From Urban to Rural: The Best Places to Live in Washington State for Every Lifestyle

BY  Sibashree Oct 14, 2025

“...There was always Christmas time  To wipe the year away  I guess that morning they'd decided  That the war would have to wait…”   Well, like this George Michael song, I also believe that December is the month that brings “Peace on Earth.” And Christmas celebrations are nowhere more diverse than in the USA.  In 2024, it was Orlando that stole all the limelight with a record surge in the tourism development tax (TDT) during the Christmas holiday. According to a report on Florida Politics, TDT of Orlando in December 2024 was $31.8 million.  Casandra Matej, the CEO of Visit Orlando, had shared a statement on this revenue surge. He said, “Orlando ended 2024 with strong travel performance in December.”  Furthermore, for the last few years, the Christmas Markets in New York, Chicago, Denver, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Portland, and many other places have been the biggest attractions for domestic and international visitors. These markets, inspired by the European Christmas Bazars, also bring a positive impact on the local economy.  However, it’s not just the Orlando theme parks or the Christmas markets that make December in the USA special. The best places to visit in December cater to every type of traveler. Find all the details in this Tour and Travel Blog.  How To Choose The Best Places To Visit In December? (With A Summary List) I have considered a few factors to choose the USA locations for the best winter vacations. The table below provides a summary of the factors considered and identifies the best locations according to them.  Factors Considered Best Places to Visit in December Warm Escapes• Maui and Oʻahu in Hawaii• Miami, St. Augustine, and the Florida Keys in Florida• U.S. Virgin Islands• Puerto RicoMild Weather Conditions• Leavenworth, WA• Bethlehem, PASnowy Destinations• Aspen, CO• Whitefish, MTCity Charm and Festivities• New York City• New OrleansOffbeat Locations if You Do Not Want to Visit the Popular Favorites• Alamosa, Colorado• Phoenix, AZBudget Locations• Asheville, NC• Charleston, SC What Are The Best Places To Visit In December In The USA? (A Detailed Discussion) Here is the ultimate bucket list for the best places to visit in December in the USA. Know why December is special in these locations, the weather conditions, local favorites, must-do activities, and more.  1. Warm Escapes Hawaii and Florida will be the best places to visit in the USA if you want to enjoy the ultimate tropical experience in the mainland of the USA. However, you can also explore the appeal of the Caribbean destinations such as the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.  • Maui, Hawaii Temperature: 18-29 °Celsius December marks the beginning of the whale watching season in Maui. Snorkeling at Molokini Crater is another major attraction in Maui.  Furthermore, to soak in the festive spirit, be a part of the Festive Luau and cherish Hawaiian cuisine.  • Oʻahu, Hawaii Temperature: 20-28 °Celsius The Honolulu City Lights festival is the main attraction in Oʻahu in December. Furthermore, the Christmas Eve cruises and beach meals are the best things to try in Oʻahu, Hawaii.  • Miami, Florida Temperature: 17-25 °Celsius The Bayfront Holiday Village is the epicenter of Christmas festivities in Miami, Florida. It has an ice skating rink and a Ferris wheel ride that offers an amazing view of the surroundings.  Pinecrest Gardens, especially the Banyan Bowl, is another major Christmas attraction in Miami.  • St. Augustine, Florida Temperature: 9-20 °Celsius St. Augustine’s Nights of the Lights is one of the oldest Christmas festivities in St. Augustine, Florida. With three million white lights illuminating the city during Christmas, National Geographic already named Nights of Lights one of the “10 Most dazzling light displays” in the world.  Furthermore, Booking.com has named St. Augustine as one of the “World’s Most Welcoming Cities” in 2025. For the 2025-2026 Christmas celebration, Pinkmas again returns to St. Augustine to build on the success of 2024. • The Florida Keys, Florida Temperature: 10-24 °Celsius Florida Key West gets ready for the Christmas season with the Key West Holiday Parade. Furthermore, the Winter Wonderland is a major attraction with snow showers and an ice skating rink.  • U.S. Virgin Islands Temperature: 20-27 °Celsius Along with the Christmas festivities, the U.S. Virgin Islands is now gearing up for the announcement of the Department of Tourism and the Division of Festivals regarding the St. Croix Crucian Christmas Festival.  It will start from 26th December 2025 and continue till 3rd January 2026.  • Puerto Rico Temperature: 20-29 °Celsius Puerto Rico has the longest holiday season, with the holidays continuing from November to mid-January. Nochebuena or Christmas Eve is the highlight of the Christmas celebration here. It is an occasion to feast on traditional delicacies such as arroz con gandules with family.  