Ready to Celebrate? These 5 Weekend Getaways Offer So. Much. Christmas!

While Christmas cheer can be found in myriad ways throughout the season (eggnog, anyone?), there’s something to be said about a weekend getaway where red and green holiday decorations and bright twinkling lights transform the buildings on Main Street, parks become ice rinks or open-air shopping venues, and theaters dish up festive programming to sway even the most Grinchy member of the family.

Plan a holiday weekend in one of the following five cities for a true Christmas extravaganza.

Orlando, Florida

There’s so much more to this popular Florida destination than theme parks, and there’s no better time than Christmas to experience Orlando‘s lively energy, starting in Lake Eola Park. Head to Washington Plaza, where you’ll see larger-than-life nutcracker statues and a beautifully lit tree. (It’s smaller than the one at Rockefeller Center in New York, but you’ll enjoy balmier temps as you soak up the spirit here). Plus, you’ll find live entertainment and mouthwatering bites from a bevy of local food trucks.

The Orlando Museum of Art’s Festival of Trees features gingerbread houses, holiday wreaths and of course, gussied-up trees, all of which are available for purchase.

For a unique experience, head to Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center’s interactive ICE! attraction showcasing the holiday classic, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” See the whole Peanuts gang, plus Snoopy’s doghouse, Lucy’s psychiatric booth, Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree, and Linus reciting from the Bible, all carved from 2 million pounds of ice.

Nashville, Tennessee

There may be no city in the United States hotter than Nashville right now — and we aren’t talking about the average daily temperature. The Southern city’s energy never wanes, but it’s best observed during Christmastime via an illuminating stroll through the Holiday LIGHTS Experience at Cheekwood Estate & Gardens. S’mores, hot cocoa and visits from Santa round out the wholesome experience.

Take a load off with a visit to Nashville Symphony Schermerhorn Symphony Center for its annual Music City Christmas Production. Enjoy the city’s very own symphony decked out in holiday attire and spreading the joy of the season through song and dance — and perhaps an appearance by Santa Claus himself.

Don a cozy parka before stepping into the spectacular annual ICE! winter wonderland at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, where the story of “The Polar Express™” comes to life, carved out of 2 million pounds of ice. You’ll encounter the lifelike conductor, the Hobo, Steamer and Smokey, and Santa in more than 10 scenes from the movie.

Dallas, Texas

As with most things in Texas, Christmas is big in Dallas. Kick things off with a stroll through a magical winter wonderland. The Dallas Arboretum, which is also where carolers sing all your favorite Christmas songs, transforms into a Christmas village where the “12 Days of Christmas” displays compete with the Christmas Music Tree for visitors’ attention.

Forget about the items in your online cart in favor of stocking stuffers and gifts selected at Galleria Dallas, where you can catch a holiday performance, ice skate around a festive tree or drop off a letter to be mailed to Santa.

Over at Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center, ICE!, the one-of-a-kind holiday display featuring Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!,” wows visitors and entices adventurous sorts with a trip down a slide made of, you guessed it, ice.

Denver, Colorado

In Denver, ’tis the season for weekends spent romping with snowmen that never melt, traversing a 300-foot candy-cane tunnel and soaking in bold light displays at Elitch Gardens’ Luminova Holidays. If you’re traveling with little ones, Breakfast with Santa at the Downtown Aquarium is a weekend agenda must — both for the buffet breakfast and the chance to watch Santa swim with the aquarium’s fish.

Another holiday classic is visiting the annual ICE! event at Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. This year, “A Christmas Story™” is on full interactive display. In this one-of-a-kind retelling of the iconic Christmas film, guests will see Ralphie and the whole Parker family come to life in more than 10 scenes from the movie. See the leg lamp, the pink bunny suit, and the infamous school flagpole, all carved from 2 million pounds of ice.

And if you need even more ice sculptures in your life, be sure to head to the Denver Zoo, where Zoo Lights, special animal feedings (this year it’s giraffes), and icy characters help spread the Christmas cheer.

Washington, D.C.

Is watching “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” on Christmas Day a part of your family’s tradition? This year, a weekend getaway to the nation’s capital brings the movie to you in ice form. At Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer™ and friends are ready for their close-ups.

At the interactive ICE! display, you’ll wind your way through larger-than-life sculptures and walk through dazzling archways made of ice to arrive at Christmastown, where pushing a “Make It Glow” button will make Rudolph’s famous red nose light up.

Of course, no visit to D.C. this time of year would be complete without stopping to see the National Christmas Tree at the White House. After snapping some photos of the iconic tree, dazzling with red, green and white lights, for the ‘Gram, warm up indoors with a show at the National Cathedral.

Still, one of the city’s ultimate holiday experiences — eating, drinking, shopping, ice skating, live music and appearances by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus — is reliably found at Enchant at Nationals Park , which dares anyone not to be swept up in the spirit of the season.

ICE! is a cool 9-degree winter wonderland, but don’t worry; our signature blue parkas will keep you warm and toasty. You’ll find whimsical masterpieces of scenes from your favorite holiday classics carved entirely out of boldly colored ice, zoom down epic frozen slides, and discover endless festive activities and entertainment across our sweeping resorts. Put a bow on your holiday plans with a trip to Gaylord Hotels and unwrap So. Much. Christmas. fun for the whole family to enjoy.