Five Christmas Pilgrimages Worth the Trip

There are many people who have to work over the holidays and don't really ever get to celebrate them properly. Resort workers, emergency responders and especially our military members are just a few of the people who are always working, always on call. So for some folks, just being home for the holidays is pilgrimage enough. But everyone has a beautiful dream about where they would want to spend the holiday, sparing no expense and if anyone or everyone could be there. Maybe it is getting the entire extended family to grandma's house in California. Maybe it is just you and the spouse on the rug in front of the fire in a snowed in cabin in Vermont. Or maybe it is just to get to someplace that is iconic with the holidays. Here are a few of our favorite places that we thought would be cool to get to for the holidays.

Biltmore Estate

Photo Courtesy of the Biltmore Estate.

Asheville, North Carolina is one of the most beautiful places any time of year and offers up stunning mountain views, great food, craft beer and antique shopping, too. One of the city's prized possessions is the Biltmore Estate, built by the Vanderbilt family in the late 1800s. The magnificent building is the largest private residence in the country and one of the best mansion tours in the U.S.

The best time of year to visit however, is when they have the house decorated for the winter holidays. Sure, you can go during the day and see the more than 40 Christmas trees that the staff decorates each year. If you are looking for the best experience though, go at night for their Candlelight Christmas Evenings. The house lights up with one of the warmest glows you have ever seen.

Durango, Colorado's Polar Express

Photo courtesy of Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad & Museum

There are a ton of Polar Express rides that are offered around the country. So if you can't make it to Colorado, there is bound to be a trip offered by one of the local train museums somewhere close to you.

What sets Durango's apart is that their ride is one of the few that actually uses a real steam engine to pull its train. All the kids get hot chocolate and the Polar Express read to them from personal chefs on the way to the North Pole to pick up Santa. Then on the way back, Santa visits each car to give gifts while the children sing Christmas carols.

Walt Disney World

Photo Courtesy of disneytouristblog.com.

Disney World has been known for years as going, "all-out" for the winter holidays. This year it is Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party with live entertainment, fireworks, and the traditional holiday parade.

The parade starts at 7 p.m. every couple of days so make sure you consult the calendar for actual dates. Check out complimentary cookies and cocoa, the characters out and about for meet and greets and even a snowfall along Main Street, U.S.A. Plus you haven't really seen Cinderella's castle until you have seen it dressed for the holidays.

Rockefeller Center

Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Probably one of the most iconic places in the U.S. is the sight of the giant Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center in New York City. Whether you are going to try to make it for the tree lighting or if you are just going to ice skate with your sweetheart in front of the crowd, 30 Rockefeller Plaza has Christmas written all over it.

Bounce around the corner to Radio City Music Hall and see the Christmas Spectacular with the world-famous Rockettes. If weather is permitting, get to the Top of the Rock Observation Deck to see a view of New York City and Central Park at its winter's finest.

The Real North Pole

There isn't a lot of time left to get a cruise to the actual North Pole, but if you are interested in doing it before the middle of 2015, there may be a space left. Poseidon Adventures is offering trips for around $25, 000 per person which includes a night in Helsinki, Finland on both sides of the cruise, the 14 day cruise itself and all meals; all shore excursions and helicopter flights; as well as items such as an expedition parka, etc. Act soon, because of the uptick in Russian commercial needs, Poseidon is repurposing their vessel.

RELATED: No More North Pole Voyages for Tourists

So get yourself going on your own pilgrimage for the holidays. Where do wish you could get to? Tell me about it in the comments below.

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