Whenever possible Jay, his family and myself spend Christmas together, often taking a trip to celebrate.
One of those trips was to Santa Claus, Indiana. With a name like "Santa Claus" how could it not be a great place to spend Christmas, right?
With the 'kids' (who are now adults) in school, it's getting harder and harder to get everyone together. For this reason we decided to take an extended holiday trip to Santa Claus
At less than 7 square miles and with a population of about 2,500 people, Santa Claus manages to pack a lot of Christmas spirit into a small area. There's a post office where you can write letters to Santa (and get a response from his elves), a holiday-inspired theme park, a massive holiday decor shop, and a candy store with every goody and gumdrop imaginable.
What's even more extraordinary than finding a winter wonderland more than 3,000 miles from the North Pole is that it never set out to be "America's Christmas Hometown" in the first place.
The original Santa Claus Post Office at the Santa Claus Museum & Village. TARAH CHIEFFI/THE POINTS GUY
1850: the town was large enough to apply for its own post office. Although residents settled on the name Santa Fee, the application was rejected because the name was too similar to the already established town in northern Indiana called Santa Fe.
To hear local legend tell it, while the townspeople were discussing alternate names at church on Christmas Eve the church doors blew open, sleigh bells could be heard ringing outside and the children began yelling that Santa Claus was outside. The town had its name and the rest as they say, is history.
Despite the fortuitous turn of events, Santa Claus didn't immediately embrace its namesake. That didn't happen until 1914 when the town's then-postmaster, James Martin, began responding to letters addressed to Santa that found their way to the town's post office, according to the Indiana Historical Bureau's "Indiana History Blog."
Martin's antics caught the attention of Robert Ripley of "Ripley's Believe It or Not" fame. He featured the town in one of his newspaper cartoons in 1930. The legend — and volume of letters — only grew from there. Christmas-themed tourist attractions began popping up all over town, many of which you can still visit to this day.
With 6 of us to house, we figured our best option would be a vacation rental. We found a beautiful place called Cozy Vintage House - a 5 bed, 2 bath home that was built in 1898. Fully equipped kitchen, & large dining room.
It was 10 minutes outside of Santa Claus so close enough to all the action while still being removed from noise and crowds.
If you have kids, you might want to consider staying at Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph. 78 North Holiday Boulevard, Santa Claus.
Located next door to Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, Sun Outdoors Lake Rudolph is a family favorite. The resort features 219 cabins and cottages and 296 full-hookup RV sites and tent sites.
The resort features Santa’s SplashDown WaterPark, Blitzen Bay swimming pool, and splash pad. There are also golf car rentals, playgrounds, free mini golf, horseshoe pits, fishing, paddleboats, kayaks, basketball courts, gem mining, beach volleyball, planned family activities, free Wi-Fi, free shuttles to Holiday World, and more.
Other accommodations can be found here.
December 11 - Friday
We planned to do most of our own cooking this trip so I'll share our favorite holiday recipes rather than a restaurant for every meal.
Get settled in your accommodations.
The town of Santa Claus is a great place for families on a budget to visit. There are plenty of FREE and budget attractions to see and do. And the town is easily walkable.
If a summer visit is more your thing? Go for it! Santa Claus is great any time of year!
Given its proximity to major cities in the US including Chicago, Louisville, and Cincinnati, it’s a popular road trip for families in the Midwest. Evansville Regional Airport is located just under 50 miles (80 km) west and Louisville International Airport is approximately 80 miles (128 km) to the east. If you fly like we did, you’ll want to rent a car so you can get around.
Our plan was to do most of our own cooking so we went to Holiday Foods grocery store to stock up on food our first morning in Santa Claus.
Stroll Through Santa Claus
Santa Claus Christmas Celebration takes place the first three weekends in December, adding merriment with drive-thru light displays, shopping experiences, chestnut roasting, meet and greets with Santa, and the Santa Claus Christmas Parade.
While walking through Santa Claus challenge the kids (or yourself!) to find the over 20 Santa Claus statues located throughout town.
There are some cute shops to nose around in, like Evergreen Boutique & Christmas Shop and Mullis Made, which not only offers merchandise but paint parties!
