O n a recent morning, we left the Stockyards Hotel and stepped onto East Exchange Street, the cold, crisp air tinged with the smell of burning post oak from nearby restaurants. While my daughter and I waited for the Stockyards Rodeo Rink to reopen at 11 am, we grabbed breakfast at Hotel Drover’s 97 West Kitchen & Bar. Outside, groups of workers were putting the final touches on the Christmas decorations ahead of Friday’s Legendary Tree Lighting .

While the Stockyards and Mule Alley are comfortably at home in sweltering summers, there’s more than a bit of holiday magic in the district this time of year. Here, photos with Cowboy Santa and story time with Mrs. Claus mix with holiday shopping and outings to ice skate and visit other family-friendly attractions. To truly take in everythin

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