Furthermore, Parrandas, or the Christmas caroling from one house to another, is an experience. 2. Mild Weather Conditions From the official Christmas Town of the USA to the Christmas Capital of the Pacific Northwest, these are the places to visit in the USA for mild weather conditions.  • Leavenworth, WA Nights of Lights is one of the oldest Christmas festivities in St. Augustine, Florida. Temperature: 1 to 4 °Celsius Leavenworth is the Christmas Capital of the Pacific Northwest, and in December, it bustles with energy with German-style markets.  Furthermore, the Bavarian charm of Leavenworth stands out with more than 500,000 lights illuminating the city.  • Bethlehem, PA Temperature: 7 to 14 °Celsius The historic Moravian district of Bethlehem City is the ideal zone to enjoy a walk during Christmas.  Also, the Christkindlmarkts or the German-style Christmas open markets are the main tourist attractions in Bethlehem, PA.  3. Snowy Destinations December is the month of snow and chill in various parts of the USA. Enjoy some skiing fun and snowy escapes.  • Aspen, CO Temperature: -12 to 2 °Celsius The 12 Days of Aspen festival in Aspen from 20th to 31st December sets the festive mood right in Aspen. Furthermore, Aspen gets transformed into a winter wonderland with fresh snowfall starting in December.  • Whitefish, MT Temperature: -20 to 0 °Celsius View this post on Instagram A post shared by Explore Whitefish (@explorewhitefish) December, with fresh snowfall, is the season of skiing in Whitefish, Montana. Furthermore, Christmas Eve and Christmas Stroll are the major winter festivals in Whitefish.  4. City Charm And Festivities Are you traveling with your family? These cities are ideal for enjoying Christmas festivities and decent weather conditions.  • New York City Temperature: 1-8 °Celsius The Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and the 5th Avenue in New York City are some of the busiest destinations in New York City during the month of December.  Furthermore, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular from November to January is another major reason for visiting New York City in December. • New Orleans Temperature: 9-17 °Celsius New Orleans is one of the most Christmassy places to visit in December in the USA, and is a close second to Bethlehem in Pennsylvania.  It is so popular for its unique Christmas traditions.  New Orleans Christmas TraditionsDetails Krewe of Jingle ParadeThe Christmas Parade Version of Mardi GrasLUNA Fête at the Convention Center Pedestrian ParkArt Show of High-tech Light InstallationsCelebration in the Oaks in City ParkDecorating with Millions of LightsBonfires on the LeveeA Cajun Tradition of Lighting Bonfires on the Mississippi River Levee on Christmas Eve to Guide Santa Claus 5. Offbeat Locations If You Do Not Want To Visit The Popular Favorites If you are looking for something less touristy this Christmas, Alamosa and Phoenix are two hidden gems you cannot miss.  • Alamosa, Colorado Temperature: -18 to 1.5 °Celsius Alamosa is gearing up for the 15th Christmas Light Parade this year. Furthermore, the winter season is the ideal time to take a bath in the hot springs of Alamosa, such as the Sand Dunes Recreation hot springs.  • Phoenix, AZ Temperature: 7-19 °Celsius Phoenix will be the go-to destination for all the Shane Gillis fans this December. This celebrated comedian will perform at the PHX Arena on 5th December.  Furthermore, it is the ideal time to trek through the trails of Camelback Mountain.  6. Budget Locations Traveling to the USA this December on a budget? Here are the beautiful locations you can visit.  • Asheville, NC Temperature: 0-11 °Celsius View this post on Instagram A post shared by RomanticAsheville (@romanticasheville) Blessed by the Blue Ridge Mountains and their snowy peaks, Asheville in North Carolina is a winter wonderland. It is also home to the Biltmore Estate, the largest privately owned property in America. It is decorated with lights for Christmas.  • Charleston, SC Temperature: 10-25 °Celsius View this post on Instagram A post shared by Official Account of Charleston (@charlestonsc) The Holiday Parade of Boats and Holiday Festival of Lights are two of the biggest attractions in Charleston in December.  Furthermore, the Charleston City Market is fun to explore, with Charleston having fewer crowds in December.  Along with these, you can also pick your favorite based on the best places to visit during early December and late December or during the Christmas days.  Places to Visit in the USA in Early DecemberPlaces to Visit in the USA in Late December• Leavenworth, Washington• New York City• Las Vegas, Nevada• San Diego California• Bethlehem, Pennsylvania• Frankenmuth, Michigan The places to visit in the USA in Late December are also the most Christmassy destinations in the country.  