Christmas Shopping Towns

Last weekend on the Saturday Six, I shared a link to this article about great Midwestern towns to shop in at Christmas. I had way more to say about it (of course) than I had room for in that post, so guess who came back to rehash Christmas shopping towns?!??!!? ME! Some of you commented that you'd been to some of these, so maybe you'll have a few things to add!

1. Frankenmuth, Michigan

I have been to Frankenmuth just once, and it was in 2006!!! What in the world!! That was so long ago! Mark and Lynnette were going and invited me to go along, so I did, and the photo above is the only proof I have - eek! I absolutely loved it, and I have wanted to go back with Ryan ever since we got married. (We may actually make a day of it and go this month if time permits. We only live about three hours south of Frankenmuth.) 

Frankenmuth has Bronner's Christmas Wonderland, which is like the world's biggest Christmas store. Ornaments for days. Trees. Nativity sets. It's my happy place come to LIFE! I hope we do get to go, because I so have to introduce Ryan to this place!!

2. Chicago, Illinois

Back in my single days, I was a member of a small credit union, and they had trips for members. Some were long, expensive, multi-day trips, but some were simple day trips. They had one to Chicago every December, so people could go shopping in the big city. I always wanted to go, but I never had a buddy to go with me (none of my close friends were members of the same credit union, and you had to be a member to go) so it never happened.

Imagine my JOY, then, when Ryan and I headed to Chicago for our second anniversary! I'm not a city girl for daily life, but I do enjoy a visit, and OH how beautiful Chicago was at Christmas!! We went to Lincoln Park Zoo to see the lights...we spent a day and night walking around downtown, taking in all the beauty...and it made my Christmas-in-Chicago dreams come true!! It really is a beautiful place to go if you haven't been there around Christmas! 

3. Branson, Missouri

We have never been to Branson AT ALL. Not in any season! I bet it really is so pretty at the holidays, though. Any of you been to Branson at Christmas?

4. Petoskey, Michigan

We haven't been here either, but it looks like a Hallmark movie!! I have heard good things about this spot in Michigan, so maybe we will have to put this one on our short list! 

5. Bloomington, Minnesota (Mall of America)

Mom and Dad took me to the Mall of America when I was in high school, but that was on a summer vacation, so I've never seen it at Christmas. I bet it's amazing! 

6. Kansas City (Missouri AND Kansas)

I have never been there at Christmas, but Ryan and I did explore Kansas City on our Midwest Meandering trip a couple of years ago, and we really enjoyed it. I bet the downtown area of the Missouri side - right by the canal - is amazing at the holidays! If you go (regardless of the time of year) be sure to stop at Jack Stack BBQ. Worth the carbs FOR SURE. And then scoot over the border into Kansas and stop at Duck Donuts.

7. Galena, Illinois

This is 100% on my wish list. Back in the day when we explored working at bed and breakfasts, I learned a lot about Galena, because it's such a touristy place and they have several bed and breakfasts there. It looks like a darling, darling place, and I absolutely want to see it at Christmas!

8. Omaha, Nebraska

You mean this is a real place? It's not just something football players yell at each other? (Kidding!) I have never been to Omaha! I'm trying to remember if I've even ever been to Nebraska! Anyone been to Omaha at Christmas?

9. Lebanon, Ohio

We went here last year! We went to Cincinnati for our 7th anniversary and ended up visiting Lebanon on the advice of my friend Odie. She said we had to check out the Village Ice Cream Parlor, and we sure did! The weather wasn't ideal for walking around outside and taking in the small town feel, but the food was AMAZING. 

10. Nashville, Indiana

Fun fact: this was our goal for our anniversary this year, and we ended up changing our destination. (That's a whole story for later.) I love Nashville, down in Brown County. (It's one of those places I wouldn't hate living, actually.) I have been there so many times from my childhood on up, but I have never been there at Christmas. How is this possible? It's so darling at all times, that I can't imagine it wouldn't be perfect for the holidays, so maybe next year we'll go! Additional fun fact: this is where we went the day after we got engaged, and we ended up buying our mistletoe here! The photo above is from when I went for a girls' weekend with my friend Julie Crandall!

So have any of you been to any of these places at all? At Christmas? Dream of going any of these places? Have any additional suggestions?