Best things to do and places to visit this holiday season? Vote now
Halloween has come and gone, and that means the holiday season is just around the corner. As we prepare for “the most wonderful time of the year,” we’re looking for the best places to visit and things to do for the holidays — zoo lights, Christmas markets, holiday parades, festive hotels, department stores, light displays, theme park events, and holiday home tours.
We asked a panel of experts to nominate their top picks in each of nine categories, and now it’s your turn to select the winners by voting for your favorites.
Voting is open until Wednesday, November 29 at noon ET, and you can vote once per day, per category. The 10 winners in each category will be announced on Friday, December 8, just in time for the holidays.
Click on each category below to vote:
Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights
Celebrate the holidays with bright lights and festive flowers at these botanical gardens — Photo courtesy of WongJeremy / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Throughout the holiday season, spectacular light shows brighten up botanical gardens across the country. Instead of spring flowers, visitors find twinkling holiday lights, often accompanied by a range of other festivities.
We asked a panel of experts to nominate their favorite light displays at botanical gardens throughout the U.S., and now we need your help naming a winner. Which botanical garden puts on the best seasonal lights show?
Vote: Best Botanical Garden Holiday Lights »
Best Department Store
Which department store offers the best shopping? — Photo courtesy of Csondy / E+
Thanks to a wide variety of products, a good department store takes some of the stress out of the holidays by offering one-stop shopping for just about everyone on your gift list.
We assembled a panel of shoppers to nominate their favorite department stores throughout the U.S., and now we need your help to crown the best of the best. Which department store is your go-to during the holiday season?
Best Holiday Historic Home Tour
These seasonal historic home tours will get you in the holiday spirit — Photo courtesy of dszc / E+
Have you ever wondered how historic figures spent their holidays or how iconic celebrities decked the halls? You can learn firsthand at these 20 historic houses across the U.S. — nominated as the best by an expert panel — as they pull out all the stops for their holiday tours.
But which of these historic home tours is the very best for the holidays?
Vote: Best Holiday Historic Home Tour »
Best Holiday Market
Find unique gift items and yummy treats at these holiday markets — Photo courtesy of SolStock / E+
You don’t need a passport to enjoy a traditional Christmas market experience. This holiday tradition from Europe was brought over to North America by immigrants, and today, cities and towns across the country host holiday markets inspired by the originals, complete with traditional food, music, and holiday treats.
Our panel of experts nominated their top holiday markets throughout the U.S., and it’s your turn to determine which one is the best of the best. Which of these holiday markets is your favorite?
Best Holiday Parade
Get in the holiday spirit at these festive and fun parades — Photo courtesy of TimMcClean / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Holiday parades across the country bring plenty of cheer in the form of creative floats, marching bands, Santa and his sleigh, and millions of twinkling lights.
10Best has teamed with a jolly panel of experts to nominate 20 of the top holiday parades throughout the U.S., and we need your help to name the very best. Which holiday parade do you look forward to the most?
Best Hotel for the Holidays
Which festive hotel would you most like to check into for the holidays? — Photo courtesy of FTiare / iStock via Getty Images Plus
If you can’t go home for the holidays, the next best thing is to visit a festive hotel. Nominated by USA TODAY 10Best editors and an expert panel, these 20 hotels are renowned for decking their halls and cranking up the holiday cheer to a whole new level.
Which of these hotels is your favorite for the holidays?
Vote: Best Hotel for the Holidays »
Best Public Holiday Lights Display
Take a stroll through these jolly holiday light displays — Photo courtesy of SergeyIT / iStock via Getty Images Plus
For many people, the holiday season isn’t complete without at least one night spent driving around and looking at the colorful lights. USA TODAY 10Best editors and experts combed the nation for the 20 brightest and most beautiful holiday light shows put on by neighborhoods, cities, and parks. Which of these public light displays are you most looking forward to this holiday season?
Vote: Best Public Holiday Lights Display »
Best Theme Park Holiday Event
Which theme park is your favorite to visit during the holidays? — Photo courtesy of romrodinka / iStock via Getty Images Plus
These 20 theme parks across the United States don’t hold back when they deck their halls — and attractions — for the holidays. Winter visitors enjoy parades, seasonal live entertainment, visits with Santa, and plenty of festive cheer.
Which of these theme park events are you most excited?
Vote: Best Theme Park Holiday Event »
Best Zoo Lights
These zoos go all out for the holidays — Photo courtesy of gun75 / iStock via Getty Images Plus
Each winter, zoos across the country transform as they get into the holiday spirit. Once the sun sets and the animals go to bed, these 20 zoos are set aglow with incredible illuminated displays.
Which zoo’s holiday lights dazzle you the most?
Remember, you can vote once per day in each category. The 10 nominees with the most votes in each category will be announced on Friday, December 8.
