The halls are decked at these six premier resorts across the US that are aglow with the holiday spirit
Think outside the box when planning your next multigenerational reunion. Embrace the season of giving with your loved ones under snow-capped roofs as fires crackle within a handful of resorts across America that transform into spectacular winter wonderlands each holiday season.
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SIX SPARKLING RESORTS FOR A SPIRITED HOLIDAY VACATION
From the Appalachian Mountains to the heart of Music City, these exceptional family-friendly resorts celebrate the season with extravagant holiday light displays, exclusive events and cherished family traditions, making them perfect for multigenerational reunions. Explore six US resorts that provide one-of-a-kind, memorable holiday experiences everyone will love (in alphabetical order).
Exquisite holiday decorations dazzle guests at the Biltmore. Photo credit: Biltmore Facebook.
1.) Biltmore Estate (Asheville, North Carolina)
Considered America’s largest home, the Biltmore Estate is illuminated with Gilded Age grandeur, showcasing the enormity of the estate.
The Biltmore’s Candlelight Christmas Evenings are a sight to behold firsthand, with the 250-room mansion transforming into a twinkling masterpiece. Thousands of candles and twinkling trees decorate the property and live choirs echo through the grand halls. Every room is decorated with a distinct theme, blending rustic charm with Victorian elegance. Outside, Antler Hill Village pathways are lined with luminaries as carriages draw happy families around the grounds. Adults can sip wine at the onsite winery while youngsters engage in seasonal craft workshops for a magical reunion.
2.) Gaylord Opryland Resort (Nashville, Tennessee)
Few destinations capture the spirit of the season quite like Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee.
Beginning each November, the resort’s enormous atrium glows with over three million twinkling lights that brilliantly reflect off tropical foliage and indoor waterways. Wander through themed holiday light displays and ride riverboats underneath glittering festive canopies. Enjoy a show-stopping performance, ICE!, a breathtaking exhibition of hand-carved ice sculptures inspired by beloved characters, with this year celebrating A Charlie Brown Christmas. Don’t forget to pose next to the towering Christmas trees! Other family activities include snow tubing, decorating gingerbread houses and entertaining live performances for a spectacular holiday world for all ages.
ICE! captivates visitors of all ages with festive beloved characters. Photo credit: Gaylord Opryland Resort Facebook
Great Wolf Lodge boasts a life-sized real gingerbread house! Photo credit: Great Wolf Lodge Facebook
3.) Great Wolf Lodge (Multiple US Locations)
With many locations throughout the US, Great Wolf Lodge is a premier family-friendly resort that knows how to celebrate the holiday season.
Experience their one-of-a-kind Snowland, where they transform the resort into a snow-covered fantasyland where magic happens. Guests are greeted with falling “snow” throughout the lobbies, which are decorated with towering Christmas trees and beloved holiday characters. Children get to decorate cookies and write letters to Santa before meeting the big guy himself, before making a splash at the indoor waterpark. Everything under one roof makes celebrating the holidays easy and enjoyable for everyone, from the little ones to the grandparents.
4.) Omni Grove Park Inn (Asheville, North Carolina)
You know you’re at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville when the sweet smell of gingerbread hits your nose.
This family-friendly resort transforms into a magical winter wonderland every December. Host of the National Gingerbread House Competition, families can glimpse more than 40 extraordinary confectionery creations proudly displayed throughout their halls during The 12 Days of Gingerbread. Enjoy storytelling sessions in front of a roaring fire at one of the many grand stone fireplaces decorated with evergreens, and marvel at the sweeping views of the mountains outside as each terrace sparkles with lights. Holiday magic continues with cozy brunches, spa sessions and numerous kid-friendly activities for a nostalgic holiday vacation.
Skytop Lodge transforms in a Christmas wonderland. Photo credit: Skytop Lodge Facebook
5.) Skytop Lodge (Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania)
A winter wonderland retreat awaits in the magical Pocono Mountains at Skytop Lodge, complete with a life-sized gingerbread house!
This postcard-worthy escape invites guests to experience the holidays in a stone manor aglow with candlelight and twinkling garland for December at Skytop. Each December weekend, family-friendly holiday events bring groups together for breakfast with Santa, tree lighting ceremonies, gingerbread building workshops, and more. Outside, visitors can enjoy ice skating on the frozen lake and take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the landscape. Afterwards, gather around the bonfire with mugs of hot cocoa and reminisce about the day’s events. Timeless holiday charm, combined with spectacular natural surroundings and traditional activities, makes Skytop Lodge an exceptional location for reunions. Explore their December Celebration Package and Holiday Cheer Package for exclusive savings and complimentary festive extras.
Carry on holiday traditions at The Greenbrier. Photo credit: The Greenbrier Facebook
6.) The Greenbrier (White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia)
Known as “America’s Resort,” The Greenbrier turns its historic halls into a scene straight from a classic holiday movie.
Step into the quintessential Christmas wonderland at a resort that taps into nostalgia and tradition with its Christmas at The Greenbrier celebration. Giant nutcracker soldiers stand guard by the grand staircase, almost as tall as the enormous evergreen trees adorned with holiday decorations that embellish the property. The scent of a burning fire and the aroma of hot cocoa entice guests, while lavish buffets and cozy afternoon teas bring families together for unforgettable experiences. Groups can enjoy outdoor ice skating and carriage rides during the day and gather with loved ones for evening concerts, offering festive entertainment.
BONUS EVENT: Enchant Christmas – A Pop-Up Christmas Wonderland (Select Cities Nationwide)
For families who prefer a city setting for their reunion, Enchant Christmas brings its pop-up winter wonderland to stadiums and fairgrounds across America. Groups can meander through the world’s largest Christmas light display maze, lace up ice skates for an ice trail stretching beneath glowing archways, and shop unique holiday markets filled with gifts. Each location features its own theme, making Enchant Christmas a fun and flexible addition for families celebrating near major cities. You can experience Enchant Christmas in Las Vegas and Los Angeles for Christmas 2025.
Why Have a Festive Family Reunion
From candlelit stone mansions and jaw-dropping gingerbread displays to indoor blizzards and visits with Santa, these destinations go beyond decoration—they create immersive experiences that unite families across generations with unforgettable transformations. Whether you’re watching lights dance above Nashville’s atriums, sipping cocoa in a cozy Poconos lodge, or marveling at tasty masterpieces in Asheville, each offers a chance to pause, reconnect and rediscover the magic of the season together.
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By Heather Dale, Managing Editor
