The Christmas Place

The Christmas Place has been doing Christmas overload since 1985, and they're not kidding around — we're talking full holiday decorations 365 days a year. The decor actually rotates a few times yearly, so even if you've been before, there's usually something new tucked into different corners. They've got this immersive Whoville area inside that's honestly pretty cool, and the elevator landings have different themed displays on each floor.

What gets people is the sheer amount of stuff crammed into this place. You've got Department 56 collectibles, custom ornaments they'll personalize while you wait, and enough LED lights to power a small town. We've seen families spend two hours just in the ornament section trying to find the perfect one for their tree.

The crowds during Christmas season are absolutely nuts though. If you're going between November and December, prepare for elbow-to-elbow shopping and long lines at checkout. Spring and summer visits are way more chill, plus you'll catch the tail end of Winterfest lights on the Parkway through February if you time it right.

Oh and the Inn at Christmas Place next door has a heated outdoor pool with a water slide that actually works year-round. Parking can be a pain during peak times, but there's a side entrance off Ter Lane that locals use to skip some of the Parkway traffic.

Prices lean toward the expensive side — we saw 14-inch snowflake wall decor for $16 and pinecone sprays for $25. But honestly, where else are you going to find Christmas stuff in July when you realize you need to replace that ornament your cat destroyed?