The Top 15 U.S. Cities for a Merry Christmas Vacation.

Visit New York City during the holiday season for an unforgettable urban adventure. During the winter holidays, when there is usually at least a light covering of snow, it is especially beautiful. You can ice skate beneath the towering Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through Central Park for a more traditional holiday experience. You can go to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a Broadway-style show hosted by the famous Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, or the New York City Ballet's production of The Nutcracker, and then go shopping until you drop.

With its covered bridges, at least a light dusting of snow, and plenty of pine wafting through the air, Woodstock, Vermont, is one of the most picture-postcard perfect towns to celebrate Christmas. Starting with the pre-holiday Woodstock Wassail Weekend, where Norse cultural traditions from the 19th century are celebrated, this old city knows how to do the holiday right. Over fifty horses and riders dressed in period attire and Christmas garb will lead the parade, which also features a tree lighting and yule log ceremony, sleigh rides, and carolers. Billings Farm & Museum hosts a traditional celebration complete with a large feast, and local businesses stay open late to show off their festively decorated windows for the occasion.

Lancaster, a small town in the middle of Pennsylvania's "Dutch Country," is known for its lively atmosphere and proximity to the region's many Amish farms. The Lancaster Central Market is a great place to find holiday gifts, as well as enjoy carriage rides and the sounds of carolers. Take in a tree-lighting ceremony with a tuba performance and some cookies and milk read to you by actors in Victorian garb on the Strasburg Rail Road before venturing out to see one of Lancaster's other top attractions.

Newport, Massachusetts is a picturesque city with a stunning coastline, waterside hotels, and plenty of New England character. With ornamented trees, holiday lights, wreaths, dining tables set with period silver and china, and more, Newport's Gilded Age mansions provide the perfect blend of opulence and Christmas magic during the Holidays at the Newport Mansions. Wrap up warm and watch the harbor's Illuminated Boat Parade, where bright boats vie for "best decorated." The Newport Christmas celebration is another annual highlight, with events like concerts, tree lighting, craft fairs, and candlelit house tours.

Visiting this well-known ski resort in the winter is like entering a snow globe. Beginning on the first weekend of December with the Lighting of Breckenridge, which features hundreds of Santas racing down Main Street while collecting milk and cookies, caroling, and the Blue River holiday lighting, the town is transformed into a breathtaking Victorian-style Christmas village that lasts throughout the month. There are horse-drawn carriage rides, gift shops galore, and a torchlight parade down the mountain at midnight on New Year's Eve, followed by fireworks.

As one of the most beloved small towns in the United States, Branson is often referred to as "Christmas Tree City." S with the intention of Christmas There's a month-long celebration of the holidays here, complete with concerts, light shows, and parades. This city in the middle of the country is known as the country music capital of the world, and it features numerous holiday attractions, including the largest Christmas display in the region, An Old Time Christmas. The Polar Express Train Ride offered by the Branson Scenic Railway is a popular choice for families during the holiday season.

St You won't find a more enchanting Florida Christmas town than Augustine. You won't find any snow, but the annual Night of Lights festival more than makes up for the lack of white stuff. See the city all decked out for the holidays with lights, candles, and decorations aboard the Old Town Trolley's world-famous Night of Lights Tour. The city also hosts the colorful boat displays at the Regatta of Lights, a family-friendly event. Bring the kids to the St. Nicholas Day Parade or take part in the popular Holiday Tour of Inns. Santa visits the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum every year on Luminary Night.

Less than 700 people call this Charlotte suburb, Christmas Town USA. For the past sixty years, residents of McAdenville have decorated over 160 homes and 265 evergreen trees with over half a million lights to celebrate the holiday season. Many news stations also do live Christmas coverage from the city, which has been named by Yahoo and Time as one of the "top 10 destinations to visit during the holidays." Charlotte also offers a wide range of seasonal activities, from world-class museums and shopping to delicious restaurants.

Historically, Leavenworth, Kansas, has been known as the "Ultimate Holiday Town USA," as proclaimed by A&E Network. You'll feel like you've stepped into a historic German town in this quaint Bavarian settlement at the eastern edge of the towering Cascades, with its impressive snow-capped mountain backdrop. Early in December until right before Christmas, a festival featuring traditional carol singing and a dazzling display of lights is held. Every Friday, Saint The man himself, Nikolas, greets kids with song and treats.

The town of Durango, Colorado, which is featured in the film adaptation of the children's book The Polar Express starring Tom Hanks, is located near the intersection of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, known as the Four Corners region. This Western town offers a variety of Christmas-themed activities, such as a train ride to the "North Pole" to pick up Santa Claus, and Purgatory Ski Resort is only a short drive away for any skiers or boarders in the group.

Solvang, a Danish village in the heart of California, is a charming getaway that will make you feel like you've been transported to the Kingdom of There are unique celebrations in this small town, and the town itself is decorated for Christmas with about 150 shops selling clogs, high-quality toys, porcelain, and lace, to name a few traditional Danish items. Stop by the annual Julefest celebrations after you've spent a few hours shopping for presents. A holiday parade with dancers, classic cars, and horse-drawn carriages is a great way to get the whole family in the spirit. This Christmas, don't miss the live nativity pageant that vividly recreates the birth of Jesus.

Ski resorts are popular holiday getaways because they usually have a lot going on to celebrate Christmas, starting with the annual Electric Parade in November. Residents of Park City decorate their cars, trucks, and bikes for the holidays and ride down Main Street to festive music. Spend Christmas Eve skiing with Santa, who spends the day on the mountain before leading a torchlight procession along the PayDay ridge. The 13-foot-tall, life-size gingerbread house is constructed out of 11,000 cookies and is sure to be a holiday spectacle for visitors of all ages.

Frostburg, Maryland, is only three hours away from both Washington and Baltimore, and only two hours and forty-five minutes from Pittsburgh. If you're looking for a quaint place to spend the holidays, look no further than this Allegany County gem. In the morning, you can catch the city's Christmas parade down Maine Street led by Jack Frost, after having breakfast with elves at the historic Hotel Gunter. There is a beautifully lit Festival of Trees event (complete with a cookie and hot cocoa reception) every night at City Place. ), while "Miracle on 34th Street" will be playing at the historic Frostburg Palace Theatre. Try a Frosty the Snow Shake, another sweet treat, at Princess Restaurant.

Where else can you go that beats a trip to the North Pole? The North Pole Christmas In Ice Contest brings ice sculptors from all over the world to this Alaskan town, where streets are named after holiday icons like Santa Claus and Kris Kringle. The Santa Clauses' home has become a popular location for live national news broadcasts. Seeing as how this is also aurora season, you will have a great shot at witnessing one of nature's most breathtaking spectacles—the dazzling Northern Lights.

Take a ferry ride to a quaint community in Michigan with only 500 residents where the holidays are still celebrated in the same way they were a century ago. Motor vehicles have been illegal in this area for over a century, so most people get around by horse and buggy. Santa Claus makes a personal visit to every home on Christmas Eve to hear children's wish lists. Locally beloved lilac is featured prominently in the annual Christmas bazaar alongside the traditional colors of green and red.