A Bucket List of Winter Wonderlands and Seasonal Events Around the US

I have always been enchanted by winter wonderlands and I love the idea of taking a trip each year for my kids to experience winter, winter wonderlands and seasonal events around the country. I asked friends and fellow Macaroni Kid publishers across the U.S. for suggestions on wonderlands to add to our bucket list. I wasn't disappointed. 

In Chicago, residents and travelers alike can visit the iconic Navy Pier for an indoor wonderland at the Winter Wonderfest with 170,000 square feet of Chicago Blackhawks ice skating and rides. It is a must-do for Chicago Macaroni Kid publisher Sara Youngblood-Ochoa and her family. "We look forward to Winter Wonderfest at Navy Pier every year! Cookie decorating, bounce houses, rides, indoor ice skating, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus--it's a great way to get out of the Chicago cold but still celebrate winter and the holidays. No matter the time of year, every time we drive past Navy Pier, my kiddo says ‘Is it time for Winter Wonderfest yet?’ He's a fan!”

From Thanksgiving through the New Year, it seems the entire insanely charming town of Manchester Vermont (and surrounding areas) turns into a winter wonderland with decorations, tree lightings, tours of historic inns decked out for the holidays, parades, Elf Express train rides, pub crawls and Christmas strolls. If you are looking for a quaint and enchanted holiday experience, Manchester Merriment would be it.  

Macaroni Kid publisher Tiffany Olmstead recommends a stop in Monroe-West Monroe, Louisiana during the holidays. She says that "the best way to see lights of downtown Monroe-West Monroe is on the wagon ride! If you're looking for ice skating and snow, stop by the Faux Sneaux in Antique Alley West Monroe or the Northeast Louisiana Children's Museum. While at the children's museum, enjoy a wonderland with ice skating, indoor snow, talking and singing Tree-Jays, make & take ornaments, cookie decorating, and special visits with Santa! New this year is the Toboggan Ride. Holidays at the Biedenharn features beautiful Christmas decorations throughout the home and gardens, perfect for family photos. 

Nestled in the North Georgia mountains, the former gold-mining town of Dahlonega, Georgia dresses up for a old-fashioned, Victorian holiday experience.  This national historic register town has 1800s storefronts and restaurants and sparkles from the day after Thanksgiving through the end of December. From Christmas trees and mistletoe to thousands of twinkling lights, the town looks and feels like a holiday wonderland. Throughout the season, enjoy carolers in period costumes, live entertainment, wine tastings, Christmas performances at The Historic Holly Theater and Santa visits in the Public Square. You can also tour the historic downtown by carriage.

 

Each year the Gaylord Hotels (Orlando, Nashville, Dallas and Washington DC area) turn into an indoor winter wonderland with a variety of activities including immense holiday light displays, Elf on the Shelf scavenger hunts, visits from Santa, shows, snow tubing and their signature event, ICE!. Two million pounds of ice is used to create a themed experience at each resort complete with walk through holiday scenes and two-story ice slides. This year's themes include The Nutcracker (at Gaylord Opryland), 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (at Gaylord Palms), Christmas Around the World (at Gaylord Texan) and Santa Claus is Comin' to Town (at Gaylord National). Orlando area Macaroni Kid publisher, Patricia Huff, had the opportunity to experience ICE! 'Twas the Night Before Christmas at the Gaylord Palms as a guest of the hotel and said "My children smiled and laughed their entire way through and did not want to leave, despite their cold fingers and rosy cheeks. Their favorite part was going down the ice slides again and again. This was our first time visiting ICE! but we plan to make it an annual family tradition!"

Michelle Sisco, publisher for Smyrna- Vinings- Marietta, Georgia Macaroni Kid recommends a trip to the Biltmore Estate during the holiday and winter season. From now through January 10, thousands of twinkling lights adorning dozens and dozens of elaborate hand-decorated Christmas trees at Biltmore House set the festive scene, including the 60-foot tall Norway spruce tree on the front lawn.  Yards and yards of velvety ribbon, tons of ornaments and bushels of greenery help recreate the look and feel of Christmas 1895—the year Mr. Vanderbilt moved into Biltmore House. A towering 34-foot-tall Fraser Fir tree laden with toddler-high ornaments and wrapped packages tucked into its branches serves as the seasonal centerpiece in the home’s immense Banquet Hall. During Candlelight Christmas Evenings, thousands of ornaments and over-the-top wreaths and garlands sparkle with the reflections of candlelight and cozy fires in the home’s fireplaces. Despite the home’s enormous size, sounds of choirs and musicians create an intimate atmosphere for celebrating the holidays with the family. 

Located on Pine Mountain, Georgia, 2015 Callaway Gardens Fantasy In Lights runs until Saturday, January 2, 2016. The five mile drive features 8 million lights and 15 dazzling scenes. Fantasy In Lights is one of the world's "Top 10 Places to See Holiday Lights," as named by National Geographic Traveler. Check out this fabulous video review by Michelle Schwab, Macaroni Kid Publisher for Peachtree City-Fayetteville-Newnan.
 

Global Winter Wonderland is a huge holiday festival is also a multi-cultural celebration. It features illuminated landscapes celebrating the Magic of the Seasons, entertainment including Global Winter Wonderland's Circus of Light, carnival games and thrill rides. Santa is there for photos and you can get in some holiday shopping. 


Georgetown Loop Railroad in Georgetown, Colorado 

Macaroni Kid Highlands Ranch, Colorado publisher, Kyrie Collins recommends a train ride through a natural, snow covered Rocky Mountain winter wonderland on the Georgetown Loop Railroad in Georgetown, Colorado. From mid- November through December, catch Santa's North Pole Adventure or Santa's Lighted Forest Ride for a spectacular ride through the Rocky Mountains. Families can join Santa and his helpers aboard decorated, enclosed, heated coaches while they pass out presents and treats during Santa's North Pole Adventure. The Santa's Lighted Forest Ride offers a synchronized holiday music & light show in the forest above Georgetown. This sounds like so much fun! 

If you are in the Kitsap Washington area this season, Diane Kehm, local Macaroni Kid publisher, recommends The Bloedel Reserve Holiday Village and Model Train Exhibit on Bainbridge Island, WA. "The Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island is a oasis of sprawling grounds, woods, ponds, meadows, reflection pond, and wildlife. Explore on foot via numerous trails and take in the picturesque views that mesmerize. This time of year, which they call their "Secret Season," the Visitor’s Center is transformed into a winter Holiday Village. Inside this former estate of Prentice and Virginia Bloedel, you and your kids will find electric trains chugging their way around intricately designed, hand-crafted buildings. The miniature village was created out of repurposed materials. One highlight is a towering masterpiece called the Tree House, built from antique nail kegs and recycled fence posts. When you visit The Bloedel Reserve between December 12 and January 3, stroll the reserve grounds and stop in the Visitor's Center to warm up and with a refreshment and delight in the wonder of the Holiday Village and train display, which is included with admission. It's a holiday tradition both for the young and young-at-heart."

 

This may not be in the U.S. but I had to add it to the list. If you happen to find yourself in Northeast China, near the Russian border, between late December and February, check out the 31st Annual Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. Named one of the best winter trips of 2013 by National Geographic, this month long festival begins in January when "Hardy local artisans in the Russian-influenced ‘Ice City’ celebrate the season by sculpting ice blocks chopped from the Songhua River into colossal crystalline pyramids and palaces, whimsical dragons and fairies, and frozen slides worthy of a water park." All I can say is WOW. You must see the pictures of this event from 2013. Incredible.