The Best Places To Visit In December In The USA: How A 7-Day Itinerary Will Look Like? From arriving in New York City to spending beach days in Hawaii, this is how your 7-day itinerary of December holidays in the USA will look.  DaysLocationActivitiesInsider Tip Day 1New York City• Visiting the Christmas Tree and Fun at the Ice Skating Rink at the Rockefeller Center• Exploring the Bryant Park Winter Village and its beautiful Christmas Markets• Watching a Broadway show in the evening and taking a stroll of the 5th AvenuePlan Your Stay at Midtown ManhattanBook the Slot for Your Ice Skating Rink in AdvanceDay 2Asheville, North Carolina• Take a Morning Flight to Asheville from New York City via Charlotte. • Explore the River Arts District to have the best coffee and find local crafts. • Visit the Biltmore Estate, turning into a Christmas Wonderland in December.• Enjoy the local brews and live jazz music in the evening. Find a Cozy Cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains for the Most Romantic Experience.Day 3Charleston, South Carolina• Drive for 4.5 hours or take a short flight from Asheville to Charleston. • Explore Rainbow Row, King Street, and The Battery.• In the evening, visit the historic James Island County Park’s Festival of Lights. Plan a stay in a boutique hotel in the Historic District. Day 4Miami, Florida• Fly to Miami for 2 Hours• Spend the morning at South Beach.• Visit Little Havana for the best Cuban food and coffee.• Enjoy a sunset cruise in the Biscayne Bay.Explore and book the transportation options well in advance, as the public transportation options are limited. Day 5Florida Keys• Drive through the Overseas Highway for 2.5 hours to reach the Florida Keys from Miami. • Stop at Key Largo for photos.• Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home in Key West. Find an accommodation in Key West. Day 6Aspen, Colorado• Fly to Aspen from Florida via Denver. • Enjoy snowboarding and skiing at Aspen Snowmass. Don’t miss the best hot chocolate and cocktails served at the mountain lodges here. Day 7Oʻahu, Hawaii• Take an overnight flight to Honolulu.• Explore Diamond Head Crater and Waikiki Beach.• Relax at Hanauma Bay in the afternoon.• End your day with a luau dinner. Larger crowds and higher prices are a concern while visiting Oʻahu in December. So, make your bookings early.  Things To Keep In Mind For A Trip To The USA In December First of all, don’t rush! You don’t have to cover all the places and touch upon all the landmarks.  1. Spend Some Time In The Places You Visit  You must take it slow to connect to local people and soak in the unique charm of the place you are visiting.  For example, Bethlehem in Pennsylvania is known as the Christmas City of the USA. You can spend a good 3-4 days here, exploring its history, German-inspired traditions, and the open-air Christmas markets or Christkindlmarkts.  2. Consider Advanced Booking And Registration  Furthermore, when you are going to places such as Yosemite National Park and Zion National Park in December, you will need a reservation. This is essential considering the increase in visitors in December and the road blockage/accessibility due to snowfall.  However, advanced booking will also be required for museums such as the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum in Santa Fe. These tickets get sold out daily. 3. Monday Blue Is Real In The USA  Many places in states such as Arizona and Texas remain closed on Mondays. Furthermore, many popular restaurants may not offer full-fledged services until midweek.  What Are The Best Places To Visit In December In The USA? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about the best places to visit in December in the USA.  1. Where Is It Cheap To Fly In December? Major cities such as New York, Chicago, and Atlanta are cheap to fly to in December. Furthermore, warm weather destinations such as California and Florida are also cheap to fly to in the month of December. Furthermore, you can book a flight ticket on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, or make the booking at least 2 months in advance to get the best deals.  2. What US State Has The Best Weather In December? Hawaii and Florida have the best weather in the USA in December. These two locations are sunny and cheap in December, with places such as Maui and the Florida Keys being the main attractions. Hawaii has an average of 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, and Florida has an average temperature of 15 to 24 degrees Celsius in December.  3. Where Is The Best Place In America To Spend Christmas? Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is the best place in America for Christmas. Known as the Christmas City of the USA, Bethlehem was founded in 1741 on Christmas Eve. Furthermore, in 1747, the first Christmas Tree in the USA was recorded. Further, Bethlehem stands out with its old-world charm and unique architecture. Moreover, you can explore the open-air Christmas markets here. 

