The winter months aren’t my favourite months, as a result of I don’t love chilly climate and grey skies. One option to make the chilly temperatures of the winter extra tolerable is to plan a unbelievable winter trip. Planning a trip within the winter could be a good way to have one thing to sit up for within the colder months.
Whenever you select a winter trip vacation spot, you’ve gotten a number of choices. You’ll be able to select to trip in a spot with the total winter expertise – an ideal choice in the event you love winter sports activities like snowboarding and snowboarding.
Or, you may select to flee the winter with a tropical trip. Another choice is to sightsee in a spot that isn’t very warm or chilly – however the place the climate doesn’t actually matter.
Disclosure: This submit accommodates affiliate hyperlinks. A purchase order and/or click on by means of certainly one of these hyperlinks might lead to a fee paid to us at no extra value to you. We’ve got acquired complimentary and discounted stays at a few of these areas however all opinions are my very own.
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The Finest Locations to Go to in Winter (From the USA)
Vermont
Vermont, positioned in New England, is residence to a number of the greatest East Coast ski areas. It’s an attractive state, providing nice eating places and charming inns. If you’re seeking to get away for trip and wish to do some snowboarding, you’ll have some nice choices.
Ski areas in Vermont embrace the next:
- Okemo Mountain, in Ludlow, Vermont
- Mad River Glen, in Fayston, Vermont
- Jay Peak Resort in Jay, Vermont (additionally affords an expensive resort with the Pump Home indoor water park)
- Killington Resort in Rutland County, Vermont
- Smuggler’s Notch in Cambridge, Vermont (probably the most family-friendly resorts within the nation).
Our picks for a basic household trip are both Jay Peak or Smuggler’s Notch, the place there are extra issues to do than simply ski and snowboard.
San Diego
San Diego is blessed with constant climate year-round, making it probably the most well-liked locations any time of yr. We’ve visited this Southern California vacation spot throughout our February trip in previous years, and have at all times discovered it to be a unbelievable place to go to within the winter season.
San Diego affords a lot for households, together with seashores, SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, boat rides, sports activities, eating places, and far more. It’s additionally a brief drive away from Carlsbad, residence of LEGOLAND California.
We usually suggest staying proper in San Diego after which driving to Carlsbad for a day journey. However, when you have LEGO-loving youngsters, you might wish to keep proper on the LEGOLAND California Resort or the LEGOLAND Fortress Resort.
Resort Suggestions:
We additionally suggest getting a San Diego CityPASS, which incorporates admission to both (or each) LEGOLAND California or SeaWorld San Diego and your selection of three of the next:
- San Diego Zoo® or Safari Park (You’ll be able to solely select certainly one of these two)
- The USS Halfway Museum
- Metropolis Cruises
- Previous City Trolley Excursions
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps
- Maritime Museum of San Diego
Florida
Florida affords the most effective winter holidays, particularly for these of us within the Northeast. Whereas typically the climate in Florida could be a little chilly within the winter months, it’s often a lot better than the climate within the north.
If you’re considering of vacationing in Florida within the winter, you’ll have many choices. The most well-liked in fact, is Orlando, in Central Florida.
Dwelling of theme parks like Walt Disney World, Common Orlando, and SeaWorld, Orlando affords so many actions for households. The winter months could be the most effective time to go to, particularly in the event you don’t wish to cope with the recent climate and crowds of the summer season months.
There are numerous lodge choices, from chain motels to luxurious resorts. Many friends visiting the Walt Disney World theme parks even have the choice of staying on property, at one of many Disney motels. That’s an particularly good choice in the event you plan to spend your whole Florida trip at Walt Disney World.
One other certainly one of my favourite Florida locations is on the Gulf Coast. Clearwater Seaside is without doubt one of the most lovely locations with a seashore that’s commonly rated as top-of-the-line within the nation. Whereas the winter months could also be a bit of cool for seashore days (however can nonetheless be very heat), there are numerous different enjoyable issues to do within the space, together with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Busch Gardens in Tampa.
