15 Beautiful Places to Visit in December in the USA for a Winter Getaway
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Are you looking for the most beautiful places to visit in December in the USA?
The United States thrives during the holiday season, in which December is the pinnacle of it all. Christmas markets, cold weather sports, fabulous shows, and delicious food define this time of year.
I’ve traveled all over the USA in winter (from Maine to Cali and many places in between) and have rounded up some places that you absolutely can’t miss during this magical season.
There are plenty of places to visit in December in the USA to satisfy your hunger for winter festivities.
Places to Visit in December in the USA
Boston, Massachusetts
There are some winter essentials in Boston that help us answer the question, where is the best place to travel in December in the US?
Visiting Frog Pond and flying like an Olympic gold medalist over the ice will be a Boston activity you won’t forget. You’ll also want to make sure to witness the holiday tree in Quincy Market, showing just how large Boston’s love for the holidays is.
There are plenty of other holiday lightings to see, including a public Menorah lighting and the Jewish Festival of Lights. All of them are free.
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Leavenworth, Washington
If you’ve ever wanted to visit Santa Claus’ village, Leavenworth, Washington, is the closest you’re going to get, and you won’t be disappointed.
This town makes the holidays its whole personality, lighting up every square inch it can. There’s live entertainment–choirs, bands, and carolers– to be enjoyed almost nightly, a free gift-wrapping station, and an exhibit designated to Santa’s attire around the world.
Christmas lovers must look into going to Leavenworth if they are in America in December.
Key West, Florida
Now, you may be thinking, “Wait, I’m reading this article to find a place that takes me away from the cold weather.” Well, don’t worry, we’ve got that, too! First on our list is the sunny Key West in Florida.
Winter temperatures rival perfection, staying at just about 75 degrees during the day. There is a little precipitation, so you don’t have to be worried about the weather ruining your beach vacation.
Spend your days biking around the island, relaxing on the sand, or hiking to the top of the Key West Lighthouse.
Joshua Tree National Park, California
California is an obvious answer to which one of the states to visit in December, but Joshua Tree National Park may not have been the first location in California to cross your mind. But if you’ve never seen the park in the winter, you are truly missing out.
This already otherworldly landscape looks incredible with a layer of snow over it. Temperatures drop significantly, making it much easier to explore in December than in the sweltering summer months.
It’s the perfect time of the year for hiking, watching the vibrant, cool winter sunsets, and stargazing while curled up in a sleeping bag or blanket.
Manchester, Vermont
Manchester, Vermont is one of the cutest little places to visit in December in the USA. Whether it’s covered in snow or not, you’ll be enchanted by the quaint small-town feel that very few of America’s cities have nowadays.
Your first stop should be to grab a bite to eat at Zoey’s Deli (my personal favorite restaurant as a child growing up in southern Vermont), then onto exploring the charming Vermont streets. There are plenty of restaurants and shops where you can purchase a souvenir or two.
Then, when the moon is out, head to Factory Point to see a lit-up tree all ready for the holidays.
New York City, New York
This bustling, quintessential American city is truly the place to be during the holidays. There is a never-ending list of things to do in this city, but you can easily see the essentials in just a few days, and you can get to most of them on foot.
It’s a must to see the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and, of course, do some ice skating in Central Park.
Go shopping for Christmas gifts on Fifth Avenue, then check out one of the city’s holiday markets. Buy a cup of hot chocolate in one of NYC’s famous cafes and take it with you as you check off the top sightseeing destinations.
Expect chilly weather and higher hotel prices during this time of year, but it is definitely worth the splurge. This is one of my favorite places in December in the USA.
Washington, DC
Seeing as Washington, DC, is technically not a state, it can’t necessarily be called one of the best states to visit in December. However, there was no way we were leaving this enchanting December destination out of our list.
Check out the Upshur Street Craft Market to see some of DC’s most creative vendors of trinkets and holiday treats. Participate in US history and watch ‘A Christmas Carol’ in the infamous Ford’s Theater.
You also can’t miss the best holiday lightings of the season, such as the Menorah Lighting Ceremony and the National Christmas Tree Lighting at Ellipse near the White House.
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is a perfect place to visit in December in the USA for those who are looking for a festive getaway with gentler winter temperatures.
