Places to Visit in December & Things to Do
December is a month packed with holidays, including Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years, and for those who live in the northern hemisphere, thoughts on
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December doesn't have to be snowflakes and sweaters. Sometimes it’s watching the whales arrive on Maui, red rock lit by low winter sun, a warm porch in Florida, or music spilling into the streets of a Southern town. I went looking for places that felt like winter, just not the usual kind, places that slowed me down, surprised me, or made me forget what month it was entirely. These are the spots that stood out in the quiet stretch of the year. No sleigh bells required, just a little curiosity and a weekend bag.
Best Places to Visit in December:
Light and Stone in Page, Arizona
In December, Page felt like a secret. The crowds were gone, the air crisp but gentle, and the desert colors softened under the winter light. I drove into town with the windows cracked, red cliffs rising on both sides, the horizon stretched clean and wide. There was silence, but not emptiness. It was more like the land was waiting, patient and enormous. I pulled over at a lookout near Lake Powell and thought, “This is winter stripped to the bone, and it’s beautiful.”
Antelope Canyon was the reason I came, and it didn’t disappoint. I stepped into the slot canyon and everything changed. I felt cool air, shifting light, sandstone walls curving like fabric in motion. The sun filtered down in golden shafts, and for a moment, the world narrowed to shape and color and stillness.
What I Loved Most: The quiet was so complete it echoed. Even the wind seemed to slow down inside those canyons.
My highlight? Dinner at Big John’s Texas BBQ. I sat outside wrapped in a light jacket, the smell of mesquite smoke hanging thick in the air. I had the brisket plate ($16) that was tender, smoky, cut with a plastic knife like it didn’t matter. It came with cornbread and baked beans, and the whole thing tasted like warmth and road dust. I sat with a paper plate, watching the sky fade pink behind the cliffs, thinking, “This might be the coziest meal I’ve had without a roof.”
Plan your December trip:
- Location: Northern Arizona, near the Utah border
- Vibe: Desert calm, awe-inspiring scale, off-season solitude
- Best For: Canyon tours, scenic drives, winter hiking
- Weather: Highs in the 40s–50s°F; chilly but dry
- Cost: Moderate; Antelope Canyon tours ~$60–100; meals ~$10–20
- Tip: Book tours early, even in winter, Antelope Canyon fills up fast
Front Porches and Football Echoes in Tuscaloosa
The stadium was quiet when I arrived. No roar, no band, just the shape of Bryant-Denny rising above the city like a reminder. In December, Tuscaloosa exhaled. The students had mostly gone home, the tailgate grills were packed away, and the city felt more like a town. I walked the University of Alabama’s campus under bare oaks, red brick buildings lit with low winter sun, and thought, “This place isn’t resting. It’s recharging.”
Downtown had a soft hum. There were holiday lights strung across lampposts, shops still open but never rushed. I drifted into the Civil Rights Trail, reading plaques and tracing stories I’d only skimmed before. Tuscaloosa had layers, and December peeled them back gently.
What I Loved Most: The way the stillness gave you room to hear the stories, on buildings, in museums, even in the silence of the quad.
My highlight? Brunch at Heritage House Coffee. I had the sweet potato biscuit sandwich, fluffy, warm, filled with eggs, cheese, and just enough spice to catch your attention. The café smelled like cinnamon and espresso, and I sat near the window, fog still on the glass, thinking, “This is the kind of town that knows when to slow down.”
Plan your December trip:
- Location: West-central Alabama
- Vibe: Collegiate calm, quiet pride, soft winter pace
- Best For: Architecture walks, Southern food, Civil Rights history
- Weather: Highs in the 50s°F, cool and comfortable
- Cost: Budget-friendly; meals ~$10–20
- Tip: Walk the riverfront park at sunset because it’s peaceful and beautifully lit in winter
Hilltops and Holiday Lights in Huntington, West Virginia
I arrived just as the town was lighting up. Huntington in December wasn’t flashy, but it had a warmth you could feel. Strings of lights stretched across downtown, kids clustered around hot cocoa stands, and the scent of pine from street-side wreaths drifted on the air. I wandered up and down 3rd Avenue, soft music leaking from open café doors, thinking, “This is the kind of cheer that doesn’t need a soundtrack. It’s already here.”
Ritter Park was quiet, but the trees wore their lights like jewelry. I walked beneath them as the sky dimmed, passing joggers in fleece and parents pushing strollers in mittens. There was a calm to it all, like the town knew winter’s secret wasn’t in the cold, but in how you warm up to it.
What I Loved Most: The low-key holiday joy that was simple, sincere, and all around you.
