The Prettiest American Towns to Escape to During the Winter
While summer and fall are prime seasons for weekend getaways, winter shouldn't be overlooked. There are towns across the country that look like picture-perfect postcards in the wintertime, whether it's due to a light dusting of snow, historic architecture, dramatic landscapes, or a combination of all three. If you're hoping to take a little break this year to hit the slopes, enjoy holiday festivities, or simply cozy up in a cabin somewhere far from home, here are the prettiest American towns to visit in the winter.
Leavenworth, Washington
Visiting Leavenworth might be the next best thing to visiting Germany at Christmastime. The town is modeled after a Bavarian village, featuring classic Alpine architecture, beer halls, even a nutcracker museum. You can also visit nearby ski resorts for some downhill action.
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Established in 1653, Portsmouth is a quintessential New England port town located about an hour outside of Boston. In the winter, enjoy sports like fat-tire biking and ice-skating, followed by après- ski-style drinks in one of Portsmouth's many restaurants and bars.
Bar Harbor, Maine
As cute and charming as Bar Harbor is, it gets busy in the summer. You can take advantage of the cleared-out crowds in the winter, both in town—where you can, and should, enjoy some chowder to warm yourself up—and in nearby Acadia National Park.
Rochester, Michigan
More than a million colorful lights adorn the storefronts of downtown Rochester in its annual Big Bright Light Show. Bundle up if you plan on walking the streets, though—otherwise, you might want to take in the sights from the comfort of your car as you drive around town.
Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Forget about the cold winter temps by heading for a soak in Glenwood Springs' eponymous hot springs. If you're willing to brave the weather, spend a day at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park or Sunlight Mountain Resort for thrill rides and skiing, respectively.
Park City, Utah
Park City has two famous draws in the wintertime: skiing and the Sundance Film Festival held every January. Don't miss out on an opportunity to ride the bobsled at Utah Olympic Park, which hosted the bobsled event during the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Dunton, Colorado
If you're seeking somewhere a little slower paced than Colorado ski hubs like Vail, Telluride, and Breckenridge, Dunton is the place for you. It's known for its hot springs, where waters are a toasty 85 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit—enjoy them from the comfort of a 19th-century bathhouse. There's also snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sleigh rides.
Sitka, Alaska
Winter can be a lovely time to visit southern Alaska. The pretty town of Sitka has a milder climate, which makes its winter festivals, such as the Sitka WhaleFest and Sitka Jazz Festival, all the more enjoyable.
Cape May, New Jersey
Don't forget about beach destinations in the winter. Picturesque Cape May is a Victorian-era resort town with a shop-lined main street that's particularly festive during the holidays. No, you probably won't be spending much time on the beach, but you can book a stay in a cozy B&B.
Taos, New Mexico
You might not think of New Mexico as a ski destination, but there's plenty of powder on the slopes at Taos Ski Valley, which has an average annual snowfall of 176 inches.
Littleton, New Hampshire
Littleton is surrounded by skiing, but there's plenty to do in town too. The quaint spot is home to the world's longest candy counter, as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records (it's 112 feet long!), and a variety of funky boutiques. Stop by the Littleton Diner for brunch, then mosey over to the Schilling Beer Co. for local brews.
McAdenville, North Carolina
For more than six decades, McAdenville has transformed into "Christmas Town U.S.A"for the holidays, with decorations, lights, and celebrations throughout town. Their famous Yule Log ceremony in mid-December includes a parade, singing, and a visit from Santa.
Skaneateles, New York
Set on one of New York's scenic Finger Lakes, the town of Skaneateles has a vibrant downtown with plenty of shopping, dining, and opportunities to sample local wine (this is a wine region, after all). For a winter treat, head out onto the lake for some ice fishing, or ski at Greek Peak Mountain Resort less than an hour away.
Frankenmuth, Michigan
While Michigan's Bavarian-style town is beautiful year-round, it leans into Christmas. More than three million people visit this small town of just 5,000 people, with many coming to enjoy the wintry festivities, from sleigh rides to a Christmas tree light show. Oh, and did we mention Frankenmuth is home to the (self-proclaimed) world's largest Christmas store?
Bozeman, Montana
Skiing, skating, snowshoeing—Bozeman has it all, plus a charming downtown. If you're hankering to try a new sport, why not give ice climbing a go? Hyalite Canyon is one of the best places in the world to ice climb, but make sure you hire a guide to teach you the ropes.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Yes, the Pennsylvanian city of Bethlehem is named after the biblical one, so it should come as little surprise that they call themselves the Christmas City! Home to several seasonal Christmas markets and an outdoor ice rink downtown, a twinkling Winter Light Spectacular is just a 30-minute drive away.
Asheville, North Carolina
Winter is a special time of year in Asheville. Kick off the season with the National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn, take in the dazzling lights at the North Carolina Arboretum, and revel in holiday splendor at the iconic Biltmore Estate.
Telluride, Colorado
It doesn't get more scenic than the National Historic Landmark District of downtown Telluride—just look at that mountain backdrop behind the old-school buildings! If you're in the mood for outdoor adventure, the town has everything from low-key sleigh rides to high-adrenaline heli-skiing.
Williamsburg, Virginia
Learn all about American history at historic Williamsburg, particularly at Colonial Williamsburg's living history museum, which gets quite dolled up come December. Time your visit right and you might be in town to experience a few flurries—though Williamsburg only gets a few inches of snow each year, the town is full of holiday cheer.
