A great holiday getaway does not have to break the bank. The United States has many cities that celebrate the festive season with fun holiday activities, mild-to-magic winter weather, cultural ambience, and value-for-money options. If you are looking for Affordable Winter Getaways in December, these destinations will provide holiday magic for minimal cost. And from warm sunny beaches to cold snowy cities brimming with holiday lights, each destination can provide distinct adventurers and details for enjoyment while also taking care of your wallet.
We have taken the time to provide 10 Affordable Winter Getaways with why you should visit in December and what the highlights are.
New Orleans
Why Choose New Orleans For Your December Travel?
New Orleans is one of the best Affordable Winter Getaways because of its wonderfully mild temperatures, holiday events in December, and its cultural essence. In December, New Orleans celebrates Christmas holiday parades, riverfront holiday lights, decorated balconies, and even has seasonal menu offerings; all of which makes New Orleans a festive and Affordable Winter Getaways. I can’t think of a time when the lodging recommendations are this much less than Mardi Gras season, which makes for a good time to enjoy all the city has at a lesser cost.
- Top Iconic Landmarks: French Quarter, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, Mississippi Riverfront—these are all city highlights for sightseeing at zero to minimal cost with amazing holiday decorations.
- Lively Nightlife and Entertainment: The Frenchmen Street and Bourbon Street come alive with the holiday jazz and live music, plus you will find their vibrant nightlife all at an affordable price.
- Food Scene with Reasonable Costs: You can have gumbo, beignets, jambalaya, and special Réveillon dinners. Value-for-your-money food options local restaurants and cafés will help keep the food tab manageable.
- Family-Friendly December Fun: The holiday light display, fireworks on the riverfront, and lively, unique steamboat cruises have family-friendly fun without the high ticket price.
- Cultural Attractions: See the jazz museum, voodoo museum, and visit the beautiful Creole architecture as you enjoy the rich heritage of the city.
Ready to book your New Orleans trip? Check out top stays and offers here.
San Antonio, TX
Why You Should Visit San Antonio in December Travel?
San Antonio becomes one of the most magical Affordable Winter Getaways with its sparkling River Walk, warm weather, and throughout the month festive celebrations. December is a fantastic weather month in San Antonio and comfortable for walking, sightseeing, holiday parades, and visiting museums without the crowded experience or cost of larger cities you might be familiar with.
- Iconic Landmarks: The Alamo, Mission San José, and the River Walk are like nothing else in December with their stunning beauty and millions of beautiful twinkling lights reflecting off the water.
- Lively Nightlife and Entertainment:Your trip would not be complete without River Walk’s lively nightlife noise of live music and boat caroling along with open-air dining. Likewise, with bar loungues and night clubs, you won’t miss out on entertainment at an affordable price.
- Delicious Food Options at Unbeatable Prices: Enjoy Tex-Mex favourites, tacos, and mom-and-pop restaurants all at very reasonable prices. Market Square has great food deals.
- Family-Friendly December Events: Children will love the holiday boat parade, Zoo Lights, and seasonal performances in the downtown area.
- Cultural Attractions are In-Depth: Visit the Spanish Missions (a UNESCO site), local art museums, and Mexican heritage markets exposing the cultural depth of San Antonio.
Planning your stay in San Antonio? Find the best hotel deals here.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Why You Should Visit Las Vegas in December Travel?
Las Vegas proves to be one of the best-value Affordable Winter Getaways , with surprisingly low hotel rates, seasonal décor, and warm desert sunshine.
In December, Las Vegas features seasonal holiday performances (shows), winter markets, and much more exciting activities; ideal for the traveling public looking for holiday light experiences with a flair.
- Iconic Destinations/Context: Experience the holiday display at the Bellagio Conservatory, the Strip and Fremont Street Experience, and the Las Vegas Sign – which are mostly free.
- Energetic Nightlife & Entertainment: Nightlife remains vibrant in Las Vegas with clubs dance nights, live performances, rooftop lounges, and FREE street entertainment, during the month of December.
- Delicious Food Options at Unbeatable Prices: Delicious buffet, street food options, and even global inspired gastronomic experiences allow for a wide spectrum of dining opportunities, all at very reasonable (or budget) prices.
- December with Family Friendly Activities: Your kids will have a blast ice skating at either of the seasonal rinks, visiting a holiday garden, and strolling around Downtown Container Park and seasonal light shows.
