The USA's 10 Best December Tourist Attractions For A Winter Getaway

When December arrives, destinations across the United States transform into winter fairylands, with sparkling lights on every corner and holiday traditions spanning decades. From small towns that make visitors feel like they're living in a snow globe to major cities known on a global scale, it's no secret that the holiday season brings out the country's most magical side. So whether you're dreaming of sipping hot cocoa beside a roaring fire or enjoying a piña colada next to a palm tree laden with Christmas lights, the U.S. has a December destination to match every traveler's notion of a perfect winter escape.

In this guide, we'll travel from Atlantic to Pacific, exploring 10 of the country's best December tourist attractions. Covering everything from classics like New York City's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree to seaside cities that celebrate the season with a tropical twist, each of these destinations offers something unique — ranging from spots that rival the best European Christmas markets to a theme park that morphs into a winter wonderland, and a small town that literally bills itself as "Christmas City, USA" Still looking for the best place to travel this December, or any December in the future, and which cities to avoid this winter? This guide has you covered.

From its heart-pounding revolving platform to the famous Radio City Rockettes, Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan is an iconic American tourist stop. Each December, this Art Deco plaza gets even better. After all, for many Americans, the season doesn't truly begin until they've watched the lighting of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree. Although the event was first broadcast nationwide in 1951, there has been a tree in the plaza since 1933. And, if you have the chance to see it in person, the holiday magic is even better! The tree itself, typically a Norway spruce, is lit by over 50,000 LED lights and topped with a Swarovski crystal star. 

Rockefeller Center's ice skating rink also draws visitors from around the world, and travelers hoping to join the fun can choose from different experience packages. These include a General Skate ticket, which covers a 60-minute skate session; a VIP Skate ticket, which includes 60 minutes on the ice, free rentals, and other benefits; and a 40-minute experience in a private Ski Chalet. For the lowest crowd levels at Rockefeller Center, visit early in the morning or late at night. Similarly, weekday afternoons can also have sparser crowd levels. 

The holiday magic doesn't stop at The Rock, though. Just steps away, Fifth Avenue's legendary holiday window displays can be seen at Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Tiffany & Co., and more. A few blocks further north, visitors can grab roasted chestnuts near Central Park before enjoying a horse and carriage ride through the snowy park. For generations, the glitz of Rockefeller Plaza has drawn travelers and natives alike to check out the holiday magic, which makes it a must for anyone visiting New York City in December.

In the Cascade Mountains of Washington, travelers will find Leavenworth Village. This small town of just under 2,700 residents is a picturesque seasonal destination anytime of year, but it feels as if it were designed especially for December. Inspired by Bavarian towns in Germany, Leavenworth Village turns into a life-size Christmas village for the holiday season. Its Alpine architecture, authentic German food, and seasonal offerings — like sledding at Front Street Park — will make you feel like you're starring in your own made-for-TV holiday movie. And as a matter of fact, you kind of are: Leavenworth was the setting of Lifetime Channel's "Cloudy With a Chance of Christmas," a film that heavily showcases the town's festive spirit.

From the day after Thanksgiving until February, over half a million lights shine in Leavenworth's "Village of Lights: Christmastown" display. There is no charge for entry, and visitors can enjoy a variety of festivities alongside the lights, including a meeting with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Rudolph every weekend from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve. 

Throughout the season, Leavenworth also delights travelers with festive programming that includes live music performances, pop-up Glühwein and beer stands, and much more. Beyond its quintessential holiday charm, there's also the town's quirky Nutcracker Museum, which is home to thousands of nutcrackers from around the world, some dating back to Archaic times. All in all, Leavenworth is one of the most immersive Christmas experiences in the nation.

Each holiday season, Carter Green in Carmel, Indiana, turns into an incredibly authentic European-style holiday market. As an internationally acclaimed event, the Carmel Christkindlmarkt transports visitors to Germany with twinkling lights, handcrafted gifts, and the aroma of German foods and mulled wine wafting through the air. 

Voted America's "Best Holiday Market" in 2023 by USA Today, this event is inspired by the centuries-old Christmas markets that take place throughout Germany and Austria every year. Since the Carmel Christkindlmarkt is so close to our home, we attend every year; it's one of my and my daughters' favorite holiday traditions! Adding to the authenticity, many vendors travel from Germany, selling everything from wooden toys and handblown-glass ornaments to nutcrackers and cuckoo clocks.

On the menu, guests will find Glühwein, walking Belgian waffles, Kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), Bavarian pretzels, schnitzel, and many other German favorites. In addition to shopping and dining, families can go skating on the Ice at Carter Green, meet Santa Claus on specific dates, or stop by the Kinderecke (Children's Corner) for daily crafts and storytelling. Special events occur throughout the season, including German holiday traditions like Sankt Martinstag and Sankt Nikolaustag. Although the Carmel Christkindlmarkt is quite family-friendly, Wundernacht is a special, adults-only event to kick off the season. This ticketed event is the perfect date night activity, and includes food and drink samples, specialty cocktails, and more.

