The South's Best Christmas Tree Farms

No visit to Lebanon Christmas Tree Farm is complete without a train ride around the farm. You can also participate in a scavenger hunt or a hayride, and in Santa's Kidz Workshop, kids can write letters to Santa and complete a craft (this year, there's also a to-go option for those who'd rather paint at home). Plus, an on-site photographer is available for families who want to capture the magical memories on film.

Now in its fourth generation, Mt. Zion Nursery is the oldest running Christmas Tree farm in West Virginia. Founder Robert Martin planted his first Christmas trees back in the 1940s with the help of his son, and the vintage farm has been running ever since. Start your own family Christmas tradition with the help of Mt. Zion Nursery's tree selection.

It all started with 1,000 pine seedlings back in 1979. Now, more than 40 years later, Steele's Christmas Tree Farm offers award-winning trees and exemplifies holiday spirit—they'll even flock trees for Southerners craving a White Christmas. From its inception the farm has been a family affair, and on the farm's website you can find a catalogue of the family's history—the birth of children and grandchildren, all interwoven with the Christmas tree farm's operations.

Wolfe's Pine Valley Farms has been family-owned since its establishment in 1977, with son Holden Wolfe taking over operations to continue his parents' tradition and legacy. Shop around for the perfect tree—there are over 20,000 to choose from—then take a break and visit the Christmas barn, where you can marvel at the fresh wreaths.

Take a hayride to the Christmas tree fields at Spring Creek Growers. The kids can play in farm games (think cornhole and rubber duck races) while the parents choose the tree. Once you've secured the perfect pick, head to the farmhouse bakery for s'mores making kits and hot cocoa or cider.

While the novel coronavirus has forced them to cancel their 2020 season, the folks at Middleburg look forward to continuing their longstanding tree tradition in 2021. Here's what to know for next year: Located on Christmas Tree Lane, this Virginia farm is a short drive away from Arlington, Virginia and Washington DC. Middleburg Christmas Tree Farm provides a handy map that tells you just where you can find the tree you're looking for, whether you want a Blue Spruce or a Douglas Fir.

YesterLand Farm isn't just a place to get a pre-cut Christmas tree: It offers a whole day's worth of activities. Take a ride on Santa's Runaway Sleigh rollercoaster, visit the YesterLand Farm Zoo, and of course, get your photo with Santa. If you're looking for a frosty tree, YesterLand Farm also offers snow-flocked trees that look fresh out of a forest blizzard.

Barker's Christmas Tree Farm takes a photo of each and every family with their chosen tree. The photos are hung on the wall and can be picked up when you return for your new tree the next year! With free candy canes for the kids and a cozy fire pit, Barker's Christmas Tree Farm is the warm, fuzzy destination our Hallmark-loving selves crave. For 2020, a trip to the farm requires a reservation, so be sure to plan ahead!

The Appalachian Mountains offer the perfect conditions for growing coveted Fraser Firs, and you can find them pre-cut at Pine Mountain Tree Farm. But the farm's favorite type of tree is the White Pine, which is beloved for its full look, subtle smell, and soft needles. The farm also offers an annual hand-painted ornament made by a local artist and wreath-making workshops.

Nestled in the Smoky Mountains and conveniently located near Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Wilson Glyn Farm spans 100 acres and offers pre-cut or cut-your-own trees. The farm also festive handy sleds to transport the trees to your car. This year, since they can't offer cider or hot cocoa on site in light of COVID-19, they've shared their recipes for both on Facebook so you can recreate the cheery sippers at home.

Get lost in the beauty of Santa's Christmas Tree Forest. (Tickets are required this holiday season.) Not only will you find stunning Christmas trees, but you can also pet goats in Jack's Barnyard, ride down Santa's Flight Zip Line, or have a no-contact visit with Santa. And for the extra feel-good factor: the farm participates in the National Christmas Tree Association's Trees for Troops program, providing live trees to service members and their families in the U.S. and abroad. Donate here.

