In the movies, Christmas is usually portrayed as a holiday celebrated at home—with Mom, Dad and kids all happily gathered around the Christmas tree surrounded by an abundance of gifts. I don’t know about you, but that type of idyllic scene isn’t exactly how my holiday played out.
Christmas can also be such a chaotic time of year, so my family and I very much prefer to travel over the holiday instead. Many great properties offer special activities and events for Christmas that will keep the whole family occupied and engaged during your trip. And even better: there’s no clean up involved! What is a better gift than that?
Here are our top 10 picks for a magical holiday celebration:
#1 – The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess
Scottsdale, Arizona
While located in the desert, The Fairmount Scottsdale Princess is transformed into a winter wonderland for Christmas. Featuring a four-story tree, Desert Ice Skating Rink, 2.8 million lights and a small cast of holiday characters, including Peppermint the Penguin and Santa Claus.
The perfect combination of holiday cheer and a warm climate, you can stroll through the grounds of The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and see both a 20-foot snowman and graceful swans floating on the water. There is also a petting zoo for the kids and the family-friendly S’mores Land, which features a Christmas campfire area complete with 7 fire pits and make-your-own S’mores kits.
#2 – Boca Raton Resort and Club
Boca Raton, Florida
Boasting their “Very Pink Boca Christmas” program, the Boca Raton Resort and Club has a 30-foot Christmas tree in the front Courtyard for all to see. Perfect for families, the Holiday Craft corner has “festive face painting, balloon artists, holiday ceramics painting” and a DJ to set the mood.
On Christmas Day, there are 5 on-site options for Christmas dinner, including family-friendly options and adult-only options.
#3 – Four Seasons Rancho Encantado Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Voted “Best City to Visit for Christmas” by Travel & Leisure, the city of Santa Fe is a holiday attraction in, and of itself. In December, Santa Fe comes alive for the holidays, combining traditions from Spanish, Native American and Old West heritage. While the December event calendar is brimming with events, Christmas Eve in the Santa Fe Plaza is a magical place, as thousands of farolitos, the luminous bags of candles, light up the city center.
The Four Seasons Rancho Encantado provides the perfect setting for experiencing an authentic Santa Fe Christmas holiday. Its “homey, calista-style guestrooms and suites feature stylish Southwestern touches, heated floors, wood-burning fireplaces and private terraces.” It’s the perfect place to unwind after a fun-filled holiday in town.
#4 – Keswick Hall & Golf Club
Charlottesville, Virginia
Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Keswick Hall & Golf Club sits on a picturesque 600 acres of well-tended grounds in Charlottesville, Virginia. Rooted deep in American history, Keswick Hall’s north wing is over 100 years old, as it was originally built in 1912 as an “Italianate-style estate, [then] converted to a country club in 1948, and restored in the early 1990s as part of the world-class hotel that now graces a most beautiful piece of Virginia countryside.”
Christmas at Keswick is not to be missed; there’s a whole host of events and activities available to individuals and families who visit for the holidays. They offer bi-weekly Christmas stories and s’mores, gingerbread house building, a holiday wreath workshop and Christmas caroling on Christmas Eve.
#5 – The Plaza Hotel
New York City, New York
There’s something pretty dreamy about Christmas in New York City—whether it’s watching people ice skating beneath the giant tree in Rockefeller Center or strolling through a snow-filled Central Park, NYC is the perfect backdrop for your family holiday. And what’s more New York than The Plaza Hotel?
“A Splendid Christmas at The Plaza” is a special package that the hotel is offering to guests for the holidays. The package is available for guests of the Hardenbergh Terrace Suite and the Royal Plaza Suite and offers fun for all-ages. In addition to a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park and VIP tickets to the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center, the package also includes Christmas gift delivery to your suite from Santa and VIP tickets to Radio City Christmas Spectacular.
#6 – Park Hyatt Beaver Creek
Beaver Creek, Colorado
When you book a holiday vacation at the Park Hyatt in Beaver Creek one thing is certain: you’re going to experience a white Christmas! The Beaver Creek Village Plaza is a fantastic place for kids of all ages to experience special holiday activities like parades, holiday lights, visits from Santa Claus and magical “Winderland” ice characters.
Back at the Park Hyatt, you can fill your days with such outdoor adventures as skiing, snowboarding and sleigh rides. Or enjoy some much needed self-care at the Allegria spa and let your body regenerate with the Aqua Sanitas Water Sanctuary.
#7 – Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch
Saratoga, Wyoming
Winter at the Brush Creek Ranch involves various adventures for people who love the great outdoors. The list of activities offered to guests at Brush Creek includes snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing, sledding and tubing, archery and ice skating—tough to feel bored with so many ways to stay occupied!
And this year from the holidays, you can “enjoy three daily meals including hearty feasts, inspiring happy hours and elegant dinners in our grand Trailhead Lodge and Brush Creek Ranch Saloon. Chef Collin & team will personally prepare refined and fresh Rocky Mountain inspired cuisine to comfort and refresh you as you come together with family and friends. Enjoy all beverages, including premium spirits, beers and open wine cellar access to compliment your stay.”
#8 – Sea Island/The Cloisters
Sea Island, Georgia
Fans of Dr. Seuss, rejoice! Sea Island turns their Beach Club into Who-ville, complete with the Grinch himself, as part of their Christmas festivities. “Adding to the celebration, Camp Cloister will offer classes dedicated to making Grinch ornaments, building Who-gingerbread houses, themed tie-dye, cookie baking, hat-making activities and special book readings. Sea Island will also encourage guests to grow their hearts three sizes this season by filling out and mailing a ‘good deeds’ postcard.”
#9 – Inn at Palmetto Bluff
Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina
Self-described as “a vibrant residential and recreational preserve enriched by wilderness and wildlife, unspoiled rivers and salt marshes, and the sounds and smells of nature,” the Inn at Plametto Bluff “allows people to experience the magic of the Lowcountry in its ultimate form.” The Inn itself is a collective of cottages and vacation homes that are both luxurious and homey.
This Christmas, get into the holiday spirit with an outdoor movie night in Palmetto Bluff’s Village Green. They’ll be screening Elf, and serving hot toddies and movie snacks for moviegoers. Arrive early to mix and mingle with Santa and reserve a beach chair. While there is a fee for admission, proceeds from the event will be donated to the Honor Our Heroes Foundation, which provides assistance to service men and women and their families through direct support and referral services.
#10 – Montage Kapalua Bay
Kapalua, Hawaii
What could be better than white sandy beaches for Christmas? Aside from the gorgeous accommodations at the Montage Kapalua Bay, they also offer plenty of options for a fun-filled holiday. Activities for the kids include “Santa’s Workshop,” where they can craft special mementos and holiday gifts, holiday stocking delivery straight to your room, a Santa Claus and Elf “tuck in”—complete with a bedtime reading of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas and cookies and milk.
On Christmas Eve, the Montage Kapalua Bay will be hosting a sunset beach party with Santa, which includes a hot chocolate bar and cookie decorating station. They will also be offering special menus on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at their beautiful Cane & Canoe Restaurant. You can’t go wrong with a Hawaiian Christmas!