Best us states to visit in december

12. Tampa, Florida

Tampa Riverwalk

If you’re tired of snow, winter sports, and looking for warm places to visit in December in the USA and escape the chilly winter, look no further than Tampa. Located along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa is one of the best places to live in Florida.

From the Busch Gardens, Tampa Riverwalk to the newest attractions like Snowcat Ridge, there’s no shortage of places to enjoy a vacation in Tampa in winter. Vibrant nightlife, fine dining, amusement parks, museums, luxury shopping – Tampa has something for everyone.

Visitors can enjoy the cooler temperature along Tampa Riverwalk. It also offers holiday light displays and seasonal events including New Year’s Eve fireworks and a lighted boat parade. December is the perfect time to visit ZooTampa. You can also visit this family-friendly place which is home to 1300 animals and endangered species.

Christmas Town at Busch Gardens is another reason for visiting Tampa in December. Wander through millions of twinkling lights. Kids will definitely love to visit Santa at his cottage at Santa’s North Pole Experience. There you’ll find festive shows, holiday dining, and plenty of holiday lights and music.

Although this Florida city is a little bit warmer than other US cities, you can still enjoy the holiday spirit at Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park located along the beautiful Riverfront.

The village hosts an outdoor ice-skating rink with real ice as well as pop-up markets and refreshments throughout December. Snow lovers can also enjoy snow gliding, tubing, ice skating at Snowcat Ridge, a beautiful snow park which is located just 35 miles away from downtown Tampa.

13. Aspen, Colorado

Maroon Bells, Aspen, Colorado

If you’re looking for one of the best places to visit in the US in December then give Aspen, Colorado a try.

After all, Aspen is easily one of the best mountain towns in Colorado that’s home to 4 different mountains where you can ski, snowboard, and sled to your heart’s content all month long – making it an ideal spot if you’re looking for a fun, snow-filled vacation in December.

In particular, Aspen Snowmass is the most famous of them all since it covers 3,339 acres of terrain and is home to the second-largest vertical drop in the USA.

That being said, it’s a place that’s geared more towards advanced snowboarders and skiers. So, if you’re looking for slopes that are perfect for beginners, then visit Buttermilk instead.

Afterwards, enjoy some adrenaline-filled excitement at the Breathtaker Alpine Coaster. It’s a fun, tandem coaster that reaches speeds of around 45 km/ 28 miles per hour and that mimics the feeling of a luge ride but without any of the danger.

However, no trip to Aspen would be complete without a visit to Maroon Bells Scenic Area.

Yes, Maroon Creek Road is closed in December but that just means that you can avoid the crowds and enjoy a snow-capped wonderland of mountains as you ski, snowmobile, hike, and snowshoe your way through this picturesque area.

And to enjoy the area’s most iconic highlights be sure to hop on the Lake Scenic Trail just in time for sunrise.

14. South Padre Island, Texas

South Padre Island is easily one of the best places to visit in the USA in December if you want to get away from the cold and enjoy a sunny walk along the beach.

That’s because, throughout the month, temperatures on this Texas Island generally hover around 22ºC/ 72ºF during the day and 14ºC/ 57ºF at night.

Additionally, December only receives an average of around three days of rain. So, you could easily go for a scenic walk along some of the best beaches in Texas all December long.

In particular, though, a trip to the Padre Island National Seashore is a must. See, this stunning national park is home to 65 miles of pristine coastline and is the largest undeveloped barrier island in the world.

It’s also known for having several secluded beaches where you can escape the crowds, like Bird Island Basin Beach and Malaquite Beach.

Then afterwards, enjoy other fun activities like a trip to the Dolphin Research and Sealife Nature Center. While here, you can learn all about these incredible creatures before visiting the historic Port Isabel Lighthouse.

It was originally built in 1852 and is a great place to stop before spotting dolphins during a sunset dinner cruise with Osprey Cruises.

15. Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Needles, Canyonlands, Utah

Canyonlands National Park in Utah is another place that’s easily one of the best places to visit in the US in December.

Yes, the weather is a bit cool – with highs around 7ºC/ 45ºF and lows around -5ºC/ 23ºF – but that makes sense since this park sits between 1,804 metres and 1,859 metres (5,920 feet and 6,100 feet) above sea level.

However, if you can handle the cold, you’ll love visiting Canyonlands in winter, and December particularly, since you’ll be able to avoid long lines into the park, will have the trails all to yourself, and won’t have to worry about intense heat from the summer sun.

That being said, do be aware that visitor services are limited throughout the off-season.