Frederick, Maryland
Less than an hour outside of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Frederick is home to the annual Maryland Christmas Show, a holiday market hosted at the city's fairgrounds. It also hosts an event called Museums by Candlelight each December, during which—you guessed it—visitors stroll through museums by candlelight. Finally, for travelers with kids, be sure to book a ticket on the Walkersville Southern Railroad's Santa Train.
Nampa, Idaho
Nampa, a suburb of Boise, is renowned for its residents' Christmas light displays. It's not necessarily an organized event—the residents simply feel the festive spirit. There are, however, organized tours hosted by the town that take visitors to the most impressive displays.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
For some 50 years, the summer town of Nantucket has hosted an annual Christmas Stroll, during which carolers sing, Santa pays a visit, and revelers walk about town with jolly spirits (there may be some mulled wine involved for adults). A season of essentially zero crowds means wide open beaches for additional strolls and off-season pricing on accommodations. Win-win!
Lake Placid, New York
It's all about winter sports in this former Olympic town. Try your hand at bobsled, skeleton, or luge, or keep it more relaxed with some snowshoeing or après-ski.
Solvang, California
Located just two hours north of Los Angeles, Solvang isn't your typical winter destination. It is a Danish-style town all the same, and in the spirit of European cities, it has a very festive holiday season. The half-timbered buildings are decked in lights, an ice-skating rink pops up in town, and carolers entertain with song.
Crested Butte, Colorado
The resort town is particularly scenic in the winter, not only for its slopes but also for its festivities—New Year's Eve, most of all. Its ski and snowboard instructors wind down the mountain in the annual Torchlight Parade, which is capped off with fireworks. The parties continue into the evening with live music.
Port Townsend, Washington
Halfway between Seattle and Victoria, British Columbia, as the crow flies—a two-hour drive from Seattle, in other words—Port Townsend is the perfect winter weekend getaway. Its relatively mild Pacific Northwest temperatures work well for exploring the historic downtown or going on hikes around the Olympic Peninsula.
New Hope, Pennsylvania
During Christmastime, New Hope feels like a Hallmark movie. Children can meet Santa and Mrs. Claus on a magical "North Pole" train ride, families can enjoy holiday shows at the Bucks County Playhouse, and adults can listen to jazz at the Tavern at New Hope Winery.
Helen, Georgia
Georgia has a German-inspired town too. Helen's perfect Alpine architecture captures the spirit of a winter wonderland, even if the state doesn't see much snow. Holiday traditions range from a traditional Christkindlmarkt to a village lighting ceremony and a Christmas parade.
Ogden, Utah
Just north of Salt Lake City, the suburb of Ogden sits at the base of the Wasatch Mountains. Unsurprisingly, there's excellent skiing nearby at the Snowbasin Resort, and the historic downtown is home to the Christmas Village and the Holiday Electric Light Parade.
Bernville, Pennsylvania
Since 1948, the Koziar family of Bernville has turned their farm into a winter wonderland for neighbors and friends to enjoy. As their one-of-a-kind festive display grew ever larger over the years, so has their fanbase.
Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Steamboat Springs checks all the Colorado boxes: skiing, hot springs, and a picturesque downtown. For the best views, hike to Fish Creek Falls, a 280-foot-high waterfall that freezes each winter. Or, take a hot air balloon ride to get a bird's-eye view of the landscape.
Jackson, Wyoming
You can experience a bit of the Old West in downtown Jackson, a charming little city with breathtaking natural scenery. You're close to both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park here, so don't miss your chance to visit both during your stay. Winter activities range from dog sledding to soaking at Granite Hot Springs Pool.
Mystic, Connecticut
When Santa comes to Mystic, he travels by tugboat! His arrival is followed by another Mystic tradition: the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, which celebrates the town's nautical heritage.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is no small town, but catch the neighborhood of Over-the-Rhine at the right time—say, during a snowstorm—and it has the vibes of a small 19th-century city.
Whitefish, Montana
Whitefish stands out among ski resorts for having so much space that it hardly feels crowded. If you're looking for some extra solitude, head out for some cross-country skiing and other adventures in Glacier National Park.
Bend, Oregon
Spend the holidays in Bend, where the Old Mill District is illuminated with Christmas lights, and the Tower Theatre puts on the festive Swingin' Tower Christmas show. For more fun, consider going snowshoeing, skiing, or spirits-tasting at Oregon Spirit Distillers or Crater Lake Spirits.
Lahaska, Pennsylvania
Just down the road from New Hope is Lahaska, where you'll find the very merry Peddler's Village. During the holiday season, you can enjoy fine dining, peruse more than 60 shops, and take a spin on a 1920s carousel, all against a backdrop of one million (!!) sparkling lights.
Sandwich, Massachusetts
Cape Cod may have a stronger rep as a beach destination, but it's gorgeous in the wintertime! The town of Sandwich is one of the oldest on the Cape, incorporated in 1639, and its scenic boardwalk is a must-visit, no matter the season.
Ouray, Colorado
Known as "the Switzerland of America," Ouray does offer the quintessential activities of a good Colorado mountain town, such as skiing and hot springs. It's also one of the best places to go ice climbing in the country.
Woodstock, Vermont
With covered bridges, skiing, and the holiday-themed Wassail Weekend celebration, Woodstock is a bucolic town with a traditional American Main Street—and it looks particularly lovely when it's covered in snow.
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