About.com Southeast US Travel

Speedway in Lights - Bristol Motor Speedway

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:51:27 +0000

The roar of engines is replaced with the twinkling of more than a million lights during Bristol Motor Speedway's annual Speedway in Lights. The four-mile driving route includes a drive through legendary Thunder Valley and a drive on the World's Fastest Half-Mile, albeit at a slow pace. Along the way, visitors by the thousands delight in over 200 displays each holiday season. Ice skating and a festive Christmas Village, complete with Santa photo ops, add to the fun.

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^{Photo Credit: Bristol Motor Speedway}

Speedway in Lights - Bristol Motor Speedway originally appeared on About.com Southeast US Travel on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 at 11:51:27.

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College Football Bowl Games in the Southeast US

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:35:44 +0000

Fifteen of the 2009 - 2010 season College Football Bowl Games take place in the southeastern United States. This is a highlight for college football fans and tickets usually sell out fast, a few in less than 24 hours after going on sale. For information about the schedules, tickets, hotels and flights for the bowl games in the Southeast, visit this round-up of College Football Bowl Games in the Southeast.

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College Football Bowl Games in the Southeast US originally appeared on About.com Southeast US Travel on Saturday, November 21st, 2009 at 08:35:44.

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Lights Before Christmas - Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:18:52 +0000

A popular South Carolina Midlands tradition, Lights Before Christmas presented at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, opens for the 22nd year on November 21, 2009. Featuring holiday light displays of almost one million lights, handcrafted displays, animated images and nightly snowfalls, Lights Before Christmas is one of the longest running and largest holiday events in the state.

If you are planning a visit, remember to pack a camera for photos with Santa and don't forget to wear a hat to keep you warm when it snows. Hot cocoa and toasted marshmallows at the Jingle Bell Bonfire add to the festive fun. More about Lights Before Christmas.

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^{Photo Credit: Courtesy of Riverbanks Zoo and Garden}

Lights Before Christmas - Riverbanks Zoo and Garden originally appeared on About.com Southeast US Travel on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 11:18:52.

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Magical Nights of Lights at Lake Lanier

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:26:25 +0000

Lake Lanier Islands Resort has been creating magical nights for the holidays at Georgia's Great Lake for 17 years. Enjoy seven miles of glittering holiday lights and then head to the Holiday Village, where the fun continues with roasted marshmallows, pony and carnival rides, visits with Santa and more.

Magical Nights of Lights 2009 begins November 21 and continues nightly through December 30, 2009. On select days, the Legacy Lodge and Conference Center features a special holiday dinner buffet and breakfast with Santa. Overnight packages start at $179.

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^{Photo Credit: Photo courtesy of Lake Lanier Islands Resort}

Magical Nights of Lights at Lake Lanier originally appeared on About.com Southeast US Travel on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 06:26:25.

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National Gingerbread House Competition

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:02:13 +0000

For 17 years, gingerbread architects and artists have been drawn to the National Gingerbread House Competition held annually at the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa in Asheville, North Carolina. This unique and delightful competition has become a favorite holiday tradition at the Grove Park Inn, attracting hundreds of fanciful entries from points near and far. The competition is divided into four categories: adult, teen, youth and child.

The imaginative gingerbread creations may be viewed by the public Monday through Thursday, and any day of the week by resort guests, from November 18, 2009 until January 3, 2010. New this year, the Grove Park Inn is offering Stories of Gingerbread guided tours, featuring stories about the artists, information about the construction of some of the entries, and a behind-the-scenes look at the competition, judging and more. Stories of Gingerbread guided tours will be available Monday to Saturday throughout the display period. The tour cost is $10 per adults and $5 for each child (ages 12 and under). Reservations are suggested.

If you have a chance to visit the Asheville area during the holidays, an outing to the Grove Park Inn to admire the gingerbread artistry is sure to add plenty of smiles to your holidays.

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^{Pictured Above: The 2009 Grand Prize Winning Entry. Photo Credit: Peak Definition Productions / Courtesy of the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa}

National Gingerbread House Competition originally appeared on About.com Southeast US Travel on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 07:02:13.

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Colonial Williamsburg - Kid's Holiday Weekends

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 04:18:17 +0000

Among the hundreds of family friendly Colonial Williamsburg holiday programs and events offered throughout the season, families will especially enjoy Kid's Holiday Weekends. Scheduled this year for November 28 - 29 and December 12 - 13, 19 - 20 and 26 - 27, these special weekends feature programs and activities for sharing fun while learning about the past, helping with meal preparation, singing seasonal songs and more. Kid's Holiday Weekend programs are planned to be fun for all ages, particularly for children ages six to twelve.