BY  Sibashree Sep 1, 2025

As a writer and editor of travel blogs for 10 years, grammatical consistency is of paramount importance to me. You have to be specific about the spelling convention. You cannot just choose the USA spelling convention one day and follow the British, Canadian, or Australian convention the next day.  Along with the spelling convention, capitalization, and formatting are two other important technical or basic aspects for editorial cohesion. Now, the concern I am going to address today is why Lake Texoma should be capitalized.  Here, I will discuss why Lake Texoma should be capitalized in all travel blogs and guides for grammatical correctness, official reasons, and more. The key areas covered in this blog are: What Is Lake Texoma, And Why Is It So Famous? The name Texoma stands for a blend of the states of Texas and Oklahoma, as the lake is located at the border of these two states.  Further, it is located on the Red River and is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. As a major water reservoir, it is a major source of flood prevention, recreation, and water supply for these two states. Moreover, it is an important hub for the generation of hydroelectric power.  Also, with a shoreline of 500 miles, Lake Texoma is a popular destination for swimming, fishing, and boating. Millions of visitors flock to this beautiful lake every year.  So, it is an important tourist spot and an important local identity for the states of Texas and Oklahoma. It is also a place of national and international importance, with the construction of the lake taking us back to the days of the Second World War. Why Lake Texoma Should Be Capitalized? From grammatical correctness to the U.S government confirming capitalization, there are many reasons why Lake Texoma should be capitalized.  1. Lake Texoma Should Be Capitalized Because It Is A Proper Noun If we consider the basic grammatical standards, Lake Texoma should be capitalized as it is a proper noun. Furthermore, the name consists of a generic part or descriptor, Lake, and a proper noun or name, Texoma.  According to official grammatical standards, when a geographical feature has a generic descriptor and a name, both should be capitalized. For example, Mount Everest, Victoria Lake, etc.  2. All Educational And Legal Sources Use Capitalization While Writing Lake Texoma From schools to universities, many educational institutions across levels incorporate Lake Texoma in their curriculum, and everywhere it follows a capital casing.  You can check out the geography textbooks, state resource maps, and state guides. When students learn that Lake Texoma should be capitalized from the very beginning, they develop better writing style, communication skills, and grammatical correctness.  On the other hand, legal documents such as property papers, deeds, water rights, and land zoning need to have Lake Texoma in a capitalized format.  This is very crucial, as if you miscapitalize any word in a legal document, it can lead to ambiguity and can even make your clauses and claims invalid.  3. The U.S. Government Officially Confirms The Use Of Lake Texoma In Capitals You will find Lake Texoma written in a capitalized format in all public-facing government documents.  All the documents of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, including news, bulletins, updates, environmental assessments, or reports, have Lake Texoma in a capitalized format.  Furthermore, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the Texas Water Development Board follow the capitalization norms for reservoirs with names. So, in every document, they write “Lake Texoma.”  4. State-Level Regulations For Capitalizing Lake Texoma Oklahoma and Texas have recognized the capitalized format of Lake Texoma for all their official documents, including: Public Works Reports State Park Brochures Tourism Websites This consistency across all documents helps Lake Texoma to be recognized and registered as a geographical name of repute. 5. Lake Texoma Should Be Capitalized For Editorial Consistency In reference to where I began the discussion, Lake Texoma should be capitalized to maintain editorial consistency.  If I write “lake Texoma” in one section of my article and “Lake Texoma” or “lake texoma” in other places, it impacts my credibility and professionalism as a writer.  So, Lake Texoma should be capitalized to: Make readers believe in my credibility as a writer. Showcase that I pay attention to every detail. Maintain the authenticity and authority of the guide.  Help readers avoid confusion about Lake Texoma as a general location.  Moreover, using the right and consistent capitalization format helps to improve user experience. So, it positively impacts the overall performance of my blogging site and helps me score better in the E-E-A-T assessments by Google's Quality Raters.  