8 Unexpected Places to Go for the Holidays

This holiday season, consider giving yourself the gift of adventure. That might mean experiencing the Hallmark movie charm of a new-to-you small town, or discovering the off-season delights of a favorite national park. Of course, you could also try your hand at ice skating, snowshoeing, or—if you’re feeling really adventurous—swimming with whale sharks. 

These eight destinations put an unexpected twist on holiday getaways, whether they’re a less-crowded alternative to a nearby hotspot, an otherwise-packed place that’s practically deserted in winter, or simply a more creative option than the typical Santa-and-sleigh-bells scene.   

Experience a flurry of frozen pursuits in Fairbanks, Alaska.

If the cold never bothered you anyway, head to this central Alaskan city to check beaucoup wintery activities off your bucket list. In town, the Winter Solstice Festival (Dec. 13–20) offers a windfall of delights including a holiday bazaar, walks among downtown’s decorated trees, dog sled rides, fireworks, and more. At nearby Running Reindeer Ranch, romp with reindeer through a snowy boreal forest as lifelong Alaskan Jane Atkinson chronicles the history of human-reindeer relationships and waxes rhapsodic about the ruminants’ incredible biological adaptations.

An hour outside Fairbanks at Chena Hot Springs Resort, soak up the healing minerals of a 100-plus-degree lake by day or under the spectacular night sky. Also onsite, marvel at the Aurora Ice Museum’s ice sculptures, then sip an appletini from an ice glass amidst the purple and blue glow of the ice bar. For an even more breathtaking spectacle, take a guided excursion with the resort or Fairbanks Aurora Tours to photograph the aurora borealis.

Swim with sea creatures in Baja, Mexico.

’Tis the season for watching gentle giants swim around the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. From December to early spring, you can snorkel with whale sharks from La Paz on Baja’s eastern side. Swim alongside these gorgeously speckled filter-feeders in turquoise waters on a two- to three-hour boat trip with La Paz VIP Tours. The same company can whisk you to Isla Espíritu Santo National Park to cavort with a sea lion colony and feast on ceviche from a beach beneath cardon cactus-studded mountains. In La Paz, don’t miss the Christmas market (“tianguis navideño,” 2025 dates TBD) for live music, churro and elote stands, and artisan crafts. 

On the western side of Baja, Magdalena Bay Whales guides boat tours to see humpbacks from mid-November to early January and friendly, interactive gray whales from early January to late March. And if “learn to surf” is on your holiday wish list, several operators school newbies in riding the waves off the west coast of Todos Santos.

Ski, skate, and create in Yosemite National Park, California.

When Yosemite turns into a frosty fantasyland, tourists become thin on the ground, but activities and amenities remain abundant. At Badger Pass—one of only three lift-serviced skiing areas inside a U.S. national park—you can zoom down an array of beginner- and intermediate-friendly runs, plus score wallet-friendly equipment rental and lift ticket prices. If you prefer to take things slow, glide along 90 miles of cross-country skiing trails or snowshoe with a ranger on occasional free guided walks. 

In Yosemite Valley, hike among hoarfrost-covered trees and powder-blanketed boulders to Lower Yosemite Falls, Mirror Lake, and Vernal Falls. Ice skate in Curry Village on an alfresco rink where families have been twirling in the shadow of Half Dome since 1928. Then cozy up with gingerbread-making or snow globe-crafting classes at Tenaya Lodge.

Find peace on Earth at Arches and Canyonlands National Parks in Utah.

If you dream of escaping the season’s frenetic consumerism and your soul yearns for the poetry of vast open spaces, seek solace in these neighboring national parks in eastern Utah. The weather will be chilly, with highs between 30 and 50 degrees and lows from 0 to 20. But it’s often sunny, and the crowds vanish in winter. So in Arches National Park, you may find yourself alone as you commune with Delicate Arch, amble Devils Garden Trail to North America’s longest natural arch, and contemplate the beauty of rusty sandstone beneath a powdered sugar dusting of snow. 

In Canyonlands National Park, cruise the Island in the Sky scenic drive, then saunter along the Grand View Point trail to panoramas of maze-like chasms and frosted mesas. Moab, the gateway to both parks, settles into a refreshingly untouristy rhythm in winter. But many restaurants and shops hibernate, so be sure to plan ahead, especially on holidays.