- Cultural Attractions: You can visit the Neon Museum, Fang museum, and even visit art installations for reasonable prices to provide a cultural element to your Vegas getaway.
Denver, Colorado
Why Visit Denver in December Travel?
Travelers seeking snowy charm without the price associated with traditional ski towns, Denver is a perfect destination.
As one of the best Affordable Winter Getaways, Denver guarantees holiday markets, fresh winter air, picturesque views, and indoor/outdoor fun at reasonable prices.
- Iconic Landmarks: Union Station lit up with holiday decorations, Civic Center Park, and the State Capitol will provide beautiful winter backdrops.
- Party Vibe & Entertainment: Denver’s craft breweries, bars, and live music venues curb lively evenings without the price of cover.
- Food Scene at Reasonable Prices: For great hearty winter meals, feed your hunger at Denver’s global food halls, local taco shops, and cafes, all of which can handle any budget.
- December with Family Friendly Activities: Kids of all ages with enjoy the Christkindlmarket, the Parade of Lights, and the Denver Zoo Lights for seasonal winter fun.
- Cultural Attractions: Be culturally immersed in the Denver Art Museum, History Colorado Center; and RiNo Art District at little cost to you.
Atlanta, Georgia
Reasons to visit Atlanta in December Travel:
Atlanta’s temperate climate, festive lights, and abundance of culture make it the perfect choice for winter vacations on a budget. You are guaranteed to find a warm holiday spirit without the opulent price tag, as well as an abundance of free or inexpensive attractions.
- Famous Sights: you will need to stroll around Centennial Olympic Park, experience the holiday displays at the World of Coca-Cola, and explore the bright city lights in Midtown.
- Active Nightlife & Entertainment: Atlanta’s nightlife includes everything from hip-hop bars to rooftop lounges, comedy clubs, and live music; everything you want can be experienced without breaking the bank.
- Good Eats on a Budget: You can find the best soul food, Southern BBQ and globally inspired cuisine in Little Five Points and Buford Highway streets.
- Family-friendly things to do in December: Kids will absolutely love the Atlanta Botanical Garden holiday light show, Atlantic Station holiday village, and ice-skating rink.
- Cultural Attractions: visit places like the High Museum of Art, Civil Rights Museum, and the city’s historic districts, all of which contribute to Atlanta’s unique cultural significance.
Looking for affordable stays in Atlanta? Explore great deal here.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Reasons to Visit Salt Lake City in December Travel?
Salt Lake City is an often unnoticed but excellent Affordable Winter Getaways, featuring snowy scenes, holiday lighting displays, and mountain air quality. It is less crowded, picturesque, and generally cheaper than surrounding ski towns.
- Iconic Landmarks:Temple Square has millions of holiday lights decorating it. The Utah State Capitol Building and City Creek area are also lovely places to visit in the winter.
- Vibrant Nightlife & Entertainment:Experience the relaxing nightlife that Salt Lake has to offer from a cozy local bar to a local performance. There are inexpensive activities in the evening that are relaxing and enjoyable.
- Great Food Scenes at Reasonable Prices: You can sample local food, bakeries, and inexpensive coffee shops. There are lots of inexpensive dining choices around Salt Lake City.
- Family-Friendly December Activities: If you are seeking family-friendly activities in December, there are ice skating rinks, winter hiking, holiday gift market shops, and religious community festivals.
- Cultural Attractions: If you are looking for education-based activities for inexpensive day activities, check out the Natural History Museum, or Fine Arts Museum, or visit Mormon heritage sites.
Phoenix, Arizona
Reasons to Visit Phoenix in December Travel:
If you are looking for sunshine instead of snow, booking a trip to Phoenix is ideal, Phoenix is best Affordable Winter Getaways destination.
Slightly more than 300 days a year of sunshine, Phoenix is known as an affordable warm winter destination that provides travelers with mild temperatures to experience outdoor activities, desert scenery, and holiday events.
- Famous Attractions: Explore Camelback Mountain, Hole-in-the-Rock, Papago Park, and Downtown Phoenix, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery in December.
- Vibrant Nightlife & Entertainment: Phoenix has trendy rooftop bars, art walks, live music, and evening markets that are all engaging experiences but easy on the budget.
