Five storybook small towns for your 2026 winter holidays
Skip the crowds and the big-city chaos. From the adobe glow of Taos, New Mexico to the Bavarian lights of Leavenworth, Washington and the Victorian charm of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, the quiet harbor of Kennebunkport, Maine and the glowing old city of St. Augustine, Florida, these five small towns deliver snow, lights, cozy lodging and real holiday magic.
Best Days to Travel in December this year are 24th & 26th with 25 being off and celebrating.
Your 2026 winter small towns at a glance
Pick the mood that fits your holiday: Southwest mountain magic, an alpine Christmas village, a Victorian railroad town in the Poconos, a cozy Maine harbor or a warm Florida Christmas under the lights.
Taos, NM
Adobe luminarias, Taos Pueblo traditions and skiing in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.
Leavenworth, WA
A Bavarian village in the Cascades, lit up for the Christmas Lighting Festival.
Jim Thorpe, PA
The "Switzerland of America": Victorian streets, a historic train and Poconos snow.
Kennebunkport, ME
A quiet Maine harbor village: candlelit mansion tours, heated lighthouse dining pods and empty winter beaches.
St. Augustine, FL
The nation's oldest city glowing with about 3 million white lights, plus a 17th-century fort and warm beach days.
Holiday highlights, winter fun and how to plan
Visit Taos, NM
Plan this trip ↗🎄 Holiday highlights
- Christmas Eve luminaria and farolito walks around the Plaza
- Traditional Taos Pueblo celebrations (check visitor rules before you go)
- Cozy galleries, shops and green chile comfort food
⛷️ Winter activities
- Skiing and snowboarding at Taos Ski Valley
- Snowshoeing and scenic drives through the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
- Hot springs soaks after a snowy day
🏡 Plan your stay
- Book early: holiday weeks fill up quickly
- Pack layers; high altitude means cold nights and sunny days
- Fly into Albuquerque or Santa Fe and drive in
Visit Leavenworth, WA
Plan this trip ↗🎄 Holiday highlights
- Christmas Lighting Festival with a glowing downtown
- Sleigh rides, caroling and German Christmas markets
- Gingerbread, pretzels, mulled wine and hot cocoa
⛷️ Winter activities
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing nearby
- Tubing and snow play at local hills
- Riverside strolls through the lit-up village
🏡 Plan your stay
- Weekends in December sell out: book lodging early
- Check mountain pass conditions before driving from Seattle
- Park once and explore the village on foot
Visit Jim Thorpe, PA
Plan this trip ↗🎄 Holiday highlights
- Historic downtown decked out in Christmas lights
- Holiday scenic train rides through the Lehigh Gorge
- Boutique shopping, cafes and cozy pubs
⛷️ Winter activities
- Skiing and tubing at nearby Poconos resorts
- Winter hikes with frozen waterfall views
- Mansion and museum tours
🏡 Plan your stay
- Easy weekend trip from New York and Philadelphia
- Historic inns book up for holiday weekends
- Downtown is hilly: bring good boots
Visit Kennebunkport, ME
Plan this trip ↗🎄 Holiday highlights
- Candlelight Victorian Mansion Tours at White Columns
- Heated lighthouse dining pods at The Boathouse
- Christmas dinners at the White Barn Inn and Nonantum
⛷️ Winter activities
- Heated holiday trolleys at the Seashore Trolley Museum
- Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sleigh rides
- Free ice skating at the Waterhouse Center
🏡 Plan your stay
- Book dinners 2–4 weeks ahead
- Many restaurants close on Christmas Day
- A car is essential; winter inn rates run 30–50% off
Visit St. Augustine, FL
Plan this trip ↗🎄 Holiday highlights
- Free Nights of Lights walks every evening
- Christmas Market at the Colonial Quarter (through Dec 24)
- Nights of Lights boat and trolley tours
⛷️ Winter activities
- Walk the ramparts of Castillo de San Marcos
- Climb the St. Augustine Lighthouse
- Beach days and carriage rides at dusk
🏡 Plan your stay
- Free parking and shuttles on Nights of Lights days
- Book boat tours and Asado Life weeks ahead
- The Castillo is closed on Christmas Day
Plan your 2026 winter small-town getaway
Tell us which town calls to you and we will help you build a cozy, stress-free holiday itinerary.
Estimates and program details change. Confirm accommodations directly with airports, airlines and hotels before you travel. This guide is informational and not medical advice.