We’re in the final days before Christmas. It’s now less than a week away and while many of us are gearing up to travel home or planning to have family stay with us…we might be wondering of some fun, outside-the-box activities for the season. Of course, drinking eggnog and building gingerbread houses are always fun, but can only keep us entertained for so long. If you’re looking for a unique way to get in the holiday spirit, visit one of these eight enchanting Christmas towns.
Deemed 'Christmas Town U.S.A.,' McAdenville is like a Hallmark Christmas movie come to life. You can drive or walk the 1.3-mile stretch and enjoy constant music in the air, twinkling lights and plenty of themed displays.
Forest City is charming year-round, but add some Christmas decorations and you've stepped into an entirely different world filled with Christmas cheer, sights and sounds. From horse-drawn carriages to ornate light displays centered around the town fountain, this is a cozy mountain Christmas done right.
Speaking of quaint mountain Christmas, the town of Blowing Rock has no shortage of great decorations...but the real holiday fun exists at nearby Chetola Resort. The annual festival of lights is free and open to the public, guests drive around the lake and enjoy scenes like Rudolph reeling in a big catch, carolers, and dazzling lights.
While Dillsboro is decorated with plenty of modern-day displays, what really makes this Christmas town so special is the Dillsboro Lights and Luminaries events. Main street is lined up with hundreds of luminaries while shops stay open past normal hours serving hot cider and other warm libations. There's also carolers in the streets and plenty of holiday-themed cheer.
Speaking of back in time, enjoy an authentic Moravian Christmas in Winston-Salem. The Old Salem bridge sparkles with the classic Moravian star (making for great photo opportunities) while bakeries serve up Moravian cookies and fruit cake. Strolling around Old Salem is like stepping back in time - and this is a great family-friendly activity. Nearby in Clemmons there's also the Tanglewood Festival of Lights.
While the Christmas by Candlelight event might've already come and gone, there's still plenty of Colonial Christmas cheer found in New Bern. From walking along the light-strewn river walk or visiting Tryon Palace decorated to the nines for an old-fashioned Christmas.
For the most regal Christmas there is, everyone knows visiting Biltmore Estate before the holidays (or just after) is a must. There's really nowhere else in the state to see such elaborate Christmas decorations, and nearby there are all the ginger bread houses on display at Grove Park Inn. Asheville mixes modern-day with yuletide. You can enjoy elaborate decorations in 'America's Castle,' then stop by a local brewery or tapas spot for a trendy meal and drink.
Benson's Meadow Lights is North Carolina's oldest and largest light display. The 30 acres are decorated to the nines and your visit includes train rides, a country store, several holiday displays, and a carousel.
What a great list for making the most of Christmas. What towns have you visited, any you would add?
