Do you ever dream of the perfect vacation for the holidays like in the movies? Well look no further, here’s a list of the top 5 dream winter vacation locations to travel to if you ever get the chance!
First up is Leavenworth, Washington. This beautiful town is the perfect place to visit with your family, friends, loved ones, or even by yourself! There are countless things to do that are fun for all ages, such as the Village of Lights, where the festive lights are up every day from Thanksgiving to February in case you miss Christmas or want to get an early start! They also have Christmastown at the Gazebo, with live entertainment in the heart of downtown, choirs, carolers, bands, holiday characters making appearances, etc. And Christmastown at the Festhalle, which is perfect for kids with activities like photos with Santa, crafts, stories, letters to Santa, family photo stations, Santa costumes from around the world on display, free gift-wrapping station, Christmastown merchandise, Gingerbread houses on display, and so much more! Even if you don’t do any of their festivities, just the scenery and beauty of this town alone is like walking through a Winter Wonderland, so go check it out!
Next up is North Pole, Alaska. Maybe the name gave it away, but this town created their very own North Pole. North Pole, Alaska is known for its year-round Christmas decorations, like candy cane-striped streetlights, as well as the Santa Claus House. The Santa Claus House is a Christmas store that has an entire wall of children’s letters to Santa and a Santa Statue outside. They also have fun street and community names such as Santa Claus Lane, Snowman Lane, Kris Kringle, Mistletoe, Holiday Road, Saint Nicholas Drive, North Star Drive, Blitzen, and Donnor (But what about Rudolph?!). Definitely worth a visit!
Next up on the list we have Santa Claus, Indiana. This festive town is a fun little spot in the middle of nowhere known for their Santa Claus Museum and Village, which includes the 1880 Santa Claus Church, Santa Claus Post Office, and a Santa Claus statue, which was built in 1935. If you’re interested in learning about the town’s history and the origin of its name, head down to the museum! Santa Claus, Indiana is also home to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, where you can go on themed roller coasters or opt for the water park. If you’re looking for even more fun, the Jim Yellig Park offers sports fields, hiking trails, and a playground. So, think about packing up the car and taking the family for a weekend getaway!
Next is Branson, Missouri, known for being a common family vacation destination and holiday festivities and traditions like their Christmas Shows, which have been going on since 1999. This includes the Branson Christmas Lights Ride, where you can see all the lights on display and observe the overall beauty of the town while riding on a camo-themed Redneck bus and listen to “redneck style” Christmas classics, as well as Branson’s Christmas Wonderland, a show that’s described as “two hours of family-friendly festive fun” and features many infamous holiday characters like Frosty the Snowman, Santa Claus, Scrooge, and many more! The singers and dancers in costumes perform the most famous holiday hits such as “White Christmas,” “Silent Night,” “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” and more. There are many more shows to choose from, so book your tickets today! Spending the holidays in Branson is said to be a “holiday unlike any other.”
Last but not least is Park City, Utah. Park City is known for its huge mountains for skiing, as well as other holiday season traditions, like the Electronic Light Parade to kick off the season. This parade takes place on Main Street and is a contest with cash prizes that are given out by the parade judges. The parade features cars, some sponsored by local businesses, bicycles, and the town trolley decked out with lights and driven by Santa. If you miss the parade, which is typically in late November or early December, you still have the chance to admire the beautiful lights on the town Christmas Tree in Miner’s Park. They also offer more holiday decorations and a huge gingerbread display every year at the Stein Eriksen Lodge. The fun never ends here, so what are you still doing here? Pack your bags and go!
So, if you’re thinking about taking a trip for the holidays, even just for a weekend getaway, keep this list in mind!
