People say there’s no place like home for the holidays, but we think there’s something extra special about seeing a new place during the festive season. Whether touring historic homes by candlelight, sipping on holiday cocktails in a new setting, or putting on ice skates for the first time in years, here are six festive destinations offering some December travel cheer.
Longwood Gardens
The over 1,000-acre Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is a seasonal favorite given the yearly transformation of its grounds into a winter wonderland. Marvel atover 18,000 holiday plants, more than 67,000 Christmas tree ornaments, and half a million lights illuminating the grounds. New this year is a glass conservatory filled with Mediterranean plants that are sure to brighten even the gloomiest winter days. End your visit with a festive meal at Longwood’s new fine dining restaurant, 1906.
Bath County
Bath County has been a draw for travelers since the 18th century due to its naturally occurring mineral springs. Today the springs continue to be a magnet for visitors, as does the town’s original resort, the Omni Homestead. The Omni goes all out for the holidays and this year the famed hideaway is launching a festive pop-up holiday bar, Blitzen’s Bar, that will shake and stir throw-back cocktails with décor worthy of A Christmas Story – think leg lamps, neon signs, and plenty of tinsel and cocktail umbrellas. Throughout the season, the hotel will show holiday movies in its 1920s theater, as well as hosting a breakfast with Santa, and story time with his elves. Don’t leave without a soak in the onsite hot springs to banish any winter chills.
Middleburg
The heart of Virginia’s horse and wine country, Middleburg is extra busy and festive as a holiday destination. Head to the tony town during the first weekend of December for the Christmas Parade full of red-coated fox hunters, horses, and hounds. Being an onlooker in the parade is a perennial favorite, as is shopping for the holidays the old-fashioned way: in small shops in person. Middleburg is full of small-business gems like Crème de la Crème, Middleburg Books, Highcliffe Clothier, Federal & Black, and The Christmas Sleigh.
The Biltmore
Christmas at The Biltmore will take on a new meaning this year after the Asheville estate’s surrounding areas suffered during Hurricane Helene. The North Carolina attraction is very much open for the holidays, however, and has a full lineup of programming including candlelight evening tours of the historic mansion. Grab tickets early (they’re sure to sell out) and plan to spend extra time roaming the decorated grounds.
Philadelphia
There’s nothing like playing tourist in a nearby city during the holiday season. Head to Philadelphia and enjoy the city’s wealth of museums like the Barnes Foundation, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Rodin Museum. Round out your visit with a festive afternoon tea at the historic Rittenhouse Hotel, a skate session at Dilworth Park, and a visit to the city’s 50-foot-tall Christmas tree at City Hall where you can do some shopping at Christmas Village Philadelphia, an annual German holiday market.
Williamsburg and Jamestown
Nostalgia and the holidays go hand in hand, and nowhere is the past more alive than in Colonial Williamsburg. In December, you can experience Colonial-era music, holiday tea at the Williamsburg Inn, and programs ranging from workshops on making candle centerpieces for your holiday table to talks on what Colonial brides wore during the holidays. Nearby, in historic Jamestown, you can learn about how “Christmastide” was celebrated in 17th– and 18th-century Virginia. There will be interpretive programs, cooking demonstrations, and musical performances (including caroling) to bring the holiday’s past alive.
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Feature image of Longwood Gardens by Holden Barnes
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