That's why, if you're determined to experience December 25th in the way Bing Crosby had intended, we've rounded up the most stunning and picturesque places in the United Statesfrom the glorious skiing havens of the West to the sleepy escapes in the Midwest to the most bustling East Coast metropoliseswhere you can experience a true white Christmas. Regardless, youll need warm clothes to bundle up and protect yourself from the cold. If you feel like youve somehow lost the Christmas Magic then a trip to Vermont will surely get it back for you it would make a fantastic winter vacation! 5 reasons why myNY will make creating your itinerary easy! But when I'm in New Winter in New York is a wonderful time to explore the city. With its lovely beaches where you and your family can play beach games and sunbathe, San Juan is one of the best places to visit in December in the US. This Small Canadian City Is the Northern Lights Capital of North America, 25 Best International Destinations for Solo Travel, 20 Cool Destinations for When You Just Can't Take the Summer Heat, South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary. Even with a soaring 72 degrees in December, St. Petersburg is famous for its Snow Fest. The Kentucky Derby Museum explores the history of the annual thoroughbred horse race, while the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory will appeal to baseball fans. Aspen is one of the most famous places to visit in December in the USA. These are the top cold- and warm-weather destinations around the United States. This is the perfect town for a gentle and relaxing romantic December winter break in the USA, with plenty to keep you occupied in and around it. The celebrations start in early November with the raising of a massive Christmas tree. Volcanoes National Park is the largest and most visited and encompasses Mauna Loa, the worlds largest Volcano, and Kilauea the worlds most active volcano, which has been erupting steadily since 1983 sending a glowing cloud of ash and steam into the air above it. Washington, United States Located in northwestern Vermont on the shore of Lake Champlain and one of the best places to go in the winter if you like snow, Burlington is Vermont's largest city, conveniently located near Burlington International Airport. San Francisco is, without doubt, one of the best places to visit in December in the USA. Les Arcs is part of the Paradiski ski area, the second-largest ski resort in the world. Here you can expect wide open spaces, beautiful views, seagulls and dolphins too. Maui is one of the most popular December vacation destinations in the USA because of its warm weather, providing respite from the cold. There are several reasons to visit Washington DC in December. Here's a look at our top 13 winter vacation ideas for destinations around the United States. 10 U.S. Cities That See White Christmases Every Year - ThoughtCo Log into myNY and start planning your New York trip. This iconic Alpine town with the slopes of Aspen Mountain rising from the midst of its quaint Victorian center is a real winter wonderland, a magical place to visit in December in the USA and spend the festive season. Aside from all the Christmas loveliness Bethlehem is also home of the oldest continuously operating book shop in the USA, The Moravian Bookstore was founded in 1745 and lies in the heart of Bethlehems historic district. Beyond seeing this fantastic show of nature, other activities make Anchorage the perfect destination for December vacations. Top 10 Destinations To Experience Snowfall This December In December, the weather on the Big Island is typically in the 80s and its also fairly dry, that combined with better deals and less tourists make it the ideal time to visit. One of the quirkiest traditions in Bethlehem is The Living Advent Calendar which takes place every evening at 5.30 at The Goundie House. You can either opt for a quintessential holiday complete with snow fights and hot chocolate in a new city or go on an outdoor adventure and bask in the warm weather. Antler Village becomes a festival of illumination and Santa visits the bandstand every weekend. The interestingly named Purgatory Resort offers 1605 acres of terrain, with trails for skiers of all levels and abilities. Palm trees sway languidly along white sandy beaches scattered with beautiful seashells. Cities Without Snow in December Normally no snow falls this month in Austin, Fresno, Honolulu, Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, Riverside, Sacramento, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Tampa Reference NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). During the December and the Christmas Season Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville Tennessee is literally transformed with more than 3 million lights, ice tunnels, an indoor ice skating rink, grottos, scavenger huntsthe list goes on! Learn all about Hawaiian history and culture at the Polynesian Cultural Center, located on Oahu's scenic North Shore, or back in Honolulu at Bishop Museum or 'Iolani Palace, the only royal palace in the U.S. Click here to find accommodation near Yellowstone. For nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, the Everglades are absolutely unrivaled and can be explored by boat, canoe, or for landlubbers by bike, hike, or slough slog. Thrill-seekers looking for an amazing December break gather to try their hand at skiing and boarding this legendary run, which requires a true leap of faith at the start over one of the steepest and narrowest entrances in the world. You should also learn more about Georgias role in the civil rights movement at the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Other highlights include its designer stores and a chic waterfront area filled with cocktail bars, hula shows, and upscale dining. Home / Beautiful Places / 24 Amazing Places to Visit in December in the USA. Click here to find accommodation in San Juan. The weather in Pasadena allows you to have fun playing games at the beach. