15 Of The Best Christmas Towns In America

In case you can’t make a trip up to the North Pole, these cities are the next best thing when it comes to celebrating Christmas.

Some of the cities you’ve heard of, some you haven’t, but they bring out all of the stops when it comes to caroling, tree lightings and more. So, if you’re looking to really channel the Christmas spirit, you’re going to want to check out these places during the holidays.

Let the Christmas city bucket list-making begin. Because you’ve got a lot more than presents to add to your list this year!

1. Duragno, CO

Durango is an old railroad town, and they channel their traditions and give a Polar Express train ride every year. That’s right— bring your pajama-clad kids because they’re in for the ride of their lives.

2. Aspen, CO

This Rocky Mountain town has plenty of festivities going on throughout the holiday season. You may stumble upon a public s’mores roast or a quality Christmas dinner in a hotel, all while surrounded by crisp, white snow. If you’re dreaming of a White Christmas, this is the place to go.

3. Helen, GA

You wouldn’t expect if from a tiny town in Georgia, but the downtown area of this city looks more like a Bavarian village than it does a southern town. Come for the uniqueness, hospitality and artist-decorated wreaths and trees.

4. Asheville, NC

Asheville houses the Biltmore Estate, the former Vanterbilt Mansion. It’s an immense property with plenty of Christmas Eve activities for the young and the old.

5. Santa Claus, IN

I mean, come on. How could you pass up the opportunity to go to a town named “Santa Claus.” The town has volunteers who come together to answer thousands of children’s letters to Santa every year. It’s definitely worthy of adding to the bucket list.

6. Woodstock, VT

Snow, horse and buggies and carolers? Yep, this town’s got all of the makings for a perfectly good old-fashioned Christmas. Because the holiday is all about tradition, after all.

7. New York, NY

With ice skating in Central Park and the infamous NYE ball drop, and not to mention the shopping, this busy city’s got a lot of things to be merry about throughout the holiday season.

8. Nantucket, MA

This town decorates evergreens all throughout the city, plus, its residents open their homes for tours. Sounds like a pretty magical way to spend Christmas to me. Hospitable neighbors who will take you in when its cold out? That’s the kind of thing the season’s all about.

9. Naples, FL

This is where plenty of Northerners flock for the winter. There’s no snow, but there’s plenty of shopping and cheer for the makings of a very merry Christmas.

10. Park City, UT

A mountain town with a life-size gingerbread house. Enough said. This is where I want to have Christmas every year from here on out.

11. Healdsburg, CA

This town hosts a Dickens themed dinner full of Christmas puddings and other traditional dishes. For some great wine and a trip back in time, this is where you need to go.

12. Washington D.C.

This is definitely a place that’s on my list for Christmastime travel because no one decorates for Christmas quite like the White House, you know? What a sight to see!

13. Charleston, SC

If you’d rather make snow men out of sand than snow, this is the place for you. There’s plenty of shopping to do and great weather to do it in.

14. Zoar, OH

A historic village houses old-fashioned materials for sale and churches host carolers. This is the perfect place to visit to experience the way they celebrated Christmas many, many years ago.

15. Charlottesville, VA

Home to Thomas Jefferson and more, this place is steeped in history. Holiday lightings and festivities take place all throughout the historic town.

Make plans to visit any of these cities for the best Christmas you’ve ever had. Who’s up for a Christmas travel?

[h/t: Country Living]