The upcoming winter holidays are a time for celebration. The holidays are also a time to spend with family and friends. If you are looking for the perfect place to spend the holidays this year we have got you covered! Keep reading for our top picks of the best places to spend the holidays.
Glacier Country Montana
Are you looking for a winter adventure? Then look no further than Glacier Country Montana!
Glacier Country transforms to a snow covered paradise during the winter months. Is hitting the slopes your idea of the perfect winter holiday? Then you will have plenty to choose from in Glacier Country. The area boasts seven downhill ski areas with over 11,000 acres of skiable terrain. Pair that with the 300 inches of average yearly snowfall and you have a winter paradise.
Glacier Country is also the perfect place to slow down during the holidays. Its warm and cozy accommodations offer the perfect respite to relax while sipping on a warm beverage in front of a crackling fireplace. For a unique adventure, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride or try out snowshoeing in Glacier National Park.
Request your free Glacier Country Guide today!
Chicago Southland
There is something for everyone during the holiday season in Chicago Southland. This year is the perfect time to embrace the spirit of the season and experience all of the fun events that Chicago Southland has to offer.
Have you experienced the area’s longest-running lights festival? Featuring over two million twinkling lights, Holiday Magic at the Brookfield Zoo is fun for all ages! The festival features interactive displays, plenty of photo opportunities, giant illuminated animals, a light tunnel show, large walkthrough displays, immersive lighting areas, and a holiday market.
There are plenty of other attractions to choose from during your visit to Chicago Southland. The Candlelight House Walk is a great way to admire the decorated homes. There are also local vendors offering live music, carriage rides, hot chocolate, and more. Local tree lightings are sure to put you and your family in the holiday spirit. If you are feeling nostalgic, stop by the Governors State University Center for Performing Arts to experience It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. You can continue your journey to the past with a visit to the Sand Ridge Nature Center which offers tours of pioneer cabins and a glimpse into old-fashioned holiday traditions.
Now is the perfect time to start planning your festive Chicago Southland getaway. Order your free print and downloadable Chicago Southland Visitors Guide today!
Maryland
Maryland is the place for delicious food and holiday fun! With epic outdoor experiences, it is a top winter holiday destination.
In the summer, Maryland is known for its crabs, and in the winter, it is the place to go for farm-raised oysters and wild oysters as well. The area has some of the best seafood including oyster stew, freshly shucked oysters on the half-shell, and sumptuous fried oysters. For a truly satisfying experience, check out restaurants and seafood markets along the Maryland Crab & Oyster Trail.
If you truly want to get into the holiday spirit, then you should experience the spirits and breweries unique to Maryland. The state is home to distinctive distilleries, breweries, and wineries. What better way to toast to the new year than with one of Maryland’s many artisanal spirits, craft beers, or local wines? The tasty beverages also make great holiday gifts for friends and family.
During the winter holidays, Maryland is also a terrific destination for outdoor recreation. Maryland is home to Wisp Ski Resort and countless miles of outdoor trails. Wisp offers 172 acres of ski terrain for snow sport enthusiasts. When visiting the resort, visitors can also cross country ski and snowshoe. Maryland State Parks also offer cross country skiing and plenty of scenic and picturesque trails.
Maryland is a great place to spend the winter holidays! Request your Official Maryland Travel Magazine today!
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Minnesota’s capital city is full of holiday cheer during the winter months! It is a great place to visit if you are looking for festive holiday events, bustling markets, entertainment, and more.
You will have plenty of events to choose from when you visit Saint Paul during the holidays. Some of the top events include the following: Night Trains, GLOW Holiday Festival, Sister Celeste’s Sing-a-Long Event, North Pole Express, Christmas in Germany, Santa’s Workshop, Holidays on the Hill Tours, and numerous holiday tree lightings.
Saint Paul is also a great place for holiday shopping. In addition to its many local stores, the area also has bustling holiday markets including the following: MN Christmas Market; European Christmas Market; Landmark Center Old Fashioned Holiday Bazaar; Cathedral Christmas Market; December Holiday Bazaar at The Black Market; and the annual Holiday Bake Sale.
