It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
BOSTON, MA
Merrymaking Moment: Boston’s beloved Faneuil
Hall Marketplace (dating from 1743) is now home to Blink! A Light &
Sound Extravaganza (as well as what’s billed as the Northeast’s tallest
Christmas tree). The choreographed light display dances to the tunes of
the Boston Pops’ Holiday Pops. faneuilhallmarketplace.com/blink
[post_ads]Stocking Stuffer: Santa is coming! Santa is coming!
Paul Revere may have yelled that instead, had he taken the Freedom Trail
Foundation’s Historic Holiday Stroll. Festive traditions, revolutionary
highlights—and Boston cream pie—deliver a taste of the city’s
illustrious past (including the American premiere of A Christmas Carol). thefreedomtrail.org
CLIFTON, OH
Merrymaking Moment: Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill
has been named one of the best illuminated displays in the U.S. The
historic (still working) mill—along with the gorge, riverbanks and
surrounding trees—is lit up by 4 million bulbs synchronized to music
every hour. cliftonmill.com
Stocking Stuffer: Downtown Dayton (a short drive
away) kicks off its Holiday Festival with the Grande Illumination
Tree Lighting and Children’s Parade, followed by a month of free events
and family activities. downtowndayton.org
CHARLESTON, SC
Merrymaking Moment: Drive through 3 miles of more
than 700 fantastic displays at James Island County Park’s Holiday
Festival of Lights. Then check out the other offerings, including a
Victorian carousel, Santa’s Village and homemade gingerbread houses. holidayfestivaloflights.com
Stocking Stuffer: On December 12 Charleston Harbor hosts its 34th Parade of Boats. charlestonparadeofboats.com
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS, TN
Merrymaking Moment: The Bavarian-influenced town of
Gatlinburg—at the entrance to the Smokies—and nearby highways and roads
light it up LED-style. Gatlinburg Winter Magic includes dancing
fountains and animals indigenous to the area. During the day, head to
the top of Mount Harrison on the Ober Gatlinburg Ariel Tramway for
skiing, tubing and even (tame) wildlife encounters. gatlinburg.com; obergatlinburg.com
Stocking Stuffer: At Dollywood, about 10 miles away
in Pigeon Forge, you’ll find a very Smoky Mountain Christmas—rides,
performances and singing galore—as well as Christmas Place, one of the
largest ornament stores in the country. dollywood.com; christmasplace.com
HERSHEY, PA
Merrymaking Moment: Holidays at Hersheypark
Christmas Candylane are a real sweet deal: $18.85 admission. Not only is
the deliciously charming park glittering with cheer, but for the first
time a few coasters (weather permitting) will be operational, including
the stomach-saulting sooperdooperLooper and the newest attraction, the
indoor Laff Trakk. hersheypark.com
Stocking Stuffer: Head to Amish country and hop
aboard the Strasburg Rail Road Santa’s Paradise Express (or opt for the
Christmas Tree Train or The Night Before Christmas Train). strasburgrailroad.com
McADENVILLE, NC
Merrymaking Moment: The small town of McAdenville
has been transforming itself into Christmas Town USA for nearly 60
years. Hundreds of trees are decorated, wreaths adorn the city’s light
poles and every house is decked out in Christmas finery. Visitors can
drive or walk through. mcadenville-christmastown.com
Stocking Stuffer: The Christmas Town 5K gives participants a sneak peek at the decorations before Christmas Town’s official start. mcadenville-christmastown.com
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MIAMI, FL
Merrymaking Moment: The weather outside is
delightful, yet Santa’s Enchanted Forest proves that Christmas cheer is a
state of mind. Billed as the world’s largest holiday theme park, it
features rides, shows, games and much more in a festive (and balmy)
atmosphere. santasenchantedforest.com
Stocking Stuffer: Visit one of Miami’s beautiful beaches and make a snowman out of sand. miamiandbeaches.com
NASHVILLE, TN
Merrymaking Moment: A
Country Christmas at Gaylord Opryland Resort is a one-stop winter
wonderland, with ice sculptures, snow tubing, skating and carriage
rides. christmasatgaylordopryland.com
Stocking Stuffer: No visit to Nashville is complete
without sitting a spell at the Grand Ole Opry, but to add a southern
twang to your holiday, cruise along the Cumberland River while enjoying
the countrified Christmas show on the General Jackson Showboat. generaljackson.com
NEW YORK, NY
Merrymaking Moment: It’s a dance-off between the
high-stepping Rockettes (and rockin’ Santas) at the Radio City Christmas
Spectacular and the enchanting world of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
at Lincoln Center. And, of course, there’s the iconic Rockefeller
Center Christmas Tree, the department store window displays, including
Saks Fifth Avenue’s 3-D projected show, and the shimmering UNICEF
Snowflake gracing the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. radiocitychristmas.com; nycballet.com
Stocking Stuffer: Next stop is the Holiday Train
Show at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. Model trains whoosh
around NYC’s famed landmarks (created from natural materials like leaves
and bark) housed in a Victorian glass conservatory. nybg.org
ORLANDO, FL
Merrymaking Moment 1: Every evening at Universal
Studios Florida the Macy’s Holiday Parade (balloons and all) floats
its way down the re-created streets of NYC. At the adjacent Islands of
Adventure, the classic Dr. Seuss tale is brought to life in the
Grinchmas Who-liday Spectacular, set to music by Mannheim Steamroller. universalorlando.com
Merrymaking Moment 2: Walt Disney World Resort
offers its own very Disney celebration. All four parks are aglow with
lights and enchanting decorations, but during the beloved fireworks at
The Magic Kingdom, Cinderella Castle transforms into a glistening Frozen ice palace. At Epcot, a celebrity narrator shares the story of Christmas accompanied by a live choir and orchestra. disneyworld.disney.go.com
Stocking Stuffer: A nightly tree lighting sets the
stage for a free (yes, free) 25-minute Cirque Dreams holiday performance
at Orlando’s Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center. marriott.com
Bonus Merrymaking Moment: The Southern California
counterparts of both parks—Universal Studios Hollywood and
Disneyland—offer holiday celebrations similar to those in Orlando. universalstudioshollywood.com; disneyland.disney.go.com
Bonus Stocking Stuffer: The Mission Hotel & Spa in Riverside, CA, welcomes all visitors to its stunning and renowned Festival of Lights. missioninn.com
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WILLIAMSBURG, VA
Merrymaking Moment: Journey through Christmases past
at Colonial Williamsburg with candlelit tours, ghost walks, musical
performances and joyful feasts, in addition to all the other intriguing
offerings of this living-history museum. colonialwilliamsburg.com
Stocking Stuffer: Spend an enchanted evening at
Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s Christmas Town. Along with rides—including a
coaster, weather permitting—and holiday shows, the entire park is awash
in more than 8 million shimmering lights. seaworldparks.com
