While they say there’s “nothing like home for the holidays,” sometimes it’s fun to mix things up. If you’re thinking about heading elsewhere this Christmas, there are some great options to consider from storybook small towns to exciting cities buzzing with holiday cheer. These destinations, in particular, should be at the top of your list.

Woodstock, Vermont

Woodstock, Vermont

One of the most quintessential postcard-perfect towns to celebrate Christmas is Woodstock, Vermont, with its covered bridges, at least a light dusting of snow, and plenty of pine wafting through the air. This historic city knows how to do the holiday right, starting with Woodstock Wassail Weekend – a pre-holiday festival with 19th^–century Norse culture traditions. It includes a parade with over 50 horses and riders that don period dress and Christmas costumes, along with wagon and sleigh rides, carolers serenading and the lighting of the tree and yule log. An old-fashioned celebration with a big feast is hosted at the Billings Farm & Museum, and all the local shops with their beautifully decorated windows stay open late during the event.

Breckenridge, Colorado

Breckenridge, Colorado

It’s like stepping into a snow globe when you visit this famous ski town during the holidays. The town is transformed into a breathtaking Victorian-style Christmas village throughout December, starting with the Lighting of Breckenridge that includes hundreds of Santas racing down Main Street, picking up milk and cookies as they go, caroling and the Blue River holiday lighting on the first weekend of the month. There are horse-drawn carriage rides, plenty of opportunities to shop for gifts, and if you stick around for New Year’s Eve you can watch the torchlight parade down the mountain, followed by fireworks.

North Pole, Alaska

North Pole, Alaska

What could be better than a visit to the North Pole? In this Alaskan town, you can drive down streets like Kris Kringle Drive, Mistletoe Lane or Santa Clause Lane and enjoy the annual North Pole Christmas In Ice Contest that draws ice sculptors from across the globe. National newscasts are frequently broadcast live from the Santa Clause house as well. This is also the aurora season, which means you’ll have a good opportunity for viewing one of Mother Nature’s most awe-inspiring shows: the stunning northern lights.

Mackinac Island, Michigan

Mackinac Island, Michigan

Hop on a ferry to this enchanting Michigan town with just 500 residents where everyone celebrates the holidays just like they did a century ago. Here, people travel by horse and buggy, as motorized vehicles have been banned for the past century. At Christmas, Santa actually visits every child to hear their Christmas wishes. The annual Christmas bazaar features unique crafts and decor filled with green, red and lots of lilac – a favorite local color.

McAdenville, North Carolina

McAdenville, North Carolina

This Charlotte suburb with less than 700 residents is known as Christmas Town USA. For more than six decades, McAdenville puts on an impressive display for the holidays that includes 265 evergreen trees with a half-million dazzling lights, with over 160 houses elaborately decked out in a variety of decor. Yahoo and Time magazine have named it among the “top 10 destinations to visit during the holidays”, and many news stations broadcast live from town around Christmas too. You’ll find lots to do in nearby Charlotte as well, from a variety of holiday-related events and world-class museums to outstanding shopping and dining.

Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth, Washington

A&E Network once crowned Leavenworth the “Ultimate Holiday Town USA.” Located along the eastern edge of the soaring Cascades, this charming Bavarian village with an impressive snow-capped mountain backdrop will make you feel as if you’ve stepped into a historic German town. The Christmas Lighting Festival, held from early December through just before Christmas, includes old-fashioned caroling and an array of sparkling lights. On Fridays, St. Nikolas himself welcomes children with song and fruit.

Park City, Utah

Park City, Utah

One of the top places to go for a ski escape during the holidays offers lots of festivities for Christmas, beginning in November with the annual Electric Parade. Park City’s procession includes locals that light up cars, trucks and bikes while cranking up holiday tunes as they traverse down Main Street. On Christmas Eve, you can hit the slopes alongside Saint Nick who spends the day skiing before leading a torchlight parade down the PayDay trail. Throughout the season, kids and adults of all ages will be dazzled by the nearly 13-foot-tall life-size gingerbread house that’s made with 11,000 cookies.

Durango, Colorado

Durango, Colorado

Durango – located near the Four Corners area where Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico all meet – is the Christmas town behind The Polar Express, the popular book that became a movie starring Tom Hanks. Families can enjoy sipping hot chocolate while riding the train to the “North Pole” to pick up Santa, and this Western town offers all sorts of other holiday-related events, while Purgatory Ski Resort is just a short drive away for skiing and boarding enthusiasts.

New York City, New York

New York City, New York

New York City at Christmas is a bucket list experience for those seeking an exciting city destination. It’s especially spectacular during the holidays with all the lights and usually at least a dusting of snow. You’ll have opportunities for ice skating at Rockefeller Center with its giant Christmas tree, and horse-and-carriage rides through Central Park that provides an old-fashioned twist as well. You’ll be able to shop ’til you drop while enjoying the impressive holiday window displays, attend the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, a Broadway-style show hosted by the famous Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, or New York City’s Nutcracker by the New York City Ballet.