When the vacation season rolls round, it is time to cozy up on the sofa and watch an limitless quantity of Hallmark Christmas films. The storylines in these romances are at all times formulaic—with our two fundamental characters getting collectively on the finish—and the small-town settings are simply as predictable. However that is what’s so comforting a couple of good Hallmark film: Who would not wish to spend a while in a comfortable group with kitschy vacation traditions? In the event you’ve at all times dreamt of doing so, we have got you coated. Learn on to search out out which small cities will make you’re feeling such as you’re truly in a Hallmark Christmas film.
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Small Cities That Really feel Simply Like a Hallmark Christmas Film
1. Leavenworth, Washington
For any Hallmark film lover, Leavenworth ought to be on the high of the journey bucket checklist.
“For these visiting Seattle or planning a visit by way of Washington, Leavenworth is the proper small city to go to this winter season because it magically transforms right into a scene straight out of a Hallmark Christmas film!” Kristin Lee, journey skilled and creator of the journey weblog International Journey Escapades, tells Greatest Life. “Guests can admire the charming Bavarian structure that is adorned with festive lights and style conventional Bavarian treats, comparable to large salted pretzels and hearty schnitzel!”
However to not be missed is what may simply be a setting for a Hallmark manufacturing: a family-run reindeer farm.
“In the event you’re trying to expertise a few of the European Christmas market magic with out crossing the Atlantic, Leavenworth is the proper place to go to,” Lee says.
2. Santa Claus, Indiana
Protagonists in Hallmark films sometimes come from quirky hometowns, and Santa Claus, Indiana, is quirky in one of the simplest ways.
“Hidden away close to the border of the southwest nook of Indiana is the aptly-named city of Santa Claus,” Adam Marland, journey photographer and blogger for We Dream of Journey, shares. “Few locations on the earth embrace the vacation spirit like this small city, also known as ‘America’s Christmas Hometown.'”
Yearly, the native put up workplace receives letters to Santa, which they then type, reply, and ship, Marland says, actually preserving that Hallmark-esque “magic of Christmas” alive.
“Between the large statue of Previous Saint Nick, the sweet fortress, dwell reindeer, and the one-mile Christmas mild drive by way of referred to as ‘Santa’s Land of Lights,’ a winter go to to this quaint city will make even the Grinchiest vacationer uncover the vacation spirit,” Marland says.
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3. Solvang, California
One other city that may have you ever feeling such as you’ve traveled overseas is Solvang, California—and there isn’t any scarcity of Christmas cheer right here.
“With its Danish-inspired attraction and a inhabitants of just below 6,000 residents, Solvang transforms into a pleasant Christmas city throughout its annual Julefest celebration,” Beth McCarter, household journey blogger of The Journey Fam, says. “The Tree Lighting ceremony, that includes dancers, ballerinas, carolers, and dwell leisure, units the stage for a magical night, whereas the Maker’s Market gives distinctive vacation presents and seasonal treats harking back to European night time markets.”
Even higher, enjoyable and festive occasions like a hunt for Danish gnomes (nisse) and light-weight and music reveals in Solvang Park make for an ideal Hallmark meet-cute spot.
4. Northport Village, Lengthy Island, New York
For an idyllic Hallmark-esque spot within the Northeast, try Northport Village on Lengthy Island, New York.
“To get a really feel for strolling down Principal Road in Northport Village in the course of the vacation season, visualize tiny Christmas timber outdoors each store door, adorned with lights and ornaments, large lit-up snowflakes lining the road, vacation music taking part in from loudspeakers on the native small-town pharmacy, and customers popping out and in of our mom-and-pop outlets, their palms full of baggage,” Chrissy Ruggeri, co-owner and founding father of Northport Journal, tells Greatest Life.
In a unusual twist, Northport Village additionally hosts its annual “Leg Lamp Lighting” occasion on the native artwork gallery, the place actors reenact the well-known scene from one other vacation favourite, A Christmas Story.
“There may be additionally an annual tree-lighting ceremony in Northport, which begins with a refrain efficiency and a go to from Santa, who arrives after a adorned fireplace truck parade,” Ruggeri says. “Households circle the park, ready to get a glimpse of Santa and his reindeer—and an evening of gathering and singing on the menorah downtown additionally takes place.”
Plan to stay round for New 12 months’s Eve? This small city rounds out the vacations with a fireworks present over its secluded harbor.
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5. Nashville, Indiana
In accordance with Pam Howard, proprietor and creator of Our Journey is In all places, there’s one other “Nashville” you need to learn about—and it isn’t Music Metropolis. This Nashville, simply south of Indianapolis, “has all of the belongings you’d anticipate in a Hallmark Christmas film,” Howard says.
You possibly can store for presents for family members and converse with native artisans downtown, she provides, and whenever you’re hungry cease into one of many cute native eating places for a chew. (A super spot to bump right into a struggling however charming restaurant proprietor, or a quiet however witty barista!)
“The city goes all out adorning, and if there may be mild snow—it is beautiful in its rustic magnificence,” Howard says. In the event you’re within the temper to enterprise outdoors of city, you may additionally discover distilleries and wineries like Arduous Fact Distilling Firm and Brown County Vineyard.
“They typically have vacation drinks and even lessons to take part in in the course of the winter months,” she notes. “If the climate cooperates, get pleasure from a hike within the beautiful close by wooded Brown County State Park.”
6. Poulsbo, Washington
Technically a bit metropolis, this quaint spot is positioned on Liberty Bay in Washington. Whereas it is scenic and charming at any time of yr, at Christmastime, you’re feeling such as you’re about to be swept off your toes by a former flame.