And while all the hiking trails here remain open throughout the winter, you’ll need to bring traction devices and trekking poles since snow and ice may accumulate along with popular hikes like the trek to Mesa Arch.

Other than that, just enjoy the relative solitude of this amazing place as you hike to Mesa Arch, take in sweeping views of Monument Basin from Grand View Point Overlook, and trek along the White Rim Overlook trail.

Plus, if you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle and the winding dirt road isn’t too treacherous, you can always drive out to Shafer Canyon and admire the panoramas from this viewpoint.

16. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

If you love outdoor winter adventures, look no further than Michigan’s Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. It’s one of the best December vacations in the US for a reason.

The area is well known for its kaleidoscope sandstone cliffs, lush forests, and breathtaking waterfalls that all turn into a winter wonderland!

There are over 20 gorgeous waterfalls throughout the lakeshore and by mid-December, these flowing falls become ice caves and formations – creating a dramatic landscape and fun activity. As long as the falls have fully frozen, visitors are welcome to explore the caves and even climb the frozen falls—some are more than 15 metres/ 50 feet tall.

The easiest waterfall to view and climb is Munising Falls. Parking isn’t available on Sand Point Rd. but there is a parking lot near where the road ends. The trail isn’t marked per se, but The National Parks Service places brown signs signifying “ice formations” along the road. The trek to see each is just about a quarter of a mile (be prepared, the snow might be deep!).

If climbing ice formations doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, there are plenty of other activities to enjoy including snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing throughout the area.

Whatever winter activities you do decide to enjoy, be sure to have the proper gear and only wander during the daylight in case you become stuck – the area averages around 3.6 metres/ 140 inches of snow annually!

One last important note, dogs are not allowed on the ice formation trails.

17. White Sands National Park, New Mexico

For a mild winter escape that still looks like snow, head to White Sands National Park. Located in southern New Mexico, White Sands covers 275 acres of Chihuahuan desert consisting of gypsum sand dunes. In December, you can expect daytime temps in the high 10ºC/ 50ºF, making for perfect weather to explore this unique landscape.

Hiking is one of the best things to do in White Sands. There are several easy trails to explore, or you can challenge yourself by hiking up and down the sand dunes on the Alkali Flat Trail. This trail will give you an incredible perspective of the vast landscape of the sand dunes. It gets too hot to hike this trail in the summer, but December is an ideal time to tackle it.

Another fun hiking opportunity is a sunset stroll with a park ranger. These guided tours happen every night, and you can learn about the geology, flora, and fauna of White Sands, then finish the stroll with a stunning sunset view over the sand dunes.

Finally, don’t miss the chance to go dune sledding on your trip to White Sands. Bring your own sled or buy a plastic saucer at the visitor centre and feel like a kid again (or take the kids) sliding down the hills. It’s the perfect winter adventure in White Sands!

18. Washington, DC

There are plenty of free winter and Christmas activities in the national capital, making it a great destination to visit in December. When you arrive at Union Station, the first thing you’ll see is the stunning 30-metre Christmas tree donated by the Norwegian Embassy.

From historical buildings to charming holiday markets and winter activities – make sure to spend at least 2 days in Washington DC to enjoy the full magic.

Enjoy the morning doing some Christmas shopping in Georgetown before you visit Washington’s iconic monuments and memorials, such as the Lincoln Memorial and the Martin Luther King Junior Memorial.

Besides the city’s main attractions such as the White House, the Capitol and the Supreme Court, there are many activities that can only be enjoyed during wintertime.

What about seeing a magical Christmas performance in Ford’s Theatre or going ice skating in the sparkling little village “Enchant Christmas”? During the month of December, the popular U.S. Botanic Garden displays festive decorations and world-famous train stations as little models made of plant parts.

Definitely a must-see on your trip to the national capital! However, one of the biggest events is the annual lighting of the National Christmas Tree, which takes place on 2 December and has been a tradition in the city for about 100 years.

Where’ll your December vacation take you? Whether you’re looking for a festive city to enjoy the holidays or a quiet town in the mountains, the USA has something for everyone. We hope this roundup of the best December vacations in the US has given you some ideas for where to travel in December.

If not, be sure to check out our other blog posts for more inspiration. And don’t forget to pack your camera – you’ll want to capture all of the amazing memories you make on this trip!

Are you excited to explore some of the best places in the USA during December? If so, be sure to bookmark this page and come back often.

We’ll continue to update it with new information as we discover more amazing destinations. And don’t forget to share it with your friends and family! They’re sure to appreciate all of the great ideas for December getaways.

What are the best states to visit in December?

What is the warmest state to visit in December?

Which US state is best to visit in winter?

Where is the best place to vacation in December?