Where to go · CHRISTMAS WALKING TOURS IN THE USA
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 christmas walking tours in the USA worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Join an English-speaking guide such as Derek, Max, Nick, or Rose for a 90-minute evening walk through Dyker Heights. You’ll see extravagant homes, hear the story of Lucy Spata and the neighborhood’s holiday codes, and get plenty of photo stops. The walk covers about 3 miles, so bring warm clothes and sturdy shoes.
“Very interesting walk trip. Nice and helpful guide. Really recommend”
Walk Midtown New York at Christmas with a local guide, beginning at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and ending near Macy’s Herald Square. You’ll see Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, Fifth Avenue displays, Bryant Park’s holiday market, the Diamond District, and other landmarks. Guides such as Gabby, Cameron, Luke, and Patrick bring history and humor to a crowded evening route.
“Although it was a rainy night it would have been nice if our tour guide would have paused and recommended picture spots and gave time to take pics at some of the different locations, especially in front of the Rockefeller tree. That’s mainly why I purchased our family of 5 tickets. Instead I just got the tree itself from a side view. I thought he was leading up to a pic spot.”
Join Bobby’s Bike Hike at 11:30 a.m. for a three-hour winter walk through central Chicago. You’ll see Millennium Park, Cloud Gate, State Street, and Christkindlmarket while sampling deep-dish pizza, a Chicago-style hot dog or Italian beef, Palmer House brownies, and holiday cider. Guides such as Mickey, Brooke, Julia, and Lillian lead groups of up to 15.
“Loved the option to have a beer tasting from the local brewery and our tour guide was awesome. The food was delicious and the pizza from Lou Malnati’s pizzeria was the best deep dish we’ve ever had.”
Join Brooklyn Unplugged Tours for a 90-minute evening walk through Dyker Heights, where decorated homes turn ordinary residential streets into a holiday show. Guides such as Ryan, Slava, John, and Derrick share neighborhood stories and point out notable houses. Expect crowds, cold weather, uneven sidewalks, and about three miles of walking.
“Excellent experience and must do if in NYC for the holidays! I would highly suggest using a tour guide as you learn so much about the history and houses in Dyker Heights.”
Start at Columbus Circle at 3 p.m. and follow a guide through Manhattan’s Christmas markets, Fifth Avenue windows, Rockefeller Center, Bryant Park, and Grand Central Terminal. You’ll shop for crafts and food, hear holiday stories, and spot movie locations. Guides such as Joseph, Charlie, Charles, and Kathryn have led this route.
“Store windows on fifth avenue and Saks music/light show were great. Kathryn’s sharing of various pictures of the mansions and other historical sites were interesting.”
Walk from the Williamsburg Inn through Merchants Square and Colonial Williamsburg with a private guide such as Bambi, Cynthia, Cyndi, or Will. Learn how wreaths, sprays, roping, fruit, herbs, and unusual objects fit 18th-century decoration rules, then finish near Bruton Parish Church with ginger cakes and a possible hot drink.
“We enjoyed this unique tour. Cynthia was very personable and knowledgeable. She explained before our tour the criteria for what materials were permissible as classic Colonial decorations.”
Walk Colonial Williamsburg for two hours with a costumed English-speaking guide, often including Tom, whose storytelling covers colonial Christmas customs, Santa, the first American Christmas tree, and a curious Masonic service. The tour starts and ends at the Capitol Building, costs $25, and takes place outdoors, so bring warm clothes and comfortable shoes.
“Tom was a great guide. He shared his extensive knowledge of history in a very entertaining way.”
Join guide Mike or another licensed professional at the New York Public Library at 6:30 pm for a two-hour holiday walk. You’ll see wreath-wrapped lions, Bryant Park’s winter village, Macy’s windows, Central Park’s duck pond, and finish beside Rockefeller Center’s Christmas Tree. Plan on about 8,000 steps, one subway ride, and cold-weather walking.
“My experience with Mike was excellent. He made sure the team had the context of places and spots he was taking us through.”
Walk about 2 miles through Dyker Heights with an English-speaking guide, seeing the neighborhood’s biggest Christmas displays, life-sized figures, and thousands of lights. The 90-minute tour includes local history, pop culture references, and photo stops. Choose a meeting point in Midtown Manhattan or Brooklyn, depending on your booking.
“The tour guide was so nice and fun and gave a lot of information about NYC on the bus. The part when we walked around Dyker Heights was crowded with other groups and it was difficult to keep together with our group and tour guide. The Christmas lights were pretty though.”
Spend about two hours walking from St. Patrick’s Cathedral to Macy’s Herald Square with a private English-speaking guide. You’ll see the cathedral, Rockefeller Center’s tree and rink, Radio City Music Hall, Fifth Avenue holiday windows, and Bryant Park’s market. Hannah is one guide specifically praised for her personal service and photos.
“Our tour was awesome. Our guide not only showed us all the amazing lights but added interesting history of the area. She also catered the trip to what we wanted to see and took very nice pictures of us by the tree to have. Would highly recomend, a great way to see New York City during Christmas time.”
Join Lonnie Sandifer Tours for a one-hour Christmas walk through Colonial Williamsburg. You’ll visit Bruton Parish Church, the John Greenhow Store, the Roscow Cole House, St. George Tucker House, and Duke of Gloucester Street while hearing stories of old and new Virginia Christmas traditions. The tour costs $25 and ends near Raleigh Tavern Bakery.
“Wonderful guide and we learned some interesting facts. Our guide was friendly and we thoroughly enjoyed this one hour walk. It was just enough and gave us plenty of time to explore on our own the rest of the day.”
Walk Colonial Williamsburg with a live English-speaking guide from Lonnie Sandifer Tours. You’ll see handcrafted decorations, learn how 18th-century Christmas was observed, hear the stories behind today’s displays, and pick up ideas for making similar decorations at home. The route begins at Duke of Gloucester and Palace Green Streets.
Join an English-speaking local guide for a brisk two-hour Christmas walk from Grand Army Plaza through Fifth Avenue, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and Bryant Park. You’ll hear holiday history, visit Home Alone 2 locations, see the tree and Channel Gardens, and finish with a festive dessert. Guides have included Jared and Tom.
“Tour guide Jared was great. Knowledgeable of history and of area. It definitely was fast paced so a little difficult to maneuver with children.”
Meet your local guide at the courtyard gate beside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop on Bourbon Street for a 1 to 2-hour Christmas walking tour. You’ll see St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, decorated homes, celebrity residences, museums, and the LaLaurie Mansion, with history, voodoo, ghost stories, and optional bar stops along the way.
“We expected a tour of Christmas Lights. Our group was a combination history, vampire, and oh by the way, there are some Christmas Lights. A mother and daughter, who were also there for the lights, left the group after the description of tRead more”
Join Daria, a 20-year New Yorker and former window-display worker for Tiffany, Ralph Lauren, and Macy’s, on a three-hour evening walk through Manhattan’s holiday sights. You’ll visit Macy’s, Bryant Park, Saks, Radio City, Tiffany, Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdale’s, and Rockefeller Center. Expect a small group, lots of walking, and excellent photo stops.
“Daria took us around to all of the major Christmas windows and the holiday sights along the way. There was a good mix of information about the history and current designers of the windows and time for us to discuss what we liked and didn't like. A Really fun way to spend the evening.”
Pick a market, a sleigh, a stage or a river.
