If you're like me, the holidays are all about family. Since becoming a mom, nothing has brought me more joy than spending quality time with my family. For many of us, it can be hard to get everyone together. From grandma to your husband's great-aunt, who you only see once a year, to your best friend's parents, who you love but can't see enough of, there are so many people we want to see this holiday season. Finding fun things to do with the entire family can be tough with so many places to be and so much travel. Skipping out on holiday plans or squeezing in visits to multiple places can feel like you're losing out on time with the ones you love. If you are a tourist visiting the USA this Xmas, this article is for you. Here are nine things you should do in the USA this Xmas.
Get up close and personal with santa
If you haven't bought your tickets yet, don't fret. There are still a few spots left for the Seaside Heights Polar Plunge that has something for every family member. Get close and personal with Santa as he takes a dip into the freezing Atlantic Ocean on Saturday, December 9. Bundle up and take a walk on the wild side as you jump off the infamous "Jaws" ride and into Lake Carlisle, or simply watch from the boardwalk and cheer everyone on. Starting at $5 per person, this day offers something for everyone.
Orlando, Florida: Visit the theme parks
Orlando, Florida, is a top destination for families, and Orlando is home to Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, which will give your family the time of their lives. If you prefer to travel off the beaten path, check out some of our other things to do in Orlando.
Philadelphia, PA: Indulge in christmas markets
Philly hosts many Christmas markets this Christmas season, including Franklin Institute's Christmas Village market with over 140 vendors offering gifts, food, and activities for all ages! The Market will be open daily from November 26 through December 23.
Visit a small town in the USA.
You must not have heard about Downtown LA. You've probably read about places like The Hamptons or Miami or Santa Barbara or San Francisco. I get it. They're all great places that have a lot going on. So what's so special about Downtown LA? Well, I have a few opinions. Here are five things you should do in Downtown LA:
Candy canes
Missouri You can't have Christmas without candy canes, but you have to have the original ones. Head to Handmade Candy Cane Forest in Missouri for a tour of the sweetest place on Earth. This forest has enough candy cane colors to fill the stockings of the whole family.
New York City: See the city's best holiday displays
New York City is host to many holiday events that are sure to bring your family lots of holiday cheer. One of the events that shouldn't be missed is the Dickens Christmas Past exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art which features 14 scenes with characters from A Christmas Carol, including Tiny Tim, Mr. Fezziwig, Scrooge, and more!
Washington DC: Visit the cultural district
As a nation's capital, Washington DC is full of history and culture. Why not take your family to enjoy some plays by Shakespeare? The Folger Shakespeare Library will have plays inspired by our favorite bard until January 20.
Go white water rafting.
Utah, Arizona, and Idaho are home to a variety of white water rafting adventures. On the Green River, one of the scariest rapids is called "The Suck," where over a hundred rafters have been injured. Try the Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River, home to the famous Wave, if you want a more mellow trip.
Go to the beach
We all know the Caribbean is a tropical paradise, but people don't know that you can escape it all and go to the beach in the USA. Florida, California, and Hawaii are all places you should visit as they have amazing activities for Xmas such as surfing, paddleboarding, swimming, and other water sports.