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4 last-minute holiday getaways for family, friend celebrations

By Lori A May, Special to the Seattle P I

A festive ice-skating trail at Enchant, a Christmas Village and Light Maze at Las Vegas Ballpark

A festive ice-skating trail at Enchant, a Christmas Village and Light Maze at Las Vegas Ballpark

courtesy of The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

You’ve made your list, checked it twice, and taken care of all the best gifts for travel lovers. Now the question remains of where you and your friends and family will celebrate the season in style.

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It’s not too late to plan an incredible holiday getaway. From storytime with Santa, to holiday markets and bazaars, to festive menus galore, the holidays are sure to be a big treat this year after a low-key celebration last year.

Where will your holiday travel take you? Read on to discover four special offerings this season, from snowcapped mountains to twinkle-lit cities.

Boy playing basketball at the indoor water park

Boy playing basketball at the indoor water park

Liliboas/Getty Images/iStockphoto

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Snow Land and savings at Great Wolf Lodge

It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Grand Mound’s Great Wolf Lodge, as a series of seasonal events take place now through the end of the year.

Families visiting this holiday will find snowflake storytime, family dance parties and visits with Santa. There are even holiday-themed Snow Land yoga sessions for the whole family to stretch and unwind while listening to festive stories.

Of course, one of the highlights of a family vacation at Great Wolf Lodge is the year-round 84-degree heated water park. Included with lodge-style accommodations is the indoor water park where families can slip and slide down a variety of waterslides and play in the large wave pool. There’s also an in-pool basketball game and a dedicated splash zone for tots.

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This winter, Great Wolf Lodge is offering ways to save on family getaways, too. Use promo code BRRR to save up to 30% on a 1-night stay, up to 40% on a 2-night stay or up to 50% when staying 3 or more nights. Book by Dec. 17 for stays now through Feb. 17.

Celebrations at The Christkindlmarket in Chicago

Celebrations at The Christkindlmarket in Chicago

courtesy of True Shot Studios CKM/Christkindlmarket

Classic Christmas traditions in Chicago

Viceroy Chicago, a luxury hotel in Chicago, is offering guests a Picture Perfect Holiday experience including festive family favorites, such as a one-hour photoshoot with Mandelette Photography to capture everyone celebrating together and tickets to The Nutcracker at the Lyric Opera House.

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Package guests also receive a special holiday-themed pastry amenity. Throughout a holiday stay, head to the hotel’s rooftop bar, Deveraux, for seasonal Igloos and Fire Pits where guests can enjoy experiences like Caviar & Champagne Tastings, Gourmet S’Mores & Boozy Hot Chocolate and holiday-themed cocktails.

Somerset, the hotel’s restaurant, will also be hosting a Christmas dinner and a pajama brunch on New Year’s Day. For festive fun throughout the holidays, be sure to visit The Christkindlmarket in two Chicago locations this year, downtown and at Wrigleyville.

The holiday market celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and offers free admission for families to experience a winter wonderland and take in the scent of roasted nuts and spiced beverages while perusing artisan and local gifts. Enjoy a fresh hot pretzel and take in festive music and carolers while strolling through the marketplace with the family.

Holiday decorations at The Conservatory & Botanical Garden at Bellagio Resort & Casino, Las Vegas

Holiday decorations at The Conservatory & Botanical Garden at Bellagio Resort & Casino, Las Vegas

courtesy of The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority

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Family celebrations in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, is hosting numerous opportunities for families to enjoy the holiday spirit this season.

One of the most impressive annual displays is at The Conservatory & Botanical Garden at Bellagio Resort & Casino. This year’s holiday installation features 13,250 white carnations and 7,500 poinsettias along with a 42-foot fir tree from Mount Shasta. Throughout the winter wonderland are 7,000 LED lights and 8,700 glistening ornaments. This destination is ideal for family photographs or simply enjoying a stroll through the gardens on route to see Santa’s sleigh.

For the tenth holiday season, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is again hosting The Ice Rink high above the Las Vegas Strip. The rooftop skating experience offers more than 4,200 square feet of ice, fire pits for roasting s’mores, seasonal beverages and vibrant lighting.

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Families will find another ice-skating tradition in Las Vegas at Enchant, a whimsical Christmas Village and Light Maze at Las Vegas Ballpark. The ice-skating trail is offered through Jan. 2, 2022. Onsite is a spectacle of lights and holiday treats, in addition to pictures with Santa and an artisan market.

More outdoor family fun may be had at The Festival of Lanterns at Cowabunga Bay. This Henderson water park has been transformed into a Candyland spectacular with a 20-foot-tall Christmas tree, dazzling lights, holiday bites and beverages and live entertainment.

And now through Dec. 25, visitors to AREA15 will find an immersive viewing experience of Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. This particular celebration is for ages 21+ as themed cocktails accompany the special viewings.

Prefer a family-friendly tasting experience? Head to the Holiday Cactus Garden at Ethel M Chocolate Factory to stroll through a desert landscape adorned with millions of festive lights all the while sipping hot chocolate, followed by a holiday chocolate tasting experience.

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Man doing airborne maneuvers on a snowboard in Snowmass Ski Area terrain park.

Man doing airborne maneuvers on a snowboard in Snowmass Ski Area terrain park.

John P Kelly/Getty Images

Celebrate on the slopes in Aspen

Many families are doubling down on activities this year to make up for lost festive time during pandemic closures. That’s where Viceroy Snowmass comes in with a dedicated Holiday Missed Moments Package offering an extra hearty dose of holiday spirit.

Viceroy Snowmass, a luxury ski-in and ski-out property in Snowmass Village, is offering holiday concierge services to ensure families are surrounded by in-residence festivities at the resort. The concierge will set up trees and lighting, put out cookies and milk for Santa and take care of scheduling holiday group excursions like sleigh rides and snowshoe adventures.

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All guests at Viceroy Snowmass may also enjoy the lobby Christmas tree while Santa hands out Viceroy teddy bears and treats. An après-ski station will serve fresh-baked cookies, hot chocolate and tea. TORO, the property’s onsite restaurant, will also feature special holiday cocktails.

Snowmass offers daylong skiing and boarding options for all family members, in addition to exciting activities like snowcat dinners and an alpine coaster. The whole family can enjoy tubing or try something new with snowbike lessons. For the less active traveler, scenic gondola rides show off the beauty of Snowmass and surrounding Aspen mountains.

Holiday celebrations may be found throughout Snowmass, especially at annual Snowmass Luminescence events. Aspen Tourism and Aspen Snowmass come together to present large-scale interactive lighting experiences and art installations for all family members to enjoy.

By Lori A May