Santa Claus, Indiana
Consider Santa Claus, Indiana, the U.S. branch of the North Pole. The city is packed with holiday-themed businesses, including Santa’s Candy Castle; Santa’s Toys, which is located on a street called N. Kringle and brings out reindeer during the holiday season; and Frosty’s Fun Center, a pizza shop with arcade games. Visitors can learn about the history of Old Saint Nick and write letters to him at the Santa Claus Museum and Village. Even if you don’t have a chance to visit Indiana during December, you can still route your holiday cards through Santa Claus to get a special postmark.
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Coronado, California
The Hotel del Coronado lit the first outdoor Christmas tree with electric lights in 1904 and has been hosting enchanting holiday celebrations ever since. Guests and locals can strap on ice skates and glide across a beachfront Frosted by The Sea ice rink. The hotel also puts on holiday movies on the beach, Victorian teas, and gingerbread house workshops, and Elves are available to deliver gifts to kids. Stroll around the peninsula after sunset; homeowners go all-out with their holiday light displays.