Woodstock, New York (Winter)

When the final leaves fall and snow caps the Catskills, the village of Woodstock slows down. The heavy influx of weekenders from nearby New York City trickles to a fraction of the summer numbers, with many of those just passing through to nearby Bel Air Ski Mountain to the west or north to Windham and Hunter mountains. The village community draws close, celebrating an artist colony heritage and tie-dyed activist leanings that kept nearly every establishment on Tinker Street locally owned. White twinkly lights adorn the streets as holiday shoppers peruse the galleries and boutiques filled with handmade originals, sipping hot cider as bands ...

When the final leaves fall and snow caps the Catskills, the village of Woodstock slows down. The heavy influx of weekenders from nearby New York City trickles to a fraction of the summer numbers, with many of those just passing through to nearby Bel Air Ski Mountain to the west or north to Windham and Hunter mountains. The village community draws close, celebrating an artist colony heritage and tie-dyed activist leanings that kept nearly every establishment on Tinker Street locally owned. White twinkly lights adorn the streets as holiday shoppers peruse the galleries and boutiques filled with handmade originals, sipping hot cider as bands of carolers ring out Christmas, Hanukah and Solstice songs. Santa comes to town in spectacular fashion, excitement coursing through the throngs as the main drag opens to pedestrians, craning to see whether the jolly old elf might arrive atop an elephant or be shot out of a canon. Music lovers head to Bearsville, passing the sled hill at the edge of town.

About the Expert

Sascha Zuger is the author of the New York State Moon Handbook, the travel novel Girl Overboard (under the pseudonym Aimee Ferris), and is a freelancer for publications such as National Geographic Traveler, the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post.