Mark Williams

Shopping for gifts at Christmas time is one of the time-honored traditions we love—but we also truly adore purchasing décor for Christmas itself, as well as yearly advent calendars and new ornaments. Christmas is a visual holiday, with its festive lights, red and white striped candy canes, fresh green garlands, spectacular trees and as many angels, gnomes, polar bears, cardinals and golden retrievers wearing giant bows as you can handle. It’s wonderful to accrue decorations that you pull out each year, each one with its own story of how you came to treasure it, but it’s also a huge boost to find something new to bring into the fold, whether it’s a tiny glass ornament for the tree or a pair of giant life-sized nutcrackers to stand guard at the door. Most Christmas stores are open year-round to give you a little dose of winter vibes even in the midst of your summer vacation, and we find that walking around to look at each over-the-top display puts us immediately in the Christmas spirit. Pipe in some carols, let the scent of evergreen boughs drift in, and we’re feeling as magical as we did when we were kids. And if you can’t visit in person, we also appreciate the enthusiasm with which many of these stores’ websites include a clock to countdown to Christmas. It only comes once a year, so we have to embrace the spirit of the season! RECOMMENDED: The best Christmas markets in the U.S.These spectacular Christmas cities in the U.S. go all out for the holidays

The most wonderful time of the year is finally approaching. As someone who grew up in a small town in upstate New York, I have an affinity for small towns during the holidays. While we all know major hubs like New York City and Chicago go full out during Christmastime, there’s something particularly dazzling about that quintessential small town charm. Whether it’s a cup of comforting hot cocoa from a local coffee shop or bakery, jolly music to enjoy while shopping for friends and family, Christmas light displays, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday markets, carolers and everything else that makes the holidays particularly magical, there are some hidden gems around the country to add to your radar. So, embrace the holidays in one of these Christmas towns in the U.S. that are perfect for experiencing a little (or a lot) of yuletide joy.

The age-old saying really does hold true: The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. Soak up the holly, jolly vibes at one—or more!—of our favorite Christmas cities across the U.S., which offer dazzling decor and plenty of holiday cheer via a slew of special events and activities like magical Christmas markets, impressive Christmas light displays or must-visit Christmas stores. Take North Pole, Alaska, for instance: At this aptly named city, visitors can check out the world’s largest Santa and walk down Kris Kringle Drive, outfitted with candy cane-striped street lights. Alternatively, make a beeline for Santa Claus, Indiana (yes, that’s really the name), where local “elves” volunteer at the post office to answer buckets full of children’s letters to Santa every year. Intrigued? You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that some of the best holiday destinations are closer to home than you’d imagine. From a seaside New England city with rich history to a charming South Carolina mountain town, keep reading to discover our favorite Christmas cities in the U.S.

Did you know that many of America’s most beloved cities are also haunted? To learn more about these destinations’ dark sides, consider signing up for a ghost tour. These frightening activities, which last anywhere from one to three hours, offer a thrilling combination of history, mystery and entertainment in one evening. Knowledgeable and engaging guides will be by your side as you explore many a haunted site—and perhaps even a cemetery or two, and, if you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it), you may even spot a ghost! The list below includes fascinating—and frightening—excursions in some of the country’s most populous cities, such as San Francisco, New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, along with smaller but equally spooky locales like Salem and Savannah. 

Some people consider cemeteries eerie places to visit, but in reality, they are often quite the opposite: serene and full of subtle beauty. Taking in a moment of zen on these sacred grounds is a welcome departure from the busyness of everyday life. Across America, the most beautiful cemeteries are also cultural and historical landmarks, drawing in visitors who come to appreciate the natural surroundings and prominent individuals resting beneath. In the Northeast, you can encounter some of the nation's oldest modern cemeteries that are the final resting places for American historical figures. Down south, take in enchanting moss-covered landscapes, like Savannah's Bonaventure Cemetery. And in the Midwest, stroll expansive sites such as Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, an urban forest with over 130 tree species. Each cemetery on our list has its own unique charm and beauty. Of course, these cemeteries can also be a bit spooky. Looking for more creepy fun? Whether it’s Halloween season or not, we recommend the best haunted Airbnbs and haunted hotels to fuel your nightmares—that is, if you can get to sleep—and for creepy ghost towns filled with the spirits of days gone by. 

If you love traveling and haunted houses, your ideal getaway may very well be an overnight in one of the best haunted hotels in America. Whether you're a skeptic or a die-hard believer, the allure of the paranormal and the intrigue of spine-tingling ghost tales are hard for anyone to resist.  The most haunted hotels in America range from historic inns to grand hotels, but all have stories passed down through generations of hair-raising encounters that defy rational explanation. Guests have reported hearing unexplained whispers or echoing footsteps in empty hallways, faucets or lights randomly turning and specific energies that will have you watching your back. From the iconic Stanly Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado, which served as inspiration for Stephen King's chilling novel The Shining, or the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, FL, which was a military hospital during World War II—each hotel has its own charm and eerie history. Many of these properties embrace their ghostly reputation and offer special packages or tours in October or year-round. Head to one of these hotels where the living and the dead coexist in...harmony? Their reputation may keep you up at night but that's part of the fun. Looking for more spooky travel? Try a stay at one of these haunted Airbnb listings, visit real-life haunted houses, or take a jaw-dropping ghost tour.

Small towns are all about your neighbors, and when big hearts are open on Main Street, everyone benefits. We’re happy to share this listing of the best small towns for LGBTQ+ folks in the U.S. because we know home is where we can be ourselves. In these small-scale burgs, gay-owned businesses abound—or maybe there’s just one, and that’s okay. Besides annual Pride celebrations, there are events around the rainbow community like drag shows, book clubs, and history tours. And if you’re not lucky enough to live in one of these towns, gay travelers are welcomed with gay-friendly accommodations. Time to book a visit! RECOMMENDED: 🌈 The best cities to celebrate LGBTQ+ rights🕺 The best gay clubs and bars in America

If you’re the kind of person who watches a slasher flick and thinks, “look at the bones of that house,” we’ve got good news: you can actually spend the night in the horror-fueled houses and haunted hotels used in your favorite scary movies. Whether you want to invite a sparkly vampire or swoon-worthy werewolf into Bella Swan’s Twilight home, pound a typewriter like Jack Torrance in multiple Shining hotels, or make an overnight pit stop at the infamous Texas Chainsaw Massacre gas station, these scary movie houses and filming locations are a great place to reenact iconic scenes and feel like a part of the movie. Just remember: axe murderers and ghosts aren’t part of the script! RECOMMENDED: real-life haunted houses in the USA