6. Standard Style Guides Agree That Lake Texoma Should Be Capitalized The Chicago Manual of Style, Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, MLA Handbook, and all other major style books suggest that Lake Texoma should be considered as a compound proper noun and should be capitalized.  In this compound proper noun, “Lake” is the general descriptor, and “Texoma” is the name of the water body.  So, all the media outlets across all formats, including North Texas e-News, KTEN, and WFAA, use Lake Texoma in a capitalized format.  Why Lake Texoma Should Be Capitalized Everywhere? (Beyond Grammar 101) There are deeper reasons why we need to capitalize Lake Texoma. From the technical reasons of improving SEO practices to the more profound aspect of cultural identity, here is more about why capitalizing Lake Texoma is imperative. 1. SEO And Online Search Capitalization or casing does not directly impact how Google’s algorithm processes a keyword. However, when I capitalize Lake Texoma, it gives a positive signal about the readability, structure, and professionalism of my content.  However, there are more reasons why capitalizing Lake Texoma helps me.  • Adherence To Keyword Convention And Consistency All the tourism boards and travel sites used the spelling convention of Lake Texoma. Therefore, when I follow this convention, it enhances the relevance of the keyword and its adherence to the norm.  • Proper Capitalization Ensures Better Visibility On The Search Engine Result Page (SERP) When I capitalize Lake Texoma, which is the correct format, I improve the quality of my article. Also, proper capitalization helps me to win the confidence of the readers. Thus, it indirectly boosts the SEO performance of an article.  Informative and high-quality content always has better chances of having a higher ranking on the SERP, and it can even feature in the snippets, AI overview results, or voice search queries.  • Improving CTR Or Click-Through Rates When an SEO title or meta description has a good structure, it has better chances of getting clicked. So, using Lake Texoma in the correct format will improve the clickability of my article.  2. Professionalism And Attention To Detail Capitalizing Lake Texoma helps me to maintain a professional tone and format for my article. It is all the more important in a legal, scientific, or official context.  3. Being Respectful To The Regional Identity Lale Texoma is important for the geographical and cultural landscapes of Oklahoma and Texas. So, when we write the name correctly, it shows respect for the region and the regional identity of the people there.  Also, Lake Texoma is important because of the shared emotion of the communities in these two states. So, we cannot afford to be culturally careless.  4. Lake Texoma Should Be Capitalized For Branding And Marketing How you follow the spelling and grammatical conventions and adhere to a standard style in your writing becomes a part of your brand identity.  So, when we write Lake Texoma correctly on our website, brochures, emails, campaigns, or any other marketing material, we establish our authority or credibility as a brand.  Also, with this small thing done right, a brand can get better clicks, books, or sales than its competitors. Wrong spelling and casing format are often one of the biggest turnoffs for readers.  Common Mistakes To Avoid In Lake Texoma Spelling We often overlook the correct format and make these small mistakes while writing Lake Texoma. The common mistakes we make are: Common Mistakes in Lake Texoma CasingThe Correct Format lake texomaLake TexomaTexoma LakeLake Texomalake TexomaLake TexomaLake texomaLake TexomaLAKE TEXOMALake Texoma Why Lake Texoma Should Be Capitalized? A Case Study Of Different Usages And Significance Here are some case studies for using Lake Texoma as the capital.  1. How Government And Media Houses Write Lake Texoma There is no ambiguity about capitalizing Lake Texoma in the official documents of the government of the USA.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) writes Lake Texoma for storm and flood planning.  Recreation.gov is the official federal land reservation site in the USA. It writes Lake Texoma.  Local news channels and newspapers always capitalize Lake Takoma when covering any news. 2. How Local Businesses Write Lake Texoma All the businesses in the locality capitalize the Lake Texoma spelling to maintain their credibility and boost online visibility.  It also helps the customer to reach the physical or online store accurately.  3. Capitalization Of Lake Texoma In Technology And Mapping Systems The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other government resources used the capitalized format of Lake Texoma.  Furthermore, applications such as Garmin, Apple Maps, and Google Maps fetch data from these websites, and thus, they also use the capitalized format of Lake Texoma.  