Family Vacation Critic.com is a highly rated web site that offers reviews, advice and suggestions with the mission to assist families in having fun and memorable travel experiences. For December they have compiled some “awesome” destinations for big city Christmas spectaculars.
Following are 5 cities that made their list and that not only offer extravagant Christmas fun, but great timeshare rentals as well.
- Orlando – Walt Disney World. Everyone knows why WDW in Orlando is at the top of a “Christmas Extravaganza” list. With real snowfalls, glittering ice-covered palaces, and huge holiday parades, Walt Disney World pulls out all the stops in December. Add to that strolling carolers, free cocoa and cookies, and nightly fireworks displays choreographed to Christmas music, and you have it all.
- Newport, RI. Take the family on a tour of the famed Newport Mansions this Christmas (see photo). Stunning in their opulence, the mansions are decked out in dazzling glamour. Give your children the opportunity to see the grand Christmases of a by-gone era at The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House.
- New York City. Of course the king of cities that sparkle and dazzle at Christmas is New York City, featuring a number of holiday-themed events to enthrall the entire family. The city’s centerpiece is Rockefeller Center’s towering Christmas tree, covered in 30,000 lights. The city’s heralded shops also feature award-worthy window displays, including Macy’s, Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue. This year the magic of digital technology is being used to bring a number of the window displays to life in a way never seen before.
- San Diego. Yes, this is a great destination for a beach vacation – especially during Christmas. You’ll be wrapped in warm weather as you enjoy a number of special holiday season activities. The Holiday of Lights at Del Mar illuminates San Diego County with more than 400 animated and lighted holiday scenes. Hop aboard the Holiday Hayride for an evening tour and end with hot chocolate and cookies. On December 12 and 19, 2010, head to San Diego Bay for its 39th annual Parade of Lights. Fireworks kicks off the event as boats bedecked in holiday lights sail from Shelter Island into the downtown waterfront.
- Washington, D.C. The first must-see for the kids is the Capitol Christmas Tree put up and decorated on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The second must-see is the National Christmas Tree, across the street from the White House on the Ellipse, this year donated by Wyoming. Also take the kids to Gaylord National’s ICE! At the National Harbor. More than two million pounds of ice and 15,000 square feet of interactive attractions allow kids to play in and through sculpted ice.
(Photo credit – newportmansions.org)