December will be another busy month for travel as Americans head out for the holidays while capitalizing on those Black Friday and Cyber Monday savings.
Whether navigating festive Christmas markets and holiday festivals or escaping the chill someplace warm and sunny, there's no shortage of spectacular destinations to explore this December.
Here are some of the best places to visit in the month ahead.
Where to Travel for Christmas
Travelers can head to Cleveland, Ohio for a truly memorable Christmas in 2024. After all, visitors can stop by the iconic A Christmas Story house and check out America's largest indoor Christmas attraction at Castle Noel.
Plus, the Hilton Cleveland Downtown even offers a special Mr. Kringle Suite complete with a pair of Christmas trees, decorations, holiday-themed furniture and a personalized note from Mr. Kringle himself.
Hilton Cleveland Downtown. (photo courtesy of Hilton)
Before they depart, travelers can also catch A Christmas Story live at Playhouse Square through December 22 or a performance of Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity” by Karamu House.
Meanwhile, visitors to Virginia can enjoy Christmas charm from Alexandria's festive Old Town to Colonial Williamsburg, which comes to life for the season with awesome reenactments and performances as well as the Grand Illumination featuring a gun salute and fireworks show.
Travelers to Virginia can also visit the Mountain Lake Lodge in Pembroke—where Dirty Dancing was filmed—to take in the Magical Christmas Village & Marketplace through January 4. Revelers can enhance their experience by booking the Two-Night Magic overnight package including accommodations, daily breakfast and ice-skating passes.
Where to Travel for Winter Fun
Head to Lake Placid, New York for an unforgettable winter experience in 2024. The former host of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics offers visitors various seasonal activities, including bobsledding, skiing and even dog sled rides.
Book your stay at the cozy Whiteface Lodge, an all-suite luxury resort recently recognized as a MICHELIN Key Hotel in 2024 and included in Good Housekeeping’s Family Travel Awards for 2025.
Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo Credit: Whiteface Lodge)
Families hoping to have some winter fun on the West Coast can't miss LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad, California. The attraction's special holiday event will run all December long and feature numerous highlights such as a three-story LEGO Christmas tree, fireworks, parades, Christmas characters and more.
New York City is another spectacular winter getaway. Book a stay at the Park Hyatt New York to be close to beloved December attractions such as Rockefeller Center, Wollman Rink, Carnegie Hall, Central Park and the shopping opportunities along Fifth Avenue.
The property is also leaning into the season with handcrafted holiday libations and festive menu items in The Living Room available on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Where to Travel for Major Sporting Events
One of the greatest rivalries in sports, the annual Army-Navy Game—also known as America's Game—dates back to 1890 and will be played in Landover, Maryland just outside of Washington, D.C. on December 14.
The Midshipmen lead the all-time series but Army has won the last two meetings and six of the past eight matchups.
College football fans can also experience the newly expanded playoff format by attending the first quarterfinal matchup at the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Arizona on New Year's Eve.
After opening their presents on Christmas Day, NFL fans visiting Pittsburgh and Houston can head to the stadium for a pair of December 25 clashes between playoff contenders as the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs take on the Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens battle the Texans.
Where to Travel for Other Exciting Events
Christmas in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona. (photo by Patrick Clarke)
Looking for some holiday season fun without the frigid temperatures? Check out Scottsdale, Arizona's annual "Scottsdazzle" event featuring festive shopping experiences, tree-lighting ceremonies, sing-a-longs, holiday movie nights, Santa meet-and-greets, a holiday-themed ArtWalk and more throughout December.
On the other side of the country in Delaware County, New York, travelers can attend Hancock's Annual Christmas on the Square. The December 7 event includes the annual tree lighting, a Santa meet-and-greet and a parade of lights, among other fun.
For another off-the-beaten-path option, head to the Ozarks, specifically Eureka Springs, Arkansas, where visitors can experience exciting events like the Christmas Parade of Lights, Christmas Tree Forest at the Crescent Hotel, a Snow Train Village and a Drive-Thru Light Display at the Great Passion Play.
Travelers in search of a tropical escape can venture to Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas to experience the resort's Party Like a Royal New Year’s Eve celebration featuring live music performances by Steve Aoki, Lil Jon and others, Who’s Bad: The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience, fireworks and much more.
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