Want to do things a little differently this season? Our last Christmas season was anything but ideal, and now that we can more freely travel in the US, there’s no better way to spend Christmas than by jetting off somewhere exciting!
If you’re considering going elsewhere this holiday season, what better place to head than to destinations that take the holiday cheer to the next level? From mountain towns that will make you feel as though you’re celebrating in the German Alps to the North Pole, these are the ultimate destinations in the United State that simply know how to do Christmas right.
Festive Christmas Destinations in the United States
Get in the holiday spirit at these best places to visit during Christmas in the USA.
North Pole, Alaska
Yes, this town is actually called North Pole and it makes sure to do justice to its name. As if that weren’t enough, get this – its mayor is called Santa Claus. Cheesy? Maybe, but seriously, what’s not to love about North Pole, Alaska?!
Even though it’s not technically set in the actual North Pole, this quaint Alaskan town is as close as you can get to the real deal. We’re talking light poles shaped like candy canes, walls covered in kids’ letters to Santa, a street called Santa Claus Lane, and twinkling lights illuminating every single corner of this quaint village.
Big City Christmas in NYC
A little cliché? Christmas in New York City is a classic, and experiencing at least one holiday season there is a must on every Christmas-obsessed person’s bucket list.
Stroll through snowy Central Park, do some serious window shopping at Bryant Park’s annual winter village, go ice skating at Rockefeller Center and tick off as many Christmas markets as you can to get a taste of the magic of a Christmas in NYC!
A Bavarian Christmas in Leavenworth, Washington
Christmas in Germany is the ultimate travel dream, but if you can’t make it this year, Leavenworth in Washington is a pretty good alternative.
Tucked away in the alluring Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth’s Bavarian roots come to life every holiday season. Think half-timbered houses brimming with storybook vibes, authentic Christmas markets spread all over town, and a whole lot of German beer and gluhwein to drink to your heart’s content.
As if that weren’t enough to convince you to pay this festive town a visit, as the holiday season approaches, Leavenworth dresses up in thousands of twinkling lights (that’s why it’s dubbed the Village of Lights!), which makes it the perfect destination if you’re in search of some serious festive cheer.
As the date approaches, the town’s calendar fills up with gingerbread house competitions, advent calendar contests, and a myriad of merry activities to make you feel the season to the fullest!
Christmas Markets and Skiing in Denver
Denver, Colorado knows how to do Christmas right. As the season approaches, the city’s schedule fills up with fun seasonal events, Christmas markets so quaint you won’t believe, and a ton of activities to help you feel (and spread) the holiday cheer.
Christmas markets are the ultimate jam here, especially when you consider that the two main ones – The Denver Christkindl Market and the European Holiday Market – are organized by the German Cultural Foundation and made to look exactly like the ones in Germany do.
Simply put, a visit to Denver during the holiday season might actually make you forget you’re in the USA at all. The city is the perfect go-to if you want to combine city vibes with unparalleled Christmas cheer (plus, let’s not forget some of the best ski resorts in the country are just a stone’s throw away!)
Read More: Best Winter Vacations in the US for Snow or Sun
Do you love celebrating the holidays away from home? What are some other dazzling destinations in the USA (or abroad) where Christmas is taken to the next level? Drop your favorites in the comment section below!
