Where to Spend Christmas in USA- Ultimate Guide 2024

Struggling to figure out where to head this Christmas holiday? With a wide range of charming places within the USA, it is always a hard task pinpointing one most suitable place.

Every aspect is there from the appealing sites of the snowing mountains to the lively city streets filled with shops. The quiet laid-back small towns are a necessity, but, determining the starting point is a challenge.

Let me take you on a journey to the best Christmas sights in the United States of America. As a frequent traveler who has visited many of these places during the Christmas season, I can help you in finding a holiday you will be able to enjoy. Let’s read where to spend Christmas in USA.

How Christmas Is Celebrated in the USA

Christmas festivities in the USA are full of wonderful customs and practices amidst the gaiety. Being a visitor for quite several years, I have seen the transformation that occurs in the great nation after Thanksgiving. 

The beautiful decorations, lights, and the general atmosphere encourage people to come out and engage. Some notable activities are

Caroling

One wintery evening back in North Carolina, I was wandering in December. I found some residents who were going around their neighborhood, singing carols. It was a really enjoyable experience with piping hot cocoa rounding out the whole occasion perfectly.

Light Displays

Cities like New York and Las Vegas do not hold back. The first time I saw the illuminated tree at the Rockefeller Center in New York was like posters I have always seen, truly in the spirit of Christmas.

Sharing

Once I was in Chicago at Christmas time and happened to help at the food drive. Seeing the need to cherish the season and knowing what putting a smile gives made the celebration worth it.

Different areas of the country have different scopes for enjoyment. For example, southern states enjoy Christmas meals with their distinct ingredients. The northern states enjoy constructing and playing in snowlands with slides and skating rings.

How Many People Celebrate Christmas in USA

In America, the atmosphere of Christmas can be felt all around making almost 90% of Americans celebrate it. And what is particularly striking, is how this celebratory season has turned out to be more blended from ethnic and religious practices. 

During one Christmas vacation in California, I was part of a multicultural party. It is where people prepare food from their own cultures. It was a mash-up of food and history.

Best Places to Visit During Christmas in USA

The United States of America possesses Christmas-appealing places. They range from urban centers and snowy terrains.

New York City

It’s hard to imagine Christmas anywhere else when you walk down Fifth Avenue during the Christmas period. I went ice skating in Central Park in the evening with lights all around which was so enchanting that I can hardly erase the memory from my mind.

Orlando, Florida

This is how I love going to Disneyland any time of the year. During the Christmas holidays, it seemed out of this world with the lovely decorations. There are the parades, and the fireworks at night: the place was transformed into a fairy tale.

Aspen, Colorado

For snow lovers, Aspen is simply the best. I spent a Christmas there once when I went there skiing, and they had lovely mountain lodges with an atmosphere that was all about the holidays.

Each one of these places handles creating great memories during the festive seasons. Check out how to travel and stay in these places.

Best Christmas Towns in USA

Many small towns in the USA go above and beyond to make sure everyone gets into the festive spirit.

Leavenworth, Washington

This Bavarian town completely captivated me with its European Christmas atmosphere. Fetching from the warm pretzel on a match-winning snow stroll, was a perfect fairy tale scene.

McAdenville, North Carolina

It is called ‘Christmas Town USA’. Here is an example of a city that in ‘Postcard September’ was as vivid and as celebratory as a digitized image of a colorful festive season. I have passed through the impressive light spectacles that the town boasts of its residents, all of them were fully furnished.

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Bethlehem lives according to its name. Christmas in this place is more of the old-fashioned kind. Going to their present-day live nativity and holiday bazaar made the season feel somewhat realistic.

Best Christmas Town in USA

If I had but one choice, I would nominate Leavenworth, Washington as the best Christmas town in the world. Its fairytale surroundings, and winter wonderland seem like a European experience while still in the United States. I must always remember the experience of riding a horse-drawn sleigh on a thick blanket of snow over beautiful countryside.

Best Christmas Markets in USA

To me, one of the best things about Christmas is visiting the various Christmas fairs taking place during this season. 

Chicago’s Christkindlmarket

Designed like the German ones, such a venue is a feast for the senses. I enjoyed buying souvenirs. It is specifically crafty decorations, some bratwurst, and of course hot mulled wine.

Bryant Park Winter Village in New York City

I have always wanted to watch the skaters move around the rink here with festive stalls all around. Among the holiday shops was one that bore all very beautiful crafts and all very unique gifts impossible to find elsewhere.

Christmas Markets in Boston USA

The Seaport Holiday market was complete with local sellers, draped in decorations, making it warm and inviting. The end of the night was completed by observing the lights at Faneuil Hall.

Where to Go on Christmas Holiday in USA?

People are different and have different Christmas ideas and I have already done some of them.

Kid-Friendly

How could kids not love the theme parks of Orlando? The sights and sounds of the season are amazing.

Couples

Those secluded and beautiful snowy cabins in Vermont fit the bill for a romantic setting. I enjoyed the evenings next to the warm fireplace with a cup of hot drink.

For something different

When Hilton Head Island hosted Christmas, there were many appealing things. It was fully – decorated with palm trees; beach luaus was something even kids thought very awesome.

Christmas Dishes in USA

Christmas is incomplete without food on such occasions. Christmas meals are always copious whether it is a course of national cuisine or local gastronomy.

Roast Ham or Turkey

Wedding or engagement toasts are sometimes focused on such dishes. I have come across these dishes in many forms including Southern honey glazed ham, smoked turkey in Texas, and others.

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

The definition of comfort food and a must-have, in every Christmas menu.

Pecan and Pumpkin Pies

These confections for some strange reason are very pleasing to their eyes especially if they are done by someone’s mother in their kitchen.

Regional Specialties

Stuffing with southern cornbread chowder and clam chowder from New England prepare these meals. They unexpectedly serve them.

I remember one Christmas in Louisiana trying gumbo as part of the holiday – that was quite a delicious shock! 

Check out the attractions there.

Tips for Planning Your Christmas Vacation in the USA

Here are some tips that I have gleaned from mumble travel experiences within the context of Christmas in the USA

• In most cases, the most preferred hotels and tours experienced high level of occupancy. One time, a cute little inn in Vermont was out of my reach because I hesitated in reserving, for quite some time.
• Buy heavy clothing that will fit you when going in the north direction. During my snowy outings in Colorado, wearing layers and layers of clothing was a great help.
• Look up the events and markets in the region in advance. Out of the many parades and festivals I’ve been able to attend, some of the best ones were the most unexpected.
• Costs incurred related to holiday attractions would require some extra budget. Therefore be ready for entrance charges and some keepsakes. 

The Departure

Spent Christmas in the USA within your budget is a celebrative festive cultural dimension full of experiences. Say it is big cities or small towns along with their traditions, everything is wonderful everywhere.

Where will your next Christmas adventure take place? Relax and give the season’s good cheer to your travels!

FAQs

What is the most Christmassy town in the USA?

Leavenworth, Washington, is widely regarded as the most Christmas-themed place. These are attributed to its Bavarian decor, bright lights, and festive activities.

What city is known as Christmas City, USA?

Bethlehem in the state of Pennsylvania is known as Christmas City – USA which most of the time blends history and festivities nicely.

What is the most visited city at Christmas?

New York City was ranked as the highest. Millions of people are drawn to the tree at the Rockefeller Center. There are other attractions including the ice skating rinks and amazing window displays.