If you’ve ever watched It’s a Wonderful Life and dreamed about spending the holidays in a quaint, snowy hamlet, you’re in luck: Though Bedford Falls may be fictional (albeit inspired by Seneca Falls, New York), America is filled with wintry villages that are keeping that small-town holiday spirit alive. Here, five places to ring in the Christmas season, from a Bavarian-inspired burgh in Washington State to a Colorado mining town with a Polar Express-themed train excursion.
Leavenworth, Washington
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Nestled in a valley in the Cascade Mountains, this Bavarian-inspired village—about 20 miles from Wenatchee—could almost be mistaken for a scene inside a snow globe. The former timber town hits its stride come December, thanks to a slew of attractions such as a reindeer farm and a world-renowned nutcracker museum. This year, the town’s annual Christmas Lighting Festival has been replaced with the month-long “Village of Lights” in an effort to mitigate crowds. New highlights include a Krampusnacht celebration with events centered around Krampus—the terrifying half-man, half-goat creature from German folklore known to scare naughty children at Christmastime.
Durango, Colorado
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Each winter, this historic mining town just north of the New Mexico border transforms its 1882 narrow-gauge railroad into The Polar Express, whisking guests on a magical, musical ride that culminates in a Santa meet-and-greet. Explore the snowy Rocky Mountain surroundings on a dogsled or horse-drawn carriage ride, and then pick up locally made gifts at the Winter Solstice Artisans’ Market.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
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This little slice of Bavaria a half-hour drive from Flint is home to the world’s largest year-round Christmas store, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. Set on 27 acres dotted with three 17-foot-tall Santa statues, the store itself covers 1.7 football fields and sells more than 8,000 styles of ornaments and 250 varieties of Nativity scenes.
Santa Claus, Indiana
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Originally called Santa Fe, this Southern Indiana town was forced to change its name in 1856 when its residents applied for a post office and found out there already was a Santa Fe. Their cheeky new name stuck, and the post office still factors into holiday traditions here: People from around the world send 400,000 pieces of mail to the town each December to have it canceled with a festive postmark designed by a local high school student. Today, the town is an overstuffed stocking of kitschy roadside attractions, including Santa’s Toys, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari theme park and the 85-year-old Santa’s Candy Castle.
Williamsburg, Virginia
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Less than one hour from Richmond, the Colonial Williamsburg living museum offers a glimpse into 18th- and 19th-century Christmastide traditions. Listen to musicians play carols on fiddles and hammered dulcimers, or take a walking tour to see the evocative—if not entirely historically accurate—decorations, made with fresh and dried fruits, pinecone, and evergreen boughs. For a 21st-century celebration, head to Busch Gardens, where the theme park’s annual Christmas Town festivities include meet-and-greets with Santa and Rudolph, as well as dazzling light displays incorporating some 10 million lights.
Next Up: 5 Festive Holiday Markets to Visit in Europe This Year
