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Santa's Workshop, Colorado.
Santa's Workshop, Colorado.

Summer Santas

Ah, those harried Men in Red, ensconced in their cramped rustic cabins, designed less for comfort and more for souvenir photography and speedy child throughput.

Even though there are plenty of St. Nicks to go around in the winter, let's keep in our thoughts those dedicated, sweating Santas of Summer.

We visited three classic Santa's Lands in 2003...

Santa's Workshop

North Pole, Colorado

Santa reads mail in North Pole, New York.
Santa reads mail in North Pole, New York.

In the shadow of Pike's Peak, this fanciful holiday village is a near mirror version of the original one in North Pole, New York. More regular amusement park rides here, and a large staff. Colorado's Santa is a busy guy, as vacationing families funneled along the gorges from Colorado Springs past Garden of the Gods usually end up here.

We caught the Jolly One five minutes before his Workshop closed, and were pleased to notice that his portable cooler is Christmas tree green.


Santa's Workshop

North Pole, New York

When a town has a name like "North Pole," you can bet it will receive a lot of mail in December. The Santa who lives in Santa's House never gets done reading letters from kids, but he always takes a moment to pose with children who make the trek in person.

Outside the attraction is the North Pole Post Office, where letters and packages are officially postmarked "North Pole."

Santa's Land USA

Santa's Land, Home of Santa Claus.
Santa's Land, Putney, Vermont.

Putney, Vermont

We're praying this attraction is still kicking after the Spring thaw in southern Vermont. When we visited in 2003, Santa's Land USA was open but nearly deserted, and had disappeared from state tourism literature (always a bad sign). Nevertheless, the train was running, the funnel cakes were toasting, and Santa was as jolly as we've ever seen him. By 2004, Santa's Land USA had been renovated and was back on the tourism maps.

Also see: Every Day is Christmas on America's Highways

Santa's Workshop - North Pole

Address:
5050 Pikes Peak Hwy, Cascade, CO
Directions:
Ten miles west of Colorado Springs, north of Cascade off of Hwy 24. From I-25 exit 141, head west and watch for the signs for Pikes Peak Highway Toll Road and the North Pole.
Phone:
719-684-9432
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
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RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Santa's Workshop

Address:
324 Whiteface Memorial Hwy., North Pole, NY
Directions:
From Albany take the Adirondack Northway (I-87) north to exit 30, turn left on route 73 into the town of Keene; at the Elm Tree Inn bear right on 9N to Jay; turn left on Rte 86 into the town of Wilmington. From Plattsburgh and Montreal take the Adirondack Northway (I-87) South to exit 34; turn left on Rte 9N south to Jay; turn right on Rte 86 to Wilmington. Follow the signs to Whiteface Memorial Highway.
Hours:
2020: Covid-19 closed until further notice. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
518-946-2211
Admission:
$15.95 children/$17.95 adults.
RA Rates:
Major Fun
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RoadsideAmerica.com Team Field Report

Santa's Land USA

Santa's Land USA

Address:
635 Bellows Falls Rd, Putney, VT
Directions:
I-91 exit 4. On Hwy 5 (Bellows Falls Rd), three miles north of town.
Hours:
Sa-Su 10-4 Memorial Day until Christmas. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
802-387-2777
Admission:
Adults $13.
RA Rates:
Worth a Detour
Save to My Sights

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