10Best: Holiday candlelight experiences that illuminate the past

Travel back to the 18th century and join “Martha Washington” for a holiday candlelight tour of the first president’s home. Nestled just outside of Washington, a trip to Mt. Vernon, Va. is sure to please the entire family. You can tour the historical estate, partake in caroling by the fire, sip on hot cider and even meet Aladdin the Christmas Camel!

Though not holiday themed, this five-mile driving tour of the site of America’s bloodiest battle is a powerful sight to behold this holiday season for families and history-lovers alike. On December 6, the Antietam Battlefield will be aglow with 23,000 candles in honor of every solider that was missing, wounded or killed on the battlefield.

Explore over 100 years of holiday history with a tour through the only historic house museum in Worcester, Mass. Each room of Salisbury Mansion is decorated to showcase all of the different holiday traditions that have been celebrated in the home, ranging from 1860 to 1960.

Warm up this holiday season with a candlelight tour of the Maker's Mark Distillery. Located on an idyllic Victorian-era farm, the distillery is a designated National Historic Landmark and it’s elaborately decorated for the holiday season. Indulge in the sweeter side of history with a candlelight stroll of the grounds and Maker's Mark-inspired cocktails and snacks.

Put on your favorite poodle skirt and celebrate the holidays with a candlelight tour and sock hop at the Harris-Kearney House located in Kansas City, Mo. Join the Westport Historical Society in reliving the 1950s, back when the Harris-Kearney House was already 100 years old, and explore a unique holiday event with root beer floats, Elvis Presley and Christmas cheer.

Each December thousands of people flock to the historic Jackson Square in New Orleans for an evening of Christmas cheer. Since 1946, amateur and professional singers have joined together to light up the square with candlelight and popular Christmas carols. Be sure to arrive early so you don't miss out on the holiday tradition of beautiful illumination and spirit-soaring harmonies.

Step back into Victorian-era California for the holidays with a candlelight tour at Rancho Los Cerritos in Long Beach. The 1844 adobe home is extravagantly decorated for the season with exhibits on Christmas trees, Santa Claus, fashion and holiday meals

Explore the majesty of Montana's first state park with a special holiday lantern tour through the Northwest's largest limestone caverns. During the two-mile tour, you’ll get a feel for how the first pioneers would have viewed the caverns in 1892, with only the light of their lanterns showing the way. Afterward you can warm up with hot chocolate and cookies.

Delight in over 350 years of American history and holiday traditions in New Hampshire's oldest waterfront neighborhood. The charming Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke’s 10-acre outdoor history museum and 40 historic houses allows you and your family to learn about 18th-century traditions, enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride and ice skate on Puddle Duck Pond.