Let's Get Cozy — THE EDGE

There is simply no denying that the holiday season is upon us, even though in North Carolina the weather hasn’t quite made up its mind. The Christmas tunes are playing and the movies have begun to play; each city in the US has its own way of celebrating and embracing the magical time of year. Join us on a journey through the top five coziest cities to celebrate the season of giving and appreciating. Bundle up and immerse yourself in the festive spirit as we explore the heartwarming traditions that make these cities the ultimate winter wonderlands.

At the top of the list we have Denver, CO. It’s really no surprise that Denver makes the top of the list due to its extensive list of holiday activities with the main one being skiing. If skiing isn’t your thing, Denver has a ton of other heart warming activities including A Charlie Brown Christmas Live performance, Holiday Art and Gift Boutique and A Holiday Wreath Workshop. These are just a few of the many activities you can take part in during the cold winter months. Make sure to pack your hand warmers and winter jacket , because Denver does not joke around when it comes to the cold.

Next on the list we have Alexandria, Virginia. This small city is located about 20 minutes (8 miles) south of Washington DC and is known for it’s Historic Old Town, one of the most picture perfect places to celebrate the holidays. This picture-esque scene has blocks of row houses and brick streets filled with tons of activities. Some activities include: The Alexandria Holiday Boat Parade of Lights which consists of dozens of lit boat cruises along the Potomac River shoreline and even has a pop up beer garden with food and games. They also have their annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade which has been going on for over 50 years and celebrates Alexandria's Scottish heritage. Alexandria is truly charming personified. These are just a few things that you can participate in with family and friends!

On top of that we have a hidden gem, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This city located in eastern Pennsylvania declared itself “Christmas City, USA” in 1937. This city is home to two Christmas karts during the holiday season inspired by the German Weihnachtsmarkt. They also host a Christkindlmarkt which was recognized in Forbes and USA Today as one of the nations premier holiday markets.

Demonstrating that cold temperatures are not a prerequisite for getting into the Christmas spirit, the holiday festivities in Dallas, TX surpass the most northern cities. Most notably they offer Holiday at the Arboretum which is a Christmas village with millions of lights and a 50 foot tree with lights animated to music. They also offer Dallas Zoo lights and a huge ice skating rink with the country's tallest indoor Christmas tree at the Galleria Dallas Ice Skating Center.

Lastly we have Asheville, NC. In the Blue Ridge Mountain city, enchanting holiday memories await revelers of every age. Celebrate Christmas at Biltmore which is America's largest home that has live music, special candlelight experiences and amazing decorations. You can also enjoy the winter lights at The North Carolina Arboretum which features nearly one million lights displayed in a perfectly pleasing aesthetic.

These are just some of the most magical winter wonderlands we have available in the US and we highly recommend thinking about these spots as your new winter retreat! If you all have been to any of these places or have any more underrated cozy escapes, send them our way @theedgemag and have a safe and happy holiday!