The holidays are across the nook and for many people, Christmas journey means heading to grandma’s home — you already know, over the river and thru the woods. For others, a vacation vacation spot means a pleasant resort resort on a seaside someplace. Today, I needed to share concepts for locations to go for Christmas on the east coast that may put you within the vacation temper.
These are East Coast Christmas holidays that supply one thing further particular. From parades of boats to horse-drawn sleigh rides to botanical gardens dripping in twinkling lights, these East Coast Christmas cities are postcard-worthy venues for catching the vacation spirit.
And in case you are on the lookout for much more vacation inspiration, you should definitely try our posts on the greatest Christmas lodges, and concepts for celebrating the vacations in Philadelphia, Chicago, and London.
Best Places to Go for Christmas on the East Coast
Dates are topic to alter and we suggest visiting the vacation spot web site to search out out extra particulars earlier than planning your journey.
Note: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. If you click on a hyperlink and make a purchase order, I’ll obtain a small fee. All opinions are my very own.
Starting within the north and shifting south, listed below are our picks for the highest locations to go for Christmas on the East Coast of the USA from one of the best Christmas cities on the East Coast to nice Christmas resorts.
1. Kennebunkport, Maine
Kennebunkport is an enthralling coastal city in Southern Maine, well-known for its lobster rolls, Docks Square procuring, and the Bush Family compound. While guests flock right here in the summertime, Kennebunkport (KPT) goes out of its strategy to shine within the winter too. It is not any shock that it was voted the #2 Christmas city in America by HGTV.
In Kennebunkport, you may watch Santa Claus arrive by lobster boat through the annual Christmas Prelude, and there are numerous different festivities hosted all through the vacation season. For two consecutive weekends in early December, Kennebunkport’s Dock Square, close by Kennebunk, and Cape Porpoise are aglow with holiday-themed occasions from tree lightings to parades, crafts to caroling, and fireworks to Santa’s arrival.
You actually received’t need to miss the lobster lure tree lighting! If you’re staying in a single day, the Boathouse Waterfront Hotel is correct within the coronary heart of the motion.
2. Portsmouth, New Hampshire
The waterfront, historic city of Portsmouth is at all times a pleasure to go to, with its cobblestone streets, charming retailers, bountiful eating places, and harborfront. But Portsmouth actually turns festive across the holidays with a Vintage Christmas. This month-long celebration is chock filled with occasions from the Vintage Christmas kickoff celebration to the Annual Gingerbread House contest, Christmas tree lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade, and the Annual Candlelight Stroll.
There are additionally particular performances of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and Family Holiday Pops by the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra, making Portsmouth an excellent East Coast Christmas trip. Visitors can then take pleasure in a winter skate on the out of doors ice-skating rink at Puddle Duck Pond.
While you’re on the town, I’d extremely suggest a seafood meal at Row 34 and an in a single day keep at Hampton Inn and Suites in Downtown Portsmouth.
3. Woodstock, Vermont
Woodstock, Vermont needs to be one of the crucial charming cities in New England and an ideal place to get into the vacation spirit throughout a collection of vacation occasions beginning in November and operating by way of mid-December. The festivities kick off with a Gingerbread contest in late November, with the homes on show at Woodstock Scoops.
Next up, benefit from the Christmas spirit at Billings Farm on a number of weekends in December. Billings Farm is embellished with festive lights and Victorian Christmas traditions. Families can take pleasure in sizzling cider and toast s’mores by the fireplace pit.
The fundamental occasion is the Wassail Weekend. This yearly celebration is stuffed with embellished historic properties, horse-drawn carriage rides, breakfast with Santa, and twinkling lights all through the city sq.. Riders wearing Victorian Era costumes and horses draped with sleigh bells paved the way within the Wassail Parade.
Visitors may take pleasure in musical performances starting from Christmas with the Celts to Cello by Candlelight, choirs, and sing-alongs. If you’re making a weekend of it, there isn’t any higher place to remain than the Woodstock Inn & Resort.
4. Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg, Massachusetts
Snowland on the Great Wolf Lodge is a real child’s delight! Celebrate the vacations with particular cookie deliveries from Wiley the Wolf, eat within the life-size gingerbread home, seize some free sizzling chocolate, adorn cookies, and take part in particular actions just like the Polar Wolf Walk.
