North Conway will look nice, decorated for Christmas. If there's snow, and you like x-country skiing, Jackson is the place for that.

Funspot in Weirs Beach (Laconia) has the largest arcade in the world, full of restored classic games if you're into that, it's always fun for a few hours, plus they're open until 10pm so you don't waste your day in an arcade. https://www.classicarcademuseum.org/

On the Seacoast, Portsmouth will be decorated.

Unless you have some little New England towns picked out for your drive, you could drive to Boston and take in some sights, then take the train down to NYC.