The best places in the US for students to visit over Christmas

Everyone loves the holidays and as a student in the US, there’s loads you can do! Now you’ve got a bit of time on your hands before the next semester starts, and you’ve already worked so hard, why not make the most of the festive period?

If you’re wondering where to go, or what to do, we have plenty of suggestions to keep you occupied over the break – all while learning a lot more about the US! Interested to find out more? Let’s dive in!

 Where to spend Christmas in the USA as a student

Many students in the US will use the winter break to get away from their student home and travel, either to reconnect with family over the holiday period or take a vacation with friends. 

From quaint Christmas towns to big cities, there are many destinations to consider – and below, we’ve broken down some of the best for each US region.

The Northeast

It’s no secret that Christmas in New York City is something special! If you can work around the large crowds and inflated costs, the city's many holiday markets, ice rinks and countless displays of lights and other decorations are certainly worth experiencing.

Top attractions include the Rockerfeller Centre, where you can marvel at the towering Christmas tree and go ice skating beneath its sparkling lights, and Bryant Park Winter Village, which is packed with local crafts and tasty festive foods.

For a more lowkey experience, travel just a short trip west of New York to Pennsylvania’s Bethlehem – a popular holiday destination nicknamed ‘Christmas City’. Throughout the festive period there’s plenty on offer in the city, including a Christkindlmarkt and the Holiday Putz Trail.

The Southeast

If you’re based in the Southeast, Charleston is a fantastic place to get away over the winter break. The city is known for its holiday parades, candlelit walking tours and impressive light displays, with the iconic Festival of Lights featuring around 2 million lights!

Most of the festivities center around Charleston’s downtown, where you can shop for gifts at the Marion Square holiday market and sample delicious local cuisine in one of the many restaurants that line the area.

If you’re looking to escape the cold weather over the holidays, Florida is an obvious choice with big cities like Orlando and Miami hosting major holiday-themed events, while smaller beach towns such as Seaside and Key West make for a more relaxed winter vacation.

The Midwest

Chicago is another major city that goes big on Christmas, making it an excellent place to visit over the holidays. The Christkindlmarket – dubbed the most authentic German market outside of Europe – is packed with handcrafted gifts and seasonal treats like pretzels and mulled wine.

Elsewhere in the downtown area, you can take in views of Chicago’s skyline while ice skating at Millenium Park, before heading over to Michigan Avenue to marvel at the many illuminations of the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.

The Midwest is also home to some amazing Christmas towns. Nestled in northwest Illinois, Galena is a charming riverside town which comes alive at Christmas with holiday markets and light displays. Michigan’s Frankenmuth is full of festive cheer, too, with its own Christkindlmarket and a huge Christmas store that claims to be the largest in the world.

The Southwest

If you’re not a fan of the cold, the likes of California and Arizona are home to many of the best destinations for a warm winter break. Major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix have plenty to offer in the form of sprawling holiday markets and dazzling light displays.

California’s Healdsburg and Solvang – dubbed ‘the Danish capital of America’ – are two top-quality Christmas towns for a quieter and more homely festive feel, with both hosting various holiday parades and tree lighting ceremonies.

Santa Fe is another great option and brings its own cultural flair to the holiday season. Every year, the Plaza shines bright with holiday lights that are well worth seeing. The community also gathers on Christmas Eve for the Farolito Walk down Canyon Road.

The West

The West has a unique mix of big cities, cozy towns and ski resorts, providing students with plenty of options for a winter vacation. Seattle has all the festivities you’d expect from a major city, as well as one of the world’s largest Christmas light mazes.

In terms of Christmas towns, Leavenworth is among the best in the country. This Bavarian-styled village in central Washington has lots of unique holiday activities like snow tubing and reindeer farms and is also set against the stunning backdrop of the Cascade Mountains.

If skiing is your thing, resorts like Mount Bachelor and Timberline Lodge – both in Oregon – offer easy access to some of the best slopes in the US. McCall and Sun Valley in Idaho are two more great options for an outdoorsy winter getaway.

Enjoy the Christmas holidays!

Now you know some of the best places in the US to visit during Christmas, it’s time to run some ideas past your group of friends and start planning your winter vacation before the return for the spring semester.

For more inspiration on things to do during your free time, as well as tips and tricks for excelling in your degree, check out some of our other blogs over on the Student Spill.