Make your keep further particular by reserving a Snowland Suite, with particular vacation decorations and your very personal tree. Of course, there are Great Wolf Lodge lodges all through the USA, together with ones within the Poconos, Pennsylvania; Concord, North Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; and Williamsburg, Virginia. Check out the video we made throughout our keep through the holidays on the Great Wolf Lodge in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.
5. Boston, Massachusetts
Like most giant cities, Boston places on its shine for the winter holidays. But in contrast to some cities, you might simply see some snow while you’re there. Starting in late November, you may take part one of many many tree or vacation lighting ceremonies round city — from the Boston Common to the Columbus Park Trellis to Copley Square to the State House. You will discover bushes glowing brightly within the Boston Common, the Public Garden, Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Copley Square, Prudential Center, the North End, Downtown Crossing, and alongside the Seaport waterfront.
European-style Holiday Markets additionally pop up throughout town in December, that includes all the things from classic kitsch to New England crafts. Some common markets could be present in SoWa within the South End, Snow Port on the Boston Seaport, and Old South Church’s Christmas Fair. The Theater District welcomes vacation exhibits, ice skating is open at Frog Pond, and plenty of lodges provide particular occasions and vacation shows. If I used to be staying in a single day, I’d decide both the Boston Harbor Hotel or the Newbury Boston, with its wood-burning fireplaces.
6. Newport, Rhode Island
I do know that summer season looks as if the perfect time to go to the Yachting Capital of the World, however Newport seems fairly properly for the vacations as effectively. Many of the historic Newport Mansions are decked out for Christmas in Newport, with particular occasions like costumed caroling and backyard membership competitions.
Downtown, you may benefit from the vacation decorations whereas procuring or take pleasure in festive ice skating. Warm up afterwards in entrance of the fireplace on the historic Whitehorse Tavern or over a cup of chowder on the cozy Black Pearl on Bannister’s Wharf. If you’re staying on the town, curl up by a fireplace at the Vanderbilt. See extra of my suggestions for Rhode Island Christmas occasions.
7. Bethlehem, Connecticut
Any city referred to as Bethlehem is duty-bound to host some kind of Christmas celebration, proper? Bethlehem, Connecticut is not any exception and is without doubt one of the extra charming Christmas cities in America. On the primary weekend in December, this small city in Western Connecticut hosts an annual Bethlehem Christmas Town Festival.
The weekend is stuffed with musical performances, a tree lighting, photographs with Santa, horse-drawn hayrides, craft gala’s and reward bazaars, together with loads of meals and refreshments. Visitors can take pleasure in strolling carolers, vacation characters, a practice experience, scavenger hunt, Santa’s workshop, and a bell choir live performance. The extra bold may even be part of the “Santa Made Me Do It” 5K highway race.
If you wish to keep the weekend, there are a number of luxurious choices close by together with The Mayflower Inn & Spa (for Gilmore Girl’s followers), the distinctive Winvian, and the extra inexpensive Litchfield Inn.
8. New York, New York
Is there any higher place to spend Christmas than New York City? It is price battling the crowds and the chilly to be a part of the magic that’s Christmas in NYC.
The entire metropolis is embellished, however you could try the shop home windows alongside Fifth Avenue and the enormous vacation decorations on Sixth. There are many Christmas markets to take pleasure in, many with tasty treats, together with Christmas markets in Union Square, Bryant Park, and Columbus Circle.
A go to to “the tree” in Rockefeller Center is a should, however you’ll get a greater image and a a lot shorter line for ice skating at Bryant Park. Also, purchase tickets prematurely to see the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall or join one of many Christmas Lights excursions from On Location Tours.
There aren’t any scarcity of lodges in New York that get decked out for the vacations, however a few of the greatest are the Lotte New York Palace, The Plaza New York (a should for Home Alone 2 followers), Dream Downtown (grown ups will love the out of doors ice bar), The Standard East Village (the place you may hand around in a heated yurt), and The Peninsula New York. Even when you solely go to for a day journey, pop into any of the grand New York lodges to heat up and benefit from the vacation shows.
9. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
I can’t miss a city that’s dubbed “Christmas Town USA”, which is Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Once a metal city and now a university city, Bethlehem has jap European roots that are evidenced with its European-style Christmas markets at each Bethlehem’s Christkindlmarkt and Christmas City Village. You may store on the Moravian Book Shop, the oldest continuously-operating guide retailer on the planet.
