Best winter vacation spots for kids
If you’re a parent, it can be hard to get away on vacation. You have to find a destination where your kids will be entertained and won’t create havoc. At least that’s what other parents say when they discover out we’re planning a trip. And let’s face it; this is our vacation too and we want to relax as well. Best winter vacation spots for kids are mindful of kids’ playing out of control and also offer activities for adults. See my recommendations below!
Dealing with kids at the holidays is a tad challenging, ensuring they are full of festive cheer while your own blood pressure is heated! Throw in the logistics of winter travel and it can be an absolute nightmare… That was, I know, before I decided to do some research and create this handy guide to finding the best winter vacation spots for kids!
It’s easy to choose a vacation spot for adults, but planning one for kids can be difficult. It’s not enough to have a great time; you have to take into account the needs of your kids as well. Make sure you know how to pick the best winter vacation spots for kids.
Winter is the perfect time to escape the cold and head somewhere warm. If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly winter vacation spot, look no further! Here are some of our favorite places to go when it’s cold outside:
- Miami Beach, Florida
The beaches in Miami are just about perfect for kids—and adults! The sand is soft and warm, there are plenty of activities to keep everyone busy, and the weather is always beautiful. Plus, if you’re looking for a change of scenery on your trip, there are plenty of other things to do in the city as well.
- San Diego, California
San Diego has something for everyone: from beautiful beaches and amusement parks to cultural attractions like Sea World and Balboa Park. It’s also a great place for families because it’s relatively inexpensive compared to other popular vacation spots like Los Angeles or San Francisco.
- New York City (Manhattan)
New York City may be one of the biggest cities in America but it has plenty of kid-friendly activities that don’t require spending all day waiting in line at museums or zoos (or paying through the nose). From Central Park playgrounds where kids can play on jungle gyms while parents sit nearby reading a
Winter vacation is a great time to get out of the house, but it’s also a great time to stay in!
If you’re looking for the best winter vacation spots for kids, here are some ideas:
-Take them to the beach. Kids love to play in the sand and build sandcastles, and they’ll love exploring the ocean during the winter months.
-Go skiing or snowboarding. You don’t have to go far—just find a local resort that has slopes just for kids. They’ll love learning how to ski or ride a snowboard, and it’s great exercise for them.
-Go camping! Camping is always fun, especially if you can stay at one of those sleep-away camps where there are tons of activities for kids throughout the day and night (like swimming pools and water slides).
-Go ice skating! If there’s an indoor rink nearby, take your kids skating on your next trip out of town. They’ll love gliding across the ice with their friends, and it’ll be something they remember forever!
NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK
Wintertime in Niagara Falls USA is unlike any other, with plenty of outdoor adventure and no crowds. An easy drive from Boston, Cleveland, or NYC, you can enjoy the frosted Falls while also finding cozy places to warm up.
Take a stroll along snow-covered trees and catch panoramic views of the Falls on the Observation Tower at Niagara Falls State Park, America’s oldest. In the winter you can take an abbreviated Cave of the Winds Gorge Trip, where you can get up close and personal to the Bridal Veil Falls from one of the two permanent observation decks. Outdoor enthusiasts can also explore the 400-acre state park using complimentary snowshoe rentals and if it is cold enough, catch a glimpse of the famous “Frozen Falls.”
Families can warm up indoors at one of the many budget-friendly attractions in Niagara Falls including the Aquarium of Niagara, where you’ll encounter penguins, sharks, seals and other fish. Or, choose to thaw out with a cup of hot chocolate at Platter’s Chocolate Factory while watching the chocolate-making process from multiple viewing areas.
Rooms at the Sheraton Niagara Falls start at $104 per night and the hotel offers a variety of kid-friendly amenities, including family suites, the Reef Beach Club & Pool, an arcade and a Rainforest Café. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance to Niagara Falls State Park.
SILVER MOUNTAIN, IDAHO
Silver Mountain is located just over an hour from Spokane, Washington near the historic mining community of Kellogg, Idaho. There is plenty to see and do for families, both on-mountain and off. With two mountains featuring 73 trails and 300 inches of snow annually, skiers and snowboarders will love the diverse terrain, extensive graded areas, and plenty of fresh powder.
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There are also scenic gondola rides, snow tubing, and Idaho’s largest indoor waterpark. In Kellogg, families can explore old gold and silver mines, snowshoe, or cross-country ski.
Families can stay in a one-bedroom unit with a fireplace, full kitchen, and pull-out sleeper sofa for only $270 per night, with access to the waterpark included.
