Each year, the Santa Claus, Indiana, post office receives thousands of letters to Santa from all over the world. Due to the tremendous volume, a volunteer group known as Santa's Elves was established in 1914 to respond to every letter. Each December, the post office creates a pictorial Christmas postmark. The stamp artwork is selected from art student submissions from nearby Heritage Hills and South Spencer High Schools. The post office receives over 400,000 pieces of mail in December, while the average for the rest of the year is about 13,000 pieces of mail per month.
The oldest tourist attraction inspired by the town's name is Santa's Candy Castle. Dedicated in 1935 and purported to be the town's first themed attraction, the red-brick Candy Castle was fully restored in 2006. The holiday theme is also reflected in other ways throughout the town. In the late 1960s, the gated community of Christmas Lake Village was developed on 2,500 acres. The family-oriented gated community boasts over 800 homes, three private lakes, a park, a beach, and a recreation center. Staying true to the theme, the names of the lakes are Christmas Lake, Lake Holly, and Lake Noel.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Santa Claus, Indiana?
December is the obvious choice for checking out Santa Claus, Indiana, but the town offers plenty to do all year long. If you're visiting in the spring, you can expect the most varied temperatures. If you're stopping by during the summer, high temperatures range from the 80s to the 90s with humidity significantly impacting the heat index. Fall begins with warmer air before the crisp air takes over. Then, the midwestern winter requires heavier coats, gloves, hats, and a cup of hot chocolate. During the spring, summer, and fall, rain and thunderstorms may pop up at any time, so you might want to bring an umbrella or a raincoat.
Santa Claus, Indiana, features family-friendly activities every weekend in September and October. Highlights include amusement park rides, 12 acres of corn mazes, pumpkin-flavored funnel cake, and pumpkin picking.
In December, of course, there is no shortage of things to do, including the Santa Claus Land of Lights, Chat with an Elf on the North Pole Network, and enjoy Christmas dinner with Santa.
For fun and adventure in the summer, spend the day at Holiday World & Splashin' Safari. Experience Wildebeest and Mammoth, the world's two longest water coasters, plus family raft rides, wave pools, a lazy river, and water slides.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Santa Claus, IN:
Averate Rates by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs displaying average rate patterns by star rating class in Santa Claus, IN. Analyze these charts to calculate the most cost effective time period to book in Santa Claus for any future trips.
What Are the Best Hotels Around Santa Claus, Indiana?
4 Star Average Prices: $157.00
The Doubletree by Hilton Evansville is one of the best hotels near Santa Claus, Indiana, providing modern rooms and a variety of amenities. Rooms include air conditioning, refrigerators, minibars, flat-screen televisions with cable programming, complimentary wired and wireless internet, hair dryers, and designer toiletries. Stay at the hotel to enjoy the seasonal outdoor pool and the 24-hour fitness center. Guest amenities also include a 24-hour front desk, a business center, and dry cleaning and laundry services. When you feel hungry, enjoy room service during limited hours, or check out the hotel restaurant, the café.
In nearby Evansville, Indiana, Country Inn & Suites by Radisson Evansville offers all the comforts of home. The air-conditioned guest rooms come furnished with refrigerators, flat-screen televisions with cable programming, complimentary wireless internet access, hair dryers, safes, and free toiletries. Guests will have access to the seasonal outdoor pool, a fitness center, a business center, a 24-hour front desk, and free self-parking. Sit by the fireplace in the lobby and read one of the complimentary newspapers. Start your day every morning with a complimentary breakfast that includes eggs, biscuits, waffles, coffee, and tea.
What Budget Hotels Are Available Near Santa Claus, Indiana?
3 Star Average Prices: $111.80
Budget hotels near Santa Claus, Indiana, include the Ramada Limited Tell City. Guests will find air-conditioned rooms complete with refrigerators, microwaves, coffee/tea makers, and irons with ironing boards, and. Hotel amenities include an outdoor pool, fitness facilities, a business center, barbecue grills, laundry facilities, dry cleaning and laundry services, and free self-parking. A complimentary hot and cold buffet breakfast is served daily. Additional perks include express check-in and check-out, free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, and a 24-hour front desk. Those traveling with pets should contact the hotel for the pet deposit and pet fee rates.
