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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2013 MACON MAGAZINE I 47 Enjoy the daytime hours strolling downtown Asheville's more than 200 shops, 30 art galleries and dozens of antique stores – all locally owned. Nearby in Biltmore Village, located across from the entrance to Biltmore Estate, the Village is home to more than 40 unique shops and 10 cafes and restaurants. Most businesses here are housed in historic cottages and buildings, nestled on tree-lined streets with brick sidewalks and period architecture. It's a pleasure to stroll and explore. Another huge holiday draw is the Gingerbread House Display at Grove Park Inn. For a real treat, see the amazing display of dozens of gingerbread houses from the National Gingerbread House Competition from November through early January. Guests at the resort can view the display at any time; visitors can tour the gingerbread villages Sundays through Thursdays. Plus, it's free to tour the display and see the other elaborate decorations at the grand hotel. As the No. 2 state in the country for growing Christmas trees, mountainous Asheville is home to several "choose-and-cut" tree farms, where there's more to do than just select this year's Christmas tree. Many farms offer hayrides and other holiday-related events, too. While you're enjoying the great outdoors, remember that for the best views of the year, a winter hike can't be topped. With leafless trees, cool temperatures, fewer crowds and frequent bright blue skies, this is the favorite time to hit the trail for many. There are also other local events nearby. Christmas at Connemara is a festive celebration honoring American poet Carl Sandburg at his mountain home. Local musical artists are drawn to the colorfully decorated home. "Santa on the Chimney" takes place at Chimney Rock State Park, where visitors can watch Santa practicing for his worldwide chimney-dropping tour on Christmas Eve. A "Holiday Homecoming" happens at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, located near Cherokee. Old -time crafts are demonstrated, and the practical arts of quilting, weaving and basket-making are accompanied by apple cider and apple butter. C CHATTANOOGA There are so many reasons to break away from the holiday crowds, cold weather and stress of the season, especially when it means you can enjoy time with family and friends in Chattanooga. Just a few hours' drive from Macon, this mountain city invites visitors to sing carols on a river cruise, build gingerbread houses or catch the high tide on a tropical adventure with coral reef Santa divers, enjoy an amazing evening on Lookout Mountain with 1 million star-bright twinkling lights illuminating the sky, or hop on board a train for a North Pole adventure. Known as The Scenic City, Chattanooga is home to enough winter attractions to clear the mind and revive the spirit. This is a great time to "see Rock City," when more than 1 million lights transform the gardens' daytime splendor to a nighttime fantasyland. Cookie decorating, hot cocoa and nightly musical entertainment complete the draw. Rock City's "Enchanted Garden of Lights" has been a tradition for 20 years and was chosen as a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society more than once. The award-winning light extravaganza features more than 30 holiday scenes. Old and young alike will want to take a trip to the "North Pole" pulled by a steam locomotive with refreshments, storytelling, caroling and visits by Santa, hosted by the Tennessee Valley Railroad's North Pole Limited Adventures. Gingerbread House Workshops are hosted at the Creative Discovery Museum, where visitors can create their own holiday traditions by creating their own tasty "houses." Throughout November and December, the Chattanooga Choo Choo hosts "Holiday Enchantment" where guests can have photos made with Santa, ride the North Pole Limited Train, attend an elf workshop and participate in crafts, arts, games and movies.