Ski lift tickets and rental packages run from $234-350 per day, but there are also multi-day discounts and the Ski Idaho PassPort Program allows kids in 5th or 6th grade to ski for two or three days for only $18. This gives you plenty of time to ski and relax, with wiggle room in the budget for food and extra activities.
For even cheaper skiing, head over to the family-run Lookout Pass ski resort.
LAKE GENEVA, WISCONSIN
An hour from Milwaukee on the shores of Geneva Lake, the four-season resort area of Lake Geneva is a great spot for a family winter vacation. Here you will find small-town charm with no big-city prices.
Winterfest, which takes place in late January-early February, features the United States Snow Sculpting Championship along with helicopter rides, magic shows, a chili cook-off, and a human dog sled race.
Ice Castles are also coming to Lake Geneva. These man-made castles include slides, thrones, archways, tunnels, and lights that twinkle to music. Perfect for all Frozen fans!
In February, families can enjoy Sky Circus on Ice at the Lake Lawn Resort. Lake Geneva also offers cross-country skiing, ziplining, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice-skating, with plenty of indoor entertainment and shopping also available.
Families can stay in a two-bedroom suite at the Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark for $336 per night (including 6 waterpark passes.) Or, The Cove in downtown Lake Geneva offers two-bedroom suites for only $197 per night, including access to an indoor pool and 24-hour arcade.
COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO
Located in the middle of the country and accessible using budget airlines such as Frontier, Colorado Springs, CO is the perfect, budget-friendly choice for a family winter vacation. With a backdrop of the rugged Rocky Mountains and nearby places like the stunning Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark, Colorado Springs is perfect for outdoor-loving families.
Colorado Springs is home to more than 60 attractions, including the U.S. Air Force Academy and Olympic Training Center, and over 30 of them are totally free. Families will also enjoy unique experiences like hand-feeding giraffes and elephants at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, visiting Santa at The North Pole Christmas-themed amusement park, and an array of hands-on museums like the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum and Money Museum.
Lodging properties range from charming B&B’s, to full-service indoor waterpark hotels, some of which are under $150 per night in the off season. Check the Visitors’ Bureau website for special deals and discounts!
NORTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIFORNIA/NEVADA
North Lake Tahoe spans two states and is within driving distance from Northern California. Situated on beautiful Lake Tahoe, you will find two dozen beaches, twelve ski resorts, and hundreds of miles of biking trails.
In the winter, families can enjoy a day of ice skating at Northstar California Resort, and warm up at the fire pits and couches that surround the rink while sipping hot cocoa and eating s’mores. They can also take a magical sleigh ride in the snow at Sand Harbor, try dog sledding at the Resort at Squaw Creek, or visit the SnoVentures Family Fun Zone at Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows for mini-snowmobiling and snow tubing.
The waterfront Franciscan Lodge offers affordable accommodations starting at $109 per night, including a fully-equipped kitchen.
WATERVILLE VALLEY, NEW HAMPSHIRE
Waterville Valley is an affordable winter vacation destination offering skiing and winter sports in the White Mountains – and plenty more for families to enjoy. Young skiers can enjoy Kids Venture Kamps with specially designed Venture Zones for learners. Waterville offers 52 trails and 12 ski lifts and the Nordic Center features 75 km of groomed trails for cross-country skiing.
When not on the trails, families can enjoy the White Mountain Athletic Club for swimming or the Waterville Valley Ice Arena for skating. At the nearby Curious George Cottage, once home to Margret and H.A. Rey, the creator’s of the world’s most beloved monkey, the Curious Kids program takes children and families into the White Mountain National Forest to explore and learn.
Families can save on food and attractions around the Waterville Valley with the Freedom Pass. Lodging options for families range from $125 for a room at a local inn to $411 per night for a three-bedroom condo on the mountain.
FINGER LAKES REGION, NEW YORK
The Finger Lakes region of New York may be most known for its wineries and lakes, but it is also a great destination for adventurous families in the wintertime. Greek Peak Mountain Resort offers 30+ ski trails and an adventure center with a mountain coaster, ziplining, snow tubing, and ropes course.
And unlike some of the larger ski resorts in New York, this one is affordable for families with rooms at the Hope Lake Lodge starting at $165 per night. Designed with families in mind, the hotel features 106 condominium-style suites sleeping up to 10 guests at a time and equipped with full kitchens.
CANAAN VALLEY, WEST VIRGINIA
Located under three hours from Washington DC and Pittsburgh, PA, Canaan Valley Resort Ski Area is an affordable winter destination for families. Canaan Valley has won numerous awards from Liftopia in recent years, including top-rankings in family-friendly and best-value categories. In addition to skiing, Canaan Valley offers a 1,200-foot tubing park (the longest in the Mid-Atlantic region) and covered outdoor ice skating.
