Great Winter Adventure Day Trips Nearby

Written by Jamie Beckman

Bundle up and hit the road: These local winter wonderlands are full of adventure—and are less than a tank of gas away.

Wilkens Fruit & Fir Farm

1335 White Hill Rd.

Yorktown Heights, NY

(914) 245-5111

Why Go? Get in touch with your inner lumberjack by cutting down your own Christmas tree at this farm, which lets you roam acres of Douglas and Fraser firs to find the perfect tree. When you’ve had enough of the winter chill, hang out at the farm’s Bake Shop, which sells goodies including fruit pies, jams and jellies, and chocolate-dipped apples.

Insider Tip: Every tree purchase earns you a complimentary commemorative Wilkens Farm Christmas ornament and a free cup of hot cider for everyone. Due to the mix of different varieties of apples, the flavor of each batch is unique.

Must Do: Try the farm’s famous fresh-baked apple-cider doughnuts, made from apple trees right on the farm. Chocoholics, take note: Some doughnuts are covered in milk chocolate.

The Fine Print: Take time to enjoy your turkey: Choose-your-own tree season doesn’t start until the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Hours for picking a tree are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day. Markets and bake shops are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show

2900 Southern Blvd.

Bronx, NY

(718) 817-8700

Why Go? Intricate model trains inspired by railroad cars past and present wind through the Enid A. Haupt conservatory during this 22nd annual show at the Bronx gardens. The backdrop for the little locomotives is an intricate miniature New York, featuring scaled iconic buildings like the New York Public Library built from nature using materials like twigs, seeds, and pinecones.

Insider Tip: Adults-only Bar Car Nights offer a complimentary cocktail and a stroll through the exhibit sans kiddies. Afterward, take your ticket to a participating restaurant in the Bronx’s Little Italy for a discount on dinner.

Must Do: Check out the Artist’s Studio, where you can see stage-by-stage photos of how experts crafted the plant-based replicas. One of the team members will be on hand to answer questions about the process.

The Fine Print: The show will take place until Jan. 12. Buy your tickets online ahead of time, as they often sell out. Be aware that weekday tickets are $5 cheaper than those for weekends and peak days. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends.

Ski Butternut

380 State Road, Rte. 23

Great Barrington, MA 

(413) 528-2000

Why Go? Ski Butternut has sporty family winter activities including skiing, tubing, and snowboarding in the Berkshires.  

Insider Tip: Commune with Mother Nature in the Organix section of the Twisted terrain park. It uses only natural features like log rails to slide down and large rocks to jump up and tap. Keep an eye out for the birch and hemlock tree glade and its ski playground: “Although the trees are visible on the side of the trail, 99 percent of people do not even know that there are features cut into this patch of trees,” says director of marketing Matt Sawyer.

Must Do: Skiing is far and away the most popular activity at the resort. Even if you’ve never strapped on ski boots, adults and kids can grab an early-season first-timers ski or snowboard package for $25 before Dec. 20.

The Fine Print: Although skiing begins right after Thanksgiving, tubing doesn’t start until late December. Skiing hours are 8:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week. Tubing is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and holidays, but closed during the week.