When Christmas is mentioned, many people automatically think of Europe. The snow in the Alps and cuddling with loved ones next to a warm fireplace while watching the snow fall softly on window panes is magical. And then there are the Christmas markets in Germany which are major tourist attractions. However, Christmas is just as big in the USA which has its own traditions and Christmas sights. In this article, we will profile the best states to visit during Christmas.
This is definitely a trip where you will be snapping a lot of pics and sharing them on social media. Stay connected with a USA tourist SIM card.
New York
New York is the first state that one thinks of when thinking about Christmas in the USA. Cold weather and a generous covering of snow makes New York magical. Couple that with ice skating outside the Rockerfeller Centre where you will find the worlds biggest Christmas tree and you will embrace your inner child as you wish for that Christmas miracle.
Capital city: Albany.
Largest city: New York.
Area: 141 297 km2 (54 555 mi2).
Population: 20 215 751.
Time-zone: UTC−5 (EST), UTC−4 (EDT).
Most spoken languages: English, Spanish, Chinese.
Tourist attractions: the Brooklyn Bridge, the Empire State Building, and the Statue of Liberty.
Things to do: Central Park, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The National 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Places to stay: the Carlton Arms Hotel, St Marks Hotel, and The Standard High Line New York.
Area code: 646
Vermont
Adjacent to the State of New York is Vermont. It has all of the charm of New York minus the traffic, sea of high-rise buildings and dense population. Travellers who want to experience a white Christmas with a log cabin and a warm fire place flock to Vermont, as do most New Yorkers who don’t want to queue for three hours in the freezing cold for their opportunity to skate outside the Rockerfeller Center.
Capital city: Montpelier.
Largest city: Burlington.
Area: 24 923 km2 (9 250 mi2).
Population: 643 503.
Time-zone: UTC– 05:00 (Eastern), UTC– 04:00 (EDT).
Most spoken languages: English.
Tourist attractions: the Church Street Marketplace, Mount Mansfield, and Hildene: The Lincoln Family Home.
Things to do: the Burlington Bike Path, Lake Champlain, and the Stowe Recreation Path.
Places to stay: Smugglers Notch Inn, Quality Inn at Quechee Gorge, and La Quinta by Wyndham St. Albans.
Area code: 802
Colorado
Nestled at the foot of the Southern Rockey Mountains is the state of Colorado. With an average winter temperature of 8°C during the day and -8°C during the evenings, you are almost guaranteed to have a white Christmas in Colorado. But the weather outside will be far from frightful, Colorado has a number of ski-resorts which will only add to your Christmas experience.
Capital city: Denver.
Largest city: Denver.
Area: 269 837 km2 (104,094 mi2).
Population: 5 773 714.
Time-zone: UTC−07:00 (MST), UTC−06:00 (MDT).
Most spoken languages: English.
Tourist attractions: Larimer Square, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver Union Station.
Things to do: Forney Museum of Transportation, Molly Brown House Museum, Denver Zoo.
Places to stay: Homewood Suites- Denver Downtown Convention Center, Hyatt Place Denver Cherry Creek, Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
Area code: 720
Massachusetts
Situated on the eastern seaboard of the USA, Massachusetts has played an important role in the development of the US’s Christmas culture. Settled predominantly by European settlers from England and Ireland, these immigrants paid significant attention to Christmas as it reminded them of home. The culture and tradition of these settlers grew throughout the years and made Massachusetts one of the key states to visit when experiencing Christmas in the USA.
Capital city: Boston.
Largest city: Boston.
Area: 27 337 km2 (10 565 mi2).
Population: 6 984 723.
Time-zone: UTC– 05:00 (Eastern), UTC– 04:00 (EDT).
Most spoken languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese.
Tourist attractions: Fenway Park, Freedom Trail, and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Museum & Library.
Things to do: Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, the Samuel Adams Brewery, the Museum of Fine Arts.
Places to stay: the Seaport Hotel® Boston, the Sheraton Boston Hotel, and Boston Park Plaza.
Area code: 508.
Alaska
The USA’s northern most state, Alaska has all of the makings of a Christmas that most people think of when they wish for a white Christmas. With an average temperature of 13°C during the day and -10°C at night, you will definitely wake up to a blanket of snow on your Alaskan journey. You may even get a chance to take your kids to visit Santa.
Capital city: Juneau.
Largest city: Anchorage.
Area: 1 717 856 km2 (663 268 mi2).
Population: 736 081.
Time-zone: UTC−09:00 (Alaska), UTC−08:00 (ADT).
Most spoken languages:
English, Alaska Native languages.
Tourist attractions: the Mendenhall Glacier, Nugget Falls, and Tracy Arm Fjord.
Things to do: the Mount Roberts Trail, the Goldbelt Mount Roberts Tramway, and the Alaskan Brewery and Bottling Company.
Places to stay: the Frontier Suites Hotel in Juneau, the Four Points by Sheraton Juneau, and the Juneau Hotel.
Area code: 907
Pennsylvania
In terms of historical significance, Pennsylvania is arguably the most important in the USA. Being in close proximity to both New York and Massachusetts, many of the settlers that made their way west across the country eventually settled in Pennsylvania. You may not be guaranteed a white Christmas; however, the customs and traditions that families practice today have been handed down through the generations making Christmas a memorable time.
