15 Underrated Places to Travel in the U.S. This December
Popular holiday spots get most of the attention in December, but that often means high prices, heavy crowds, and long travel days. There are plenty of lesser-known places across the U.S. that are worth visiting, and they don’t cost a fortune.
If you’re planning a winter trip that feels more personal, these spots are a good place to start.
Whitefish, Montana
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A 45‑minute drive from Kalispell leads to a snow‑covered town that feels authentically local despite its 3,000‑acre ski resort nearby. December brings the Christmas Stroll, a tree lighting, and a family‑friendly torchlight parade. If skiing is a part of your plan, do check out Whitefish Mountain Resort.
Solvang, California
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December is the best time to experience Solvang’s Danish side. You can enjoy light shows on the windmills and join candlelit tours that include warm mulled wine. The fun continues with an elf scavenger hunt! While you’re there, make sure to try the Danish pastries, especially the aebleskivers.
Durango, Colorado
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Snow piles up on Durango’s 19th‑century storefronts while the nearby Purgatory Resort stays open for skiing and boarding. December’s highlight is the Polar Express, a real train ride with hot chocolate, carols, and alpine scenery. The town’s Noel Night adds live music and local shopping to an already festive ambiance.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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Strawbery Banke lights up each December with its Candlelight Stroll, when the historic houses open for evening tours. In town, the gingerbread house competition fills shop windows, and the Holiday Parade brings out crowds for music and lights. When the cold sets in, step inside one of Portsmouth’s old pubs for chowder and a bit of live folk music.
Avila Beach, California
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This Central Coast town has California’s sunniest weather in December. Start your morning on the Bob Jones Trail, and finish the day at a hillside hot spring overlooking the ocean. With fewer crowds, the beaches and wineries feel wonderfully relaxed and unhurried.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
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The city’s “Living Advent Calendar” opens a new door each night at 5:30, a tradition that runs through December. At Christkindlmarkt, you’ll find woodcrafts, music, and bratwurst, while the colonial district offers a walk through snow-covered streets tied closely to the town’s Moravian history.
Crystal Beach, Texas
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On this stretch of Gulf Coast sand, December means mild breezes, long walks, and off‑season calm. Local bands and fresh seafood keep evenings lively without big‑city crowds. Watch dolphins from the pier or see decorated golf carts roll by in the Crystaland Parade.
Williamsburg, Virginia
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Here, the holiday season comes with tricorn hats and crackling fires. Colonial Williamsburg lights up by lantern, and the fireworks show—called the Grand Illumination—skips the modern flair in favor of tradition.
Leavenworth, Washington
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Half a million lights completely change the look of this Bavarian village. Catch carolers and Krampus figures strolling around, or take a sleigh ride through Icicle Valley. Don’t miss a visit to the Nutcracker Museum.
Siesta Key, Florida
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December on Siesta Key means cooler mornings and lighter crowds, but the beach still feels wide open. The Sarasota Boat Parade brings decorated boats into the bay, and evenings in the village end with an easy walk back to the sand.
Cumberland Island, Georgia
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The ferry from St. Marys takes 45 minutes, but you’ll want to arrive early. Boarding requires separate tickets for both directions, and there’s no backup plan if you miss it. Once on the island, check in at the visitor center, then set out past dunes, feral horses, and the ruins of Dungeness. What you will witness is just wild shoreline, loggerhead turtles, and 17 miles of trail-laced seclusion.
Biltmore Estate, North Carolina
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Take a candlelight tour inside the historic Gilded Age mansion to see the massive Christmas tree and listen to harp music. You can also enjoy seasonal wine tastings at Antler Hill Village and view the beautiful poinsettias in the conservatory.
Gaylord Opryland Resort, Tennessee
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The resort’s glass atriums turn into a holiday display with millions of lights strung through gardens and walkways. Guests can skate on the indoor rink, try snow tubing, or ride boats along the indoor river. It’s designed with families in mind, with plenty of space to wander between events and decorations.
Driftless Area, Minnesota
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This part of southeast Minnesota is called “the land the glaciers forgot” because it’s nothing like the flat Midwest. It’s full of dramatic scenery with steep bluffs, rivers, and ancient Native mounds. In December, you can enjoy quiet winter hikes. The towns themselves are charmingly offbeat, known for cozy cafés, bookstores, and local UFO legends.
White River Junction, Vermont
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Brookfield hosts an ice harvesting fest straight out of the 1800s, and Randolph’s old theater packs in locals for music and comedy. Finish a snowy day with a Thai dinner from a James Beard–recognized chef at SAAP, where the food is better than it has any right to be.