Best Places to Explore on Christmas in the USA

Updated on Oct 24, 2024 | Online US Visa

Christmas is one of the most anticipated festivals of any year. The Christmas holidays which extend till the New Year serve as an excellent opportunity for tourists from all across the globe to travel. However, if you are a tourist looking for a destination to experience the spirit of Christmas at its finest, the U.S. is second to none.

While at first glance nothing seems too different about the U.S. when it comes to Christmas celebrations. However, upon closer inspection, you will notice that each place in the U.S. has its own method of Christmas celebration depending upon the history, culture, and people who inhabit the place.

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Know about the best places to explore on Christmas in the U.S

This allows the U.S. to give everyone many different tastes of Christmas celebrations. So, if you are also looking for an ideal spot to celebrate Christmas, keep reading to learn about the best places to explore on Christmas in the U.S.

Branson

Branson is an excellent spot for tourists visiting during Christmas. Located in Missouri, this place is transformed into a winter wonderland with approximately 1500 Christmas trees spread both in and outside the town along with several decorative lights which make it an ideal driving spot in the night.

The nearby Ozark Mountain also acts as the perfect spot for some ice skating. This place is also the home of the Silver Dollar City amusement park which holds an annual festival called An Old Time Christmas filled with parades, rides, and shows filled with lights and Christmas trees all around.

All of this makes Branson, one of the best destinations to celebrate Christmas cheer in the U.S.

Chicago

When it comes to displaying their love for the Christmas cheers, Chicago is one of the best. From its famous 51-foot-tall Christmas tree located in Millennium Park to spending time at the Christkindlmarket which lasts between November 17 and December 24, or the Let It Shine drive-through, Chicago has no shortage of activities for tourists to engage in.

By far the best highlight of Chicago's Christmas celebrations is the Zoolights Light Festival held every year from November 17 to January 7 in Lincoln Park. This festival is sure to leave you dazzled with its 2.5 million LEDs which will be an unforgettable memory for you.

Remember to book your hotels and other itinerary in advance as most of the hotels at this time will be full of guests. Overall, Chicago is a great destination to celebrate Christmas.

Las Vegas

One of the most visited U.S. destinations by tourists, Las Vegas is a place that never ceases to amaze its guests and luckily for us, Christmas is no exception. Enjoy rooftop ice skating at the Cosmopolitan or watch the colorful display outside the LINQ promenade, the 42-foot tall Christmas tree in Botanical Gardens, or the 6-foot tall Gingerbread man at ARIA.

The Strip itself is also light up in Christmas spirit with festive events spread all around for you and your family to enjoy. Be sure to check out the classic holiday shows at the Fountain of Bellagio like the Carol of the Bells and Santa Baby. Las Vegas also has no shortage of hotels spread all over the Strip to provide the most luxurious experience to its guests.

Overall, Las Vegas remains a prime tourist destination even during Christmas.

Nashville

It should come as no surprise to anyone that the Music City of the U.S. is a great location to celebrate Christmas cheer. If you are in search of the perfect destination to enjoy the festive music, then there is no better place than Nashville.

This place is filled with Christmas shows, ice skating, and light displays filled with remixes of Christmas Carols around every corner during Christmas time. Several highlights among these are the Gaylord Opryland, a 2-mile drive through Jungle Beat, and the Grand Ole Opry full of yuletide shows. This makes Christmas an excellent time of year to explore Nashville.

New York

If celebrating Christmas by engaging in a large number of activities is your preference, New York is the ideal destination for you.

The city has no shortage of activities for you to do to celebrate the Christmas cheer including a visit to the Christmas tree in Rockefeller Centre, ice skating in the Central Park, window shopping at the 5th Avenue or just roaming around the 34th Street. Out of these activities, the Brooklyn neighborhood is a great place to spend time during Christmas.

The entire place is decorated in celebration of Christmas cheer with no hold bars including a giant snowman, candy cane lanes, illuminated snowflakes, large-sized nutcrackers, and Santa figures spread all across the neighborhood. New York gets very busy during Christmas so remember to book your itineraries in advance.

Seattle

Within the capital of the U.S., Seattle is one the best destinations for celebrating the Christmas cheer. Seattle has no shortage of activities to immerse you and your family in the Christmas cheer such as ice sculpting, train rides, and fests.

The Winterfest celebrated at the Seattle Centre from November 24th to December 31st is essentially a one-stop shop for all festive Christmas activities. Going 8 miles east of Seattle, the Snowflake Lane in Bellevue has an excellent light show including the beloved Christmas carols.

When it comes to the standout festivity in Seattle, the Sheraton Grand Seattle's annual Gingerbread Village is a yearly tradition where the top architects create truly breathtaking gingerbread houses that are unique to Seattle. This event is held between November 21st and December 31st.

These events make Seattle the perfect place to experience a unique Christmas celebration.

St. Augustine

Located in Florida, St. Augustine is a great destination to enjoy the Christmas celebration. The city's celebrations last pretty long with an annual city-long parade starting the Christmas celebrations. After this, the famous Nights of Light festival is celebrated by lighting up the entire Bridge of the Lions and 20 city blocks of the historic district in 3 million white lights.

This festival can be celebrated easily through the Old Town Trolley's tour which departs from November 19 till January 28th. The most unique part of this entire celebration is that you will be celebrating Christmas without the need to wear your winter gloves, coats, sweaters, and scarf due to the fact that you are in Florida.

This allows St. Augustine to truly provide a unique experience to celebrate Christmas.

Ashville

Considered the best place in the U.S. to celebrate Christmas, Ashville has no shortage of light shows, shopping, and festivities to provide its guests with the best Christmas celebration in the country.

The Gingerbread house building competition of Omni Grove Park Inn, Blue Ridge Mountains, Biltmore Estate, and the wonderland of Ashville which is North Carolina Arboretum are some of its best seasonal offerings during Christmas.

Ready to enjoy your Christmas?

Christmas is a season of spreading joy and cheer to everyone. Traveling to different places during these holidays is one of the best ways you can spread Christmas joy. When it comes to destinations ideal for Christmas celebrations, the U.S. is the best in the world.

Hopefully, the above-mentioned places will help you make an informed plan for a visit to the U.S. Remember to book your itinerary in advance, wherever you wish to go in the U.S. due to the heavy traffic that the country experiences during the Christmas season. Other than that, enjoy and immerse yourself in the unique celebrations of each place the U.S. has to offer.


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