Best places to travel during the Christmas vacations in the U.S.

When Christmas trees and markets make their annual appearance on the streets — You can easily feel that Christmas is just around the corner. As the final important event in the annual federal holiday calendar and a major shopping and travel holiday, Christmas falls on December 25 with the traditional family gathering and exchange of gifts.

If you haven’t decided where to kick off your Christmas travel plan in 2022, don’t worry! We’ve rounded up some of the best places in the U.S. where you can make the most of your trips during the Christmas vacation with your loved ones.

Over 160 countries celebrate this special holiday in some unique forms. While some traditions are religious in nature, such as attending church, others are less formal in nature and might include decorating Christmas trees, watching Christmas movies, or baking cookies for loved ones.

No matter whether you were a real or reusable tree family, decorating its many branches with ornaments, lights, and candy canes was a joyous experience. Over the years, the collection of ornaments always seemed to grow.

There were the commemorative bulbs and figurines parents purchased while on summer vacation. Maybe it was a White House ornament you got on a trip to Washington DC, or one the kids made in school. There were the ones labeled Hallmark and the multi-year runs of “collector’s edition” decorations from some big-box retailer. Everyone had their favorites and competition for prominent branches could be fierce. Many a devious sibling was known to slyly rearrange a few over the coming days and weeks too. Still, there was one decoration that stood above the others. It was the starring attraction, the headline performer perched at the very apex of the tree. Every time you went to someone’s house, you always made a point to see whether their crowing ornament was better than your family’s.

The tradition in most households is to use some sort of star or angel to adorn the top of the Christmas tree, a symbolic nod to the Star of Bethlehem mentioned in Christian biblical canon.

Elsewhere around the house, holiday decorating involves stringing up a length of Christmas lights, hanging stockings by the fireplace, and adding the decorative bit of snow or sparkle to various nooks and crannies. Giant inflatable snowmen would appear in the neighborhood alongside elves and Santa sleighs complete with all the reindeer, even an illuminated red nose for Rudolph.

If you’re of a certain age, you might remember endless frustration trying to untangle the Christmas lights you promised yourself last year you weren’t going to just haphazardly toss in a box after New Year’s. Then there was the beguiling search for the one damaged bulb that left a large portion of the strand dark. Kids today can count themselves fortunate modern LED lights suffer no such drawbacks, though this has all but eliminated what for many was very much a Christmas tradition.

Holiday parties tend to come in two basic flavors. Those celebrated among family and close friends, and those awkwardly celebrated at the workplace. Each is full of its own traditions. Family get-togethers run the gamut between relatively stodgy affairs and raucous occasions powered by liberal servings of bourbon in the eggnog. Cataloging idiosyncratic family traditions is a Sisyphean task. Here are ones that made a lasting impression on us over the years. In homage to the classic 1983 film "A Christmas Story," some families venture to a Chinese restaurant in the days leading up to Christmas for a hearty meal and some laughter. In places where the weather permits, there’s the family snowperson-building contest. Or the simple family movie night featuring such favorites as "Home Alone," "Miracle on 34th Street," or the best Christmas film of all-time "Die Hard."

Time spent among family and friends is what makes the holiday season memorable. Take a moment this year to recognize the traditions you hold most dear. You might even use that as a topic of conversation during the dreaded holiday office party. People lucky enough to enjoy their jobs and coworkers, take a moment to empathize with everyone else. Office parties can be downright mundane or, in the extreme, soul-crushing affairs. This year companies may elect to forego the ritual and it would certainly come off as reasonable to decline an invitation due to health-related concerns.

One uniquely American tradition during the Christmas holidays is watching specific movies and TV shows that put us in the holiday spirit. There are plenty of favorites that range from old movies to cartoons. What better way to celebrate the holidays than with timeless classics such as “It’s A Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th St.”, or “The Christmas Story?” Don’t forget those cartoons that will forever be a part of the holidays, such as “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” and “Frosty The Snowman.” While some of those older movies and cartoons may not be as popular for the younger generation, you can always find more recent family favorites that bring a smile to your face, such as “Home Alone,” “Elf,” “ or “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.”

As most of people have some time off during the Christmas holidays, there are also a number of blockbuster movies that will be released during the holidays.

Source: Boxoffice Mojo

Nashville nestled along the Cumberland River in North-Central Tennessee and more or less follows the river’s profile. If you are a music lover, there is no better place to experience music than Nashville — a city of music, storytellers and dreamers, where all are welcome with an authentic, friendly, creative spirit. Nashville shines during the winter, with millions of holiday lights on display and seasonal entertainment. When Christmas approaches, Nashville’s rich restaurants, live house, vibrant night life would definitely leave you with a great impression.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum anchors Central Nashville’s cultural offerings. Since the first inductees were welcomed in 1961, the Hall of Fame has expanded over the years into one of the world’s largest repositories dedicated to preserving and showcasing American music. Through both its permanent collection and rotating exhibitions, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a first-rate cultural institution and a can’t-miss attraction.

