The 8 Best Christmas Vacations in the US

Want to find the best Christmas vacations in the US? This list includes eight of the best Christmas to visit during Christmas.

My husband and I love to take a trip during the Christmas season. There is something so magical about Christmas travel. We do avoid traveling on Christmas day, we usually go a week or so before.

The first location on this list is where we usually go, Branson, Missouri. We love it because it’s close to us, usually chilly but usually, the roads are good for a road trip. Plus it’s such a festive place around the holidays!

If you’d like to have a little Christmas getaway this year why not try one of these fun locations in the US. There may be one close to you so you can go on a quick road trip.

Best Christmas Vacations in the US

I talked to other Christmas fans and found some of the best places to visit in the US during the Christmas season. See if you agree with the list or if I’m missing any fun locations.

Branson, Missouri

Branson may not be on many Christmas vacation lists but it should be. Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, Branson is a beautiful place to find some Christmas cheer.

The whole city is decked out for the season. You will find fun Christmas shows at their many theaters. You can also visit the Silver Dollar City amusement park for fun rides, Christmas entertainment, and delicious holiday-themed treats. 

A visit to the Grand Village Shops for some shopping is also a must. You can pick up some Christmas gifts and also check out their Christmas store, Kringle’s Christmas Store.

Learn even more about about planning the perfect Christmas vacation in Branson.

North Pole, Alaska

Yes, there is a town called the North Pole in Alaska, and its major is named Santa Claus.

If you want to go super, extra this year, this little Alaskan hamlet is the place to be. Yeah, we’re talking light poles shaped like candy canes that line a street called Santa Claus Lane and a 42-foot-high statue looming over the town, with walls plastered with kids’ letters to Santa from all around. Don’t forget to visit Santa Claus House.

Simply put, there’s no more Christmas-like place than North Pole, and the town’s people do their best to keep it going all year.

Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth is a small town in the beautiful Cascade Mountains that’s famed for its Bavarian roots, which are still very visible all around town. Think half-timbered buildings lining the streets, restaurants serving German beer, and exciting Christmas markets that will make you think you are in the German Alps. 

Leavenworth, Washington boasts a true holiday wonderland in December when it transforms into the Village of Lights and becomes a sanctuary for people looking for something truly magical during the Christmas season. You’ll find roasting Chesnut stalls, gingerbread house competitions, advent calendar contests, and so much more.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville in North Carolina is a hidden gem tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Throughout the Christmas season, Biltmore, the historic Vanderbilt mansion, becomes the star of the show as it is adorned with garlands, ribbons, sparkling lights, and hundreds of extravagantly decorated trees.

Aside from the Biltmore Estate’s staggering beauty, other Christmas musts in this gorgeous mountain city include viewing Santa as he climbs down Chimney Rock, taking part in the Grove Park Inn’s gingerbread house competition, and riding on the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley that visits Asheville’s downtown.

Denver, Colorado

Denver is the ideal city escape to unwrap the magic of the holiday season, with Christmas markets on every residents’ calendars and a never-ending variety of enjoyable seasonal activities.

A trip to Denver’s major Christmas markets is a must-do on any Christmas list. The Denver Christkindl Market, a European-style Holiday Market, will transport you into Bavaria (or at least your mind will be fooled).

What’s next? An outing at the Gaylord Rockies Resort, where you can binge-watch classics like Elf and the Polar Express to get your Christmas spirits soaring in no time!

Duluth, Minnesota

Witness the most beautiful illumination display in the world, Bentleyville, Minnesota becomes a winter wonderland with a plethora of holiday activities and events that will have you thinking you’re walking inside a real-life snow globe!

Hike to the top of nearby Mount Baldy, which offers spectacular views of the city and region. Enjoy a drink from one of many cafés that dot the landscape or sip hot chocolate at one of two cozy gas fireplaces. Then visit the Glensheen Mansion, where you’ll find locally produced goods to bring back home.

For additional holiday joy, visit the Fairlawn Mansion on a Tuesday evening, when it opens its doors to the public and visitors can explore its corridors – all while being surrounded by thousands of glittering lights.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

There is a small town in Pennsylvania called Bethlehem, which is quite far from the actual location. There’s no shortage of fun ways to celebrate Christmastime in Bethlehem. From its German-inspired Christmas City Village to its traditional Christmas market, there is something for everyone.

New York City, New York

A must-see classic, one that should definitely be on every Christmas tour list for all the right reasons. Put simply, you haven’t really felt a metropolitan Christmas until you’ve done it through New York City’s sparkling lens.

To get a taste of what Christmas in New York is all about, visit Bryant Park’s Winter Village and go ice skating at Rockefeller Center, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park to experience snowy Central Park.

There are hidden gems all over the US that are perfect around the holidays. Be sure to not only check out these fun locations but also the ones near your hometown. 

Staying home this year? Visit The Stress-Free Christmas Market from the comfort of your own home!