My family is looking for a destination for a December vacation in the U.S. Southeast. We are a medium-sized group (7 adults, two children) that is pretty varied (one disabled adult, a toddler, a 5-year-old, range in age from 60-ish to 25-ish).

We live in Mississippi, so we've decided we'd like to go somewhere that isn't too far away, somewhere that will offer all of us things to do, and, if possible, somewhere that feels Christmasy. (This trip is standing in for our usual gift-giving extravaganza.)

We've discussed Gatlinburg, but I'm not sure that I want to go there . . . ? Other ideas that have been thrown around include Williamsburg (which I think would be great fun, but is probably too far away?), and San Antonio (not sure how "Christmasy" this would feel?).

Anybody got any suggestions/ideas?

How about Branson. Lots of shows there, Very Christmasy.

If you like shopping, skiing and a country/western theme, you might enjoy Gatlinburg. We liked our place so much, we just stayed in one day.

Hub and I met 5 other family members and stayed for a long weekend at the following "cabin":

http://www.cabinsofthesmokymountains...s_Delight.html

Three bedrooms and bunk beds/pull-out in game room. TV/private bath for every BR. Hot tub, and jacuzzi. Pin ball machines and pool table! We thought the walls were thin (someone snored) but that was our only complaint.
Please report back after you've made your trip.

How about Asheville, NC?

A positive for Gatlinburg is that one gets a lot of bang for the buck.

Is Charleston too far? Or how about Nashville? The Opry Hotel puts on quite an extravaganza.

I'm not a fan of Gatlinburg unless you rent a large place and just spend the time together. That's what my family does best.

That should be Opryland Hotel, of course.

Please double-check this, but I think Ashville is not so far from Gatlinburg. Although pricey, Biltmore is IMO well worth a visit.

And yes, Opryland has wonderful holiday decorations.

New Orleans is very nice at Christmas and lots of lights. Check out the bonfires along the Mississippi as well.

San Antonio is indeed very Christmassy, with lots of decoration on the Riverwalk.

Grove Park Inn is also in Asheville and celebrates Christmas. We haven't spent Christmas there, but have visited when the hotel was decorated. Lovely, but pricey.

Lots of activities:

GPI Christmas: http://tinyurl.com/3f6n4z

You could also visit the Biltmore House.

We have stayed at GPI for Thanksgiving and the dinner was was very good, a buffet.

San Antonio is an interesting city. Charleston would be compact and fun and pretty. Good weather. GREAT food. Aquarium for the little one.

If you don't want to travel far, consider a corner of your own state that you may never have experienced -- Natchez.

In the last six months, there have been two or three brand new hotels built along with all of the antebellum B&Bs. Their prices are cheap, too, even the B&Bs.

www.natchezontheriver.com