By Zachary Laks
December 25,2015; 7:01AM,EST
There's no better place to celebrate Christmas than by the side of a festively trimmed and glowing evergreen. The tradition of decorating and transforming trees into holiday works of art dates back to sixteenth-century Germany. Since then, advances in design and technology have made way for some remarkable achievements in Christmas tree décor. With trees that tower well over 100 feet, and some that are adorned with miles of lights, take note of the ten most awe-inspiring Christmas trees across the country this year.
ROCKEFELLER CENTER
Credit: Tishman Speyer/Photographer Gregory Scaffidi
Where: New York, New York
The icon of Christmas in New York City since 1933, Rockefeller Center, in the heart of Midtown, celebrates the holiday season with an enormous evergreen tree that towers over the plaza. Every year, a Norway Spruce standing between 75 and 100 feet is erected and adorned with approximately 45,000 multicolored lights. The famed golden statue of Prometheus sits at the base of the tree, presiding over an ice-skating rink and restaurants. A legendary New York tradition, the annual tree lighting ceremony is watched by millions on national TV.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's New York City Travel Guide
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NATIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE
Credit: Paul Morigi for the National Park Foundation, 2014 National Christmas Tree Lighting
Where: Washington, D.C.
A tradition since 1923, D.C.'s Christmas tree is a national emblem of the holiday spirit, as it glows brightly just a few steps south from the White House. This year's tree will be revealed during the lighting ceremony on December 3. The annual ceremony, televised for millions each year, is attended by the President and First Lady, as well as assorted celebrities and musical artists.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Washington, D.C., Travel Guide
THE GALLERIA DALLAS
Credit: Galleria Dallas
Where: Dallas, Texas
Towering at 95 feet, The Galleria Dallas's Christmas tree is the country's tallest indoor holiday greenery. Impossible to miss in the center of the shopping mega-mall, this picture-perfect tree is surrounded by an indoor ice-skating rink. With 450,000 LED lights and 10,000 colored ball ornaments, the five floors of shopping provide ideal vantage points to appreciate all aspects of the mammoth tree.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Dallas Travel Guide
THE GATEWAY MALL
Credit: Ashley Torman
Where: Salt Lake City, Utah
Standing tall inside the Gateway Mall, this year's Christmas tree is a 52-foot White Pine from California. Decorated with 400,000 lights, this tree is the tallest the Gateway Mall has ever featured, and it certainly brightens shoppers' spirits.
Plan Your Trip: Visit Fodor's Salt Lake City Travel Guide
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