Family Vacation For 5 Winter
Each year, families vacation for various reasons. It could be for pleasure or business. The main purpose of a family vacation is to improve intimate relationships among family members by strengthening their emotional ties. Creating such bonding atmosphere is possible through spending time in a fun-filled way that each member has something to remember afterward. Here are five fun, easy and family friendly winter vacations that you can take if you are planning a family vacation for five.
How to plan a family vacation over the winter? ‘It’s to cold’, ‘New York City is so busy in January’, ‘Oh, I’m broke.’ These were some of the things that ran through my head last winter when we started talking about our next family vacation. It was December, and we had just spent a glorious week in Puerto Rico. We were ready for more, but didn’t want to go back to the same place this season. My husband and I had been discussing family trips since the summer and he put together an amazing plan that included staying local to the Northeast, visiting New Hampshire and Boston with our daughter who is away at college, and then traveling south with our other two kids to New York City. In true familial fashion, the trip changed along the way as we left Vermont with visits to Maine and New York City as our ultimate destination. This year, we’re heading to Bodie State Historic Park, CA for a winter vacation! This national park is located in the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains and we’ll experience some snow while we explore. Read on for more information about this park.
Family Vacation For 5 Winter
If you’re planning a family vacation for five people or less, there is a lot to consider. The majority of popular travel destinations can be reached by car in just one day, giving families plenty of time together. Vacation spots with family friendly features offer an abundance of activities and hotels that are designed exclusively for families, providing something for everyone to enjoy.
Mom Knows Best: 23 Winter Family Vacations to Embrace (and Escape) the Cold
We’re embracing the season by connecting with our family travel experts — moms — to share the top 23 winter family vacations you can plan this year.
Cold weather gets a bad wrap, but anyone who lives someplace where you can get a proper winter full of snow knows that folks down south are really missing out. Face the facts — you can’t ski down a sandy beach, you never have a reason to snuggle up to a fire, and sipping hot cocoa in Florida or southern California is just plain silly.
This year, we’re embracing the season by connecting with our family travel experts — moms — to share the top winter family vacations you can plan this year.
Lake Tahoe, California
For a family ski vacation, the Ritz-Carlton Lake Tahoe in Truckee, California has no Tahoe rival. This luxury hotel is located on the slopes of Northstar California Resort with easy ski-in and ski-out access. The laid back Tahoe vibe makes the destination feel especially welcoming to travelers with kids. Service is attentive, but not pretentious. Rooms at the Ritz are more than spacious enough for an entire family to share. The hotel has several dining options on property, and children are welcome at even the signature restaurant, Manzanita.
Skiing and snowboarding with kids can sometimes be challenging, but the hotel helps make those logistics seem like no challenge at all. A ski concierge whisks skis and boards out of your hands the moment you step off the slopes. Forget long rental lines, the hotel has a full ski shop for rentals on site. Parents can even drop children off for ski school at the hotel’s back deck.
The can’t-miss highlight for families? In the winter, the hotel offers “Marshmology,” a daily afternoon s’mores tasting by the fire pits. The sugar rush is always a welcome treat after a long day on the slopes. For more adventures off the slopes, take the short hop aboard the Highlands Gondola to the Village at Northstar. The Village is home to numerous restaurants and many non-ski activities, from ice-skating to bungee trampolines and even a movie theater. — Leslie Harvey, Trips With Tykes
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The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Rated 5 stars out of 5
Top rated
Truckee
9.0 Excellent (798 reviews)
From $357 Two-person room / night *
Williamsburg, Virginia
Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg is our family’s number one choice anytime we are looking for a vacation of any length. (My oldest has even asked us to go to Great Wolf Lodge for his birthday instead of having a birthday party!) The reason is simple; the entire resort from top to bottom is designed with kids and families in mind. As a mom, I love it because for a few days I never have to tell my kids to “behave” or “be quiet.” I can let them get all their energy out, have a blast, and never worry that we’re disturbing someone because everyone else’s kids are doing the same.
Plus, can I confess? The resort brings out the kid in me, too. Every day, we start the day out by going to the pool (if you go in the morning you beat the crowd) and then in the afternoon, we hit the arcade, play mini golf, go bowling, you name it. There are so many options. By nighttime, we’re always playing Magic Quest and I love being able to let loose and run around the resort with my kids. It’s so much fun and an amazing bonding experience.
One question I’m often asked is whether little kids will enjoy the resort too, and the answer is a resounding yes. There is a story hour, dance party, balloon animals, a stuffed animal game (like a toddler-friendly alternative to Magic Quest).
One more pro tip is to bring snacks and meals you can make in the microwave, as every room has a microwave and mini-fridge. This makes taking a break to eat in the room a great cost-saving option, but also provides an excuse to take a breather if your kids get overstimulated. — Rachel, The Analytical Mommy
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Hotel Great Wolf Lodge Williamsburg
Rated 3 stars out of 5
Williamsburg
8.3 Very good (1940 reviews)
From $198 Two-person room / night *
Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a worthwhile destination no matter the season. In winter, visitors can enjoy the snow-peaked mountains while enjoying unique shops and experiences. Start your family’s visit by checking into the Park Vista DoubleTree hotel. The mountain view sets the stage for a memorable family trip. Lunch at one of the onsite restaurants (my husband recommends the club sandwich at the Vista Grill) then head to the lobby where the Gatlinburg trolley picks up Park Vista guests, making transport to nearby activities is a breeze.
Make Ober Gatlinburg your first stop. Accessible by aerial tramway, this mountain is full of activities from ice skating to an alpine slide. Skiing, snowboarding, and tubing are also available. The activities at Ober Gatlinburg are so plentiful that kids of all ages are able to discover something new. For a special meal, make a reservation for The Peddler Steakhouse. With its extensive salad bar and hand-cut, top-quality steaks, this restaurant is loved by locals and visitors alike.
Finish the day with a swim in the hotel’s kid-friendly indoor swimming pool. Our kids wore a path into the built-in slide while I relaxed in the spacious poolside lounge chairs. A Gatlinburg family winter vacation will be one you’ll cherish for years to come. — Dianna Gardenhour, Savings In Seconds