If you are looking for entertainment, Saint Paul has both holiday theater and concerts to enjoy. Theater performances include the following: Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas; Black Nativity; Nutcracker at Fitzgerald Theater; It’s a Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play; Celtic Holiday Hooley; The Ballet Minnesota Presents: The Classic Nutcracker; and Christmas with Cantus.
Order your Official Saint Paul Insider’s Guide and start planning your visit today!
New Jersey
No matter where you travel in New Jersey, you are sure to be filled with holiday cheer. That is why New Jersey is one of the best places to spend the holidays.
Located on the sea, Cape May is known for its pristine beaches and picturesque Victorian homes. During the winter months, Cape May welcomes visitors with a holiday tree lighting. Guests can also partake in candlelight tours of Cape May’s beautiful Victorian homes, inns, and churches.
If you loved trains as a child (or still do as an adult!) then you will want to book a ticket on the Polar Express Train Ride! The one-hour holiday train ride includes hot chocolate and cookies served by dancing chefs, a Santa visit, and a read-along of the book.
Do you love holiday shopping? Then you will love Asbury Park’s Holiday Bazaar and its one-of-a-kind goods and handcrafted holiday gifts. The jolly shopping event is inspired by the traditional “Weihnachtsmarkts” holiday markets held in Germany. The Bazaar is an event for the whole family with festive music, entertainment, kid activities, and craft workshops.
Request your New Jersey Official Travel Guide today!
Orange County, New York
For some extra holiday cheer this season, visit Orange County, NY. Just 60 minutes from New York City, Orange County offers a delightful blend of festive activities, events, and attractions during the holiday season.
From late November to December, check out the Orange County Farmers Museum Christmas on the Farm for holiday crafts and festivities. Bring your holiday cheer to one of the local tree lighting events in early December, such as the Washingtonville Christmas Tree Lighting or the Middletown Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting. The Newburgh Illuminated Festival, also in early December, offers illuminated exhibits, holiday markets, and family-friendly activities to explore.
Winter sports enthusiasts can hit the slopes for skiing or snowboarding at Tuxedo Ridge Ski Center or Belleayre Mountain. For something more low-key, try ice skating at the ice skating rink at Bear Mountain State Park.
Warm up from the cold with a holiday wine and cheese tasting at Brotherhood Winery or Warwick Valley Winery where you can sample some delicious locally-produced wines. Finish your holiday shopping at Woodbury Common Premium Outlets, where you can check everyone off your holiday list with more than 250 stores to choose from.
Request your Orange travel guide to make the most of your time in beautiful Orange County.
Olympic Peninsula, Washington
The winter holidays are a time for festivities and goodwill. Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is home to countless festive activities during the winter months, making it a great place to spend the holidays.
Many of the festivals in the area feature lights and holiday cheer. Beginning in November, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and 7 Cedars illuminate the area with the addition of over 3 million LED lights. The spectacular light displays are turned on before dusk and turned off at sunrise. The Dungeness River Nature Center also hosts a countdown to turning on thousands of lights in November. The festivities include a singalong of holiday songs on the Center’s Railroad Bridge led by members of the Sequim High School choir. The event kicks off on the historic railroad bridge crossing the Dungeness River on the Olympic Discovery Trail at Railroad Bridge Park.
In December, the Wintertide Festival of Lights is held at the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center. The festival features a makers market, fire and light performers, a community lantern walk, and illuminated installations in the sculpture park.
If you are a fan of Christmas, then you won’t want to miss the festivities in Christmastown (Shelton), Washington. In December 2019, the community created a giant maze and won the Guinness World Record for “Most Lit Trees in One Location.” The community continues the holiday tradition every winter with a tree maze and other holiday festivities.
What are you waiting for? Now is the time to request your free print and downloadable Olympic Peninsula Travel Planner!
Start Planning Your Holiday Getaway!
The holiday season is fast approaching. Give yourself something special to look forward to by planning your holiday getaway today! Check out all of our free travel guides for fun and exciting destinations throughout the United States.