Trying to pick the best places to travel in December where the weather won’t totally kill your vacation can be tough, but some of these cities are even more magical in the snow. Don’t worry, we provided a few warm weather options that still promise to deliver festive merriment.
Things like snow, hot chocolate and evergreen trees likely come to mind when you think of Christmas but taking a break from the cold doesn’t mean you have to cancel holiday celebrations.
Best Places to Travel in December for Top Notch Holiday Spirit
If you want to feel like you stepped into a quintessential Hallmark Christmas movie, these places measure up. With snow-covered grounds and twinkling lights, you’re bound to feel the magic in the air. While there’s no place like home for the holidays, these destinations promise to brighten your holiday, making them contenders for the best places to travel in December.
McAdenville, North Carolina
McAdenville is dubbed as “Christmas Town USA” and for a very good reason. The weather falls somewhere in the middle with highs in the upper 50s and lows in the mid 30s but regardless of snow or not, this small town transforms into a festive, twinkling wonderland each year.
Blip on the Radar
McAdenville is a small town that doesn’t garner much attention outside of the holidays. Every year, the town turns into a beacon for those looking for the most magical Christmas experience. Hundreds of thousands of visitors drive through the breathtaking displays on a 1.3 mile-long route that’s gained national attention on Good Morning America and in Southern Living Magazine.
Perhaps the best part about the tradition that’s lasted over 50 years is that the residents continue to put on the show without asking for a dime. Entrance is free to check out the spectacular, one-of-a-kind displays for yourself.
Newport, Rhode Island
We all know Newport for its stunning Gilded Age mansions and gorgeous ocean views but it’s even more stunning during the winter. The impressive mansions are the stuff of Sugar Plum fairy dreams, making it one of the best places to travel in December for some holiday enchantment.
Glimpse of Christmas Past with Holiday House Tours
We get it, the historic mansions are the biggest draw and Newport knows how to give the people what they want. The Breakers, Marble House, and The Elms will all be open daily for the holidays featuring ornate, themed decorations to match the furnishings and decor. This includes 30 trees, a towering poinsettia tree, displays of antique toy collections, and twinkling lights illuminating the 500,000 pounds of marble.
The lavish Gilded Age mansions were originally buit as summer homes in the 1850s and 1900s by wealthy tycoons of New York. Originally called “summer cottages,” the oceanfront homes now transform into grand celebrations of Christmases past. Rosecliff, the iconic and recognizable home from The Great Gatsby, will also be open for tours.
Stockbridge, Massachusetts
The historic village is one of the best places to travel in December for a true joyous “home for the holidays” feel. Recently named the top Christmas town in the U.S. by Country Living, the picturesque town looks like a storybook year round but especially bursts with holiday cheer in the winter. Temperatures can dip into the teens in this New England town so bundle up while gazing at the dazzling lights.
Step Back in Time
If you didn’t already know, this town was made famous by Norman Rockwell’s 8-foot long painting of main street, one of the most recognizable streets in America. Rockwell worked in a studio located over the town market in 1953 when he created “Home for Christmas,” which can been seen at the Norman Rockwell Museum.
For a few days in December, the street is closed to traffic as vintage automobiles line up across from the red brick Town Hall, Williams and Son Country Store and the 240-year old Red Lion Inn, just as pictured in the painting. This event is a can’t miss experience that captures small-town Christmas spirit perfectly.
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio is the perfect example of not needing snow to pull off the holiday spirit and stay true to traditions. A stroll down River Walk would get even Ebenezer Scrooge in a jolly mood with thousands of lights twinkling overhead and more than 185 caroling groups. Even more, it’s the perfect refuge from cold weather with temperatures in the mid 60’s in December. This city steers you clear of snow and ice while holding true to holiday traditions.
The Captivating Lightscape at the Botanical Gardens
Lightscape is a magical trail that’s unique to the Lone Star State featuring Texas bluebonnets and Winter Cathedral, an incredible towering cathedral arch tunnel with 100,000 Christmas lights. Quickly selling out after the original premier in Chicago and the U.K., Lightscape is San Antonio’s newest event situated throughout the Botanical Garden’s 38 acres.
St. Augustine, Florida
If you’re more interested in Santa in shorts this year, St. Augustine is your destination. December weather is a comfortable 70 degrees, rarely sinking below the 50s. Christmas on Florida’s historic coast will undoubtedly make your holiday merry and bright with a number of events to celebrate the season. Shop at art galleries, antiques and boutiques this season of giving to find something truly special.
Dazzling Nights of Lights
This event has been a favorite for thousands of locals and tourists each year and it’s not your average light up night.. National Geographic has proclaimed Nights of Lights as one of the best light displays in the world! Containing a dazzling display of three million lights, it’s easy to see why.
You can see the lights by foot, by private electric car, by water, or on a trolley or train. If you’re a beginner to Nights of Lights, we recommend getting the ultimate experience by trolley for an extra element of fun. Old Town Trolley’s tour includes complimentary magical viewing glasses which turn the lights into glittering snowflakes or star shapes!
New York City, New York
No place does Christmas like New York City. From ice skating to festive holiday broadway shows or events, there is something to do or see on every corner of the city. Even the bustling streets shine a bit brighter with twinkling lights.
Decked Out Dyker Heights
Everyone knows to see the legendary Rockefeller Christmas tree, the window displays on Fifth Avenue, Rockettes, or even the Nutcracker ballet for some holiday cheer. However, a must-see is the homes in the Brooklyn neighborhood, Dyker Heights adorned in elaborate light decorations, life-size toy soldiers, santas, and snowmen.
The breathtaking lights can be seen from 11th to 13th avenues and 83rd to 86th street. Stoll through the illuminated streets with a cup of hot chocolate for espresso rom Panino Rustico or go on a guided bus tour to avoid the cold.
North Pole, Alaska
It’s Christmas everyday in the North Pole so can you really name a better location for the ultimate holiday experience? Located just 20 minutes from Fairbanks, you’ll find candy canes painted on city streets and Christmas themed road names like like Santa Claus Lane, St. Nicholas Drive, Snowman Lane, and Kris Kringle Drive.
The Santa Claus House
The general store and post office turned holiday shop features live reindeer, a coffee shop, holiday gift items, and Santa himself. The biggest draw to the home is the Letter from Santa, a tradition that began in 1952. Every year, the Santa Claus House receives hundreds of thousands of letters from children all around the globe.
Don’t forget to snap a few pics with the 50-foot tall Santa statue or the impressive holiday murals that cover the building.
Although you often hear there’s no place like home for the holidays, sometimes Christmas can feel even merrier in a new destination. Whether you’re longing for a snowy scene or prefer somewhere warmer, these 10 locations have something for everyone.