Now, you may argue that searching for Lake Texoma or “lake texoma” will yield the same results. It’s true, but here you are depending on machine correction.  However, when you enter the correct format during your search, you will enjoy better mapping experiences and more accurate data.  Summary Table Of Confirmation: Why Lake Texoma Should Be Capitalized In this table, I have summed up the official and grammatical confirmations you have for capitalizing Lake Texoma.  Source or the Type Of ConfirmationExamplesEducational Institutions• Geography curriculum in schools, colleges, and universities• Text Books• State Curriculum GuidelineFederal Agencies• U.S. Army Corps of EngineersLegal Documents• Land and Zoning Contracts• Water Access DocumentsState Governments• Texas Parks and Wildlife DepartmentTourism Boards• Oklahoma and Texas Tourism Board BrochuresMedia Outlets• News Stories and FeaturesOfficial Maps• Google Maps• Apple Maps Why Lake Texoma Should Be Capitalized? A Small Detail Makes A Big Impact Capitalizing Lake Texoma is beyond keeping my article or any writing grammatically correct. It is also related to SEO success and better online visibility. Furthermore, it is about the quality and credibility of writing in the online and offline worlds where readers trust the author.  So, when writing, begin Lake Texoma with a capital L and capital T to see how a small detail makes a big impact.  Why Lake Texoma Should Be Capitalized: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about Lake Texoma.  1. What Grammatical Rule Applies For Capitalizing Lake Texoma? The grammatical rule of capitalizing a proper noun applies to writing Lake Texoma with a capital L and capital T. Furthermore, in a compound proper noun, the general descriptor (here, the lake) and the actual name of a place (here, Texoma) both should be capitalized. 2. What Happens When Lake Texoma Is Written In Lower Case? If I write Lake Texoma in lowercase, it affects the credibility and overall detailing of my article or any write-up. Furthemore, it can impact user experience, leading to poor online visibility and a low EEAT score. Now, you may argue how capitalization is associated with EEAT scores. However, when I place myself as a reader, I would rather trust a site that keeps spelling, formatting and casing accurate rather than one that is clumsy in these aspects. Furthermore, it can create confusion in legal documents, and in a business document, it can affect the brand image and value.  3. Is Lake Texoma Capitalized In School Textbooks? Yes, Lake Texoma is capitalized in school textbooks. In fact, higher educational institutions also capitalize Lake Texoma in the curriculum, reading resources, and every document.  Read Also... 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BY  Sibashree Jul 9, 2025

22nd September 2025 is the date you must mark if you want to see the Northern Lights during the Autumnal Equinox.  2025 is a special year for watching the Northern Lights. On 25th June 2025, a G2 geomagnetic storm pushed the aurora south. As a result, people in Maine, New York, and the Northern Plains enjoyed the peak viewing experience.  So, are any of these the best places to see the Northern Lights in the USA? Let’s find out where and when to catch the Aurora Borealis.  However, before that, let’s briefly touch upon how the Northern Lights got its name from Galileo Galilei, the best time to witness this natural phenomenon, and other important details. What Are The Northern Lights? What Is The Best Time To See The Northern Lights? The Northern Lights are also known as the Aurora Borealis. The sun releases solar flares due to solar activity. The magnetic field of our planet attracts the flares towards itself. The flares interact with the gases in the Earth's atmosphere, such as oxygen and others. This turns gases into plasma as it is heated to a certain extent. Therefore, the Northern Lights are a plasma state of matter, where the gas is heated to a sufficiently high temperature, causing it to transition into a plasma state. These plasmas appear to be curtains of radiant purple, blue, and red, radiant lights over the skies of the Earth. This phenomenon is especially pronounced near the planet's poles. The best time to witness these lights is during the spring and autumn equinoxes. During these times, the tourists will be able to see longer northern light shows due to the Russell-Macpherson effect.  