Fun Things to Do in New York in December

Holiday Valley

• December is a peak month for skiing at the Holiday Valley Ski Resort. Located in western New York, this resort features 13 lifts on 56 ski slopes, as well as three lodges and a snow tubing park. Get a guided mountain tour of the snowy peaks or a therapeutic massage at Falling Waters Spa. Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing trails traverse through the resort's grounds. As of October 2010, operating hours for the ski resort are Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday the slopes are open from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  Holiday Valley

  P.O. Box 370

  Ellicottville, NY 14731

  716-699-2345

  holidayvalley.com

New York State Museum

• Visit the warm indoors environment while you explore 12 permanent exhibits and the traveling exhibits from the Great Art Series. In December the annual Chocolate Expo and Holiday Gift Market runs the first Sunday of the month, featuring specialty foods and fine desserts to fulfill your holiday shopping list. Admission, as of October 2010, to the Expo is free. The Discovery Place is an interactive learning center for children to dig up dinosaur bones or use a microscope. The museum is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed in December on Christmas Day. Admission to the museum is free; donations are appreciated.

  New York State Museum

  Room 3023

  Cultural Education Center

  Albany, NY 12230

  518-474-5877

  nysm.nysed.gov

Niagara Falls State Park

• The Niagara Falls are a magnificent wonder with deafening rushing waters. In December, the falls feature colored and white spotlights at night. The lights are on from 5 p.m. until midnight during December and until 1 a.m. on New Year's Eve. Take a trolley ride daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a half an hour overview of the park. Eat at the Prospect Point Cafe for a quick bite or enjoy gourmet cuisine at the Top of the Falls restaurant. The park is open 24 hours a day seven days per week and admission is free. All activities have their own operating hours and costs. Make sure to remember your passport if you want to cross over the United States-Canadian border to see the full falls view.

  Niagara Falls State Park

  P.O. Box 773

  Niagara Falls, NY 14302

  716-278-0337

  niagarafallsstatepark.com