A town called Christmas? Michigan has one and so do Florida and Maine. The local post office is the busiest place around when the holiday season arrives, as visitors head to these small towns for the fun of having their Christmas cards and letters postmarked “Christmas.”
Christmas, Michigan
On the shores of the world’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Superior on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Christmas is a winter adventure wonderland. The town is less than five miles from the county seat, Munising, and has a tiny population of only 400. Two hours away is the Mackinaw Bridge, one of the world’s longest suspension bridges that links the two oven mitt-shaped land masses of the state.
Christmas is a popular place for snowmobiling through miles of pure white trails and for seeing some of the icy waterfalls that abound in these woods. If you’ve ever considered dog sledding , there are wilderness experiences with a guide that last from two hours to two days. There is also ice fishing at Margo’s Cove , which has a cozy inn for parties up to six people… propane heaters included, of course.
This Michigan town is home to Santa’s Workshop and Gift Shop at E8035 St. Nicholas Avenue, with a Santa Claus in person and with their big selection of decorations and ornaments. The residents of Christmas have a website inviting visitors to “Come to Christmas where it’s Christmas all year round!” And, yes, Christmas, Michigan, has a very popular post office where they are pleased to postmark your Christmas cards and letters here from zip code 49862.
Christmas, Florida
There really is a Christmas, Florida. It’s a small town of about 1,000 residents located only about 20 miles from Orlando, so you can imagine how popular a warm Christmas is at the holidays. Some families visiting Disney World, Sea World and other famous Orlando attractions drive the extra distance just to have their greeting cards postmarked “Christmas” at this local post office where Christmas decorations are on display all year round.
Dating from 1837, the Fort Christmas Historical Park is a principal attraction here, a demonstration of soldier and pioneer life between 1870 and 1930 where seven pioneer homes, a sugar cane mill and old farming equipment are featured. There is a full-size replica of the original fort for which the town is named at a 25-acre site with playground, basketball, tennis and baseball field. While the exhibits and the tours are free, they are closed on December 24 and 25.
Certainly not Disney-like is Jungle Adventures Nature Park, an independently owned and operated roadside attraction. The jungle swamp is absolutely crawling with alligators, snakes, tarantulas and big birds. There are guides, a river boat cruise, feeding sessions, wildlife encounter shows and demonstrations to get up close and personal with all kinds of critters. Recent reviews are mixed and I reserve comment since I have not been there for many years, but the kids loved it at the time. They are open 365 days a year for paid admission (adults, $19.95 and children over three, $12.95) with a discount for Florida residents.
But, with the world-famous Orlando attractions competing for family attention, it is understandably the 30-minute side trip to the Christmas post office that puts this town on the map for visitors. Remember to bring your stamped Christmas cards for a postmark bearing Christmas, Florida 32709.
Christmas Cove, Maine
Only 70 miles north of Portland, Maine, is a charming island place near Boothbay Harbor in Johns Bay called Christmas Cove. There are 4,613 islands off the coast of this northern New England state, many quite small and remote, where one feels a world away from the mainland. Rutherford Island is home to Christmas Cove, Maine, 04568, population fewer than 900, a rural fishing town of remote beauty with three nature preserves.
Residents share this peaceful cove with seals, mallards and osprey. The town is said to owe its name to a Christmas Day visit here by Captain John Smith who dropped anchor when exploring the area in 1614. Today, Christmas Cove is popular with families from the Northeast who make this their tranquil summer getaway in boathouses, cottages, and other waterfront retreats.
A site of interest nearby is the Thompson Ice House , demonstrating the traditional craft of ice harvesting and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Another listed historic site is nearby in South Bristol , the colonial Old Walpole Meetinghouse , dating from 1772. Osier’s Wharf is widely known as one of the best places in Maine to gas up the boat and sample a delicious fresh lobster roll sandwich. Coveside Restaurant & Marina is another popular spot serving three meals a day. Most people arrive by boat. If you cannot make it in person, cold water premium live lobsters can be ordered online and shipped home by local lobstermen.
The place to stay is family-friendly, pet-friendly Unique Yankee of Maine Inn , with gorgeous views from one of the highest points around, where eagles soar above in clear and cold blue skies. If Christmas Cove sounds too remote for wintertime travel, historic old port Portland is my favorite Maine city. Hans Christian’s Andersen’s “The Snow Queen” is being performed at the Portland Stage, the library hosts Christmas Carols, a Messiah Sing-Along is at St. Patrick’s Church and “The Polar Express” is a memorable ride on the narrow gauge railroad to the “North Pole.”
Sources:
WTSP.com Tampa Bay, Florida
visitflorida.com
Greater Portland Convention & Visitors Bureau
exploringthenorth.com
uniqueyankeeofmaine.com
munising.com