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Best destinations to visit in December in North America

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New York City
Five boroughs of skyline, food and museums
9.5
Like a giant snow globe, midtown Manhattan is full of lights in December and the Rockefeller Center tree, lit in late November, stays up into January. Fifth Avenue store windows have moving holiday scenes. Skaters circle the rink below the tree while street carts sell hot roasted nuts to keep hands warm.
Highlights:
  • 🌃 Visit Times Square at night for unforgettable neon views
  • 🎭 Watch a Broadway musical in the Theater District
  • 🏙️ Admire skyline views from the Top of a skyscraper
Washington, D.C.
Capital of History and Culture
8.8
Cold air and white lights are part of the scene at the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse each December while skaters glide at the ice rink in the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. The Smithsonian museums on the National Mall are free and warm inside. The Lincoln Memorial is lit after dark.
Highlights:
  • 🖼️ Explore the Smithsonian museums along the National Mall
  • 🕊️ Visit the Lincoln Memorial and reflect by the Reflecting Pool
  • 🏛️ Tour the U.S. Capitol and see American democracy in action
Chicago
Skyline, Deep-Dish and Jazz Nights
8.2
From mid November to Christmas Eve the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza has wooden stalls where shoppers sip hot spiced wine and buy glass ornaments. Skaters circle the rink at Maggie Daley Park while the holiday windows on State Street are busy with crowds on cold nights. Deep dish pizza is nearby for lunch.
Highlights:
  • ⛴️ Take an architecture boat tour on the river
  • 🚶‍♀️ Stroll along the scenic Chicago Riverwalk
  • 🏙️ Admire the skyline from the Willis Tower Skydeck
Mexico City
Vibrant Culture, History and Street Food
8.3
The city is more than 7,000 feet up in a high valley so December days are sunny and nights are cool. From 16 to 24 December neighbourhoods hold posadas, parties that act out Mary and Joseph's search for a room. The Zocalo plaza has a giant tree and an ice rink.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Visit Frida Kahlo’s Blue House in Coyoacán
  • 🏛️ Wander through the historic center and Zócalo Square
  • 🏯 Explore the ancient ruins of Teotihuacán’s pyramids
Montreal
A city of festivals, food and culture
8.6
By early December the stone streets of Old Montreal are dusted with snow and candlelit Christmas concerts are held in Notre-Dame Basilica. Skaters circle the open air rink at the Old Port while shoppers walk the underground tunnels when the wind is sharp. Late at night a plate of poutine is good for cold hands.
Highlights:
  • ⛪ Visit the breathtaking Notre-Dame Basilica and its illuminated interior
  • 🌄 Admire panoramic city views from Mount Royal Park
  • 🏙️ Wander the cobblestone streets of Old Montreal
Quebec City
Old World Charm in North America
7.4
Families here gather for reveillon, a late Christmas Eve feast with tourtiere, a spiced meat pie, while snow lies on the walls of the old town. Riders race down the Dufferin Terrace toboggan slide beside the river. Petit Champlain Street has lit shop windows and cafes with thick hot chocolate.
Highlights:
  • 🌊 Walk along Terrasse Dufferin boardwalk with river views
  • 🏰 Admire Château Frontenac’s iconic castle-like architecture
  • 🚶‍♂️ Stroll through historic Old Quebec’s charming streets
New Orleans
Jazz, Creole Flavors and Mardi Gras Vibes
7.9
Many restaurants serve reveillon dinners in December, a Creole custom that began as a long feast after midnight mass on Christmas Eve and is now a multicourse menu. In City Park old oak trees are covered in lights during Celebration in the Oaks. Live jazz plays most nights in the clubs on Frenchmen Street.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Explore historic French Quarter’s colorful streets
  • 🍩 Savor beignets at iconic Café du Monde
  • 🎷 Experience live jazz on vibrant Frenchmen Street
Banff
Rocky Mountain Majesty, Endless Adventure
9.0
Railway workers found hot springs here in 1883 and a national park was created around them soon after. In December skiers go to Sunshine Village and Mount Norquay and then soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs while snow falls on the steaming water. Elk wander through town at dusk.
