It’s the most wonderful time of the year to travel safely for the holiday season! Here is a list of the 10 best Christmas vacation destinations in the USA for 2020.
1. Park City, Utah
Park City is a picturesque town in Utah, one that you may have literally seen in photos before.
Herber Valley Railroad
To get great views of the surrounding mountains, hop on the Herber Valley Railroad for their North Pole Express experience.
Over the course of 90 minutes, visitors will hot cocoa, Christmas cookies and a special ticket to commemorate their time on the North Pole Express.
The ride itself gives great views of the Wasatch Mountains and Provo Canyon.
Torchlight Parade
Another not to be missed event is the Torchlight Parade where hundreds of skiiers parade down the mountain in their ski suits that are covered in holiday lights. The event takes place on Christmas Eve at 5:30 pm.
Park City Mountain
Celebrate New Years Eve at Park City Mountain. Enjoy a warm drink by one of their many fireplaces inside the resort and watch their annual fireworks display. Guests can also enjoy live music to ring in the new year on the Canyons Village stage.
2. New York City, NY
NYC feels extra magical during the holiday season, and the city is home to many Christmas traditions and landmarks.
Rockefeller Center Center Tree
One of the most popular Christmas attraction in NYC would be the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.
The Christmas tree lighting ceremony takes place December 1 (with no public access) this year but visiting hours are daily from 6am – 12am. On Christmas Day, the Tree is lit for 24 hours.
Union Square
Visit the holiday markets at Union Square for the biggest variety in food, hot beverages, jewlery, arts, crafts, and more diverse vendors.
All of the goods are locally crafted, so bundle up, grab a hot cocoa and browse through aisles of vendors and Christmas décor galore.
Brooklyn Bridge tour
Celebrate New Years Eve on the Brooklyn Bridge by booking a Brooklyn Bridge tour on NYE.
Start with a brief tour of Wall Street and City Hall, and then assume your firework watching position on the Brooklyn Bridge for the New Year’s Eve countdown and the fireworks at Midnight.
3. Colorado Springs, CO
Festival of Lights
Check out the Festival of Lights while in Colorado Springs. This year, this free event will take place safely and socially distanced inside the Broadmoor World Arena.
Rent a car and drive through the stationary light parade for the best views and from the warmth of your car.
The Festival of Lights parade takes place in early December this year, so book your flights and check them twice.
Yule Tea at Glen Eyrie Castle
Experience Yule Tea at Glen Eyrie Castle. For the holiday season, there will be holiday crafted treats and teas available to those ready to stir their cups.
This is going to be a hot event for 2020 in Colorado Springs, so make your reservations ASAP.
Winter Wonderland with the Wolves
Get up close and personal with nature at Winter Wonderland with the Wolves.
Enjoy a complimentary breakfast burrito before mingling with wild wolves (in the presence of their caretakers of course).
This even takes place on December 20th, 2020 from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and space will fill up quickly.
4. San Antonio, TX
The River Walk
Experience San Antonio’s famous River Walk during the holidays by letting thousands of luminarias guide you along the river.
A Mexican tradition, luminarias light the way for the holy family; this has been a tradition for centuries beginning at dusk and lasting for 3 weekends in December.
Holiday Boat Caroling
Every night in December along the River Walk, you can enjoy Holiday Boat Caroling!
Each night, a new choir group floats down the river and spreads holiday cheer for all to hear.
The boats are decorated with thousands of lights, garland and more!
Enjoy Tamales
A traditional food that is eaten for large holidays, including Christmas, in San Antonio are tamales.
More than 50% of the population in San Antonio is Latinx, and the tradition is very much rooted in the region.
For the best tamales, we recommend visiting Ruben’s Tamales, Mi Terra Café and Tamale Boy.
5. Las Vegas, NV
Skate at the Cosmopolitan Hotel
Hit the ice rink at the Cosmopolitan hotel. Every holiday season, the Cosmopolitan transforms its pool into a 4,200 square foot ice skating rink and if you’re not into ice skating, you can roast smores and cozy up by the nearby fires.
Ethel M. Chocolate Factory
Check out the Holiday Cactus Garden at the Ethel M. Chocolate Factory. The factory plays host to over 3 acres of cacti draped in half a million holiday lights. Check the factory’s website for more details for December 2020.
Fremont Street
See Fremont Street like you’ve never seen it before – the Fremont Street Experience is paramount to any Las Vegas itinerary.
Fremont Street plays host to the city’s New Year’s Eve party along the multiple block strip.
