It’s the best time of year for a wintery break away and there’s nowhere like the USA to get in the festive spirit. We’ve spoken to Visit The USA for a round up of festive markets to experience in America this Christmas. Each offers all the elements of a movie-like festive holiday with enchanting backdrops, traditional food and that intangible Christmas vibe.
1. An illuminated festive season in Chicago, Illinois
Festive fun: The Midwest’s largest city certainly knows how to do Christmas in traditional style – from funfair rides at Winter WonderFest and ice skating in Maggie Daley Park, to a stroll along upscale shopping avenue – the famed Magnificent Mile that’s illuminated by over a million white lights along 200 hundred trees. Then there’s Chicago’s Christkindlmarket, one of the top Christmas markets in the country attracting over one million visitors a year. As one of the longest-running Christmas markets in the States, visitors can sample fresh pretzels, bratwurst and their famed hot spiced wine, gluhwein, which comes in a themed cup that changes design every year.
Must try experiences: A drive to Lake Geneva is a winter day-trip not to be missed. This lake town is 1.5 hours from Chicago and home to skiing, sledding and snowshoeing. Visitors can dine in an Igloo with rooftop restaurants such as The Kennedy Rooftop offering heating glass bubble dining experiences overlooking Chicago’s iconic skyline.
Stay: For a total festive experience, a stay at the iconic Chicago hotel The Drake offers a mesmerising decorative display this holiday season. Visittheusa/Chicago
British Airways offers return flights to Chicago, Illinois from £670 per person from London Heathrow based on travel departing in December.
2. Art and culture at Baltimore’s Christmas Market, Maryland
Festive fun: Baltimore’s Inner Harbour comes alive with holiday spirit from Thanksgiving through to Christmas Eve. Decorated with thousands of lights, Christmas Village in Baltimore combines an indoor and outdoor holiday market with an amusement park and beer garden. A festive experience to behold is the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad in Cumberland – offering a Polar Express train ride complete with hot chocolate, a cookie and a silver sleigh bell.
Must try experiences: Art-lovers will enjoy the variety of vendors within the market, including local artists like Art by Barton, whose stunning Baltimore art comes in handmade metal frames, and international favourites like Kathe Wohlfahrt’s famous German Christmas ornaments. They can also explore the Museum of Art, the Maryland Art Place, Goya Contemporary and The Alchemy of Art.
Stay: The Renaissance Hotel by Marriott is a cosy oasis during the wintertime and just a 10-minute walk from the Christmas Village. VisittheUSA/Baltimore
American Airlines offers return flights to Baltimore, Maryland from £700 per person from London Heathrow based on travel departing in December.
3. Enchanting snow and spa experiences in Aspen, Colorado
Festive fun: With an average 4.5 metres of snowfall each year, Aspen is a ski-lovers hotspot and a popular ice-skating haunt. Even those not impressed by the slopes can indulge in one of the renowned spas, upscale boutique shops or art galleries. The annual 12 Days of Aspen celebration featuring Victorian carollers in the lobby of the Hotel Jerome, free family skating parties, ornament-making, and holiday-card-making parties takes place in the lead up to Christmas as well as a traditional annual tree lighting ceremony with Santa and his reindeer, carol singers and hot cocoa and cookies.
Must try experiences: Warm up in the hot springs at Avalanche Ranch located just an hour from Aspen and try popular food joint the Hickory House BBQ as featured on popular American Food Network Show “Diners, Dive-Ins and Drives”.
Stay: Visitors can get a true seasonal experience by glamping in one of Basalt Mountain Gardens’ yurts – an Air BnB nestled within the gorgeous mountainside. VisittheUSA/Aspen
United Airlines offer return flights to Denver, Colorado from £550 per person from London Heathrow based on travel departing in December.
4. A Texas winter wonderland in Arlington
Festive fun: A sister city to Bad Königshofen in Germany (with approximately three million Texas residents claiming German ancestry), Arlington throws an enchanting German-inspired Christmas market every year. The cheery traditional market is full of family-friendly activities, such as a Bavarian-themed petting zoo and a marionette theatre, plus wooden huts and tents lined with Christmas lights and pine boughs.
Must try experiences:
Get your thrills at Arlington’s Six Flags theme park, which boasts an immersive winter wonderland experience. Take a ride on the Holiday Express train to view all of the sparkling lights throughout the park or gather around nightly as Santa lights up a giant Christmas tree whilst enjoying tasty treats at the ‘Taste Of Holiday In The Park’ food festival.
Stay: A popular accommodation option is Live! by Lowes – a holiday resort for active guests offering unmatched floor-to-ceiling views over the Globe Life Park and the AT&T Stadium. Visittheusa.co.uk/Arlington
Finnair offers return flights to Dallas, Texas from £750 per person from London Heathrow based on travel departing in December.
5. Christmas City in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Festive fun: Regarded as Christmas City, Bethlehem in Pennsylvania welcomes more than one million visitors over Christmas to experience the town’s Christkindlmarkt celebrations. One of the best Christmas destinations to visit in America, it has all you could wish for. Under the canopy of outdoor tents and the city’s glittering Star of Bethlehem, visitors can browse gifts hailing from artisans all over the world or sample the hearty Pennsylvania Dutch snacks (pierogies, funnel cake and a heavenly multitude of wursts) while listening to local music acts. Visitors should also take a trip out to Shady Brook Farm to take in the Christmas spirit on an open-air wagon ride through an unforgettable light show.
Must try experiences: A visit to the The Bookstore Speakeasy is worth a visit with a roaring 20’s theme and a classic cocktail list and live jazz on the weekends.
Stay: A hidden gem of accommodation is the The Sayre Mansion, a charming bed and breakfast for your festive vacation. Visittheusa/pennsylvania
Aer Lingus offers return flights to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from £480 per person from London Heathrow based on travel departing in December.
6. A Solvang Julefest in Santa Ynez, California
Festive fun: Each year, Solvang’s weeks-long holiday celebration lights up the region, making this Danish-American hamlet one of the “Most Christmassy Towns in America.” Perfect for all members of the family, Julefest offers something for everyone with a visit to Santa and Mrs. Claus embarking on a season-long Nisse Adventure. They can hunt for the Jule Nisse, mischievous elf-like Danish figures hidden throughout town, attend the tree lighting ceremony, the annual windmill lighting and the Julefest Parade. The annual Solvang Holiday Food Tour adds a taste of the region’s wine country flavours.
Must try experiences: Nestled in wine country, Santa Ynez offers somefantastic winery options. Alma Rosa Winery sources its wine from its local vineyard in the Sta Rita Hills and provides tastings at the winery in Solvang or private tours of the vineyard and Ranch House just a few miles away. Or Santa Barbara is a 40 minutes’ drive from Santa Ynez – the perfect day trip for any winter holiday as the Santa Barbara Trolley offers a Christmas Tour of the famous holiday neighbourhoods.
Stay: For stays, guests can experience warm Danish hospitality at Wine Valley Inn and Cottages, with severalsuites, chateaus and private cottages to choose from. Visittheusa/california
What do you think of our Christmas destinations to visit in America? Let us know in the comments below!
Virgin Atlantic offers return flights to Los Angeles, California from £580 per person from London Heathrow based on travel departing in December.