The Northern Lights can be seen clearly in the polar regions and places with clear skies and minimal light pollution. How Did The Northern Lights Become Aurora Borealis? Gallelio Gaili named the Northern Lights Aurora. The astronomer named it after the Roman Goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek God Boreas. Aurora is the Roman goddess of dawn. The goddess flies in a chariot, announcing the arrival of the sun god. The deity symbolizes renewal and a fresh start. On the other hand, Boraes is the Greek God of north winds, storms, and winter. Galileo named the phenomenon of the northern lights as Aurora Borealis in the year 1619. He thought that the phenomenon was caused by the reflection of the sunlight in the Earth’s atmosphere. However, in reality, the phenomenon was caused by the solar flares emitted by the sun. What Is The Best Place To See Northern Lights In The USA? With the boom of astro tourism, watching the Northern Lights has become an important part of tourism in the USA and many other parts of the world. As a subset of special interest tourism, Astro tourism is about to reach $400 million in 2030. No wonder that many Airbnbs in countries such as Finland, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, and Iceland have specially located and designed properties to watch this celestial magic.  Furthermore, in the USA, national parks such as Grand Canyon National Park and Great Basin National Park, as well as dark sky parks like Headlands International Dark Sky Park, have given a significant boost to tourism centered on Northern Lights viewing or overall astrotourism.  Additionally, observatories like the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute (PARI) have contributed to the growth of astrotourism in the USA.  So, when it comes to choosing the best place to see the Northern Lights in the USA, we have a lot of options.  Let’s explore! 1. Boundary Waters, Minnesota https://www.instagram.com/p/C-oVf2vg4KH/ Almost four hours from the region of Minneapolis, there lies Boundary Waters, Minnesota. This place offers the clearest night skies, located far from light pollution.  The water body offers a stunning reflection of the beautiful nighttime light show. 2. Upper Peninsula, Michigan https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ4EIvsBK2-/ The Upper Peninsula is near the rugged shores of Lake Superior, as well as the secluded forests of Isle Royale National Park.  The remote location, accompanied by a unique landscape, offers viewers minimal light pollution.  Furthermore, the location offers a clearer view of the Aurora Borealis due to its northern latitude.  Additionally, due to clear skies, the Upper Peninsula is the best place in the USA to see the Northern Lights during winter.  3. Idaho https://www.instagram.com/p/C3g0ADFMhZF/ Idaho, of course, tops the chart as the best place to see the Northern Lights in the USA, as it is the first official Dark Sky Reserve in the country.  Also, including Craters of the Moon National Monument and the city of Ketchum, Idaho, have five designated Dark Skies.  However, most of the Dark Skies are in the southern part of the state. Having said that, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and Priest Lake are northern locations in Idaho for watching the Northern Lights.  4. Wisconsin https://www.instagram.com/p/C4ZIYXar_-M/ Wisconsin is on Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. These two lakes make Wisconsin ideal for watching the Northern Lights.  The view is especially more spectacular during the winter as the lakes freeze. Furthermore, two of the most stunning places to visit the Northern Lights in Wisconsin, are Washington Island in Door County or the Apostle Islands. 5. North Dakota https://www.instagram.com/p/C61JconL8kl/?img_index=1 You cannot leave this northern state when it comes to the best place to see Northern Lights in the USA.  The most iconic places to see the Northern Lights in the state are: Theodore Roosevelt National Park Mystical Horizons near Bottineau The Turtle Mountains Moreover, the Martens Observatory at the University of North Dakota streams its celestial observations live on its YouTube channel. So, you can watch the Northern Lights on a real-time basis virtually.  6. Pennsylvania https://www.instagram.com/p/C61Dxs3u28J/?img_index=1 Cherry Springs State Park is a Dark Sky Reserve located in Pennsylvania. The park also has an Astronomy Observation Field, which offers a 360-degree view of the sky.  You can stay in the park the entire night, be a part of the tours, and learn photography to enjoy and preserve the stargazing and Northern Lights watching activities.  7. Alaska Located within the auroral oval, Alaska is the heaven and the best place to see Northern Lights in the USA.  Coldfoot, Utqiagvik, and Fairbanks are the prime locations for viewing the Northern Lights in Alaska. 8. Maine Home to the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, a Dark Sky Sanctuary, Maine is one of the best places in the USA to see the Northern Lights.  However, the abundant rural landscape makes the entire state ideal for stargazing and watching the Northern Lights.  To be more specific, you can explore the east of the Mississippi River to enjoy the best view of the Northern Lights.