21 Festive Vacation Destinations For Christmas In The USA

Christmas in the USA is a magical time and when it comes to Christmas destinations in the USA there really is something for everyone.  From the bright Christmas lights of Vegas, the magic of Disney to the more genteel Nantucket and Seneca Falls, add some more Christmas spirit to your festive season by visiting one of the best places to spend Christmas in the USA. 

So whether you like your Christmas traditional with all the trimmings, dream of snuggling up in front of a log fire, or prefer something a little different, we have you covered.  Sit back, relax with a hot chocolate and let us walk you through the best Christmas vacations in the USA.

21 Festive Vacation Destinations For Christmas In The USA

Disney World, Florida

No one knows how to do Christmas better than Disney and I’m sure Disney World tops most people’s lists on the best places to go for Christmas in the USA. It’ all the Christmas fun and joy with good weather to boot.

From the candlelit processions to the Christmas parades, you will be swept away in the magic. Be prepared before you go and plan ahead because the parks can get very busy.

If you are thinking of spending Christmas in the USA a visit to Disney will make it unforgettable. 

Get prepared by visiting Disney World at Christmas by taking a look at our 5 Things To Know Before Visiting Disney At Christmas  and The Ultimate Guide To Visiting Disney In December

Christmas Town USA, North Carolina

From December Ist to December 26th McAdenville in North Carolina changes its name to Christmas Town and goes all in. If you are thinking of spending Christmas in America then a trip to Christmas town has to make your list. The best time to visit is Monday – Thursday to avoid the crowds and there’s lots to see and do.

The town transforms into a Christmas spectacular and with over 375 trees and red, green, and white lights adorning anything that stands still, it really is a sight to behold.

It’s busy and there will be lots of traffic but it’s worth it because we think the place could even melt Scrooge’s heart.

Definitely one of the best Christmas vacations in the USA.

New York City

No post on best places to spend Christmas in the USA would be complete without New York, the setting for lots of Christmas films that have left a mark on us.  The great thing about New York at Christmas is that it really has something for everyone all wrapped up with that legendary new York style.

Think ice skating in front of the Rockefeller Center, a carriage ride through Central Park, the Lazer show at Grand Central station, or the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City music hall.  New York City has everything for you Christmas in the USA.

For more ideas on Christmas in New York visit our The Ultimate 4 Days In New York Itinerary. 

North Pole, Alaska

Anywhere with a name like North Pole has to make it into an article of best Christmas destinations in the USA. This small Alaska town boasts such street names as Snowman Lane, Saint Nicholas Drive, Holiday Road, and Santa Claus Lane. It’s also famous for a Santa Claus House and the town post office gets flooded with letters to Santa every year.

Whether you are nostalgic for that childhood Christmas feeling or want to take your children to a magical place, North Pole is for you.

Want to extend Christmas in the USA? Read our The Ultimate Alaska Road Trip Itinerary

Chicago

When it comes to embracing the Christmas spirit Chicago has its own charm that makes it one of the best Christmas vacations in USA.  With a giant tree, lights galore, and a European-inspired Christkindlmarket, Chicago makes a great Christmas getaway. 

Don’t miss the Zoo Light at Lincoln Park Zoo, a 2.5 million holiday light display, the incredible tree lights at the Morton Arboretum and ice skating at Millennium Park.

Just call the windy city the city of lights and jazz up your Christmas in the USA with a trip to Chicago.

Asheville, North Carolina

A Christmas gem in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Ashville transforms itself into a Christmas wonderland. If you like your Christmas in America more sophisticated this might be the place for you. From the town adorned with lights, the North Carolina arboretum which transforms with nearly 500, 000 lights to the opulent Christmas at Biltmore, you won’t be disappointed.

Plus there is shopping and all the small-town charm you could wish for.

One of the best places to go for Christmas in the USA.

Austin, Texas

If you like your Christmas vacation more on the warm side then this one might be for you. Austin, Texas proves that snow does not a Christmas make. The trails of lights are a  sight to see, a celebration of Austin with food, fun music and of course lights.

Also worth a visit gingerbread village at the Four Seasons,  ice skating on the roof of Whole Foods and the Holiday Singalong and Downtown Stroll.

If you fancy extending your Christmas in the USA see our  Texas Road Trip 

New Orleans 

When you think of Christmas in USA  New Orleans may not be the first place that springs to mind but no place knows how to party like New Orleans and at Christmas it does it so well.

With the streetcars and steamboats decked out and lights around every corner and the French Quarter and Garden District mansions opening their doors for holiday home tours, New Orleans is just full of Christmas cheer.

New Orleans has tons to offer the Christmas traveller, all served with a helping of jazz.

Want to see what else New Orleans has to offer? Visit our Ultimate 3 Days In New Orleans Itinerary You Should Steal

Park City, Utah 

This former Olympic city is one of the best Christmas vacations in the USA if you favour your Christmas wonderlands with a side of skiing and dog sledding.

With torchlight parades, an eclectic parade and the historic Main Street, Park City has a lot to offer.  Oh, and look out for Santa who spends Christmas eve on skis.

Discover ore of Utah with our Ultimate Utah Road Trip Itinerary You Should Steal

Vail, Colorado

If a white Christmas is what you want then Vail should be high on your best Christmas vacations in USA list. Think snowflakes, the warm glow of street lights and Christmas charm. With lots of things to do and a backdrop of snow-covered mountains, it really is perfect for your Christmas in the USA.

With concerts, parties, tree lighting, and the Kris Kringle Market, Vail with meet all your winter wonderland dreams and then some.

