Holiday Highlights: Festive Stops in Different States

Written 12/24/25

I had a regularly planned post for today, but since my scheduled day to post is Christmas this year, I wanted to write about something a little more festive. Below are some of my favorite December visits.

🎄New York🎄

Tweeds Restaurant in Riverhead, NY. As my partner and I were taking a drive on Long Island, we looped into Riverhead on our way back from Montauk, and that’s when we found Tweeds. A small place but lots of atmosphere. Picture a local bar type establishment that also serves delicious food on elegant, heavy, wooden tables. Our first visit, we ordered French onion soup and burgers but took an order of crabcakes home with us. That was in September 2018. We always talked about returning, and we finally did in December 2023 to celebrate Christmas together. We ordered the same meal the second time. Both times we visited were in late afternoon, early evening. Each time the restaurant wasn’t crowded, but both of our visits left me with the impression that there were frequent patrons because the staff had a wonderfully fun rapport with many of them. I later learned that Tweeds has historical significance, it’s said to have been in continuous operation in the same location since 1896.

The drive from Montauk to Riverhead is approximately an hour.

Photo 1: Inside the bar area of Tweed's

Photo 2: Tweed's sign from the parking lot entrance

Photo 3: Additional seating area for Tweed's

🎄Pennsylvania🎄

Family Memories

Cooper's Seafood House in Scranton, PA. December 23, 2017. On a short outing with my parents a few days before Christmas, my father arranged for us to have an early dinner at Coopers. This restaurant was surprisingly large, with several different rooms filled with tables. It has more of a nautical theme, but also blended in some string lights, a tree, and some wreaths to decorate for the holiday. What tickled me the most about the restaurant was the train tracks along the walls with a toy train that traveled from room to room. My memory of our meal order has faded, but I do remember all of us packing leftovers to take with us. Unbeknownst to me at the time (and probably to my family), this restaurant is mentioned in the television show, “The Office” several times.

Nay Aug Park Spectacular Magic in Scranton, PA. December 23, 2017. A mere 7-minute drive from the restaurant, we drove through the light show at the park as a treat. Even though it was a rainy night, sharing these moments with my family was special. Admission is free, but they do ask for donations. There are also other events that happen throughout the season, but we did not investigate any of these.

I don't have many shareable photos from this day.  None from Cooper's.

Photo 1: Rhinoceros in lights at Nav Aug Park Spectacular Magic

Photo 2: Two moose in lights at Nav Aug Park Spectacular Magic

An Unscripted Adventure

In December 2024 we had planned a day trip to Pennsylvania. The morning of, the weather was dreary and the roads were icy. With snow still on the ground from a previous storm, we canceled our plans. Later in the day, the sun came out and we decided to rework our plans. Instead of doing a day trip I booked a one-night stay at the Holiday Inn Scranton East in Dunmore, PA. At a slow and steady pace, we arrived just before dark on a Saturday evening. Since there were patches of ice on the road we chose to stay in the hotel after checking in and eating at the hotel restaurant. While there was some activity in the hotel, it was fairly quiet. I think this worked to our advantage because our assigned room was close to the lobby so we could see the Christmas tree and could grab coffee easily. The room itself was toasty warm and spacious. I didn’t want to leave!

As we walked across the hotel to the restaurant, we saw people at the bar and a group of about 10 people attending a party in the dining area. We also walked past a couple of video games that teens were at, so we’d have entertainment if we got bored in the room! Our restaurant meal was simple, burgers and fries. We’d go back to this hotel without hesitation. Bonus points for being right off the westbound exit from I-380 too.

Mc Ilwee’s Restaurant in Scranton, PA. – A small restaurant with luncheon counter. The drive from the hotel was approximately 10 minutes. This place is a gem! Warm and inviting with holiday decorations, and most importantly, friendly people. I will tell you though, it’s a little difficult to find the front door (well, it was for me). There was a couple in the front window that witnessed my confusion and pointed out the entrance (hehe). It was clear that the locals enjoy this restaurant because while I was at the table, several people stopped in to pick up orders and had a quick conversation with the waitress. Eggs, toast, everything was tasty and prepared perfectly. My partner and I talk about this place frequently, specifically how much we’d like to go back. Parking seems to be on the street.

