As the Christmas season approaches, travelers and locals are looking for the perfect destinations to soak in the holiday spirit. Travel and Leisure magazine recently highlighted four Colorado towns that stand out as the best places to experience the magic of Christmas! (And we're honestly not surprised in the slightest.)
With their picturesque settings, vibrant holiday events, and warm community spirit, these towns offer an unforgettable holiday experience for visitors of all ages.
Travel and Leisure's 25 "Best Christmas Towns in the U.S." list included the following four Colorado towns:
- No. 1: Aspen
- No. 3: Vail
- No. 6: Breckenridge
- No. 18: Telluride
The magazine described the places on the list as charming and "seemingly plucked from a Hallmark movie."
Aspen came in at No. 1; the magazine called the mountain town as a "combination of luxe living and small-town charm makes this Rocky Mountain town one of the merriest in the country. "
Vail was ranked as the third-best Christmas town in the U.S., with Travel and Leisure saying, "December brings fresh powder, the village tree lighting, and New Year's Eve festivities. But Vail isn't just one of the best Christmas towns in the U.S.—it's also known for great coffee and cocktails."
Then, coming in at No. 6 was Breckenridge, which, like the others on the list, is well-known for its ski slopes. "Breckenridge gets revved up during the holidays as ski season swings into high gear," says Travel and Leisure. "The resort town dances between thrills and tranquility, and, during the month of December, festivities abound ..."
Finally, Telluride was ranked No. 18 on the list, with the magazine describing it as a "pleasantly quirky town whose flair becomes even clearer this time of year."
View the full list of the Best Christmas Towns in the U.S.:
- Aspen, Colorado
- Ogunquit, Maine
- Vail, Colorado
- Nantucket, Massachusetts
- Orlando, Florida
- Breckenridge, Colorado
- Lewisburg, West Virginia
- Beaufort, North Carolina
- Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
- Park City, Utah
- Santa Rosa Beach, Florida
- Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
- Santa Fe, New Mexico
- Newport, Rhode Island
- Annapolis, Maryland
- Paso Robles, California
- Healdsburg, California
- Telluride, Colorado
- Leavenworth, Washington
- Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- Cape May, New Jersey
- Charlottesville, Virginia
- Atlantic City, New Jersey
- Natchitoches, Louisiana
- Laguna Beach, California
Travel and Leisure also named Beaver Creek one of the best places in the world to go for Christmas this year. The magazine described Beaver Creek as a "picturesque ski village" with festivities for the whole family, including Christmas tree lighting, holiday movie nights, and cookie-baking competitions.
