Ten ways to celebrate Christmas in July in Santa Claus

One of our family's favorite vacation spots is Santa Claus, Indiana. For couples who aren't at the stage for an exotic getaway on a tropical island, but who want to find a family friendly spot with lots of activities for all ages, they'll find it in this little Midwest town. Santa Claus really sparkles with celebration in the height of summer when water if flowing and roller coasters are whizzing and the town's biggest attraction, Holiday World Amusement Park and Splashin' Safari Water Park. There's also lots of other fun to be had in the area and here's a list I put together. (This article originally appeared at http://www.examiner.com/article/10-ways-to-celebrate-christmas-july-santa-claus)

Ever wonder where Mr. Kringle goes to relax and get away from the North Pole? He has his own vacation spot and it happens to be in Indiana – Santa Claus, Indiana that is.

In the small town in southern Indiana named for the big man in red, signs of Christmas are all over from the strip mall to the golf course to the little town diner to the Holiday World theme park. Looking to get into the Christmas spirit in the heat of summer? Here are some ways to do just that:

1) Get some sweet treats at Santa’s Candy Castle. Once part of “Santa Claus Town” with a workshop and toy village, the candy castle was renovated in recent years and is a great place to stop for some sweets and learn a little more about the town’s interesting history.

2) Watch the light show in front of the Santa Claus Christmas store at Kringle Place Shopping Center each evening. Classic holiday tunes play with coordinated dancing lights shaped into a tree in the parking lot.

3) Pay a visit to Santa’s Lodge. This Christmas themed hotel features king and double family suites. The sights of Christmas can be found all over the lobby and grounds.

4) Frosty’s Fun Center. Enjoy some pizza and play a game of mini-golf on a course where you’re supervised by a large snowman.

5) Play on a real, full-sized golf course at the Christmas Lake Golf Course.

6) Camp out at Lake Rudolph. The RV resort is full of family fun with the Blitzen Bay family pool and kiddie pool, fishing lake, game room, outdoor movies, playgrounds, basketball courts and more.

7) Mail off a letter to Santa to get your wishes in early. Drop off your letter at the Santa Claus Post Office.

8) Stop by the Santa Claus Museum, a free attraction that takes you back through the town’s 150+ year history.

9) Pick out some ornaments, lights, wreaths or other seasonal decorations at the Santa Claus Christmas Store.

10) Lastly, what draws most to Santa Claus is Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari, now in its 64th season. Santa can be found at the park all season long along with thrilling rides, musical acts and a massive water park.

For more information on the area, visit  www.LegendaryPlaces.org, www.holidayworld.comand www.LakeRudolph.com