Posted in Texas
December 10, 2016
The Magical Road Trip Will Take You Through Texas’ Most Charming Christmas Towns
Our last road trip of the year is definitely one you don’t want to miss. We made our Christmas towns article into an unforgettable vacation full of lights, festivities, and holiday magic. The entire trip is around 750 miles and 13 hours long, but you’ll want to spend the night in the towns that are far away from each other so you have ample time to enjoy each place to the fullest. As usual, we’ve created a Google Map which can be found here. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
Our trip starts off with none other than San Antonio. The River Walk is one of Texas' most iconic holiday decorations, with trees wrapped head to toe in sparkling, multicolored lights and gondolas driven by Santa himself. There are few places more festive in the entire state and possibly the country.
Next up is Wimberley, a charming little town most well-known for Jacob's Well, the amazing natural phenomenon located here. However, Christmas is just as big of a deal as nature to the locals. The Holiday Trail of Lights is an eight acre walkthrough display illuminated by a brightly burning Yule Log that you can roast marshmallows and hot dogs over. It's the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit with the whole family.
Johnson City is home to one of the most decorated courthouses in Texas. Over 100,000 lights adorn it during the holiday season, and the trees surrounding it are just as decked out. The entirety of downtown looks like a city of gold, and every weekend in December, there are fun events like holiday markets and Christmas crafts for the whole family to take part in.
Marble Falls is an absolutely gorgeous suburb of Austin with rolling hills and stretches of open land abound. Its Christmas celebration isn't one to overlook - the Walkway of Lights boasts over two million lights, 400 sculptures, photos with Santa, and more holiday magic than you'll know what to do with.
So many people don't know about the tiny town of Cleburne, but that changes with this road trip. Whistle Stop Christmas has parades, 11 acres of lights, pictures with Santa, pony rides, and more. The nostalgia is heavy and the Southern charm is laid on thick in this charming town, so it's the perfect place to celebrate the holidays.
This is the Christkindl Market, a German Christmas market with gifts, decorations, authentic German food and drinks, live entertainment, and activities for children. This is the kind of place that truly ignites the magic of the holiday season.
Our next stop is Prairie Lights, Grand Prairie's amazing drive-through light display. It's two miles long, but halfway through you can stop at the Holiday Village and enjoy seasonal food, souvenirs, an indoor laser show, and a forest of enchanting, brightly-lit trees. When you return to your car, you get to end your experience with a mesmerizing mile-long light tunnel.
One of our last (but certainly not least) stops is the "Christmas Capitol of Texas," Grapevine. It holds a plethora of festivities every year including an ice sculpture exhibit, a parade, and a Polar Express train. It's a winter wonderland - well, minus the snow - but you'll overlook that tiny detail as soon as you lay eyes on the nearly 100-foot tall tree in the Gaylord Hotel.
Jefferson has an old-world, Victorian ambiance that permeates every place in the town. The annual Candlelit Tour of Homes takes you on a journey through the towns oldest homes that have been elegantly and extravagantly decorated for Christmas. There's also an Enchanted Forest, a walk-through display of over 100 lighted trees, and the melodic caroling of the First Baptist Church's choir will cover the town like a blanket while you're enjoying the magical sights.
Our final stop is Aggieland, home of the famous Santa's Wonderland. This enormous holiday village of sorts includes hayrides, millions of lights, live music, a Western Christmas town with unique holiday gifts, Christmas movies on a big outdoor screen, snow machines, and more. Our road trip is ending with a bang, that's for sure.
Are you as excited as we are about this awesome trip? Texas is such a magical place at Chrismastime.
