When you try fat biking, snowmobiling, or ice fishing for the first time and then make it a yearly ritual, some of the Best Winter Vacations In The US happen by mistake. Travel costs are lower and there are fewer tourists throughout the winter, making it the ideal season to visit cities like New York City or Chicago. It is simple to dress warmly and travel to some of the country’s most famous sites and cultural attractions.
Some visitors associate winter vacations with beaches rather than snow, and the United States offers these kinds of escapes as well. See our selection of the top Best Winter Vacations In The US, whatever your preference for getting through the winter.
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Top 8 Best Winter Vacations In The US You Should Visit
1. Colorado Slopes- An ideal place for skiing lovers
Colorado features some of the top downhill skiing slopes in the country, along with upscale and reasonably priced ski resorts. Some of the most popular ski areas in Colorado include places like Telluride and Steamboat Springs, but for the best Colorado ski holiday, you can combine numerous skiing cities that are nearby in one trip.
Because you can ski several slopes in two cities in a single trip, Aspen Snowmass has consistently been regarded as a top skiing destination and one of the Best Winter Vacations in the US. Aspen Mountain, Buttermilk, Aspen Highlands, and Snowmass are the four mountains in the area. Each offers unique skiing opportunities for seasoned skiers as well as ski schools for beginners. Aspen is a Victorian mining town with 80 restaurants and cafes to enjoy after a chilly day outside. Aspen and Snowmass are only nine miles apart.
The majority of resorts provide access to all four mountains as well as transportation between them using lift tickets. Many tourists climb one mountain each day while on vacation. Enjoy the 12,000-foot gondola trip above the area to get the greatest view of the 2.8 million acres of wilderness that surround the ski areas.
Breckenridge and Vail are an additional possible ski pairing in Colorado. Over 3,000 acres of terrain are covered by 187 ski trails in Breckenridge, with practically perfect snow conditions the majority of the time. It provides a rustic touch to the beautiful views as you ski the slopes and surrounds a historic mining village from the Victorian era. You can spend the remaining half of your holiday skiing in the valley between the Sawatch Mountain Range and the Gore Mountain Range as Vail slopes are only 40 miles away.
2. Chicago- Shopping paradise for fashionistas.
Although Chicago may not be the first place that comes to mind when considering the Best Winter Vacations In The US, there are several benefits to doing so. Winter shopping on The Magnificent Mile is enjoyable as long as you dress warmly for the brisk lakeside temperatures. When there are fewer tourists in the city, take your time browsing the high-end stores along Michigan Avenue. Enjoy the magnificent window displays and take in the city’s architecture on historic structures like the Water Tower as you go from store to store and fill your bags with bargains.
Visit some of Chicago’s museums indoors to balance off the outdoor adventures. Top attractions in the city include The Art Institute of Chicago, The Shedd Aquarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry, which can divide the days between indoor and outdoor activities well.
The ability to enjoy an authentic deep-dish Chicago-style pizza whenever you want is maybe the nicest aspect of visiting Chicago in the winter. No one would blame you if, during a frigid visit, you tried several of the city’s best pizzerias.
Ice skating at the Millennium Park rink, where you can view the city skyline and frozen Lake Michigan, should be included in any wintertime trip to Chicago. The winter is when Chicago is least crowded and you can discover cheap travel bargains on lodging and transportation.
3. Lake Erie- One of the Best Winter Vacations In The US
Perch and walleye fishing on frozen bodies of water One of the most thrilling winter trips you can take is to Lake Erie. While guides may take you out on the ice from the shores of Port Clinton, Lake Erie is one of the top ice-fishing lakes in Ohio, and one of the most unique ways to enjoy it.
Only a few people and fishermen reside on South Bass Island, which is a remote island in Lake Erie. You may fly to the island on the Island Air Taxi from Port Clinton for about $40 and stay at a bed and breakfast there after a quick, 10-minute journey. A reputable guiding agency can arrange for you to spend the day in a shanty for one or more persons while keeping an eye on the ice conditions.
A fried walleye basket and a cup of hot chocolate by the fireplace are the perfect way to end the day at one of the few eateries still open on the island while exchanging fishing tales with the locals.
4. Yosemite National Park
This national treasure is renowned for its amazing year-round beauty, which includes towering granite monoliths, magnificent waterfalls, lakes, and deep valleys that are adorned by enormous old-growth sequoia trees. One of the Best Winter Vacations In The US is Yosemite National Park, which is converted into a winter wonderland with the first snowfall.