After leaving the museum, make sure to visit the nearby Johnny Cash Museum. Featuring lots of memorabilia and a preserved example of Cash’s former studio, this is a must-see for fans of the consummate musical talent and cultural icon. To round-out the Country Music tour in Central Nashville, take a quick stroll down Broadway over to Ryman Auditorium. The iconic venue was the longtime home of the Grand Ole Opry and remains a storied performance venue.

In terms of transportation, visitors to Central Nashville could make use of the free shuttle bus that runs along the so-called Music City Circuit.

Charleston is the largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. Spending Christmas in Charleston is like taking a trip back in time — Antebellum mansions adorn with garland, holiday traditions passed down from the earliest settlers, and Gullah spirituals and holiday tunes.

When December rolls in, the mild temps make this an ideal time of year to visit and soak up some of Charleston’s fascinating history. Decorated with sparkling white lights and shiny bows, Charleston dons all its finery for the holidays. Storefronts, homes, churches, boats and parks are adorned with lights, garland and holly showing their yuletide spirit.

If you're wondering where to spend your Christmas vacations in Massachusetts, then Boston is an ideal place to visit. Its historical buildings combined with the drifting snow in December will make you feel as if you were in a dream.

Boston also has plenty things to do. Go to Quincy Market for a holiday light show or stroll through Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park to see it lit up blue with 50,000 lights. Or you can go ice skating at City Hall Plaza, browse the winter markets, or take a holiday cruise around Boston Harbor.

If you're on a long vacation, you can also spend New Year's Eve watching the spectacular fireworks displays in Boston Common and Copley Square.

As the oldest city in the U.S. state of Georgia, Savannah is an enchantingly beautiful city with warm and welcoming locals.

With lots of holiday activities, including lights shows, Christmas markets, holiday concerts, tours around — December is such a magical time to visit Savannah.

Savannah’s popular City Market is a must-see as it comes alive with fun-filled activities for the whole family during Christmas holidays. Tucked into the country's largest Historic District, this four-block area has been a popular destination for entertainment, dining, art and retail since 1985.

Every year when December comes, Santa Fe’s temperate climates and abundant scenery have attracted artists, hikers, seekers, skiers and writers.

If we need to pick a word to describe Santa Fe at Christmas, then the word ‘magical’ is the best. When the Christmas season approaches, the annual Christmas tree lights in the historic Santa Fe Plaza.

The annual Christmas held at the Palace of the Governors (the oldest government building in continuous use in the U.S.), is a popular event for locals. Started in 1985, it's always on the Friday before Las Posadas. Santa Feans fill the over historic building and its courtyard, greeting friends as they go.

The Jackson town in Wyoming is home to a beautiful Town Square. And it is the only way to Yellowstone and Grand Teton. When winter comes, the place turns into a winter wonderland you’ve got to see to believe.

Christmas in Jackson town is certainly a must-see! The Jackson Town Square is very famous for the arch built with elk antlers on the square, which leads to the garden of the square. There are also many specialty shops and restaurants around the square.

Come and marvel at the city’s stunning Town Square all decked out with lights, one of the best places in the state to enjoy a true winter wonderland.

Vermont is famous for its snow scenery and ski resorts. If you really like cold weather, then Burlington, the most popular city in the Vermont state, is an ideal place to travel. Be it a restaurant opening, a great event, or an art show, there is always something new to discover in Burlington.

Burlington is home to a thriving arts scene, museums and educational opportunities, great shopping, three colleges and a university, as well as a full range of four-season outdoor pursuits. It’s no wonder this small, friendly city consistently earns national awards.

Fountains, a brick-paved pedestrian mall, and historic buildings provide the backdrop for the Church Street Marketplace, where specialty shops and national retailers mingle with restaurants and cultural venues. Outdoor cafes, street vendors and entertainers keep things lively long after sundown.

Exclusive only Trip.com: Book discounts on all Disney in Concert: A Magical Celebration 2022 tickets with no handling fee only on Trip.com!

Get more 15% discount for the 2nd ticket!

Set in the luxurious ICON SIAM's True Icon Hall, A Magical Celebration is sure to transport you to a whole new world!

Premiering in Bangkok, Thailand, DISNEY IN CONCERT: A Magical Celebration 2022 will feature 4 live performances - orchestrated by 46-piece musicians - conducted from Dec 31 to Jan 1