There is something magical about December in many parts of the United States. There is a great deal of joy and excitement surrounding Christmas festivities. Amidst the gorgeous Christmas lights, lively markets, decorated trees, and decadent Christmas treats, you will find everything you need during the Holiday season. There’s nothing that looks so beautiful like Christmas and the cheery decorations to capture the holiday spirit. Despite the saying, “there’s nothing like home for the holidays,” sometimes taking a vacation is just right. Some great travel destinations for the holidays are worth considering, from charming small towns to buzzing cities this season.
New York City, New York
New York City is a magical place to celebrate Christmas. A dusting of snow and lights makes it especially beautiful during the holidays. Enjoy the impressive holiday window displays while shopping, attend Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a musical Broadway show hosted by the famous Rockettes, or take in New York’s Nutcracker Ballet. Several activities await you at Rockefeller Center, including ice skating and horse-and-carriage rides through Central Park.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah at Christmas has a unique charm. The twinkle lights drape Broughton Street, greenery in the squares, and carolers stroll through the Historic District. There are several seasonal events. The Holiday Boat Parade, Gingerbread Trail, and Holiday Tour of Homes are among them. Don’t miss the beautiful Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. There are a few amazing dining spots that are famous during the holidays. During Christmas, Savannah is one of the best places to visit in the USA, so plan and book the hotels at least a month in advance.
Asheville, North Carolina – 10 Great U.S. Travel Destinations for the Holidays
Christmas is a beautiful time to visit Asheville. It is also a great time to celebrate. Start the holiday season with Biltmore Estate’s 35-foot-tall tree in the Banquet Hall early in November. There are also Winter Lights at the North Carolina Arboretum that you’ll love. They have thousands of shining Christmas lights lining the wooded edge and gardens. Aside from visiting Mount Mitchell State Park and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Asheville has many other attractions and activities you can do all year long.
Woodstock, Vermont
One of the most photogenic Christmas towns is Woodstock, Vermont, with covered bridges, fresh snow, and fragrant pine trees. In early November, Woodstock Wassail Weekend celebrates Norse culture and traditions from the 19th century. The event features more than 50 horses and riders dressed in period costumes, wagons, sleigh rides, and carolers. All the local shops are open until late during the festival, and the Billings Farm & Museum offers a big feast and an old-fashioned celebration.
Washington D.C.
Washington D.C has more than the White House. Get your family together in December for holiday cheer and exciting activities in the nation’s capital. There are so many beautiful things to do in Washington, D.C., and many are free so that you can save for some last-minute shopping. Visiting the Smithsonian museums will keep you warm. You can also bundle up and walk around the city and see the National Zoo or stroll along the National Mall. The Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown is an ideal lodging option for exploring one of the city’s most charming neighborhoods.
Branson, Missouri – 10 Great U.S. Travel Destinations for the Holidays
It is one of the best small towns in the U.S. for Christmas because it is known as the Christmas Tree City. Here you can enjoy live music, festive lighting displays, and fun-filled parades throughout the extravaganza. The Midwest City is also the capital of country music, featuring drive-thru light displays and an illuminated nativity scene on Mount Branson, along with An Old Time Christmas, the area’s largest holiday display. A favorite of families, the Branson Scenic Railway’s Polar Express Train Ride offers hot chocolate, cookies, and a reading from Santa with the original story.
Las Vegas, Nevada
There is no better place to spend your Christmas vacation than Las Vegas. With giant Christmas trees and adornments, the Las Vegas strip will be full of holiday vibrancy this season. Experience Las Vegas’ most iconic attraction with the Bellagio Fountains. This glitzy oasis of fun in the Nevada desert is where Las Vegas Christmas holidays come alive with dazzling lights and world-renowned casinos. Holidays in Las Vegas are unforgettable due to the fantastic shows, the magnificent cuisine, and the endless attractions.
Vail, Colorado
A winter wonderland awaits you in Vail, one of the most beautiful places in Colorado, for the Christmas season. It’s worth spending Xmas in Vail, with plenty of skiing adventures, European-inspired villages, and alpine goodness. You can visit the Kris Kringle Market, an outdoor holiday market that feels like you’ve landed in Europe to get into the holiday spirit. It’s fantastic to see illuminated ice sculptures and Christmas lights at Winterfest closer to Christmas Eve!
Park City, Utah – 10 Great U.S. Travel Destinations for the Holidays
An excellent place for a ski getaway during the holidays offers lots of holiday festivities, including the annual Electric Parade in November. Spend Christmas Eve skiing with Saint Nick before watching him lead a torchlight parade down the PayDay trail. The procession includes lighted cars, trucks, bikes, and holiday tunes blaring down Main Street. Kids and adults of all ages will enjoy the nearly 13-foot-tall gingerbread house made with 11,000 cookies throughout the holiday season.
Naples, Florida
The southern Gulf Coast offers holiday parades unlike any other. A tropical holiday can be just as magical and a fantastic break if you want to avoid the cold. Get in the holiday spirit on the Paradise Coast of Naples in southwest Florida. The annual tree lighting ceremony also occurs during the first week of December. An impressive live Nativity scene is shown during the two-day celebration on 5th Avenue. A magical scene recurs throughout Christmas week. There are unique displays and artificial snow machines throughout the downtown during the holidays. It’s not just the holiday cheer that makes Naples one of the best places to visit in the USA at Christmas, but its amazing beaches as well.
