Yule Want To Visit These Festive US Cities This December

Have you ever wanted to see a Christmas tree made out of lobster traps — which might be the most New England sentence ever written? If so, throw on some Christmas carols and head on over to Maine for Kennebunkport’s Christmas prelude, a two-week festive celebration in this quaint, coastal town. Get your holiday shopping and seafood too as you admire the holiday lights and snow.

This picturesque Bavarian village is practically a Hallmark movie come to life. Feast your eyes on over half a million lights as you eat your weight in roasted chestnuts and listen to carolers sing. You can feel like you’re in Europe (or a snow globe) without stepping foot outside the United States!

It may be one of the most popular Christmas destinations, but tourists flock to the Big Apple in December for a reason! The eighty-foot Rockefeller Center tree, the Saks Avenue lights display, the Bryant Park Christmas market, the Central Park ice skating rink… the list goes on and on. Wander down Fifth Avenue and admire the window displays as you take in all the holiday magic NYC has to offer.

This eastern Pennsylvania town has not only a holiday-themed name to get you in the Christmas spirit, but it also boasts one of the best holiday markets in the United States. Browse for Christmas gifts at Christkindlmarkt, then head to the Winter Light Spectacular at the Lehigh Valley Zoo for an unforgettable lights display. It’s even better than the stories!

Christmas lights with a mountain view? Count us in. Underrated on most holiday travel lists, Whitefish is a surprisingly festive destination, offering dressed-up boutiques, cozy fireplaces and the chance to go skiing! If you’ve been dreaming of a white Christmas, this might be the spot for you.

If New York isn’t your style but you’re still dreaming of Christmas in the big city, give Chicago a try! During the holiday season, you’ll find a European-inspired Christmas market, a fifty-foot Christmas tree, an ice skating rink at Millennium Park and more. Don’t forget your warmest winter coat if you’re heading to the windy city!

With a name like Santa Claus, how could this town not make the list? Complete your life goal of roasting chestnuts on an open fire at Santa’s Candy Castle, or admire one of the many lights displays. You can’t miss the gigantic Santa Claus Christmas Store, where you can shop for everything you could possibly need during the holiday season to keep the Christmas spirit with you even after you leave.

Colonial Williamsburg is full of holiday charm, with its own special schedule of holiday celebrations. Merchants Square is full of gorgeous window displays, and you might even spot actors dressed in period costumes. For a more modern feel, head to Busch Gardens Christmas Town for holiday treats, Christmas photo ops and, of course, roller coasters!

Informally known as America’s Christmas Tree City, Branson is full of holiday activities to enjoy. There are literally thousands of Christmas trees on display to admire, so make sure to time some time exploring the city and taking photos under the lights. You can also visit a real life gingerbread village at the Chateau on the Lake, go on one of the many drive-thru Christmas light tours or ride the Branson Scenic Railway as it transforms into the Polar Express, to name just a few of the many fun festivities!

The closer it gets to Christmas in Park City, the better. Leading up to Christmas, you can watch a classic performance of “The Nutcracker,” enjoy Snowfest at the Park City Resort and see Santa come down the Town Lift! Plus, have the chance to go skiing, snowboarding or even dog-sledding in the snowy mountains to live out your white Christmas dreams.

Even though “It’s A Wonderful Life” was filmed in California, Seneca Falls claims its town serves as the inspiration for the fictional Bedford Falls in the movie. Head to New York and see for yourself – and make sure to time your visit with their themed festival so you can enjoy the holiday activities in honor of the movie. Enjoy some Christmas music as you ride the Bedford Falls express, and definitely make sure to catch a special screening of “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

We know this isn’t the continental U.S., but with a name like North Pole, how could we leave this snowy town off the list? Make your way to the Santa Claus House (yes, you read that right) to visit Santa and mail a letter home that will be postmarked from the North Pole. You’ll even want to take photos with the street signs, featuring charming names like Saint Nicholas Drive, Holiday Road and Snowman Lane. Prepare to be bursting with Christmas cheer!