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Simply because December is among the hottest months to journey doesn’t imply your vacation getaway has to come back with a sky-high price ticket. To uncover the place vacationers can get probably the most bang for his or her buck, we turned to Kayak, which analyzed flight and lodge searches from July 1 by way of Oct. 27, 2025, for journey between Dec. 1 to 31. “This 12 months’s knowledge reveals vacationers don’t must spend huge to get away,” stated Kate Williams, Kayak’s journey developments professional and chief communications officer. “Inexpensive choices span the U.S., from Myrtle Seashore to Denver and Chicago. We’re seeing some flight and lodge packages beneath $300.” Whether or not you’re chasing sunshine or snow, these locations show that the right December escape doesn’t must break the bank: Actually, most of them clock in at beneath $500 for flights and motels.
Myrtle Seashore, South Carolina
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Common Price: $268 for flight and lodge
Myrtle Seashore proves you don’t want snow to really feel festive. In December, guests can anticipate delicate 60-degree days and sunny skies. Whereas it might not be heat sufficient to sunbathe, it’s good for a bundled-up stroll alongside the well-known boardwalk, which transforms right into a nightly winter wonderland. There’s additionally the bustling Broadway on the Seashore buying and leisure complicated (do not miss Ripley’s Aquarium Pageant of Timber, which boasts over 50 themed timber), and the luxurious Brookgreen Gardens, which, come night, is dwelling to glowing Christmas lights. Afterward, cozy up with traditional Lowcountry consolation meals: shrimp and grits, she-crab soup, and buttery biscuits at native favorites like Sea Captain’s Home or Hook & Barrel.
Atlanta, Georgia
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Common Price: $456 for flight and lodgeÂ
Come December, Atlanta is chock-full of vacation cheer—a lot in order that it’s almost unimaginable to be bored, particularly in December, which provides charming vacation markets, glittering mild shows, and dwell performances to the combination. Lace up your skates on the Skate the Station rink at Atlantic Station, wander by way of the Atlanta Botanical Backyard’s Backyard Lights, Vacation Nights spectacle, or browse native items (and a cup of glühwein) on the Atlanta Christkindl Market. For much more festive enjoyable, head about half-hour exterior the town to Stone Mountain Park, the place greater than two million lights, a nightly parade, and a great deal of family-friendly sights await.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Common Price: $466 for flight and lodgeÂ
For a enjoyable—and certain snow-filled—winter escape, pack your parka and head to Minneapolis. Town embraces the chilly with open arms, providing simply as a lot appeal indoors as out. Mall of America—the nation’s largest buying vacation spot—makes tackling your vacation checklist a breeze, whereas the Minneapolis Institute of Artwork delivers a dose of tradition and calm between snow flurries. Embrace hygge season on the 4 Seasons Minneapolis’ Nordic Village, the place you possibly can dine in your personal non-public cabin or sip seasonal cocktails within the candlelit lounge, aptly named The Lodge. Then, if you’re able to courageous the weather once more, bundle up for a stroll alongside the Mississippi River or by way of one of many metropolis’s snow-dusted parks.
Houston, Texas
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Common Price: $483 for flight and lodge
All the things’s greater in Texas—and that features the vacation festivities. December is a superb time to go to Houston, when the large mild installations, from the Houston Zoo Lights to the Sugar Land Vacation Lights, and festive markets pop up in almost each neighborhood, together with the SugarPlum Market and the Heights Vacation Market. Between buying, stroll by way of the illuminated shows at Discovery Inexperienced, or catch a vacation efficiency on the Alley Theatre.
Orlando, Florida
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Common Price: $495 for flight and lodge
Orlando’s theme parks go all out for the vacations. At Walt Disney World, you’ll discover seasonal parades like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Occasion, themed décor on Fundamental Avenue U.S.A. and all through the parks, and festive treats round each nook. Over at Common Orlando, the Grinch takes over Seuss Touchdown and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is reworked right into a snow-dusted dreamscape. Exterior the parks, discover festive mild reveals at Lake Eola Park, the place the towering Christmas tree and synchronized nightly lights draw crowds, or try close by Winter Park, which hosts the annual “Winter on the Avenue” kickoff, a ship parade alongside the lakes, and different seasonal gatherings.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Taylor McIntyre/Journey + Leisure
Common Price: $499 for flight and lodgeÂ
This vacation season, go huge or go dwelling in Vegas. Sin Metropolis pulls out all of the stops in December: Go to the Bellagio Conservatory’s winter show or skate above the skyline at The Cosmopolitan’s 4,200-square-foot rooftop ice rink. Early December is usually pleasantly delicate—assume mid-60s by day—and comes with lighter crowds earlier than the Christmas and New 12 months’s Eve rush, making it the right time to take pleasure in Vegas’s signature spectacle with out the frenzy.
Chicago, Illinois
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Common Price: $501 for flight and lodge
The Windy Metropolis might get a foul rap in winter, however in case you can courageous the chilly, you’ll take pleasure in fewer crowds, decrease charges, and a metropolis that actually shines throughout the holidays. Chicago goes all in on festive cheer—assume twinkling lights (about 1,000,000 of them!) alongside Michigan Avenue, the Christkindlmarket’s cozy European vibes, and ice skating in Millennium Park. Heat up afterward with deep-dish pizza, mulled wine, or a go to to one of many metropolis’s world-class museums. Additionally to not be missed: The rooftop at The Gwen Lodge transforms into a comfortable winter wonderland full with curling lanes, cozy seating, and fireplace cocktails overlooking Michigan Avenue.
Austin, Texas
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Common Price: $502 for flight and lodgeÂ
Texas’s capital metropolis is aware of the best way to preserve issues merry and vivid come December. Austin’s signature Path of Lights in Zilker Park transforms the skyline with greater than two million bulbs, whereas the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar blends vacation buying with Austin’s legendary arts and dwell music scene. And with daytime temperatures usually hovering within the 60s, it’s comfy sufficient to walk South Congress for last-minute items or sip scorching cocoa (or a margarita) beneath the celebs at spots just like the rooftop at El Alma or Upstairs at Caroline.
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