If you’re staring down a long winter and wondering the best places to visit at Christmas, let us put a few Midwest destinations on your bucket list! While the Midwest is worth visiting at any time, this region really shines during the holidays. With its mix of small towns filled with twinkling lights and traditions, and larger cities that put on world-class holiday celebrations, this part of the country captures the magic of the season in a way few other places can.
From snowy streets lined with festive displays to historic town squares hosting the most charming Christmas markets, the Midwest offers the perfect mix of cozy experiences in December. Some of the best places to visit at Christmas are already well-known, like Chicago with its Christkindlmarket and festive Navy Pier attractions, or Frankenmuth, Michigan, home to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. But there are plenty of hidden gems across the Midwest that make a December getaway unforgettable, too.
Towns like Galena, Illinois, with its holiday festival weekends, and Lanesboro, Minnesota, where you’ll find a storybook small-town Christmas, add to the list of must-visit Christmas towns. Whether you want to sip hot cocoa at a holiday market, enjoy a snowy carriage ride, or see dazzling light displays, the Midwest brings us some of the best places to visit in December. The only thing that can make your Midwest Christmast getaways better is to find lodging that’s as magical and vibrant as the season.
Our Midwest Bed and Breakfasts offer incomparable lodging across the region. With locally owned and carefully curated inns across the region, you’ll find authentic hospitality, elevated comfort, and stays that reflect the character of the Christmas towns you visit. From romantic, elaborately decorated escapes in historic inns to family-friendly lodging near Christmas markets and lit displays, our Bed and Breakfasts are your best resource for turning a holiday trip into a memorable Christmas getaway filled with warmth and wonder. Book your December getaways today!
Explore the Best Places to Visit at Christmas
The Midwest is filled with towns and cities that truly know how to celebrate the holiday season, making it one of the best places to visit at Christmas. From glittering cityscapes filled with festive markets and light shows to charming small towns that feel like they’ve been pulled straight from a Christmas card, there’s no shortage of destinations to explore. Whether you’re planning a romantic Christmas getaway, a family trip full of traditions, or simply searching for the best Christmas towns in the USA, the Midwest offers a mix of classic favorites and delightful surprises.
Our Favorite Christmas Towns This December
- Chicago, Illinois, is one of the best Christmas cities in the country. Chicago comes alive in December with the famous Christkindlmarket, the ZooLights at Lincoln Park Zoo, ice skating at Millennium Park, dazzling displays along Michigan Avenue, and so much more.
- Explore the smaller towns in Illinois and head to the historic town of Galena, Illinois. This historic town feels magical during the holidays and is one of our favorite December getaways. With its Night of the Luminaria and other holiday events, charming shops, and cozy restaurants, it makes for an unforgettable Christmas getaway.
- Duluth, Minnesota, is best known at Christmas time for the popular Bentleyville Tour of Lights. It’s one of the largest walk-through light displays in the nation, and is a Midwest Christmas favorite with Lake Superior views adding to the festive atmosphere.
- Stillwater, Minnesota, is one of the best places to visit at Christmas. This riverside town hosts Hometown for the Holidays, complete with horse-drawn carriages, decorated shops, and plenty of small-town Christmas charm.
- Frankenmuth, Michigan, often called “Michigan’s Little Bavaria,” is home to Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, the world’s largest Christmas store, and a festive downtown filled with holiday lights and traditions. Christmas in Frankenmuth is nothing short of charming!
- Holland, Michigan, offers European-inspired holiday markets, a dazzling Parade of Lights, and numerous cozy spots to warm up, making it one of the best places to visit in December in Michigan.
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is another one of the best places to visit at Christmas. Like Chicago, the city features its own magnificent Christkindlmarket, but it also brings festive holiday events and performances that make the city sparkle in December.
- If you’re looking for a little more of that small-town charm, one of the best places to visit at Christmas is Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin. This small Wisconsin town offers one of the best Midwest Christmas getaways with its Old World Christmas Market, festive dining, and beautifully decorated inns.
- When it comes to hidden gems for your Christmas getaways, don’t overlook the Amana Colonies in Iowa. This historic German settlement celebrates the holidays with candlelight tours, vibrant festivals, a holiday bazaar, and authentic traditions that will make this December one to remember.
- Known for its Dutch heritage, Pella, Iowa, hosts a Christmas tour of homes, festive decorations, and a welcoming downtown that makes it one of the best Christmas towns in the Midwest.
- We can’t forget Minneapolis, Minnesota. The city comes alive with sparkling light displays, festive markets like Holidazzle, and a lively mix of holiday shopping, dining, and cultural events that make it one of the best places to visit at Christmas.
- And, finally, don’t miss the chance to enjoy A Cedarburg Christmas in Cedarburg, Wisconsin. The town transforms into a holiday wonderland, complete with its charming downtown, festive lights, holiday markets, and cozy small-town celebrations, making it one of the best places to visit at Christmas.
Book Your Christmas Getaways in the Midwest
As you look through this list of the best places to visit at Christmas this year, there’s one other important consideration to consider: Your lodging. When planning a Christmas getaway, where you stay matters just as much as where you go. The Midwest Association of Independent Inns is the best resource for lodging in these festive Christmas towns, but we offer travelers something far more memorable than a traditional hotel.
Each Bed and Breakfast in our association is carefully inspected before becoming a member, and all of them reflect the character of their community. They offer visitors a true sense of place that is often lacking in modern lodging properties or vacation rentals, providing an authentic connection to the Christmas towns and cities you’ve come to experience. From historic homes filled with charm to modern boutique inns with luxurious touches, every stay at our Bed and Breakfasts feels personal and elevated.
Beyond cool buildings and interesting stories, though, what really sets these Bed and Breakfasts apart from hotels and vacation rentals is the attention to detail and the warmth of genuine Midwest hospitality. Innkeepers welcome you as if you were longtime friends, often serving home-cooked breakfasts, offering local recommendations, and adding special holiday touches that make your December getaway even more magical. Instead of cookie-cutter accommodations, you’ll find one-of-a-kind settings that match the spirit of the season.
Choosing to stay with one of our lodging properties means your Christmas getaway will be as unique as the towns you’re visiting. These properties not only elevate your experience, they also provide the personal service and cozy comforts that make holiday travel unforgettable. Whether you’re exploring the best Christmas cities in the Midwest or discovering hidden gems that celebrate the season in their own way, you can trust that your stay will be both exceptional and memorable. Book your stay today, and enjoy our unique combination of distinctive lodging and heartfelt hospitality.
