Are you looking for the best places to visit during winter in the United States? Keep scrolling to find out the most magical Christmas getaways in the United States worth visiting.
This list of the best Christmas getaways in the United States was written by family travel expert Marcie Cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.
Want to know something? Some of my favorite family memories don’t happen around our tree at home.
They happen when we’re exploring twinkling lights in a new city, sipping hot cocoa in a Bavarian village, or watching my kids’ faces light up brighter than any Christmas display.
If you’re thinking about ditching the cookie exchanges and crowded malls this year for an actual adventure, I’ve got you covered.
As a family travel blogger, I’ve spent years finding the most magical Christmas destinations that actually work for families with elementary-age kids.
This post breaks down the best Christmas getaways in the United States for 2025, complete with insider tips on when to book, what to do, and how to make it all happen without breaking the bank.
Why Take a Christmas Getaway with Kids?
Here’s the thing. I love being home for Christmas as much as the next person. But there’s something incredibly special about experiencing the holidays somewhere new.
Your kids will remember that time you rode a horse-drawn carriage through lit-up streets way longer than they’ll remember what gift was under the tree. Plus, you get to skip the stress of hosting, the endless cleaning, and all those obligations that pile up during the holidays.
Travel during Christmas also means you’re creating traditions that are just for your family. No judgment, just pure holiday magic on your own terms.
When to Book Your Christmas Trip (This is Important!)
Okay, real talk. If you’re planning to travel during Christmas 2025, you need to book NOW. Like, seriously, put down this post and book if you haven’t already.
The sweet spot for booking Christmas flights is June through August. I know that feels early, but prices jump significantly after Halloween. Aim to have everything locked in by mid-November at the absolute latest.
Here are the best days to travel if you want to avoid the madness:
- Fly out: December 18 (Thursday before Christmas) or Christmas Eve
- Return home: New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day
- Avoid like the plague: December 21-23 (the weekend before Christmas) and December 26
Pro tip from this family travel expert: Book refundable hotel rooms as early as possible, then keep monitoring prices. If rates drop, rebook and get the difference back.
7 Fun Christmas Getaways in the United States
1. Leavenworth, Washington (My Personal Favorite!)
I’m starting with this one because we actually went to Leavenworth at Christmas a few years ago and I’m STILL talking about it. This tiny Bavarian village in the Cascade Mountains is hands-down one of the most magical places I’ve ever experienced during the holidays.
Picture this: half-timbered buildings covered in snow, over half a million twinkling lights, the smell of roasted chestnuts everywhere, and actual horse-drawn sleigh rides. It’s like you stepped into a German Christmas market without leaving the US.
When to Go: The lights are on every night from Thanksgiving through February, but the Christmas Lighting Festival weekends (November 29 through December 22, 2025) are extra special with live music and Santa visits.
Best for Elementary Kids: The Nutcracker Museum hunts (Saturdays at 1pm), sledding in Front Street Park, and meeting Santa at the gazebo.
Where to Stay: Book NOW because this place fills up fast. Check out hotels in Leavenworth on Expedia. The Bavarian Lodge and Icicle Village Resort are both family-friendly winners.
Don’t Miss: Getting hot chocolate at the Gingerbread Factory and shopping at the Kris Kringl Christmas Store (it’s open year-round and absolutely packed with ornaments).
Money-Saving Tip: Visit on a weekday instead of the weekend. You’ll see the same lights with way fewer crowds and save on hotel costs.
Budget: Mid-range to splurge (hotels fill up fast and prices reflect that)
2. St. Augustine, Florida (New for 2025!)
Want Christmas lights without freezing your butt off? St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights is calling your name.
This is the nation’s oldest city, and during the holidays, it transforms into an absolutely stunning wonderland with over 3 million white lights. The cool part? It’s actually warm enough to enjoy walking around at night without seventeen layers.
