The National Christmas Center

Address: 1 Hollinger Lane, Elizabethtown, Pa.; shuttle services at 48 Industrial Road, Elizabethtown

Phone: 717-902-9791

Open: Opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday to Saturday, Nov. 24 through Dec. 30

Of note: Until its permanent home is ready, visitors can now enjoy over 18,000+ square feet of nostalgic Christmas décor in lights, trees, stores and renowned artifacts at the National Christmas Center which is housed a short distance from Stone Gables Estate. Seventeen-foot-tall, real-life buildings with artistic architectural features depict the streets of Columbia, Pennsylvania as they were in the 1950s. Featured storefronts include a walk-in Woolworth's Store, a Boy’s Toy Store, a Girl’s Toy Store, the Sweet Shoppe featuring Klein Chocolates, Miesse Candies, Byers Bakery, and much more.

A Christmas Story House and Museum

Address: 3159 W 11th St., Cleveland, Ohio

Phone: 216-298-4919

Open: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Of note: A Christmas Story House, now restored to its movie splendor, is open year round to the public for tours and overnight stays. Directly across the street from the House is A Christmas Story Museum, which features original props, costumes and memorabilia from the film, as well as hundreds of rare behind-the-scenes photos.

Santa Claus Museum and Village

Address: 69 N. State Road 245, Santa Claus, Ind.

Phone: 812-544-2434

Open: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday

Of note: Santa Claus, Indiana provides a stroll through history at the Santa Claus Museum & Village. Pay a visit to the historic, 1935 Santa Claus Statue. Stop by the Original Santa Claus Post Office, where children can sit at antique school desks and pen their letters to Santa. Make sure to tour the stunning 1880 Santa Claus Church. And stop by the Santa Claus Museum to read children’s letters to Santa dating back to the 1930s, you may take a photo at the new Santa Claus mural on the front of the building and visit Santa’s Museum Office.

Aluminum Tree and Ornament Museum

Address: 189 West Main St., Brevard N.C.

Phone: 828-884-2347

Open: noon to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday until Jan. 20

Of note: The world's only museum dedicated to vintage aluminum Christmas trees and ornaments.

Santa Claus Museum

Address: 604 Washington St., Columbus, Texas

Phone: 979-732-8385

Open: noon to 6 p.m. Fridays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays in December

Of note: An almost life-size Santa Claus, formerly displayed in the Priesmeyer Department Store in Garwood during the 1950s is one of the most popular Santas in Mary Elizabeth Youens Hopkins Hopkins Santa collection which she started in the 1970s. The Hopkins collection features Duncan Royale Santas from around the world, artwork by Norman Rockwell and Thomas Nast, as well as a complete collection of Haddon Sundblom Coca-Cola Santas. Also available are The Luman Collection of Santas and The Hubenak Collection of Santas from around the world.

Santa Claus Museum at Clifton Mill

Address: 75 Water St., Clifton, Ohio

Phone: 937-767-5501

Open: 5 to 9 p.m. daily through Dec. 25

Of note: The museum is home to a massive collection of over 3,000 Santas, including animatronics and all other forms you could possibly conjure up. Also available is The Legendary Lights of Clifton Mill with over 4 million lights illuminating the mill, the gorge, the riverbanks, trees and bridges.