A Manorville holiday day trip at Waterdrinker Winter Wonderland, Matt's Christmas Tree Farm

For anyone looking to start a new holiday tradition or revisit a beloved one, Manorville offers the perfect day trip for a nostalgic experience.

Begin by wandering the rows of evergreens at Matt’s Christmas Tree Farm, where you can pick and cut your own tree. "It’s a great experience for everyone," owner Matt Marple said. "Choosing and cutting a tree together is something a lot of people still enjoy."

Then, just minutes away is Waterdrinker Winter Wonderland, a sparkling holiday village complete with cocoa by the fire, ice skating, giant sleighs pulled by Santa and even a dancing Grinch.

A simple tree-picking outing quickly turns into a full day of festive fun, creating a joyful tradition everyone can enjoy. Here’s how to make the most of it.

First stop: Cut your own tree

Rows of evergreens fill this 15-acre farm, run by owner Matt Marple since 1998. You'll spend as much time debating branch symmetry and ceiling height as you will actually cutting the tree, which is half the fun.

"We provide everything you need to choose and cut your perfect tree," Marple said. That includes bow saws, trailer rides back to the lot, netting, assistance with loading and tying and even candy canes for the kids, farm animals and a mailbox straight to Santa's workshop. Leashed dogs are welcome too.

The farm has a tremendous selection of more than 10,000 trees ranging from 2-foot table toppers up to 8-foot behemoths. Top picks include Norway spruce for the classic Christmas look, white and blue spruce for holding heavier ornaments and concolor and balsam fir for the ultimate pine-scented experience.

Many of the trees available are around 10 to 12 years old. Seedlings start in a greenhouse and are planted in the field at about age 4, when they resemble nothing more than a cluster of branches. Saws, carts and help are all on hand, whether you want to get hands-on or let Matt do the sawing. The tree I chose was roughly 6 feet tall and about 10 years old. You can confirm its age by counting the rings on the trunk once it’s cut, or just ask Matt.

To help shoppers visualize how a tree will fit indoors, Marple has white stakes marked from 4 to 8 feet, the typical ceiling height. "Use these as your guide," he said. "A tree that looks perfect in the field can feel huge once it’s in your home."

He also offered practical advice for after the harvest: get the tree home as quickly as possible and keep the stand filled with water. "It will drink a lot over the first three days," he said, "so check it often to keep it looking fresh through the season."

As long as they are provided with a water source, you can keep them in your home for four to five weeks.

Next stop: Holiday fun at Waterdrinker

Just minutes from the tree farm, Waterdrinker Winter Wonderland transforms a farm into a festive playground. Thousands of twinkling lights, a vintage Airstream Christmas village, a Who-Ville zone, a gingerbread village and a new Grinch Lair create endless photo opportunities. Santa appears on weekends from noon to 4 p.m., with the Grinch popping up during the same hours for playful encounters.

Admission includes synthetic ice skating, mini golf, pedal cars and obstacle course, barnyard animals, photos with Santa or the Grinch and fire pits for roasting marshmallows. S’mores kits and hot cocoa are available for purchase: $6 for two marshmallows or $20 for 10, $4 for cocoa. Food trucks are booked every day at the neighboring Long Island Farm Brewery, which serves locally made beer and wine.

Transform a simple tree-picking trip into a festive, full-day experience, creating joyful memories and a holiday tradition that can last for years.