After a number of years residing within the USA and taking some unforgettable December journeys, I\u2019ve discovered this month to be one of the magical occasions to discover \u2013 whether or not you\u2019re after festive cities, snowy escapes, or winter solar. These are my private favourite locations to go to, all based mostly alone travels\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
1. Leavenworth, Washington\u00a0<\/h2>\n
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![\"Leavenworth](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/globalgrasshopper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/Places-to-visit-in-December-in-the-USA.jpg?resize=840%2C560&ssl=1\" "\\"17")
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With snow-covered streets, glowing lights, carolers, mulled wine, and Santa making appearances, to me this Bavarian-style village in winter felt straight out of a Christmas film \u2013 particularly throughout this month\u2019s dazzling Christmas Lighting Festival which included a show of over half 1,000,000 twinkling lights.<\/p>\n
In December (and thru January<\/a> and February<\/a>, as locals instructed me), snow-capped peaks and Christmas markets set the scene, and my favourite occasion was the family-friendly Village of Lights: Christmastown<\/a> with Santa and Mrs. Claus appearances, cute gingerbread home shows, and even eerie Krampus characters from Austrian and German folklore roaming the streets.<\/p>\n I flew into Seattle, drove simply 2.5 hours, and spent a magical lengthy weekend staying on the romantic 4-star Storybook Riverside Inn<\/a> absorbing Leavenworth\u2019s snowy appeal \u2013 suppose dazzling gentle shows, snowshoeing and tubing on the Winter Sports Club, sipping mulled wine at festive stalls, sleigh rides by Icicle Valley, and even a cease on the delightfully quirky Nutcracker Museum<\/a>.<\/p>\n My favourite highlights\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n I discovered that this well-known beachfront neighborhood in Honolulu made an superior sizzling December trip! I discovered the climate was heat and sunny climate, with a vigorous however laid-back tropical ambiance the place I simply relaxed on pale golden sands, swam in calm turquoise waters, and loved beachfront eating with attractive views of Diamond Head.<\/p>\n There have been a number of heat rain showers, however truthfully, I didn\u2019t thoughts \u2013 visiting early within the month meant lighter crowds and snagging some nice stays for much less! Also, alongside the world-class Vans Triple Crown of Surfing on the North Shore, Honolulu was buzzing with festive cheer \u2013 from large shows at Honolulu City Lights to beachside vacation enjoyable.<\/p>\n Landing at Honolulu International, I dove straight into Waikiki\u2019s laid-back vibes \u2013 sun-soaked seaside time, vacation buying on Kalakaua Avenue, and a front-row seat to the surf professionals at Banzai Pipeline!\u00a0<\/p>\n My private highlights\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n I stayed on the 4-star Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville<\/a> final Christmas and was critically impressed\u2014this sprawling, high-end Nashville lodge pulled out all of the festive stops!<\/p>\n During this month I<\/span>\u00a0discovered it had remodeled right into a critically dazzling vacation vacation spot with over 3 million Christmas lights, indoor snow tubing, ice skating, whimsical grottos, themed occasions festive riverboat rides by adorned indoor gardens, and a very magical ambiance that mixed luxurious with family-friendly vacation cheer \u2013 all beneath an unlimited, climate-controlled glass atrium!<\/p>\n I flew into Nashville International and spent a magical week wrapped in festive cheer \u2013 gliding throughout the ice rink, marveling on the hand-carved ICE! sculptures, strolling by twinkling indoor gardens, catching vacation exhibits, and becoming a member of the town\u2019s vigorous Christmas Parade<\/a>, all as a part of the dazzling \u201cA Country Christmas\u201d celebration.<\/p>\n My highlights\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n I liked how this attractive barrier island off Florida\u2019s Gulf Coast made a dreamy sizzling winter trip! I discovered that December was the least humid month, making it way more comfy for outside actions than the new, sticky summer time \u2013 but it was nonetheless heat and sunny sufficient for a much-needed winter Vitamin D repair!<\/p>\n I went early December so it was nonetheless thought-about low season and I discovered the powder-soft white sand seashores have been uncrowded, there have been some good offers on lodging, it was nonetheless heat sufficient to swim (nearly although I’ve to confess!) and there was a laid-back island vibe with festive vacation occasions and outside eating choices galore, however with out the winter chill!<\/p>\n I flew into Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) and spent a dreamy week on the cute Inn on Siesta Key<\/a> kicking again on the award-winning white quartz sands of Siesta Beach, watching festive boats gentle up the water within the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade<\/a>, exploring the charming Siesta Key Village, and having fun with outside eating, reside music, and Insta-worthy sundown views over the Gulf!\u00a0<\/p>\n My highlights\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n I discovered that there was a definite magic after I visited New York<\/a> City in the course of the Christmas season, which started in November<\/a> and actually stepped up a gear throughout this month.<\/p>\n I found that the town had remodeled right into a magical winter wonderland with festive lights and vacation window shows, iconic seasonal points of interest just like the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree and ice skating at Bryant Park, and a vigorous vacation spirit.<\/p>\n I liked all of the seasonal exhibits and occasions just like the Radio City Christmas Spectacular<\/a>, Santaland at Macy\u2019s<\/a>, the vacation markets at Bryant Park and Union Square, and the Hanukkah celebrations throughout the town.\u00a0<\/p>\n I flew into JFK worldwide airport and stayed for a enjoyable 5 days. I checked out the festive window shows alongside Fifth Avenue, took a twirl on Rockefeller Center Ice Rink, warmed up with a sizzling apple cider on the Winter Village at Bryant Park<\/a>, went for a snow-dusted stroll in Central Park after which caught an iconic efficiency on the well-known Nutcracker Ballet!