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By December, everyone is in full gear for the holiday season or taking holiday vacations. In many places, it’s getting colder outside, the days are short, and the nights are long. You might be seeking places to visit in December in the US (and internationally) for a sunny escape or a cozy winter getaway.
I’ve rounded up a list of some of my favorite getaways for this month and welcome you to use this winter destination list to help you find December travel inspiration!
While the month of December can be a magical time of gathering together with loved ones, it’s also an important time for many of us to focus on self-care.
Some of my top tips for thriving during the winter season are to lean into your favorite holiday activities and travel, even if it’s just in your local area! Make sure you’re keeping wellness and self-care a priority to combat the winter blues.
From winter wonderlands to beach escapes, December offers so many fun and festive travel opportunities. Read on for my list of the best places to go in December.
Best Places To Vacation In December In The USA
Here’s my pick of the best places to visit in December domestically.
1. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
Tahoe is a huge alpine lake in the mountains straddling the California/Nevada border. It’s a popular wilderness destination all year and holds a special place in my heart because I got engaged during a winter visit there!
Lake Tahoe truly shines in the winter with tons of outdoor winter activities and stunning views of snow-covered mountains. Take a photography tour and capture the beauty of Tahoe’s winter landscapes or hit the slopes at one of its many ski resorts.
The California side of Lake Tahoe is the place to be if you’re looking for a classic getaway in the mountains. It’s a rugged place with tons of snow, log cabins, and shops. The best thing to do is pack the books you’ve been dying to read and rent a log cabin near the slopes.
If skiing isn’t your thing, no big deal. Snowmobiling is super popular here with tons of rental places around the lake. It’s also fun to explore the smaller lakes and cute mountain towns on the north and south sides of the lake.
2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The historic city of Philadelphia is one of the best places to visit in December in the USA with tons of Christmas activities. Center City feels festive, covered in twinkle lights and garland. Or you can drive out into Greater Philadelphia for special holiday events.
Bundle up, stroll through the streets, and enjoy the festivities. Some of my favorite streets to explore are Jeweler’s Row, South 13th Street, and the historic Elfreth’s Alley with buildings dating back to the 1700s. Or take a black history walking tour through the city to get a bit of history along with the Christmas views.
A must-do in Philly in December is ice skating, and you’ll find tons of opportunities to get on the ice. Don’t miss Christmas Village in Love Park or the festive vendors at Reading Terminal.
3. Solvang, California
Solvang is a hidden gem of Southern California. Throughout the year it feels like a giant theme park with its Danish-style architecture and museums. But in December, Solvang gets decked out for the Christmas season.
The entire month of December, Solvang hosts Julefest. It starts with a tree lighting ceremony and parade. There are candlelight tours where you can enjoy the ambiance and listen to carolers singing Christmas songs. Or take a walk down Mission Drive, also called The Village, where you can shop over 150 eateries, Danish bakeries, and artisan shops. You can even go on a food tour to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
4. Holland, Michigan
You might know Holland for its Dutch Heritage and the Tulip Festival in the spring. But its famous Kerstmarkt, a European open-air Christmas market, makes it a top choice for a fun and festive winter destination in the US.
In the winter, the historic downtown area keeps the cobblestone streets snow-free. Enjoy the smell of roasting chestnuts, take in all the Christmas décor, and listen to live music while you pop in and out of specialty shops.
On the weekends, most of the stores in Holland shut down, but don’t worry! You can find all the classic outdoor winter activities around this Lake Michigan town. There are miles of trails for winter hikes, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.
5. NYC, New York
If you love the holidays, there’s nothing quite like NYC at Christmas time. It’s one of the best places to visit in December in the USA because it offers all the classics. Like ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park or attending the tree lighting at Rockefeller Center.
Plan on walking past the shop windows on 5th Avenue, including the iconic Macy’s windows with their famous themed displays.
Find one of New York City’s festive Christmas markets to explore or grab a hot chocolate at Bryant Park’s Winter Village. Or head over to the month-long Grand Central Holiday Fair Market. You can even take a holiday lights bus tour from Manhattan.
6. Kauai, Hawaii
Nicknamed “The Garden Isle,” the island of Kauai in the archipelago of Hawaii is one of the most unique places to visit in the US. It’s the perfect warm weather getaway with December temperatures averaging a balmy 75 degrees.
Take this opportunity to hike the rainbow canyons of Waimea or the verdant mountains of the Na Pali Coast. December is also prime time to go on a whale-watching tour in Kauai! It’s not the best time to go swimming, but you can watch the pros surf off the turbulent beaches of the North Shore. Or take a scenic movie locations tour around the island!
Just keep in mind that Hawaii has a mini-peak season with holiday visitors during the month of December, so you’ll have plenty of company.
7. Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge is in central Colorado, nestled into the Rocky Mountains. It’s an old mining town with tons of history, great skiing, and countless alpine activities that make it a fun place to visit in December.
The city comes alive in the winter with endless activities and events to experience. Shop for gifts at local boutiques. Come for the Christmas light countdown during the first week of December. And if you love ice skating, you’ll find plenty of chances with the Skate with Santa event and the New Year’s Eve Disco Skate.
Hit the slopes at Breckenridge Ski Resort, go on a fat tire bike ride, or snowshoe the trails around town. Or if you’re looking for something simpler, take a walk down Main Street, which looks like a Christmas town scene with colorful Victorian homes covered in snow and lights!
8. Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is another warm destination to escape to in December. Give your bones a break from the cold weather and get some sun while you enjoy the festivities.
Puerto Rico does Christmas right, with month-long celebrations, special events, and every building decked out with holiday décor. If you can, spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day here where you’ll experience fun holiday traditions and amazing food.
Make sure to find some coquito (it’s like Puerto Rican eggnog) and tembleque, a jiggly coconut-based dessert that has a long rivalry with flan. And take a walking tour of Old San Juan where the San Sebastián Street Festival happens at the end of the month.
Best Places To visit In December Around The World
Pack your passport and explore these awesome places to visit in December, internationally!
9. Ghana
December has always been a popular time for people to visit family and friends in Ghana. It’s a time of celebration in the West African nation. Plus, it’s the dry season, so you can enjoy warm weather while you attend festivals and visit markets.
In recent years, travel to Ghana in December has increased drastically. There are so many festive activities that you’ll find it hard to narrow down which events to go to! Accra is the main hub for events on Ghana’s southern shore. Take a guided city tour and learn about the history of the city while you’re here.
Held at the end of the month, Afrochella has become popular in the past few years for its cultural, art, food, and music events. If you’re in the country for Christmas, there’s Accra’s Festival of Lights, and you have to experience a Ghanaian New Year’s Eve!
10. Cambodia
If you’re looking for a warm tropical climate to get away from all the holiday to-do, Cambodia might be for you. What makes it one of the top places to visit in December is the warm (but not too warm) weather that’s perfect for all the amazing outdoor activities you’ll find in Cambodia.
Take time to visit the massive Angkor Wat in the northwest part of the country. Or head to Siem Reap for a quad bike tour of the countryside.
Cambodia is also home to a traditional, holistic spa practice called Khmer that focuses on gentle, relaxing treatments that are effective for all types of people. You’ll find dozens of different Khmer spas in the country’s large cities, like the woman-owned Sra Thnam in Siem Reap.
11. Argentina
It’s finally summer in Argentina, and it’s a popular time to head to Patagonia or Ushuaia, which are impassable most of the year. As the 2nd largest country in South America, Argentina has the Andes mountains, deserts, wetlands with waterfalls, grasslands, and an arctic region. If you’re wondering where to travel in December for a variety of outdoor adventures, it’s a great option.
Go on waterfall hikes in the Lakes District. Try rock climbing or go see the blue ice glaciers of Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia. If you’re an animal lover, you can even take a penguin-watching boat ride in Ushuaia.
December is when the Buenos Aires Jazz Festival happens and it’s also not the high season yet, so take advantage of the warm weather and fewer crowds at one of Argentina’s many white sand beaches.
12. Uruguay
Uruguay enjoys a warm, humid December with summer rolling into the subtropical country. On the coast, the capital Montevideo offers rich cultural attractions, an impressive food scene, beautiful historic sites, and white sand beaches. Hop on a bike and take a tour of the city’s highlights with a local guide.
Punta del Este is a popular destination with tourists, and for good reason. There are fabulous beaches, the hottest clubs, and gorgeous architecture. It’s also an exciting place to be for Christmas and New Year with dancing, parties, and fireworks.
The country’s interior is more rugged with ranches and vineyards (Uruguay makes great Tannat wine). It’s a popular pastime to visit estancias, or ranches, and learn about farm life. You can even take a day tour out of Montevideo to a local estancia and learn how to ride a horse like a gaucho.
13. Germany
Hands down, Germany is one of the best places to visit in December. It’s Christmas central, with many Western traditions of the season coming from Europe, and more specifically, Germany!
If you’re coming for the world-famous Christmas markets, head to Berlin, with its 80 different markets across the city. Or go to the magical market in Heidelberg that’s next to a skating rink with medieval buildings all around.
Head south to the German Alps for all kinds of wintery outdoor activities. There’s of course skiing, tobogganing, and sleigh rides through the snow. And December is a wonderful time to enjoy the toasty-warm thermal baths and wellness spas in and around Baden-Baden. Or to take a winter cruise around Cologne.
14. Barbados
Barbados’ weather doesn’t get any better than in December with warm, sunny, dry days. Go earlier in the month (before the peak season really hits) for fewer crowds and lower prices. Explore the streets of Bridgetown with all its historic cultural sites. Or see an even older Barbados by visiting the fishing village of Speightstown. Or go on a kayaking tour and explore three shipwrecks just off the coast of Carlisle Bay.
Enjoy the amazing weather with a visit to some of Barbados’ most beautiful beaches. Bathsheba Beach on the North Shore is a must if you surf. Take in the ocean views by walking the boardwalk on the south shore. And on a Friday or Saturday, plan to go to the Oistins Fish Fry for a great time!
Best Place To Vacation In December
Embrace the holiday season or get away from the hustle and bustle by traveling to one of the best places to visit in December in the USA and internationally. You can find winter wonderlands or forget it’s snowing at home with a sunny tropical retreat.
December travel is a great way to learn about new cultures, try new foods, and experience new traditions. And even as you celebrate together, it’s an important time to slow down and check in with yourself. Find opportunities to honor yourself and enjoy this time of year the way that’s best for you.
Enjoy!