Travel was back with a bang in 2022, and if you haven't yet made your holiday travel wish list, we've made one for you! It's not too late to book a ticket, hop on a plane or jump in your car on your way to one (or all!) of these must-visit destinations offering some of the best holiday events of the season.
Denver
A visit to the Mile High City during the holidays will surely make your winter wonderland dreams come true. Catch the Polar Express Train Ride at the Colorado Railroad Museum and stop by the zoo to see more than one million lights across 80 acres. Check in for the night at The Curtis, but the fun won’t stop there. Located in the heart of Denver, the property boasts 13 floors of hyper-themed rooms, including a Marvel Suite on the “Superhero” floor, a “Barbie” suite and even a Ghostbuster suite. Pop culture comes to life at this eclectic hotel!
Alabama
Birmingham: Catch a show at the Alabama Theatre while in Birmingham and take a stroll through the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Holiday Story Walk. Just a short drive from downtown Birmingham is The Valley Hotel, located in a picturesque tree-filled landscape. The hotel offers a “home away from home” feel and is the perfect place to stop in for the night.
Huntsville: Head to Northern Alabama and check out one of Huntsville’s beautiful Christmas tree farms or visit Candlelight Christmas at Burritt on the Mountain. Spend the evening at 106 Jefferson, the only Huntsville hotel with a rooftop lounge and panoramic city views. Built on the historic site of the former Huntsville Hotel, 106 Jefferson is an art-forward property that pays homage to the history, culture and charm of the emerging city.
Washington, D.C.
Spending the holidays in the nation’s capital is sure to be full of rich history and culture. Stop to see the National Christmas Tree, shop around at the downtown holiday market or watch the holiday boat parade at The Wharf. As you make your way back to the heart of the capital, spend the night at The Kimpton Banneker Hotel. Named after Benjamin Banneker, a significant figure in the history of Washington, D.C., the contemporary-modern luxury boutique hotel offers guests the perfect place to relax after a day full of holiday festivities.
New Orleans
December is one of the most wonderful times of the year in New Orleans with unique traditions, heart-warming special events, and dazzling decorations around every cobblestoned corner. Even the streetcars and steamboats are decked out for the holidays. A highlight of the holiday season every year in New Orleans is the bonfires on the levee, built to guide Papa Noël (Santa Claus). Another spectacular yule time site is Candlelight Caroling in Jackson Square. Gather in front of America’s oldest Cathedral and sing beloved holiday songs with amateurs and professionals alike. While visiting New Orleans, visitors can stay at The Eliza Jane, an impeccably-styled boutique hotel at the crossroads of the French Quarter, Central Business District and Arts District in New Orleans. Inspired by 19th century local poet-turned-publisher Eliza Jane Nicholson, the hotel pays homage to the Crescent City’s tradition of storytelling. The Eliza Jane is also home to the French brassiere, Couvant and the lobby library bar, The Press Room.