Being a traveler during the holidays can be tough. Unless you’re able to secure some time off to go home and spend it with family and friends, most travelers spend this time away from the people they care about. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the season! Many times being on a travel assignment allows you explore and find unique local festivities that you would never stumble upon otherwise. Below are five places that can make your holiday on contract a little more merry and bright:
McAdenville, NC (Christmas Town, USA)
You won’t find Christmas Town on any map, but if you find yourself on assignment in North Carolina, head to the small town of McAdenville, just a few miles outside of Charlotte. Each December, McAdenville is renamed Christmas Town, USA and transforms itself into a winter wonderland, complete with seasonal music playing from the bell tower nightly and Christmas lights covering the town.
Franklin, TN
The annual Dickens of a Christmas festival in Franklin takes you back in time and gives you the rare opportunity to interact with some of Charles Dickens’s most memorable characters from A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist. Walking along Franklin’s Victorian-style downtown, you’ll see the streets filled with 200 actors, musicians, and dancers.
New York City, NY
It might not be the biggest secret, but if your travel career takes you to New York during the holidays, it would be well worth your time to plan a trip to New York City. Whether you’re looking to ice skate in front of the Rockefeller Tree or do some last-minute shopping on 5th Avenue, the Big Apple has it all. You can also see the world’s largest menorah, which is displayed outside of the famous Plaza Hotel in Manhattan each season.
Buffalo, NY
Keeping things in the state of New York, head to Buffalo’s Niagara Falls Culinary Institute to explore their Gingerbread Wonderland. Each winter, the school’s students and teachers build a village of intricate, life-size gingerbread houses for visitors to wander through and admire.
North Pole, AK
Besides making for a great postcard to send home to your loved ones, the town of North Pole lives up to its name when it comes to the holidays. Between feeding actual reindeer at the Santa Claus house, candy cane streetlights, and a mayor that goes by Santa, there’s no better place to spend the holiday.
These are just a few of the many holiday celebrations that take place across the country this time of year. Where are your favorite places to visit when it comes to the holiday season? Comment below!
Cory Foote is a Therapy Student Outreach Coordinator for the Student Outreach division at Aureus Medical Group.