget, the zoo is open year round 9 am – 6 pm. Though some of the animals are off display during the colder winter months there are plenty of creatures that love this time of year as well as the numerous indoor exhibits.

Come early and stay late experiencing one of Central Ohio’s favorite holiday traditions, Wildlights at the Columbus Zoo.

Wildlights is closed Nov. 27, Dec. 24 and Dec. 25.

Photos: Ed Lamaze, Fensterbme (Creative Commons)

The Radio City Music Hall Marquee

Halloween just passed.  Thanksgiving hasn’t even come yet, but the malls and department stores are decked with boughs of holly and other Christmas decorations and ‘Tis the Season is already playing on the public address systems.

Where else has Christmas arrived already?  At Radio City Music Hall in New York City.  Performances of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring the Rockettes began this past weekend.  Whether you like to get in the mood early or you wait to see Christmas shows until just before the holiday, the time to buy tickets—for Radio City Music Hall or any Christmas event—is now.

Some families go to the Christmas Spectacular every year.  Others go less often.  For others, it’s a once in a lifetime experience.  As for us, my wife and I have taken our seven year-old daughter twice in the past few years.  My daughter loves everything about New York and everything about seeing a show.  To be honest, when we were first going to the Christmas Spectacular I would have preferred seeing something on Broadway.  But, after going to the Christmas show—and seeing how much my daughter loved it—I was so glad we chose it.  Her favorite part of the show, she said, was “the Santas.”  There were a few dozen dancing Santas on stage (with more descending into a screen behind them while Santa explained that he had “helpers” to be in so many places at once.)  My wife and I loved when it actually snowed on the audience—and not just fake foam or plastic but wet snow that actually melted on us.  The second time we all saw the show, my daughter said that her favorite part was the life-size teddy bears dancing The Nutcracker.  She also loved the Rockettes dancing as rag dolls and soldiers.

Several parts of the Christmas Spectacular are repeated each year and new scenes are added as well while others are phased out.  Traditions like the Rockettes’ Parade of the Wooden Soldiers and a Living Nativity have been included every year since the show first opened in 1933.  Appearances by Santa, more from the Rockettes, scenes of Christmas in New York, and other songs and dances fill out a usual ninety-minute performance.  The show isn’t even the only attraction there.  Radio City Music Hall itself is a 1932 art deco movie palace that underwent a $70 million renovation 1999.  Some of its highlights include the original five-ton thirty-two foot high Wurlitzer organ, the largest theatrical curtain on earth, and a twenty-four carat goldleaf ceiling.

Ice Skating in Rockefeller Center

One of the best things about seeing the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall is that there’s also so much else to see during the holidays in midtown Manhattan.  Radio City Music Hall itself is part of Rockefeller Center—home to one of the country’s most famous Christmas trees and a great ice skating rink.  Other attractions within just a few blocks are St. Patrick’s Cathedral, FAO Schwarz toy store, and the windows of Saks Fifth Avenue.  For hotels and dining, options in New York City are endless.  (Seriously, before I could name them all I bet at least one more would open.)  For eating in midtown though, kids would probably love the American Girl Café, Mars 2112 or the Hard Rock Café.  The food is good to mediocre at these restaurants, but it’s not the main attraction—it comes in second to the surroundings.

There’s no denying that New York City is loud and crowded.  During heavy tourist months like December, it’s even more loud and crowded.  But there’s a reason that so many people still love going into the City for the holidays.  With the entertainment, the excitement, the stores and the sights, it’s a pretty magical place to be.

The Radio City Christmas Spectacular plays through December 30, 2008.  See the Radio City Music Hall website for detailed performance times and ticket prices. VIP Packages are also available which include priority seating, a pre-show reception, and deluxe gift bags and souvenir books.