Summary of Top Holiday Destinations in the USA
What is your holiday preference: opulent splendor, picturesque gazebos reminiscent of Hallmark movies, or charming Bavarian-style Christmas villages? Americans have consistently embraced the festive spirit. This is evident as we explore ten of the finest destinations across the USA, ideal for this enchanting time of year, regardless of your seasonal inclination.
New York, NY
No city embraces Christmas quite like New York City. The iconic tree at Rockefeller Center sparkles with more than 50,000 lights, crowned with a Swarovski star designed by Daniel Libeskind. At Bryant Park’s Winter Village, over 180 holiday shopping and dining kiosks and an ice skating rink accompany the renowned rink situated at 30 Rock, adjacent to Radio City Music Hall, where the famous Rockettes showcase their legendary Christmas Spectacular.
The Chelsea Market features GingerBread Lane, the largest gingerbread village globally. In Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights, residents go to great lengths with festive decorations. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden presents Lightscape, a nightly exhibition curated by various artists, while the Bronx hosts the annual New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show and the NYBG GLOW light display.
Burlington, VT
Vermont presents a holiday wonderland, epitomized by Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace, which hosts a festive celebration through the city’s main pedestrian area. Windows adorn with festive decor, thousands of colorful lights illuminate the surroundings, and a Christmas tree lights up outside the church at the street’s pinnacle, while a nine-foot-tall menorah is scheduled to be illuminated on December 10. Santa welcomes guests, and carolers meander through shops and streets.
Asheville, NC
Experience the opulent Gilded Age holiday elegance at the expansive Biltmore Estate, a French Renaissance-style mansion built in the 1890s by George Washington Vanderbilt. Christmas has long been a cherished tradition at Biltmore, and this year the estate serves as the backdrop for a new Hallmark Christmas film: “A Biltmore Christmas.” Known as America’s largest residence, it features 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, 65 fireplaces, and ballrooms adorned in Gilded Age holiday decor, including a remarkable 35-foot Christmas tree displayed in the banquet hall.
Natchitoches, LA
Louisiana excels at hosting festivals, and Natchitoches, the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, consistently ranks among the premier holiday celebrations. This city hosts one of the nation’s longest-running community holiday events: the six-week Natchitoches Christmas Festival. This festival unfolds throughout the downtown area and along Cane River Lake, featuring a dazzling display of holiday lights, a parade, live music, fireworks on Saturday nights, a holiday-themed tour of historic homes, and a Christmas Gala coordinated by Northwestern State University.
Branson, MO
For an exhilarating holiday experience, visit Branson. This family entertainment hub goes all out, commencing with the spectacular “An Old Time Christmas” at Silver Dollar City theme park, featuring an eight-story Christmas tree and performances of “A Christmas Carol” and a living Nativity scene. The city boasts multiple drive-through light displays, a tour showcasing over 100 of Branson’s most impressive Christmas trees, a Polar Express train adventure, and festivities on the Showboat Branson Belle. Additionally, do not miss Christmas at Dolly Parton’s Stampede, which features a live nativity with aerial angels, alongside its beloved equestrian performances.
North Pole, AK
If you aim to immerse yourself fully in the Christmas spirit, few destinations compare to North Pole, Alaska. Situated within the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the town’s main attraction is the Santa Claus House, which began as a trading post in 1952 and has since evolved into a year-round attraction for fans of Santa Claus. A towering 42-foot Santa statue welcomes visitors, who can meet the “real” Santa inside and explore gifts crafted by local artisans, as well as visit Santa’s reindeer next door at the Antler Academy.
Leavenworth, WA
The quaint town of Leavenworth, featuring a Bavarian-style ambiance nestled in the Cascade mountains, is enchanting throughout the year. However, during Christmas, the charm magnifies, offering live entertainment, visits with Santa, gingerbread displays, and more. For an additional dose of holiday enchantment, consider forgoing the drive on snowy mountain roads in favor of a scenic ride aboard the Amtrak Empire Builder, which operates daily from Seattle to Leavenworth.
Duluth, MN
Duluth stands out as another backdrop for a Hallmark Christmas film titled “Rescuing Christmas.” Marvel at the delightful architecture of the Pepperkakebyen, an enormous gingerbread village located at the Nordic Center, or embark on the North Shore Scenic Railroad’s Christmas Tree Train. The city offers an array of live performances: catch “The Nutcracker: A Duluth Tale,” or for those leaning towards comedy, enjoy “A Don’t Hug Me Christmas Carol.” Ensure to visit Bentleyville, the largest Christmas light display in the United States.
Myrtle Beach, SC
This renowned botanical garden in South Carolina transforms its majestic, moss-draped trees into a spectacle of millions of lights for the enchanting Low Country holiday festival, the Nights of a Thousand Candles, which runs from late November through December 31. Over 2,700 hand-lit candles illuminate the paths throughout selected sections of the 9,000-acre gardens. Live music, hot cider, as well as art and artisan exhibitions, contribute to the nightly magic.
Franklin, TN
The charming downtown area of Franklin serves as the backdrop for the annual Dickens of a Christmas Festival, wherein characters from Charles Dickens’ works stroll the streets and engage with attendees. From “A Christmas Carol,” you will encounter Jacob Marley, Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim and his family, the Cratchits, along with Father and Mother Christmas. In addition, musical performances, arts and crafts, a KidZone, and a Whiskey Lounge enhance the festive spirit.
