Don't fall into the same pattern of Christmas hibernation this holiday season.
Instead, venture out of the holiday haze and spend your winter break in one
of the many transcendental magical Christmas towns in America.
Some Enchanting Towns To Visit. Enjoy! :)
Bernville, Pennsylvania - Fly to: Lehigh Valley International Airport.
This trip will prove to be a truly authentic experience, with travelers
and locals alike reveling in the million twinkle lights illuminating
the buildings and the surrounding valleys. If you cannot resist a
stunning display of Christmas lights, you must see this.
Tip: For a truly captivating stay, check out the Overlook Mansion Bed & Breakfast.
Durango, Colorado - Fly to: Albuquerque International Sunport. Durango will
provide a truly idyllic Christmas experience and is home to the Polar Express,
a Cascade Canyon excursion that leads travelers on a 26-mile journey through
the San Juan National Forest and Animas River in heated coaches. Once you have
journeyed through the snow-capped mountains, you can enjoy some Christmas
shopping at the shops on Main Ave. or go skiing on the slopes at the
Purgatory Resort.
Tip: After your trip continue on with the theme of the wild west by staying
at the Strater Hotel in downtown Durango. The hotel offers a saloon-style bar,
theater, and steakhouse.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina - Fly to: Myrtle Beach International Airport. If
you'd rather spend Christmas in warmer temperatures, Myrtle Beach in South
Carolina is the perfect destination. It offers a variety of Christmas-themed
shows, from The South's Grandest Christmas Show at the Alabama Theatre to the
Legends in Concert Holiday Show. Without a doubt, it offers something for
everyone. Myrtle Beach also offers a large selection of light shows and
holiday events such as meals with Santa Claus.
Tip: For a beach-themed Christmas adventure stay at hotel Blue and sip on
eggnog from the lazy river or beach which is located right outside of the hotel.
Helen, Georgia - Fly to: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Helen, Georgia is known for its charming alpine aesthetic that becomes
even more magical during the holiday season. Pay a visit to the Hardman
Farm Historic State Site, where reenactments take place every Friday and
Saturday night in December. You'll be in for a real treat if you visit
Helen on December 8, for the Annual Christmas Parade, which celebrates
the town's Bavarian roots, while bringing the typical cheer of the season.
Tip: Curl up with a book and some eggnog after a long day of sightseeing
in your own private cabin in the woods.
Park City, Utah - Fly to: Salt Lake City International Airport. If a white
Christmas is what you're after head to Park City, Utah. This special,
small-town is charming and features a number of restaurants and cultural
events - especially during the Christmas season. While there, take a walk
down Historic Main Street to indulge in some of the best holiday shopping
in the state, surrounded by idyllic scenery. You can also revel in the
mountain air and holiday cheer, by putting on a pair of ice skates and
gliding around Park City's outdoor rink in Park City Mountain Base Area.
Tip: Book your stay at the Torchlight Inn Bed & Breakfast for a comfortable
and classy getaway.
North Pole, Alaska - Fly to: Fairbanks International Airport. If you'd
rather experience a less crowded version of the holiday, a trip to North
Pole, Alaska, with its impeccable scenery and Christmas ambiance is sure
to be worth every penny spent. While the city does celebrate Christmas all
year round, visiting in December has its perks. For example, the North Pole
Christmas In Ice Celebration attracts ice sculptors from all around the
world, eager to display their latest creation - which you will also have
the opportunity to admire. Its Winter Festival attracts a large number
of tourists from all over the world with its impressive firework display
and holiday-related activities like trips to the Santa Claus house, which
stores the more than 400,000 pieces of mail per year that are sent from
children to the North Pole (and, as it turns out, there are actually a
small number of volunteers who respond to these letters each year).
Tip: Take a break from your Christmas-themed excursion by taking a quick
15-minute detour to nearby Fairbanks, Alaska, where, on a clear night,
you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. Get front row
seats to this natural phenomenon by staying at the Borealis Basecamp, a
modern geodesic dome offering panoramic views of the sky from your bed.
Natchitoches, Louisiana - Fly to: Alexandria International Airport. This part
of the states houses some of the most breathtaking historic French-Creole
townhouses in the country. It is also home to one of the most famous
Christmas festivals in the world - the Natchitoches Christmas Festival. This
event takes place from November 17th to January 6th. This festival features
a number of local charming shops and restaurants and also provides historical
Christmas-themed tours, live music and a stunning display of lights.
Tip: Visit the Cane River Creole National Historical Park, which has managed
to artfully preserve the plantations that once dominated this city's landscape.
Delray Beach, Florida - Fly to: Palm Beach International Airport. This beach
in Florida can offer you the best of both worlds - a sunny, beach-side escape
with plenty of holiday-related activities to occupy those wishing to still
celebrate Christmas in all of the traditional ways. Be sure to visit the town's
100-foot-tall Christmas tree displayed proudly in the center of the town. After
which you can take a stroll around the downtown area for amazing holiday
shopping and beach-themed restaurants.
Tip: If traveling as a couple, stay at Crane's Beach House Boutique Hotel &
Luxury Villas which will surely turn up the heat in your relationship - even
in the dead of winter.
Sierra Madre, California - Fly to: Bob Hope Airport. This city, located
outside of Pasadena, provides the idyllic backdrop for a truly traditional
Christmas experience. Take a walk along Baldwin Avenue which features 100-year-old
Craftsman homes and antique shops decked out in bows and lights.
Tip: Sierra Madre provides an outstanding number of recreational trails to
choose from all of which showcase the stunning landscapes surrounding the city.
Las Vegas, Nevada - Fly to: McCarren International Airport. Las Vegas may not
be the first place your mind goes to when imagining the idyllic Christmas
experience. Though the city has always provided a colorful and jolly display
of holiday cheer. The most impressive display of this cheer might be
encapsulated in the impressive display of lights and holiday music at The
Bellagio Fountains. Bonus: it's free to the public. After a trip to the
fountains, make the short trek to The Bellagio Conservatory, where the South
Garden is decorated every year with thousands of lights, poinsettias and a
Christmas tree over 40 feet tall.
Tip: The Treasure Island hotel in downtown Las Vegas features an array of
entertainment including live shows, shopping, bars, and restaurants.
Santa Claus, Indiana - Fly to: Louisville International Airport. This destination
has you covered with year-round Christmas-themed entertainment like the Santa
Claus Museum & Village and the Santa Claus Christmas Store, teeming with
thousands of unique holiday finds. The first three weekends in the month is
best to visit - when the Santa Claus Christmas Celebration puts on a fabulous
display of lights, holiday-related activities and plenty of milk and cookies.
Tip: Located on West Christmas Boulevard, Santa's Lodge is a great place to
rest after a long day of sight-seeing.
Alexandria, Virginia - Fly to: Ronald Reagan National Airport. Alexandria is
just minutes away from the heart of Washington, D.C. It has become a top
destination for Christmas aficionados all across the country. A stroll along
King Street, with its canopy of twinkling lights and historical buildings,
boasts an impressive ambiance, along with a number of unique restaurants and
shops. After this landlocked venture, head over to the water and see the
Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights which is followed by The District's
Holiday Boat Parade, in which thousands of lights are employed to create a
truly festive collection of lights against the water.
Tip: Taste some of the most authentic Cajun and Creole food in the south at
RT's Restaurant in downtown Alexandria.
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