Photo by AnnaForlenza at Shuttertock
Looking for an affordable winter vacation? Whether you’ve been dreaming of driving south to sunnier shores or you were hoping to hit the slopes this ski season, some destinations see prices skyrocket during the wintertime.
Choosing the perfect place to visit can be the key to saving some of your hard-earned dollars on your next vacation. So to help you out, we’ve done some digging and picked our 5 favorite places based on their great winter activities, stunning views, and rates.
Whichever you decide to choose for your next winter vacation, you’ll find properties with reasonable prices in each option. And luckily, many of these spots are near airports, as well.
So you can look for some great flight deals to save even more. Click “NEXT” and discover your options today!
When you’ve got 3 separate entrances to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the middle of downtown Gatlinburg, it isn’t a surprise that visiting the National Park is the most popular attraction in this town.
It’s so popular that the location’s population skyrockets during the peak tourist season from less than 4,000 residents to over 40,000.
With miles of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding, historical exhibits and cabins, and the opportunity to view some incredible wildlife, we understand why the park is such an attraction.
You’ll also love admiring the area from Gatlinburg’s top attractions, including the Ober Gatlinburg Aerial Tramway and the Gatlinburg Space Needle. But this town isn’t just a gateway to the Smokies.
It’s a destination in its own right and particularly popular with families. There are plenty of kid-friendly diversions, including the Sweet Fanny Adams Theatre and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies.
To get a feel of the local Gatlinburg culture, you can visit one of the local galleries, including the Gatlinburg Arts & Crafts Community, to watch local artists and artisans create everything from pottery and paintings to handmade jewelry and brooms.
This is a colorful and artistic city with a rich history and plenty of festivals to celebrate it. With a culture based on a love for the great outdoors, Gothic cathedrals, chile-infused cuisine, and a deep emphasis on the arts, this truly is a beautiful winter vacation.
It also maintains a historical feel with its Spanish-influenced architecture that dates back to the 16th century. But one of the biggest reasons people visit is for its art.
The works of artists like Miro Kenarov, Georgia O’Keeffe, Peter Hurd, and Gustave Baumann fill the galleries, inspired by the city’s dramatic and evolving landscape.
To get a taste of some up-and-coming talent, check out The Railyard Arts District, stop by one of the artisan markets, or marvel at the glass-blowing demonstrations at Liquid Light Glass.
The Museum of International Folk Art and Georgia O’Keeffe Museum are also worth visiting. But that’s not all! Another part of Santa Fe’s artistic side is its music. The Santa Fe Opera welcomes many talented performers to its venue each year.
Active travelers like to hike the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, ski at one of the nearby mountains, and explore the 1.6 million acres the Santa Fe National Forest is well-known for.
Incredible, extraordinary, … try as you may, it’s pretty challenging to find words that do justice to the sheer beauty of this region. Nestled on the California-Nevada border, Lake Tahoe has been a favorite vacation spot for a long time, welcoming 15 million visitors annually.
Travelers are drawn to this place by the steep granite cliffs and towering mountaintops. And let’s not forget the crystal-clear waters that have earned Lake Tahoe the reputation for being one of the most stunning bodies of water in our country.
But while the lake alone is worth your trip, the surrounding area boasts miles of hiking trails, picture-perfect vistas, and some of the best skiing in the North. It also seems to have adopted the significant traits of its neighbors.
You’ll find San Francisco-style shopping and dining along the lake’s north shore, while you’ll also find opportunities to test your luck in the south shore’s Reno-Esque casinos.
You’ll also find plenty of activities, including hot air balloon adventures, gondola rides, and picturesque cruises on the mirror-like water.
Whether you’re a fan of the outdoors, sports history or appreciate captivating scenery, you’ll love northern New York’s Adirondacks area. The Adirondacks offer a break from the surrounding area’s bustling metropolises.
Visitors can enjoy many outdoor activities during their winter vacation, including snowshoeing, skiing, bobsledding, and dog sledding.
But no matter what season of the year you choose to visit, you’ll have your pick of beautiful scenery to explore, including Saranac Lake, Lake Placid, and Tupper Lake. That’s all thanks to over 6 million acres spread across 12 regions.
This mountainous area also features plenty of historical treasures as well. In Lake Placid, visitors can experience the Olympics while exploring the Olympic Sports Complex, the Olympic Jumping Complex, and the Lake Placid Olympic Museum.
And if you’re not interested in sports history, there’s also John Brown Farm State Historic Site, the burial site and former home of abolitionist John Brown. Additional things to do include various seasonal events, boutiques, and fine-dining restaurants.
Once you’re ready to unwind for the evening, you’ll find many accommodations, ranging from traditional campgrounds and quaint bed-and-breakfasts to luxurious cabins or upscale resorts.
This secluded Fort Myers spin-off is considered even more low-key, quiet and charming than its Gulf Coast neighbor… and that’s saying a lot! “Laid Back” will be the order of the day on Sanibel Island.
It has a shabby chic sort of vibe that permeates the Periwinkle Way galleries, restaurants, and boutiques, with seashells covering every sandy and linoleum surface. The neverending seashells have become this island’s claim to fame.
While here, you’ll find many beachcombers partaking in the “Sanibel Stoop,” what locals call shelling, on the long stretches of sand. Who knows? If the mood strikes, you may want to join them!
Be sure to let us know which one of these winter vacations was your favorite! And if you’d like to learn about some more beautiful locations in the US, we also recommend you read: Route 66: 8 Incredible Sights You Can’t Miss
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