Fancy exploring Colorado some more? Take a look at our Perfect Colorado Road Trip Itinerary You Should Steal

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Midnight mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis de Assisi, a light display at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden and a plaza adorned with Christmas lights Santa Fe makes a great alternative to the norm for your Christmas in the USA. And the lanterns adorning the rooftops on Christmas Eve are a sight to behold.

Santa Fe has more to offer the Christmas traveller than you would think, activities, traditions, candles, and lights all make up this unique offering. This place will have you sipping hot chocolate while watching the winter sunsets.

Las Vegas

If you like your Christmas loud and over the top then Las Vegas may be right up your street.  The entire strip transforms into a winter wonderland that takes Christmas to the next level.

Full of festivals, events, and dazzling hotel Christmas displays Vegas does Christmas bigger and better than anyone.

Be warned though, it’s busy and prices can double during the festivities. And if you need a little charm after all that glitter take some time out at The Fountains of Bellagio which has special Christmas performances.

An alternative for those who like Christmas in American to be big and bold. 

Helen, Georgia

A Bavarian Christmas in the USA? Yes, it is possible and Helen in Georgia serves it up for you with the snow-capped Blue Ridge Mountain range as a backdrop.

You can drink Glühwein, visit the Christkindlmarket, marvel at the architecture, and all without having to leave the USA.

Helen in Georgia has to be one of the best Christmas vacations in the USA.  If you can, try and get to the lighting of the village and the annual Christmas parade.

For a Bavarian Christmas, Helen really offers something different when it comes to Christmas in the USA.

Key West

Even though there won’t be snow, Key West still makes any list of best places to go for Christmas in the USA.  It’s a Christmas as unique as the location, from sparking boats and bikes adorned with lights, Key west knows how to do Christmas.

Christmas kicks off in Key West with the annual Hometown Holiday Parade and carries on with Conch Train Light Tours, a Lighted Boat Parade, a classic car show and a bike parade.

If you are looking for the best Christmas vacations in the USA that are a little different, Key West might be the place for you.

Extend your stay and see more of Florida with The Perfect Florida Road Trip Itinerary You Should Steal

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Country Living magazine recently named Jackson Hole one of America’s “20 Best Small Towns for Christmas.” With snowy slight rides, regular Santa sightings and herds of elk, it’s not hard to see why Jackson is one of the best places to spend Christmas in the USA.

If Christmas for you is snow, roaring fires, toasting smores, and the true winter wonderland experience, Jackson may just provide everything you need. 

Extend your Christmas in America by taking The Perfect Yellowstone Road Trip Itinerary

Portland, Oregon

Portland may not make everyone’s lists of the best Christmas vacations in USA but we think this charming and cosmopolitan city has a lot to offer.

From the Pioneer Courthouse Square Tree Lighting, the Oregon Zoo Lights, American’s largest Christmas Bazaar and the Christmas Ship Parade, Portland has it’s fair share of festivities and events to make it a Christmas destination in the USA.

Extend your stay with The Ultimate Oregon Road Trip Itinerary You Should Steal

Nashville

3 million twinkling lights, storytime with Mrs. Claus and a 100 ft Christmas tree. Nashville is definitely a contender for Christmas destinations in the USA.

If you like your Christmas vacation with a side of the country than Nashville delivers. Make sure you visit the Gaylord Opryland Hotel because the decorations there are spectacular. 

Christmas cruises, Christmas light drive-thrus this lively music orientated city may surprise you.  

Nantucket

If your perfect Christmas in the USA is a New England dream then Nantucket is the place for it. It all kicks off with the annual Christmas Stroll where you can sip mulled wine, listen to carols, and shop in the boutique shops.

Make sure  you check out the Nantucket Whaling Museum as it transforms into a winter wonderland for the festival of trees

This town has holiday spirit to spare and just explodes with seasonal cheer. It’s a traditional Christmas charm with bells on.

Washington, D.C.

Perhaps a more sophisticated Christmas than most, Washington does Christmas in a way few other places can compare to. The Christmas Tree alone is an astonishing sight, top that off with holiday markets, seasonal light displays and Washington has a lot to offer.

Make sure to take a visit to the National Zoo for Zoolights, Georgetown Glow, a unique exhibition of light-art, and take a candlelit tour at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. All topped off with a boat parade and plenty of places to do all that Christmas shopping.

A great Christmas destination in the USA. 

 

Seneca Falls, New York

If you want your Christmas to resemble a film set then perhaps Seneca Falls is for you. Seneca Falls has long believed itself to be the inspiration for Bedford Falls in It’s a Wonderful Life, so it goes without saying that Christmas here is truly magical.

With the “It’s a Wonderful Bonfire” event with a Christmas twist, special film screenings, bake sales and light contests, Seneca Falls knows how to deliver an old-time Christmas like no other.

When it comes to the best places to go for Christmas in the USA, this has to be high on the list. 

Seattle

Seattle just oozes with activities, twinkly lights, hustle and bustle all topped off with a Christmas tree atop the Space Needle. Seattle offers you plenty to do.

Its also home to the world’s largest Christmas light maze and market, Enchant Christmas which includes an ice skating trail and Santas landing.

But Seattle has much more to offer including Wild Lights at Woodland Park Zoo,  Pike Place Market, the Christmas Ship Festival and the Sheraton Grand Seattle Gingerbread Village. Seattle has something for everyone. A real gem if you are thinking of spending Christmas in the USA. 

When it comes to Christmas in the USA there really is so much to choose from. We have it all; hot, cold, traditional, unique. Christmas in America is as varied as the people who live and visit here.  We do hope you found your best place to spend Christmas in the USA and we hope you have a happy time wherever you spend the holidays this year.