Check out New York. It's tough to top New York City in December, with Manhattan seemingly taken over with dazzling decorations, cold-weather activities and mind-boggling window displays. Be sure to see the big tree near Rockefeller Center, check out the skiing in Central Park, and, especially if you have children in tow, stop by FAO Schwartz, which is at its best during the holidays.
Head over to Boston. Boston is another city that shines during the holidays, with its colonial buildings and historic sites more alive than ever come Christmastime. The Back Bay is a bastion of cool shopping, and make sure to stroll the cobblestone streets of Beacon Hill -- prettier than ever in winter. The elegant Locke-Ober is a regal restaurant ideal for a celebratory dinner, and if you're up for some classic Christmas entertainment, head over to the Sanders Theatre in Harvard, which features the Christmas Revels recreating a different era of holiday fun every season.
Navigate to Bethlehem. This Pennsylvania city can't challenge the glitz and glamour of an NYC holiday, but what it lacks in magnitude it redeems in charm and enchantment. Known as "America's Christmas City," Bethlehem was actually founded on Christmas Eve and is still a wonderful place to spend the big day. Particularly inviting is the historic downtown, and the Lehigh University campus is pretty as well, especially after a snowfall. But the biggest draw is Christkindlmarkt, a festive and fantastic extravaganza with food, music and more.
Head south. Charleston, South Carolina, is another superb southern site come Christmas. The Wentworth Mansion is a veritable Victorian wonderland if you can splurge for your lodgings a bit, and a wealth of historic holiday doings include candlelight tours of the resplendent Edmonston-Alston House. The Magnolia Plantation is a don't-miss attraction as well, with one of the largest collections of the flower anywhere on display in full bloom.
Saddle up for Texas. Austin, Texas, is a city that likes to have fun all year long, but it is truly more festive than ever during the holidays. Much of this can be attributed to the Trail of Lights, a milelong strip of dozens of brilliantly lit scenes, plus a Santa's House, Yule Log and active entertainment stage. Their traditional Zilker Tree, at more than 150 feet tall and an even greater width, adds to the seasonal excitement.
Head to San Antonio. This is another Lone Star State escape that shines during the Christmas season. The Riverwalk is especially attractive, with thousands upon thousands of holiday lights festooning the trees along its shores. Some wonderful, old cathedrals are worth a stop during Christmastime, most notably the San Fernando Cathedral downtown.
Head west. Santa Cruz, California, is an unexpectedly appealing site for the holidays, with funky holiday events such as Santa Claus showing up via surfboard. Truly enjoyable shopping ops await at the Pacific Garden Mall downtown, and the massive UC Santa Cruz campus -- filled with towering redwoods -- is at its most serene during the holiday break.
Find Mickey. Orlando, Florida, is another excellent holiday city, and offers plenty of festive fun aside from its famous Disneyworld resort. Universal Studios has daily parades that kids will particularly enjoy, and it's hard to top the unforgettably exquisite dining at the Grand Floridian's Victoria & Albert's.
