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When the winter months roll around and winter break finally hits the calendar, it’s time to escape the grind of everyday life. This is the time to start planning that winter family vacation. Whether you’re dreaming of snow-capped peaks or sunny beach escapes, there’s a perfect place waiting for your family. Here are our favorite seven winter vacation ideas in North America and beyond.
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Park City: Snowy Bliss and Winter Sports Galore
If snow is your idea of a winter wonderland, Park City is the ideal place to hit the slopes. This ski town offers the best snow on Earth and winter sports of Olympic proportions. Park City is home to Park City Mountain Resort, including Canyons Village and Deer Valley Resort. If skiing is what you’re after, there are 450 ski runs from beginner to advanced to get those legs burning.
Park City is more than just big mountain skiing, though. Take the whole family cross-country skiing, snow tubing, or ice skating. For a unique snow day, head out on a dog sledding tour with Rancho Luna Lobos or do the ultimate zen combo of Snowga: snowshoe and yoga! With easy access to pristine snow-covered trails literally right outside your door, Park City is a great spot for families of all ages. After a day of winter adventure, we suggest spending apres cozied up with some hot cocoa or enjoying a family night of board games by the fireplace. Hotels like St. Regis in Park City offer an incredible apres hour, complete with cocoa for the kids and cocktails for the adults…and board games, too.
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Somewhere…over the mountains…. Photo by Sinjin Thomas on Unsplash
Where To Stay In Park City
A one-stop stay, shop, and ski is what it’s all about when going on a ski vacation with the whole family. So, book a room at Marriott MountainSide Park City and have everything you need right at the resort. This hotel sits adjacent to the ski plaza, where you will find ticketing, rental shops, restaurants, and lift lines. Not only that, but the ski school and the outdoor ice rink are just across the plaza. There are also heated outdoor pools, hot tubs, lounge areas, and even ski lockers when the ski day ends and apres begins. Or, opt to walk one block to Main Street and take in downtown Park City.
San Diego: Warm Up with Beach Fun
Looking for an alternative to the colder months during your winter family vacations? San Diego is our favorite destination to scrap the snow and enjoy the sun. This major city offers a great way to experience a beach vacation over winter break, and it’s a short, easy trip from Los Angeles.
Think palm tree horizons and mild temperatures, sand castles, and suntans. Aside from spreading out on the sandy beaches and taking selfies, older kids will love Mission Bay Park. For younger kids, the famous San Diego Zoo is always a good idea. SeaWorld is a fun one-stop shop for waterpark adventures, theme park rides, and animal encounters.
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Visitors can also rent boats or sailboats and go kayaking or paddleboarding. Winter in San Diego is the perfect time to soak up the rays and enjoy family fun without the summer crowds.
SeaWorld is flippin’ cool! There is plenty to see and do for kids and adults.
Where To Stay In San Diego
The Dana on Mission Bay is a great hotel option for a family winter vacation in San Diego. The hotel itself offers fun activities like movie night and lawn games. Plus, it’s located near Dana Landing and the marina, so it’s easy to access water sports like paddleboarding and kayaking. Sunset Point Park is also nearby, with walking paths, fishing, and park play. And, of course, it’s super close to SeaWorld and has easy access to the freeway if you want to drive up the coast to beaches along the Pacific.
Key West, Florida: Tropical Paradise with a Side of Pie
For families who prefer their winter break without a snowflake in sight, Key West is a top choice. With its laid-back vibe and direct flights from all major cities, it’s an easy getaway. Key West also offers excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities in its clear, warm waters, making it a great place to get your diving certification. It also happens to be the best place to indulge in all things Key Lime, and we mean literally all things—not just Key Lime pie! There’s Key Lime taffy, jelly, hot sauce, lip balm, lotion—you get the idea.
Consider taking a detour from Key West to Barrier Islands like Key Biscayne. Whether you are a kid, an adult, or a picky teenager, you will love a trip to the Barrier Islands that dot the Gulf and Atlantic edges of the Florida peninsula. Exploring the islands (like Longboat Key) and beach hopping (to Barefoot Beach) or heading to J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is an adventure in itself, with so many things to do and marine life to explore. But you might also enjoy booking a tour to travel in the salt marshes, see dolphins and wildlife up-close, explore the “boneyard beach” and walk the inland trails. There is also a plenitude of sunset cruises that offer unforgettable sunset views. Adventure is “Key.”
Not too far from Key West, South Walton offers another sunny escape with beautiful beaches and palm trees. This destination is known for its stunning white-sand beaches and clear waters. The whole family can enjoy outdoor adventures, from kayaking in the Gulf to exploring the local wildlife, ahem, watch them gators!
As memorable as they come. Photo by Christopher Osten on Unsplash
Where To Stay In Key West
Key West has no shortage of hotels in the area. Our family stayed at The Reach Key West and had the best time. The hotel is beautiful. The pool area is clean and spacious, with beach access, which puts families right onto a private sandy beach and shoreline with beach loungers and a covered pier. Four Marlins restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and we ate almost every meal there and couldn’t get enough! The best part for me was the proximity to the Butterfly Conservatory! I didn’t know about it when we booked and I was thrilled to add a butterfly adventure to our trip.
New York City: Urban Winter Magic
If you’re craving a bustling city experience with a winter twist, New York City is a classic choice. The holiday season in NYC is nothing short of magical. Visit Rockefeller Center and lace up those ice skates, take a twirl on the iconic ice skating rink that sits near the dazzling Christmas tree. Point out your Christmas list wishes while strolling down 5th Ave.
