( Southern Living ) -- For a heady dose of holiday spirit , dive into Opryland . Fifteen miles of green garland and 10 miles of hand-tied red ribbon festoon the property . I 've heard that you can see the Great Wall of China from outer space . At Christmastime , I bet you can also see Gaylord Opryland . It sparkles with megawatts of lights , fun , and merriment . But you do n't have to be shot into orbit to enjoy the view of this Nashville treasure . Make the easy drive to Middle Tennessee and delight in this perfectly luminous getaway . The one must-see . Many holiday activities raise your spirits ; one really promises to chill you out . Most of you have read or seen `` How the Grinch Stole Christmas ! '' But you have n't had the ultimate Dr. Seuss experience until you meet the green grump carved in ice . Put on a parka -- loaned to you upon admission -- and enter ICE ! , a frozen world located in the Gaslight Theater . The attraction will be back next year , but this is the last time you 'll see the Grinch and Who-ville , carved by Chinese craftsmen from huge , brilliantly hued blocks of ice . There are even frigid sliding boards to try . Afterward , leave the 18-degree area , and grab a cup of hot chocolate in the adjoining gift shop . Are you smiling yet ? Special happenings . It 's the 25th year the resort has provided a Santa 's bagful of activities and entertainment . The decorations begin going up in July for A Country Christmas , and the festivities run from mid-November until the holidays end . During that time , enjoy delights such as carriage rides , photos with Santa , the Hall of Trees , and the Treasures for the Holidays Craft Show . Just admiring all the lights , poinsettias , and `` faux-piaries '' -- animal-shaped topiaries -- will get your inner Rudolph aglow . Southern Living : Tips from a repeat Oprylander . The Radio City Music Hall Rockettes high-kick from the Grand Ole Opry stage . Wear your Christmas sweater and jeans while you watch them -- everyone else does . For a memento of your visit , add glitter and sparkle to a fragrant miniature holiday house at Gingerbread Corner . Special events also include Louise Mandrell 's `` Joy to the World Christmas Dinner & Show , '' as well as a Winter Wonderland that includes a train ride for little ones . Near the hotel , board the General Jackson showboat for a dinner cruise on the Cumberland River . SouthernLiving.com : Hot Spots for the New Year . Dining and shopping . You have many options for meals in the huge Gaylord Opryland complex . For a fine-dining experience , try Old Hickory Steakhouse . Indulge in a rich lobster bisque , perfectly cooked filet mignon , and crème brûlée . Water 's Edge Marketplace Buffet , located in the Delta Atrium , is a more casual venue . Graze among 60 different stations , filled with everything from pasta and salads to meats and vegetables . You can also grab a quick meal at Stax Burgers or Paisano 's Pizzaria & Vino , both on the Delta Island . For a nighttime dose of high-octane fun , go directly to the new Fuse nightclub , with rave reviews and visiting luminaries such as Kid Rock and Kim Kardashian . If you need festive duds , check out the shopping at Gaylord Opryland , such as Amelia 's or Savannah 's , both featuring dressy and casual women 's clothing . Opry Mills , the outlet mall just down the road , offers some of the best shopping opportunities , with winning Tennessee stores such as The Gibson Showcase and The Apple Barn Cider Bar & General Store . The Disney Store Outlet and Build-A-Bear Workshop also mesmerize , while standbys such as Nike , Gap Outlet , and Tommy Hilfiger Company Store are perennial favorites . The on-premises Rainforest Cafe or Johnny Rockets are ever popular refueling spots . If you go ... Gaylord Opryland Resort : www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-opryland or 1-888-999-6779 . Special holiday packages , including accommodations and tickets to several attractions , begin at $ 335 for a two-night stay . Try 2 FREE TRIAL issues of Southern Living - CLICK HERE ! Submit your favorite places to visit , stay , and dine in the South and enter to win a Caribbean Getaway - click here ! Copyright SOUTHERN LIVING Magazine . All rights reserved . This material may not be published , broadcast , rewritten , or redistributed .
Oklahoma ! in the Little Theater includes an ice sculpture of the Grinch . The decorations began going up in time for A Country Practice . The Village , the outlet mall just down the street , offers great shopping .