Let the most wonderful time of year inspire a visit to tinsel towns that really know how to deck their halls. Here are six:

- Cleveland, Ohio - home of the triple dog dare

Pay a holiday call on Ralphie and Randy Parker's home, where "the soft glow of electric sex" - aka the infamous leg lamp - shines in the front parlor window.

What's wonderful: Spend the night in the place where nine-year-old Ralphie dreamed of a Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun "with a compass on the stock and this thing that tells time," sucked on a bar of Lifebuoy Soap and lived beneath a cloud of the Old Man's woven tapestry of obscenity: A Christmas Story House (www.achristmasstoryhouse.com).

Even more wonderful: The owner of this must-see Christmas complex of house, museum with original props, costumes and memorabilia from the 1983 film, gift shop and replica Parker family car, bought the house next door, furnished it and voila! It's the Bumpus family home come to life in all its hillbilly glory. Both A Christmas Story House and Bumpus House are available for tours and overnights.

- Seneca Falls, N.Y. - the "real Bedford Falls"

This is the town that charm built, one that celebrates its possible role as the inspiration for "It's A Wonderful Life" director Frank Capra as the setting for the 1946 Jimmy Stewart classic. Stand at the bridge Capra took set cues from - the very model of the one George Bailey jumps from to save his angel, Clarence.

What's wonderful: The It's A Wonderful Life Museum (www.wonderfullifemuseum.com) is home to memorabilia from cast members, earrings worn by bad girl Vi in the movie and more. Executive director Anwei Law says ambitious plans and fundraising are underway to bring a reimagined museum to life, complete with Zuzu's bedroom, in time for the movie's 75th anniversary in 2021.

Even more wonderful: The 2019 It's A Wonderful Life Festival (www.therealbedfordfalls.com) takes place Dec. 13-15, jam packed with activities, including an autograph signing and "Frank Capra's Preview Dinner" (featuring the original 1946 menu) with actors from the movie, including Karolyn Grimes who played Zuzu Bailey. Stay at the historic Gould Hotel (formerly the Clarence), departure point for the Bedford Falls Express Shuttle to key festival sites.

- New Orleans, La. - revels and Reveillon

Linger over a lavish Reveillon dinner, borne of a Creole tradition that began in the 1800s of serving a meal that could last until dawn after midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, at French Quarter eateries like Antoine's or Arnaud's.

What's wonderful: Go big for the holidays, NOLA-style, with a stay at one of several hotels: The Roosevelt Hotel sparkles with 60,000 lights and 50 Christmas trees; Hotel Monteleone is a magical winter wonderland offering "Papa Noel" rates of 15% off; the Ritz-Carlton New Orleans is ground zero for gingerbread house building.

Even more wonderful: Christmas arrives in a blaze of glory when dozens of huge, elaborately built bonfires, many featuring indigenous cultural motifs, are lit at sundown on top of the Mississippi River levees. Called Bonfires at the Levee, they light the way for Papa Noel, a spectacle best enjoyed aboard Gray Line Tours' narrated Christmas Eve Bonfire Express or Adventure tour. www.neworleans.com

- Dublin, Ohio - Christmas with a touch of Irish

Step back in time to a land of enchantment featuring 19th century architecture and brick sidewalks, neighborhood pubs and shops that take on a magical cast during the holidays, like the Dublin Toy Emporium. Historic Dublin gets holly-jolly - with an Irish twist.

What's wonderful: Spot the elf and net a stamp and prize for the 12 Elves of Dublin Scavenger Hunt (Dec. 7-22), which kicks off Holly Days on Dec. 7, a free family-fun event with Storytime with Mrs. Claus, gingerbread house displays, visits with Santa and live music. Shop at the rustic Morgan House and Restaurant with its eye-popping array of Christmas gifts, decor, ornaments, trims, furnishings, specialty foods (samples!) and more.

Even more wonderful: The beautifully restored, circa 1860s Fletcher Coffman Homestead hosts an Old Fashioned Christmas celebration on Dec. 8, with softly illuminated rooms dressed for "the night before Christmas." Enjoy live musical entertainment and hot cider and cookies. Family photo op at the decorated sleigh at the barn. www.visitdublinohio.com

- Indianapolis, Ind. - Join the march of the toy soldiers

Watch the 284-foot Soldiers and Sailors Monument transform into the world's largest Christmas tree from the warmth of a cozy suite at the Conrad Indianapolis while nibbling seasonal treats including gingerbread biscotti, homemade eggnog brownies and peppermint bark. It's the "Circle of Lights" Tree Lighting, held annually the Friday after Thanksgiving. Enjoy this luxury arts-centric hotel's entrancing setting, complete with its famous toy soldiers (photo ops!), festive decorations and trimmed Christmas tree on the second floor.

What's wonderful: The Jolly Days Winter Wonderful, complete with two-story Yule Slide, at the Indianapolis Children's Museum; 92 decorated trees anchored by a 30-foot showstopper tree at the Festival of Trees at the Indiana Historical Society; and the million lights of the new Christmas Night of Lights.

Even more wonderful: The "Circle of Lights" by the numbers: 4,784 LED lights on 52 strands of garland; 26 larger-than-life toy soldiers and 26 peppermint sticks; a crowd of 100,000-plus enjoying a myriad entertainers and awaiting Santa Claus, and the flipping of one magical switch. www.visitindy.com

- Dahlonega, Ga. - Hallmark holiday

Movie set good looks turn this Georgia mountain town into a Hallmark Christmas movie come to life during the holidays; in fact, it was the setting for the 2016 Hallmark holiday romance, "Christmas in Homestead."

What's wonderful: Can't make it to Cleveland, Ohio's A Christmas Story House? Head to Dahlonega's history Holly Theatre to see the live stage production of "A Christmas Story," planned for Dec. 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22.

Even more wonderful: Dahlonega is a thoroughly immersive Christmas experience. It's month-long Old Fashioned Christmas begins on Nov. 29, kicking off with the Lighting of the Square, and includes a home-town parade, caroling, entertainment, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa, Christmas Market on Candy Cane Lane, Sleigh Bell Tour of the Inns of Dahlonega, High Tea, Winter Wine Walks, holiday movies and live theater events and, of course, visits from Old St. Nick. https://dahlonegachristmas.wordpress.com

(Author and travel and lifestyle writer Kathy Witt feels you should never get to the end of your bucket list; there's just too much to see and do in the world. Contact her at KathyWitt24@gmail.com, @KathyWitt.)

(c)2019 Kathy Witt

Visit Kathy Witt at www.kathywitt.com

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