When you may have stocked up on items, go to the Lehigh and Keystone Valley Model Railroad Museum or take a Christmas City Historical strolling tour. At nighttime, Downtown Bethlehem actually lights up for the vacations, and there’s no higher place to remain than the Historic Hotel Bethlehem. I’m an enormous fan of getting dinner and drinks at Social Still in Bethlehem, and stopping for breakfast at The Flying Egg, proper subsequent door to the resort.
10. Indiana, Pennsylvania
Little-known Indiana, Pennsylvania isn’t just the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, additionally it is Jimmy Stewart’s residence city. This little city does Christmas in an enormous method with a six-week “It’s a Wonderful Life” competition.
You can go to the Jimmy Stewart Museum, take a horse-drawn hayride by way of the bushes on the Fleming’s Christmas Tree Farm, soak up a Jimmy Stewart-themed present, and benefit from the It’s a Wonderful Life parade and competition.
11. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
New York will get a number of consideration as being an excellent “big city” vacation vacation spot however I’d argue that Philadelphia offers it a run for its cash. Christmas Village in JFK Plaza options meals stalls and retailers from greater than 60 distributors and Winterfest down on the RiverRink you may go ice skating or benefit from the out of doors fireplace pits.
Visitors may skate proper beside City corridor on the Rothman Rink or try the Holiday Festival at Franklin Square, with a lightweight present that includes over 50,000 lights coordinated to music. You even have to soak up the neighborhood gentle shows at “Miracle on South 13th Street.”
One of my favourite sights is outdoors town at close by Longwood Gardens, which is without doubt one of the premier botanical gardens within the U.S., protecting 1,000 acres stuffed with flowers, lights, miniature practice shows, lights and fountain exhibits, and particular vacation occasions.
If you’re making a weekend of it, my favourite place to remain in Old City is the Kimpton Monaco.
12. Hershey, Pennsylvania
It is difficult to beat the sweetness of the vacations in Hershey, PA. Christmas Candylane in Hersheypark options greater than 70 rides amidst the twinkling lights. You may even meet a few of Santa’s reindeer!
After a cold night time on the park, seize some chocolate and take a drive by way of the Hershey Sweet Lights, two miles of drive-through gentle shows to place you within the vacation temper in your winter trip. During the day you may take pleasure in candy temptations like chocolate tastings on the Hershey Story Museum and chocolate making at Hershey’s Chocolate World. Make a candy Christmas getaway with a keep on the Hershey Lodge or The Hotel Hershey.
13. Annapolis, Maryland
Annapolis has been named the most effective cities for the vacations by Travel & Leisure. The metropolis’s downtown is embellished with garland and lights to place you within the vacation temper whereas visiting a few of its cute boutiques to do your vacation procuring.
The month of December is stuffed with back-to-back occasions together with the Annual Chocolate Binge Festival, the place you may pattern all types of chocolate — signal me up! On the second Saturday of December, the Eastport Yacht Club Lights Parade options fantastically embellished boats within the Annapolis Harbor.
In Annapolis, the capstone vacation occasion is the Military Bowl introduced by Northrop Grumman soccer sport. The season attracts to a detailed with a family-friend New Year’s Eve Celebration on the City Dock ending with festive fireworks.
For native aptitude, keep at The Graduate Annapolis.
14. Williamsburg, Virginia
Williamsburg, Virginia is without doubt one of the greatest cities to go to for Christmas. Strap on some skates and glide throughout the ice at Liberty’s Ice Pavilion, then heat up with some sizzling cocoa or heat cider as you stroll by way of the streets of Colonial Williamsburg, which you will see strolling excursions on colonial adorning, reside musical and theatrical performances, and discussions on vacation traditions.
For a bit pleasure, Busch Gardens theme park will get within the festive spirit with vacation theming, festive meals, and vacation procuring throughout a particular limited-capacity occasion. Downtown Williamsburg affords the Williamsburg Christmas Market on the weekends, with reside leisure and over 20 distributors. Meanwhile, close by Yorktown hosts a Christmas tree lighting and holiday-themed artisan market.
For a Christmas resort with rather a lot to supply, keep on the Williamsburg Inn.
15. Asheville, North Carolina
There are many causes to go to Asheville, North Carolina for its out of doors adventures and nice foods and drinks. But the vacation season brings one more reason, Christmas at Biltmore. In early November, America’s Largest Home is embellished with a whole lot of 1000’s of twinkling lights, aromatic wreaths, recent greenery, and 1000’s of glittering ornaments. This time-honored custom dates again greater than 125 years when George Vanderbilt celebrated the primary Christmas with household and buddies in his new residence – Biltmore House.