More about Christmas in Colonial Williamsburg

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^{Photo: Guests to Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area during the holiday season enjoy the light and warmth of cressets (iron baskets), which provide illumination for evening programs. Photo credit: Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Williamsburg, Virginia}

Colonial Williamsburg - Kid's Holiday Weekends originally appeared on About.com Southeast US Travel on Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 at 04:18:17.

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Ski Areas in the Southeast - Scheduled 2009 - 2010 Season Opening Dates

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:42:27 +0000

There are more than 15 ski resorts in the mountains of the Southeast U.S., from full service resorts with on-site lodging and spas to smaller ski areas for a fun day trip. Several popular ski areas have announced anticipated scheduled opening dates for the 2009 - 2010 ski season. Because the opening dates can be affected by weather conditions and are subject to change, make sure that you visit the ski area websites or call to confirm the latest opening day updates before making your ski trip travel plans.

Announced scheduled opening dates for the 2009 - 2010 season include:

Appalachian Ski Mountain - Scheduled Opening Day - November 20, 2009 - Night Skiing to Begin - November 27, 2009
Beech Mountain Resort - Scheduled Opening Day - November 21, 2009
Snowshoe Mountain - Scheduled Opening Day - November 25, 2009
Cataloochee Ski Area - Scheduled Opening Day - November 27, 2009
Timberline - Scheduled Opening Day - December 10, 2009
Canaan Valley - Scheduled Opening Day - December 11, 2009
Wintergreen Resort - Scheduled Ski and Ride Opening - December 12, 2009
Winterplace - Scheduled Opening Day - December 12, 2009 (or earlier based on weather conditions)

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^{Photo Credit: North Carolina Tourism / Bill Russ}

Ski Areas in the Southeast - Scheduled 2009 - 2010 Season Opening Dates originally appeared on About.com Southeast US Travel on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 23:42:27.

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Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend - Alexandria, Virginia

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:39:05 +0000

The Annual Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend in historic Alexandria, Virginia offers a weekend of events in honor of the community's Scottish heritage. Each year, this festive tradition launches Alexandria's holiday season with a parade, Christmas Marketplace, Holiday Designer Tour of Homes, activities for children and more.

Hosted each year by the Campagna Center, many of the signature Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend events take place at the stunning George Washington Masonic Memorial. The 2009 Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend takes place December 4 and 5. Read more about Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend.

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^{Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Campagna Center}

Scottish Christmas Walk Weekend - Alexandria, Virginia originally appeared on About.com Southeast US Travel on Monday, November 16th, 2009 at 09:39:05.

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Dollywood Celebrates the Holidays

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 06:30:47 +0000

A Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival - Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee has been transformed into a winter wonderland with over four million twinkling lights to spark your holiday spirit. Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival, which takes place through January 2, 2010, features festive stage shows, exciting rides, festival food and more.

In addition to being home to Dollywood, Pigeon Forge is one of the most popular outlet mall shopping destinations in the Southeast and a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Attractions in Pigeon Forge and the nearby Gatlinburg area offer year round family fun, including Ripley's Aquarium of the Smokies, Dixie Stampede and many others. Additional information about the Smoky Mountain Christmas Festival at Dollywood.

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^{"Babes in Toyland," pictured above, is one of the many Christmastime highlights at Dollywood. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Dollywood}

Dollywood Celebrates the Holidays originally appeared on About.com Southeast US Travel on Sunday, November 15th, 2009 at 06:30:47.

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A Stone Mountain Christmas at Stone Mountain Park

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:39:38 +0000

Stone Mountain Park, just outside of Atlanta, offers festive fun for all ages during the annual holiday celebration, A Stone Mountain Christmas. More than 2 million Christmas lights twinkle in the reproduction 1870s town of Crossroads, where most of the holiday fun takes place. The festivities for the 2009 holiday season begin November 14 on select days. Also, check out the online Christmas Family Value Pass to save on the cost of your visit. More about A Stone Mountain Christmas

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^{Photo Credit: Courtesy of Stone Mountain Park}

A Stone Mountain Christmas at Stone Mountain Park originally appeared on About.com Southeast US Travel on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 13:39:38.

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