\u00a0<\/p>\n My favourite highlights\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n I used to be\u00a0craving a dose of Vitamin D in the course of the winter months so I headed to this small, picturesque coastal city \u2013 it truly had some some<\/span> of the warmest temperatures you could find in the entire of the nation throughout this month.<\/span><\/p>\n I found that it\u2019s one of many warmest and sunniest microclimates on the Central California coast\u2014even in December\u2014because of its sheltered place in San Luis Obispo Bay and was hotter than close by coastal cities. I additionally stumbled throughout enjoyable occasions reminiscent of the lovable Santa\u2019s Doggie Parade.<\/a><\/p>\n I drove 4 hours on the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles and stayed for a protracted weekend. I’ve to confess it wasn\u2019t fairly heat sufficient to swim comfortably, so as a substitute I relaxed on the seaside, watched the surfers, hiked the peaceable Bob Jones Trail, took leisurely bike rides, soaked within the pure sizzling springs at Sycamore Mineral Springs Resort<\/a> and hunted for <\/span>distinctive seasonal items at Avila Valley Barn<\/a> all with a<\/span> quieter, crowd-free model of California\u2019s Central Coast with festive lights and vacation appeal!\u00a0<\/p>\n My highlights\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n This premier ski vacation spot was an superior place to go to in December as a result of I discovered that its powdery slopes had come alive with over 3,000 acres of skiable terrain, festive vacation occasions, and comfortable mountain lodges, all set towards a surprising snow-covered backdrop simply minutes from the charming, twinkle-lit city of Whitefish and close to the sting of Glacier National Park.<\/p>\n I found there have been loads of occasions to become involved with too together with the Christmas Stroll<\/a> which featured vacation music, images with Santa, carol singing, a tree lighting ceremony, and avenue artisans and meals distributors,<\/span> and the family-friendly Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade and Santa\u2019s Gift Giveaway.<\/span><\/p>\n I flew into Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, Montana, drove 45 minutes and stayed for 4 days. I hit the slopes at Whitefish Mountain Resort, joined within the occasions and warmed up with apr\u00e8s-ski eating at The Summit House!\u00a0<\/p>\n My favourite highlights\u2026\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n I took a singular December journey to this historic mountain city final 12 months and didn\u2019t remorse my alternative! I found it had remodeled right into a snowy alpine escape the place snowboarding and snowboarding the place on supply on the close by Purgatory Resort, there have been <\/span>charming holiday-decorated downtown outlets, and comfortable mountain-town vibes full with a backdrop of Insta-worthy snowy landscapes!<\/p>\n I noticed the previous gold and silver mining city had actually come alive with seasonal occasions too such because the family-friendly Festival of Trees & Wreaths<\/a> on the Durango Train Museum, and the community-wide Noel Night celebration which featured native buying and festive reside music.\u00a0<\/p>\n I drove 6 hours from Denver<\/a> and stayed for a magical brief break on the 4-star historic boutique General Palmer Hotel<\/a>, I rode the magical Polar Express on the historic Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad<\/a>, went snowboarding, strolled by the festive lights and outlets of downtown Durango, and even went snowshoeing within the scenic San Juan National Forest.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n My private highlights\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n I discovered this ultra-charming historic gem of a metropolis made a magical pre-<\/span>Christmas break throughout this month. I discovered that this <\/span>postcard-pretty city had<\/span> remodeled right into a festive colonial wonderland with candlelit streets, historic reenactments, and seasonal occasions at Colonial Williamsburg. I liked the comfortable, small-town appeal which was elevated by conventional decorations, carol singing, and sizzling cider by the fireplace!\u00a0<\/p>\n I attended the unimaginable listing of seasonal occasions which included the Grand Illumination<\/a> which had fairly fireworks and candlelit streets, Busch Gardens Christmas Town<\/a> which featured over 10 million lights and vacation exhibits, the gorgeous Williamsburg Christmas Parade with illuminated floats, and the Yorktown Christmas Market the place I went seasonal buying and watched festive leisure!<\/p>\n I flew into Newport News\/Williamsburg Airport (PHF) and stayed for a photogenic 4 days on the romantic 4-star historic boutique Wedmore Place.<\/a> Aside from all of the occasions, I shopped for seasonal treats, went to the wreath-making workshops, and skilled a colonial-style Christmas dinner on the Christiana Campbell\u2019s Tavern<\/a>, accompanied by candlelight and storytelling!<\/p>\n My private highlights\u2026<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n
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2. Waikiki, Hawaii<\/h2>\n
![\"Waikiki](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/globalgrasshopper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Waikiki-Beach.jpg?resize=840%2C560&ssl=1\" "\\"17")
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3. Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville<\/h2>\n
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4. Siesta Key, Florida<\/h2>\n
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5. New York<\/h2>\n
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6. Avila Beach, California<\/h2>\n
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7. Whitefish, Montana<\/h2>\n
![\"Whiteface](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/globalgrasshopper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Whitefish-Mountain-Resort.jpg?resize=840%2C567&ssl=1\" "\\"17")
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8. Durango, Colorado<\/h2>\n
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9. Williamsburg, Virginia<\/h2>\n
![\"Williamsburg](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/globalgrasshopper.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Williamsburg.jpg?resize=840%2C559&ssl=1\" "\\"17")
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