Of course you'll want to hit up Santa's Toys.
We don't like to do the same old gift exchange every Christmas so we made up a challenge to play in Santa's Toys.
We all pulled a name before going to Santa's Toys. The gift giver had to give the person whose name they pulled a toy they felt that person would have played with as a child.
I had to laugh when I opened my gift from Chase...
I think he's got my number! LOL
But if you want to do something different, we had a great time doing this gift giving exchange.
Lunch: Dining options in Santa Claus are rather limited so you'll be driving to the surrounding towns much of the time for meals in which you intend to eat out.
We had lunch at Opie's, 1 N Main St, Chrisney, IN.
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Outstanding food, great atmosphere, great service and cold beer!
Opie's has daily revolving specials too!
I had the lasagna daily special and it was delicious.
The others ordered Stromboli and pizza which they all loved as well.
Prices were super reasonable too.
Hours: Wednesday - Thursday 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
Friday - Saturday 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Santa Claus Museum & Village
69 State Road 245 Santa Claus, IN
Start your holiday-inspired trip with a visit to the Santa Claus Museum & Village. It’s home to the 1880 Santa Claus Church, a 22-foot-tall Santa Claus statue that dates to 1935, and the original Santa Claus Post Office. Explore the town’s origins through exhibits and artefacts you won’t find anywhere else, and don’t forget to write a letter to jolly Saint Nick while visiting. Admission is FREE.
The Museum
Post Office Sign
The old original Post Office
Post Office interior where kids can
write letters to Santa Claus
Santa's desk where volunteers answer letters to Santa
Collection of kids
letters to Santa
Child visiting Santa display
The old church
Church interior
This is the cutest little museum and village to visit. You can tour the entire place in about 40 minutes.
A customized tour will be designed to fit your goals and timeframe.
Simply email santaclausmuseum@santaclausmuseum.org for pricing and availability.
You don't have to take a customized tour though! You can do a FREE self guided tour through the village.
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Museum: Explore the story of Santa Claus. Experience the magic of the festive decor, the town’s original memorabilia, vintage trains and more! For schools, students will be led in an age & curriculum appropriate activity.
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Gift Shop: The Museum also includes a small gift shop with affordable and many handmade items. A favorite featured item is Santa Dollars.
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Historic 1880 Santa Claus Church: Enjoy this beautiful, historic building. School groups will participate in a curriculum appropriate activity.
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Original 1856 Santa Claus Post Office: This historic structure is home to antique school desks where generations of children have penned their letters to Santa. Young students may draw/color what they want for Christmas. Adults may write on behalf of a child if they would like. Each letter will receive a response from Santa and the Elves in December.
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Santa’s Office Visits with Santa and/or Mrs. Claus: can be made available in the magical Santa’s Museum Office.
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Wishing Well & Santa Statue: Make an enchanted wish in the well and take a picture in front of the 22- foot- tall Santa Claus Statue, built in 1935!
Santa Claus Christmas Store
33 North Kringle Place Santa Claus, IN
We made one last stop before calling it an afternoon on the town to Santa Claus Christmas Store.
Enjoy shopping at the gigantic Santa Claus Christmas Store, featuring Christmas gifts, decorations, hundreds of collectibles, fudge and other sweet treats, and so much more. Explore a huge selection of indoor and outdoor lights, tree trimmings, nativities, and Christmas yard art.
Within the Santa Claus Christmas Store, you can browse through nearly 8,000 ornaments. Find ornaments for any occasion or occupation and all can
be personalized for free on-site with names and dates. We upped the ante on our Christmas gift exchange in that you had to buy a personalized ornament for the person whose name you pulled. (There's only so much you can pack on a plane so we were buying some ornaments for our Christmas tree.) But whatever Christmas item you're looking for, Santa Claus Christmas Store likely has it.
Decorating the Tree & Dinner
We made our first day itinerary light because we have a tradition we do during the Christmas season.
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We did manage to bring a tree along. We turn decorating the tree together into a pre-dinner party - complete with hors d' oeuvres and mint hot chocolate.
I promised you some of our fave holiday recipes.
