Santa Claus (Indiana)

A small (pop 2,500) village, America's Christmas home town was once named Santa Fee. The name was changed in 1856 as it sounded too similar to Santa Fe, a settlement to the north.
Christmas Boulevard is the main street; other roads bear the names of the Three Wise Men, Chestnut by the Fire and Santa's reindeer. Letters to Santa Claus have been answered locally since 1914, with twenty thousand personal replies sent annually by a group of two hundred volunteers, many of whom come from afar.
Among the local landmarks are the old church, the post office and a 10-foot statue of Santa Claus. Kringle Place, the main shopping area in Santa Claus, is a mix of Christmas-themed shops and everyday chain stores. There are models of Santa everywhere. A gated residential community, Christmas Lake Village, was established in the 1960s.
The main events take place on the first three weekends in December. There's a candy shop, a toy store and Christmas cards which may be mailed with the local postmark.
All times listed are in the Central time zone (GMT-6).

Santa Claus is south of Ferdinand and east of the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial and Lincoln State Park on Route 162.

There is no local public transportation; the nearest taxi is 20-30 miles distant.

• Christmas Lake Golf Course

  address: 1 Clubhouse Road
  Golf, events centre, 19th Hole restaurant.

• Frosty’s Fun Centre

  phone: +1 812 544-3338
  address: 15 Cedar Lane
  Christmas-themed 18-hole miniature golf course, arcade games, restaurant with sandwiches, ice cream and fresh pizza.

• Holiday World & Splashin' Safari

  address: 452 E. Christmas Blvd
  A large theme park with several world-class water slides and three wooden roller coasters, "The Raven", "The Legend" and "The Voyage".

• Santa's Candy Castle

  phone: +1-812-544-3900
  address: 15499 North State Road 245

• Santa's Stables

  phone: +1 812 340-2288
  address: 6709 E. County Road 1450 North, Lamar, Indiana
  20-minute and 45-minute horse and pony riding tours.

• Santa Claus Christmas Store

  address: 33 North Kringle Place
  Christmas hats, freshly-baked cookies, decorations and Christmas village collectibles. The man with the red robes and white beard may be found in Santa's grotto at the back of the store from May onward.

• Kringle Place

  phone: +1 812 937-5000
  Commercial plaza with a dozen businesses including the post office, Santa Claus Christmas Store, Brick Oven Pizza, bank, pharmacy, Holiday Foods grocery and Spencer County travel info bureau.

• Santa's Toys

  phone: +1 812 937-6050
  address: 3. N Kringle Place
  Has toys for all ages but caters to younger children, has vintage style toys

• Brick Oven Pizza

  phone: +1 812 937-2311
  address: 21 North Kringle Place

• American Legion Post #242

  phone: +1 812 937-2611
  address: Christmas Blvd
  Offers daily food as posted on their facebook page,

• Santa's Lodge

  phone: +1 812-937-1902
  address: 91 W Christmas Blvd,
  Indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool, catch and release fishing, ziplines, paddle boats, and a bounce house. Room prices include parking and wi-fi. St Nick's Restaurant serves seasonal full service breakfast, lunch, and dinner. ​Restrictive policy requires first night paid in advance and three days notice to cancel; smokers and pets are not welcome.

• The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial and state park are west.
• Ferdinand is the closest town.