Courtesy Durango Area Tourism Office
Mountain Christmas
Durango, Colorado
During the month of December, the town of Durango comes alive to the tunes of merry music and the hubbub of the holidays with the annual Mountain Christmas Festival.
This snow-scattered town offers groups the chance to experience the quintessential mountain Christmas. Festival activities include horse-drawn carriage rides along the lighted Main Avenue and listening to the whisper of snow falling while the smell of spiced cinnamon wafts through the air from boutique shops.
During the month of December, groups are welcome to attend any of the festive events throughout the town, like the annual Noel Night where more than 93 downtown Durango merchants create their own unique Noel Night celebration with discounts, raffles, holiday refreshments, parties and more. Another favorite among Christmas travelers is the Polar Express, a production of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gage Railroad, which runs this year November 16-December 28. All passengers will see the award-winning book come to life as they journey to the North Pole and back while sipping hot chocolate, singing Christmas carols and receiving a special gift from Santa.
“Durango is a perfect location to celebrate the holiday season with family, work friends and groups” said Anne Klein, public relations representative for the Durango Area Tourism Office. “My favorite thing about the holidays in Durango is riding the Polar Express, strolling Main Avenue, skiing and snow activities followed by a warm fire and hot cocoa. I also love to head out for dog sledding during the Christmas holiday!”
— www.durango.org —
McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Scottsdale, Arizona
Nestled between the Sonoran Desert and the McDowell Mountain Range, the desert community of Scottsdale provides groups with a truly unique Valley-of-the-Sun-style holiday experience. This year, the city is offering its first-ever Scottsdale Holiday Experience promotion, in which 11 signature hotels and resorts are giving away one night free over the holidays.
“What really makes Scottsdale iconic during the holiday season, or any other time of year, is the Sonoran Desert,” said Megan Neighbor, communications coordinator for the Scottsdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s just so striking. Our mountains turn a lovely shade of purple just before sunset, and it’s just such a unique experience. Where else do you see Saguaro cacti decked out in lights and Santa hats? ”
But even free night stays and breathtaking desert views pale in comparison to Scottsdale’s main holiday attraction: the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Over the holiday season, groups can take a train ride through more than 100,000 twinkling lights and decadent holiday displays.
— www.experiencescottsdale.com —
San Antonio River Walk
San Antonio, Texas
From the Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony on November 23 to nightly boat caroling during the Fiesta de Las Luminarias, the San Antonio River Walk literally shines over the holidays. From November 30 until December 16, groups can book a spot to dine along the river or take a stroll along the banks of the San Antonio River to see the more than 6,000 luminarias (glowing candles in sand-filled bags) “lighting the way” for the holidays.
“San Antonio is the only city with thousands and thousands of Christmas lights adorning one of our top tourist attractions,” said Casandra Matej, executive director for the San Antonio Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The River Walk is the perfect setting to put you in the mood for the holidays. Groups can walk along the River Walk and listen to the traditional sounds of the holidays or have dinner on a barge while being serenaded by mariachis playing holiday-themed songs.”