Today, friends can take pleasure in a daytime tour previous a wintry forest of bushes and thru the Biltmore House festooned with 67 hand-decorated Christmas bushes, greater than 14,000 ornaments, 45,000 vacation lights, 250 candles, 1,000 ft of garland, and 150 conventional poinsettias.
Or, friends can select to go to within the night Candlelight Christmas Evenings when the home glows with candlelight and firelight, taking guests again in time with an expertise harking back to the Vanderbilt’s first Christmas spent in Biltmore House in 1895. Musicians are stationed all through the home carry out seasonal favorites. Outdoors, a 55-foot Norway spruce tree glowing with greater than 60,000 tiny lights takes heart stage on the entrance garden and four-hundred hand-lit luminaries line the walkway to Biltmore House.
Antler Hill Village is alive with a bonfire, visits from Santa, wine tasting, and vacation eating. Make the many of the vacation expertise with an in a single day keep at The Inn on the Biltmore Estate.
16. Wilmington, North Carolina
The vacation season begins early in Wilmington, North Carolina as Thanksgiving week kicks off Flotilla Week in Wrightsville Beach. Flotilla Week is jam-packed with particular actions from Friday’s tree lighting ceremony, a go to from Santa, Festival within the Park, the Holiday Flotilla procession of embellished boats, an enormous fireworks show, and the annual Airlie Gardens’ Enchanted Airlie.
Enchanted Airlie turns its 35-acres of strolling trails within the nighttime forest with almost a million colourful lights, vacation shows, and seasonal music. If you go, make it a seaside trip with a keep on the Blockade Runner Beach Resort.
17. Charleston, South Carolina
The Annual Holiday Festival of Lights takes place in James Island County Park from mid-November by way of late December. Charleston’s hottest vacation occasion options two million shimmering lights with a three-mile driving tour every night, making it the most effective locations to go to for Christmas within the south.
After the drive, guests can partake within the many household sights and actions together with roasting marshmallows, practice rides, lakeside lights, an incredible dancing gentle show, an enchanted strolling path, an old school carousel, Santa’s Sweet Shoppe, and plenty of reward retailers.
There can be an Annual Christmas Parade of Boats, which takes place n the Charleston Harbor. This Lowcountry vacation custom includes a show of lighted and festive boats.
18. Jekyll Island, Georgia
Jekyll Island could also be a preferred summer season vacation spot nevertheless it offers guests cause to return rejoice the vacations on this Golden Isle for a Christmas getaway weekend throughout Holly Jolly Jekyll. The Historic District, residence to historic “cottages” of former Jekyll Island Club members just like the Rockefellers, transforms into a vacation wonderland with over half one million lights, 35,000+ lights on the Great Tree, 712 firework shells, 15 Santa sightings and a lot extra.
This little island might be reworked into the brightest isle on the coast with sights like Peppermint Land, Holidays in History, Mailbox on Main, and fireworks shows. Guests can take pleasure in seeing the entire lights by way of an open-air trolley tour on choose nights all through the season which offers a singular expertise the place the entire household can sit again and loosen up, take pleasure in complimentary drinks and extra. Visitors can discover extra info and buy tickets on-line.
If you’re staying for the weekend, keep on the historic Jekyll Island Club Resort or hit the seaside on the Westin Jekyll Island.
19. St. Augustine, Florida
From late November by way of early February, the country’s oldest metropolis shines brightly with the glow of three million tiny white lights throughout St. Augustine’s “Nights of Lights” celebration.
There are some ways to benefit from the lights, from Old Town Trolley excursions, carriage rides, harbor excursions, or guided walks. During the Annual Holiday Regatta of Lights, a parade of colorfully-decorated boats fill the bay. Stay within the coronary heart of all the things on the Casa Monica Resort & Spa, or benefit from the private hospitality on the St. Francis Inn Bed & Breakfast.
20. Orlando, Florida
Of course the theme parks actually know find out how to go large for the vacations. With particular occasions, vacation theming, and unbelievable vacation decorations, you might need to spend your holidays with Mickey and crew, or Harry Potter and his buddies at Universal Orlando.
Just needless to say the vacation week is the busiest for the parks and so they typically attain capability by early within the morning (though that could be a bit totally different today.) If you may, plan a pre-holiday go to within the first two weeks of December.
There are so many different enjoyable locations to go to for the vacations, however these are a few of our favorites.
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