Highlights:
  • ♨️ Relax in the Banff Upper Hot Springs with mountain views
  • 🥾 Hike Johnston Canyon and explore breathtaking waterfalls
  • 🚡 Ride the Banff Gondola for panoramic Sulphur Mountain views
Costa Rica
Lush rainforests, stunning beaches, pure adventure
8.3
Many homes set up a portal, a small nativity scene, during December as the dry season begins and the Pacific coast turns sunny. Surfers ride the breaks at Santa Teresa while howler monkeys call from the trees in Manuel Antonio National Park. The cloud forest trails near Monteverde are cool and misty.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Spot sloths and toucans in Manuel Antonio National Park
  • 🌋 Relax in natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano
  • 🌿 Zip-line through the Monteverde Cloud Forest canopy
Phoenix
Desert sun, art and adventure
6.9
Winters in this Sonoran Desert valley are mild with December highs in the mid 60s and clear skies that are ideal for sunrise hikes up Camelback Mountain. At the Desert Botanical Garden thousands of candlelit paper bags are set along the paths during an event called Las Noches de las Luminarias.
Highlights:
  • 🏺 Discover cultures at the Heard Museum
  • 🌵 Explore the diverse Desert Botanical Garden trails
  • ⛰️ Hike Camelback Mountain for stunning city views
Key West
Tropical charm at the end of the road
7.9
A painted concrete buoy at the Southernmost Point is 90 miles from Cuba and the December days are warm and dry. Duval Street is full of holiday lights while lighted boats parade around the harbour. At sunset crowds gather at Mallory Square to watch street acts as the sun sets over the Gulf.
Highlights:
  • 🤿 Snorkel in the coral reefs of Dry Tortugas National Park
  • 🐈 Visit Ernest Hemingway’s House and meet its six-toed cats
  • 🌅 Watch the sunset celebration at Mallory Square
Puerto Rico
Caribbean rhythms, rainforests and beaches
8.1
From late November to mid January the island is in full holiday mode with friends holding parrandas, groups that surprise neighbours at the door with guitars and drums. Old San Juan has bluish cobbled streets and lit balconies. Roast pork turns on spits at roadside stands in Guavate.
Highlights:
  • 🏝️ Relax on Flamenco Beach, one of the Caribbean’s best
  • 🌌 Kayak through the glowing Bioluminescent Bay in Vieques
  • 🏘️ Wander the colorful colonial streets of Old San Juan
Maui
Island of Sun, Surf and Serenity
8.8
The air at Kaanapali Beach is warm and smells of plumeria flowers while humpback whales return from Alaska in December and breach offshore. Before dawn drivers go up to the summit of Haleakala to watch the sunrise above the clouds. Mornings are for snorkelling at Molokini, a crescent islet.
Highlights:
  • 🐢 Snorkel with turtles at Molokini Crater reef
  • 🚗 Drive the scenic and winding Road to Hana
  • 🌄 Watch sunrise atop Haleakalā volcano summit
Cabo San Lucas
Arches, Beaches, Nightlife and Adventure
7.6
At the tip of the Baja peninsula the Pacific and the Sea of Cortez come together near El Arco, a stone arch that boats visit on morning tours. Humpback whales start to arrive by late December and the days are sunny and mild. Evenings are cool enough for a light jacket on Medano Beach.
Highlights:
  • 🏜️ Experience thrilling ATV tours through desert landscapes
  • 🏖️ Relax on vibrant Medano Beach and swim safely
  • ⛵ Explore the iconic El Arco rock formation by boat
Whistler
Alpine Adventure, Epic Views, Year-Round Fun
8.8
Two mountains stand across the valley from each other and a gondola runs between their peaks. Snow is usually deep by mid December for skiers who have more than 8,000 acres of terrain. The pedestrian village has lights at night and Vancouver is about two hours south on the Sea to Sky Highway.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike to Garibaldi Lake’s turquoise waters
  • 🚠 Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola for alpine views
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard the legendary Whistler Blackcomb slopes
Lake Louise
Turquoise Gem of the Canadian Rockies
8.9
Princess Louise, a daughter of Queen Victoria, gave this lake its name in 1884. By December the water is under thick ice so skaters glide on a cleared rink below Victoria Glacier while cross country skiers follow groomed trails along the shore. The ski area across the valley opens in early November.
Highlights:
  • 🚡 Ride the Lake Louise Gondola for panoramic alpine scenery
  • 🥾 Hike to the Lake Agnes Tea House for stunning mountain views
  • 🛶 Canoe on the iconic turquoise waters of Lake Louise
Oahu
Hawaii’s Vibrant Island Adventure
8.9
The Banzai Pipeline on the North Shore has huge waves in winter and pro surfers gather there each December for the Pipeline Masters contest. On the south shore Waikiki has gentle waves and warm water. From the top of the Diamond Head hike there are views of the city and the sea.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the iconic Waikiki Beach and soak up sun
  • 🤿 Snorkel among vibrant fish at Hanauma Bay Marine Park
  • 🌄 Hike to the summit of Diamond Head for sunrise views
Saint Lucia
Tropical paradise with volcanic mountains
7.5
Like two green pyramids the Pitons rise straight from the sea while December has dry weather and calm water for boat tours along the coast. Sulphur Springs has steaming vents and bubbling mud pools where swimmers dip into warm mineral baths. Nearby cocoa farms have tours and chocolate tastings.