Christmas at Delp Christmas Farm is best described as utterly magical. This farm has been running since 1959; after you pick out your tree, snack on peanuts and sip on hot apple cider by their fireplace. And if you're sticking closer to home this year, they'll ship a tree or wreath right to your door.

This Delaware farm offers much more than just cut-your-own trees. Don't miss the Blacksmith Shoppe at McCarthy Tree Farm, where local artists can be found making horseshoes. There's also a gift shop featuring local art, pottery, ornaments, and wreaths.

If you're looking for a Christmas fairytale, Fort Osage Farm is the place for you. The magical Christmas tree farm doubles as wedding venue, so you can say your "I Do's" in an elegant forest of pine. Littles will love the free candy canes and coloring books.

Timberhill Christmas Farm is family-owned, making it the perfect place to take your family to pick out a tree for your home. The staff will help you cut your tree and provides saws and cart to carry the trees out of the field. The farm also runs field trips for kids to learn about growing real, live Christmas trees from owner and retired educator, Mr. Johnny Sassone.

Owasso Farm has been running for 34 years, and it's safe to say that they've mastered the art of Christmas tree growing. Plus, in the summer, you can stop by the farm to pick blueberries or blackberries.

Head to Tom Sawyer Tree Farm for choose-and-cut trees, fresh garland and wreaths, and socially distanced visits with Santa. Then plan to come back again in 2021 to experience the beloved Elf Village. Closed for the 2020 season, the Elf Village features a colony of colorful elf-sized tree houses, an Elf Post Office where you can send mail to Santa, a Uniform Shop where you can deck out in elf attire, and a Passport Office, where children can receive an official Elf Village passport.

All of the trees (with the exception of the Virginia Pines) offered at Grant Farms are hypo-allergenic, making this an ideal destination for those prone to sniffles and sneezes. The farm is also home to Pop's Pumpkin Patch for fall festivities and a collection of honey bee colonies, whose sweet harvest is sold in the gift shop.

The name isn't the only thing that's charming about this farm. Locally-owned Romance Christmas Tree Farm offers three different kind of trees and pre-tagging that begins in October, ensuring you can claim your dream tree well in advance. The kids can ride for free on the farm's cow train, which looks as cute as it sounds. Each compartment is even painted with white and black spots.

Motley's Christmas Tree Farm offers a variety of traditional Christmas trees, like the Leyland Cypress, which boasts a full appearance and kid-friendly soft needles. There's plenty to do for family fun, but the most compelling attraction is Motley's Fudge Kitchen, where they churn out more than 20 flavors of delightfully creamy homemade fudge. For a little offbeat entertainment, stick around for one of the farm's pig races.

Buy an ornament to take home and paint for your tree at Wildwood Christmas Tree Farm. If you're allergic to Christmas trees, Wildwood Farm has a solution—they sell White Pines and Turkish firs which have minimal to no fragrance. This year, they're also offering curbside pickup.

Christmas tree farm by winter, blueberry farm by summer. This Georgia farm has been up and running for over 30 years and offers family fun all year round. Brewer's Christmas Tree-Blueberry Farm also grows pears, muscadine and scuppernong grapes, and persimmons, making quite an eclectic mix of offerings. Be sure to check out the homemade jams and jellies available in the gift shop!

Reed Island Farm proclaims that it grows "Eco-Friendly Christmas Trees"—they don't use any pesticides on the trees, instead relying on natural insect life to keep the trees healthy. Although "eco-friendly" isn't technically a tree classification, Reed Island Farm's three Virginia Christmas Growers Grand Association Grand Champion awards prove that the farm is doing something right.

This farm's motto is "start a family tradition," and we can't think of anything more fitting for this family-owned Christmas tree farm. A trip to Shell's Christmas Tree Farm has activities like mule-and-wagon rides, wreath and garland making, bonfires, and more.