Additionally on the Gulf of Mexico is the city of Sarasota. Sarasota affords water sports activities, sandy seashores, and the Ringling, a museum advanced with a beautiful residence and circus museum.
Our favourite lodge picks are:
Texas
Like Florida, Texas can typically be chilly within the winter months however is often by no means freezing chilly. There are typically uncommon climate occurrences, however the temperatures are sometimes hotter than these within the Northeast. Common highs are often within the 70s.
We actually love San Antonio, well-known for the River Stroll and the Alamo. Excessive temperatures within the winter are often within the 60s, which could be very nice for strolling outdoors. A few of the different greatest issues to do embrace enjoyable points of interest and areas like the stylish Pearl District (a former brewery), the Tower of the Americas, and the Witte Museum.
Our lodge decide is the historic Omni La Mansión del Rio Resort, which is positioned proper alongside the River Stroll. It’s inside strolling distance of many eating places, outlets, and points of interest.
Puerto Rico
This beautiful island is a part of america, so that you received’t have to fret about bringing alongside a passport, or going by means of customs. It’s a simple trip, and there are such a lot of issues to do.
Widespread actions in Puerto Rico embrace Previous San Juan, water actions, the El Yunque Nationwide Forest, and the Bioluminescent Bay. There are some unbelievable household resorts within the space, together with many with swimming pools and seashore entry. Puerto Rico is a unbelievable Caribbean island vacation spot and is so handy to go to.
We loved a keep at El Conquistador, an attractive resort providing an out of doors water park and personal island seashore. It’s not positioned proper in San Juan, however you may hire a automotive for the day and go to.
Colorado
If you happen to like to ski, Colorado is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to within the winter. There are a selection of world-famous ski resorts within the state, together with the next:
- Breckenridge Ski Resort in Breckenridge, CO
- Keystone Ski Resort in Keystone, CO
- Vail Ski Resort in Vail, CO
- Aspen Snowmass Resort in Aspen, CO
- Steamboat Ski Resort in Steamboat Springs, CO
New Hampshire
Like Vermont, New Hampshire is a New England ski vacation spot. Whereas it’s the ski situations might not be the identical because the mountains within the western a part of america, they’re nonetheless an amazing choice for households within the Northeast.
There are a number of ski mountains and areas in New Hampshire, inside the White Mountains. These embrace:
- Loon Mountain Resort in North Conway, NH
- Attitash Mountain Resort in Bartlett, NH
- Waterville Valley Ski Resort in Waterville Valley, NH
- Bretton Woods Mountain Resort in Bretton Woods, NH
- Mount Sunapee Resort in Mount Sunapee State Park in Newbury, NH
Considered one of our favourite motels in New Hampshire is the Mountain Membership on Loon, in Lincoln, NH. It’s positioned adjoining to Loon Mountain and is a superb household resort.
Quebec Metropolis, Quebec, Canada
Quebec Metropolis in Canada is certainly one of my favourite North American locations in the summertime, however it’s additionally top-of-the-line winter locations. This quaint metropolis feels prefer it’s in Europe, however could be a doable highway journey or a fast flight from the Northeast of america.
If you happen to love winter, Quebec Metropolis is the proper place to go to. The most well-liked time to go to Quebec Metropolis within the winter is in the course of the beloved Quebec Winter Carnival, the most important and oldest winter carnival on the planet. In 2023, this annual occasion takes place between February third to February 12, 2023 – the proper time for a winter getaway.
Actions on the Quebec Winter Carnival embrace parades, reside music live shows, exhibits, ice sculptures, and a lot extra. There’s a full calendar of occasions on-line, however be sure you gown heat, since you’ll be doing a variety of strolling across the metropolis.
If you happen to don’t go to in the course of the carnival time, nonetheless, it’s nonetheless an amazing place to go within the winter. There’s an ice lodge (guide properly upfront for this distinctive expertise), an ice skating rink, cross-country snowboarding, a winter toboggan, and different winter actions that happen over the whole season.
