1Salt Lake City, Utah
4kodiak//Getty ImagesSalt Lake City is quite the entertaining city during the holidays! You can get a nice view of their extravagant Christmas display at the Grand America, get tickets to an annual viewing of The Nutcracker, and experience the Zoolights at Utah's Hogle Zoo!
WHERE TO STAY: You'll want to stay at The Grand America Hotel for a comforting experience as well as a beautiful view of the town's lights on Christmas! The hotel itself has many events planned on a weekly basis for your entertainment!
2Key West, Florida
iShootPhotosLLC//Getty ImagesIf you hate the cold, but absolutely love getting into the Christmas spirit—Key West is the place to go! The warm Florida city decks out its popular tourist areas with some festive decor, and hosts an annual holiday tour, a holiday car show, and a holiday light show!
WHERE TO STAY: Casa Mariana has its own private beach! So, when you've spent the day out and about, you know you can come back to a relaxing stay at a nice and comfy hotel.
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3Rovaniemi, Finland
Roberto Moiola / Sysaworld//Getty ImagesIf you think about it, Rovaniemi is literally Santa's hometown! Okay, we're joking, but this is exactly where you'll find Santa Claus Village and SantaPark, where a Santa lookalike puts on a show for all the townspeople, reindeer and all! It also helps that Rovaniemi is built just like a Christmas village! (Also, you'll probably be able to see the northern lights if you plan it right.)
WHERE TO STAY: Get this—you can actually stay at the Santa Claus Village! You'll get all sorts of accommodations, like rooms with specialized windows that allow you to see the northern lights in full view, and services that give you the full holiday treatment (like hot chocolate making!).
4Vail, Colorado
PHOTO 24//Getty ImagesThe Drummond family has spent countless vacations in Vail, Colorado. They celebrated Christmas there last year. It's home to Ree's favorite chapel, along with plenty of skiing and a beautiful ski village. Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Vail is perfect for adventure seekers or those just looking to sip on hot cocoa.
WHERE TO STAY: The Lodge at Vail was the first hotel built in the quaint winter village. It remains a staple for shopping, dining, and riding on Vail Mountain’s Gondola One. The lodge also houses a relaxing spa for those who want to unwind after hitting the slopes.
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5Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Cavan Images//Getty ImagesLove to ski or snowboard in stunning locations? Well, Jackson Hole, Wyoming is calling your name! The area has tons of holiday events for the whole family, including fireworks to ring in the new year! Plus, the downtown area is always beautifully decorated for the holidays.
WHERE TO STAY: The Jackson Hole Mountain Resort has all the slopes, lodges, and snow you need for your perfect mountain escape! Whether you're planning a trip for two or your entire entourage, the resort has plenty of options for lodging.
6Woodstock, Vermont
Justin Cash//Getty ImagesIf there's one place that just *screams* Christmas, it's Woodstock, Vermont! The town's festive horse rides, colorful street lighting, and charming Christmas shops make Woodstock look like it came right out of a Hallmark movie. It's perfect for families looking for a laidback mini escape.
WHERE TO STAY: Woodstock Inn & Resort is the most obvious answer. "Vermont's most beautiful address" is located right off the town's main street, making it easy for you to explore the heart of Woodstock.
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7Adare, Ireland
by Andrea Pucci//Getty ImagesAdare is known as "Ireland's prettiest village" and it's easy to see why. The thatched cottages alone will charm you to no end! And if you want to visit Dublin while you're there, it's only about a two hour commute to the popular city.
WHERE TO STAY: The five-star hotel Adare Manor will make you feel like European royalty. It's situated on hundreds of acres and right by a river and a picture-perfect village.
8Beaver Creek, Colorado
Adventure_Photo//Getty ImagesBeaver Creek is home to some of the country's best mountains for skiing. It's also known for its fine dining and family-friendly activities. In other words, this ski town has it all!
WHERE TO STAY: The Osprey offers all the peace and quiet you need for a low-key holiday. The views will make you want to return year after year.
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9Savannah, Georgia
zimmytws//Getty ImagesYou probably think of this popular Southern city as a summer destination. But it can be just as lovely for a Christmas getaway. The mild winter temperatures mean you can comfortably explore the area's architecture, historical sites, and nature.
WHERE TO STAY: Unlimited champagne? Yes, please! Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah offers just that and a beautiful rustic location for its guests.
10Budapest, Hungary
George Pachantouris//Getty ImagesLove looking at holiday lights? No one does them like Budapest! This beautiful European city is also known for its many Christmas markets, holiday shows, and traditional food vendors.