When to Go: The display runs November 15, 2025 through January 11, 2026. The Light-Up Night ceremony on November 15 is spectacular, but honestly, any night is magical.
Best for Elementary Kids: The trolley tours where everyone sings Christmas carols together, visiting the St. Augustine Lighthouse with 21 themed Christmas trees, and taking a boat tour to see the lights from the water.
Top Tours: This Nights of Lights Boat Cruise has over 193 five-star reviews and lets you see the lights from the water. There’s a family-friendly BYOB option that kids love. Or grab seats on the Old Town Trolley sing-along tour that departs nightly.
Where to Stay: The historic district is where you want to be so you can walk everywhere. Find family-friendly hotels in St. Augustine on Expedia.
Don’t Miss: The Christmas parade on December 6 and the free park-and-ride shuttle service (saves you the parking nightmare).
Budget: Affordable to mid-range
Want more Florida family travel tips? Check out my free email course on how to plan a trip to Disney World like a pro.
3. Helen, Georgia (The South’s Little Bavaria)
If Leavenworth is too far, Helen is your answer. This adorable Alpine village in the North Georgia mountains goes ALL OUT for Christmas.
It’s basically a storybook come to life, with cobblestone streets, German-style buildings, and enough Christmas spirit to make even the Grinch crack a smile.
When to Go: Lights stay up through February 17, 2025. The Annual Lighting of the Village is November 28, and the Christmas Parade happens December 13 at 6pm.
Best for Elementary Kids: The Christmas Market (November 29-30 and December 6-7), horse-drawn carriage rides through town, and tubing on the Chattahoochee River if the weather cooperates.
Cool Activity: The Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm (Fridays and Saturdays in December, 4-7pm) where actors in period dress share old-time holiday traditions. Plus s’mores around the campfire!
Where to Stay: The Valhalla Resort Hotel is consistently rated 9/10 and offers plenty of space for families to spread out. Check hotels in Helen on Expedia.
Budget: Affordable to mid-range
4. New York City (The Classic for Good Reason)
Look, I know NYC at Christmas is a total cliche. But you know what? It’s a cliche for a reason. There’s honestly nothing quite like seeing Rockefeller Center lit up, ice skating in Central Park, and watching the Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes (which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025!).
When to Go: December is peak magic, but honestly, the city is decked out from late November through early January.
Best for Elementary Kids: Ice skating at Rockefeller Center (bucket list item!), seeing the massive tree, window shopping on Fifth Avenue, and the Winter Village at Bryant Park with its free ice skating rink.
Top Tours: This Christmas Holiday Walking Tour hits all the major spots and is perfect for families. Or try the Dyker Heights Holiday Lights Bus Tour.
Where to Stay: Honestly, anywhere in Midtown puts you close to the action. Browse NYC hotels on Expedia and book early because prices are WILD during the holidays.
Capture the Memories: This is the perfect time to book Flytographer for a professional family photo shoot. Save $20 with my link! Nothing beats having gorgeous family photos with the Rockefeller tree in the background.
Budget: Splurge (but worth every penny)
Need help planning? Grab my free email course on how to plan a trip to NYC like a pro.
5. Denver, Colorado
Denver knows how to do Christmas right. We’re talking authentic German Christmas markets, the famous “I Love Christmas Movies” experience at Gaylord Rockies, and enough holiday events to keep your family busy the entire trip.
When to Go: December is prime time, especially for the markets.
Best for Elementary Kids: The Denver Christkindl Market (feels like you’re in Bavaria!), visiting the “I Love Christmas Movies” experience where you can watch classics like Elf and The Polar Express, and ice skating at Skyline Park.
Top Tours: Book this Holiday Lights & Sights Bus Tour that hits all the festive spots!
Combine with Skiing: Denver is your gateway to world-class ski resorts. If your kids are ready for the slopes, this is the perfect combo trip. Check out nearby Breckenridge or Keystone for family-friendly skiing.
