Christmas is one of the most joyous seasons of the year. Although most people spend it with families or friends, it doesn’t have to be celebrated with others. I have spent Christmas in several different places around the globe including a solo Christmas in Panama City. 

If you find yourself alone this year or you choose to spend the festive time by yourself, there are plenty of destinations in the U.S where you can enjoy the festivities solo. And they don’t have to be expensive to travel to either if you check Omio for travel options. Whatever your reason for being solo this year, here are some recommended places to spend Christmas alone in U.S. 

Places To Spend Christmas Alone in U.S.

1. New York City 

New York City is one ideal place for solo travel in the United States to spend Christmas alone. New York has many great restaurants, bars, clubs, museums, shows, and attractions. You'll have no problem finding something fun to do. At Christmas, New York is lively both during the day and at night. The nightlife offers a chance for solo travellers to meet other solo travellers. If you want to get out of the house, visit the New York Rockefeller Center, witness the iconic Christmas tree, and go ice skating at the Winter Village at Bryant Park. 

Christmas is not complete without decorated trees, festive colours, and plenty of lighting and this city definitely offers all of these. New York City is filled with Christmas decorations in the streets and malls, providing a festive spirit of making merry and fostering new friendships with locals and other solo travellers. To really get into the festive season, you can also attend church at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine to listen to the choir singing timeless carols. 

At night you can visit the New York Botanical Garden or the Brooklyn Botanic Garden to unwind as you walk through the after-dark illuminated Glow Gardens filled with colourful, beautiful LED festive lights and cool music. Or if you love cocktails, you could stop by the Loreley Beer Garden to celebrate Christmas with a spirit or two. * Discover everything to see and do in NYC or read my article below.

* Read more: Free Things To Do in New York in 24 Hours 

2. Alaska, North Pole 

For a white Christmas, Alaska is a good place for solo Christmas travel as Alaska is always cold and covered in snow with huge decorated trees. Being the North Pole, it’s the place to really get into the festive spirit especially because Santa Claus is a big deal here. Fairbanks in Alaska is the hometown of the Santa Claus House that you can visit any time of the year. 

You get to meet Santa and take souvenir photos with Father Christmas for visiting Alaska during the festive seasons. Alaska provides beautiful landscapes to explore shopping malls and markets like the Juneau Public Market for unique Christmas gifts. * Discover what to see and do in Alaska 

3. Asheville, North Carolina 

Asheville is the ideal place for a winter getaway especially if you love winter sports. There are endless outdoor activities such as winter hiking, snow tubing, and snowboarding and it has incredible views of Bearwallow Mountain. Asheville is also ideal for solo travel as you can relax in the Salt Spa and enjoy some salt therapy and massage in this peaceful retreat. 

See the decorations in Biltmore Park Town Square and Biltmore Village, or for art lovers, be enchanted at the open air walk-through light show at the North Carolina Arboretum. 

Another reason for visiting Asheville at Christmas is to take a ride on the Polar Express, the iconic steam train that runs over the Christmas period. The 70-minute journey takes you through the wilderness as you enjoy a warm cup of cocoa and sing Christmas carols. It is popular with families but who says you can’t go solo? * Discover what to see and do in Asheville

4. Orlando, Florida 

Just because it’s Christmas doesn’t mean that you need to celebrate it somewhere cold. A green Christmas is an equally exciting way to spend this time of year. You should try it if you want a different experience from the traditional white Christmas. Orlando is a fun place for solo travel at Christmas. It has a milder winter for starters so you can experience outdoor activities and if you want to visit a theme park, you can! 

This city in Florida has everything during the Christmas season, from festivals such as the Festival of Trees to parades and ice skating. If you enjoy shopping, local designers create custom handmade decor and tabletop displays and decor that you can take home for your next Christmas! * Discover everything to see and do in Orlando or read my solo article below.

* Read more: Things To Do Alone in Orlando 

5. Los Angeles 

Los Angeles is a city with a vibrant vibe at Christmas and a destination for the movie solo You'll love visiting the Hollywood sign, walking around downtown, and taking in a show at various venues around the city. Plus, there are plenty of shopping options, dining spots, and activities to keep you busy. Embrace your ‘Pretty Woman’ at Rodeo Drive, even if it’s just a spot of window shopping at the Christmas displays. 

A visit to LA is not complete without visiting Hollywood during Christmas. Feel the spirit of Christmas in the cold Hollywood, which sparkles with Christmas lights and decorations. You may even spot a celebrity during your visit! * Discover everything to see and do in Los Angeles or read my solo guide below. 

* Read more: Solo Travel in Los Angeles

6. San Francisco 

San Francisco is another city that should be on your travel wish list at any time of year but especially at Christmas time.  It's one of the best places to spend Christmas alone in U.S.  An iconic city known for its traditional city trams, Golden Gate Bridge and lively nightlife, San Fran is a bustling destination. See the festivities at Union Square, say hello to the seals at Pier 39 or watch a ballet performance.

Greet Santa at Macy’s or Japantown and take photos of the Christmas tree at Union Square. You can take tours of the city to see its Christmas lights on a Segway, a vintage fire engine or a hippie Volkswagen van. Plus, if you love beer, San Francisco is renowned for the brewery's “Christmas brew,” which contains secret ingredients. * Discover everything to see and do in San Francisco or read my solo guide below.

* Read more: Solo Travel in San Francisco

7. Las Vegas, Nevada 

For somewhere glitzy and fun, head to Las Vegas in Nevada; a travel destination for solo travellers who want some escapism away from a traditional Christmas. As well as stunning Christmas lighting (it is Vegas after all), you can watch extravagant shows, explore gingerbread villages, and search for reindeer in a light maze. There’s even a drive-thru light show. 

If you decide to come here for the festive season, one place not to miss is the Bellagio Conservatory which has the best decorations on the whole strip. Expect a snow globe, polar bears and penguins (not real ones obviously). One thing’s for sure, a Christmas spent here will definitely be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. After all, you’re in Vegas baby! * Discover everything to see and do in Vegas or read my solo guide below. 

* Read more: Solo Travel in Las Vegas

Other Places in the U.S.

Other places to spend Christmas alone in U.S. are Washington D.C. for historic sites, monuments, parks, and museums or San Diego for beach solos who want to escape the cold temperatures and spend a Christmas listening to the sound of ocean waves. Whatever type of Christmas you’re into, there’s one in the U.S. for any kind of solo. 

* Read more: Solo Travel in the USA