While there is much to be made of traveling to places such as Europe's Christmas Markets for the holidays, the U.S. takes a special pride in getting festive, too, notes Travel + Leisure, which asked its readers where there favorite U.S. holiday towns were.
"Plenty of the top 25 holiday towns offer creative spins on holiday traditions, too, whether they look like winter wonderlands or not," writes Katrina Brown Hunt.
Aspen is number-one said readers.
"Wandering along Cooper Avenue, you may chance upon cookie exchanges, public s'mores roasts, or elf meet-and-greets. But the two most famous hotels in town act as the nerve centers for holiday cheer," says Hunt.
Next up is another Colorado fave - Vail.
"December brings the festivities of Snowdaze-where the fresh powder is celebrated with live concerts every evening-and Holidaze, which includes the village's tree lighting during the winter solstice and a New Year's Eve torchlight parade down Golden Peak, followed by fireworks," writes Hunt.
On the East Coast, Ogunquit, Maine, takes the number three spot on the list for its sandy charm - even in the wintertime.
"Mid-December's Christmas by the Sea Festival typically includes a bonfire on the beach and a soul-warming chowder fest. From Ogunquit, you can also easily reach two shopping areas for getting through your list: the Kittery Outlets and, an hour away, Freeport," says Hunt.
Checking out Nantucket, Mass., during the holidays also promises to be festive.
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"During the annual Christmas Stroll-typically the first weekend in December-you can shop downtown amid dozens of seven-foot, decorated Christmas trees, and take part in wine tastings, ghost walks, and home tours," Hunt says.
For more cities that offer up holiday cheer, read on here.
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