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Our favorite Christmas hors d'ouvre:
We put on some Christmas music, decorate the tree and make dinner together.
Spinach and Feta Steak Roll Ups
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
Oven Roasted Brussels Sprouts
When making our own meals while traveling, we try to stick to easy to prepare recipes and/or make ahead recipes.
We all enjoy cooking together so we divide the dishes up between partners. One couple will make the entree and a side, another will make a side and dessert and so on.
It makes cooking a meal quick and easy.
Rosemary Honey Butter Dinner Rolls - Recipe here
Christmas Dessert Lasagna Recipe
December 12 - Saturday
Morning: Breakfast With Santa
Historic Santa Claus Campground
16670 North 625 East Santa Claus, IN
Get a photo with Santa, and enjoy an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. Yes, big kids can have breakfast with Santa too.
The breakfast includes pancakes, donut holes, sausage links, and a beverage. A drive‑through option is also available.
The admission fee is $5 for adults and children over 10, and $3 for children 10 and under.
No reservations required; first come, first served.
Breakfast is 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM.
Visit Santa's Candy Castle
15499 North State Road 245 Santa Claus, IN
What a place! Candy Heaven! I saw candy I hadn't seen since I was a kid in the 50's!
You want a sucker with a scorpion in it? They have it. Or how about a Tequila flavored treat with a worm in it? They have those too and also lollies with ants in them. Plus 35 flavors of frozen hot chocolate. (It's really good!) And they have every kind of Pez dispenser and Pez candy you can think of!
Once a year the store also carries out a 100 year old tradition of roasting chestnuts over a fire. The roasting is held Nov. 29th through Dec. 19th on Saturdays only.
The event is FREE to attend.
*For the safety of guests and staff, severe weather or heavy rains may cause cancellation. Watch the Santa's Candy Castle Facebook page for announcements the day of the event.
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Chestnut roasting
All too soon they dragged me out of the Candy Castle to attend the next event on our itinerary.
Santa Claus Christmas Parade
It was your typical small town parade but fun nonetheless.
The annual Santa Claus Christmas Parade strolls through town on Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 1:00 pm CT and will last about one hour.
The parade starts at Holiday World’s Legend Parking Lot, travels up Hwy. 245 past Lake Rudolph and then St. Nicholas Church, turns left at the Santa Claus Fire Department onto Patricia Koch Drive, continues to Hwy. 162 past Circle S, and ends at the Legend Lot.
Lunch: You're going to find that Santa Claus has a serious overabundance of pizza joints. Don't get me wrong...we like pizza...just not a steady diet of it!
So we headed 13 minutes outside of Santa Claus to have lunch at New Boston Tavern, 11886 N State Rd 545 Troy, IN.
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I asked our server what she'd recommend and she said they were famous for their pork chops.
WOW! I know of only one other place where I've had a better pork chop than at New Boston Tavern.
They have breakfast/lunch/dinner options and the food was really good for the price. Very affordable!
And they're super kid friendly.
Christmas Activities in the Historic Santa Claus Church
Santa Claus Museum & Village - 69 State Road 245 Santa Claus, IN
Quilt Raffle: Quilt will be on display; drawing at 2:00 pm CT
Saturday, December 12 - 10:00 am - 12:00 pm CT
Balloon Twisting Demonstration: One free twisted balloon per child.
Saturday, December 12 - 2:00 - 4:00 pm CT
Who Else Besides Santa Wears a Beard?: Elf Becca will show off her bearded dragons (and some of Santa's other friendsssss!).
Saturday, December 19 - 11:00 am - 12:00 pm CT
Scavenger Hunt: Complete to win a small prize
Admission is free; donations are accepted. While visiting the Santa Claus Museum & Village for the event,
guests are invited to tour the museum and Santa's Office, take a photo with the historic 22-foot-tall Santa statue, write a letter to Santa, and more.
It was worth the trip just to see Becca's bearded dragons and other reptiles.
They definitely stole the show!
They're so ugly they're cute.
Dinner: We returned to the house to get a jump on an early dinner.
We'd had a pork chop dinner at noon so a light dinner would suffice - something quick and easy.