My highlight? Dinner at Backyard Pizza and Raw Bar, where I ordered the wood-fired “Appalachian” pizza with smoked gouda, caramelized onions, and pork belly that melted under just a bit of char. It smelled like bonfire and spice. I sat near the oven’s glow, sipping hot cider and thinking, “This might be the coziest meal I’ve had all year.”
Plan your December trip:
- Location: Western West Virginia, along the Ohio River
- Vibe: Friendly, festive, neighborhood warm
- Best For: Small-town holiday charm, local eats, downtown strolls
- Weather: Highs in the 40s°F; coat weather, but not bitter
- Cost: Affordable; meals ~$10–25
- Tip: Check out the Winterfest events calendar because they add something new every year
Flavors and Flicker in Shreveport, Louisiana
The lights started early in Shreveport. They were stringed across rooftops, wound around fences, reflected in the Red River. But it wasn’t just about the holidays. There was something warm here in December that went deeper: smoky food, soul music echoing down the sidewalk, murals glowing under streetlights. “This place feels lit from within,” I thought, walking past the old Strand Theatre’s glowing marquee.
I ducked into a downtown gallery, then wandered toward the riverfront. Even in winter, the city had pulse. Neon signs blinked, jazz spilled from a side door, and the food smelled like pepper and something slow-cooked. Shreveport knew how to gather people, even on a cold night.
What I Loved Most: That mixture of grit and celebration because you could feel the city’s stories beneath your feet.
My highlight? Dinner at Orlandeaux’s Café, where I had a bowl of shrimp gumbo ($18) which was rich, smoky, spicy enough to warm your whole chest. The roux was dark and deep, the shrimp plump and fresh. I sat near a window watching lights flicker across the river, thinking, “Winter isn’t cold when dinner tastes like this.”
Plan your December trip:
- Location: Northwest Louisiana
- Vibe: Lively, soulful, festive with heart
- Best For: Food lovers, live music fans, light displays
- Weather: Mild; highs in the 50s–60s°F
- Cost: Moderate; meals ~$15–30
- Tip: Don’t miss the Christmas in Roseland light display at the American Rose Center because it’s stunning
Golden Light and Quiet Trails in Martinez, California
The hills rolled soft and gold as I pulled into Martinez, the kind of California light that looks like it’s been filtered through honey. In December, the air was cool but not cold, crisp enough for a jacket, gentle enough for wide open windows. The town felt tucked into itself. It was historic, a little hidden, and proud of it. I walked past old storefronts and iron balconies downtown and thought, “This place doesn’t announce itself. It invites you in slowly.”
At the waterfront, I followed a path beside the Carquinez Strait, the sun low and glowing behind tugboats and cranes. John Muir’s home stood nearby, wrapped in tall trees and the kind of stillness you can only hear when everything else fades. Martinez had the feeling of a place you could settle into for a while, even if you didn’t mean to.
What I Loved Most: The golden hour that seemed to last all afternoon. I also liked the way the landscape asked you to keep looking just a little longer.
My highlight? Breakfast at Copper Skillet Courtyard, where I ordered the corned beef hash ($17). It had crispy edges, soft center, served with sourdough toast and jam made by someone local. The whole place smelled like coffee and nostalgia. I sat near the heater on the patio, light on my shoulders, thinking, “This is how you ease into winter in California.”
Plan your December trip:
- Location: East Bay, northern California
- Vibe: Historic, mellow, nature-wrapped
- Best For: Trail walks, quiet town days, history buffs
- Weather: Highs in the 50s–60s°F; chilly mornings, sunny afternoons
- Cost: Budget-friendly; meals ~$10–20
- Tip: Visit John Muir’s home in the late afternoon because the light and shadows make it feel especially cinematic
Moss and Market Strolls in Brooksville, Florida
The oaks in Brooksville wore Spanish moss like scarves, soft and swaying in the warm breeze. December here didn’t feel like winter. It felt like a slower autumn that had decided to stick around. I walked through downtown just as the antique shops were opening, their doors creaking and wreaths rustling as people stepped inside. “This is Florida without the beaches,” I thought. “And it’s kind of perfect.”
There was history tucked into every corner, including Victorian homes, wraparound porches, and old citrus crates turned into café stools. The walking trails through Chinsegut Hill offered a wide view of the forest, and the breeze carried a scent of pine and orange peel. I didn’t feel like I was visiting a destination. I felt like I’d wandered into someone’s hometown, and they didn’t mind me being there.
What I Loved Most: The quiet holiday charm with wreaths on lamp posts, jazz playing softly from shop windows, and a pace that felt like the opposite of December rush.
My highlight? Lunch at Main Street Eatery, where I had Homemade Buzzard Breath Chili ($6.49). Everything smelled like someone’s kitchen, and I sat under a ceiling fan thinking, “This is how winter feels when it doesn’t need to prove anything.”