Days Inn by Wyndham Jasper offers a comfortable setting with affordable rates. The air-conditioned rooms come with refrigerators, LED televisions with cable programming, complimentary wireless internet access, hair dryers, and laptop-compatible safes. The hotel is family-friendly with access to an outdoor pool, a picnic area, a free children's club, and free breakfast. Additional amenities include a fitness center, a 24-hour front desk, a 24-hour business center, a restaurant, a bar and lounge, complimentary self-parking with space for RVs, buses, and trucks, and laundry facilities. The breakfast menu includes cereal, eggs, bacon, oatmeal with toppings, assorted breads, yogurt, coffee, tea, and juices.
2 Star Average Prices: $120.03
Where Can the Best Discounts Near Santa Claus, Indiana, Be Found?
Baymont by Wyndham Dale in Dale, Indiana, is 15 minutes from Holiday World and Splashin' Safari, and it offers multiple discount opportunities for members of AAA, seniors, and military and government personnel. Guests will find rooms with air conditioning, refrigerators, microwaves, flat-screen televisions, and complimentary wireless internet access. Additional room perks include coffee makers, irons with ironing boards, and (upon request) complimentary infant beds for the little ones. The hotel offers guests use of an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and free self-parking for cars, RVs, trucks, and buses. Complimentary breakfast is available each morning.
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Evansville is another choice for lodging with discounts. Special rates are available for AAA members, seniors, military and government personnel, and brand loyalty members. This pet-friendly hotel features rooms with air-conditioning, refrigerators, flat-screen televisions with cable programming, complimentary wireless internet access, microwaves, hair dryers, and free toiletries. Enjoy the use of the outdoor pool and a fitness center during your stay. Additional hotel amenities include a 24-hour front desk, early check-in (when available), late check-out (when available), express check-in and check-out, free parking, and free hot and cold breakfast.
Which Hotels Near Santa Claus, Indiana, Offer the Best Value?
Hilton Garden Inn Evansville offers discounted rates and a long list of amenities to improve your stay. Rest comfortably in rooms that feature air conditioning, beds with down comforters and premium bedding, sofa beds, refrigerators, flat-screen televisions with digital programming, and complimentary wired and wireless internet access. The hotel boasts an indoor pool, a spa tub, a fitness center, a 24-hour business center, a restaurant, a bar/lounge, room service (during limited hours), and buffet breakfast available daily (fees apply). Travelers will benefit from a 24-hour front desk, express check-in and check-out, free self-parking, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby.
For those looking to enjoy the area in luxury, Tropicana Evansville Hotel is a riverfront hotel with all the amenities. Guest rooms feature air conditioning, LCD televisions with cable programming, complimentary wireless internet access, hair dryers, and free toiletries. When you're not relaxing not in your comfortable room, you can visit the casino for slot machines, table games, and sports betting or stop in at the piano bar. Dining options are plentiful. The hotel offers a buffet, a deli, a tap house, and a fine-dining establishment. Additional amenities include a 24-hour front desk, a business center, a roundtrip airport shuttle to Evansville Regional Airport, dry cleaning, and laundry facilities.
What Are the Top Things to Do in Santa Claus, Indiana?
Choose from a variety of Santa Claus and Christmas-themed stores and attractions during your visit. Santa Claus Christmas Store spreads Christmas joy year-round with gifts, collectibles, Christmas tree ornaments, light displays, and visits with Santa on certain days.
The Santa Claus Museum & Village showcases the history of Santa Claus, Indiana, the Santa Claus Post Office, a collection of original town buildings dating back to 1856, and historical documents.
History buffs should stop by the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial. Learn about Abraham Lincoln's time in Indiana through artifacts, films, and exhibits. The Living Historical Farm is a recreation of a pioneer homestead complete with a cabin and outbuildings. More history is available at the Colonel Jones Home. This restored 1834 Federal-design home offers tours by appointment only.
Whether you come to Santa Claus, Indiana, to get into the Christmas spirit or soak up some American history, book your hotel now and visit this unique Indiana town.
FAQs about hotels in Santa Claus