When winter blows into town, you want to either take advantage of the snow-filled activities or you want to get somewhere warm as soon as possible. Whether your family likes to be active, wants to see the sights, wants to travel away from home, or loves to stay in the area, look through this list of possible winter family vacations. You should be able to find at least one that ties everything together so everyone will enjoy their time.
For those who want to stay warm but be active
Indoor water parks
If you want to pretend like it’s not freezing outside, take the family to an indoor water park. Have a weekend where everyone gets to imagine it’s sunny and warm.
The closest Great Wolf Lodge is a great choice, as the whole family can have a fun time in the various indoor water park sections. They also have arcades, claw machines, restaurants, play areas, and other attractions inside certain ones.
Indoor amusement parks
From one of the largest indoor theme parks at the Nickelodeon Universe inside the Mall of American to the trampoline park of your dreams at Knuckleheads at Wisconsin Dells, there are indoor theme parks across the U.S. that offer roller coasters, bowling alleys, arcades, and other activities so everyone in the family can find their thing.
For the scenery
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
There is nothing like seeing the snow covering the Great Smokey Mountains from your cozy cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. You could book a resort and then visit the national park or check out the Arts and Crafts Community area. But you can’t go to Gatlinburg and not go tubing or ice skating at Ober Gatlinburg.
Savannah, Georgia
The winter still feels comfortable in Savannah, Georgia, so the family will still want to get out and see the sites. Known for historic landmarks (and the spot where the Forrest Gump bench sat), gorgeous cobblestone streets, and some of the most beautiful houses on Jones Street, there is a lot to look at. That’s not even mentioning all of the delicious Southern food.
For the snow lovers
The East Coast
It’s hard to narrow down whether you should visit Vermont or Maine in the winter, but if your family loves snow, snow activities, and small-town charm, the East Coast has it all. If you want to avoid the crowds flocking to these states for the snow and skiing, think about the villages along the ocean, as these usually get cleared out during the winter from people flying South for the winter. There’s nothing like an ocean stroll in the winter with no one else around. The only thing you should know is some of these villages close a lot of places (like ice cream shops) or have reduced hours for the winter.
Geneva, Wisconsin
Nothing says winter vacation like a trip to the Midwest. Geneva hosts a Winterfest that every family should be a part of at least once. Your family can enjoy a helicopter ride, human-dog sled races, magic shows, and witness the U.S. Snow Sculpting Championship.
If the kids are still obsessed with Frozen, visit Winter Realms by Lake Geneva, which is an ice sculpture wonderland Kristoff would freak out over.
For the sun soakers
Orlando, Florida
If trying to stand in line for the theme parks in Orlando during peak seasons keeps you away, a winter trip is what you need to take. The weather is still nice, and you can visit everything you want, as nothing closes down for the winter like on the East Coast. From Walt Disney World to Epcot to the Everglades, take advantage of the Sunshine State when the crowds are smaller.
St. Petersburg, Florida
Yes, Florida will be a hot spot for those wanting to leave the snow and colder weather behind, but St. Petersburg on the Gulf Coast side has more to offer than sunshine. Visit Busch Gardens and the Clearwater Aquarium.
Mesa and Tempe, Arizona
From a day trip to The Apache Trail to a visit and hike around the Sonoran Desert to a horseback ride around the Superstitious Mountain Wilderness Park, there is plenty for the whole family to enjoy while also basking in the warmer weather.
South Padre Island, Texas
With views of stunning Laguna Madrea Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, South Padre Island in Texas offers visitors over 300 days of sunshine, making this a great getaway when the winter blues are closing in. If you’re an RV family, this area is camper friendly, so take your vacation on the road and end up in Texas.
Not only can you go dolphin watching or horseback riding, but you can also visit the South Padre Island Birding Center, Alligator Sanctuary, and Nature Center.
For those who don’t want to travel
If your winter getaway needs to be closer to home, you can still plan a vacation the family will like. Make a list of the places you’ve “been meaning to get to” but haven’t yet, and see how many you can visit in a weekend.
From the community center activities to local parks and hiking trails to museums, there is something to do right where you are that you can make a vacation out of. If you have no idea where to begin, go to your local library. Not only do librarians know everything, but libraries have passes, discounts, or bundles for tickets for a variety of activities, zoos, museums, parks) in the area that you may never have known were there.
Having an unforgettable winter family vacation doesn’t have to mean extravagant locations or extended time off or doing something big every day. It just means creating memories with your family, enjoying the weather you like, and doing activities that bring you closer together.