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Click here to find accommodation in Key West. Watch the Lighted Boat Parade at the islands iconic seaport. Skiing and winter sports alumni go crazy for this resort, which is situated in the Teton Range in the middle of the Rockies. 20 Most Beautiful Winter Towns in the U.S. 25 Best Mother-daughter Trips Around the World. Check out the festive lights on the pedestrian-only walkway of Church Street, where you will find unique shops offering gifts you can take home with you to remember your trip. Visit the historic Roosevelt Hotel to see the thousands of holiday lights adorning the hotel, as well as its 50 highly decorated Christmas trees. Read next: Best Places to Visit in January. If you visit Lake Tahoe at December and Christmas its like being transported into an old-fashioned Christmas Card illustration with log cabins, flickering fireplaces, and hot toddys all wrapped up in a blanket of snow and fairy lights. The Christmas City was born. This is because there are so many things to do in this winter wonderland that you will never want to leave. This view mainly makes Boulder one of the most beautiful places to visit in December. Click here to find accommodation near Bryce Canyon. About a two-hour drive east of Los Angeles, this charming desert city enjoys comfortable daytime temperatures in winter and is home to golf courses, spas, casinos, and a nearby hot springs. BOYNE MOUNTAIN, MICHIGAN. If you want to participate in some fun winter sports, go skating on the citys free ice rink before warming up with some hot cocoa. Basically everywhere you look is ALL about Christmas! These places offer the best scenic snow views and all-round winter entertainment, regardless of whether you've never touched snow, or if you're a winter sports pro. Take delight in the natural beauty of fall and winter in Georgia. Just 15 minutes from St. George, Snow Canyon State Park with red rock mountains, horseback riding, and gorgeous scenery seldom sees snow, despite its name. St. Augustine. Learn more about its history and culture. Explore the Biltmore Estate, George Vanderbilt's glorious 250-room chateau, on a guided tour. Pittsburgh's dining scene is growing, with dozens of restaurants, cafes, breweries, and new food halls to enjoy. They are also perfect for skiing and a little bit of hiking along the easier hiking trails. With mild temperatures and festive fun, the winter season brings a magical change to the Southern states. Go skiing in the snow-covered Green Mountains. There are so many things to do and see in New Orleans in December. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway provides a fun ride, spectacular views, snow, and cold temperatures for anyone seeking a wintry environment for a day. Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine lake in North America and it balances in the Sierra Nevada mountain range on the boundary of California and Nevada. One of the most popular trails is the accessible Anhinga Trail and Shark Valley which includes the spectacular Shark Valley Observatory Tower. There are 5 National Parks on the Island which protect the landscape, the ocean, and the culture of the indigenous people. At Yellowstone National Park, you can check out its popular geysers, Old Faithful, which has regular eruptions, and Steamboat, the tallest geyser in the world. Then share it on your social media! The season's first snow in the Midwest typically occurs in October along the northern tier of states, from northern Michigan to the western Dakotas. Register for myNY now and start planning the perfect trip to New York City! While northeastern parts of the state might see snow, Los Angeles as well as other major cities like San Diego and San Francisco have a 0% chance of snow on Dec. 25. If hiking is your thing then wrap up and take a walk along the Lake Tahoe Trail to really revel in the stunning vistas and the wilderness around you, the entire trail is 165 miles and circumnavigates the whole lake, but its easy to take a little stretch at a time which is probably your best bet in the winter! In November, much of the Ohio Valley, the rest . Whether you want to find a warm winter destination or a snowy city, we've got you covered. Santa Fe is perfect for individuals or families looking to spend their December in a beautiful little town that offers a lot in terms of relaxation, leisure, art, and learning. For a low-key but warm December break or vacation in the USA, this is a great choice. Now every year Bethlehem is adorned with twinkling lights and decorations and the historic streets are lined with Christmas huts selling artisan products as well as the famous Christkindlmart, a large indoor market