Do you plan to spend Christmas in the traditional winter scenery or look for a busy urban-style celebration? The United States is rich in choices, and you can find local gifts everywhere. Big cities usually go big, whereas small snowy towns can give you that inimitable feeling of a traditional Christmas. Whatever you need, whether it is skating, singing carols, or attending concerts and performances, you can find it in the United States.
Sumpter, OR
Take a ticket to one of the airports in Oregon to go to Sumpter on Christmas Eve. You’ll find this small town already decorated like a Christmas wonderland, with Santas strolling the streets greeting visitors. If you arrive a few days early, you can help decorate the main Christmas tree, which usually attracts both locals and tourists. The Christmas train will bring you into a fairy tale, and the feeling will only grow at the picturesque Christmas bazaar. While in Sumpter, you can enjoy traditional winter activities like skiing, snowmobiling, and skating.
New York City, NY
If you choose the Big Apple for your Christmas adventures, you’ll be torn among lots of lucrative opportunities. During December, there are many concerts by popular bands, and the theaters put on their best performances. The whole city becomes a large Christmas decoration, with all the buildings blinking with red, green, yellow, and white lights. Don’t miss the opportunity to skate at the Wollman Rink in Central Park and visit its many rides. Hot chocolate and other Christmas attributes can be found everywhere. You can continue to the Rockefeller Center to marvel at the large Christmas tree (usually, it reaches about 75-80 ft). Don’t miss out on Fifth Avenue with its thematic decorations and window displays. And certainly, if you’re looking for shopping, New York City has it!
Asheville, NC
Going to the mountains for Christmas is always a good idea. Though Asheville can be quite warm in December (the average temperature is about 50°F), there are plenty of things to see and do. First, you can visit the North Carolina Arboretum, which is transformed into a fairy tale place in December. Thousands, if not millions of Christmas lights adorn the trees and bushes, creating an inimitable experience. Asheville is also known for Biltmore Estate, which is the largest private home in the U.S. The Estate is usually decorated with seasonal colors and multiple lights, and the majestic Christmas Tree is installed in the Banquet Hall (its height is about 35 ft). If you like romance, you will also enjoy a candlelight tour of the manor house, which takes place at night.
Orlando, FL
If you’re looking for a place to spend Christmas with your family, Orlando is the place to be. Its majestic Disneyland Park (indeed, there are four of them) becomes a Christmas fairy tale thanks to decorations and music accompaniment. Indeed, the whole city turns into a wonderland during the Christmas holidays. You can book a ticket to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party or any other themed party at the park. Christmas food and drinks are everywhere, and certainly, Santa is there as well. Each year, Disney’s Hollywood Studios host a special entertainment show, such as the laser Christmas show. In the evening, before the Park is about to close, there is also a large celebration show with a lot of artificial snow and fireworks. Check out the schedule of the Park to choose the most attractive shows.
North Pole, AK
North Pole is the place where Christmas doesn’t end in December. Throughout the year, the town is decorated with Christmas colors and lights; even the street poles are painted to look like striped candies. Some of the streets are also named in a Christmas-themed manner, creating an atmosphere of the perpetual holiday. You can take a stroll along Mistletoe Lane, or Snowman Lane, or Kris Kringle Drive. The St. Nicholas Drive will get you to Santa’s house, where the traditional meet-and-greet ceremony is held on December 15th. In December, there are multiple performances in North Pole, and you can hear Christmas carols here and there in the street.
Las Vegas, NV
A trip to Las Vegas is always a holiday, and Christmas time is no exemption. At the Venetian hotel, a crowd gathers to see a 65-ft Christmas Tree. The LINQ Promenade is turned into a festive wonderland with all the lights and decorations and classical Christmas treatments. If you have a car, don’t miss the racetrack, which is lavishly decorated with thousands of Christmas lights. Driving through, you get a feeling of real magic and an ongoing holiday. The Fountains of Bellagio are also a must-visit place, as a thematic water performance accompanied with the holiday tunes is held there each day. You can also visit a chocolate factory and taste its production, go skating at the Las Vegas Ice Center or City National Arena, and attend numerous themed Christmas shows.
McAdenville, NC
This small town turns into a real Christmas fairy tale in December. The citizens deck out their homes with numerous Christmas lights, and all the trees in the streets also shimmer with green, red, and white. The city has a picturesque lake, which is an especially scenic place at night, with lights reflected in the water. There are over 250 evergreen trees in the town, and each one is decorated lavishly for Christmas.
Branson, MO
During Christmas, this small town turns into a never-ending Christmas fest. You can meet Santa at various locations, sip hot peppermint chocolate, and attend any of the live shows that are held here every day in December. There are also multiple light exhibitions throughout the town as well. However, the most popular Christmas entertainment in Branson is Polar Express. You get on the train to the mountains and enjoy the snowy scenes on your way. Each passenger gets cookies and a cup of hot chocolate, and you’ll hear Santa read the “Polar Express” book aloud as you ride into the white snowy forest scenery.
