USA Travel Guide

When the weather turns cold, amusement parks are one of those things people have grown accustomed to giving up, but that hasn’t stopped a number of Six Flags chain amusement parks from holding their wintertime celebration “Holiday in the Park” every year since 1985. If you and your family are lucky enough to be located in the Dallas, Texas or San Francisco Bay areas this December, what better way to spice up your holidays this year than a trip to Six Flags?

Along with their geographic differences, these two holiday parties offer a number of individual attractions you won’t find anywhere else. At Six Flags Over Texas in the Dallas suburb of Arlington, the biggest attraction is the giant snow-sledding hill, which might sound mundane but in the northeast Texas area is a sight to behold. There are also traditional holiday foods, plenty of hot chocolate and a massive light show every evening.

Meanwhile, 1500 miles away the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, California is celebrating holiday in the park with a dazzling forest of Christmas trees, reindeer village and special holiday programs put on by their dolphins, sea lions and trainers.

Holiday events at both parks run from November 28 – January 4 and feature extra festivities on New Year’s Eve.

Dallas: For very short trips I might recommend something in Arlington, but as usual for extended stays in “The Big D” I recommend a nice central Dallas hotel like the Hilton Garden Inn Dallas Market Center Hotel. It’s a bit of a drive out to the park, but they’ve got an area shuttle for closer attractions on your extra days.

San Francisco Bay: Again, unless your exclusive purpose is to visit the Six Flags, I think you’d be better off staying in San Francisco over Vallejo. For family-friendly San Francisco hotels, I again recommend the Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf. Kids eat free, great location, it’s got what you need.