4 Georgia cities among best for 'classic southern Christmas,' says Southern Living
The holiday season is in full swing, with Christmas trees decorated, the smell of peppermint mocha in every coffee shop, and children are counting down the days until Santa Claus comes to town.
In the spirit of the season, editors at Southern Living, one of the region's top lifestyle magazines, named 16 cities as the "Best Destinations For A Classic Southern Christmas." Among those recommended, four were in the Peach State.
Here's a look at the Georgia cities that Southern Living says are worth a visit for Christmas.
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Atlanta
Georgia's capital is full of holiday season entertainment. The Atlanta Botanical Gardens is covered in millions of lights and will be featured in ABC's "The Great Christmas Light Fight." The Center for Puppetry Arts is featuring a "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" show plus original puppets from the 1964 Rankin/Bass TV special. Zoo Atlanta has a unique tradition called "Illuminights: A Chinese Lantern Festival" offering a mile-long trail of luminous animals, which can be enjoyed with hot cocoa and s'mores.
"With so many things to do in Atlanta during Christmas and the holidays, the possibilities are boundless," Southern Living's editors wrote.
Dahlonega
Dahlonega is a small north Georgia town about 30 miles south of the Chattahoochee National Forest. It's home to the Consolidated Gold Mine, the Military Leadership Center, and plenty of holiday festivities. Dahlonega's Old Fashioned Christmas lasts for several weeks and includes a brightly-lit town square, carriage rides, and Santa taking pictures in front of the town Christmas tree. There's also a Festival of Trees with 15 different decorated trees in Hancock Park.
"Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll be hard-pressed to find a more picturesque small town at Christmastime," Southern Living's editors wrote. "Dahlonega combines small-town charm with a Christmas spirit and flare that will have you feeling like you're on the inside of a snow globe."
Helen
While Helen is particularly popular for Oktoberfest, it's also worth visiting for Christmas. The European architecture is made festive with tons of ornaments and string lights on every corner. It's the only time guests can visit and buy a gift at The Christmas Shoppe. Hardman Farm Historic Site, an 1870 mansion, is decked out for the holidays and teaching Victorian Christmas traditions. There is a live nativity experience on Dec. 8-9, and the annual Christmas parade is Dec. 9.
"If you've dreamt of visiting a Bavarian winter wonderland, this North Georgia town will give you a taste," Southern Living's editors wrote. "Helen packs a lot of Christmas charm into its tiny two square miles."
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Thomasville
Thomasville is one of the larger cities in southwest Georgia and is located about 43 miles west of Valdosta. One of its major claims to fame is their 101-year-old spring rose festival, but during the holidays, it's known for its "Victorian Christmas" festival Dec. 14-15. Families also love catching seasonal movies at the Ritz Amphitheater and cruising through the free drive-thru Christmas lights display at Flowers Foods.
"There's small-town Christmas charm aplenty in Thomasville, Georgia, where the cobblestone downtown streets are decorated for the holidays, and the locally owned shops warmly welcome visitors during the season," Southern Living's editors wrote.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Southern Living: 4 Georgia cities best for 'classic southern Christmas'