The city embraces the holiday season like no other with seasonal family-friendly musicals such as The Lion King, ballets like The Nutcracker, and popular Broadway productions like Hamilton that will leave you with wonderful winter memories.
The city’s fantastic dining options are a great way to warm up after a day of sightseeing; The Plaza was our dining pick after sightseeing on 5th Ave, mostly for the posh lunch options (and delicious mimosas) but also because, well, we were hoping to catch a glimpse of Hollywood royalty, obviously!
A New York winter vacation isn’t complete without ice skating under the Christmas tree.
Where To Stay In New York City
For a New York City winter family vacation, it’s only fitting to book a stay at The Jewel Hotel. It sits right across the street from Rockefeller Center, in the heart of Manhattan. It’s a contemporary hotel perfect for urban adventures in the winter, with short walks to Radio City Music Hall, the MOMA, and even Central Park.
Costa Rica: Warm Adventures with a Tropical Twist
For a unique winter getaway, consider taking the fam to Costa Rica. Where else can you explore lush rainforests, zipline through the jungle, soak in volcanic hot springs, sun yourself on stunning beaches, and visit a sloth sanctuary? It’s an incredible destination for adventurous families looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation. Whether you’re exploring the great outdoors or lounging by the pool, Costa Rica’s diverse offerings make it an ideal winter break spot.
Monkey around and make new friends during your next Tropical sun-filled winter vacation.
Where To Stay In Costa Rica
There are so many areas in Costa Rica to visit for a winter family vacation. When we visited, we stayed in the Guanacaste region, and the town of Tamarindo was nearby. This area was beautiful, with long stretches of beach and quaint shops all along downtown. I loved the Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel. It was like staying in a private tropical jungle, but just beyond the giant palms was every convenience and adventure you could want. The Capitán also felt very safe. Traveling to other countries adds an element of vulnerability, and the Capitán Suizo Hotel was very secure. Oh, and the monkeys! Monkeys love to climb the trees and walk along the hotel fence lines and the phone lines. It gets some getting used to, but once you do, you will find yourself waiting to see and hear the monkeys walking by.
The Dominican Republic: Caribbean Charm
The Dominican Republic is another great destination if you’re the kind of family that wants to escape to a Caribbean paradise for winter family vacation. It’s the ultimate snow swap for a sun and sand vacation. It’s also the Merengue mecca, so throw your dance shoes into that suitcase. Not only that, but the Dominican Republic is home to Hoyo Azul “blue hole.” This hot spring is located in Scape Park via a rainforest hike, so maybe pack your hiking shoes too.
Holy cow, that’s pretty! Original image from Flickr.
When you’ve had enough of hot springs, rainforest adventures, turquoise water, and powdery white sand beaches, head into Santo Domingo and take in sights, sounds, and colors as you wait for the locals to come out and strut their Merengue moves. Whether you’re a kid, a teen, or an adult with two left feet, you can’t help but feel the dance vibe in DR.
One of the most popular coastal towns to visit in DR is Punta Cana. With its beautiful beaches and all-inclusive resorts that offer activities for all ages, it’s a great place for families to enjoy fun in the sun.
Where To Stay In Dominican Republic
Punta Cana has several resorts, like the Royalton, that offer water activities and…water parks. Now that is music to a momma’s ears. Spend your days lounging poolside while the kiddos are entertained for hours at the Splash water park. It’s an easy destination with plenty of options for both young children and older kids.
[ctt template=”8″ link=”mdau1″ via=”no” ]Think palm tree horizons, mild temperatures, sand castles, and suntans for your next family winter vacation! Here are our 7 favs.[/ctt]
North of the Border: Canada’s Winter Wonders
If you’re up for a family road trip, just kidding, hop on a plane for sanity’s sake. Canada offers incredible winter destinations. Explore the northern lights in places like Jasper National Park, or shred some pow snowboarding in Whistler. Canada is a vast outdoor playground with plenty of options for winter sports and outdoor activities. Snow tubing, ice fishing, and ice skating are all popular pastimes. After a day in the snow, cozy up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa and board games. Sounds like a dream winter vacation, eh?
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Take me to the best winter family vacation, please! @ davey-gravy on Unsplash
Where To Stay In Whistler
We loved the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Center because the property transports families into an Alp villa, except that its location is smack in the middle of everything fun. Enjoy the tasty breakfasts or the craft cocktails in on-site restaurant, the Raven Room. Pamper every aching muscle in the spa or sweat it all out in the sauna. The hotel offers free shuttle rides around the village, and storage for golf, ski, and snowboard equipment is complimentary.
Wrapping Up: The Best Winter Family Vacation Ideas
From the snowy peaks of Park City to the sunny shores of the Dominican Republic, each destination offers a unique way to enjoy the winter months. So gather your family, pack your bags, and get ready for the best winter vacation ever. With so many great places to choose from, you’re sure to find a spot that will offer fun, adventure, and plenty of family memories. Here’s to a winter filled with excitement, relaxation, and maybe even a few epic board game battles by the fire!
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Laura Kent
. I am a master brand storyteller, creative ringleader and kick-a content creator, based in Park City, Utah, where I live with my three incredible kiddos, my guy, and three of the goofiest doodle doggies you’ll ever meet. My specialties include copywriting, content creation, word smithing, editing, proofreading, SEO marketing, brainstorming, and picking brains. I’m also very good at multitasking, single-tasking, and “I’ll just do it myself” tasking. Last, but certainly not least, I specialize in spontaneous bursts of sheer brilliance. I traded life near the Pacific Ocean for mountain town living in Park City, which actually feels like a chill beach town…so, it’s a pretty even trade, except for the snow – obvi!