winter magic
2 Hill Country favorites charm on new list of coziest towns for winter getaways
All the charm of the Old West and electricity, all at once.
Taking families and loved ones on cozy winter vacations is always a good way to take advantage of the cooler weather. If Texans need any ideas, Marble Falls and Fredericksburg should be on their radar. New York Travel Guides recently named the two Hill Country towns among the coziest U.S. winter destinations for charming, magical getaways.
The list of 110 small American towns was compiled based on each town's popularity during the winter months, the weather, and the number of activities in the areas.
Marble Falls ranked No. 40, while Fredericksburg ranked No. 96. Both towns are highly adored for their complete transformations during the holidays, becoming such picturesque Christmas wonderlands that even Mr. Claus would say they rival the North Pole.
"Ice skating on a charming ice skating rink while admiring Christmas lights, enjoying beautiful mountain views, having a delicious cup of hot chocolate by a bonfire, and Christmas shopping at quaint shops, there is a lot to do during winter in America’s small towns," the report's author wrote.
Travel experts are definitely keeping their eyes on the Texas Hill Country after it was recently named one of the top 25 destinations in the world, with most organizers looking forward to the total eclipse coming up in April 2024.
This winter, Fredericksburg's market square is hosting daily lighting ceremonies to showcase tales of the town's German heritage and Christmas carols. Visitors can also stop by to take a selfie with the town's famous 26-foot tall wooden spinning Christmas tower.
Not to be outdone, Marble Falls holds its own annual Walkway of Lights every night until December 31, weather permitting, from 6-10 pm. Visitors can participate in many different holiday activities such as ice skating, catching a holiday movie at Johnson Park, and more.
"Marble Falls is the destination for Christmas festivities, from ice skating and tree lighting to market shopping and cocoa sipping," the city's website says. "So put on your favorite sweater, gather your loved ones, and join the holiday celebrations in the Hill Country."
Fredericksburg and Marble Falls were the only two Texas towns to make the list. Leavenworth, a German Bavarian town in Washington, took the highest honor as the No. 1 coziest winter town in America.
The top 10 coziest winter towns in the U.S. are:
- No. 1 – Leavenworth, Washington
- No. 2 – Breckenridge, Colorado
- No. 3 – Stowe, Vermont
- No. 4 – Vail, Colorado
- No. 5 – Aspen, Colorado
- No. 6 – Lake Placid, New York
- No. 7 – Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- No. 8 – Frankenmuth, Michigan
- No. 9 – Petoskey, Michigan
- No. 10 – Stillwater, Minnesota
Gauguin in the World is on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston from now until February 16, 2025.
Photo courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
William Chris Vineyards has done it again.
Photo courtesy of William Chris Vineyards
