This Massachusetts Christmas Tree Farm Is The Best In The State

The Pioneer Woman Magazine recently published a list of the best Christmas Tree Farms in every state. In Massachusetts, you'll have to travel to the western part of the state to arrive at the best Christmas Tree farm in the area. However, you will be in for a memorable experience that allows you to explore thousands of trees.

Each of the locations that Pioneer Woman named offer acres of fresh Christmas trees grown right onsite at the property. Then, you either cut down the tree of your choice or select one that the staff takes down for you. "The best part is that you'll be supporting a local farm, many of which have been in their families for generations," they state. Your efforts give back to the local community and it's a great way to kick off a festive holiday season. Clark Griswold comedic references are encouraged along the way.

The best Christmas Tree Farm in Massachusetts is also well known for their maple syrup.

About 40 miles outside of Springfield, in the northwestern region of the state, you will come across a farm that has been operating for four generations. Cranston's Christmas Tree Farm has Balsam, Concolor, Fraser, and Blue Spruce Christmas trees in various heights. They layout of the property allows you to hike around the different types to find your special tree. In fact, there are two sections here.

The North Pole area is a field of over 10,000 Fraser and Balsam trees. In addition, there's a closer field that does not require much walking. This area has over 6,000 trees of each of the aforementioned types to pick from.

"While we enjoy the competitive spirit of Christmas tree contests and the ribbons we have won, our greatest reward comes from watching you - our customers - create your experiences, memories, and traditions at our farm," the Cranston Family states.

While you are at the best Christmas Tree Farm in Massachusetts, you can't leave without grabbing some of their fresh maple syrup. It is made and poured fresh onsite. Often, the aromas fill the air throughout the season.

Christmas is a time to visit family and friends and get away from the daily grind. The holidays can be a wonderful time, but they can also be very expensive. From buying lots of Christmas gifts for family and friends to having to pay for plane tickets and travel, holiday expenses can really add up. But, the good news is that there are some affordable Christmas vacations out there. Moreover, Massachusetts has one of the most affordable Christmas vacations, too.

One good thing about traveling during the winter months is that it's often the off-season for popular vacation destinations. Of course, the holidays are a busy travel time. That makes late December a difficult time to find a deal for travel. But, if you don't mind the cold and snow, some northern areas of the U.S. offer very good deals. That's true even during the Christmas season.

Some tips for finding a good deal for holiday vacationing include searching a lot of booking websites, comparing different hotel dates to find the most reasonable ones and finding bundle deals. Also, keep your eyes open for special deals on resorts and hotels that are just opening. That's because sometimes, during those opening months, new vacation spots try to attract a loyal clientele by offering special deals. One more tip is to search for airfare rates individually even if you are traveling as a couple or a group. If you put in a search for a group of tickets, the algorithms will often leave out information on one or two cheaper tickets being available. They'll just send you a group of tickets, sitting together, all at the same price. So, you might get a deal if you search for one ticket, instead.

So, what are the best affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S.? Here are some popular spots that won't break the bank.

Frankenmuth, Michigan, is the self-proclaimed Christmas capital city of the world. Okay, so many argue that Strasbourg, France, takes that honor, but Frankenmuth is close, and it's a lot cheaper to get there. No passport needed. The villiage's Franconian-style architecture has given it the loving name "Little Bavaria." Frankenmuth is also home to the world's biggest Christmas store.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and it offers a beautiful view of snowy hills and Amish country. It's a very old-fashioned type of town, making it a charming winter getaway. There are plenty of fun, holiday-type things to do in Lancaster that won't break the bank.

You might never guess, but Las Vegas, Nevada, is a great spot for an affordable holiday trip. Think about it. Most people wouldn't think to go to "Sin City" for Christmas. Of course, it's much less the "sin" part these days, as Las Vegas offers fun activities for the whole family.

Charlotte, North Carolina, is a great spot to visit in the holiday season, because it's not as crowded as other times during the year. It's also less expensive to visit during the holidays and offers beautiful decorations during Christmas. Don't forget the many holiday markets.

Fort Myers, Florida, is a popular destination for snow birds. But, that's doesn't mean to skip it during the holidays. If you want to get away from the snow and ice, Fort Myers offers a great escape over Christmas and for prices that are more reasonable than in many other areas of Florida.

Boston, Massachusetts, gets cold in the winter, but it also has that classic Christmas charm. It's a big city with a smaller city feel during the holidays. What's more, it's a more affordable winter vacation destination than many other areas, and you won't have the fight the crowds.