Spending Christmas in the USA

Many Filipinos dream of having a white Christmas. We don’t have snow here in the Philippines and we grew up with the pictures of Santa Claus in his sleigh flying over snow-capped rooftops. So if ever you have the chance to travel this December, here are some of the best places to spend Christmas in the USA.

Best Places for a Christmas in the USA

So pack your bags, winter clothing, and passports and head to these fabulous places for the best Christmas in the USA.

Christmas Holiday in Stowe, Vermont

Stowe, Vermont is a small town with only 4,313 inhabitants. It is a recommended place for your best winter vacation. In the Stowe VT Snowboard School, you can take skiing and snowboarding lessons.

So when you think about booking your Christmas holiday, this is one of the special places to be. At the beginning of December there is a special three-day Christmas event with tree lightings, a lantern parade, wagon rides and Santa and his reindeers. Of course, you can also find carol singers. Plus, Christmas specialties are offered.

There a more than 30 standard and luxury hotels in town. And there is also Stowe Vacation Rentals close to the mountains. There are apartments, vacation houses, and private residences. The units vary from one to five rooms, kitchen, fireplace, spacious living areas, ski storage, washing machines and dryers, WiFi and parking. You can feel like home and enjoy the comfort and luxury of the Stowe Mountain Resort.

Christmas Holiday in Snowmass, Colorado

Snowmass Village is a small valley close to the very large Rocky Mountains. It has a long tradition as skiing resort since 1900. It is a special place because there live many artists, athletes, adventurers, and enthusiasts. You can find the most beautiful mountain peaks there and although it is still a small town, you can have a wonderful winter sports experience.

There are lots of activity in Snowmass Village. You will find concerts, festivals, events, and world-famous acts on Snowmass stages. It is known as America’s best known ski and snowboard terrain.

The Stonebridge Inn Hotel is near Aspen and it is a lovely place with 92 single and double rooms. It is a hotel with all amenities like restaurant and bar, outdoor pool, airport shuttle and breakfast option. It is next to the Snowmass mountains so it is perfect for skiing. The Snowmass shopping mall is nearby.

Christmas in Clearwater Beach, Florida

Clearwater Beach in Florida is famous for its incredibly white beaches and inviting waters. Caladesi Island is the north end of Clearwater Beach. In 2008, it was given the title, the “nation’s best beach”. So whenever you go to Florida, this beach is definitely worth a trip.

What people like in Clearwater Beach is the inviting atmosphere of a small town. When you go for a Christmas trip, you should not miss the dolphins in the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. It is perfect for your Christmas holiday because the place is so family-friendly. Moreover, there are great restaurants that offer best steaks or seafood for your Christmas dinners.

In the Clearwater area, there are seven towns nearby so you will find a lovely place for your accommodation. The Hampton Inn and Suites is a 14-storey hotel next to Clearwater Beach. It guarantees the best views plus shopping and entertainment within an easy walking distance. There is a huge variety of restaurants and bars nearby and of course you can also find everything inside the hotel. A clean and fresh bed, a hot breakfast in the morning, and air-conditioning can be found here.

Christmas in Clearwater Beach is perfect with a partner or when you have older children. There are lots of entertainment around and it will be an exciting Christmas trip, definitely.

Christmas in Yellowstone, Wyoming

Yellowstone is America’s first national park. You can find the most iconic landmarks and wilderness areas around here. When you watch the rock formations, you would really think that they are very special. The breathtaking canyons can be seen in Yellowstone’s wildlife as well as wild animals like bears, wolves, sheep, and American bisons. Wyoming is the state with the most exciting landscape and natural monuments.

For your Christmas vacation you can book a room or an apartment to spend some nice days with your family or partner. The Yellowstone Park Travelodge is just a mile away from Yellowstone where you can go hiking, canoeing, animal watching, and sightseeing. It is close to America’s historic landmarks.

The rooms in the travelodge have private bathrooms, 32-inch-flatscreens, Wi-Fi, and coffee machines. There are upgraded suites with kitchenettes, lounge, and private balconies. It is a lovely idea to spend Christmas in one of those upgraded suites because they are so comfortable for the winter vacation.

Christmas in Las Vegas, Nevada

If you want to have a very exciting trip with a good friend or your partner, you can visit the “Sin City” Las Vegas for your Christmas holidays. Las Vegas offers so much activity like gambling in the various hotel casinos. Or you can watch live entertainment like a concert, comedy, magic shows, or a circus.

Las Vegas is an incredible place because it is full of energy and spirit. You can drink, you can eat in a fancy restaurant, and make your day night. It will definitely be an unforgettable trip.

The Aria Resort and Casino is one of the huge hotels in Las Vegas with 4,004 rooms. There is a casino, 13 bars and 14 restaurants, a swimming pool, and a nightclub. If you like to wake up early, you can have breakfast there, too. The Park Theater and the T-Mobile Arena are nearby. There is a lot of activity in the hotel and of course you can visit all the interesting tourist attractions.

Information for International visitors

As a non-American tourist you must make sure in advance that you travel with an ESTA entry permit. It is a program for stimulating tourism industry. ESTA is for those travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries.

ESTA countries: are Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom.

Check ESTA Status: There are 38 Visa Waiver Countries. When you want to visit the USA and you are from one of those countries, you require an approved ESTA Travel Authorization. Visitors need to apply for it online in advance. There is a visa application fee of US$88.

Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program is a program by the US government, which enables citizens from 38 countries to enter the USA for business, medical, travelling or recreational reasons for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.

Note: This regulation was implemented on January, 12, 2009.