These American Small Towns Know How To Do The Holidays Right

Many holiday travelers set their sights on the 80-degree temperatures of the Caribbean or chest-deep powder of Colorado’s favorite ski resorts. But those who go where many others are headed miss out on the old-fashioned holiday charm that can still be found in America’s small towns. These four often overlooked winter wonderlands (with or without snow) are the best places in the U.S., to shop, dine and wait for Santa Claus while surrounded by holiday cheer.

Harbor Springs, Michigan

With a population of around 1,200, there’s no denying this community on the shores of sheltered Little Traverse Bay is a small town. But as the edges of Lake Michigan turn to ice, and snow begins to accumulate, this charming haven for summer resorters turns into a Santa-sized winter wonderland, complete with a towering Christmas tree in the center of Main Street. Every year, children are encouraged to decorate the donated tree with homemade ornaments, and businesses compete for first place in the annual window decorating contest.

The town’s two ski resorts attract winter travelers from across the country in search of a more laid-back holiday ski experience, while others visit to find one-of-a-kind gifts at the Rocking Horse Toy Company, The Outfitter or the town’s aptly named bookstore, Between the Covers. The carefully decorated streets are lined with shops and locally-famous eateries, creating an atmosphere that’s guaranteed to get even the biggest Scrooge in the holiday spirit.

Durango, Colorado

It’s no secret Colorado’s mountain villages are some of the top places to spend your holidays covered in snow and Christmas cheer. But while the lift lines at Vail and Aspen might make you want to punch an elf, Durango offers its own ski and snowboard options accompanied by a heaping dose of holiday excitement. Visitors are encouraged to hop aboard the Polar Express, also known as the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad steam train, with all of the chefs, passengers, elves and other characters from the beloved Christmas tale. Visitors can also check off a few major holiday bucket list items, like a viewing of The Nutcracker, attending a Christmas tree lighting and caroling, on a holiday visit to this laid-back Colorado mountain town.

Helen, Georgia

It feels like winter in Helen, Ga., even when it’s 95 degrees in August. This authentic recreation of a Bavarian Alpine village is not what you expect to find in the heart of the South, but that’s part of what makes it so pleasing. More than 200 shops and nearly as many eateries line the cobblestone streets of downtown Helen, surrounded by the tree-covered Blue Ridge Mountains and lining the Chattahoochee River. Every December, the village is donned with holiday decorations and twinkling lights, horse-drawn carriages tour the gingerbread-style architecture, shoppers load their arms with ornaments from the Helen Christmas Shoppe and the true spirit of Christmas in Appalachia is celebrated.

Woodstock, Vermont

Woodstock, Vt., never forgets to dress up for the holidays. This town of 3,000, feels a lot more populated when the snow-lined sidewalks are bustling with shoppers from across the Northeast. Already an idyllic small town, Woodstock is filled with even more cheer when the local shops and restaurants don their twinkling lights, garlands and window-front Christmas trees. However, one of the major draws to Woodstock this time of year is the famed Wassail Weekend, complete with the annual Equestrian Parade, the Irish Christmas in America presentation, a Celebration Feast at the Woodstock Inn and a tour of homes decked for the holidays.