The Sierra Nevada Mountain Range is visible in every direction, no matter where you are. El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Tenaya Lake, Tunnel View, and Glacier Point are a few of the must-see attractions. The highlight for photographers may possibly be seeing the Firefall at Horsetail Falls at sunset. The ice falls are lit ablaze by the setting sun in a spectacular display of red-orange cascading fire in February.
Everyone may find somewhere to stay, from camping to opulent resorts. Yosemite is one of the greatest places for families to spend the winter in the US thanks to activities like kayaking, snowshoeing among the massive redwoods, skiing, playing in the snow, ice skating, and simply taking in the breathtaking beauty.
5. New York City – The most magnificent city in the US
There aren’t many more captivating sights than when the snow falls over New York City’s flashing lights. For the Best Winter Vacations In The US, New York is perfectly suited. Even though it may seem like the city goes on forever, all the major attractions are within easy reach by subway. Put on some clothing and start at Central Park, where the frozen lakes sparkle in the winter sun. Put on the ice skates and skate around the park beneath the imposing northern red oaks, just like in Chicago.
From there, visit the top galleries and museums in New York, including MoMa and the American Museum of Natural History. Later, visit the enormous Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Center, or hang around for a few more days to ring in the new year in Times Square.
6. Key West, Florida
The southernmost point of the USA, Key West, Florida, is the ideal destination if you’re looking for a winter break that doesn’t involve cold, snow, or rain. Even from the mainland, this tiny island is accessible by car via the Overseas Highway, which passes through the Florida Keys.
Key West is one of the top Best Winter Vacations In The US due to the tropical environment of the island, with winter temperatures ranging from 64 to 80°F. There is no doubt that anyone who loves the water and sandy beaches will find all they need on this island paradise. Excellent opportunities for kayaking, sailing, fishing, glass-bottom boat cruise, snorkeling, scuba diving, and other water sports may be found at Fort Zachary Taylor Park, Higgs Beach, and the outlying Dry Tortugas. Is there a more effective cure for the wintertime blues?
The culture vultures will have plenty to do for days with all the art galleries, antique stores, theaters, and museums there are. Numerous restaurants serve delectable regional delicacies including lobster, shrimp, and recently caught fish, and you may also enjoy street performers. And while the rest of the nation is cold and covered in blankets, all of this is happening. Yes, Key West is a decent destination in the US for a winter getaway.
7. Lake Tahoe
This Best Winter Vacations In The US is a playground for the stars with 12 ski resorts in Lake Tahoe South and North. You can count on experiencing top-notch runs in the city that hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics. The most well-known and tallest vertical drop in California is called Heavenly. It is a popular attraction in South Lake Tahoe, but because it is so large, you can escape the crowds. Due to its proximity to Sacramento and San Francisco, Sugarbowl is a favorite among residents.
With the most snowfall in the area, it has an old-fashioned vibe. A full-service family resort with a village and our personal favorite, the North Star, North Star have some of the greatest views of Lake Tahoe. However, Lake Tahoe offers more than simply skiing; it also has stunning beauty in Emerald Bay, snowshoe routes around the lake, casinos in Lake Tahoe South, and it hosts the yearly Lake Tahoe Snowfest, which features 10 days of nonstop winter fun.
8. Vail, Colorado- The last Best Winter Vacations In The US you can refer to
If skiing is your thing, Vail should definitely be a top contender for your upcoming winter vacation. This adorable tiny town boasts of being one of the most popular skiing destinations in the world, making it the ideal day trip from Denver!
Vail provides everything you need for a fantastic family winter holiday, including over 5,000 acres of skiable slopes with spectacular mountain views and 350,000 acres of unspoiled forest. This adorable chocolate box picture hamlet, located in the foothills of the Vail Mountain range, has a lot to offer. There are countless shopping, dining, and hotel alternatives to suit all tastes and budgets in addition to the fantastic skiing, snowboarding, skating, and other typical winter sports for all ability levels.
The breathtaking beauty can be found around every corner as you meander through the hot cobblestone streets of Vail Village, Lionshead, and Golden Park. There will be no way for photographers to know when to quit. One of the Best Winter Vacations In The US ideas you may ever have is a few days in Vail!
