Travel Guide: Best Places To Go In December in The USA

Following your passion for travel to the locations on your bucket list, ending the year with a bang is everyone’s dream right now. Especially after the horrifying times, we have faced in the past year, a grand ending is essential. Check out these best places to go in December and have an unforgettable experience. 

 

These warm places in the USA will not have you cross-checking your plans as per the Covid-19 restrictions and will also help you beat the winter blues. After all, in the frosty winters during the month, warm winter vacations are all the escape we need. 

 

Best places to go in December in The USA

 

The United States of America is not just an enormous country; it is a dream for us, a dream of our founding fathers, a dream of our future generations. Of course, there are wide variations in climate as well. 

 

Usually, the southern parts and the western parts of the country offer you warmer winters compared to the other parts. These regions are pleasant and soothing to visit and are not scorching during December. 

 

Considering everything, you can wear t-shirts in some of these locations, with very comfortable conditions almost everywhere. 

 

The key here is to explore locations beyond the continental US to look for a comfortable December vacation. 

 

1. Oahu, Hawaii 

 

 

The top spot on the list goes to Hawaii. And if you are planning to go to Hawaii, do pay a visit to Oahu. While Honolulu is the biggest city there, you have to consider other attractions as well.

 

Oahu is the most memorable and unique location for your December vacation plans. The prime reason is that Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is also celebrated in December.  

 

There are parades, plenty of activities at the memorial and in the museum. And, if you are looking to go to the USS Arizona Memorial visit as well, reserve your entry well in advance. It is very easy when it comes to booking options for accommodations as well. 

 

If you are into surfing, Oahu is great for you because the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing happens every year in December. 

 

What to do when in Oahu?

 

1. Kayak at the Kailua Beach 

2. Take an ATV tour at the Kualoa Ranch 

3. Spot turtles at the Mokulela Beach Park

4. Hike uphill the trails of Hauʻula Loop

5. Watch surfers perform their magic at the Banzai Pipeline.

 

What should I eat in Oahu?

Some of the items you should not miss when in Oahu:

 

1. Loco Moco

2. Laulau

3. Poke

4. Poi

5. Malasadas

 

Where to stay in Oahu?

 

The best hotel and accommodations for couples:

 

1. Four Seasons Oahu resort

2. Kaimana Beach Hotel

3. Paradise Bay Resort

4. Coconut Waikiki Hotel

5. Shoreline Hotel Waikiki

 

The best hotel and accommodations for larger groups and families:

 

1. Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort

2. Turtle Bay Resort

3. Aulani Disney Resort

4. Moana Surfrider

5. Halekulani

 

The best hotel and accommodations for solo travelers:

 

1. The Equus

2. Mokule’ia Beach Houses at Owen’s Retreat

3. VIVE Hotel Waikiki

4. Backpackers Vacation Inn

5. Courtyard by Marriott

 

2. Honolulu, Hawaii 

 

 

Another paradise in Hawaii is Honolulu. If you are hell-bent on visiting this amazing city while on your trip to Hawaii, extend your Oahu vacation and visit Honolulu as well. 

 

It is an ideal location for all kinds of foodies and people who enjoy festivities, including the Honolulu City Lights. 

 

The Honolulu City Lights festival is a month-long celebration, starting at the beginning of December. It includes all kinds of family-friendly activities, parades, traditional tree lighting, and so much more.

 

Honolulu is one of the best places to go in December and a perfect winter vacation spot for people looking to sunbathe and check out festivities in one place.

 

What to do when in Honolulu?

 

1. Top contender on the list, check out the fantastic Honolulu City Lights festival. 

2. Stroll through the Chinatown Winterwalk all through the month 

3. Run it off at the Honolulu Marathon

4. Enjoy the enthralling holiday pops from the Symphony Orchestra 

5. Support the local artisans at the Ko’olina Artfest

6. Visit the Waimea Beach to witness the magic of the Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational

7. Pay a visit to the Bishop Museum 

8. Be blown away by the Victoria Warn Garden Lights 

9. Visit the Museum of Art 

10. Check out the former Hawaiian monarch’s residences 

11. Get all you want at the Kalakaua Avenue 

12. Chill out on the south shore of Waikiki

13. Pay homage to the father of surfing, Duke Kahanamoku’s statue

14. Have a feast in the Kapahulu neighborhood

15. Be awestruck by the panoramic views of Honolulu from the Diamond Head

16. Hike the lighthouse 

17. Grab some beach sand to take back home at the Makapuʻu Beach

 

What should I eat in Honolulu?

 

1. Affordable Hawaiian plate lunch with meat, fish, and rice 

2. Shaved fresh fruit Ice 

3. Enjoy Poke, an extremely popular variety of fresh fish in Hawaii. 

 

Where to stay in Honolulu?

