I'm not sure my annual serving of New Year's black-eyed-peas helped much last year, but I'm still going have a heaping plateful to welcome 2010. And, if you are planning to celebrate the New Year in the Southeast, whether attending a gala gourmet dinner or a small casual gathering with friends and family, chances are you will be offered, and encouraged to eat, black-eyed peas as well. Why black-eyed peas? Once you know more about this time honored Southern tradition, you might decide to have some black-eyed peas for the New Year too.

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^{Photo Credit: © 2006 George Alexander, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Mount Vernon, the beloved home of George and Martha Washington, is the most popular historic estate in the nation and one of the most interesting and memorable places to visit in the Southeast U.S. A true treasure, Mount Vernon Estate is open every day of the year, including Christmas Day and New Year's Day. During the holidays through January 6, 2010, visitors to Mount Vernon enjoy themed decorations, several festive programs and weekend storytelling sessions for children.

Another holiday addition, Aladdin the Mount Vernon Christmas camel, has returned this year following his extremely popular debut last year. His holiday stay on the Estate grounds recalls Christmas 1787, when George Washington, for the entertainment of his guests, paid 18 shillings for a camel to temporarily live at Mount Vernon during the Christmas season. Aladdin, who plays his role very well, is adorable.

Also: This weekend (December 11, 12 and 13, 2009) is the final weekend for this year's ever popular and delightful Candlelight Tours, another fun thing to do during the holidays at Mount Vernon.

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^{Mount Vernon's holiday camel is similar to the one George Washington brought to the estate to celebrate the holidays
Photo © 2008 George Alexander, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Atlanta loves to party and especially on New Year's Eve when locals and visitors fill the clubs, hotel ballrooms and city streets to welcome the New Year in style.

From daytime college bowl events to the annual Peach Drop and popular parties that last into the wee hours, Atlanta offers an array of fun New Year's Eve celebrations for all ages.

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^{Photo of Atlanta's Peach Drop: Courtesy Underground Atlanta / Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau}

For a festive day trip, short getaway or holiday vacation to the Southeast U.S., here are 50 fun seasonal attractions and fun places to visit. Enjoy Christmas lights, visits with Santa, exploring time honored yuletide traditions and more. Entry prices range from free to moderate, offering choices for all travel budgets. See the list of 50 Holiday Attractions. And, if you don't see your favorite holiday attraction listed, please click here to tell our readers about it.

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^{(Pictured Above) Rock City Christmas Lights; Photo Credit: Georgia Department of Economic Development}

To ring in the New Year, Raleigh drops a giant acorn (pictured), Atlanta drops a giant peach and Mobile raises a giant MoonPie. Embracing the tradition of Time Square's annual New Year's Eve Countdown and Waterford Crystal Ball Drop, several cities and small towns throughout the Southeast have created their own countdown and ball drop celebrations, featuring a festive and unique array of large fruits, nuts, vegetables and assorted other items. Read More

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^{Raleigh's New Year's Eve Acorn Drop; Photo: Courtesy of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau}

Each winter, from late December until mid-March, something huge happens off the coast of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Majestic humpback whales and fin whales follow a migration route that brings these magnificent oceanic mammals to a prime winter whale watching destination in the coastal waters near Virginia Beach.

The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center, located in Virginia Beach, offers education-based whale watching boat excursions and a chance to see these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. Find out more about Virginia Beach Winter Whale Watching.

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^{Photo Credit: The Virginia Aquarium}

Several ski resorts in the Southeast will ring in the New Year with special mountain-style celebrations. There are parties for all ages, fireworks and torchlight skiing on the mountain, moonlight ice skating, gala celebrations and many other events.

For great family fun, a romantic getaway or to welcome the New Year with a group of friends, check out this round up of tempting options:

Southeast Ski Resorts Celebrate New Year's Eve

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^{(Pictured Above) Appalachian Ski Mtn New Year's Eve Fireworks; Photo Credit: Appalachian Ski Mtn}

Enjoy a Taste of the Southeast U.S. - One of the great pleasures of a visit to the Southeast is being able to enjoy good Southern cuisine, from down home comfort food to sophisticated gourmet farm to table creations. These Southern food gift ideas highlight a few traditional favorites for a taste of the South anytime. For special occasion and holiday gifts or to take along as host or hostess gifts when visiting family and friends in the Southeast, these tasty Southern treats range from sweet to spicy with something for just about everyone.

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^{(Pictured Above) Artisanal honeys and honeycomb from the Savannah Bee Company; Photo: © Savannah Bee Company}

The glow of Christmas candles, fragrant handmade decorations, seasonal music and festive fireworks bring the magic of Christmases past to Colonial Williamsburg. Hundreds of special programs, events and demonstrations offer memorable fun for all ages. The Grand Illumination launches the holiday season on December 6, 2009 with period entertainment, the lighting of candles in the Historic District and dazzling fireworks displays. Advance reservations are necessary for many of the popular Christmas in Colonial Williamsburg events.

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^{Photo of the Grand Illumination © Colonial Williamsburg Foundation - All Rights Reserved}

Several cities and towns in the Southeast welcome the New Year with family-friendly First Night celebrations, offering fun and affordable options for a New Year's Eve family getaway or day trip. While each community creates a unique variation of the theme, all provide lively entertainment for all ages in alcohol-free environments. At midnight, and in some cases earlier, most First Night celebrations feature dazzling fireworks displays. Find out where to enjoy a First Night Celebration in the Southeast.

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