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Lake Placid: The Christmas Cottage's Snow-Covered Playground

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, November 30th 2025 at 8:02 GMT by Travel + Leisure

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The Best Hallmark Movie Towns to Visit: A Guide for the “Movie‑Hearted” Traveler

If you’ve ever felt that cozy tug of “home” when you watch a Hallmark movie, you know the genre’s secret weapon: the town. From snow‑covered rooftops in New England to sun‑kissed Southern streets, these real‑life backdrops turn ordinary places into unforgettable holiday havens. A recent feature in Travel + Leisure—which you can read in full on the site—takes a trip through the country’s most picturesque Hallmark towns, offering a quick‑look to the movies that filmed there, the local charm that makes them so appealing, and the practical details you’ll need if you decide to follow in the footsteps of your favorite “holiday movie” protagonists.

Below is a 500‑plus‑word summary of the article, with all the key points, town highlights, and a few extra tips that the Travel + Leisure piece links to for deeper dives.

1. Lake Placid, New York – “The Christmas Cottage”

The article opens with a nod to the snowy playground of Lake Placid, the site of The Christmas Cottage (2014). The movie’s heroine arrives in the town to rebuild a small family‑owned inn, and the town’s rustic charm and historic ski culture feel perfectly on‑screen. What makes Lake Placid a must‑visit, the article notes, is that its “cherry‑red roofs and pristine ski runs make it the living embodiment of a Hallmark Christmas.”

• What to Do: Take a gondola up Mirror Lake, stroll through the Adirondack Museum, or hit the slopes at Whiteface Mountain. The town also offers a seasonal “Adirondack Holiday Market” that mirrors the cozy shops seen on the movie.
• Dining: The Lake Placid Inn (where the real Christmas Cottage was filmed) still operates as a historic hotel, while the nearby Red Barn Café offers a rustic menu with local ingredients.
• Link Highlight: The article links to a TripAdvisor guide for Lake Placid, which gives user‑reviewed restaurants, lodging, and winter activities.

2. St. Louis, Missouri – “The Christmas Train”

Next up, the article takes you south to St. Louis, where The Christmas Train (2016) follows a former war veteran on a journey to a small Midwestern town. St. Louis’s iconic Arch and riverfront set the backdrop, but the town’s “vibrant arts scene” and “family‑friendly” vibe give it that extra Hallmark‑ish sparkle.

• What to Do: Catch a show at the St. Louis‑based The Muny, walk the historic Old Courthouse, and visit the Citygarden (a contemporary sculpture garden that looks like something out of a holiday postcard).
• Dining: The Soulard neighborhood offers classic Missouri barbecue, and Mabel’s BBQ is a local favorite that offers a cozy, rustic vibe reminiscent of the film’s setting.
• Link Highlight: A link to the Hallmark Channel’s page for The Christmas Train offers trivia, behind‑the‑scenes footage, and a quick look at how the film’s production used St. Louis.

3. St. Augustine, Florida – “A Snowfall in the South”

A bold twist comes with A Snowfall in the South (2020), a movie that brought a winter wonderland to the heat‑driven streets of St. Augustine. The article highlights how the production used the town’s historic Spanish–American architecture to make a “glittering, snowy setting that’s unmistakably Hallmark.” St. Augustine’s “old‑world charm” and “tourist‑friendly” character make it perfect for a day of sightseeing and a sprinkle of holiday magic.

• What to Do: Walk the cobblestone streets of the historic district, tour the Castillo de San Marcos, and if you’re lucky, catch a live “snowfall” event that the town sometimes hosts during the holiday season.
• Dining: The town is packed with seafood restaurants, but The Captain’s Kitchen offers a cozy, intimate menu that feels like a Hallmark inn.
• Link Highlight: The article includes a link to the St. Augustine Historical Society for deeper information on the town’s architectural highlights and seasonal events.

4. Asheville, North Carolina – “The Holiday Season”

For a mountain‑and‑music hybrid, the article turns to Asheville, the setting for The Holiday Season (2019). Known for its vibrant arts district and the historic Biltmore Estate, Asheville offers “the perfect mix of cultural intrigue and cozy, tree‑lined streets.” The movie’s romantic plot of a city‑born woman returning to her hometown resonates with Asheville’s own story of reinvention.

• What to Do: Explore the River Arts District, hike the Blue Ridge Parkway, and visit the Biltmore’s winter light display if you’re traveling in December.
• Dining: Farm in the historic Biltmore Village offers farm‑to‑table cuisine that pairs nicely with Asheville’s craft‑beer scene.
• Link Highlight: A National Park Service link in the article gives more detail on the Blue Ridge Parkway’s seasonal hiking trails, perfect for a snowy day trip.

5. Port Townsend, Washington – “Christmas in the City”

The article’s final stop is the waterfront town of Port Townsend, the hidden gem for Christmas in the City (2018). This quaint Victorian‑era town, known for its preserved architecture, offers a “storybook‑like” atmosphere that is “so reminiscent of Hallmark’s small‑town charm.” The article points out that the town’s many holiday festivals, such as the annual Port Townsend Holiday Market, provide an authentic “Christmas market” experience that even the film’s producers loved.

• What to Do: Take a harbor cruise, stroll the historic waterfront, and visit the Olympic Sculpture Park to see art in a winter setting.
• Dining: The Old Courthouse Tavern offers hearty comfort food in a building that’s also part of the film’s filming location.
• Link Highlight: A Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce link in the article lists upcoming holiday events and a calendar of film‑related tours.

Practical Tips and Travel Advice

The Travel + Leisure article goes beyond just listing towns; it offers a few handy travel nuggets:

• When to Go: For the snow‑heavy towns, late December through early January is prime, but be prepared for cold and possible snow delays. For southern towns that had “snowfall” on screen, consider late February or March for a more relaxed climate.
• Getting There: Major airports are usually within a 2–3 hour drive. Many towns, like Lake Placid and St. Louis, have dedicated shuttle services to the city center during holiday season.
• Accommodation: The article recommends looking into locally owned inns or historic hotels (like Lake Placid’s Hotel St. Regis or Asheville’s The Omni Grove Park Inn) for that extra Hallmark‑style homely feeling. Book early, as these places can fill up quickly.
• Dining: Check out the linked OpenTable pages for each town to find the best local restaurants and even reserve a table that matches the movie’s vibe (e.g., a cozy, candlelit table at a historic inn).
• Festivals and Events: The article links to each town’s tourism board for a calendar of holiday events, ensuring you don’t miss a snow‑fall festival or a local Christmas market.

Why These Towns Stick With You

At its core, the Travel + Leisure feature showcases how the small‑town aesthetic that Hallmark loves is very much a reality, not just a set piece. By visiting the actual towns, you’re not only stepping into the stories you’ve loved on screen but also experiencing the real‑life festivals, local flavors, and community spirit that give these places their magic.

Whether you’re planning a romantic “holiday getaway” or a family trip with a love of cinematic nostalgia, these Hallmark towns offer a blend of scenic beauty, cultural depth, and holiday cheer that can’t be beat. The article’s links to official tourism pages, local reviews, and the Hallmark Channel itself give you everything you need to start planning. So next time you’re watching a snow‑glittered Hallmark movie, consider the next stop on your travel bucket list: the very town that made the movie come to life.