- Great Food Locations at a Sophisticated Price: Visit a food truck, breakfast truck, or local café, and you will certainly stumble onto delicious Mexican cuisines at a reasonable value.
- Family-Friendly December Activities: Zoo Lights, holiday parades, the botanical garden luminarias, and parks provide family-friendly options for December.
- Cultural Attractions: Nowadays, there are exceptional cultural attractions such as the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, and murals of Roosevelt Row made affordable.
Orlando, Florida
Why you should go to Orlando?
Orlando is an excellent choice for Affordable Winter Getaways as it features warm weather, festive offerings, and the ability to experience holiday magic without the exorbitant expenses of theme park ticket prices.
- Famous Attractions: Venture to Lake Eola Park, visit Disney Springs, stroll through Universal CityWalk or explore ICON Park, all of which are mostly free to visit with holiday ambiance.
- Vibrant Nightlife & Entertainment: Have fun at the rooftop lounges, and catch some live music bars in the area near the ICOW Wheel including its beautiful illumination at night.
- Great Food Locations with Sophisticated pricing: You can find diverse selections of food in Winter Park, Mills 50, and International Drive at a reasonably priced establishment.
- December Activities for Families: Capture incredible memories with your family with holiday light displays, Christmas parades, community festivals, and outside at local parks.
- Cultural Experiences: If you want to experience an arts and culture experience without breaking the bank, visit the Orlando Museum of Art or Mennello Museum of American Art, or create your own cultural experience in one of our local cultural districts.
Chicago, Illinois
Reasons to Visit Chicago in December Travel:
Chicago is a winter wonderland for visitors looking for an inexpensive & Affordable Winter Getaways for fun, and culturally-rich winter vacation that includes lights, markets, and fun.
- Famous Landmarks: Millennium Park, The Bean, Navy Pier, and the Magnificent Mile- you will see incredibly stunning places decorated for the holiday season reflected on every corner.
- Nightlife & Entertainment: You can experience the Chicago nightlife while enjoying the jazz bar, comedy clubs, rooftop lounges, and winter pop-ups, which after all you can experience without breaking the bank.
- Food Experiences & Affordable Food: This city has an incredible food scene that will provide you with a variety of food experiences that include cheap prices such as deep-dish pizza, Chicago hot dogs, local food halls, and ethnic options.
- Family-Friendly December Activities: Experience Christkindlmarket, skating at encore coffee at Maggie Daley park, or Lincoln park zoo, this unique event has everything your family will enjoy.
- Cultural Attractions: Enjoy the Art Institute, Field Museum of Natural History, or one of the cities.
Planning a trip to Chicago? Find the best hotel deals here
Washington, D.C.
Reasons to Visit Washington D.C. in December Travel?
Washington, D.C., is easily one of the more Affordable Winter Getaways destinations because many of the attractions, like the world-renowned Smithsonian Museums, are free! And there’s no better time to experience D.C. than in December when the historic capital is in full glow with holiday festivities and beautiful winter walks.
- Must-see: Be sure to visit the National Christmas Tree, Lincoln Memorial, U.S. Capitol, and monuments, all of which are beautiful in winter, with light that seems to glisten under sunny winter skies.
- Exciting Nightlife and Entertainment: Or experience live music venues, lively bars, seasonal pop-ups, and holiday markets throughout the city.
- Budget Dining Options: Eat from food trucks, relax at restaurants that serve global dining options in Adams Morgan, and check out Dupont Circle for moderately-priced dining options.
- Fun Family Activities for December: Visit the National Zoo Lights, Downtown Holiday Market, and ice skating rinks which are spectacular seasonal attractions.
- Cultural Experiences: Cultural experiences through the Smithsonian Museums, art galleries, and historic neighbourhoods are plentiful, a great education, and budget-friendly!
Looking for affordable stays in San Antonio? Explore great deals here.
Conclusion
Just because it’s December doesn’t mean you have to find a destination that costs a fortune or overcrowded holiday escapes. As this blog lays out, you can easily find some fun, Affordable Winter Getaways in the United States that feature festive ambiance, culturally rich backgrounds, famous sites, and value-added enjoyment. Whether you want warm sunshine, snowy streets, lively nightlife, or family-friendly activities, every destination has a unique combination of experiences at reasonable prices.
Combinations that make them appealing to tourists looking for memorable adventures without breaking the bank whether you want a long weekend or a short weekend.
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