best christmas destinations in the US

My vote would be one of the northeastern states too like Vermont. And since
you come that far north, you might as well take the time to pop over to
Canada to either Montreal or Quebec City as well and make your trip more of
an international Christmas vacation.

Clint

Free Spirit Gallery
http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca
Exquisite Inuit Eskimo & Native Art

wrote in message
...
I'm looking ahead to next year and thinking of where our family of 2
adults and 2 teens can spend Christmas. What are some of your favorite
US holiday destinations other than beaches (we live in FL) ?

(Chrisbranin) wrote in message ...
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA.

I was a little disappointed by Longwood at Christmas time [at night].
Despite the number of lights, the size of the garden is such that the
density of light is underwhelming. That, and the cost of entry for a
family of four would be pretty substantial. I certainly wouldn't make
that my destination for a Christmas trip. But if I was already in
Wilmington, DE or Philadelphia, PA, a side trip to Longwood would be a
possiblity. Or, alternatively, if I was planning to hit the museums
in the Brandywine Valley, then I would include Longwood among my
stops.

Four years ago, Winterthur Gardens [just across the Delaware state
line from Kennett Square] dressed up the mansion to a
presidential-themed Christmas. They decorated various rooms to
resemble what various presidents had done in the White House for
Christmas. That was very cool, and if they did it again I would
certain suggest that for a visit [but I'm pretty sure it's not going
to be done any time soon].

There's also the Brandywine Art Museum, loaded with Wyeth family art.
The Hagley Museum reflects the gun powder legacy of the DuPont family.

My favorite "light" destination for Christmas is Temple Square in Salt
Lake City. For skiing, the Salt Lake area is just wonderful. You can
also walk around Park City.

TK

(Chrisbranin) wrote in message ...
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA.

I was a little disappointed by Longwood at Christmas time [at night].
Despite the number of lights, the size of the garden is such that the
density of light is underwhelming. That, and the cost of entry for a
family of four would be pretty substantial. I certainly wouldn't make
that my destination for a Christmas trip. But if I was already in
Wilmington, DE or Philadelphia, PA, a side trip to Longwood would be a
possiblity. Or, alternatively, if I was planning to hit the museums
in the Brandywine Valley, then I would include Longwood among my
stops.

Four years ago, Winterthur Gardens [just across the Delaware state
line from Kennett Square] dressed up the mansion to a
presidential-themed Christmas. They decorated various rooms to
resemble what various presidents had done in the White House for
Christmas. That was very cool, and if they did it again I would
certain suggest that for a visit [but I'm pretty sure it's not going
to be done any time soon].

There's also the Brandywine Art Museum, loaded with Wyeth family art.
The Hagley Museum reflects the gun powder legacy of the DuPont family.

My favorite "light" destination for Christmas is Temple Square in Salt
Lake City. For skiing, the Salt Lake area is just wonderful. You can
also walk around Park City.

TK

Try New York City for Christmas, it is absolutely beautiful. Check
out a Broadway play that day too. It will be an experience you will
never forget. There is a website I came across recently that gave me
tourist attractions as well. Maybe you can find something there that
will interest you. http://www.takingatrip.com Hope this helps

Try New York City for Christmas, it is absolutely beautiful. Check
out a Broadway play that day too. It will be an experience you will
never forget. There is a website I came across recently that gave me
tourist attractions as well. Maybe you can find something there that
will interest you. http://www.takingatrip.com Hope this helps

Yes, I 4th the Williamsburg idea! The cool thing about Christmas here is
that you and your kids get to experience life in the 18th Century,
including good, bad, and holiday traditions. The decorations are
awesome. Around Thanksgiving, stunning handmade wreaths and natural
garland go up all over the historic area (and there are over 500
buildings). The wreaths have lemons, apples, pineapples ... and some
whimsical items, such as playing cards ... well here, go to this link
to see slideshows:

'http://www.history.org/christmas/mu...shows.html#decs'
(http://www.history.org/christmas/mul...hows.html#decs)

I was raised here and still learn something new every visit. I also
work for RentingResorts.com, which provides upscale lodging at all of
Williamsburg's beautiful timeshare resorts -- $150 - $200 a night for a
1,200 sq.ft. 2 bedroom with full kitchen and access to all recreational
facilities and activities (sorry for the commercial, but this is a
great option versus a hotel room, especially for families).

Anyway, come mid-December, CW goes back and puts up fresh new wreaths
and greenery so that the decorations can be enjoyed all the way through
New Year's. It really takes your breath away to walk the streets of
Colonial Williamsburg and just take in all the beauty and splendor.

There are other places that kids can see an old-fashioned Christmas
before it was so commercialized, of course, but only here can they also
walk the same streets as Washington, Jefferson, Henry, and others who
put everything on the line for what they believed in ... and ended up
creating the greatest nation in the world. This is where it all began!