Ham Buns
I got the family hooked on these
sandwiches. They're so good and so simple to make.
INGREDIENTS
1 lb. ground chuck
Small diced onion
1/4 green pepper cut into small pieces
2T. prepared mustard
2T. chili sauce
Salt & Pepper to taste
3/8 lb. Velveeta, cubed
DIRECTIONS
Mix all of the ingredients together well. Place on buns of your choice. Bake in 350 degree oven for 10 to 15 minutes. (I bake them for 20 minutes so the Velveeta cheese gets nice and melty and the buns are a bit crispier)
The above recipe makes about 8 ham buns but simply double the ingredients to make a bigger batch.
Pair them with a cheesy hashbrown casserole and a mixed lettuce salad and dinner is served.
Festival Of Lights
Christmas Lake Village - 193 S. Louis J. Koch Blvd.S Santa Claus, IN
The gated community of Christmas Lake Village invites you to drive through nine miles of festive light displays! Awards will be given for Judges' Favorite, Kids' Favorite, Reason for the Season, and Best Lights.
Admission is FREE. There were some displays that were jaw dropping.
December 13 - Sunday
Morning: Breakfast Casserole
If you have little ones, local author Melissa Weales will read her book, Noshi the Naughty Reindeer, in the 1880 Historic Santa Claus Church on Sunday, December 13, 2026.. Readings will take place at 11:00 am and 11:30 am CT.
Admission is FREE.
"Noshi the Naughty Reindeer" Storytime
Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial
3027 E South St, Lincoln City, IN
Today we're going to visit one of the boyhood homes of my (5x) great uncle, Abraham Lincoln. "Linc" (as I call him) spent 14 years of his childhood growing up on this Indiana soil.
The farm is a working pioneer homestead with a log cabin, outbuildings, split rail fences, livestock, gardens and field crops.
Ranger in period dress teaches young visitor how to split rails
During the warm weather months Rangers in period clothing will give you a taste of what it was like growing up on this farmstead - splitting rails, shearing sheep, dying wool, cooking, working in the carpenter's shop, etc.
Dying wool
Learning how to shear a sheep
The kitchen in the replica cabin
Linc's bed
Linc's parents - Thomas and
Nancy Hanks Lincoln
The grave of Nancy Hanks Lincoln
The footprint of where the original
cabin once stood
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This cabin was really small! What I'd like to know is how the Lincolns managed to have a minimum of 5 people living in this little tiny cabin! Or more likely 7 people! Plus everything they needed to survive!
Linc had an older sister, Sarah; a younger brother Tommy; 2 step sisters, Elizabeth age 13 and Matilda age 10; and his step brother, John D age 9. (Thomas' children from a previous marriage, he was a widower when he married Nancy Hanks)
The Memorial Hall is a good place to start with a short educational video, some small exhibits, and the gift shop. The Memorial Visitor Center closes from 12-1 pm for lunch, so plan accordingly if you need to use the nice clean bathrooms or fill your water bottle.
From there you'll walk to Pioneer Cemetery where Linc's mother, Nancy is buried. She died of milk sickness all because a cow ate a snakeroot plant!
I highly recommend the Trail of Twelve Stones, which leads you through the peaceful woods along a path which houses 12 stones from significant locations in Lincoln's life. These are some of the same trails Linc himself walked as a boy and young man. The beautiful "walk through the woods" gives you a taste of the remoteness Lincoln experienced living in the area during that period.
I've visited countless Lincoln sites and this one impressed me the most, it's that good and authentic.
Kudos to the Park Service for not building the cabin replica on the original cabin site and trying to pass it ff as the real cabin.
Admission to Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is 100% FREE. No general entrance pass or vehicle fee is required to visit. The $80 America the Beautiful Annual Pass is accepted for full entry. Active US military members, veterans, 4th-grade students, and US citizens with permanent disabilities enter FREE with interagency passes.
Visit mid-week or early in the morning to enjoy the quietest views. Weekend afternoons can get busy near the main visitor centers.
I had some mind blowing psychic interactions with Linc - as did many of my friends and family members. You can read that story here.