perfect for unusual gifts. Sunshine, beautiful beaches, warm temperatures, brilliant sunsets, and graceful palm trees beckon travelers to Hawaii during the winter. Projected Opening Day: 11/24, TBD. The park is a haven for hikers and consists of three very clear types of landscapes; the river, the desert, and the mountains. On the other hand, you may experience a crazy snowstorm, like we did early 2018 when visiting New York in the winter. Leavenworth takes Christmas seriously, and the lighting and the ornaments decorating the town are a beauty to behold. Find Beth on Linkedin or Facebook. Get away from the crowds on the dramatic slopes of the Kenai mountains, for steep chutes and long powder runs try Thompson Pass or to take in dramatic granite towers Denali is the spot. On top of that, Joshua Tree National Park is a great hiking location. Thats because some major events are taking place during that season! Easily one of the most magical places to explore in December in the USA! This would make a lovely, peaceful, and under-the-radar December vacation. In the nearby village of Grand Isle, there is plenty to do, from birding trails to butterfly domes and delicious dockside food. Click here to find accommodation in San Francisco. While the city gets nearly 17 inches of snow every December, weather patterns can be fickle, Erdman says. Ranked as a top Travel Authority in the UK by Agility PR Solutions, Nominated as the best female travel blogger in the Teletext Holiday Awards 2019, British Annual Canada Travel Awards Finalist 2018, Nominated for the Best UK Travel Blog 2018, Cheapflights Travel Blog Awards Nominee 2017, GLOBAL GRASSHOPPER. The metropolitan area of Anchorage lies at the convergence of several mountain ranges which makes it perfect for skiing. Regardless, you'll need warm clothes to bundle up and protect yourself from the cold. For skiing in December head to the snow-capped Mauna Kea, which towers over 13,000 feet and has an amazing observatory as well as plenty of skiable terrain. In South Padre Island, you can take a stroll on the sand beach, visit Schlitterbahn Waterpark and play in the water slides, swim at Laguna Madre Bay, bask in the sunshine, eat Mexican delicacies like nachos and tacos.. making it a dreamy escape from the bitter cold up north. Lake Tahoe offers you a vintage December straight out of an old Christmas Card. The J.N Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, founded in 1945, occupies a third of the Island and encompasses shady pathways, bike trails, mangrove forests, pools, and beaches. Temperatures in Texas and southern states on the East Coast (the Carolinas and Georgia) linger in the 60s this time of year. The tree is delivered by Santa and erected in the banquet hall to mark the start of Yuletide. If youre a little Vitamin D starved in your state during the winter months and are longing for a beach fix in a warmer climate then the laid-back beach resort town in California is a great choice. This is a wonderful winter break in December. Other highlights include the Point of Rocks which are limestone outcroppings that surround tidal pools and coral reefs and Turtle Beach which has boat ramps and picnic areas. On December 25, 2014, the city saw 8.5 inches of new snowfall in one dayits third snowiest Christmas on record. Log Cabins at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, MO. Agreeable weather, arts, history, and rich culture; are the words that best describe Santa Fe. If you are lucky, you will experience New York as the perfect winter wonderland, completely covered in snow with blue skies and the sun shining. Some of these activities include learning about the fight for independence in Texas at The Alamo, taking a stroll along the famous Riverwalk, and dining at one of the restaurants in San Antonio. The town has a multitude of activities on offer all year round but in December you get to enjoy the crisp winter wonderland and all that it entails; snowmobiling perhaps? The Best Places to Ski in December in the USA: Sunday River Resort (Credit: Nick Lambert/Sunday River) Sunday River Resort, Maine With the ability to blast 2,000 snow guns, Sunday River touts one of the Northeast's most elaborate snow-making operations. We found the best small towns to see in winter in all 50 states . Buffalo, N.Y. iStock Buffalo is the snowiest metropolitan area in the United States, receiving 91 inches of snow per year. To help you out, here's a list of the best 10 all-encompassing spots to see snow in December! Savannah is popular for its beautiful streets, remarkable architecture, prominent place in history, and comfortable temperatures. Your email address will not be published. Please enter your email address to reset your password. Whats not to love about that? May Global Release: Wed, 14 Jun 2023, 11:00 AM EDT. Bourbon lovers will want to check out all the nearby distilleries. There are special seminars and workshops that teach how to make your own decorations and adornments. Read next: Best Places to Visit in the USA. The town of Williamsburg has a rich history as the place where George Whyte signed the American Declaration of Independence. December is one of the best times to vacation in Sun Valley. Head out into the Weminuche Wilderness and The Animas River Gorge for climbing and hiking galore! 25 Places to Go If You're Dreaming of a White Christmas Gallery