Plan your December trip:
- Location: Central Florida, north of Tampa
- Vibe: Small-town Southern, historic, unhurried
- Best For: Antiquing, gentle weather, quiet reflection
- Weather: Highs in the 60s–70s°F; mild and pleasant
- Cost: Affordable; meals ~$10–20
- Tip: Stop by the monthly farmers market if your timing’s right. It’s full of crafts, baked goods, and friendly hellos
Brick Walks and Southern Ease in Auburn, Alabama
Auburn felt like a memory before we even parked the car. There were brick streets, tall trees, a college town winding down for winter break. December gave it breathing room. I strolled through Toomer’s Corner, past shops still dressed for the holidays, the air cool and clean. Students had mostly gone home, and what was left felt calm and deeply local. “This town knows how to rest without sleeping,” I thought as I wandered past Samford Hall’s clock tower chiming into the quiet afternoon.
Even the football energy had softened, like it had given way to peppermint bark and coffee. I browsed the indie bookstore on Magnolia Avenue and sat with hot tea in a sunlit café while a slow playlist drifted through the air. Auburn moved gently in December, and it let you do the same.
What I Loved Most: That cozy, lived-in feel, like staying in someone else’s small town, where everyone already knows where the good soup is.
My highlight? Dinner at The Hound, where my husband and I shared Hound's Famous Meatloaf ($29). The smell of rosemary and seared meat hung in the air. I sat in a leather booth under warm lighting and thought, “This is comfort food with purpose, and maybe a little magic.”
Plan your December trip:
- Location: East-central Alabama
- Vibe: Southern charm, college-town quiet, holiday glow
- Best For: Slow weekends, good food, warm hospitality
- Weather: Highs in the 50s–60s°F; cool and pleasant
- Cost: Affordable; meals ~$15–25
- Tip: Visit the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art for a warm, quiet hour indoors (Free)
Boise at Midnight: Spud, Spark, and Community
“I didn’t expect a potato to feel so electric,” I thought as the giant spud lit up the sky above the Capitol. The crowd leaned in together, quiet, hopeful, as the countdown began. Boise didn’t feel wild. It felt warm.
Before the drop, I walked along vendor-lined paths near the stage. The scent of buttered potatoes and cinnamon drifted through the cold air. I grabbed a spud bowl loaded with garlic and chives. It was simple, hot, and exactly right. Nearby, snowboarders launched off a snow ramp, flames rising as they landed. The whole night shimmered with sparks and laughter.
What I Loved Most: The hush just before midnight, when even strangers stood still and watched together.
Plan your Idaho Potato Drop visit:
- When: December 31, events begin ~6 pm
- Where: Downtown Boise, near the State Capitol
- Vibe: Whimsical, family-friendly, upbeat
- Highlights: GlowTato drop, live music, ski rail jam, food trucks
- Cost: Free; VIP passes available
Sydney: Long Walks, and a Room to Come Back To
“I don’t need to see everything,” I told myself on day two, somewhere between a ferry ride and a café table in Surry Hills. Sydney moved quickly with its buses, boats, commuters in pressed shirts, but it never felt like it was leaving me behind. It gave me just enough space to move at my own pace. That was the gift of staying at 57 Hotel: knowing the city would be there when I came back, and I didn’t have to chase it.
What I Loved Most: Sitting by the window in my room at night, the skyline blinking through sheer curtains while the city breathed below me.
My highlights? I walked from Surry Hills to Circular Quay, cutting through Hyde Park, past sandstone buildings and jacarandas dropping purple petals onto the sidewalk. The Sydney Opera House felt smaller than I imagined, but no less graceful. At a café in The Rocks, I had sourdough toast with avocado, cherry tomatoes, and lemon oil. It was bright, creamy, a little peppery. The air smelled like eucalyptus and sea salt. Later, I rode the ferry to Manly just to feel the breeze. That night, back at 57 Hotel, I closed the blackout curtains and let the quiet wrap around me. Everything I needed was already done.
Plan your visit:
- Location: Sydney, based in Surry Hills at 57 Hotel
- Vibe: Coastal city meets everyday rhythm
- Best For: Solo travelers, walkers, first-time visitors looking for balance
- Don’t Miss: The Rocks, Circular Quay ferry ride, café mornings in Surry Hills, evening quiet at 57 Hotel
- When to Go: Spring or fall for mild temperatures and soft golden light
Maui in December: Warm Breezes, Whales & Winter Calm
“So this is winter,” I thought, stepping off the sand as the Pacific curled against my ankles. The air was soft, hibiscus-bright, and I felt the quiet gift of escaping cold mornings back home in NYC.
