13-12-2019
With the joy of Thanksgiving in the air and Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about where to spend the holidays. The United States is a great place to enjoy Christmas as each state and city has its own unique festive celebrations, meaning whether you want to relax on the beach or visit the Christmas markets in the snow, the United States has something for you! Read on to find the best places to celebrate Christmas in the US (with and without kids) so you can plan for the holiday season.
Christmas in the USA without children
If you’re looking for a grown-up Christmas destination in the US that’s full of parties, but without the kids, look no further than cities like New York and Chicago or states like Colorado and Hawaii, which offer something a little different from the character-filled Christmas at Disneyland.
New York
New York has long been a favorite Christmas trip for those who want a magical winter landscape. The whole city bursts into celebration with Christmas lights and decorations adorning every shop and street lamp.
Visitors can spend hours browsing the shops in Manhattan for Christmas gifts, with many of the department stores having Christmas floors filled with festive treats, not to mention spectacular window displays that change every year.
Another annual classic that is a must for a Christmas vacation in New York is seeing the giant Christmas tree outside Rockefeller Center. Travelers can take pictures in front of the huge decorated tree before enjoying an afternoon of ice skating at the famous Rockefeller Rink .
Hawaii
For those looking to escape the winter temperatures, a place like Hawaii might be a better fit than NYC! This island state allows you to relax on beaches while still getting your Christmas fix with delights such as Kaua’i Festival of Lights .
Hawaii’s cities, hotels and restaurants have holiday menus and events, so even if you’re walking around in shorts and t-shirts, you’ll still feel like you celebrated in style. Hawaii may also be one of the few places in the world where you can see Santa arrive on an island by boat, fully dressed in fur-lined festive shorts as opposed to his usual winter attire.
Colorado
If you prefer to ski over Christmas, why not head to the winter playground of Colorado? A stay at a stylish hotel or a cozy cabin is a good way to relax during the holiday season, and you can ski and go to the spa as much as you like.
There are plenty of different destinations to choose from in Colorado, from the laid-back resorts of Breckenridge and Steamboat Springs to the exclusive Vail and Aspen. You can even choose one of the fine restaurants where you can enjoy a Christmas meal, or stay until New Year’s Eve for a wild night of après-ski.
Christmas in the USA without children
If you’re traveling with young children and want a place that will offer a Christmas you’ll never forget, you’ll find places that include fun, festive traditions, shows and events that are kid-friendly. Naturally, Disney is the first place that comes to mind, but there are other things too if you’re looking for something else.
Florida
Florida is a perfect family Christmas destination as you can combine great weather, beaches, shopping and even Disney World for a unique and festive vacation! Florida has plenty of vacation villas and hotels that work well for family vacations so you can spend quality time together over Christmas.
Not only will you enjoy the sun, sand and sights of Florida, but you can also visit Christmas Town near Orlando for a unique day out and send gifts and cards to friends and family around the world postmarked ‘Christmas, Florida’.
Disney
Whether you choose Orlando or Los Angeles, Disney is always a good shout for Christmas with kids. There’s no better time to visit ‘The Happiest Place on Earth’ than December, when the pages are filled with Christmas decorations, gifts and shows centered around the festive period.
Even if you don’t receive a snowy Christmas, you’ll enjoy mild temperatures where you can explore the parks, with shows like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party sure to keep the kids entertained.
Solvang, CA
Another top place in the US for Christmas with kids is Solvang, California. This Danish city celebrates Christmas in its own unique way, with Julefest , which takes place throughout December. These include a live show, a Christmas market light show, Santa’s town, a festive parade and much more.
Solvang gives you the opportunity to enjoy some of the more European Christmas traditions if you feel like it.
New Hope, PA
Another town in the United States that goes all out in celebrating Christmas is New Hope, Pennsylvania. This city often offers visitors a White Christmas (with usual temperatures hovering around -1-4C) which makes most travelers feel a little more festive!
Kids will love riding the North Pole Express or Santa’s Steam Spectacular rides that provide a holiday day out on the New Hope Railroad, with Santa and Mrs. Claus coming along for the ride.
Families can sing along with onboard musicians playing carols, enjoy hot chocolate and cookies and even receive gifts from Santa himself along the way. Kids are encouraged to wear festive pajama sets to get them in the mood, and there’s even a bar on board for the adults too.
So there you have it, some of the best destinations to spend Christmas in the US. Whether you’re traveling with or without children, you’re sure to find somewhere that will be full of partying, giving you endless entertainment that will make it a Christmas to remember.
Where are you going to spend your holidays this year? Good holiday.