With the holiday season officially here, there's no better time to take advantage of this magical time of year and plan an RV adventure! Whether you're looking for a scenic landscape to explore or just want somewhere to breathe in some fresh air while enjoying the festive spirit, there are plenty of destinations that make perfect spots for a winter getaway in your RV.
From coast to coast, we've rounded up our favorite RV locations to celebrate the holidays. From fun activities, beautiful scenery, and delicious food, these towns really know how to crank up the holiday cheer. So why not hit the road for the holiday season this year?
Why The Holidays Are A Great Time For An RV Trip
Ever feel like the holidays are the same old same old each year? Or have a desire to shake things up? Taking a Christmas RV trip can be a great way to enjoy the season in a new unique way.
The first holiday season that we hit the road in our RV, we discovered that many areas of the country celebrate Christmas completely differently than we did in our Midwest town. For example, during a holiday trip to the Florida Keys in our RV, Santa arrived to visit our daughter, delivered by a US Coast Guard boat.
In the Florida Keys, they also celebrate the holidays with a boat parade. Locals decorate their boats with lights and cruise by the islands with Christmas music bumping. It was such a fun and festive way to celebrate. We loved experiencing the holidays in a fresh new way, and this RV trip is one that our family will never forget. Let's jump into some of the best locations to take an RV trip to during the holiday season.
Flagstaff, Arizona
Are you looking for a family RV holiday vacation with something for everyone to enjoy? Flagstaff is a truly one-of-a-kind place to visit over Christmas. If you don't want to stay in the cold in your RV, consider camping in Sedona or Cottonwood and just driving up to Flagstaff for day trips.
Located in the northern part of the state, Flagstaff is surrounded by stunning mountain peaks and majestic pine forests. During the winter months, Flagstaff's elevation provides an ideal setting for snow-filled winter activities such as skiing, snowmobiling, and even dog sledding. It's the perfect spot to enjoy the winter scenery.
For a truly magical holiday experience, you don't want to miss the Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express. The regular version of this train normally runs from Flagstaff to Grand Canyon National Park for day trips. This special seasonal train journey on holiday evenings is full of Christmas carols, including the hot chocolate song from the movie, as they bring out cookies and hot cocoa for the passengers. When you reach the North Pole stop, Santa boards the train and gives every child a bell, just like in the movie.
Another attraction your family won't want to miss is the North Pole Experience. This magical bus transports travelers on a magical ride to the North Pole. Once you arrive, you get to interact with elves, visit Santa's toy workshop, see the gift-wrapping area, go to Mrs. Claus' kitchen, and end with a visit with Santa. This place was a one-of-a-kind experience your family won't forget.
No matter what your family's interests are, Flagstaff is sure to have something for everyone to get into the holiday spirit. There's nothing quite like celebrating Christmas in a winter wonderland!
Orlando, Florida
Looking for a warm weather location to enjoy during the holiday season with tons of fun things to do? Orlando may be just the right spot. There is so much Christmas spirit in Central Florida that you will never be bored. One of our favorite places to enjoy Christmas in Orlando is Disney World.
The Disney Fort Wilderness RV resort is filled with Christmas magic. This campground really goes all out with decorations. The campers themselves compete for thebest-decorated campsites, and many choose to rent golf carts to be able to drive the huge park to see it all. You really have to see this campground to believe it.
Even if you find a different holiday place to camp in Orlando, there is still plenty to see and do. The Magic Kingdom offers Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party which is a favorite for kids and adults alike. The evening party offers special treats, shows, a fabulous Christmas parade, a holiday fireworks with a projection show to enjoy, and character greetings dressed in their holiday best. Even some of the park rides are transformed into a holiday theme. It really is magical.
While kids prefer the Magic Kingdom, adults often enjoy the Festival Of The Holidays held at Epcot. This annual holiday party offers special treats, holiday performances, and the very popular Candlelight Processional. Our favorite part of this festival is the Christmas storytellers in each country of the World Showcase. The storytellers act out a scene as they explain the traditions and ways the holidays are celebrated in their country. You can also meet Santa during your visit. The festival is simply magical, and our family looks forward to RV trips here.
Not into the Disney parks but still looking for a big celebration? Universal Studios and Sea World also offer huge holiday festivals. If you would prefer a quieter celebration in Central Florida, consider heading to Mount Dora, where they have an annual boat parade on the lake and many fun weekend festivals throughout the holiday season. This charming little town is full of cute little shops and restaurants to enjoy.
St. Augustine, Florida
St. Augustine, Florida, is rated as one of the best spots for celebrating Christmas in the United States. It's one of the oldest cities in the nation, boasting a vibrant and rich history that makes it a wonderful place to enjoy festive holiday activities. From holiday caroling to outdoor ice skating, St. Augustine has plenty of fun activities to offer this holiday season.
St. Augustine has a huge annual holiday festival called the Nights Of Lights. The downtown area on the water is lit along with the palm trees to create such an enchanting scene. You can enjoy the lights and festivities by foot, by taking the Christmas trolley tour, or by train tour. There are also boat and street parades to enjoy during the season. For a more unique way to see the lights, check out one of the local boat tours.
Our favorite part of the Nights Of Lights festival was walking along the Bridge Of Lions and seeing the historic downtown light up at dusk. The area is charming and beautiful. The lights run through the end of January, so it's also a great New Year's location to visit. Don't miss exploring the historic fort Castillo de San Marcos that is perched on the bay by the downtown area. History and fun really come alive here.
Palm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a great place to escape the cold with a holiday RV trip. Even though the weather is mild, there is still plenty of unique holiday cheer to be found in the desert. For families, check out the light display at The Living Desert Zoo And Gardens. It's a beautiful garden filled with animals to check out and many holiday light displays. We loved the train display and tunnel of lights.
For a truly bizarre light display, check out Robolights. This local artist paints and assembles what many people would call trash into grand sculptures decked out in lights. Do you wish you could enjoy a little snow to get you in the spirit? Consider heading up into the mountains to the Snow Summit Ski Resort.
When in the area, make sure to take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up the mountain for an incredible view. Also, don't miss a trip to Joshua Tree National Park. The scenery of this park really blew us away, and it is enormous with many areas to explore. This is one Christmas destination that you won't soon forget!
I hope you feel inspired to enjoy the holidays in a fresh new way this year with a winter RV trip. There are so many fun places to explore, and you may be shocked by how certain regions of the country celebrate the holidays differently than the traditions you are used to. RVing during Christmas can be a memorable season for the whole family.
Looking for a new RV to hit the road in this holiday season? La Mesa has the selection you need to find your perfect rig. Stop by for a visit today!
Scott, his wife Van, and their 13-year-old daughter have traveled full-time in their RV for 8 years. They have worked and homeschooled on the road through 42 states so far. They blog about RVing tips, travel destinations, jobs for RVing, and the full-time RV lifestyle on their blogs theadventuredetour and rvnomadjobs. They are also RV content creators @theadventuredetour on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. They love connecting with RVers, so be sure to reach out to them and say hi!
