Best Places to Ring in the New Year in the South

November 25, 2014 openvacadev Leave a comment

Looking to ring in the New Year somewhere special in the South but not sure where to head? Get the most out of the occasion with a vacation to one of the following places, which offer a variety of ways to celebrate the holiday in your own way.

Myrtle Beach

Located in the heart of Myrtle Beach is Broadway at the Beach, one of the most popular tourist attractions on the entire Grand Strand. Always a good time for any occasion, and New Year’s Eve is no exception at this “megaplex” of entertainment, shopping and dining. Fun for the whole family or for a romantic night out to ring in the New Year, no matter what you’re looking for, the festivities at Broadway at the Beach will send off the last night of 2014 with a bang. The fireworks extravaganza will light up the sky beginning at 8 p.m. overlooking Lake Broadway. When the show is complete, head to one of the many bars, restaurants, or nightclubs if you want to celebrate until the ball drops!

Boone

The quaint town of Boone boasts romantic getaway opportunities in abundance, and what better time of year for a romantic excursion than at New Year’s? Cuddle up by the fire in your private Boone vacation rental or hit one of the nearby towns for a mountain adventure to ring in the New Year.

St. Augustine

Looking for something to do with the entire family for New Year’s? If so, St. Augustine’s Beach Blast Off 2015 might be just what you have in mind! Voted the best family New Year’s event in Florida, the Beach Blast Off features a day full of live music, food vendors, kids’ activities, beer and wine tastings, and an evening of live entertainment to head right on into the New Year. This event with any St. Augustine vacation makes more a memorable New Year! For more information, click: here.

Outer Banks

With a multitude of restaurants along the beach that know how to throw a New Year’s Eve party, an Outer Banks vacation getaway for the holiday! Settle down at one of the many bustling locations or hop around to see them all. If it’s nightlife, but at a laid back pace, that you’re looking for, the Outer Banks might be your ticket to a good time and a happy New Year.

There’s a lot to do and see to ring in the New Year in style in the South, so check out one of these destinations above and head into 2015 on the wings of a memorable vacation.

Outer Banks

Holiday Events on the Outer Banks

November 12, 2014 openvacadev Leave a comment

Holiday cheer and seasonal fun for the entire family abounds on the Outer Banks at this time of year. As an area already immersed in history and culture, the Outer Banks presents visitors with a one-of-a-kind holiday experience intertwining the past with the present, woven with a wild spirit native only to the Outer Banks. The beautiful landscape, delicious local restaurants, unique activities, and laid-back atmosphere make the OBX an enjoyable place to spend the holidays with your family. Check out some of these activities to get you in the holiday spirit and enjoy a seasonal getaway on the Outer Banks.

Kites with Lights

A beloved annual tradition here on the Outer Banks is Kitty Hawk Kites’ annual Kites with Lights event! Not every year do you get to experience a Christmas extravaganza on the nation’s tallest natural sand dune, but if you head to the Outer Banks this holiday season you can! Get the entire family up and out of your Outer Banks vacation rental and head to Jockey’s Ridge State Park as the sun sets into the sound, turning visitors into silhouettes atop the dunes and beneath the dancing, illuminated kites. It’s truly a spectacular sight to see. The kids love this event, as Santa always makes an appearance in hopes of trading his sleigh in for a hang glider. “Hang with Santa” and have the kids’ pictures taken to remember the special evening. Kites with Lights will be held on November 29. For more information, click: here.

Festival of Trees

Come enjoy the Outer Banks in the off season and really get to feel what it’s like to be a part of a small island community. The Festival of Trees, this year in its 26 season, is a holiday event that will welcome you like a local! With a holiday bazaar, musical performances, children’s activities, a holiday party for grown-ups, and much more, this weekend-long event is a must see during your holiday stay on the Outer Banks. The Festival of Trees will be held at the Outer Banks Brewing Station in Kill Devil Hills on December 13. More information can be found: here.

Roanoke Island Christmas Weekend

Roanoke Island Christmas Weekend takes place the first weekend in December and provides visitors the rare opportunity to get a glimpse at some of the remarkable historic homes and sites we have here on the Outer Banks, with proceeds supporting a good cause! Take the tour and get some inspiration for holiday decorating for your own home as you and your family explore some of the most unique homes on Roanoke Island. For more information, click: here.

With plenty of unique things to do and see for everyone in the family, and a beautiful island atmosphere in which to take it all in, an Outer Banks vacation this holiday season might be just the ticket for you!

St. Augustine

Holiday Events in St. Augustine

November 1, 2014 openvacadev Leave a comment

It’s hard to deny that St. Augustine is a welcoming retreat to take at any time of year! As the oldest city in the country, St. Augustine offers visitors unparalleled historical sites, not to mention gorgeous beaches and a mild climate well into the chillier seasons. That is one of many reasons it’s a favored spot for holiday travel. Check out the following events going on this holiday season to make your St. Augustine vacation a magical one!

St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights Festival, Nov.22, 2014-Feb.1 2015

There’s nothing that gets you in the holiday spirit quite like two months of 2 million Christmas lights! Chosen by National Geographic in 2011 & 2012 as one of the ten best holiday lighting displays in the world, this is an event you don’t want to miss! Beginning annually on the Saturday before Thanksgiving with the “Night of Illumination,” the Nights of Lights Festival kicks off as more than 2.5 million Christmas lights are set ablaze, making St. Augustine one of the most entrancing cities to visit during the holidays! Make sure to get to the Plaza by 6:30 to see the city transform, or visit the “Old City” any time during the holiday season to catch the impressive display of city-wide light! For more information, click: here.

12^th annual Shut Up and Run 5K, Nov. 27

What better way to build up an appetite for turkey while raising money for a good cause than to participate in a Thanksgiving Day race? Beginning at 8a.m. at Treaty Park, this 5K, brought to you by the Ancient City Roadrunners, will benefit the St. Francis House Homeless Shelter in St. Augustine. For more information, click: here.

St. Augustine Lighthouse Luminary Night, Dec. 3

Stop by the St. Augustine Lighthouse during your December vacation to the city, and enjoy free admission from 6-9 p.m. There you will find a panoramic view of the illuminated city below from the very top of the lighthouse, accompanied by live Christmas music, including a string quartet right inside the lighthouse tower, children’s holiday crafts, hot apple cider and much more! The lighthouse Luminary Night is a special event that everyone in the family can enjoy! For more information, click: here.

St. Augustine Orchestra Holiday Concert, Dec. 12

Enjoy a beautiful holiday tradition and experience the acclaimed annual holiday concert performed by the St. Augustine Orchestra. The night will include selections from the beloved Nutcracker, as well as a special performance of the Hallelujah Chorus from Messiah, sung by the St. Augustine High School Chorus. Held in the beautiful Lightner Museum, this holiday concert is sure to provide a magical night to get you in the holiday spirit! For more information, click: here.

Whether you’re looking to participate in a good cause, enjoy holiday music, or see a world-renowned display of spectacular Christmas lights, a St. Augustine vacation might be just what you need to get in this season!