North Carolina's Biltmore Estate becomes an absolutely dazzling wonderland during Christmastime. Built in the late 1800s by George Vanderbilt, this 250-room château inspired by French Renaissance architecture is America's largest privately owned residence. And during the holiday season, the crown jewel of Asheville offers a gorgeous glimpse into the past ideal for enjoying some Christmas magic. 

But Christmas has always been important at Biltmore: George and his wife, Edith Stuyvesant Vanderbilt, officially opened their home on Christmas Eve in 1895. Today, the Christmas at Biltmore celebration welcomes as many as 300,000 tourists who travel to North Carolina for this annual event. Inside the mansion, the amount of decorations is staggering. Over 100 beautiful Christmas trees fill the rooms, but the showstopper is a 35-foot Fraser fir in the home's banquet hall. Additionally, there are also over 100,000 lights, nearly 2,000 poinsettia flowers, and 1,000 feet of garland strung on pretty much every surface.

For a special experience, Biltmore Estate hosts their Candlelight Christmas Evenings, a separate and ticketed festive affair. During the occasion, staff members dim the lights, add candles, and start fires in the fireplaces, inviting visitors to imagine themselves celebrating at the house alongside the Vanderbilts and other Gilded Age elites. Outside, the 8,000-acre estate has even more to offer. Guests can explore the gardens and Conservancy, which feature their own holiday displays, and, during Antler Hill Village's Illumination event — which occurs daily from 5:30 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. during the holidays — there are also wine tastings, carriage rides, and gift ideas galore.

Although some might say December is not the best time of year to visit Yellowstone National Park, we beg to differ. In the winter, Yellowstone feels like an entirely different world where visitors can witness steaming geysers amid blankets of snow, and watch bison make their way through frozen valleys. And although many of the park's roads close for the season, that actually makes the experience even better. With fewer visitors and miles of incredible landscape to explore, Yellowstone is the ultimate American winter destination. 

Through Yellowstone's winter lodges, visitors can book dozens of different guided tours, including wildlife excursions, wildlife hikes, and custom guided ski tours. If you're interested in experiencing Yellowstone like few people ever do, consider the "Steam, Stars, and Winter Soundscapes" tour. This experience allows guests to use senses other than sight to get the most out of Yellowstone in the wintertime. A flashlight and a complimentary travel mug filled with hot chocolate are provided for all participants. If you prefer a daytime excursion, the "Firehole Basin Winter Adventure" allows modern travelers to develop a new appreciation for the conditions that early settlers endured in this region. 

Beyond that, winter is the perfect time to spot wildlife like elk, foxes, and wolves in the park. Photography tours and cross-country skiing packages are also available for those seeking highly immersive experiences. That said, it's important to note that the only way to access this national park during the winter season is by riding in a snowcoach, snowmobiling, skiing, or snowshoeing.

While Christmas at Walt Disney World may grab most headlines, Dolly Parton's Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, delivers holiday magic at a fraction of the cost. Plus, the overall winter atmosphere of the Smoky Mountains near Dollywood is sure to put you and your family in the holiday spirit from the moment you arrive! This award-winning theme park knows how to do the holiday season right, glowing with over 6 million lights that twinkle across 11 themed areas. 

Overall, Dollywood's Smoky Mountain Christmas is a spectacle, with nightly fireworks shows, the "Snow In the Grove" experience at Wildwood Grove, and plenty of delicious seasonal treats for guests to enjoy. Families can also stroll through areas like Santa's List — a classically decorated space where kids can meet Jolly Old St. Nick — or Glacier Ridge, which features icy blue and white lights. Meanwhile, the park's newest Christmas section, Peppermint Valley, will take over the Country Fair land starting this year. 

In true Dolly Parton fashion, live entertainment is also a highlight of the park's holiday season. Guests can enjoy gospel performances, Dollywood's family-favorite "Christmas In the Smokies", and the ever-popular "Twas the Night Before Christmas" brought to life on stage. If you want to stay for more than a day, there are also two on-site resorts: Dollywood's HeartSong Lodge and Resort, and Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa.

During the winter, St. Augustine, Florida, shines during its world-famous Nights of Lights celebration. Ranked as one of the "Top 10 Christmas Light Displays on Earth," this family-friendly coastal gem brimming with historic charm offers palm trees in place of snow, along with temperatures that rarely dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. For two months, from mid-November through mid-January, nearly every building in St. Augustine's Spanish Colonial district is draped with a total of 3 million twinkling lights. During the season, thousands of visitors flock to St. Augustine for this event every year, and city officials recommend downloading the official Night of Lights app for the best possible experience.

