St. Louis’ revamped downtown is teeming with live music, local breweries, farm-to-table restaurants and noteworthy landmarks that have a little extra pizazz during the festive season. Gateway Arch Park gets a holiday-themed makeover, with the Winterfest celebration bringing igloos, s’more-making stations, an ice-skating rink and more — all under the canopy of 7,000 twinkling lights. While you’re there, explore new heights with a four-minute tram ride to the to the top of the iconic Gateway Arch (the tallest monument in the country) for views of downtown St. Louis, the Mississippi River and Illinois. Don’t miss a minute of the festivities by spending the night at St. Louis Union Station Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton, located less than a mile from the heart of downtown.

With more than 8.8 million people calling Mexico City home, a visit during the holiday season means you’re bound to catch locals celebrating in churches, squares and neighborhood streets. Get a feel for the city by exploring Zocalo, a central area that includes Mexico City’s main square, where you’ll usually find an ice-skating rink, a manmade hill perfect for “sledding,” and a holiday tree. Throughout the season, you’ll bump into parades and find buildings covered in lights and poinsettias. To stay in the center of all the action, make your homebase the hip Hilton Mexico City Reforma, with its sleek, rooftop infinity pool and city views. The primely located hotel is opposite the historic park, Alameda Central, which gets outfitted with its own festive light display come holiday season.