Many people like to get out of town and do something different over the Christmas holidays. There are plenty of enjoyable destinations around the country for you and your family to take advantage of. Some people prefer a warmer climate during the holidays and others prefer a white Christmas. Although traveling over the holidays can be hectic, a festive destination is worth it.
If you like the snow and the mountains around Christmas, Aspen is a choice spot. In addition to all the skiing Aspen has to offer, there are restaurants and plenty of shopping. Families can also enjoy Aspen at Christmas because there are activities such as sleigh rides and the Torchlight Parade, which is a huge light show in the Snowmass village. "Its A Wonderful Life" is presented every year at the Wheeler Opera House and there are arts and crafts programs in town for children.
Many people travel to New York during the Christmas season for a variety of reasons. If you want to do some Christmas shopping, New York offers everything you could want. The huge Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center is a must-see and the ice skating rink below it is festive for everyone. Some of the top department stores put on elaborate holiday window displays and Radio City Music Hall puts on its annual Christmas Spectacular featuring the famous Rockettes.
Some people want to spend their Christmas vacation in a warmer climate and Hawaii is a good choice for that. There are Christmas tree lighting events on all the islands of Hawaii. On Honolulu, the City Lights ceremony and concert are held each year. Kauai has the festival of lights with live performances by musicians and singers, as well as the annual Christmas parade. There are also tree lighting ceremonies at most of Maui's hotels and resorts and Santa comes to Waikiki Beach in a canoe. Several Hawaiian ballet companies perform the Nutcracker each year.
Las Vegas is a vacation destination all year long, including Christmas time. The city is fully decorated and everything is open. There are plenty of shows to choose from and elaborate Christmas buffets. There is excellent shopping, different types of restaurants and of course, the casinos. The Bellagio has a spectacular fountain show, as well as a holiday presentation at the Conservatory and Botanical gardens in the hotel and the Crystals shopping center puts on an extravagant holiday window display.
