The winter holidays are upon us, and it is time to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. We have put together a list of some amazing places you can visit before the new year starts. The best part about this list? All these destinations will be cheaper than ever on Black Friday!
The “december weekend getaways near me” is a list of the best places to plan a trip for December. The list includes destinations in the United States and Canada.
December is a month of wonders. Cities throughout the globe are lit up with Christmas lights, the fragrance of spiced cider and mulled wine fills the air, and if you’re fortunate, you may hear carolers spreading holiday happiness.
While the final month of the year might be frantic with last-minute buying, cooking, and greetings, it’s also a perfect time to go away for a short vacation.
By early December, most places are in full holiday mode, but airfares and hotel rates are often cheaper than they are later in the month, when we see some of the highest travel costs of the year.
Let’s look at some of the top destinations to visit in December this year. Remember to complete your study before going on a vacation, since travel regulations and criteria are constantly changing as the Covid-19 epidemic progresses.
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There’s perhaps no better place to come in December than New York City. If you visit the Big Apple in December, you will be surrounded by uninterrupted holiday happiness, from the city’s glittering Christmas trees to the spectacular holiday decorations in department store windows and ice skating at any of the city’s rinks. There are just too many things to name here, but if you’re coming this month, don’t miss the world-famous tree at Rockefeller Center, Wollman Rink in Central Park, and any of the numerous Christmas markets put up in locations like as Union Square Park and Bryant Park. Get tickets to witness the renowned Rockettes perform the annual Christmas Spectacular production for a fantastic night out.
The Christmas happiness doesn’t stop after you’ve left Midtown Manhattan. Rolf’s, a restaurant and bar in the Gramercy Park district of Manhattan, is strongly dedicated to Christmas, with wall-to-wall decorations and seasonal music playing on loop. One Christmas season, the Dyker Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn comes alive, with each house attempting to outdo the next with extravagant light displays, some including thousands of glittering lights. For $59, you may schedule a guided tour of Dyker Heights to take in the sights.
Because New York is one of the world’s biggest cities, there are plenty of places to stay after you arrive. Consider the Residence Inn New York Manhattan/Central Park if you’re traveling with children. You’ll be near the bulk of the Christmas excitement and close to Central Park for delightful winter strolls, and the hotel boasts amenities like in-room kitchenettes that make traveling with children simpler.
Consider the Conrad New York Midtown, where every room is a suite with a separate bedroom and living space, if you’re wanting to spend on a festive trip. Central Park, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), various theaters, and much more are all within walking distance of the hotel.
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Kennebunkport, Maine, is the perfect place to visit in December for a lovely and oh-so-New England escape. Kennebunkport, although best known as the Bush family’s summer retreat, should not be neglected as a winter visit. As December approaches, the whole town is taken over by festive happiness, as it was just awarded the no. 2 Christmas town in America by HGTV. The Christmas Prelude, an 11-day festival in its 40th year that includes tree lightings, a hat parade, caroling, and more, is one of the most popular attractions each year.
For winter sports enthusiasts who wish to snowshoe or cross-country ski, or for anybody who appreciates a quiet and festive sleigh ride, the town has kilometers of routes.
Because Kennebunkport is a tiny town, the bulk of lodging options are modest hotels or inns, which adds to the holiday charm. The Kennebunkport Inn, situated on Dock Square, is where the bulk of the Christmas festivities take place. During the Christmas season, the Inn goes all out with decorations in the common spaces and guest rooms. The hotel even locks off its terrace to create an area where guests can keep warm while listening to seasonal music and sipping drinks.
The Cape Arundel Inn & Resort is housed in a lovely estate that exemplifies New England and is located on the exclusive Ocean Avenue. Even in the dead of winter, you can enjoy wide ocean vistas – but in December, you’ll be doing it in front of a crackling fire, sipping your favorite warm beverage.
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Santa Fe, New Mexico’s picturesque capital, is a great place to visit if you want to travel someplace with a lot of Christmas happiness but is a little off the main road. This Southwest location may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking about December vacations, but the city comes alive with Christmas lights and festivities in the months leading up to the holidays. Santa Fe has a strong Catholic heritage, which is reflected in a variety of holiday traditions, such as the annual midnight mass at the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi and the “Las Posadas” parade, which is a recreation of the biblical Christmas tale.
Visit the Santa Fe Botanical Garden for a beautiful display of Christmas lights, or witness an Aspen Santa Fe Ballet production of “The Nutcracker.” Alternatively, go to the Christmas at the Palace celebration at the Governors’ Palace, where the entire family may enjoy winter decorations, colonial art, live music, beverages, and refreshments in the courtyard.
The Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza, housed in a 300-year-old hacienda in the heart of town, provides convenient access to attractions like as the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and the New Mexico Museum of Art, as well as being a reasonably priced resort perfect for the entire family.
Consider the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe if you want a private hideaway near to — but not in the middle of — all the activity. At this tranquil resort nestled on 57 acres at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, you may concentrate on health at the full-service spa or via the property’s “Adventure by Design” program, which provides a variety of activities and excursions conducted by local experts.
