The December holiday season brings many opportunities for creating memories, such as visiting all of the spectacular light displays in Austin and in the surrounding area. And there's one twinkly Central Texas town just east of Austin that may give the Johnson City Lights a run for its money.
The small, merry town of Smithville – located 45 miles southeast of Austin and containing its beloved Gingerbread Lane – was just named one of the jolliest holiday road trips in the nation in a recent report by online classifieds site RVTrader.
Downtown Smithville completely transforms during the winter season in preparation for its annual Festival of Lights, which took place on Saturday, December 7. This year's festivities included an indoor arts and crafts show featuring local artisans, an array of outdoor vendors, complimentary rides on the Ann Powell Express train, a parade, and many more activities.
No winter extravaganza is complete without snow, and 40,000 pounds of real snow was blown during the morning of the festival to allow for snow tubing, snowball fights, and more. Santa even made an appearance to snap photos with children.
At the heart of the festival is the iconic Smitty gingerbread man, which broke the Guinness World Record for the World's Biggest Gingerbread Man in 2006, which was officially recognized two years later, according to Explore Bastrop County.
"In honor of being officially named the World’s Biggest Gingerbread Man, the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Smithville retired the cookie sheet that was used to bake the giant gingerbread man and converted it into a monument to commemorate the record," the website says.
Smitty is a sizeable famous figure in Smithville.Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce - Facebook
If you missed the festivities this year, stay tuned for the 34th annual festival in 2025. But visitors can still check out all of the dazzling lights and meet Smitty throughout the winter season.
For visitors who want to turn a day trip into a weekend stay, RVTrader suggests camping at Buescher State Park, which is only two miles away from Smithville. The park offers a variety of RV campsites, screened shelters, and cabins. For those who would prefer a hotel, there's always the historic Katy House Bed & Breakfast.
Smithville was the only Texas city to make it on RVTrader's list of top holiday road trip destinations. Several other holly jolly cities were chosen across every region in the country.
"The holiday season is the perfect time to hit the road and discover the magic of Christmas across the country," the report's author wrote. "Whether you’re visiting Gingerbread Lane in Texas, marveling at the lights of McAdenville, or exploring the Bavarian charm of Leavenworth, these holly, jolly holiday road trips promise unforgettable moments."
Other prominent holiday road trip destinations include:
- Plant City, Florida
- McAdenville, North Carolina
- Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- Frankenmuth, Michigan
- Branson, Missouri
- Durango, Colorado
- Fresno, California
- Leavenworth, Washington
- North Pole, Alaska
