Take a fascinating Christmas getaway with kids to create traditions that are just for your family

ENC News 18 Dec 2025

Many people love being home for Christmas. But there’s something incredibly special about experiencing the holidays somewhere new.

And it’s great to take a Christmas getaway with kids. Your kids will remember that time you rode a horse-drawn carriage through lit-up streets way longer than they’ll remember what gift was under the tree.

Travel during Christmas also means you’re creating traditions that are just for your family.

There are a lot of wonderful Christmas destinations in the USA that actually work for families with elementary-age kids.

Leavenworth, Washington

Many Americans enjoy visiting Leavenworth on Christmas. Some of them say they went to Leavenworth on Christmas a few years ago and are STILL talking about it.

This tiny Bavarian village in the Cascade Mountains is hands-down one of the most magical Christmas places in the country.

Just picture this: half-timbered buildings covered in snow, over half a million twinkling lights, actual horse-drawn sleigh rides and the smell of roasted chestnuts everywhere.

The lights are on every night from Thanksgiving through February, but the Christmas Lighting Festival weekends are extra special with live music and Santa visits.

Trips to the Nutcracker Museum, sledding in Front Street Park and meeting Santa in the gazebo will be unforgettable for your kids.

St. Augustine, Florida

You want Christmas lights without freezing your nose off? Then St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights is calling your name.

This is the nation’s oldest city, and during the holidays, it transforms into an absolutely stunning wonderland with over 3 million white lights.

The display runs November 15, 2025 through January 11, 2026. The Light-Up Night ceremony on November 15 is spectacular, but honestly, any night is magical.

What is the best for elementary kids there? The trolley tours where everyone sings Christmas carols together, visiting the St. Augustine Lighthouse with 21 themed Christmas trees, and taking a boat tour to see the lights from the water.

The Nights of Lights Boat Cruise has over 193 five-star reviews and lets you see the lights from the water. There’s a family-friendly BYOB option that kids love.

And it’s actually warm enough there to enjoy walking around at night without seventeen layers.

Helen, Georgia

If Leavenworth is too far, Helen is your answer. This adorable Alpine village in the North Georgia mountains goes ALL OUT for Christmas.

It’s basically a storybook come to life, with cobblestone streets, German-style buildings, and enough Christmas spirit to make even the Grinch crack a smile.

Lights stay up through February 17, 2026. The Annual Lighting of the Village is November 28, and the Christmas Parade happens December 13. But the Christmas mood is just in the air all December and January.

Kids will certainly enjoy the Christmas Market, horse-drawn carriage rides through town, and tubing on the Chattahoochee River if the weather cooperates.

The cool activity is the Victorian Christmas at Hardman Farm, where actors in period dress share old-time holiday traditions.

Denver, Colorado

Americans say Denver knows how to do Christmas right.

They’re talking about authentic Christmas markets, the famous “I Love Christmas Movies” experience where you can watch classics like Elf at Gaylord Rockies, and enough holiday events to keep your family busy the entire trip.

The Polar Express, and ice skating and sledding at Skyline Park cause incredible delight among kids.

North Pole, Alaska (For the Ultimate Believers)

This one’s for the families who want to go BIG. We’re talking about an actual town called North Pole where the mayor is literally named Santa Claus.

The street lamps are shaped like candy canes on a road called Santa Claus Lane. There’s a 42-foot Santa statue. Kids can mail letters with a North Pole postmark. This is next-level Christmas magic.

December is for the full experience, but the Santa Claus House is open year-round.

Meeting Santa at the Santa Claus House, seeing the reindeer, and experiencing a true winter wonderland are an unforgettable delight both for kids and adults.

Asheville, North Carolina

Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is straight out of a storybook during Christmas.

The star of the show? The Biltmore Estate decked out in full holiday glory.

Touring the Biltmore mansion with its dozens of Christmas trees and garlands everywhere, watching Santa rappel down Chimney Rock (yes, really!), and riding the Holly Jolly Christmas Trolley through downtown always make a lasting impression on kids and parents.

Don’t miss: the gingerbread house competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn is legendary. Seriously, some of these creations are INSANE.

A few final thoughts

Well, Christmas travel with kids isn’t always Instagram-perfect. There may be meltdowns, missed naps, and moments when you wonder why you didn’t just stay at home.

But then your kids will see their first real Christmas market, or scream with incredible joy when they spot Santa at a parade, or simply hold your hand while walking past millions of twinkling lights.