Have a Hallmark-worthy holiday in Carson City, Nevada. 

Thanks to its vintage vibe and snowcapped mountain backdrop, Carson City has starred in two Lifetime Christmas rom-coms: Once Upon a Main Street and Feliz NaviDAD. Even if you don’t kindle a romance in Nevada’s capital, you can enjoy heartwarming activities and heartpumping adventures. During the Silver and Snowflake Capitol Tree Lighting on Dec. 5, watch historic buildings get illuminated, listen to kids sing carols on the Capitol steps, and zip around downtown on a free electric sleigh ride. 

For an even cozier experience, don your pajamas, board the Polar Express train, and sip hot cocoa as you watch a live performance of the Christmas tale on a nighttime journey to “the North Pole.” Train enthusiasts have quite a bit to choose from, actually: The Nevada State Railroad Museum also hosts a Santa Train event the first three weekends in December. If you’re up for a more active holiday experience, rent snowshoes from BlueZone Sports and crunch along King’s Canyon trail to an icy waterfall, or trek Mount Rose Wilderness for views of sparkling Lake Tahoe. Then thaw out in the steamy waters at Carson Hot Springs.

Savor a smorgasbord of events in Cottonwood, Arizona.

This charming town puts visitors in the center of several seasonal events in Verde Valley wine country and Sedona. On Dec. 6, Cottonwood presents an irresistible pairing: Christmas cheer and chocolate. The morning kicks off with the Christmas Parade, featuring floats, fancy cars, farm animals, and authentically dressed mountain men. In the afternoon, the Chocolate Walk gives ticketholders (hint: reserve in advance) the chance to stroll through colorfully decorated Old Town, nibbling on handcrafted truffles and other treats.

A bonbon’s throw away in Clarkdale, the Verde Canyon Railroad chugs to Santa’s workshop and a glittering village on The Magical Christmas Journey. On Dec. 13, nearby Camp Verde hosts Christmas Magic on Main, including a craft bazaar and parade of glowing floats. Throughout December, see what Fort Verde State Historic Park would have looked like during Victorian era Christmases. Half an hour from Cottonwood in Sedona, the luminaria-lit Tlaquepaque shopping village hosts a Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 5 and a menorah lighting on Dec. 14 to honor the start of Hanukkah.  

Savor culture, cuisine, and mountain scenery in Bolzano, Italy.

Home to Italy’s largest Christmas market, this gateway to the Dolomite Mountains tantalizingly combines the cultures of Italy and Austria. At Bolzano’s Mercatino di Natale Christmas market (Nov. 28–Jan. 6), peruse around 100 wooden stalls brimming with ornate beer steins, alpine essential oils, and other handcrafted gifts. Munch on panini stuffed with gooey cheese and speck (Germanic bacon), tuck into canederli (bread dumplings in broth), and warm up with vin brulé (Italian mulled wine). Meander the medieval arcades along Via dei Portici, and ice skate on the rink in Piazza del Municipio. In the South Tyrol Museum of Archaeology, meet Ötzi the Ice Man, the 5,300-year-old mummified murder victim discovered in Italy’s Ötztal Alps. 

In the nearby spa town of Merano, steam in the Terme Merano thermal baths, then explore another charming Christmas market and ice skating rink. In Tires, just east of Bolzano, catch a scenic cable car to skiing and snowboarding runs in the dramatic Dolomite Mountains.

Sail to a handful of Hawaiian islands.

Around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, prices for flights, hotels, and car rentals in Hawaii skyrocket, while reservations fill up well in advance. A cruise can help you avoid the holiday planning headache and may even reduce the cost, particularly if you want to see a few islands. Cruise lines offer an array of opportunities to get your aloha on. For example, Princess sails from San Francisco on a 16-day journey to Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. The voyage features excursions such as a helicopter flight over Kauai’s Napali Coast, a Pearl Harbor tour, snorkeling with sea turtles, and visits to volcanoes. Holland America departs from San Diego on a 17-day odyssey to three Hawaiian islands and Ensenada, Mexico. Optional side trips include exploring a cloud forest sanctuary, spotting humpback whales from an inflatable boat, driving the waterfall-strewn Hana Coast, and more.