Snow or Sun? 42 Winter Vacation Ideas for Your Next Adventure

Looking to get away for the holidays or escape the cold winter weather around the corner? Or maybe you’re tired of grey, rainy clouds and want to see some real snow on the ground. Either way, we’ve got you covered. We made a list of the best warm weather spots and snowy destinations to add to your winter bucket list. And the best part is you can fly to each of these places with Breeze!

Warm Weather Vacations

Festival of Lights – Charleston, South Carolina: This oceanside city is far enough south that it stays in the low 60’s for most of winter. Head there in December to see James Island County Park all lit up. Located in this nice green space on the Stono River, the festival incorporates holiday themes and warm-weather activities including a rock-climbing wall and a renowned giant seasonal sand sculpture. 

Klyde Warren Park – Dallas, Texas: Dallas is a fun metropolis that has the perfect mild winter weather, maintaining a crisp 60 degrees. The park, right in the middle of all the action, is a sprawling urban center that hosts food trucks, concerts, and art events year-round. 

Main Street Pier – Daytona Beach, Florida: Keep it comfortable on Daytona Beach, where the temperatures remain in the 70’s through the “cold” season and the east coast waters can be warm enough to swim. The pier and its accompanying boardwalk, right on the shore, are great for amusement rides, arcade games, seafood restaurants, and plenty of fun in the sun. 

 

Manatee Park – Fort Myers, Florida: One of our southernmost destinations, Fort Myers stays in the mid 70’s and sees its peak travel season in winter. Visit the park and hop on a kayak, paddle board, or walk the shore of the Orange River. Look for manatees who gather inland and near the coast from mid-December to March. 

Hit the Links – Gulfport, Mississippi: This southern town enjoys 60-degree weather all winter long and is home to 15 golf clubs. The grass really is greener here with so many courses to choose from, varying difficulty levels, and a nice ocean breeze. Get away from the cold and get your game on in Gulfport. 

Riverside Arts Market – Jacksonville, Florida: Jacksonville is the perfect culmination of big city vibes, coastal beach access, and high 60’s temperatures throughout the season. Splurge on handcrafted goods, antiques and treasures, and delicious street food in this open-air shopping area. Open year round, the market finds it home under the Fuller Warren Bridge and right on St. John’s River. 

Red Rock Canyon – Las Vegas, Nevada: Fabulous Las Vegas lives up to its name, especially when it cools off from its 100-degree summer weather to a much milder mid-60's. While the city is known for its shopping, entertainment, and night life, there’s also great hiking nearby. Enjoy the colorful sandstone as you trek through narrow slots and sunny sandscapes here. 

Griffith Observatory – Los Angeles, California: Thanks to the surrounding mountains and its position on the Pacific, the City of Angels peaks in the high 60’s during the colder months of the year. Hiking to Griffith Observatory never feels better than during the winter, when you can also enjoy excellent views of the night sky as well as the skyline and ocean. 

Bellingrath Gardens – Mobile, Alabama: Another southern staple that enjoys balmy mid-60's weather, Mobile is a great place to enjoy the ocean or get out into the country. This beautiful home and garden stays green year-round with flowers and foliage of all shapes and colors to enjoy. You can also see hundreds of lights here through the holiday season. 

Carnival Parades – New Orleans, Louisiana: While live jazz music and seafood normally take the cake in New Orleans, January and February offer new and exciting experiences with the start of Carnival. This endless festival culminates with Mardis Gras in March, but the mid 60’s weather earlier on is perfect for several parades and celebrations. 

Whale Watching – Orange County, California: 70 degrees and sunny is the winter motto for this Southern California spot. Gray whales see their birthing season last from late December to early February and this is a prime spot for a boat tour to see them. Head out into the Pacific for an unforgettable wildlife adventure. 

Cocoa Beach – Orlando, Florida: Orlando, in central Florida, attracts snowbirds from around the county with it’s mid-70's temperatures. We recommend visiting the nearby beaches where you will find some of the warmest water anywhere in the US, along with golden sands and sunny spaces. 

Ocean Boulevard – Palm Beach, Florida: Cruise alongside the ocean on a barrier island with the cool, mid-70-degree wind in your hair. Pull off to the white, sandy beach anytime you feel like it and enjoy warm, brilliant turquoise southern waters.  

