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Best for: Neurodiverse families
It’s not exactly beach weather during Christmas in this resort town, but it’s still a warm place to get away from frigid temperatures. It’s also an ideal time to see the Grand Strand lit up for the holidays. What’s more, this popular beach town (and neighboring Surfside Beach) are considered autism-friendly destinations, which means that staff at some of the restaurants and attractions, like the SkyWheel, have been trained in autism sensitivity and awareness.
Attend fantastic holiday stage shows, like the Carolina Opry Christmas Special (known as the “Christmas Show of the South”), one of Myrtle Beach’s best Christmas traditions. The stunning Brookgreen Gardens hosts Nights of a Thousand Candles, which features more than 2,700 hand-lit candles plus twinkling lights and live music set among the flowers and sculptures. You can also marvel at Winter Wonderland at the Beach, an event along the boardwalk with lights, shows, s’mores and more.
The oceanfront Dunes Village Resort is right in the heart of all the holiday happenings in Myrtle Beach. Plus, the hotel offers the only indoor water park in the area, so families can enjoy swimming even if the weather outside is too crisp to get in the ocean. And at about $110 per night around the holidays, the price can’t be beat.
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Best for: Northern lights
Who needs holiday lights when you’ve got the aurora borealis? Iceland’s winter darkness increases your chance of seeing this solar phenomenon in a country that piles on winter charm like powder snow on a turf house (a traditional Icelandic dwelling). “The northern lights this year and into next year are going to be the brightest they’ve been in something like 30 years, so it’s a great time to go,” says Hudson. “It’s also the darkest time of the year, so it’s off-season in Iceland.”
The holiday season, called Yule, encompasses a month of cheer that includes Christmas traditions, parties, drinks and Christmas desserts and foods like smoked lamb and rice pudding. When you’re not merry-making or gazing heavenward, you can also explore ice caves, soak in natural hot springs or shop for gifts made from Icelandic wool.
Stay at Hotel Ranga near Hella for a Christmas getaway—it’s close to some of the country’s best waterfalls. The hotel offers a 13-course Christmas menu on the first three weekends in December and encourages guests to leave a shoe outside the door to see if the “Yule Lads” (mischievous trolls that are part of Icelandic holiday lore) will bring them a small present overnight. Hotel Ranga also has its own observatory for stargazing and northern lights viewing.
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Best for: Skiing
If Vail’s European-style pedestrian village and heated cobblestone streets don’t win you over, the skiing will make you a believer. Colorado’s largest resort has 5,300 acres of terrain, and more than half is located on the south-facing backside, where seven alpine bowls beckon. Layer on the tree lighting in Vail Village, ice skating in Lionshead, the new Kringle Crossing (a miniature Santa’s village) and the annual 10th Mountain Legacy Parade, and you’ve got festive icing on Vail’s powdery cake.
“Vail’s not the cheapest place to stay, but you do get that cozy lodge feel, you get that luxurious time in Vail and you get to ski,” says Hudson. “It just seems like a pretty iconic place to spend the holiday.”
It’s hard to top the yuletide cheer at The Lodge at Vail, Vail’s original hotel that’s a short walk from Gondola One. Leave your planks with the lodge’s ski valet, then enjoy daily fresh cookies, hot mulled cider and samples of local 10th Mountain bourbon during après ski in the decked-out lobby. This year, you can also pose for photos inside the vintage gondola car that’s parked in the lobby—bring your retro ski ensembles, ugly Christmas sweaters or red Santa hats for props!