There’s something magical about visiting a home that’s all lit up by candles. A warm welcoming glow takes over, curious shadows dance in hallways, and there’s an instant festive feel. In the picturesque town of Spring Lake, New Jersey, the 2010 Candlelight Christmas Inn Tour is even more magnificent as homes sit proudly, like dollhouses set aglow.
Spring Lake itself is quite spectacular. A quaint seaside village, it’s dotted with Victorian bed and breakfasts that take center stage come Christmas. Graciously remodeled, elegant, and comfortable, many of these homes were built in the 1800’s and feature the ambiance and nostalgia of an era gone by with the modern conveniences of today.
If you’d like to tour these homes and experience first-hand the mahogany wrap-around porches, parlors and fireplaces, this holiday tour is for you. The self-guided inn-to-inn visit begins with an old-fashioned tea and treats party at 2:30 pm on Saturday, December 4th. At 3:30 pm the inns open their luxurious homes to guests. Tickets cost $25.
Here are more details on the BnBFinder.com inns participating in the 2010 Candlelight Christmas Inn Tour in Spring Lake, New Jersey:
Modern Chateau. Old-fashioned charm meets modern-day amenities at the Chateau Inn. This Spring Lake bed and breakfast features large plasma TV’s, Jacuzzis, refrigerated wet bars, wood burning fireplaces, and more. It’s also a short stroll from the boardwalk.
Sea Girt Gem. Just a block from the beach in the heart of the Irish Riviera, The Beacon House Bed and Breakfast in Sea Girt, New Jersey has two spacious homes framed by panoramic wrap around porches lined with wicker and rockers. Inside chandeliers, oak floors and glowing fireplaces command attention. The inn is walking distance to the sea.
Refurbished Stable. Built in 1888 as the Grand Central Stables of Spring Lake, the Spring Lake Inn is only a block from the boardwalk. Most guestrooms feature ocean views, Jacuzzi, 4-poster bed or sleigh bed, and digital cable TV. Fine dining, boutique shopping and spa pampering are only blocks away.
Historic Steps. At the Ocean House Bed & Breakfast Hotel in Spring Lake, the grand staircase makes a large impression. The staircase is from the 1876 Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, the first major World’s Fair to be held in the United States. Classic charm resonates throughout the inn, which also features Laura Ashley fabrics, fireplaces, and mahogany beds.
Seashore Victorian. Tucked in a peaceful corner, The White Lilac Bed & Breakfast Inn, circa 1880, is a stone’s throw from Wreck Pond and about four blocks from the Atlantic Ocean. Each guestroom features a private fireplaces. Other amenities at the inn include private porches and double Jacuzzi tubs.
For a full list of all six inns participating in the tour, visit the HistoricInnsOfSpringLake.com. To find more bed and breakfasts in New Jersey using specific criteria, use the BnBFinder.com advanced search feature.
If you’re looking to delve further into the Victorian Era, consider a trip to the historic village of Allaire in nearby Farmingdale. The living history museum is listed on the National and State Registries of Historical Places. The village explores life in an early 19th Century industrial iron producing community and holds various holiday events.
The Spring Lake Historical Society Museum also has a collection of historic photographs and memorabilia from Spring Lake’s Indian times through the Victorian Era; along with in-depth knowledge of movies that were filmed in the area and present day events. The museum building itself was built in 1897 as the town’s first public school and features a highly-decorated and unusual space with rich with architectural details. Check with your innkeeper for more information on historical sites and area activities. Be sure to leave plenty of time through rummage through artifacts and wander back in time.