Fort Pickens – Pensacola, Florida: Although it’s farther north in the Florida panhandle, this town stays in the mid-60's all winter long. Visit this section of Gulf Island National Seashore where you can visit a military installation built in the early 1800s, explore remote sand dunes near the ocean, and even camp right on the beach. 

Camelback Mountain – Phoenix, Arizona: It never really gets cold in Phoenix with the lowest temperatures hitting the 60’s and 70’s. You can find many excellent spots to hike here and enjoy the moderate weather, but Camelback Mountain is just outside of town and boasts beautiful red rock formations, plenty of cacti, and stunning views of the city below. 

Seal Spotting – San Diego, California: While San Diego is known for its beautiful beaches and year-round 70-degree weather, winter brings a special treat for visitors. From mid-December to May, seals birth their pups and you can often spot hundreds of them lining the coast. One of the best spots to see them is La Jolla Cove with its rocky shoreline. 

Sarasota Bay – Sarasota, Florida: Sarasota is one of our warmest cities, only reaching lows in the mid-70's. The “cold” season, if you can call it that, is a great time to take a boat tour of the city’s extensive bay, stretching the entire length of Lido and Longboat keys. While out at sea, watch out for dolphins and manatees that flock to the warm coastal waters. 

Forsyth Park – Savannah, Georgia: Stay cool, but not too cool, in Savannah, Georgia where winter temperatures reach the mid-60's. This park features special winter grass that stays green all year long, as well as stalwart live oak trees covered in Spanish moss. The green space is a real delight to visit if your hometown is particularly gray during the season. 

Barrier Islands – Tampa Bay, Florida: This city with its expansive shoreline is a great place to visit during colder months of the year when temperatures remain in the mid-70's. For a unique experience, check out the less-traveled barrier islands, including Shell Key Preserve, and Fort De Soto Park where you can enjoy hiking through more secluded dunes and pristine white sands. 

Kayaking – Vero Beach, Florida: Break out the paddles because the mid-70s weather makes for optimal kayaking in this coastal town. Just north of the main city, the Indian river snakes through several inlets, lagoons, and coves perfect for exploring. Visit one of the many rental companies in the location for guided tour options. 

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Snowy Winter Destinations

Scenic Train Ride – Akron, Ohio: This midwestern town gets plenty of lake-effect snow all winter long due to its proximity to Lake Erie. Take a 2-hour train loop that’s fun for the whole family through Cuyahoga Valley’s snowy, forested landscape. Enjoy plush seating and dining amenities and sip hot chocolate as you view the passing scenery from your cozy train car. 

Bangor City Forest – Bangor, Maine: Although considered a coastal town, Bangor is far enough north that it sees cold and snowy weather through the season. Located just north of town, the park is filled with trails weaving through evergreen pines that contrast with the fresh powder. Rent some snowshoes or cross-country skis for the best experience. 

Church Street Marketplace – Burlington, Vermont: Burlington sits a sleepy town on Lake Champlain, so far north that it approaches the border of Canada. The market invokes memories of idyllic winter village displays a family member might have set up for the holidays as a kid. Walk through beautiful lights and wrapped in your favorite sweater as you shop locally. 

Rocky Mountain Ski Resorts – Denver, Colorado: The mile high city lives up to its name with large accumulations of alpine snow each winter. Rent a 4-wheel drive car and journey to the mountains for some of the best skiing in the world. Pick from several resorts including Breckenridge, Vail, Copper Mountain, Keystone, and Beaver Creek. 

Asbury Woods – Erie, Pennsylvania: Each year Erie receives a strong precipitation effect from the great lake it borders and shares a name with. The month of December is an excellent time to visit the nearby woods when its snowy, wooded paths are strung with lights. It’s a great way to get the family out in nature at a place that feels close-to-home. 

Colorado National Monument – Grand Junction, Colorado: This town sits in the Rockies near the border of Utah at an elevation perfect for winter hiking. Depending on the time of year, you may need snowshoes or crampons. Don’t miss out on the chance to see gorgeous red rock dusted with snow for a unique outdoor experience. 