Kids stay free in one of the 160-lodge rooms and suites, and the resort also offers 23 cabins and cottages. A six-night stay in early January, including two days of skiing, lessons, tubing, skating, accommodations, dining, and access to the fitness center with swimming pool is under $2500 for a family of four, leaving room in the budget for plenty of hot chocolate by the fire.
MASSANUTTEN RESORT, VIRGINIA
Massanutten Resort is an all-season resort nestled in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, within a few hours drive from Washington D.C. and just 45 minutes from the Charlottesville Airport. With a selection of affordable accommodations and activties, Massanutten is an ideal winter vacation choice for families in the mid-Atlantic region.
Resort lodging options include Woodstone Meadows, which starts at $108/night. These premium condos comfortably sleep four with a queen bed and sleep sofa, and are located near the Woodstone Meadows Golf Course and Recreation Center. Eagle Trace townhouse-style condos also start at $110/night and are conveniently located near the Family Adventure Park and Ski Area. A one-bedroom condo will sleep four with a queen bed and two queen sleep sofas. Massanutten Resort Hotel start at just $118 and can also sleep up to four, with a choice of one king size bed and a sleep sofa or two queen beds.
Families can enjoy free hiking on Massanutten’s western slope, which offers more than thirty miles of trails for hikers of all experience levels. Families can also enjoy a leisurely walk at Rockingham Springs Arboretum or explore the Shenandoah Valley through geocaching.
For those that want to be more active, adult rates for ski slope tickets start as low as $49 for a 4-hour session, or $59 for an 8-hour session. The Family Adventure Park is also ideal for thrill-seekers, with a Zip Line Canopy Tour ($45/person), Snow Tubing, a Kids’ Adventure Course and the Mega Zip, an 800-foot zip line capable of reaching up to 30 miles per hour.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Sure, New York City is one of the most expensive cities in the world, especially if you are visiting NYC around Christmas. However, if you are looking for a cheap winter weekend getaway in January, New York City should be on your list. You can regularly find hotels, especially around the Times Square area under $200 a night.
New York City restaurant week also runs from mid-January through mid-February, offering great deals on prix fixe dinners, offering a great opportunity to try some of New York’s top restaurants. Broadway Week takes place at the same time, providing an opportunity to score 2-for-1 tickets to shows. And if you really want to bang out the tourist attractions, invest in a New York CityPass and maximize your savings.
ACE ADVENTURE RESORT, WEST VIRGINIA
If you are an active family but looking for a winter-weather alternative to skiing, try the ACE Adventure Resort. An hour from Charleston, WV, and within a 250-mile drive from major cities including Cincinnati and Pittsburgh, ACE is easily accessible via car and is located within New River Gorge, America’s newest National Park.
During the winter months, they offer a range of activities for all ages including winter ziplining, ATV tours over snow, winter paintball, and you can even do a three-house adventure “Brave the Bridge” walk on the New River Bridge, the longest single-arch bridge in the Western hemisphere, which towers 800 feet above the water. There are also complimentary resort amenities and adventures including winter hiking or mountain biking the dozens of trails with views of the historic town of Thurmond, the New River Gorge, and maybe even a frozen waterfall. ACE is also a bird watcher’s paradise and in West Virginia, no fishing license is necessary to utilize the resort’s private ponds.
Ideal for families, ACE offers a range of private cabins, in addition to options for camping sites and an RV campsite, which have access to all of the resort amenities. For a family of four, the Lakefront Cozy Park Cabin starts at only $189 a night.
ELLIJAY, GEORGIA
The mountain town of Ellijay, Georgia is located about an hour and a half north of Atlanta, and perfect for those that want a chilly, mountain destination, but not too chilly. There are plenty of affordable rental cabins with cozy fireplaces for under $200 per night. You can also be a little more adventurous and sleep in a vintage Airstream or geodesic dome at Elatse’ Yi.
Ellijay is great for families that want to be outside and then warm up at some of the area’s charming restaurants and locally-owned shops like In the Woods, where you can take pottery lessons.
Gilmer County and its surroundings are home to 11 mountain hiking trails, 59 mountain bike trails, and several impressive waterfalls. The best views are in the winter when the leaves are off the trees and you can take in the scenery on the Bear Creek Trail or climb the path to Amicalola Falls.
CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE
Clarksville is less than an hour from Nashville, but way more affordable! You can still venture into Nashville for a night at the Grand Ole Opry or to take in ICE at the Opryland Hotel, but with an average age of 30, Clarksville knows how to entertain families. The average cost of a hotel room is $119/night and there are plenty of locally-owned and reasonably-priced restaurants downtown.