“Poulsbo, Washington is aptly nicknamed ‘Little Norway’ for its quaint vacation village ambiance,” McCarter tells Greatest Life. “This small city exudes the attraction of a Hallmark Christmas film with its picturesque streets and comfy ambiance.”
In the event you’re not in the marketplace and touring along with your associate, McCarter notes that it is simple to walk by way of city “hand-in-hand whereas window buying candle-lit [displays].”
“Alongside its waterfront, Poulsbo boasts a choice of charming eating places, offering the proper backdrop for lengthy, romantic conversations over dinner,” she says. “The mix of its scenic magnificence and alluring eating choices transforms Poulsbo right into a real-life setting that evokes the heat and romance of a Hallmark vacation movie.”
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7. McAdenville, North Carolina
Do you know that tucked away in North Carolina is a bit hamlet that is often known as Christmas City USA? In accordance with McCarter, McAdenville “magically transforms right into a real-life Hallmark Christmas film setting each December.”
She continues, “With its enchanting lake adorned with floating Christmas timber, the historic Bell Tower serenading guests with seasonal music, and cherished traditions just like the Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Yuletide Log Parade, McAdenville captures the true spirit of the vacation season, making it a must-visit vacation spot for these looking for a heartwarming Christmas expertise.”
In abstract, it is the proper place to remind any Scrooge-like starlet concerning the true which means of Christmas.
8. Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Eureka Springs feels prefer it ought to be the subsequent set for any remake of A Christmas Carol or a cute Christmas love story from Hallmark. All through the vacation season, the charming city hosts a wide range of festive occasions that locals and guests can participate in.
“As you stroll the winding streets of Eureka Springs, it is simple to really feel swept away to a Victorian village harking back to a Charles Dickens novel,” Madison Dawson, tourism director of the Eureka Springs Metropolis Promoting and Promotion Fee, shares. “Whether or not you are perusing the various distinctive native outlets, galleries, and boutiques for the proper Christmas reward or viewing the dazzling, twinkling lights that adorn the peaceable downtown streets, you are positive to be full of merriment and delight.”
Whereas touring the city, you may cease into Basin Park to see Santa and let him know that you have been good all yr lengthy. Or you may stroll alongside the downtown buying space and see the Dwelling Home windows occasion, the place actual folks act our vacation scenes in storefronts.
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9. Lititz, Pennsylvania
For a country Hallmark setting in Pennsylvania, try Lititz in Lancaster County.
“Lititz is such a tiny city that’s simply bursting with Christmas spirit in the course of the month of December,” Taylor Beal, proprietor and creator of the journey weblog Traverse With Taylor, tells Greatest Life. “In all places you stroll, there are decorations and vacation cheer and loads of locations to get pleasure from Christmas treats, together with scrumptious sizzling chocolate and mulled ciders. The city even had a particular occasion on Dec. 1 with caroling and the official tree lighting!”
If singing actually will get you into the Christmas spirit—because it does in any good Hallmark film—Lititz additionally hosts an Annual Christmas Carol Sing and Christmas Candlelight Tour. In the event you want a spot to remain, try the long-lasting Wilbur Chocolate manufacturing facility, which has since been become The Wilbur Lititz Resort. (Simply one other plot line that looks like it could match properly in a Hallmark Christmas film.)
“It is the proper place to really feel such as you jumped straight right into a Christmas wonderland!” Beal gushes.
10. Sylva, North Carolina
This tiny city of simply 2,700 residents is bound to attraction you this vacation season—all with the Nice Smoky Mountains within the background. In accordance with McCarter, Sylva “epitomizes the idyllic setting of a Hallmark Christmas film.”
“It has earned its popularity as one of many high ‘Christmas cities’ in western North Carolina, due to its quintessential vacation attraction,” McCarter says. “The city comes alive in the course of the festive season with a country Christmas parade and a blinding fireworks present that lights up the night time sky.”
Strolling down Principal Road, you may additionally indulge within the annual winter market that “provides a contact of magic with native crafts and seasonal treats,” in keeping with McCarter.
RELATED: 9 Small Cities That Really feel Like TV’s Idyllic Mayberry.
11. Placerville, California
Despite the fact that it is referred to as a gold rush city, Placerville is an lovable place that truly impressed an actual Christmas film, 2008’s Thomas Kinkade’s Christmas Cottage, starring Jared Padalecki because the famed artist.
“It was right here that Thomas Kinkade bought his inspiration for his portray Hometown Reminiscences. Each store and restaurant alongside historic Principal Road has one thing distinctive and totally different and the vacations are the proper time to benefit from the small-town attraction,” explains Jody Franklin, government director at Go to El Dorado.
Annually, the small city hosts a Christmas parade that makes its manner down Principal Road with horses, bands, and floats.
12. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Portsmouth is among the oldest settlements in New Hampshire, however through the years, the city invested in its downtown space so as to add extra eating places, bars, museums, and buying, drawing in locals and vacationers alike—particularly over the vacation season.
“Throughout the vacation season, storefronts and streets are adorned tastefully [and] it feels such as you’re in a snow globe. It is excellent for a vacation Hallmark film,” says Armani Thao of ForkingWithArmani.
“Town hosts unbelievable holiday-themed occasions for households. From Christmas-themed performs at The Portsmouth Music Corridor to an annual vacation parade, vacation strolls, and way more. The entire downtown space of the town is decked out for the vacations,” Thao continues.
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