These Are The US Cities To Visit This Christmas

These U.S. cities are doing Christmas in their own unique way.

By Janice Williams, IBT

Just because Christmas is a great time to spend with family members doesn’t necessarily mean all that quality time has to be spent at home, especially when there are so many places right here in the United States that go above and beyond to exemplify the holiday spirit. Plenty of towns and cities all over the U.S. will open host special events, parades, tree lightings along with opening up dozens of holiday markets and shops that are just perfect for finding the most unique Christmas gifts to splurge on. Check out a list of some of the best places to visit in the U.S. during Christmas time below:

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen is a winter wonderland all year round, but if the festive Christmas tree-lined ski slopes are enough to entice travelers to the Rocky Mountain city for the holidays, then perhaps the luxury shopping and ample opportunities to meet some of Santa’s little helpers along Cooper Avenue will do the trick. The carolers at Hotel Jerome and holiday meals at hot spots like Ajax Tavern and Little Nell are also great at serving up holiday cheer.


Nantucket, Massachusetts
Not only can visitors partake in the annual Christmas Stroll around the beach island but during the holidays Nantucket hosts an array of activities for travelers to enjoy including wine tastings, holiday home tours and ghost walks. The Whaling Museum, which features a Christmas tree gallery filled with 80 trees decorated by locals, should also be on the to-do lists when visiting Nantucket during Christmas time.


Ogunquit, Maine
The small town usually brings in visitors looking for the perfect beach getaway in the summer months, but during the holidays Ogunquit is turned into the merriest of beachside cities with events for the whole family to enjoy, including the Christmas by the Sea Festival during mid-December. Visitors can also indulge in a little retail therapy at the Kittery Outlets.


Lewisburg, West Virginia
If peace and quiet are on the menu for Christmas, then Lewisburg may be the best place to visit. Despite the West Virginia Symphony’s holiday review playing at the town’s Carnegie Hall, the city is a fairly quiet one known for luxury mineral spring spas that are sure to bring out the “new year, new me” vibes ahead of 2017.


Park City, Utah
Although the stars are in full effect following the New Year when celebrities invade the town for the Sundance Film Festival, during the holidays Park City is completely lit up in an even bigger way during its annual Electric Parade down Maine Street. Travelers that spend Christmas Eve in the mountain town may run into Saint Nick and an elf or two while out on the slopes during the day, after which Santa leads the yearly torchlight parade down the PayDay trail