List Of Most Magical Christmas Towns To Visit Includes This North Carolina Spot

This is the most wonderful time of the year. At least that's what the song tells us. And, Southern Living put together a list of spots in the South they deem among the most magical Christmas towns to visit. So, which favorite North Carolina spot did they include in their list?

Well, of course it's Christmas Town USA in none other than McAdenville, North Carolina. And, it just so happens that the famous lights display that catapulted McAdenville into the spotlight kicked off this week. The charming event garnered national attention in 1980 after being featured on Charles Kuralt's Morning Show.

The Christmas Town USA display brings countless visitors from around the globe willing to brave traffic to catch a glimpse of something we only dream of while watching a Hallmark Christmas movie. But, my family is no stranger to bigger than life lights displays. We're from Texas after all. And, everything is bigger in Texas, right?

When I first met my husband in the early '90s, he introduced me to a Christmas tradition that had to be seen to be believed. The neighborhood he called home in Houston, Texas had all the characteristics of a fantasy world straight out of the Leave It To Beaver/Brady Bunch era. Families moved into the area and stayed for life, raising their children together and supporting each other through life's celebrations and challenges alike.

And, one of the unique activities the folks of the neighborhood came together to make happen was a tremendous drive through lights display every Christmas. It was 1978, and the neighborhood was Prestonwood Forest. And my husband's mom along with other residents spearheaded the event that came to be known as "Nite of Lites."

In what I consider one of the magical Christmas towns to visit, this attraction was born out of some residents' desire to make sure everyone tidied up their property to make the neighborhood festive. With about 750 houses in the subdivision at the time, one street decided to pool their efforts and decorate with a cohesive theme for each house.

One of the most memorable for me was based on the book "The Night Before Christmas In Texas." Each home featured huge displays depicting a page from the book. It grew from there. And, other streets joined in. Themes included Nutcrackers, Peanuts Christmas, ballet dancers and any number of creative endeavors. My husband even dressed as Santa one year and waved to visitors from an upstairs balcony at his childhood home.

Tens of thousands of guests pack the streets every year during the 2 week event. The display has been featured on Travel Channel and other national shows and publications. And, my in laws told me that participation became a requirement when you bought a home there. The residents often hand made large wooden decoration cut outs.

And, if a home sold, the decorations were part of the deal, handed down to the new owners to carry on the tradition. It's something that would most likely never happen today had it not been started decades ago.

So, when the discussion of magical Christmas towns to visit comes up, I always think of Prestonwood Forest in Houston, Texas. It was a simpler time, and the magic just seemed to happen effortlessly. We need a little more of that!

There is just something magical about traveling during the holidays. So many cities around the world are transformed around Christmas. I just returned from 4 days in New York City, which is probably the first destination that comes to mind when you think of traveling to a Christmassy destination. And while highlights such as the tree in Rockefeller Center, Christmas window displays, and stage shows like the Rockettes. But while not on as grand a scale, many other cities are full of Christmas charm. I've been told Walt Disney World and Orlando at Christmas (though incredibly crowded) is a wonderful experience. I've also had the opportunity to travel to places like Williamsburg, VA, St. Augustine, Fl, and Nashville, TN around the Christmas season. Even here in Charlotte, there are some incredible lights and festive events to experience.

So when I was sent a study by Cloudwards.net about the places each state most desires to travel for Christmas I was intrigued. My mind immediately went to New York as being the most popular destination. Based on the number of people I experienced in NYC this weekend I can't imagine it's anywhere else. I truly have never seen that city as crowded as it was. And if you've ever been to New York, you know it's ALWAYS crowded. This was almost to the point where you couldn't move in multiple places. I even made the joke that they should not allow any more hotels to be opened. The city is full!

But spoiler alert, NC's top domestic destination for the holidays wasn't New York. It wasn't even one of the major US cities that North Carolina residents are desiring to travel to this Christmas. It isn't even in the state- I'd put Asheville near that top of the list as well. Thanks to places like Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Cloudwards determined the most sought-after locations for each US state including an international and domestic destination. Keep reading to see both the international and domestic destinations for North and South Carolina. Thanks to our friends at Cloudwards for sharing their research with us. You can see the full study here.

Vienna takes the crown for the most desirable international travel destination in both the Carolinas. Not only that but it topped the list in 25 states. I honestly don't know what I would have bet on to take this crown, but it wouldn't have been Austria. Perhaps the German Christmas Markets, or Paris? But according to Cloudwards Vienna is known as Europe's "most livable city". It also has plenty of it's own Christmas markets, as well as stunning lights, and Christmas markets. Visitors to Vienna also have a good chance at experiencing those elusive White Christmases here in Charlotte we can only dream about!

North Carolina's most desired Christmas destination? None other Myrtle Beach, SC. I guess North Carolinians don't want to travel far. Listen I've been to Myrtle Beach countless times. There is plenty to do, and it's conveniently located. But you can pick anywhere to travel for Christmas and you're selecting Myrtle Beach? I don't get that. But to each their own! The most common answer nationwide was Branson, MO. Another city I wouldn't have thought of!

And South Carolina's choice is also just a state away- it's Helen, GA. The German town hosts Decemberfest each year featuring a Christmas Market, parade, and other events like a Victorian Christmas program and Breakfast with Santa.