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By the time December comes, ski season in Lake Tahoe has just started, and although the most popular time to ski is after the new year, there’s no reason you can’t sneak in a ski-centric weekend before the holidays. If you like winter sports, December is an excellent season to go skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, and other activities. The towns around the lake, such as Truckee, California, are transformed into winter wonderlands, with glittering lights highlighting the snow on roofs and trees.
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe is one of the greatest locations to stay in the region, with ski-in/ski-out access. You can’t go wrong at this luxury resort on Northstar Mountain, with comfy and inviting rooms (many with fireplaces) and several spots around the property to enjoy a nice beverage after a day of skiing. Don’t forget to cool down in the resort’s heated pool or relax in the full-service spa.
Check out the Holiday Inn Club Vacations Tahoe Ridge for a budget-friendly vacation that can accommodate the entire family. This hotel includes condo-style apartments that can accommodate up to six people in up to 1,500 square feet of space and have in-unit kitchens where you can make meals before or after a day of exploring the neighborhood. The hotel is located next to the Heavenly Ski Resort and provides ski-in, ski-out access as well as a variety of facilities for guests to enjoy, such as various pools and a spa.
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Northern Michigan is stunning all year, and Traverse City is the ideal base for exploring all the area has to offer. While visitors throng to the region in the summer to enjoy the crystal-clear lakes, the winter months provide a whole new set of activities. Winter sports enthusiasts may enjoy skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or even fat-tire riding. Check out the paths of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, which are as as gorgeous in the winter as they are in the summer. Traverse City provides a variety of alternatives for wine, beer, and craft spirits aficionados, many of which may be enjoyed from the comfort of a yurt or even an igloo.
The Hotel Indigo Traverse City, an IHG hotel, is a great place to stay if you want to explore Northern Michigan. The home provides a sense of fashionable urbanity while still being near to many of the region’s outdoor activities. If it’s not too chilly outdoors, take a glass of Michigan wine or a warm toddy up to the hotel’s rooftop deck.
Even in the dead of winter, the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa is a massive complex with several attractions for people of all ages. The resort’s indoor waterpark and pools will appeal to children, while adults can practice their swing on the golf simulator or unwind in the spa. For those who want to experience the snowy Michigan winter, the resort also rents snowshoes and cross-country skis.
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The prospect of frolicking in the snow may not appeal to everyone. If you’re in that camp, there’s no lack of warm-weather destinations to visit in December. The weather at Puerto Vallarta, on Mexico’s west coast, is pleasant and sunny almost all year. In reality, December in Puerto Vallarta has some of the greatest weather of the year, with low humidity and little chance of rain, leaving you with wonderful days of sunlight and pleasant temperatures.
Even though there isn’t any snow on the ground, the city is filled with festive pleasure. Christmas is a big deal in Mexico, and in Puerto Vallarta, you can take part in a variety of celebrations, including posadas, a tradition in which friends, families, and even resort guests gather for a Christmas celebration, which usually includes a reenactment of the nativity story — and, of course, a big meal. Aside from that, check for the Christmas piatas draped about the city, which give color and happiness everywhere you look.
Remember that in order to return to the United States following your vacation in Puerto Vallarta, you must have a negative Covid-19 test result.
The Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta provides a family-friendly all-inclusive vacation. This beachfront facility has several pools, many dining and drinking options, swim-up rooms, a spa, and more. Of course, the greatest part is that almost everything you do on the site is included in the admission charge.
The Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, another beachfront hotel, provides a moderately priced escape suitable for all ages. The resort has many restaurants, a full-service spa, and a massive infinity-edge pool with breathtaking views of the Bay of Banderas.
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The US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix) are a terrific destination to soak up the sun, swim in blue seas, and get away from the cares of everyday life. They are easily accessible from most of the US mainland. Because temperatures are nice throughout the day and nights provide soothing chilly breezes, December marks the start of the peak season on the islands. From a holiday-themed boat parade in St. Thomas to the month-long Crucian Christmas Festival and Carnival on St. Croix, each island has its own holiday customs. Make sure to try the eggnog prepared with guavaberry rum, which is only found in the Caribbean.
Regardless of immunization status, anybody coming to the US Virgin Islands must provide a negative Covid-19 test result (rapid antigen or PCR) test within five days of arrival and submit their findings through the US Virgin Islands Travel Screening Portal to gain approval to travel.
What are the best places to stay in the US Virgin Islands?
In the US Virgin Islands, there are many of fantastic resorts to pick from, and where you stay will ultimately depend on which island(s) you visit. The Ritz-Carlton, St. Thomas, The Westin St. John Resort Villas, and the Carambola Beach Resort, St. Croix are among our top options throughout the islands.
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The “best vacation spots in december usa” is a list of the best places to go for a weekend getaway. These are all places that have great weather and are close enough to home so you don’t feel like you’re missing out on anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I travel in December 2021?
A: In December 2021, it is recommended that you travel to the following places. If you have your heart set on a different destination, then please check with local weather forecasts before making a decision.
Where can I travel in December 2020?
A: The best place to travel for December 2020 is probably Dubai.
Where is the best place to go on vacation in December?
A: I recommend traveling to the Bahamas during Christmas because that is when its warmest, and there are activities such as sunbathing on the beach.
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