40 of the Prettiest American Towns to Visit During the Winter

Leavenworth, Washington

Visiting Leavenworth might be the next best thing to visiting Germany at Christmastime. The town is modeled after a Bavarian village, featuring classic Alpine architecture, beer halls, even a nutcracker museum. You can also visit nearby ski resorts for some downhill action.

Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Established in 1653, Portsmouth is a quintessential New England port town located about an hour outside of Boston. In the winter, enjoy sports like fat-tire biking and ice-skating, followed by après- ski-style drinks in one of Portsmouth's many restaurants and bars.

Bar Harbor, Maine

As cute and charming as Bar Harbor is, it gets busy in the summer. You can take advantage of the cleared-out crowds in the winter, both in town—where you can, and should, enjoy some chowder to warm yourself up—and in nearby Acadia National Park.

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Rochester, Michigan

More than a million colorful lights adorn the storefronts of downtown Rochester in its annual Big Bright Light Show. Bundle up if you plan on walking the streets, though—otherwise, you might want to take in the sights from the comfort of your car as you drive around town.

Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Forget about the cold winter temps by heading for a soak in Glenwood Springs' eponymous hot springs. If you're willing to brave the weather, spend a day at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park or Sunlight Mountain Resort for thrill rides and skiing, respectively.

Park City, Utah

Park City has two famous draws in the wintertime: skiing and the Sundance Film Festival held every January. Don't miss out on an opportunity to ride the bobsled at Utah Olympic Park, which hosted the bobsled event during the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.

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Dunton, Colorado

If you're seeking somewhere a little slower paced than Colorado ski hubs like Vail, Telluride, and Breckenridge, Dunton is the place for you. It's known for its hot springs, where waters are a toasty 85 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit—enjoy them from the comfort of a 19th-century bathhouse. There's also snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and sleigh rides.

Sitka, Alaska

Winter can be a lovely time to visit southern Alaska. The pretty town of Sitka has a milder climate, which makes its winter festivals, such as the Sitka WhaleFest and Sitka Jazz Festival, all the more enjoyable.

Cape May, New Jersey

Don't forget about beach destinations in the winter. Picturesque Cape May is a Victorian-era resort town with a shop-lined main street that's particularly festive during the holidays. No, you probably won't be spending much time on the beach, but you can book a stay in a cozy B&B.

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Taos, New Mexico

You might not think of New Mexico as a ski destination, but there's plenty of powder on the slopes at Taos Ski Valley, which has an average annual snowfall of 176 inches.

Littleton, New Hampshire

Littleton is surrounded by skiing, but there's plenty to do in town too. The quaint spot is home to the world's longest candy counter, as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records (it's 112 feet long!), and a variety of funky boutiques. Stop by the Littleton Diner for brunch, then mosey over to the Schilling Beer Co. for local brews.

McAdenville, North Carolina

For more than six decades, McAdenville has transformed into "Christmas Town U.S.A" for the holidays, with decorations, lights, and celebrations throughout town. Their famous Yule Log ceremony in mid-December includes a parade, singing, and a visit from Santa.

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Skaneateles, New York

Set on one of New York's scenic Finger Lakes, the town of Skaneateles has a vibrant downtown with plenty of shopping, dining, and opportunities to sample local wine (this is a wine region, after all). For a winter treat, head out onto the lake for some ice fishing, or ski at Greek Peak Mountain Resort less than an hour away.

Frankenmuth, Michigan

While Michigan's Bavarian-style town is beautiful year-round, it leans into Christmas. More than three million people visit this small town of just 5,000 people, with many coming to enjoy the wintry festivities, from sleigh rides to a Christmas tree light show. Oh, and did we mention Frankenmuth is home to the (self-proclaimed) world's largest Christmas store?

Bozeman, Montana

Skiing, skating, snowshoeing—Bozeman has it all, plus a charming downtown. If you're hankering to try a new sport, why not give ice climbing a go? Hyalite Canyon is one of the best places in the world to ice climb, but make sure you hire a guide to teach you the ropes.

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Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Yes, the Pennsylvanian city of Bethlehem is named after the biblical one, so it should come as little surprise that they call themselves the Christmas City! Home to several seasonal Christmas markets and an outdoor ice rink downtown, a twinkling Winter Light Spectacular is just a 30-minute drive away.

Asheville, North Carolina

Winter is a special time of year in Asheville. Kick off the season with the National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn, take in the dazzling lights at the North Carolina Arboretum, and revel in holiday splendor at the iconic Biltmore Estate.

Telluride, Colorado

It doesn't get more scenic than the National Historic Landmark District of downtown Telluride—just look at that mountain backdrop behind the old-school buildings! If you're in the mood for outdoor adventure, the town has everything from low-key sleigh rides to high-adrenaline heli-skiing.

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Williamsburg, Virginia

Learn all about American history at historic Williamsburg, particularly at Colonial Williamsburg's living history museum, which gets quite dolled up come December. Time your visit right and you might be in town to experience a few flurries—though Williamsburg only gets a few inches of snow each year, the town is full of holiday cheer.

Frederick, Maryland

Less than an hour outside of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., Frederick is home to the annual Maryland Christmas Show, a holiday market hosted at the city's fairgrounds. It also hosts an event called Museums by Candlelight each December, during which—you guessed it—visitors stroll through museums by candlelight. Finally, for travelers with kids, be sure to book a ticket on the Walkersville Southern Railroad's Santa Train.

Stefanie Waldek is a Brooklyn-based writer covering architecture, design, and travel. She's worked on staff at Architectural Digest, ARTnews, and Oyster.com, a TripAdvisor company, and has contributed to Condé Nast Traveler, The Washington Post, Design Milk, and Hunker, among others. When she's not dreaming about midcentury chairs, you can find her re-watching The X-Files, likely in an airport lounge or on a plane.

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