The holiday season seems to race by at breakneck speed. This year treat yourself to a relaxed and fun filled holiday season by spending time at one of these charming country inns.
Amelia Island Williams House
Relax and unwind this holiday season by scheduling a stay at this gorgeous seaside retreat. Each year the Amelia Island Williams House, located in Fernandina Beach, Florida goes all out with holiday decorations and Christmas lights in order to delight and enchant. Beginning Wednesday, November 24 and continuing to New Year’s Eve, Fernandina Beach City puts on a Christmas Celebration that would make Dickens proud. Kick off this Dickensian celebration by enjoying the Dickens Illuminated Procession on Fernandina Beach. Things really get started November 27th with a traditional Christmas tree lighting where you will also enjoy music, baked goods and a visit from Santa. December 3rd and 4th enjoy a holiday home tour that will showcase homes in the historic district of Fernandina Beach. Take an evening stroll through Fernandina’s historic district for an evening of entertainment and seasonal good cheer while enjoying tasty snacks from local food trucks. There will be plenty of exclamations of oohs and ahhs as fireworks explode over the Fernandina Harbor Marina at 7pm. December 9 through December 12, spend time enjoying the 7th annual Dickens on Center Festival which takes place in Fernandina Beach’s historic downtown district. The area will be transformed into a classic English Village where you can enjoy shopping, entertainment and amazing holiday décor.
The Inn at Christmas Place
The Inn at Christmas Place is a lovely Bavarian Style Inn located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Experience Christmas Joy all year round in this charming Christmas themed Inn nestled in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains that has retained an old world charm and elegance. The beautiful sparkle and magic will create a feeling of awe in children of all ages. Mini suites come with a full size decorated Christmas tree and cookies are offered as a nightly bedtime snack. You will meet Christmas characters (like Frosty and Rudolph) as Santa entertains by reading or singing. A beautiful Glockenspiel is located in the lobby and plays Christmas carols and strikes the time hourly from 9am to 9pm. Enjoy rest and relaxation while taking in nature on one of the benches located in the gardens on the banks of the pond. Across the street from the Inn at Christmas Place is Christmas Place. Christmas Place is a year round Christmas themed store where you can buy the holiday decorations and gifts of your dreams anytime of year.
Christmas Farm Inn and Spa
Enjoy a Christmas get away the whole family will enjoy at Christmas Farm Inn and Spa located in the white mountains of Jackson Village, New Hampshire. There are a variety of holiday treats and activities to enjoy such as horse drawn sleigh rides, storytelling and holiday drink tastings within the village. There is a unique chocolate tasting tour that takes you on a horse drawn sleigh decked out in holiday finery that jingle bells it’s way through the village known as the Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour. While in Jackson Village enjoy the beautiful evergreen Christmas tree which is illuminated in late November to the delight of children of all ages while treating yourself to the handmade chocolates handed out by local shops. If you are lucky you may see Santa. Take part in the very popular Annual Journey to the North Pole Event. Ensure to plan early as this extremely popular event sells out early every year. This year the event will take place in the historic barn of the Christmas Farm Inn. There you will be able to enjoy Christmas traditions both old and new including music, holiday sing-a-longs and a 3 course feast of amazing holiday fare. You will also enjoy a reading and book signing with Mrs. Claus while snacking on freshly baked cookies and milk. All children will receive a gift from Mrs. Claus. Then enjoy the beautiful scenery as you take an old fashioned journey through the picture perfect 65 acre Victorian Estate in a horse drawn Austrian sleigh provided through the Inn. The sleigh can hold 10 – 15 people or you can reserve a smaller sleigh for a more intimate outing. After your ride, enjoy ice skating or warm your hands over an outdoor fire while sipping a hot chocolate. After all of this holiday fun and excitement you may need a little relaxation and Christmas Farm Inn and Spa can provide it with a trip to their Aveda spa which includes 7 treatment rooms and a cozy relaxation lounge.
The Wentworth
If you want to celebrate Christmas in a big way but want a more grown up and laid back celebration then join the folks at The Wentworth. The Wentworth is also located in Jackson Village, New Hampshire. You will be able to enjoy the town’s special holiday events such as the Chocolate Tasting tour via horse drawn sleigh through town. There is a Christmas package which is a minimum of a 2 night stay which includes breakfast for 2 each morning, 1 four-course meal for 2 in the evening and if booked on Christmas Day a Festive Christmas Dinner for 2. The elegant inn will be decked out in all of it’s Christmas finery and every room features it’s own Christmas tree. The Wentworth offers magical horse drawn sleigh rides, ice skating, downhill and cross country skiing in an idyllic setting. After a day of fun in the snow, enjoy a festive drink by one of the many beautifully decorated Christmas trees or get cozy and warm sitting by their lobby fireplace.
The Inn at Shaker Village
Step back in time and celebrate the holiday season at The Inn at Shaker Village located in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
The village will be alive with old fashioned holiday festivities and the shops have extended hours. Every Saturday in December until Christmas Day from 5pm-8pm there will be additional activities that feature holiday music, the crackling of roaring fires and the glow of a candlelit village. There is a $5 charge for admission or provide a donation of new winter items such as hats, gloves, scarves and non-perishable food items for the Shaker Village Giving Tree and help a local family in need. In the newly restored Centre Family Dwelling, you can create unique holiday crafts in The Elf Shop. Check out the village holiday lights on a festive wagon with the Jingle Bell Shuttle Ride and afterwards get warm around a fire pit and enjoy your choice of hot chocolate or hot apple cider. Drop into the 1820 Shaker Meeting House and enjoy holiday favorites performed by regional musicians. Finally, take a tour by the light of luminaries of the newly restored 1824 Centre Family Dwelling and learn about Shaker holiday traditions.
The holiday season is a wonderful and sometimes hectic time of year. Take advantage of the wonderful Inns dotted around the beautiful USA and let them take care of your holiday festivities this year. Sit back and enjoy all that the holiday season has to offer.