USA TODAY International Edition
Fir real, 10 Christmas trees worth a trip
Christmas trees draw communities and travelers together, says Tim O’Connor, executive director of the National Christmas Tree Association. Towering and elaborately decorated public trees allow visitors to join in local holiday traditions and gatherings. “They really symbolize Christmas so well, and attract tens of thousands of people.” He shares some favorites.
Christmas at the Capital, Pierre, South Dakota
A forest of nearly 100 Christmas trees transforms the South Dakota state capital every holiday season. The trees, each decorated by a different organization or company, attract crowds to the 1910 neoclassical statehouse. “It’s really spectacular. You can look down the halls and see tree after tree after tree,” O’Connor says. “They’re all real, all beautiful and all unique.” christmasatthecapitol.sd.gov
Toledo Zoo, Ohio
In recent years, botanical gardens and zoos have launched flashy holiday exhibitions, but few equal the show in Toledo, where the zoo grounds are festooned with more than 1 million lights, including 35,000 alone on an 85-foot spruce. Last year, the show attracted 175,000 visitors. “Kids would love it, and it’s a great event for families,” O’Connor says. toledozoo.org/lights
White House Christmas tree, Washington, D.C.
Just like the president, a tree makes it to the White House by winning votes. This year’s honor goes to a 191⁄2 foot Fraser fir from Newland, N.C. The grower was chosen as the National Christmas Tree Association’s grand champion, and White House staff picked the tree to be displayed in the Blue Room. “It’s like winning the Super Bowl,” O’Connor says. The public can get limited tour tickets through their congressional representative. whitehouse.gov1.info/visit/ white-house-christmas-tour.html
Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston
A 60-foot Norwegian spruce tree, trucked in from Red Hook, New York,
not only adds to Boston’s dazzling skyline, but it entertains visitors to the city’s historic market. Light shows sync the tree to six traditional and retro holiday tunes, including “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town,” performed by the Jackson 5. faneuilhallmarketplace.com
Citadel Outlets, Commerce, California
Perhaps it’s no surprise that the home to what has been called the world’s largest live-cut Christmas tree is a Southern California outlet mall. The white fir from California’s Shasta-Trinity National Forest stands 110 feet, and is easily visible from freeways. It’s decorated with 18,000 LED lights and 10,000 ornaments. “The thing is huge. It’s gargantuan. I can’t even imagine how difficult it is to put it up,” O’Connor says. citadeloutlets.com
Perkasie Borough, Pennsylvania
A community Christmas tree lighting might seem as traditional as caroling, but the practice didn’t start until 1909, according to the folks in Perkasie Borough. The Bucks County town claims to host the country’s oldest community tree lighting ceremony, and the event and decorated tree still attracts crowds every year. “It’s very cool. It’s something for them to hang their hat on,” O’Connor says. perkasieborough.org
Mayor’s Christmas tree, Kansas City, Missouri
One of the nation’s largest Christmas trees shines above Kansas City every holiday season. A 100-foot Oregon Douglas fir lords over the city’s Crown Center, which welcomes Christmas with an ice-skating rink, a gingerbread village and holiday train. At the end of each season, wood from the tree is made into ornaments. Proceeds from sales benefit a holiday charity fund for needy city residents. crowncenter.com
Rockefeller Center, New York City
O’Connor says this famous Manhattan tree lives up to the hype. “It’s just a work of art. It’s as close to perfection as you can probably get. It literally stops traffic.” This year’s tree, a 72-foot, 12-ton Norway spruce, grew about 75 miles away in Wallkill, New York. It’s draped with about 50,000 LED lights, and topped with a 900-pound star made from millions of Swarovski crystals. rockefellercenter.com
Nugget Casino, Sparks, Nevada
For a sure return on Christmas cheer, find your way to this Reno-area casino for its colossal grand fir from southern Oregon. The tree reaches 70 feet tall and anchors the town’s Victorian Square. “It makes them more than just a gambling location, offering options that attract all family members,” O’Connor says. nuggetcasinoresort.com
Texas pecan tree, Highland Park, Texas
Although O’Connor prefers a traditional evergreen, he admires how a Dallas-area city has built a tradition around decorating a mammoth pecan tree which stands 75 tall, and is about 75 feet wide and at least 150 years old. The tree, which takes four men a week to decorate, is the centerpiece for an annual community holiday celebration. hptx.org