Photo by Romolo Tavani at Shutterstock
When the winter holidays roll around, it’s a time when most family budgets can be stretched pretty thin. Lavish winter breaks aren’t an option for everyone. Yet, finding low-cost holiday vacations is a challenge for those who hate to let a short break pass by.
Are YOU looking for an affordable winter escape? Winter vacations can be expensive, whether you’re dreaming of heading south to sandy beaches or hoping to hit the slopes this season. The festive season also brings high rates and occupancy at many hotels.
Choosing the perfect destination can be essential to saving on your next trip. So we did some digging to find some low-cost holiday destinations in the United States. Check ’em out and tell us which one’s your favorite!
Not a fan of the cold weather? With an average high of 70 degrees, this makes Huntington Beach the perfect low-cost holiday destination to visit in December. Not to mention one of the most budget-friendly yet luxurious beach towns.
You can celebrate your Christmas in this seaside city by lounging on the sandy beaches or enjoying unique events like the Cruise of Lights.
Get on board a boat tour setting sail in Huntington Harbor, and check out the animated displays and thousands of lights decorating the docks, boats, and homes.
Another great thing about this location? It’s just 20 miles away from Disneyland, where you can marvel at the fanciful decorations of Downtown Disney’s Winter Village, complete with Olaf’s “Frozen” ice rink surrounding a sparkling Christmas tree.
We bet the kids won’t want to pass up a chance to meet “Santa Mickey!”
An hour’s drive away from Milwaukee on the shores of Geneva Lake, the four-season resort area of Lake Geneva is an excellent spot for a low-cost holiday destination. Here you’ll find small-town charm but without the big-city prices.
Suppose you decide to visit in late January-early February. In that case, you’ll experience Winterfest, which features the US Snow Sculpting Championship, a chili cook-off, helicopter rides, magic shows, and a human dog sled race.
Ice Castles are also famous in Lake Geneva. These artificial castles include slides, thrones, tunnels, archways, and lights that twinkle in tune with the music. Families can also enjoy Sky Circus on Ice in February at the Lake Lawn Resort.
This low-cost holiday also offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ziplining, snowmobiling, and ice skating, with plenty of indoor entertainment and shopping as well.
Wondering about the accommodations? Families can spend the night in a two-bedroom suite at the Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark for $336 a night, which also includes 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 a 24-hour arcade.
This low-cost holiday destination has all the necessary ingredients that make for a magical Christmas getaway, including snow, towering pines, and a “Polar Express” adventure included!
The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad plays out our childhood favorite by Chris Van Allsburg nearly every night during the month of December, including Christmas Eve, when the actual story takes place.
But if you want, you can also ride the rails during the daytime by booking a journey on the Cascade Canyon Train, which traverses a frosty winterscape along the Animas and ventures into the middle of San Juan National Forest.
Back in town, you can ice skate, ski Chapman Hill, or even take a charming sleigh ride.
Waterville Valley is a low-cost holiday destination that offers skiing and winter sports in the White Mountains. But that’s not all! Waterville has 52 trails and 12 ski lifts, and the Nordic Center features 47 miles of groomed trails for cross-country skiing.
Families can also check out the White Mountain Athletic Club for a leisurely swim or the Waterville Valley Ice Arena for skating when they’re not on the trails.
At the nearby Curious George Cottage, once home to Margret and H.A. Rey, the creators of the world’s most beloved monkey, the Curious Kids program takes children and families exploring into the White Mountain National Forest.
Lodging options for families range from $125 for a room at a local inn to $411 a night for a three-bedroom condo right on the mountain.
Wouldn’t you love to see the world’s largest year-round Christmas store? Well, this low-cost holiday destination simply glows with the holiday spirit!
The town’s Franconian-style architecture has earned the nickname “Little Bavaria” and helps provide a storybook setting for a unique holiday escape. Head over to the town’s Farmer’s market for a Night at the North Pole if visiting in mid-December.
And, of course, Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland is a must-see attraction while visiting.
The low-cost holiday boasts multiple kinds of trees, an abundance of ornament choices, and every kind of light you could possibly imagine. This sounds like a vacation you can’t pass up!
Just three hours from Washington DC and Pittsburgh, PA, Canaan Valley Resort Ski Area is an excellent low-cost holiday destination for families.
In recent years, Canaan Valley has won numerous awards from Liftopia, including top rankings in family-friendly and best-value categories. Besides skiing, the area offers a 1,200ft tubing park and a covered outdoor ice skating.
Your kiddos can stay free in one of the 160-lodge rooms and suites, and the resort also has 23 cabins and cottages to rent.
A 6-night stay in early January, including two days of skiing, lessons, skating, tubing, accommodations, dining, and access to the fitness center, is under $2500 for a family of four, leaving room in your budget for lots of hot chocolate by the fire!
Hidden away in a vast red sandstone canyon, Sedona is a picturesque place to visit no matter what time of year. But you’ll find some of the best hotel deals and avoid the city’s summer tourist traffic by staying during their off-season.
Snow brushes the towering red monoliths rising from the canyon, lit with a fiery glow at sunrise and sunset.
And while on this low-cost holiday, you can take a hot air balloon ride at dawn and spend your days exploring the magnificent hiking trails with temperatures that go all the way into the upper 50s.
Come nighttime, head over to Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village, modeled after an old Mexican village in Guadalajara by that same name. The entire area gets transformed into an enchanted wonderland of sparkling lights from dusk ’til 9 pm every day in December.
Easily accessible near 3 US national parks, this low-cost holiday destination is a short half-hour drive from the town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Families come here for the charming, rustic cabins with full kitchens and cozy fireplaces.
But they also appreciate the winter rates that start as low as $210 a night. This location is considered one of our country’s best for winter activities, thanks to 600 miles of snow-packed adventure along the Continental Divide.
The delicate powder also sets the stage for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing & dog sled tours that take you through the backcountry of the Tetons. Those who go on snowmobile rides are encouraged to bring their bathing suits to stop for a soak at Granite Hot Springs.
These lesser-known hot springs are located just above Granite Creek Falls, and they’re set amongst massive fir, spruce, and pine trees alongside sheer granite cliffs that tower thousands of feet aloft.
During the winter, the hot springs can only be accessed via a snowmobile dog sled or skiing.
And another great thing about visiting this low-cost holiday in winter is the wildlife viewing because it’s the perfect time to spot gray wolves, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, moose, and bald eagles.
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