The Christmas Capitol of the World in in New Hampshire!

One of our favorite holiday traditions has become the candlelight stroll at the Strawbery Banke Museum in downtown Portsmouth. A walk through their historic homes with a cup of cider and your ice skates make for a very memorable holiday season. It’s one of the best and most fun ways to be connected to the past and present during the holidays in New Hampshire!

The Historic Homes

Each home at the Strawbery Banke Museum is decorated to look like a different decade in history. You can visit the 1950s corner store with vintage candy, groceries, and other goods. You can visit the homes dressed up how Portsmouth would have looked in the late 1700s when it was a major port city for New England bringing, goods in from India and Europe. But the best part of these places are the adult and child actors educating visitors on the ways their holidays would have gone in these eras in Portsmouth. The actors add another whimsical quality to the season event. Last year, my favorite groups were the girls in the 1700s home talking about attending the governor’s ball. They sat sewing at their kitchen table while visitors walked by listening to them talking about their dresses and hairdos they’d have for the event!

Sleigh Rides and Edible Goodies

While you’re enjoying your hot cider, cocoa, and ice skating in the center of town, you can also go on short sleigh rides with your loved ones. The lines are often long so definitely take advantage if you see few people waiting. Once you get on the sled, you can enjoy the blanketed rides through the historic streets of Strawbery Banke! Besides that, also know that food and beverage are served there! You can purchase baked goods, buy gifts in the visitor’s center, or even get dinner. However, we suggest that you eat somewhere else in Portsmouth since their cafe can be very delicious but very packed and frustrating! There are many more places in Portsmouth where you can walk a short ways and have a great meal with a reservation.

When It Is and What It Costs!

Strawbery Banke’s vintage Christmas will take place December 5-6,12-13, and 19-20 this year with tickets costing $25 per adult, $12.50 for kids 17 and under, and $60 for families of 2 adults and 2 kids under 17. If you don’t believe this place is the best yet, read what others have said:“Candlelight Stroll is a signature event of Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth. Travel + Leisure says Portsmouth has good reason to claim the title of ‘Christmas Capital of North America’ and the Boston Globe says Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth is ‘One of the top ten holiday things not to miss in New England.’”

Share your Vintage Christmas photos with us on Instagram @LakesRegAirportShuttle!