There’s no place quite like home for the holidays. But if you’re hoping to give your wanderlust the gift of Hallmark movie-worthy holiday magic, Upstate New York is ready to deliver.
Two of the best Christmas vacation destinations in the United States are in the snowy, idyllic Finger Lakes, according to Time Out, an international travel website.
One is Seneca Falls, the postcard-worthy, historic town that inspired a famous Christmas film.
The other can be found in Canandaigua at the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum, a 209-year-old mansion bursting with Victorian holiday charm.
And considering Canandaigua and Seneca Falls are just 40 minutes apart, travelers could easily visit the two top-ranked holiday destinations in one day.
Take a closer look at why Time Out ranked the two Upstate New York spots among the top places for a Christmas vacation in America:
Seneca Falls
No matter the season, Seneca Falls is worth a visit. Perched on the Seneca River and the manmade Van Cleef Lake, the small town best known as the birthplace of the women’s rights movement in America is bursting with explorable history, unique shops and good eats.
But Christmastime is when Seneca Falls truly glitters.
Seneca Falls is affectionately known as “the real Bedford Falls,” the small town where Frank Capra’s 1946 Christmas film was set. That includes the town’s steel truss bridge that looks just like the bridge where George Bailey, the film’s protagonist, is saved from suicide by Clarence, his guardian angel.
To honor its connection to the classic Christmas movie, Seneca Falls transforms into Bedford Falls every year during its annual “It’s a Wonderful Life Festival” during the second week of December.
The three-day festival features a packed schedule of activities that include a parade with actors dressed up as characters from the film; guest appearances by actors from the original movie, including Karolyn Grimes, who famously played Zuzu Bailey; and the It’s a Wonderful Run 5K, a festive race where runners often dress up in holiday garb and sometimes take shots of Fireball whiskey offered by onlookers.
“Many of us associate Christmas with the movie ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’, and spending Christmas in the town which likely inspired it may help you give an angel its wings,” Time Out wrote in its ranking. “This charming Upstate New York downtown gives you all the holiday feels.”
The 2025 edition of the It’s a Wonderful Life Festival will take place between Friday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 14, in Seneca Falls. A full schedule of events and a list of nearby hotels are available on the festival’s website.
Canandaigua
Like Seneca Falls, Canandaigua is a popular spot for visitors year-round.
Located on the northern tip of Canandaigua Lake, the city draws everyone from recreationists looking to go boating to tourists eager to embark on a wine tour in one of America’s best wine regions. (There are plenty of breweries and cideries in the area, as well.)
But around the holidays, no spot in Canandaigua gives off stronger Christmas vibes than the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum.
The museum is housed on the grounds of a Federal-style mansion built for the family of Gideon Granger, a Revolutionary War-era politician who served as Postmaster General for presidents Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The stately home sits on a 12-acre estate that is home to many historic outbuildings, including barns that display almost 100 antique carriages and sleighs.
During the holiday season, Granger Homestead volunteers dress up the museum in its Victorian best in a display Charles Dickens would be proud of.
“Here, you can tour the historic Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum, decked out for a Victorian Christmas, with the Festival of Trees: tons of Christmas trees inside decorated by different civic groups,” Time Out wrote.
Long after the museum runs its Christkindl Market, an outdoor event in November where crafts and traditional German foods are on display, the Granger Homestead hosts the Festival of Trees inside the enchanting mansion. The museum puts up over 100 items and a variety of Christmas trees during the festival — a feat that transforms the home into a “holiday wonderland,” according to the museum.
The festival also features silent auctions of trees, wreaths, gift baskets and seasonal decor.
In festive addition, the Granger Homestead also offers puppet show readings of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (the poem better known as “The Night Before Christmas”) by Clement Moore at the mansion during December. Curious visitors can try sugar plums during the event.
The 2025 Festival of Trees runs now through Dec. 6. For hours and information about admission, visit the Granger Homestead’s website.
Two Upstate NY spots make list of best Christmas vacations in US
