By Vacation Intel
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By Vacation Intel
The best holiday getaways lean into the season instead of fighting it – think Christmas markets, twinkling city lights, and snow-covered mountain towns, rather than trying to chase summer weather in December. The holiday season also means a very specific set of travel headaches: peak pricing, packed flights, and school-break crowds.
Here is what to plan around for a holiday-season trip, plus our picks for destinations that are genuinely worth visiting during the holidays.
What to Plan Around for a Holiday Getaway
Flights and hotels peak hard around Christmas and New Year, often 1.5-2x their normal rate, and book up weeks earlier than usual. If your dates are flexible at all, traveling in the days just before Christmas week starts or just after New Year’s Day can save significantly.
School Break Crowds
Family-friendly destinations get noticeably busier during the two weeks surrounding Christmas since kids are out of school nationwide. If you are traveling without kids, a destination with more of an adults-oriented scene will feel far less crowded.
Weather-Dependent Plans Need a Backup
Winter storms can disrupt flights more than any other season. If your holiday trip depends on a specific date – like arriving in time for a family gathering – build in an extra travel day of buffer where you can.
Our Picks: Best Holiday Getaways
New York City
Rockefeller Center’s tree, holiday window displays, and ice skating make NYC one of the most purely festive big-city holiday trips in the US. Our New York City travel guide covers where to stay for the best access to the holiday sights.
Quebec City
Quebec City’s old town looks like a European Christmas market transplanted to North America, complete with snow-covered stone streets and a genuine winter-wonderland atmosphere. Our Quebec City travel guide has the details.
Banff & Lake Louise
Frozen lakes, snow-dusted peaks, and a genuinely magical mountain-town holiday atmosphere make Banff and Lake Louise a strong pick for travelers who want their holiday trip to look like a postcard. Our Banff & Lake Louise travel guide covers the best time to visit.
A Ski Trip
The holiday weeks are peak season at most ski resorts, but the payoff is reliable snow and a festive mountain-town atmosphere. Our Colorado vs. Utah comparison and best luxury ski resorts guide are good starting points if a ski trip is on your list.
Las Vegas
Las Vegas goes all-in on holiday decor along the Strip, and it is one of the easier big US cities to book a last-minute holiday trip to thanks to its huge hotel inventory. Our Las Vegas travel guide covers where to stay.
Vacation Intel Tip
Book your holiday getaway by early October if your dates are fixed around Christmas or New Year’s. Flights and hotels for the peak week routinely sell out well before Thanksgiving.
Need Help Choosing?
Still deciding on your holiday trip? Reach out to our team and we will help you compare destinations and lock in dates before peak pricing hits.