The Garden Tourist’s Longwood Christmas 2024
Sunday, December 8–Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Back by popular demand—the fourth Garden Tourist’s Longwood Christmas trip!
Itinerary
DAY 1
Departure: Sun., December 8, 2024 at 7:15 am from the Sheraton Framingham Hotel, Framingham, MA
Lyndhurst
Overlooking the Hudson River in Tarrytown, Lyndhurst is one of America’s finest Gothic Revival mansions with a rich history spanning over 200 years. The mansion is furnished with European antiques and stained glass, and features an elegant landscape. The interior is beaurifully decorated for the holidays. lyndhurst.org
Lunch: Lunch at Tarry Tavern, Tarrytown (included)
Dinner: Welcome Dinner at Columbus Inn (included)
DAY 2
Winterthur
Winterthur is the premier museum of American decorative arts, with an unparalleled collection of nearly 90,000 objects made or used in America since 1640. The collection is displayed in the magnificent 175-room house, much as it was when the family of founder Henry Francis du Pont called it home. Enjoy the beautifully decorated home and display rooms, including the incredible dried flower Christmas tree. Winterthur’s grounds feature 1,000 acres of protected meadows, woodlands, ponds, and waterways. House tour and garden tram tour included. winterthur.org
Lunch: Winterthur Cafe (on your own)
Longwood Gardens
We will enjoy a late afternoon/evening tour of the world-renowned Longwood Gardens. A Longwood Christmas makes your holiday oh so merry and bright! The Christmas spectacular includes over 500,000 lights, thousands of brilliant poinsettias, towering Christmas trees and fragrant flowers blooming in the Conservatory’s Crystal Palace. The new conservatory, Longwood’s largest expansion project since its opening 100 years ago, will be open for touring! longwoodgardens.org
Dinner: Dining dollars at Longwood Gardens for their cafe or restaurant (included)
DAY 3
New York Botanical Garden
New York’s big seasonal event goes on parade with the popular Holiday Train Show at the New York Botanical Garden. Wrapped in the glow of twinkling lights, model trains and trolleys zip along on winding tracks past scaled replicas of 140 New York Landmarks made of orange slices, cinnamon sticks, poppy pods, pine cones and a host of other plant materials. Stop at the café and gift shop. Lunch on own here and dinner en route as we return home with wonderful holiday memories. nybg.org
Lunch: New York Botanical Garden (on your own)
Arrival: Tues., December 10, 2024 at 9:00 pm at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel, Framingham, MA
This tour is an immersive experience in learning, sharing, and discovering the secrets of each beautiful property with fellow garden lovers.
Cost: $974 pp double, $1,174 pp single
Includes: Deluxe motorcoach, 2 nights hotel, 2 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners, sightseeing & admissions, Friendship Tours Escort
Departure Location: Sheraton Framingham, Framingham, MA
Depart: 7:00 AM on Dec. 8, Return: 9:00 PM on Dec. 10
Jana Milbocker is a garden designer, speaker, and author of the Garden Tourist travel guides. She combines horticulture, design, and travel tips to educate, inspire and delight both new and seasoned gardeners.
Friendship Tours has been operating group tours for more than 40 years, including custom trips for the Connecticut Horticultural Society, Federated Garden Clubs of Conn., and Tower Hill Botanic Garden. FriendshipTours.net
Download pdf brochure to register
A few photos from the 2023 trip
“Everything about the trip was so enjoyable- well planned, wonderful venues, well organized! It was especially enjoyable to spend time with you as you shared your vast knowledge in a kind manner. Thank you, so much! ”
“The trip was fabulous and very well organized.Between you and Brett our questions were answered before we even asked them. It was easy to travel alone since everyone was so welcoming and friendly. I would certainly recommend your trips to others.”
“Thank you! It was a fun and lovely tour of these estates and botanical gardens. I am thankful for all the knowledge and information that you and Brett shared with us as it made the visits richer. ”
