10 U.S. Cities You Should Skip This Christmas for a Safer Holiday
The holidays are a time of joy, family, and good food, not a time to worry about safety. However, not every city in the U.S. makes for the perfect holiday backdrop for twinkling lights and festive cheer. There are some destinations you’d be wise to avoid, especially if you want peace of mind during the holiday.
Some cities could be a real damper on your festive plans with rising crime rates and overcrowded streets. If you’re traveling or just want a holiday escape, you’ll want to know which cities to skip this season.
Los Angeles, California
While the City of Angels may be a great place to enjoy mild winter weather, it’s not all sunshine and skies. The traffic is notorious enough as it is, but the already congested streets are doubled during the holidays because of visitors and residents flocking to the area. Property crime rates also spike around Christmas in Los Angeles — in part because of the city’s high crime rates.
San Francisco, California
The Golden Gate Bridge may look magical in the mist, but San Francisco has some serious safety concerns. Petty theft is a common problem with holiday visitors as targets in places like Union Square. The city’s homelessness crisis can also be distressing for families hoping to get a happy holiday atmosphere. San Francisco has one of the highest rates of vehicle break-ins in the country and isn’t the best place to go carefree holiday traveling.
Chicago, Illinois
While the Windy City has some of the best winter views, safety issues can take the shine off the festive charm. It’s hard to relax here during Christmas with rising gun violence and crowded holiday markets.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is known for its culture and music, but the holidays are not always the most safe time of year. Crime rates in the French Quarter and in other areas that pull lots of tourists increase and robberies and acts of violence become more frequent.
Detroit, Michigan
While Detroit has seen years of revitalization, it still is a city with safety challenges. Carjacking and home burglaries spike during the holidays. In the holiday spirit, Detroit’s downtown may have some events, but its adjacent neighborhoods have higher crime rates making the visit not so enticing.
St. Louis, Missouri
Holiday cheer can come with a side of caution in St. Louis, too. The city has one of the highest violent crime rates per capita in the U.S., so any festive offerings might not be enough to stop some visitors from venturing outside of the compound. There’s a mixture of bustling holiday shoppers and lazy opportunistic criminals, and visitors are on edge.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The City of Brotherly Love has its share of holiday attractions but there is still cause for concern. According to local law enforcement, street crimes are up in December, especially in areas where crowds are at their highest, such as the Christmas Village at Love Park. Philadelphia’s safety record might have some travelers, traveling with family, especially kids or elderly, thinking twice.
Miami, Florida
While Miami’s warm December weather brings in visitors from freezing northern states, it’s not all beach parties and mojitos. Petty thefts are a big issue in Miami during the holidays with touristy areas like South Beach and Bayside Marketplace seeing a spike. Holiday outings can also feel more stressful than festive on the crowded streets.
Baltimore, Maryland
For years, Baltimore has struggled with high crime rates, and the holidays are no different. As the shopping season heats up, so do property crimes like break-ins and theft. Despite the city’s efforts to boost holiday tourism, the downtown area may also be less inviting to visitors, because of ongoing safety concerns.
Oakland, California
Oakland, just across the bay from San Francisco, has its own set of problems. The city is to be avoided during the holidays because of high crime rates, especially for car theft and robbery. Even popular spots such as Jack London Square have had incidents that could leave visitors with something more than a sour holiday memory.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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