Where to Stay: The Gaylord Rockies Resort is an experience in itself with its massive light displays and activities. Or stay downtown near the 16th Street Mall. Find Denver hotels on Expedia.
Budget: Mid-range to splurgeDuluth is one of the places to go for Christmas vacation.
6. North Pole, Alaska (For the Ultimate Believers)
Okay, this one’s for the families who want to go BIG. We’re talking about an actual town called North Pole where the mayor is literally named Santa Claus.
I’m not even kidding. The street lamps are shaped like candy canes on a road called Santa Claus Lane. There’s a 42-foot Santa statue. Kids can mail letters with a North Pole postmark. This is next-level Christmas magic.
When to Go: December for the full experience, but the Santa Claus House is open year-round.
Best for Elementary Kids: Meeting Santa at the Santa Claus House, seeing the reindeer, and experiencing a true winter wonderland (pack warm!).
Important Note: North Pole is about 14 miles from Fairbanks, so you’ll need to plan for the extra travel time and VERY cold weather (we’re talking sub-zero temperatures).
Where to Stay: You’ll likely stay in Fairbanks and drive to North Pole. Check Fairbanks hotels on Expedia.
Budget: Splurge (flights to Alaska aren’t cheap, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip)
7. Asheville, North Carolina (Mountains Meet Magic)
Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is straight out of a storybook during Christmas. The star of the show? The Biltmore Estate decked out in full holiday glory.
When to Go: The Biltmore Christmas celebration runs through early January.
Best for Elementary Kids: Touring the Biltmore mansion with its dozens of Christmas trees and garlands everywhere, watching Santa rappel down Chimney Rock (yes, really!), and riding the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley through downtown.
Don’t Miss: The gingerbread house competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn is legendary. Seriously, some of these creations are INSANE.
Where to Stay: The Omni Grove Park Inn if you’re splurging, or find more budget-friendly options with Asheville hotels on Expedia.
Budget: Mid-range to splurge (Biltmore tickets add up for a family)
Essential Packing Tips for Christmas Travel
After years of holiday travel with kids, here’s what I never leave home without:
Tech Essentials:
- Portable phone charger (because dead phones = unhappy kids)
- Noise-cancelling headphones for flights and car rides
Stay Organized: Keep everyone’s Christmas outfits in packing cubes so nothing gets wrinkled. Trust me on this.
Snacks: Pack way more snacks than you think you’ll need. Holiday travel means delayed flights, long car rides, and hangry kids.
Making the Most of Your Christmas Getaway
Book Activities in Advance Popular tours and experiences fill up FAST during the holidays. Book your tours as soon as you have your dates locked in.
Capture the Memories Seriously, book Flytographer for at least one professional photo shoot during your trip. You’ll have amazing photos for years to come (and you’ll actually be IN the pictures for once). Save $20 when you book with my link!
Stay Flexible Weather happens. Flights get delayed. Kids get tired. Build in buffer time and don’t overschedule. Some of our best memories come from the unplanned moments.
Mix Budgets You don’t have to splurge on everything. Stay at a mid-range hotel and splurge on a special dinner or experience. Or go all out on accommodations and keep activities simple (like just walking around to see lights, which is often free!).
Final Thoughts
Listen, Christmas travel with kids isn’t always Instagram-perfect. There will be meltdowns, missed naps, and moments when you wonder why you didn’t just stay home.
But then your kiddo will see their first real Christmas market, or squeal when they spot Santa at a parade, or simply hold your hand while walking past millions of twinkling lights.
Those moments? They’re the ones that turn into the stories your family tells for years.
So book that trip. Make those memories. And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram when you’re living your best Christmas getaway life!
Looking for more Winter Travel Content? Check out my posts about the best winter getaways from Seattle, Christmas bucket list for families, how to pack for winter travel, holiday travel tips, best Airbnbs in cozy Christmas towns, best US winter getaways, how to get cheap flights around Christmas, and things to do in Victoria BC at Christmas.