WHERE TO STAY: The Matlid Palace is one of those places that doesn't seem real but is. Offering a beautiful view of the city, it will make your stay one to remember.
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11Washington, D.C.
Richard T. Nowitz//Getty ImagesAmerica's capital has it all. There's so much history to be explored, plus plenty of shopping and fantastic restaurants.
WHERE TO STAY: The Ritz-Carlton, of course! It offers easy access to Washington, D.C.'s charm and plenty more luxurious perks.
12Cape May, New Jersey
Kirkikis//Getty ImagesCouples and families alike will absolutely love a holiday trip down in Cape May! The town holds a Christmas parade December 1 and many of the historic homes and hotels around town are beautifully decorated for the holidays.
WHERE TO STAY: A trip to Cape May calls for a stay in Congress Hall. The beloved hotel has its own Christmas tree lighting, and hosts plenty of fun holiday activities like gingerbread house making!
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13Charleston, South Carolina
DenisTangneyJr//Getty ImagesWhatever you think you know about Charleston, erase that from your mind when it comes to Christmastime. The gorgeous city hosts an annual Festival of Lights, completely transforming the area into a winter wonderland (minus the freezing temperatures!) You can also explore the beautiful nearby beaches Charleston has to offer.
WHERE TO STAY: Zero George hotel is the perfect combination of historic and sophisticated. Plus, it's conveniently located near most of the town's Christmastime activities.
14Santa Fe, New Mexico
Sean Pavone//Getty ImagesSanta Fe's multicultural heritage shines even more brightly during the holidays. Come for the stunning Christmas lights, stay for the annual holiday party at the Palace of the Governors.
WHERE TO STAY: We love a hotel that knows how to celebrate Christmas. The lighting of the tree at the historic La Fonda on the Plaza hotel is a beautiful sight to behold.
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15Nashville, Tennessee
benjaminjk//Getty ImagesMusic City for Christmas? We think yes! The Tennessee favorite goes *all* out for the holiday, just like you'd expect. There's no better place to have a honky-tonk holiday!
WHERE TO STAY: Say hello to this beauty! The Omni Nashville Hotel offers a perfect view of the city's tree lighting.
16New York City
Jon Hicks//Getty ImagesChristmastime in the Big Apple sounds like an obvious choice. And it is for good reason! The city that never sleeps has endless options for commemorating the holiday, including ice skating, window shopping at Bloomingdales, and attending the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. Plus, the annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting is easily the most famous in the country.
WHERE TO STAY: There are so many great options, but The Peninsula is hard to beat! The hotel gets all decked out for the season, adding to the already magical experience.
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17Las Vegas, Nevada
RebeccaAng//Getty ImagesLas Vegas, simply put, can be anything you want it to be if you have a big enough imagination. That's why it's the perfect spot for those looking for a fun escape.
WHERE TO STAY: ARIA Resort and Casino takes Christmas very seriously. Just look at this festive display!
18Big Sky, Montana
Highlywood Photography//Getty ImagesBig Sky is a dream come true for anyone who wants to feel like they're on top of the world. Enjoy the beauty of the Rockies while you ski, hike, snowshoe, and sled.
WHERE TO STAY: If you're looking for a snowy Christmas, you'll find just that at the Montage Big Sky. Your view will be the wondrous white mountains, where you'll probably end up skiing the next day.
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19Quebec City, Canada
Marc Dufresne//Getty ImagesThe magic that this city produces happens year-round. But come Christmastime, a little more flair is felt. Plan a visit where you'll learn about Quebec City's fascinating history, take in the European architecture, and enjoy the delicious delicacies.
WHERE TO STAY: Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has it all. Even if you didn't leave the resort, you'd still have access to a warming pool, ski lifts, and plenty of restaurants.
20Edinburgh, Scotland
Iain Masterton//Getty ImagesEdinburgh hosts a six-week Christmas festival, so of course it made this list! This trip would be great for a family or a group of friends, as there is an amusement park, loads of food, and many different events that show off the culture of Scotland.
WHERE TO STAY: The Scotsman Hotel will give you easy access to all of the fun and excitement Edinburgh has to offer.

Josiah is the Digital Content Producer for the commerce team at Popular Mechanics, Best Products, Runner’s World, and Bicycling Magazine. He also writes for “BIO Buys”—a column on Biography.com—giving readers the lowdown on what products their favorite celebs are using. In another life, Josiah was an editor at ThePioneerWoman.com, where he sharpened his expertise on all things lifestyle, food-news, and entertainment. Outside work related matters, he’s a fan of Studio Ghibli films, unimportant reality TV drama, and melancholy Lorde songs.
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