Connecticut Locations Make 2020 List of Best Christmas Towns
Connecticut is known for a lot of "cons" like exorbitant taxes, potholes, bad traffic and questionable drivers that shine a bad light on the rest of us. On the flip side, the Nutmeg State has an extensive "pros" list that includes a rich history and picturesque cities and towns.
So where does CT rank nationally when it comes to capturing the spirit of Christmas? Who would know better than Country Living who put together 2020's list of the Best Christmas Towns in the USA.
The magazine formulated the list by examining factors like; the best Christmas light displays, holiday decorating, holiday craft fairs and other Christmas related events. They put all their research in a blender, added 2020 considerations, mixed it up and came out with a detailed and long list of the 55 best.
Connecticut did not come out as well as I expected it to. With 55 towns on the list, I would have penciled us in for at least six locations but we ended up with two. Essex was ranked #5 in the country and Mystic, CT came in at #21.
Country Living liked Mystic's illuminated boats and seafood and Essex got big points for their Christmas themed events like Holiday Train Show and the North Pole Express.
We know we didn't grab the top spot in America for producing Christmas joy, so who did? Country Living says Stockbridge, MA is the best Noel destination in the U.S. Wonderful, Massachusetts gets the recreational marijuana and the best Christmas town, that just does not seem fair.
We need to step our game up here in the Greater Danbury area, with just a little bit more effort I could see New Milford, Ridgefield or Bethel on the 2021 list.
P.S. - It looks like the Essex Steam Train will leave the station this year but with limited seating, Plexiglas dividers and many other COVID-19 countermeasures in place.