Taking the Kids: Chasing away the Grinch this holiday season

Feeling overwhelmed?

We all are at this time of year when there Is so much to do and not enough time before the holidays.

Take a deep breath and get away – whether for a day, a weekend or longer – before the Grinch takes up permanent residence.

You don’t have to go over budget. Many families, especially with older and adult kids, suggest they’d rather share an experience than get gifts. Even a day to see a special exhibit at a museum, aquarium or zoo can put everyone in a good mood (hopefully ). For many families, including ours when we lived in Chicago, it’s an annual tradition to see Christmas Around the World and Holidays of Light at the Museum of Science and Industry. Opening Nov. 16, the exhibit, which began in 1942 with one tree, now features a four- story floor-to-dome Grand Tree surrounded by a forest of more than 50 trees decorated by volunteers to represent holiday traditions around the world.

Equally popular is the Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History in NYC. Opening Nov. 25, this season’s 13-foot tree, Jumping for Joy, celebrates the many animals who can hop, pounce or leap. Among the more than 1,000 origami pieces decorating the tree will be models of rabbits, kangaroos, grasshoppers, frogs, cicadas and more, plus models depicting iconic museum exhibits like the blue whale and Tyrannosaurus Rex. (Watch the Origami how-to video to master the art.)

In Denver, it’s a tradition to visit Blossoms of Light at the Denver Botanic Gardens and Zoo Lights at the Denver Zoo with 80 acres and more than 3 million lights.

Georgians flock to Callaway Resort & Gardens for their signature Fantasy in Lights – a seven- mile drive featuring millions of lights set to holiday songs. Take time to visit such a display near your home or where you are spending Thanksgiving. You will forget about how much you need to do!

See the Brandywine Railroad holiday train display, plus a new exhibit that highlights the miniature world created by the Wyeth family of arts at the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, Pennsylvania. There will also be special holiday events, handmade ornaments and more. The model train display features more than 1, 000 pieces and trains running on 2, 000 feet of track.

If you prefer to ride a train, the Grand Canyon Railway has transformed into The Polar Express, whisking families away to the North Pole. (Select dates Nov. 8 through Dec. 30, 2024.)

Many families make it a tradition to visit a favorite theme park decked out for the holidays. Universal Studios Hollywood expands its holiday offerings to include Super Nintendo World while bringing back fan favorites “Grinchmas” and Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Beginning Nov. 29 thru Jan. 6.)

Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas is already underway in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with six million lights, holiday shows, seasonal shopping and eats. (How about a chocolate peppermint ice cream sandwich?) Dollywood resorts, of course, are also decked out for the season.

Special rates starting at $96 are available at Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels at Walt Disney World Resort for stays through Nov. 23, 2024. There are complimentary bus shuttles to the parks, early access and an exclusive booklet featuring discounts and special offers from select Disney Springs restaurants, shops, kiosks and more.

How about visiting a holiday market together? Returning after a successful debut in 2023, Christkindl Markt will transform the Grand Rapids, Downtown Market into one of Michigan’s largest European-style Christmas villages opening Dec. 15. You will find plenty of others to choose from, including Christmas Village in Philadelphia (the iconic LOVE statue is in the heart of the market). Christkindlmarket Chicago, inspired by the original in Nuremberg, Germany, and Christmas Village in Baltimore, Maryland. They are great places to find stocking stuffers!

If you are thinking someplace farther afield to embrace the holiday spirit, consider a river cruise in Europe to see the famous holiday markets. Croisi Europe has many cruises with a multi-generational family discount, including some that are up to half off.

AMA Waterways and Uniworld also offer many. Portugal is especially popular right now and Lisbon has several to choose from, including Wonderland Lisboa: Located in Eduardo VII Park, this market is home to an ice skating rink, carnival rides and beautifully decorated stalls making it the perfect holiday destination for families.Óbidos Vila Natal: Just a short trip from Lisbon, this medieval town transforms into a charming Christmas village with traditional crafts and lively performances ranging from storytelling to music. (If you can’t make it work this year, give a trip to see the holiday markets as a gift and go next year!)

It's not too late for a quick Caribbean getaway either. Book a golf getaway to Puerto Rico. There are 18 golf courses to choose from. The US Virgin Islands (no passport needed) is touting discounts at resorts. For example, if you are traveling without kids, get a fifth night free up until Dec. 31 at At Home in the Tropics, a unique bed & breakfast on St. Thomas.

You have to admit that even thinking about getting away from holiday chores, not to mention work, makes you feel better!

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The fourth edition of The Kid’s Guide to New York City and the third edition of The Kid’s Guide to Washington D.C. are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)