Our family has a whole set of Christmas traditions, one of them is opening presents at our home on Christmas morning. Even tho my kids are grown with families of their own those that live in town and those that came home for the holidays still open presents at my house. Those unable to come home for Christmas open presents with those that are here thanks to the magic of technology.
Every now and then we decide to do something different, we travel. We usually leave Christmas evening. This allows us to open presents together Christmas morning and also take advantage of the cheaper airfare that’s available for traveling on the holiday. Air fares are very expensive just before and just after the holiday, but drastically drop on the holiday itself as no one wants to travel that day. It’s always a pleasure to travel on Christmas and New Year’s day, flights are pretty empty and flight attendants more pleasant.
There are many great places to spend the holidays with kids. Many places have fantastic Christmas displays and host many seasonal events. Here are a few places you might want to visit during Winter Break, some may even be close enough to drive to thus eliminating costly airfare and the crowds at the airports.
1.
Hershey Park, Hershey, Pennsylvania – Billed as “The Sweetest Place on Earth”, Hershey Park is a popular theme park year round it’s even more fun during the holidays. Lots of holiday events going on including dining with Santa, Sweet Lights a drive-thru spectacular, Christmas Candy Lane, ice skating, Gingerbread Tea, Dinner Theater Shows, and more.[spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″]
3.
Santa Claus, Indiana – “America’s Christmas Hometown” has lots of events this season including meals with Santa, Chestnut Roasting, Children’s Craft Time, and more. Click here to see their event schedule this year.[spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″]
4. 
Experience a Traditional Christmas on the Cape at Chatham Bars Inn in Cape Cod. 2014 marks the Inn’s 100th. Anniversary. They are hosting many seasonal events including Elsa & Friends Enchanted Wonderland for Frozen fans, Gingerbread House Workshops, and their annual Sno BBQ on December 26. Click here for their event schedule. [spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″]
5. Enjoy an Old-Fashioned Christmas at one of Pennsylvania’s all-inclusive resorts in the Pocono Mountains. Olde-Fashioned Holiday at Woodloch Resort and Old-Fashioned Christmas at Mohonk Mountain House offer many seasonal activities including caroling, holiday scavenger hunts, visits with Santa and more.[spacer height=”-100px” id=”8″]
6. Christmas in Cambria, California. During the holidays the stretch of California’s highway 1 between San Francisco and Los Angeles turns into a lighted village filled with story-book charm. Stroll the town and visit many galleries and shops to shop for unique one of a kind items. Enjoy your Holidays in The Pines. Click here for events in the area.
7. 
ICE! the award-winning icy attraction and Christmas celebrations at 4 Gaylord Resorts: National Harbor, Maryland; Kissimmee, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Grapevine, Texas.
During this season resorts guest will enjoy lights, Christmas trees, snow tubing, character meals, and more.
8. Set sail for the holidays on Disney Cruiseline’s Very MerryTime Cruises. Disney cruises are always fun, even more so with these holiday enhancements onboard:
Other holiday enhancements include:
- Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party, a celebration in addition to Pirate Night, with candy-cane limbo, dancing and games
- Tree Lighting Ceremony, where kids can help light the tree and kick off the holiday festivities
- Santa Claus meet-and-greet, an exciting opportunity to take family pictures and see Santa and his elves
- Meet-and-Greets with some favorite Disney Characters, dressed in their holiday attire
- Teen-only and tween-only holiday parties—private celebrations where teens and tweens can hang out with new friends
- Holiday storytelling, with new and old tales about holidays at sea and around the world
- Themed activities and crafts for kids—decorate stockings, make holiday cards, go on a holiday scavenger hunt and more
- A life-sized gingerbread house made completely with edible ingredients—and the opportunity to make your own gingerbread house*
Plus, on December 24 and 25, enjoy additional holiday experiences:
- Cookies on Christmas Eve
- Special holiday towel animals
- Special holiday surprise
- Holiday caroling with the kids and crew
- Religious Services
9. Hop aboard the Polar Express for a fun filled evening ride to visit Santa and friends. For more info and to find a Polar Express near you click here!
10. Head over to the Big Apple! It’s the most wonderful time of the year to visit New York City. Ring in the Holidays at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade! Enjoy the Tree at Rockefeller Center, events, and activities New York City has to offer this holiday season. For NYC events and activities click here!