San Antonio averages 50-degree weather throughout the month, making it the perfect time to experience the city’s enchanting River Walk decked out with twinkling lights.
If you can’t get enough of the abundance of Christmas lights, you should also visit San Antonio’s Botanical Garden’s Garden of Lights.
The McNay Art Museum opens its doors for its Holiday Open House, offering festive activities for all ages. It’s the perfect place to spend a day embracing the holidays with your family.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago is definitely one of the best places to visit in December in the USA. The city is aware of its reputation of having some of the best holiday activities and it never fails to deliver.
The number one must-do item on your list should be to attend the Christkindlesmarkt. This Christmas market, inspired by Nuremberg, Germany, has been a local and tourist favorite since it started in 1996. Warm up with a hot drink from the Starbucks Reserve & Roastery after spending a day on the town.
There are plenty of lights to see and festive dishes to try, and you stick around until New Year’s Eve to watch the monumental fireworks display set off from a barge near Navy Pier.
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Although Yellowstone National Park rakes in about 3 million visitors a year, it still feels like one of the last wild places in the United States, and this feeling is only amplified during the winter months.
Cloaked in snow and not overstuffed with tourists, Yellowstone’s serene meadows, dramatic canyons, and luscious forests are truly breathtaking. It is the perfect place to escape to on a December getaway.
Watching the famous Old Faithful in the winter is a must. Then, you can embark on a snowclad adventure, skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling throughout the wilderness.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is one of the best places to visit in December in the USA, but not one of the most well-known. This means, of course, a steal of a deal in hotels and a city all to yourself.
A fusion city of traditional American, Mexican, and Indigenous cultures celebrates its holidays in a unique way you won’t want to miss. You can watch the Pageant of Las Posadas, participate in the Christmas Eve Farolito Walk, and enjoy the festivities at the annual Museum Hill Holiday Stroll.
There are also plenty of delicious holiday treats that can be found at every event.
Park City, Utah
Some of you may be surprised, but there is actually more than just skiing and snowboarding in Park City. It may end up being your new favorite December vacation spot, even if you don’t engage in winter sports.
You could spend hours walking the Historic Main Street, window shopping the holiday decorations, or stopping in to buy a souvenir or two. Take a yoga paddleboard class in the geothermal hot spring, Homestead Crater, which maintains a year-round water temperature of 90 degrees.
For a festive activity, you can hop on the North Pole Express. A 90-minute train ride complete with live entertainment, hot cocoa, cookies, a souvenir ticket, and maybe even a surprise gift from Santa Claus.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Close to the metropolises of Boston and New York City, Portsmouth is a perfect December getaway for those in the area, or coming from hundreds of miles away.
Walking the streets of one of those oldest towns in America can only get better if it’s covered in an enchanting dusting of snow.
You’ll also want to check out the ice rink at the Strawbery Banke Museum, if not for the skating then for the Figtree Kitchen Cafe to try their delicious hot cocoa, soup, and warm pastries.
The city is just as quaint as the names Strawbery Banke and Figtree Kitchen Cafe. This is definitely one of the best places to visit in December in the USA.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole is another Northwestern wilderness that provides top-tier ski slopes and holiday festivities for all its visitors to enjoy.
Jackson Hole has got your whole evening planned for you with its holiday musical at the Playhouse. The night starts with a Christmas dinner so you can eat and enjoy the show. There are a plethora of options to see live music, including honky tonk and bluegrass.
Of course, you can bring your kids to see Santa and pick up a few souvenirs at the Holiday Bazaar.
Aspen, Colorado
A skier’s paradise, Aspen, Colorado, is open for business once the snow hits, creating a surreal vision of soaring mountains and plummeting valleys. There are slopes enough for all ages and skill levels, but don’t worry, there’s plenty to do for non-slope enthusiasts as well.
Spend the days meandering through the adorable shops and fascinating art galleries, and when the sun goes down, and the lights come on, join the city in a night of fun at bars and restaurants with fun atmospheres. It’s only too easy to find a DJ and a crowd.
Final Thoughts: Where to go in December in the USA
Finding places to visit in December in the USA that will offer you everything you’re looking for in a trip during the holidays isn’t hard, but we wanted to share the ones that would guarantee you a good time, worth your money and your time.
Any one of these locations will bring you the festive winter magic that adorns December in the US each year.
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