Mc Ilwee’s doesn’t seem to have a website, so I’ve included the address here: 141 Market St., Scranton, Pennsylvania 18508.

Photo 1: Holiday Inn lobby

Photo 2: street view of Mc Ilwee's

Photo 3: Christmas tree inside Mc Ilwee's

Historic Hotel Visit

Lackawanna Hotel in Scranton PA. December 22, 2024. I had been eyeing this hotel for months. Filled with history connected to the Lackawanna railroad, I felt that this would be a great place to grab some Christmas cheer. Although I had wanted to spend a few days in the area, it didn’t work out that way, instead it was an overnight stay in December. We arrived very late, almost midnight. It was bitter cold, just about zero degrees and windy! From the parking lot, you could just see that this building was from a different era. Inside, the hotel foyer was empty, which allowed us to soak in the grandness of the room without distraction. As we approached the desk, the clerk was in the back room, so it was really a quiet couple of moments. Our room had a balcony that overlooked the lobby, it wasn’t scenic as we were above the lobby ceiling, but a historic remnant from the building’s past.

Even though it was late I wanted to walk around the hotel and take a few photos, especially in the lobby. We looked at the artistry on the walls and peered into the display windows. Down a corridor from the lobby, we saw that it led to a bar that appeared to be closing. On our return to the lobby, we focused on how majestic the room was. The ornate ceiling was definitely a highlight. The holiday displays throughout the lobby made the experience warmer.  

The next morning, the town was still a bit quiet, but you could see a lot more of the buildings and storefronts nearby. I wanted to stay and have a look around, but the weather really was too cold to be meandering. Another time.

A quick note about the Lackawanna Hotel, it is said to be haunted by multiple ghosts. Neither myself nor my partner experienced anything out of the ordinary.

Photo 1: view of Lackawanna Hotel Scranton at night

Photo 2: festive display in the foyer in Lacakwanna Hotel Scranton

Photo 3: Toy Soldiers at the entrance of the bar at Lackawanna Hotel 

🎄Louisiana🎄

One of my earliest posts was my visit to New Orleans, feel free to read more about it here.

Visiting New Orleans in December was a dream I didn’t realize I had. The area was already decked out for the winter holidays, so it was fun and festive without the crowds of Mardi Gras. Granted, a lot more lowkey but if you want to visit for the food, drinks, and experience, I strongly recommend it. We stayed at the Maison Dupuy Hotel, which is on the edge of the French Quarter. The hotel outdid itself in holiday fashion, welcoming their guests with complimentary hot cocoa near the lobby to set the tone. A comfortable lobby with fireplace and comfy couch and chairs were only steps away. The mantel and entryways had holiday garland and ribbon draped over them and wreaths hung from the doors. There was even a Christmas tree outside by the pool to keep with the holiday theme. It was such a nice place to return to each evening.

Celebration in the Oaks in New Orleans, LA - While in New Orleans, we also purchased tickets to see the Celebration in the Oaks, a community event at City Park that runs through the month of December each year. We used public transportation to the park, so I cannot comment about the driving tour, but I loved walking through the park and seeing all the lights. Next time I hope to be able to visit by car to have more flexibility with arrival and departure time.

Photo 1: Fireplace in the lobby of Maison Dupuy Hotel

Photo 2: Courtyard with Christmas tree at Maison Dupuy Hotel

Photo 3: Carousel entrance at the Celebration in the Oaks

🎄Colorado🎄

An Honorable Mention

Aspen Lodge Bar & Grill – Westminster, CO. July 16, 2023. Although we visited this restaurant in July 2023, it was heavily decorated for Christmas. Such a surprise and so much fun to eat dinner under twinkling holiday lights and to look around to see trees trimmed for Christmas. We both ordered a gyro and fries, which were delicious!

Photo: inside Aspen Lodge Bar & Grill

Some information, such as baseball game information and directions were sought by using ChatGPT or Perplexity.

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