Winter Vacations
By Teresa Plowright, About.com Guide to Family Vacations
Winter vacations are so wonderfully polarized: snow in the mountains? Or sand and sea? And of course there's much in between as well. For example, you can drive, through snow, to the indoor tropics of a water park resort.
Northeast US
Find many opportunities for outdoorsy winter vacations, including ski resorts, and year-round lodges with huge grounds; indoor fun at water park resorts as well.
- Ten New England Family Resorts
- New York State Winter Vacation Ideas
- Pennsylvania Family Resorts (Including Water Park Resorts)
- More Winter Vacation Ideas in the Northeast US
Winter Vacations - Hawaii
You won't find the all-inclusives of the Caribbean, but families can lap up at luxury resorts with kids programs; learn to surf at Waikiki (-busy place, yes, but lots of fun); or go the popular condo-rental route.
- Hawaii Resorts - Oahu
- Kauai Resorts
- Hawaii Resorts - The Big Island
- Hawaii Resorts - Maui
- More Hawaii Vacations
Mexico: Mayan Riviera, Cancun, and more
Many families choose to stay at all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, with the convenience of meals, drinks, snacks, kids programs, watersports and entertainment. Mexico offers the chance to combine a beach resort stay with cultural interest such as Mayan history, especially in the Mayan Riviera area south of Cancun.
- Cancun All Inclusive Resorts
- Riviera Maya - Top Spots for Families
- Los Cabos - All Inclusive Resorts
- More: Best Places to Go in Mexico
Winter Vacations: Caribbean
The Caribbean has some terrific all-inclusives that cater specifically to families, with well-developed kids programs and many special facilities and activities.
- Top Caribbean All Inclusives Beach Resorts for Families
- Which Caribbean Islands Have All Inclusives?
- All Inclusive Resorts: What to Expect, or Watch out For
- More about Caribbean Getaways
Winter Vacations - Orlando, Florida
Orlando is the globe's biggest draw for families, with its many theme parks: Disney World alone has four theme parks (plus two water parks and thirteen resorts.) The weeks between the Holiday Season and Spring Break are among the least-crowded in the parks.
- Top Things to Do in Orlando
- Disney World - Overview
- Universal Orlando
- Top Orlando Resorts for Families
- Much More About Orlando For Families
Winter Vacations in the Snow
Alpine skiing and snowboarding getaways are pricey but great fun for families: kids, teens, tweens, parents can enjoy the slopes together (or at least meet up for lunch if some are hot-shots and some not); every ski resort these days has extensive kids programs; and it's never been easier to learn to ski. Other snow outings are always offered too, such as ski-doos or dog-sledding (which my kids loved.)
