Best US Holiday Locations for Boating

Although we often associate boating with summer and spring activities, the autumn and Winter offer fantastic on-the-water experiences. You still have 100 days before Santa Claus comes down to your mast. This means that you have great opportunities to plan boating activities to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and other winter holidays.

These six top holiday destinations in the United States for boating are perfect for solo, couples, and families!

1. New York City, NY

Although the air is cool in November, the sun is warm enough for a day on the water. You should tie up early enough to get a taxi for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Thanksgiving Eve balloon blowup. Between Central Park West, Columbus Avenue and the Museum of Natural History, the balloons will inflate on 77th Street and 81st Streets. The 95th anniversary celebration of the longest parade in the world will be celebrated by a procession through the streets on the morning following.

2. Plymouth, MA

Plymouth, the home of the Mayflower, is the place where the first Thanksgiving was celebrated. It celebrates its 400th anniversary every year with celebrations along the waterfront. Enjoy beer and wine tastings, a parade and much more from November 19-21. You can either anchor in Plymouth Harbor, or dock at one of the many marinas.

3. Fort Lauderdale, FL

Don't decorate your home with holiday lights. Instead, dress up and participate in Fort Lauderdale's WinterFest boat parade. This tradition, which is held just before Christmas, dates back to 1970. All sizes and shapes of boats float down the New River to the north and the Intracoastal. The shores are populated by one million people, and viewing is free. It's, according to organizers, 12 miles of the most spectacular show on H2O.

4. Newport Beach, CA

Another boat parade is held each year at Newport Harbor. It's actually celebrating 113 years. The parade will feature everything from large private yachts to canoes and kayaks. It runs from December 15 through 19. The parade's first and last nights will also be graced with fireworks. You can also participate in an awards competition. These include Best Music, Best Use Of Lights, Best Animation/Special effects, and Best Humor and Originality.

5. Houston, Texas

For New Year's Eve, the famous Kemah Boardwalk offers family-friendly entertainment and fireworks above Galveston Bay. The fireworks start at 10 p.m. so little ones won't get too tired and parents who are not children can stay up longer to welcome the new year. You can also walk to the Kemah Boardwalk Marina within a few minutes.

6. The Florida Keys

Many islands in the chain host fireworks displays and other entertainment. The top is Key Largo, which is the dive capital, while the middle is Islamorada, which has great sportfishing, and the wild and crazy Key West to the south. You can experience everything here: live music, beach parties, and even a huge Red Shoe Drop. You'd be hard-pressed to find an anchorage or slip among the 1,700 islands that make up the Keys.

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