Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. While many prefer to stay home and get cozy, others enjoy taking an unforgettable Christmas vacation. Vacationing for the holidays can be a nice change of pace. You can connect with family, make memories, and set new Christmas traditions. There’s nothing like visiting a new town and seeing the way they do Christmas. If you’re looking for a Christmas to remember, these five places need to be on your Christmas bucket list.
Gaylord Rockies
Located in Aurora, Colorado, the Gaylord Rockies is an all-inclusive resort that transforms into a holiday wonderland each Christmas. There’s so much to see and do at the Gaylord. The resort offers engaging activities such as the Cirque, which is a Cirque-styled Christmas show. There’s also ice slides, ice bumper cars, snow tubing, and a gingerbread decorating corner. You can relax by the fire with family or swim and soak in the spa. There’s truly something for everyone at the Gaylord. The resort is decorated with gorgeous decorations throughout with more than 3 million dazzling Christmas lights on site. Spending a Christmas at the Gaylord will be one you’ll never forget.
Carmel Christkindlmarkt
The Carmel Christkindlmarkt brings the charm of a long standing European tradition to the heart of Carmel, Indiana. Per the website, Chriskindlmarkt is German for the “Christ child market” or Christmas market. This is surely a market that you want to add to your bucket list. The market is filled with various vendors, from food to artwork and decorations. Whether you go as a family or for a date night, there’s something for everyone. There are plenty of kid’s activities such as ice skating and even a Kids Club. If you want to make it a romantic evening under the lights, you can walk and admire the shops while sipping a warm drink hand in hand.
Disney World Wilderness Lodge
Disney World is the most magical place on earth any time of the year, but it’s especially magical during Christmas. While there are various Disney properties to choose from, Disney World Wilderness Lodge, located in Orlando, Florida, is undefeated when it comes to Christmas. The resort features a breathtaking 60-foot Christmas tree in the lobby and plenty of other spectacular decorations paired with holiday music in the background and cozy fireplaces. There is so much to do at the parks during Christmas, from attending Mickey Mouse’s Christmas party to watching beautiful fire works each evening. Your family is sure to remember a Christmas at Disney World forever.
New York City
There’s no better place to spend Christmas than in New York City. New York City is bustling any time of the year, but it’s something about Christmas that makes the city sparkle. From ice skating in Central Park to admiring the enchanting Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, there’s much to see and do. There’s a wonderful New York Holiday Market and Christmas Lights Tour that’s perfect for families. On this walking tour, you get to explore all of New York’s beautiful Christmas decorations, shop at the top holiday markets, and enjoy some of the best festive food and drink the city has to offer.
Chicago, IL
There’s no place like Christmas in Chicago to really experience the magic of the holiday season. The city is full of bustling activity and there are a variety of ways to celebrate Christmas. You can admire dazzling light displays in the historic zoo, go ice skating, catch a holiday show in a famous downtown theatre, or sip hot cocoa while strolling the beautifully-decorated streets. Of course, you can’t take a trip to Chicago without experiencing one of Chicago’s biggest and best holiday traditions — the City of Chicago’s official Christmas Tree located in Millennium Park. A Chicago Christmas vacation is sure to be one of the most exciting Christmases you’ll ever experience.