6. Manchester and Woodstock, VT
Manchester
For a holiday experience right out of a story book, visit Manchester, Vermont during the winter and holiday season.
For your stay, look into accommodations at the Wilburton Inn which is ecognized by Yankee Magazine as one of the top five New England destinations for Christmas.
This Inn was established in 1902 and has decked out in Victorian style Christmas décor every year since.
Stay for four nights and enjoy a complimentary craft beer or glass of wine next to the fireplace.
Woodstock
Another small town to visit in Vermont is Woodstock. Stroll down Main Street and feel like you’re in a Christmas movie – Main Street in Woodstock gives the perfect sense of holiday spirit with its locally owned shops and holiday décor lining the street lamps.
You’ll want to stay in town long enough to experience Wassail Weekend in Woodstock.
Quaint shops on Main Street and village homes are covered in holiday décor and bright lights.
The streets are lined with luminaries to commemorate those present and past, and experience a sleigh ride!
Wassail Weekend is a holiday tradition for Woodstock residents – join in on the fun.
7. Myrtle Beach, SC
Dickens Christmas Show
Attend Myrtle Beach’s 39th annual Dickens Christmas Show from November 12th – 15th at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center!
Christmas starts early in Myrtle Beach with this event that celebrates everything Christmas and holiday related.
Cruise through Victorian Holiday Marketplace to purchase one-of-a-kind gifts from vendors dressed up in Christmas costumes.
Christmas Tree Lighting at McLean Park
Enjoy the Christmas tree lighting at McLean Park on December 1st, a great way to kick off the Christmas season.
Snacks and refreshments are available for all ages. This is a Myrtle Beach tradition and serves as the official Christmas tree for the city.
Resort and Hotel Christmas Packages
Winter is the off-season for Myrtle Beach which means many hotels are offering unique packages and deals for anyone looking to vacation in Myrtle Beach for Christmas or New Year’s Eve.
We recommend checking out deals and packages offered by Dayton House Oceanfront Resort, Marina Inn at Grande Dunes and the Inlet Sports Lodge.
8. Helen, GA
Helen, Georgia is a small town in the North Georgia area that is the textbook definition of Christmas spirit.
Christkindlmarkt
The town itself looks like a small, charming Bavarian village decked out in holiday decoration and filled with Christmas traditions every year. Visit Helen’s 13th Annual Christkindlmarkt.
Christkindlmarkt is a traditional German event that takes place every December in preparation for Christmas – this means opportunities for holiday gift and decoration shopping and trying unique treats.
Lighting of the Village
On November 27th of this year, witness the Lighting of the Village in Helen.
Santa and Mrs. Claus descend upon Riverside Park to celebrate the beginning of the holiday season.
Stroll through the park and listen to live music, pick up hot food and beverage and more.
9. Leavenworth, WA
Another Bavarian style town, Leavenworth, Washington is also a picturesque destination for Christmas time.
Simply walking through the town during the holiday season will make you feel like you’re in a snow globe (or on the set of a Christmas movie).
Leavenworth Reindeer Farm
Meet a reindeer at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm. With any ticket purchased, you will receive complimentary hot cocoa, cider and cookies to pump up your Christmas spirit.
Get up close and personal with a reindeer (perhaps one of Santa’s?). This is a popular time to visit the farm, so booking tickets in advance is necessary.
Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum
For a very festive experience, you have to visit the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum.
‘This museum is home to over 7,000 functional nutcracker figurines from all around the world (over 50 countries at this rate).
There is a lot you probably don’t know about nutcrackers, which is why you should stop by this small town relic.
10. Asheville, NC
North Carolina Arboretum
Drive through a winter lights display at the North Carolina Arboretum – due to COVID, the annual holiday light extraordinaire will now be a drive thru experience.
This is Asheville’s brightest holiday tradition, and this year they are adding nature themed displays to the already existing sculptures around the woodland perimeter of the arboretum.
Season’s at Highland Lake Inn
Head to Season’s at Highland Lake Inn when you’re starting to feel hungry.
The chefs at Season’s make dishes with a local, seasonal foundation that wins the hearts of many.
Bunn House
Stay right in downtown Asheville at the Bunn House, a locally owned boutique hotel.
The amenities provided at the Bunn House are thoughtful and environmentally friendly, so you can enjoy your holiday vacation guilt-free.
The building itself was built in 1905 and much of the original structure remains – enjoy your vacation in a luxurious, historical yet modern hotel.
This wraps up our list on 10 best Christmas vacations USA 2020. Where do you look forward to visit in the future?
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