Are holidays canceled due to the pandemic? Certainly not! The holidays are never canceled-never! Sure, holiday travel might look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean that the holidays are canceled. As a matter fact, individuals have even more reason to celebrate and be thankful for life in general.
Given the uncertainty and the unknowns of this challenging year, traveling abroad may be an ordeal for most people. Plus, most countries have strict protocols for any travelers so it might be best to stick to local tourism this year.
If you are intending on traveling this holiday season, the time to start planning your vacation is now. Most importantly you need to figure out a way to travel with the least amount of risk to others and yourself. What does this look like? Perhaps that might mean taking a longer road trip as opposed to a plane ride. Or maybe it means seeking out an airline that’s reducing capacity as a means of curtailing on-board crowding.
Either way, the bottom line is that you can still travel this holiday season- you just have to be super careful in the process. So if you are looking for places to explore this upcoming holiday season, here are 5 cool destinations to check out:
New York
New York is everything that you imagine it to be during the holiday season and more. The Rockefeller Center is at the heart of New York Christmas celebrations. The infamous ice rink has been around for decades and the tree decoration process has been a time honored tradition since 1932. As such, if you do find yourself in New York this holiday, the Rockefeller Center is not one to be missed.
Although you may not be able to witness Radio City’s annual Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes this year or explore Columbus Circle as vigorously as you’d like to, there are still plenty of holiday activities to look forward to in New York. Case in point, you can still expect the biggest fashion brands such as the Fifth Avenue flagships and other department stores in the city to set up striking Christmas window displays.
Chicago
Ah, the holidays in Chicago! As the year begins to wind down, Chicago morphs into a winter wonderland thanks to the countless wonderful events and decorations all over the city. If you do not mind braving the cold weather, check out the sparkly lights all over the city or stop by Macy’s to witness their 45-foot-tall tree which sparkles owing to its thousands of ornaments and LED lights decorations, in person.
If you want to break away from the holiday cheer (because let’s be honest it can get pretty daunting after some time) consider shopping around the city’s many stalls. There are also plenty of bars around the city just waiting for you to explore. If you do decide to go to Chicago, check out this list for the best hotel prices in town.
Vegas
The desert city has plenty to offer individuals that are traveling during the holidays. For instance, every year, horticulturalists at the Bellagio embark on a mission to design and construct some of the most beautiful sceneries that have been sculpted completely from flowers, plants and trees. The 14,000 square foot fairyland is exceptional especially during winter where the decorations help to add even more holiday cheer.
If you are traveling with the kids, stop by the Ethel M. chocolate factory which is one of the top holiday attractions for anyone visiting Vegas during the holidays. The garden is full of cacti and desert foliage that are decorated to the nines. While here, sit down at one of the benches as you enjoy the sights and listen to the local choirs belting out some of your favorite holiday tunes.\
When you are done, don’t forget to pass by the chocolate factory within the gardens to pick up some of the most delicious holiday treats you will ever taste. After you drop the kids off and put them to bed, perhaps consider painting the red town; it is still Sin City after all.
Honolulu
Expect Santa to show up in beach wear if you opt to celebrate the holidays this year in Hawaii. What the sunny state lacks in snow more than makes up for it in good vibes and happiness. The celebrations in Honolulu are typically centered around the Honolulu City Lights, which is a month long event where everyone’s invited.
These festivities not only consist of lighting a 15 meter Christmas tree, but they also include an opening parade and lots of live music from local bands- it’s as magical as it sounds. You’ll want to keep your eye out for Shaka Santa donned down in red shorts and an open shirt, as well as his wife, Tutu Mele, as they take the town by storm.
Santa Claus, Indiana
Traveling with the tots this year and you want to astound and astonish their beautiful little minds? Then a trip to Santa Claus Indiana, the home town of Santa himself is a must. The holidays are a year-round occasion in this town which features less than 3,000 residents.
As such, if you are looking for a sparsely populated town that will allow you to maintain your social distance hustle-free, then this is a great option. Plus, the kids don’t even have to mail their letters in to Santa this year; they can deliver them in person to St. Nick himself,
Final Thoughts
Holiday travel may look a little different this year. But one thing for sure is that there is still plenty of wonderful destinations around the country waiting to be explored- that hasn’t changed even in a pandemic. If you are planning on travelling this holiday season, remember to keep in mind the regulations in place that are designed to keep you safe.
It’s hard to imagine the holiday season without any travel but in the midst of an unchecked virus on the loose, it is clear that we cannot carry on as usual. This means that when traveling around the country, you will need to keep the social distancing guidelines in mind to keep both you and your family members safe. Happy travelling!
