Bet You Can’t Guess Florida’s Most Magical Christmas Town

Christmas is the most popular and magical time of year. In Florida, we see people escape the colder weather in exchange for some sunshine. But one Florida city was named one of the most magical Christmas towns in the U.S. After some hints, we bet you still won't be able to guess!

Countryliving.com recently made a list of the most magical Christmas towns in America. We know Florida isn't usually the first destination that comes to mind when you book a winter getaway. But even though we don't have snow, there are still lots of ways to spread the Christmas cheer in the Sunshine State. Countryliving judged these Christmas towns by their light displays, traditions, Christmas markets, outdoor activities, and more.

When we saw Countryliving's list, we thought for sure St. Augustine was going to be their pick. Every year they host "Nights of Lights". Florida's oldest city lights up with millions of twinkling white lights starting in November. Historic sites, bed and breakfasts, museums, restaurants, and shops all glow with white lights and holiday cheer until January 31, 2024. Another popular winter destination is the Florida Keys.

As for Tampa Bay, we think Dunedin should have been considered one of the most festive or magical Christmas towns in Florida. Every year Dunedin transforms into a holiday paradise with warm lights spread all around downtown. Plus they have several Christmas pop-ups and themed menus at local restaurants.

According to Countryliving, the most magical Christmas town in Florida is Delray Beach. This southeast Florida city is just a short drive away from Boca Raton. Their 100-foot-tall Christmas tree is what landed them on the list. Countryliving says that the tree magically opens to reveal a wonderland inside, with toy trains running around miniature scenes depicting holiday traditions.

Christmas is a time to visit family and friends and get away from the daily grind. The holidays can be a wonderful time, but they can also be very expensive. From buying lots of Christmas gifts for family and friends to having to pay for plane tickets and travel, holiday expenses can really add up. But, the good news is that there are some affordable holiday vacations, and Florida has one of America's cheapest Christmas vacations.

One good thing about traveling during the winter months is that it's often the off-season for popular vacation destinations. Of course, the holidays are a busy travel time. That makes late December a difficult time to find a deal for travel. But, if you don't mind the cold and snow, some northern areas of the U.S. offer very good deals. That's true even during the Christmas season.

Some tips for finding a good deal for holiday vacationing include searching a lot of booking websites, comparing different hotel dates to find the most reasonable ones and finding bundle deals. Also, keep your eyes open for special deals on resorts and hotels that are just opening. That's because sometimes, during those opening months, new vacation spots try to attract a loyal clientele by offering special deals. One more tip is to search for airfare rates individually even if you are traveling as a couple or a group. If you put in a search for a group of tickets, the algorithms will often leave out information on one or two cheaper tickets being available. They'll just send you a group of tickets, sitting together, all at the same price. So, you might get a deal if you search for one ticket, instead.

So, what are the best affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S.? Here are some popular spots that won't break the bank.

Frankenmuth, Michigan, is the self-proclaimed Christmas capital city of the world. Okay, so many argue that Strasbourg, France, takes that honor, but Frankenmuth is close, and it's a lot cheaper to get there. No passport needed. The villiage's Franconian-style architecture has given it the loving name "Little Bavaria." Frankenmuth is also home to the world's biggest Christmas store.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and it offers a beautiful view of snowy hills and Amish country. It's a very old-fashioned type of town, making it a charming winter getaway. There are plenty of fun, holiday-type things to do in Lancaster that won't break the bank.

You might never guess, but Las Vegas, Nevada, is a great spot for an affordable holiday trip. Think about it. Most people wouldn't think to go to "Sin City" for Christmas. Of course, it's much less the "sin" part these days, as Las Vegas offers fun activities for the whole family.

Charlotte, North Carolina, is a great spot to visit in the holiday season, because it's not as crowded as other times during the year. It's also less expensive to visit during the holidays and offers beautiful decorations during Christmas. Don't forget the many holiday markets.

Fort Myers, Florida, is a popular destination for snow birds. But, that's doesn't mean to skip it during the holidays. If you want to get away from the snow and ice, Fort Myers offers a great escape over Christmas and for prices that are more reasonable than in many other areas of Florida.

Boston, Massachusetts, gets cold in the winter, but it also has that classic Christmas charm. It's a big city with a smaller city feel during the holidays. What's more, it's a more affordable winter vacation destination than many other areas, and you won't have the fight the crowds.