The best hotel and accommodations for couples:

 

1. Prince Waikiki

2. The Kahala Hotel & Resort

3. Trump International Hotel Waikiki

4. Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort

5. Lotus Honolulu at Diamond Head

 

The best hotel and accommodations for larger groups:

 

1. Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort

2. Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach

3. Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort

4. Halekulani Hotel

5. Sheraton Waikiki

 

The best hotel and accommodations for solo travelers:

 

1. Hotel Renew

2. Ala Moana Honolulu by Mantra

3. Vive Hotel Waikiki

4. Paniolo at the Equus

5. Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach

 

3. Orlando, Florida 

 

 

The obvious one on the list, Orlando is a fantastic option to visit during your winter vacation. The magic of Florida speaks for itself. 

 

And, if you are looking for the best places to go in December in Florida, visit Walt Disney World. You will be taken back to the fun-filled childhood days, where you had no care in the world and life was a lot easier. 

 

November through December, crowds in Florida are smaller as compared to the summertime, so if you are looking to have some extra fun at Disney world, this is the time! You can spend time with Santa, making his rounds at the parks there, and enjoy Disney Springs with your loved ones. 

 

When you are tired of having all the fun at Disney World, you can indulge in some delectable food at the Epcot International Festival during the holiday season. 

 

The temperature in Florida during December is around 63 degrees and can often drop to almost 50 degrees, so make sure you are carrying a few layers as well. 

 

What to do when in Orlando?

There are plenty of things you can do in Orlando instead of just going to Disney World. You can:

 

1. Walk in the magical streets of the Harry Potter universe at the Universal Studios.

2. Check out the Grinchmas at the Islands of Adventure 

3. Visit the Kennedy Space Center 

4. Hop on the i-drive trolley and to the other end

5. Have the best skydiving experience at i-Fly 

6. Check out the exhibits at the Orlando Art Museum 

7. Enter the world of Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

 

What should I eat in Orlando, Florida?

 

Give your bellies the experience of shrimps, fresh seafood, key lime pie, and of course, Harry Potter’s Butterbeer. 

 

Where to stay in Orlando?

The best hotels and accommodations for couples:

 

1. JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes

2. Waldorf Astoria Orlando

3. Avanti International Resort

4. Loews Portofino Bay Hotel

5. Disney's Yacht Club Resort

 

The best hotels and accommodations for families and larger groups:

 

1. Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress Near Disney 

2. Eco-friendly backyard bungalow

3. Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld

4. Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge

5. Marriott's Lakeshore Reserve

6. Sheraton Orlando Lake Buena Vista Resort

 

The best hotels and accommodations for solo travelers:

 

1. Element Orlando International Drive

2. Comfort Suites Maingate East

3. Quality Inn At International Drive

4. Wyndham Garden Orlando Universal 

5. Avanti International Resort

 

4. Savannah, Georgia 

 

 

Savannah boasts a charm like no other location in the USA, with comfortable temperatures all around the year and a pleasant 60-65 degrees in December. 

 

Savannah is Georgia’s oldest city, making it one of the most popular and best places to go in December. When in Savannah, you will see the old-school charm of cobbled streets, manicured gardens like Forsyth Park, the antebellum architecture, and much more. 

 

You can learn so much about the state’s role in the civil rights movement at the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum on Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. 

 

A stroll along the beach is what you need during the evenings in Savannah to rejuvenate your soul. And while you are at it, you can learn local history, hop on the boat parade and go around the town when it oozes festivities. 

 

Regardless of the month you visit, you will be welcomed with a positive experience at Savannah, “hostess city of the south.” 

 

What to do when in Savannah?

 

1. Hit the stores at the Broughton Street 

2. Watch 40 vessels lighting gup and sailing together at the boat parade

3. Experience the extraordinary riverboat cruise on the Savannah river 

4. Learn more about Savannah at the Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum 

5. Hop on and off the trolley to some of the best places in Savannah

6. Spend time on the bizarre 2-hour tour in the US’s most haunted city

7. Be at peace at the Forsyth Park and the Fragrant Garden 

8. Learn more about the local culture at the PinPoint Museum

 

What should I eat in Savannah?

 

Popular delicacies you should not miss on your visit to Savannah are shrimps, grits, fried green tomatoes, peaches, pies, and pralines. 

 

Where to stay in Savannah?

The best hotels and accommodations for couples:

 

1. Bohemian Hotel Savannah Riverfront

2. The Cotton Sail Hotel

3. Eliza Thompson House

4. The Gastonian

5. Hamilton-Turner Inn

 

The best hotels and accommodations for larger groups:

 

1. The Jules

2. Tybee Vacation Rentals

3. Luxe on Jones

4. Sid Was Here Short Term Rentals

5. Lucky Savannah Vacation Rentals

 

The best hotels and accommodations for solo travelers:

 

1. Kehoe House

2. Surf Song Bed & Breakfast

3. The Inn on West Liberty

4. Savannah Marriott Riverfront

5. The DeSoto Savannah

 

So, with this, we wrap up the list of some of the best places to go in December. Just carry your good vibes, look out for covid-19 restrictions, and book these best places for the perfect winter vacation; you shall be good!