My lodge decide is the beautiful and historic Chateau Frontenac, positioned proper within the heart of the walled Previous Metropolis. It’s costly, however it actually is a bucket record lodge with nice views, eating places, and rooms.
Household Cruise
I really like cruising and cruises could be a good winter escape for a household trip. There are numerous completely different cruise ports in america, together with Miami Florida, Port Canaveral Florida, Fort Lauderdale Florida, Tampa Florida, Galveston Texas, New Orleans, Louisiana, and San Diego California. Mexico (particularly Cozumel), the Bahamas, Key West Florida, and the Caribbean are well-liked locations within the winter months.
Cruising in January, February, and early March will also be cost-effective. These are instances when you may usually discover some nice offers. Simply be sure you fly a day or extra earlier than your cruise simply in case there are any flight delays or baggage points along with your flight. On our most up-to-date cruise in December, our baggage was delayed and we acquired it simply earlier than we needed to depart for the cruise port.
Our advice for cruise traces for households is both Disney Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean.
Turks and Caicos
Considered one of my favourite trip locations on the planet is Turks and Caicos, positioned within the Caribbean. This lovely archipelago vacation spot affords luxurious resorts, scrumptious recent meals, and beautiful turquoise waters.
If you’re visiting by way of air (and never cruise ship), you’ll in all probability find yourself in Providenciales. Whereas there are numerous resorts in Provo (because it’s domestically identified), our favourite for households is Seashores Turks and Caicos.
This luxury, all-inclusive resort affords water sports activities, swimming pools, leisure, a water park, seashore entry, and a lot extra. It’s certainly one of my all-time favourite trip spots.
No matter the place you’ll keep, you will want to plan some enjoyable on the seashore. Grace Bay Seaside, positioned in Provo, is without doubt one of the most lovely seashores on the planet.
Arizona
I’ve at all times loved visiting the desert, and Arizona has some nice locations for a household trip. For the warmest climate, you’ll wish to keep within the Phoenix or Tucson areas. Whereas they’re identified for terribly scorching climate, within the winter, it’s a lot milder and extra manageable.
Inside Phoenix, there are numerous well-liked suburbs, together with Tempe, Chandler, and Scottsdale. In that space, in addition to Tucson, you’ll discover numerous lovely out of doors points of interest, together with botanical gardens, mountain climbing trails, and zoos. Convey your sunscreen, as a result of the solar could be highly regarded, even within the winter.
Regardless of the title, baseball spring coaching does begin in late February. Within the better Phoenix space, you may see the Cactus League play from the top of February by means of most of March. Be ready for some very heat climate as you get nearer to late March. It’s a nice time to go to although and is without doubt one of the greatest methods to look at an expert baseball recreation.
Our lodge suggestions embrace:
Los Angeles
Los Angeles, north of San Diego, does have extra temperature variability within the winter months. Nonetheless, if you wish to go to theme parks, it may be the proper climate to run across the parks with out getting too scorching. Common temperatures within the winter months are within the low 70s, and there are fewer crowds on the theme parks than in the summertime, making it a good time to go to.
Theme parks within the LA space embrace Disneyland Resort (together with Disney’s California Journey and Disneyland Park), Common Hollywood, and Knott’s Berry Farm. It’s attainable to mix a visit to Los Angeles with a while in San Diego, in the event you don’t thoughts driving. Different close by areas embrace Palm Springs, Beverly Hills, and Santa Monica.
Our two favourite motels outdoors of Disneyland are the Westin Anaheim and the Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Resort and Water Playground.
US Virgin Islands
Like Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands are positioned inside the US, so there’s no want for a passport and also you received’t must spend time going by means of customs. There are three islands: St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. US Virgin Islands are accessible by way of airplane and/or cruise ship to St. Croix and St. Thomas, when you’ll must catch a separate ferry to get to St. John.
The common excessive temperature within the US Virgin Islands is within the 80s, so it’s the proper temperature for out of doors actions together with water sports activities. There are additionally a number of golf programs within the archipelago.
