TRAVEL
Ten of the Prettiest Festive Towns in America
Source: Pinterest
Whether you’re looking to engage in some serious winter sports, imagine yourself being plucked from a Norman Rockwell painting, indulging in traditional Bavarian Christmas events, or simply basking in the glow of festive decorations, these small towns in America come alive during the month of December. While there may be no place like home during the holidays, these pretty destinations are definitely worth the visit!
Jackson, Wyoming
With its magnificent town square, no town embodies the snowy holiday season like Jackson, Wyoming. With all four corners of the square decorated in a myriad of lights and festive snowfall covering the monumental elk antlers, Jackson also offers some great winter activities including dog sledding, ice skating, snow coach tours and slight rides.
Grafton, Vermont
Christmas in Vermont is spectacular, especially in the village of Grafton. Prepare to feel suitably nostalgic as you savor the 250 wreaths and an array of sumptuous decorations making Grafton look like it has been plucked from the front of a Christmas card.
Bethel, Maine
Known as Maine’s “Most Beautiful Mountain Village” Bethel offers visitors the chance to experience a true New England Country Christmas. Holiday festivities begin right after Thanksgiving with local shopping, breakfast with Santa, horse-drawn wagon rides, Christmas concerts and a living nativity on the town common.
Solvang, California
Wine country at Christmas? Say no more! Located in the Santa Ynes Valley, the small town of Solvang celebrates Julefest throughout the whole month of December. With a variety of beautiful lights, candlelight tours, a Nativity pageant and a parade, the town also offers live music events – and of course the chance to sample delicious California wine!
McAdenville, North Carolina
The locals refer to McAdenville as Christmas Town, USA and with good reason. For the past sixty-years the townspeople of this Charlotte suburb have decorated their town with spectacular holiday decorations – free to view!
Bernville, Pennsylvania
Home to one of the most popular attractions in Pennsylvania, Bernville’s Koziar’s Christmas Village is bedecked with more than a million lights, magical displays and of course Santa Claus. From Thanksgiving through the month of December Koziar’s is open seven-days a week and offers guests the chance to walk through several different buildings, including a toy-store, country kitchen and handmade train platform.
Leavenworth, Washington
The quaint Bavarian town of Leavenworth, Washington entices visitors looking for the quintessential holiday experience with its Christmas Lighting Festival. With festive lights and decorations, holiday music, sledding and street carolers, you could be on the set of a Hallmark Christmas movie! Kids will love witnessing the arrival of St. Nickolaus on the Front Street Gazebo and adults will adore the traditional Gluhwein tent selling spiced hot wine! Enjoy other Alpine events including dogsled rides, Nordic skiing and snowmobiling.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria, the small town of Frankenmuth draws on its European heritage to offer visitors a beautiful holiday experience including Christkindlmarkt, a holiday home tour and of course Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland – the biggest Christmas store in the world!
Helen, Georgia
This former logging town at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains looks like it has been plucked from an Alpine mountain with the small town of Helen, Georgia transforming into a Bavarian winter wonderland. The tiny downtown festivities during the month include a traditional Kinderfest, Christkindlmarkt and tree lighting event.
Woodstock, Vermont
This charming New England town offers visitors the quintessential holiday experience with its picturesque decorated colonial houses, horse drawn buggies and snowy village green. During the month of December Woodstock comes alive with its Woodstock Wassail Weekend where villagers gather for the lighting of the tree and traditional Yule log. Packed with festive events, including a parade, multiple concerts, a craft fair and a gorgeous historical home tour.