Clarksville features multiple indoor recreation venues, including The City Forum, which is one of the largest indoor entertainment complexes in the country. It features climbing, blacklight golf, two escape game venues, a trampoline park, and more.
Plus, in December the downtown and RiverWalk transforms into a sparkling, magical place with 1 million lights along a ½ mile RiverWalk and into the Public Square downtown. There are special performances such as Charlotte’s Web, Miracle on 34th Street, and other Christmas exhibits. See more affordable things to do in Tennessee.
TOGWOTEE MOUNTAIN LODGE, WYOMING
Conveniently located near three national parks, Togwotee Mountain Lodge is a short 45-minute drive from the town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Families appreciate the charming, rustic cabins with full kitchens and cozy fireplaces, and winter rates start as low as $209 a night.
This destination is considered to be one of “America’s best” for winter activities thanks to 600 miles of snow-packed adventure along the Continental Divide. The fine power also sets the stage for snowshoeing, cross country skiing & dog sled tours through the backcountry of the Tetons. Snowmobilers are encouraged to bring a bathing suit to stop for a soak at Granite Hot Springs. These little-known hot springs are located just above Granite Creek Falls and set amongst gigantic spruce, fir, and pine trees alongside sheer granite cliffs that tower thousands of feet overhead. During the winter months, the hot springs can only be accessed via snowmobile dog sled, snow bike, or skiing.
Winter is the time when wildlife viewing is at its best to spot gray wolves, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, moose, and bald eagles. And while access to the parks may be more limited in the winter, families can visit Bridger Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Forest, and Yellowstone National Park in just one weekend.
BEECH MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA
As the highest town in the Eastern USA and with sweeping views of snow-capped mountain tops, Beech Mountain, North Carolina is the ideal destination for winter adventure. Once the 80 inches of yearly snowfall blanket the pristine mountain hideaway, this magical destination becomes a budget-friendly, winter haven for adventurers of every age and skill level. To top it off, the area is within driving distance of most major cities in the South and more affordable than other ski resort towns, yet offers visitors the same unforgettable winter sports options with fewer crowds and more affordable pricing.
At the Beech Mountain Resort, guests can take advantage of a perfect home base within the Town of Beech Mountain to enjoy exciting winter sports and activities without the high price tags. Families can also enjoy snow tubing, ice skating, sledding, or snowshoeing on Beech Mountain’s 30 miles of town-maintained trails using free snowshoes from Buckeye Recreation Center.
There are lodging options for groups of all sizes from condos, chalets, and private homes, to quaint inns & lodges, with many priced at under $100 a night. Larger accommodations such as Beech Mountain Chalets rent for as low as $250.00 (+ fees) for a two-night stay. Also many of the condo, chalet and house rentals come with equipped kitchens which always helps on saving from eating out meals for larger families.
WARM WEATHER FAMILY WINTER VACATIONS
While I can’t make any promises on the weather, sometimes even warmer (than home) is good enough when you are from the north. Here are some ideas for “warmer” weather winter vacations in the U.S. that are budget friendly.
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA
Jacksonville is the perfect destination for families this winter, with hotel rates typically 30 to 40 percent less than most Florida destinations. With a ton of free outdoor and holiday activities, Jacksonville has plenty for the whole family, and won’t break the budget. Plus, budget airline Allegiant recently added new direct flights to JAX from Nashville, and other airlines have added more direct flights to JAX including major cities like Dallas and Raleigh, NC.
Warmer winters in Florida mean families can spend the days outside–exploring the largest urban park system in the Country, with over 400 city parks, seven state parks, and two National Parks, making a great destination for families with young children. Teens will also enjoy paddling through Jacksonville’s 1,100+ miles of waterways on guided eco-tours, or relaxing at one of Jacksonville’s beaches that stretch over 22 miles of the East Coast of Florida.
Jax is also home several interactive museum exhibits, like the Museum of Science and History, and the much-loved Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. For a splurge, you can try fun family activities like indoor skydiving, indoor go-karting, and Adventure Landing, which offers a mega-arcade, laser tag, mini golf, and more.
If you are visiting during the holidays, you can enjoy some of the city’s “Winter on the Water” events like Deck the Chairs and drive-thru holiday lights.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA
If you are lucky enough to get out of school the week before Christmas, this is an ideal time to head to Orlando. The Hilton Orlando offers low room rates during that week. You don’t even need to spend money on the theme parks with the Hilton Orlando’s 892-foot long lazy river, a winding water slide, and zero-entry swimming pool. There is also a new splash pad, spray ground, and an expanded pool deck.