15 Different and Fun Places to Spend the Holidays That Aren't Disney

Holiday traditions often leave families staying in (or visiting) the same place year after year. But what if you just want to get away? Use your kids' time off from school for a family vacation? Not deal with the stress of entertaining and keeping your house clean? Luckily, there are a ton of festive destinations you can escape to this holiday season that aren't the ever-popular Disney parks. From the city that never sleeps to the city that's known for chocolate, there are lots of great places across the US that you should add to your holiday vacation bucket list. If you're ready to unlock a different kind of magic this year, keep reading.

01
Great Wolf Lodge Snowland Adventure
Flickr user Mark Cameron

Great Wolf Lodge Snowland Adventure

Whether you live on the sunny West Coast or snowy East Coast, there are Great Wolf Lodges located across the country. During the holidays, they all transform into a magical Winter wonderland. You'll enjoy amazing decorations, visits from Santa, the North Pole University, and a life-size gingerbread house where the whole family can have dinner.

02
Hershey Park, PA
Flickr user Ben Ferenchak

Hershey Park, PA

If you're looking to get in the holiday spirit, Hershey Park has plenty of festive entertainment (and millions of bright lights) to bring you there. A trip to Hershey comes with cookie workshops, holiday-themed roller-coaster rides, and a display of over 200,000 lights that dance to Christmas songs everyone can sing along to. Plus, you can visit Santa and his nine live reindeer, including Rudolph!

03
Williamsburg, VA
Flickr user Jason Betzner

Williamsburg, VA

If you like old-fashioned holiday celebrations, you won't want to pass up Colonial Williamsburg during Christmastime. The Grand Illumination is an 18th-century custom display of fireworks and firing guns. You can also join carolers at the courthouse or enjoy a candlelit concert at the Governor's Palace.

04
Newport, RI
Flickr user Andrew

Newport, RI

Enjoy noncommercial holiday traditions like lantern walking tours, caroling lessons, and Christmas tea in Newport. The two-week celebrations start with a tree lighting complete with a Newport Artillery cannon salute. Saint Nick and Mrs. Claus then arrive by boat at Bowen's Wharf before heading for pictures at one of the festively decorated historic mansions. And in the holiday spirit of giving, the town also collects money for charities through its annual events.

05
Grand Wailea, Maui, HI
Flickr user Nancy Regan

Grand Wailea, Maui, HI

"'Tis the Season of Aloha" is the theme in Maui in December. You might be there for the waves and sun, but Santa will definitely still make an appearance. He arrives in a traditional outrigger canoe before the 25-foot Christmas tree is lit by local children.

06
Las Vegas
Flickr user Glenn Tokunaga

Las Vegas

Las Vegas is known for doing everything in style, and Christmas is no exception. The strip is full of holiday spirit as the casinos battle to have the biggest, greatest light displays, decorations, and Christmas trees. Plus, there are Christmas shows galore!

07
Cocoa Beach, FL
Flickr user Chuck Palmer

Cocoa Beach, FL

You might not get a white Christmas, but there's plenty of sand to build a sandman this holiday season in Cocoa Beach. You'll see surfing Santas, festive stilt walkers, and a beautiful boat parade that'll make this a warm holiday to remember.

08
Aspen, CO
Unsplash | Jakob Owens

Aspen, CO

Aspen at Christmas is truly a sight to see. Talk about a Winter wonderland! Hit the slopes, or participate in the annual Little Nell Tree Lighting ceremony, complete with hot chocolate, cookies, carolers, and a visit from Santa and his live reindeer.

09
Jefferson, NH
Flickr user James N

Jefferson, NH

Your little ones will love taking a trip to Santa's Village in Jefferson. Have some fun on roller-coaster rides, like The Little Drummer Boy and The Great Humbug Adventure. You can also visit Santa's Home for a picture and hit one of the many shops to get those last-minute gifts, like Snowball Mall or Fezziwig's Personalization Shop.

10
North Pole, AK
Flickr user Karen Gentry

North Pole, AK

If the name isn't enough to get you there, the town's holiday festivities should be. From ice sculpting contests to firework shows, the annual Winter Festival certainly draws a crowd. Don't forget to visit the North Pole Post Office on South Santa Claus Lane, where over 400,000 pieces of mail arrive and each is answered by some dedicated community volunteers.

11
Indianapolis
Flickr user The Children's Museum of Indiana

Indianapolis

Even if it's just to say you took a ride down the two-story slide during Jolly Days, Indianapolis is a festive holiday destination for the entire family. Sock-skating rinks, the symphony orchestra's Yuletide Celebration, and Jingle Rails, the wonderland of model trains that chug along 1,200 feet of track, are all must-dos.

12
Essex, CT
Flickr user Christopher Graham

Essex, CT

It's no surprise that a Hallmark movie, Christmas at Pemberley, was filmed in Essex. All you have to do is stop by Essex Station to get in the holiday spirit, where you can hop aboard the Polar Express for a nighttime journey to the North Pole.

13
Salt Lake City
Flickr user Jeremy Hall

Salt Lake City

The Dickens Christmas Festival in Salt Lake City is a unique holiday experience complete with fortune tellers, Olde English shops, and the real Father Christmas. The Hogle Zoo is also lit up with holiday light displays, and the Utah Symphony offers holiday-themed performances to remember.

14
Christmas at Sea
Flickr user chelenthamgirl

Christmas at Sea

Many cruise companies have dedicated holiday cruises that bring you several places. Santa will deliver presents to your cabin door on Christmas morning, and there are all sorts of holiday activities aboard the ship.

15
New York City
Flickr user Tom Rogan

New York City

From the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade to the New Year's Eve ball drop in Times Square, New York City is a happening place during the holiday season. The city is packed with sidewalk carolers, festive scenes in every department store window, and oh so many Santas! There's ice skating in Central Park and the famous tree lighting at Rockefeller Center, and don't forget to catch the Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show featuring the Rockettes.