One of the most stress-free ways to experience this Florida holiday event is to book a Nights of Lights cruise along the waterfront. Locally-based operator Florida Water Tours offers two cruise options: one that departs at sunset, and one that sets sail after dark. There are family-friendly and adults-only cruises available, starting at $39 for adults and $19 for children. If you would prefer to stay on land, there are also train and trolley tours that generally last between 30 and 45 minutes. For a more private experience, consider reserving a ride alongside famous Christmas characters like Scrooge, Santa Claus, or the Grinch.

Nowhere celebrates the holidays quite like Santa Fe, New Mexico, where centuries of Native American, Moorish, and frontier traditions come together to create one of the most distinctive Christmas experiences in the United States. The city's hub, Santa Fe Plaza, is where the magic is centered. One of the highlights of the season here is the holiday tree lighting ceremony, which draws visitors from around New Mexico, as well as neighboring states. The evening includes a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus, stalls with holiday foods and beverages, and a holiday market featuring local wares. This desert Christmas celebration is a can't-miss event if you find yourself in the Southwest.

Santa Fe's Canyon Road is also a holiday must-do where visitors can enjoy the famous Farolito Walk, where paper lanterns guide pedestrians along the Canyon Road route. Farolitos, a craft tradition passed down through the generations, are made of a paper bag, some sand to serve as a weight, and a votive candle. Although farolitos are often associated with Mexican and Southwestern American culture, they were actually invented in Boston in 1872. Today, however, they are ubiquitous with Santa Fe Christmases.

The road also features local art galleries, shops, and lovely homes all decked out for the season. Attending Pueblo Christmas dances, purchasing ornaments crafted by New Mexican artists, and eating Christmas-style red chile stew are other popular festive traditions throughout the area.

If there's one place in America that lives up to its name during the holidays, it's Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Officially nicknamed "Christmas City, USA" in 1937, Bethlehem was founded by Moravian settlers on Christmas Eve, 1741. This Lehigh Valley town of 80,000 residents has embraced its Christmastime legacy for nearly three centuries, making it the perfect December destination for domestic travelers. 

Each year, Bethlehem offers a wide variety of activities for locals and visitors. This includes Christmas carriage rides offered by two different organizations and the annual holiday cocktail pub crawl, all of which are popular traditions. On select dates, families can also visit Santa's Haus for a photo with the man of the hour.

The city is also proud of its holiday markets. Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem brings European flavor to Pennsylvania with its stalls of handmade crafts, glass ornaments, and delicious mulled wine and roasted nuts. Like the Carmel Christkindlmarkt, Bethlehem's version draws German purveyors, including the ornament brand Käthe Wohlfahrt. The Christmas City Village also offers huts featuring handcrafted goods and is the perfect spot to buy gifts for everyone on your list. Overlooking every festive event is the Star of Bethlehem, a 91-foot wooden star statue on South Mountain. Visitors who want to get a closer look can book passage on the Bethlehem by Night Bus Tour.

For travelers who prefer palm trees over pine trees, Hawaii is the perfect December destination. On the island of Oahu, Waikiki transforms into a tropical wonderland during the Christmas season. The main event is the Waikiki Holiday Parade, a one-of-a-kind celebration that honors the memory of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. This meaningful parade traverses Kalākaua Avenue, ending at Queen Kapiolani Park. Participants include hula dancers, marching bands from all over the U.S., and festively decorated vehicles. One of the most touching parade traditions is a wreath-laying ceremony at the USS Arizona Memorial.

Elsewhere on Oahu, travelers can enjoy lots more holiday cheer. The beloved Shaka Santa and Tutu Mele statues — versions of Santa and Mrs. Claus that look ready for a vacation — welcome visitors near Honolulu Hale. Meanwhile, the Honolulu City Lights Festival is a free, month-long celebration that features lighted palm trees, a large Christmas tree, concerts, and food stalls serving local dishes. Major resorts throughout the island, including the Royal Hawaiian, Sheraton Waikiki, and Moana Surfrider, also get into the festive spirit with tropical Christmas decor and oversized sand sculptures.

To create this guide, I primarily used official tourism websites from many popular December destinations across the United States, including the City of Santa Fe, New Mexico; the State of Hawaii; Leavenworth Village, Washington; Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; Yellowstone National Park; and the City of St. Augustine. 

I also used my own knowledge of certain attractions that I have visited multiple times, like Rockefeller Center, the Biltmore Estate, and the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. The result is a comprehensive list of December tourist activities from the East Coast to the West Coast. No matter where you live or want to travel in the U.S. this holiday season, there's an option for you in this round-up.