Highlights:
  • 🐠 Snorkel the colorful reefs of Anse Chastanet
  • 🫧 Soak in the volcanic Sulphur Springs mud baths
  • ⛰️ Climb the majestic Pitons for breathtaking island views
Aspen
Rocky Mountain Glam Meets Outdoor Thrills
8.8
The Silver Queen Gondola is a short walk from the shops in town and the lifts open in the week of Thanksgiving. Snow is often deep by mid December at the four nearby ski areas, which have runs for every skill level. The Hyman Avenue pedestrian mall has lit storefronts and fireplaces for cosy evenings.
Highlights:
  • 🗻 Explore the scenic Maroon Bells and capture the perfect photo
  • 🚡 Ride the Silver Queen Gondola for breathtaking alpine views
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard the iconic Aspen Mountain slopes
Palm Springs
Desert Modernism and Mountain Views
8.1
In the 1930s movie stars slipped away to this desert town for weekends because Hollywood was only a two hour drive away. December days reach the low 70s under blue skies. A rotating tram car goes up Mount San Jacinto in about ten minutes to cold air and snow at the top.
Highlights:
  • 💦 Relax in a natural hot spring at nearby Desert Hot Springs
  • 🏡 Admire mid-century modern homes on an architecture tour
  • 🚠 Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to Mount San Jacinto
Park City (Utah)
Where Olympic dreams meet culture
8.2
Dry powder squeaks underfoot on Main Street in December where old silver mining buildings are now shops and restaurants. Two big ski resorts, Park City Mountain and Deer Valley, open by early December and free buses run from town to the lifts. After skiing, crowds gather around outdoor fire pits.
Highlights:
  • 🎢 Ride the thrilling Alpine Coaster at Park City Mountain
  • 🏘️ Stroll Historic Main Street’s shops, galleries, and cafes
  • 🎿 Ski or snowboard at Deer Valley Resort, world-class slopes
Scottsdale (Arizona)
Desert luxury meets Western charm
8.0
Taliesin West, Frank Lloyd Wright's winter home and school, was built in 1937 with local stone and stands on the desert floor. Tours go through its rooms while December air is mild and dry. Golfers tee off on desert courses and Old Town has galleries and tasting rooms close together.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Explore the art galleries and boutiques in Old Town Scottsdale
  • 🎈 Ride a hot air balloon over the Sonoran Desert at sunrise
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic trails up Camelback Mountain
Belize
Tropical paradise with diverse ecosystems
7.0
Warm breezes and the smell of grilled fish are part of life on the cayes, the small islands off the coast, where December has less rain and calm seas. Snorkellers swim with nurse sharks and rays at Hol Chan Marine Reserve. Inland there are jungle trails to the Maya temple of Xunantunich.
Highlights:
  • ⛵ Sail between tropical cayes across the Belize Barrier Reef
  • 🏛️ Explore ancient Mayan ruins at Xunantunich and Caracol
  • 🤿 Dive or snorkel the breathtaking Great Blue Hole
Guatemala
Land of diverse climates, volcanoes
5.8
Like a postcard, Antigua has cobbled streets and colonial arches under three volcanoes. On 7 December families burn devil figures and old junk in a ritual called Quema del Diablo. Hikers climb Acatenango in cool dry air hoping to see the nearby Fuego volcano glow at night from camp.
Highlights:
  • 🏞️ Relax at the stunning shores of Lake Atitlan
  • 🌋 Hike the Acatenango Volcano and see Fuego erupt
  • 🏛️ Explore the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal National Park
U.S. Virgin Islands
Caribbean Paradise with U.S. Convenience
8.3
Denmark sold these islands to the United States in 1917 and Danish forts and old yellow buildings still stand in Christiansted on St. Croix. December has warm water and steady trade winds for snorkellers who swim over reefs at Trunk Bay on St. John. Much of that island is a national park with quiet beaches.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic Reef Bay Trail and visit ruins
  • 🤿 Snorkel the vibrant coral reefs at Trunk Bay
  • 🏖️ Relax on the white sands of Magens Bay Beach
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