The South is filled with festive, holiday attractions this time of year. Beautifully decorated plantations, lighted tours, a variety of winter wonderlands and even a few tacky lights stretch across the region, welcoming visitors with heaping doses of Southern hospitality and, if you're lucky, a cup of hot chocolate or cider.
People might think Mardi Gras is the time to visit New Orleans, but the city is actually much more charming, and less crowded, during the holidays. Lights twinkle down Canal Street, wreaths decorate the streetcars and snow even falls outside Harrah's Casino. Of course music is always a highlight in New Orleans, but hearing some of the country's best musicians sing carols in St. Louis Cathedral is an unforgettable experience.