The Best Christmas Getaways in the U.S.
Christmas is traditionally considered a family and home holiday. Still, some people have such a strong desire to travel that they want to travel even during this magical time of year. Luckily, several wonderful places in the United States are perfect for a short Christmas trip that will not only fit in with the holiday concept, but will also complement it.
1. Frankenmuth, Michigan
Frankenmuth is a popular tourist destination in Michigan, attracting several million tourists annually. Thanks to carefully preserved Bavarian traditions, this place is unofficially called “Little Bavaria.”
1.1 Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland
The main pearl of the town is the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. If you can’t find a special decor item or a unique gift, it will surely be waiting for you here. At Bronner’s, any adult can feel like a child again, especially in winter, when the holiday spirit is in the air.
2. Rhinebeck, New York
The small town of Rhinebeck is located in northern New York.
2.1 Sinterklaas Festival
Every year, an ancient winter festival takes place here, which dates back to the founding of the first Dutch settlement in the 17th century. It is called Sinterklaas and is always celebrated on the first Saturday in December. The main character on this day is the folklore character Bishop, who appears before people with a long white beard and loves children very much. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?
3. Newport Beach, California
Even though it never snows here, the coastal town of Newport Beach still made our list of the most Christmassy places in the U.S.
3.1 Annual Holiday Boat Parade
That’s because it hosts an annual holiday boat parade. This year, it’s scheduled for December 13-17, and will be Newport’s 109th event. The harbor parade is more like a large-scale display of boats decorated with lights, moving past you, allowing you to see them in all their glory.
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4. Santa Claus, Indiana
The town called Santa Claus has earned its reputation as the “Hometown of American Christmas” for good reason.
4.1 Year-Round Christmas Spirit
While the pre-holiday fever grips the rest of America only in November and December, here everything literally breathes Christmas every day of the year. Shops, theme parks, and amazing light decorations will help you remember the winter holidays for the rest of your life. The town is perfect for a family vacation, because every child dreams of being in a real Christmas village, where you can see the no less real Santa Claus.
5. Burnsville, Pennsylvania
The town of Burnsville, with a population of just 955, is home to Koziar’s Christmas Village, one of the best displays of illuminated holiday decorations in the country and one of Pennsylvania’s top attractions.
5.1 Koziar’s Christmas Village
It began as a simple home decoration for Christmas, but over the past seven decades, it has grown into a major destination for Christmas enthusiasts.
6. Durango, Colorado
Durango is a great place to spend the Christmas season, offering visitors a variety of activities including shopping, skiing, and snowboarding.
6.1 The Polar Express Experience
It also has its own Polar Express, where kids and adults can visit the “North Pole” in their pajamas while enjoying hot cocoa and singing carols along the way. There’s also a nearby Christmas tree farm where visitors can find the perfect green beauty to take home on the roof of their car.
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7. Red Wing, Minnesota
If you only have one day to spend on your Christmas trip, head to Red Wing, Minnesota, which is perfect for an annual holiday jaunt.
7.1 Christmas Festivities
The winter extravaganza begins with a pancake breakfast at the local Elks Club. The Wreath Festival allows visitors to see and purchase some of the most beautiful holiday wreaths ever made in the United States. During the day, visitors are invited to watch a holiday movie, this year’s The Santa Clause, admire ice sculptures, take part in cookie-making workshops, ride in a reindeer sleigh, and watch a fireworks show in the evening. And that’s just a taste of what there is to do in Red Wing at Christmas.
8. Conclusion
Whether you want to immerse yourself in Bavarian traditions, experience a festive boat parade, or visit a town that celebrates Christmas all year round, the United States has a variety of magical destinations to explore. Each of these destinations offers a distinct holiday charm, making your trip magical, heartwarming, and truly unforgettable. No matter where you choose to go, the holiday spirit will be waiting for you!
