10 Holiday Magical Places
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With the holidays approaching, cities across the continent are gearing up to put on a spectacular show. Here are 10 of the best places to take your family to see and experience the magic!
#1 of 10: Chicago, Illinois
The Windy City is a chilly but delightful winter wonderland of Midwest charm, snow, lights, and holiday spirit. Many beloved tourist destinations, like Lincoln Park Zoo, Macy's, and Daley Plaza, go all out this time of year. A feeling of warmth and joy permeates the air and there's so much to do in Chicago that the only problem is deciding where to go first!
Don't miss:
- Navy Pier Winter Wonderland Festival
December 4, 2009 - January 3, 2010
A holiday family fun fest for kids of all ages, the annual Winter Wonderland Festival includes indoor ice skating, visits with Santa, sparkling lights, arts and crafts, gigantic inflatable jumpy rides, and more.
- Christkindlmarket
Thanksgiving through Christmas
Daley Plaza at Washington and Dearborn
Jawohl! Your family will hear vendors calling "Frohe Weihnachten" ("Merry Christmas!") to each other and speaking in German as you explore this wonderful holiday market set up on Daley Plaza each year. A great gift-buying and cultural opportunity, complete with sauerkraut, German sausages, and pancakes, here you'll find handcrafted toys, ornaments, and other unique gifts (as well as warm spiced German wine for the grownups).
- Tree Lighting Ceremony in Daley Plaza
Wednesday, November 25, 2009, beginning at 4 p.m.
Daley Plaza at Washington and Dearborn
The annual ritual of lighting a 90-foot Christmas tree, accompanied by the sweet voices of the Chicago Children's Choir, as well as live performances by local acting groups, takes place every year the day after Thanksgiving. Your kids (bundle them up!) get to count down at the top of their lungs and then be wowed by the fireworks display that lights up the night sky after the tree is lit. Santa will also be on hand for holiday wishes and photographs.
- Lincoln Park Zoo
Open even on Christmas Day, the Lincoln Park Zoo does it up during the holidays by stringing two millions lights and having extended hours until 9 p.m. Kids also get to watch nightly ice sculpture carving demonstrations and visit with Santa as they enjoy a sneak peek at nocturnal animal behavior (the same ones who are always asleep in their burrows during the day), the lights, and holiday crafts. Admission is free (as it is all year long)!
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