Fast forward a few years when we moved to the Big Island of Hawaii full time. While we lived there for 6 years, we took many trips to Maui, especially in December.
December in Maui carried a slower rhythm, holiday lights strung along palms, whales surfacing just offshore, families lingering by the waves.
What I Loved Most: Early walks along Ka'anapali Beach. The sky opened pink and gold before the crowds arrived. The ocean felt alive, steady, and endless.
My highlights? We usually took a mid-morning flight to Maui from the Big Island. We often stopped for lunch at Mama’s Fish House just 10 minutes from the airport. I loved their fillet of mahimahi stuffed with crab and baked tender, flavors of sea and earth mingling. The scent of lime and ginger rose from the plate.
After lunch we drove to Ka'anapali Beach or one of the three beaches at Kapalua. We either took the last flight back to the Big Island on Mokulele Airlines. Or we spent the night in West Maui. Napili Kai Beach Resort is a hidden gem there with a great beach and super friendly staff. Their Sea House Restaurant restaurant serves amazing dishes that are reasonably priced, especially for that high-end part of the island.
Plan your December vacation to Maui:
- Flight Time from West Coast: ~5–6 hours
- Vibe: Lush, festive, restorative
- Highlights: Road to Hana, Haleakala sunrise, snorkeling at Molokini, whale watching (December–April)
- Best Time to Visit: December offers warm weather (~70s–80s°F) and humpback whale season
- Cost: Beaches free; whale tours ~$75–$120; Haleakala sunrise permit $1
- Hours: Parks generally 7am–5pm; tours vary by provider
Warm Wind and Island Light in Puerto Rico
Stepping off the plane in San Juan, I felt it instantly. There was humidity, yes, but also joy. Puerto Rico in December is all rhythm: coquí frogs chirping at dusk, waves rolling into cobblestone coves, music trailing down alleys lit with holiday lanterns. The sun hit the pastel walls of Old San Juan and I thought, “This is December without the hurry with just color, sound, and sun.”
I wandered through the narrow streets past bright buildings and into history: forts, plazas, doorways framed in bougainvillea. The holidays here are long and full of celebration with parrandas, lights, roast pork, and laughter in every corner. It didn’t feel like a vacation. It felt like I’d been invited to a party that had already started, and everyone was happy I’d arrived late.
What I Loved Most: The island’s rhythm that was joyful, unfiltered, and deeply rooted.
My highlight? Dinner at Cocina Abierta, a modern Puerto Rican restaurant tucked into Condado. I had the mofongo which consisted of mashed plantains, garlicky and rich, topped with shrimp in a sofrito that smelled like tomatoes and sweet pepper. Each bite felt both familiar and brand new. I sat under soft lights, ocean air at my back, thinking, “This is what warmth tastes like in December.”
Plan your December trip:
- Location: San Juan and surrounding areas
- Vibe: Tropical, vibrant, welcoming
- Best For: Holiday festivals, beach breaks, cultural immersion
- Weather: Highs in the 80s°F; warm and humid
- Cost: Moderate; meals ~$15–35; no passport needed for U.S. travelers
- Tip: Try to catch a local holiday market or a parranda because they’re unforgettable
Christmas on the Upper West Side
“This neighborhood feels like a stage set,” I used to think, walking home past Lincoln Center lit with wreaths and garlands. Living on the Upper West Side at Christmas meant stepping into a world where every corner glowed. Storefronts were wrapped in lights, brownstones draped with pine, and the fountain at Lincoln Center were catching reflections of holiday gold.
What I Loved Most: Evening walks down Broadway, when the cold air carried the scent of roasted chestnuts from street carts. Music spilled from every doorway with choirs rehearsing, jazz clubs warming up, reminding me that in New York, even winter carried rhythm.
My highlights? Dinner at Café Luxembourg. I had roast chicken with crisp skin and tender meat, paired with potatoes that soaked up the savory juices. The aroma of thyme and garlic drifted from the plate, comforting and familiar. For dessert, a slice of chocolate mousse cake, rich but light, felt like the season distilled into sweetness. Sitting by the window, I watched bundled-up couples hurry past, their scarves trailing, the night alive with holiday promise.
Plan your Christmas in New York:
- Where to Stay: Upper West Side for quiet charm, Midtown for holiday bustle
- Vibe: Festive, nostalgic, theatrical
- Highlights: Lincoln Center lights, Columbus Circle Holiday Market, Central Park carriage rides, Broadway shows
- Best Time to Visit: December 10–25 for peak decorations and performances
- Cost: Window shopping and neighborhood strolls free; shows $50–$200; dining moderate to high
- Hours: Markets 10am–8pm; Lincoln Center performances vary by show