Capital city: Harrisburg.
Largest city: Philidelphia.
Area: 119 283 km2, (46 055 mi2).
Population: 13 011 844.
Time-zone: UTC−05:00 (Eastern), UTC−04:00 (EDT).
Most spoken languages: English, Spanish, German.
Tourist attractions: the Gettysburg National Military Park, Lake Wallenpaupack, and Eastern State Penitentiary.
Things to do: Mount Washington, The Hershey Story Museum, and Lancaster Central Market.
Places to stay: Red Lion Hotel Harrisburg Hershey, Baymont by Wyndham Harrisburg, Comfort Suites Camp Hill-Harrisburg West.
Area code: 717
Missouri
As you move westward into Central USA, you will notice a change of scenery as the number of big cities make way for farmlands and pastures. Missouri is the beginning of this journey. As rural areas become more prevalent, there is a strong bond within the community. This is where you will find the Christmas spirit that is often depicted in the multiple Hallmark Movies that receive a lot of airtime over Christmas.
Capital city: Jefferson City.
Largest city: Kansas City.
Area: 180 560 km2 (69 715 mi2).
Population: 6 160 281.
Time-zone: UTC−06:00 (Central), UTC−05:00 (CDT).
Most spoken languages: English, Spanish, German.
Tourist attractions: the Missouri Botanical Garden, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, and The Gateway Arch.
Things to do: the St. Louis Zoo, the Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium, and the Titanic Museum.
Places to stay: the SureStay Hotel by Best Western Cameron, Americas Best Value Inn & Suites Maryville, and Super 8 by Wyndham Bowling Green.
Area code: 573
Illinois
Like Missouri, Illinois is the beginning of your journey into the farming heartland of the USA. If you find yourself in Illinois during winter, you will be greeted by cold weather and a warm welcome. Small towns take their welcomes seriously and it is these towns that typically go all out over Christmas as the holiday is their main source of income. It also helps that Christmas is a Christian holiday, so the Irish population in Chicago will make the holiday special.
Capital city: Springfield
Largest city: Chicago
Area: 149 997 km2 (57 915 mi2)
Population: 12 812 508.
Time-zone: UTC−06:00 (CST), UTC−05:00 (CDT).
Most spoken languages: English, and Spanish.
Tourist attractions: The Art Institute of Chicago, Lake Michigan, and Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Things to do: Six Flags Great America, Wolff’s Flea Market, the Blaum Bros Distilling Co.
Places to stay: Baymont by Wyndham Morton, Super 8 by Wyndham Rochelle, Best Western Oswego Hotel.
Area code: 312
Washington
The state of Washington often gets confused with Washington DC (which is the capital of the USA). Located on the Western Seaboard, like Colorado and Alaska, Washington is your best chance to experience the traditional imagery of a white Christmas. The state’s temperamental weather and plummeting temperatures will force you seek comfort by a warm fireplace. This does not stop the community spirit and coming together for the holiday.
Capital city: Olympia.
Largest city: Seattle.
Area: 184 827 km2 (71 362 mi2).
Population: 7 887 965.
Time-zone: UTC– 08:00 (Pacific).
Most spoken languages: English.
Tourist attractions: Chihuly Garden and Glass, T-Mobile Park, and the Space Needle.
Things to do: the Woodland Park Zoo, the Pike Place Market, and The Museum of Flight.
Places to stay: The Baroness Hotel, citizenM Seattle Pioneer Square, Hyatt Regency Seattle.
Area code: 206
South Carolina
Ending off our list of the best states to visit over Christmas is South Carolina. A state that is famous for having a significant population of English settlers can came from England. While the weather is more moderate in South Carolina, you will most certainly get into the Christmas spirit as many families continue the traditions handed down by their ancestors.
Capital city: Columbia.
Largest city: Charleston.
Area: 82 932 km2 (32 020 mi2)
Population: 5 190 705
Time-zone: UTC– 05:00 (Eastern), UTC– 04:00 (EDT).
Most spoken languages: English.
Tourist attractions: Coligny Beach, Falls Park on the Reedy, Fort Sumter National Monument.
Things to do: Hollywood Wax Museum Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head Pirate Ship Adventure Sail aboard the Black Dagger, and Charleston Ghosts of Liberty Guided Walking Tour.
Places to stay: the Rodeway Inn, Comfort Suites At the University, and Days Inn by Wyndham Little River.
Area code: 803
Christmas in the USA can be a memorable experience. While you may not experience a white Christmas in every state, the customs and traditions that are experienced over the holiday makes choosing the best states to visit during Christmas that much easier.
Top 10 Best states to visit for Christmas in the USA FAQ
- What is the number one vacation state in the USA?
The number one vacation state in the USA is Florida.
- Which USA state is the most popular with international tourists?
The states in the USA that are popular with international tourists are New York and California.
- What is the most visited state in the summer?
The most visited state in the summer is Florida.
- What is the prettiest state in the USA?
The prettiest state in the USA is Alaska.
- Which USA state has the most tourist attractions?
The state in the USA that has the most tourist attractions is California.
Related Articles
