Here in sunny South Florida, we’re fond of our holiday boat parades, snowmen made of sand and our enviably mild temps. But this time of year, we also crave some traditional winter holiday ambiance found in cooler climates. Be it a city famous for its old-fashioned Christmas celebrations or places known for welcoming visitors with warm hugs that come in the form of hot toddies, hot chocolate or fireside chats, it’s a welcome change.
But this season we’re not only seeking getaways that satisfy our mirthful longings – we also want them to be just a car trip from home.
Luckily there are plenty of options, including these six delightful spots where you can wrap up in warm blankets on the porch, hot cocoa in tow, and toast the day, have a snowball fight, wind through mountain trails, explore a 250-room chateau, immerse yourself in holiday classic movies and discover historical gems.
Majestic Mountains
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA
Tucked into the state’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville typically experiences mild winters. This season is expected to follow suit. That’s good news for outdoor-loving visitors craving panoramic views of snow covered peaks while hiking along mountain trails or unwinding beside a cozy rooftop fire pit downtown.
Besides its traditional holiday light displays, theater performances, activities for kids and other festive events, Asheville is known for its award-winning restaurants, vibrant arts scene and historic architecture. Don’t miss the galleries and museums in the downtown arts district, the dome-topped Basilica of St. Lawrence or the 250-room Biltmore Estate, brimming with more than 100 sparkling Christmas trees during the holidays. Be sure to stroll along the estate’s 22 miles of trails with spectacular panoramic views of the French Broad River.
Winter offers some of the best room rates of the year and new pampering treats (mountainside hot tubs and a subterranean spa with hydrotherapy waterfalls) make the next few months a very good time to visit Asheville.
Info: ExploreAsheville.com/winter
Spectacular Celebrations
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Dripping with Southern seductiveness, activities abound in this city. From the spectacular holiday celebration, with its Festival of Lights, drive-up hot chocolate stands, and holiday walking tours and markets, boredom won’t be an issue.
Charleston is home to one of the country’s oldest public gardens, Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, which offers day and night tours. By day, you’ll see thousands of stunning camellias in bloom. At night, wander through a 9-acre display of Chinese lanterns shaped like flowers, animals and more.
Seafood lovers won’t want to miss the Lowcountry Oyster Festival Jan. 31 with more than 80,000 pounds of oysters as well as music and drinks. If you can’t make the festival, don’t fret. In this culinary rich town, there are dozens of restaurants that serve mollusks.
Horse-drawn carriage tours offered year-round are even more fun during the winter because guests can sip hot cocoa while riding around the historic district.
Winter mornings in the Lowcountry can be chilly, so be sure to pack a coat. Mittens and earmuffs are optional.
Info: http://charlestoncvb.com
Heartwarming Hallmark Scenes
DAHLONEGA, GEORGIA
This small northern Georgia city (population 7,000) is so festive, charming and picturesque that Hallmark chose it as the backdrop for some of its holiday movies and lifestyle expert Martha Stewart dubbed it one of the most charming towns in America to visit. The population doubles during the holiday season but Dahlonega also has much to offer afterwards.
Winter months, with temperatures from the 40s to the 60s, are a lovely time to visit, says tourism director Sam McDuffie. Folded in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and 75 miles from Atlanta, laid-back Dahlonega offers sweeping mountain views, hiking trails and an impressive assortment of wineries open for weekend tastings and tours. Dahlonega’s a favorite destination for couples craving a romantic getaway, McDuffie adds.
History buffs will enjoy the town square with worn brick facades circling the former courthouse which dates back to 1836. Tourists can pan for gold, explore shops and galleries, listen to musicians jamming in the square, or take a scenic drive through the Appalachians via the Lumpkin-Union Loop.
Info: dahlonega.org
You’re On The Big Screen
GAYLORD PALMS, KISSIMMEE, FLORIDA
For almost 20 years, Gaylord Palms, a sprawling resort and convention center known for its airy indoor atriums, spent $1 million a year on a spectacular walk-through display of ice sculptures. Due to the pandemic and travel restrictions (artisan sculptors were flown in from China), those elaborate figurines aren’t part of the festivities this year.
But even without the ICE! exhibit, this is a worthy winter wonderland destination thanks to a new Christmas movie pop-up experience that allows visitors to walk through a scene from “Elf” or take photos in front of the Griswold house from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.”
Called “I Love Christmas Movies,” the 17,000-square-foot adventure continues through Jan. 3, offering a multi-sensory exhibit where visitors can interact with characters and sets while capturing moments that evoke fond memories. Films include “The Polar Express,” “A Christmas Story,” “Elf,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and “The Year Without a Santa Claus.”
Also on tap: A snow factory, #LIT light shows, and Cirque Dreams Unwrapped — a 25-minute Christmas fable performed with spectacular costumes and soaring imagination.
Info: christmasatgaylordpalms.marriott.com
Southern Charm
SAVANNAH, GEORGIA
Another city bursting with Southern charm, Savannah sparkles especially bright during the holidays. Be prepared to bundle up if you visit during winter but don’t be surprised if the temperature inches up even during a short stay.
In this Southern coastal destination, history, art and architecture come together under a veil of Spanish moss. The city is quirky and diverse and the locals always have entertaining stories to share. After all, this was the backdrop for “Midnight in the Garden of Eden,” a 1994 bestseller spotlighting the city’s eccentrics and reprobates.
Winter also heralds snowball battles and although these are sporadic, they're always fun.
Museums and old mansions transformed into museums are ripe for exploration – along with the Historic Landmark District, where you’ll see monuments, restored 18th-century homes and experience the true flavor of this city. You’ll notice a lot of squares in the city including Ellis Square, home to several shaded tables and a life-size chess set. Spend some time exploring century-old buildings on River Street which have been transformed into antique shops, hotels, boutiques, galleries, pubs and restaurants.
Info: visitsavannah.com
Historic Haven
ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA
National Geographic called St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights one of the best light displays in the world, and we agree. Stretching from mid-November to Jan. 31, the annual holiday tradition keeps the historic district glowing with more than 3 million twinkling lights that glow from sidewalks to rooftops, trailing through 20 blocks in the district. It’s quite magical!
There are plenty of ways to see this remarkable light display: Join a trolley tour, board a boat, enjoy from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage or simply marvel during an evening stroll.
A holiday regatta, historic tours, and ghost tours are part of the fun.
Beyond the holiday merriment, St. Augustine offers visitors a wealth of restaurants, museums and galleries, shopping, watersports, wine tours and explorations of historic sites from an old Spanish fort to ancient cemeteries and the popular Fountain of Youth. The 219-step climb to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse reveals breathtaking views of the city’s beaches, downtown and the nation’s oldest port.