If you come, be sure to buy a ticket so you can enter the buildings -
that is where the real education, excitement and wow factor is. Get the
one that includes the Governor's Palace, which it is the highlight of
most peoples' visit. Abby Aldrich is a wonderful museum anytime, but
especially at Christmas. Get a gingerbread man from the Raleigh Tavern
Bakery, and be sure to tour the Maze. And don't miss the beloved short
film "The Story of a Patriot" at the Visitors Center (where you should
start your first day anyway). It is one the kids - and you - will
remember for a lifetime.


--
LorenRR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LorenRR's Profile: http://travelforums.org/forums/member.php?userid=170
View this thread: http://travelforums.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16523
This post was submitted via http://www.TravelForums.org

Yes, I 4th the Williamsburg idea! The cool thing about Christmas here is
that you and your kids get to experience life in the 18th Century,
including good, bad, and holiday traditions. The decorations are
awesome. Around Thanksgiving, stunning handmade wreaths and natural
garland go up all over the historic area (and there are over 500
buildings). The wreaths have lemons, apples, pineapples ... and some
whimsical items, such as playing cards ... well here, go to this link
to see slideshows:

'http://www.history.org/christmas/mu...shows.html#decs'
(http://www.history.org/christmas/mul...hows.html#decs)

I was raised here and still learn something new every visit. I also
work for RentingResorts.com, which provides upscale lodging at all of
Williamsburg's beautiful timeshare resorts -- $150 - $200 a night for a
1,200 sq.ft. 2 bedroom with full kitchen and access to all recreational
facilities and activities (sorry for the commercial, but this is a
great option versus a hotel room, especially for families).

Anyway, come mid-December, CW goes back and puts up fresh new wreaths
and greenery so that the decorations can be enjoyed all the way through
New Year's. It really takes your breath away to walk the streets of
Colonial Williamsburg and just take in all the beauty and splendor.

There are other places that kids can see an old-fashioned Christmas
before it was so commercialized, of course, but only here can they also
walk the same streets as Washington, Jefferson, Henry, and others who
put everything on the line for what they believed in ... and ended up
creating the greatest nation in the world. This is where it all began!

If you come, be sure to buy a ticket so you can enter the buildings -
that is where the real education, excitement and wow factor is. Get the
one that includes the Governor's Palace, which it is the highlight of
most peoples' visit. Abby Aldrich is a wonderful museum anytime, but
especially at Christmas. Get a gingerbread man from the Raleigh Tavern
Bakery, and be sure to tour the Maze. And don't miss the beloved short
film "The Story of a Patriot" at the Visitors Center (where you should
start your first day anyway). It is one the kids - and you - will
remember for a lifetime.


--
LorenRR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LorenRR's Profile: http://travelforums.org/forums/member.php?userid=170
View this thread: http://travelforums.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16523
This post was submitted via http://www.TravelForums.org

Yes, I 4th the Williamsburg idea! The cool thing about Christmas here is
that you and your kids get to experience life in the 18th Century,
including good, bad, and holiday traditions. The decorations are
awesome. Around Thanksgiving, stunning handmade wreaths and natural
garland go up all over the historic area (and there are over 500
buildings). The wreaths have lemons, apples, pineapples ... and some
whimsical items, such as playing cards ... well here, go to this link
to see slideshows:

'http://www.history.org/christmas/mu...shows.html#decs'
(http://www.history.org/christmas/mul...hows.html#decs)

I was raised here and still learn something new every visit. I also
work for RentingResorts.com, which provides upscale lodging at all of
Williamsburg's beautiful timeshare resorts -- $150 - $200 a night for a
1,200 sq.ft. 2 bedroom with full kitchen and access to all recreational
facilities and activities (sorry for the commercial, but this is a
great option versus a hotel room, especially for families).

Anyway, come mid-December, CW goes back and puts up fresh new wreaths
and greenery so that the decorations can be enjoyed all the way through
New Year's. It really takes your breath away to walk the streets of
Colonial Williamsburg and just take in all the beauty and splendor.

There are other places that kids can see an old-fashioned Christmas
before it was so commercialized, of course, but only here can they also
walk the same streets as Washington, Jefferson, Henry, and others who
put everything on the line for what they believed in ... and ended up
creating the greatest nation in the world. This is where it all began!

If you come, be sure to buy a ticket so you can enter the buildings -
that is where the real education, excitement and wow factor is. Get the
one that includes the Governor's Palace, which it is the highlight of
most peoples' visit. Abby Aldrich is a wonderful museum anytime, but
especially at Christmas. Get a gingerbread man from the Raleigh Tavern
Bakery, and be sure to tour the Maze. And don't miss the beloved short
film "The Story of a Patriot" at the Visitors Center (where you should
start your first day anyway). It is one the kids - and you - will
remember for a lifetime.


--
LorenRR
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LorenRR's Profile: http://travelforums.org/forums/member.php?userid=170
View this thread: http://travelforums.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16523
This post was submitted via http://www.TravelForums.org