Bushnell Park – Hartford, Connecticut: Hartford has the historic New England charm reminiscent of a Charles Dickens novel, invoking imagery of cobblestone streets and quiet snowfall. Visit this park in the center of town to enjoy views of the skyline and the nearby Connecticut River and go ice skating in an outdoor rink. 

Granger Meadow Park – Lansing, Michigan: This mid-western spot lives in the center of a triangle between Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie. The surrounding hilly landscape is complemented by winter snow and makes for great sledding weather. Granger Park is the perfect place to be a kid and hit the slopes just outside of town. 

Brooklyn Bridge – Long Island, New York: New York City is the backdrop for several romantic Hallmark and holiday movies and the Islip Airport is just a short train ride away. Head to Brooklyn Bridge, which connects Long Island’s Brooklyn neighborhood with Manhattan. Traverse its iconic towers and stop to take a snowy selfie with the Big Apple skyline. 

 

Tenney Park – Madison, Wisconsin: Madison is home to several large bodies of water and gets plenty of cold and snow to accompany them. The park covers a lagoon just off the shore of Lake Mendota which frequently freezes over in the winter. If the conditions are right, you can ice skate in the wide-open space for a unique experience. 

Telluride Skiing – Montrose, Colorado: Situated in the center of an alpine bowl, Montrose is stunning in its own right. After spending a couple days enjoying the crisp mountain air, rent a car and drive to the nearby ski resort. Get inspired by its snow-capped spires as you shred the more than 200 annual inches of fresh powder. 

Rockefeller Plaza – Newark, New Jersey: Newark has perhaps the closest airport to downtown New York. Channel your inner elf and explore 5th Avenue department stores, climb the Empire State Building, and go ice skating at the iconic rink in Rockefeller Plaza. Don’t forget to make your bid to find the world’s best cup of coffee while you’re out and about. 

East Rock Park – New Haven, Connecticut: Visit this town right on the coast of the Long Island Sound for its northeastern winter weather. The park, just north of the city, rises to a nice overlook of Yale campus and the rest of downtown. Reconnect with nature on a snowy hike through the hills or on one of its many snowshoeing trails. 

Ogden Canyon – Ogden, Utah: Ogden rests in the middle of a high-elevation valley surrounded by snowcapped peaks. The nearby canyon takes you right up into the mountains where there are excellent trails for snowmobiling and snow shoeing. You can also visit Snow Basin Ski Resort, known for smaller crowds and runs through deep aspen groves.

 

Eastern Promenade – Portland, Maine: The Portland Bay’s many islands evoke a sense of mystery and wonder as winter winds blow into town. Take it all in from this green space right on the water, often blanketed with freshly fallen snow. For an added treat, get there early to watch the sun rise. 

Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge – Portsmouth, New Hampshire: Not far from the coast and right on the border of New Hampshire and Maine, this quiet town is an excellent place to visit in winter. The refuge is filled with trees, rivers, and streams that make for a beautiful snowy spot to hike and snowshoe. 

Provo Canyon – Provo, Utah: Experience a true winter wonderland when you visit Provo. The canyon is a short drive from town and is filled with exciting excursions including the frozen Bridal Veil Falls just off the highway, snow tubing and sleigh rides at Soldier Hollow, ice castles you can tour, and premier skiing at Sundance Resort. 

Waterplace Park – Providence, Rhode Island: Another hidden gem of New England, Providence is a must-visit stop on our winter bucket list. Stop at the park right on the Woonasquatucket River for snowy views of the skyline. Visit at night and take in the city lights reflected off the water. 

St. Patrick’s County Park – South Bend, Indiana: South Bend, nestled along Lake Michigan, gets plenty of lake effect snow. The park turns into a wooded snowy oasis come wintertime when hiking trails get covered and turn into snowshoeing and cross-country skiing tracks. Traverse the trees surrounding St. Joseph River and near the state line of Indiana and Michigan. 

Bear Mountain State Park – Stewart, New York: Start to get that “upstate” feel in Stewart, about an hour outside of the city. The park is up in the mountains where you can get away from the bustle of everyday life and enjoy nature. In the winter, enjoy an ice rink and a lake that sometimes freezes over as well as forested trails you can enjoy year-round. 

Winterfest – Syracuse, New York: If you think there’s nothing to look forward to after the holidays, think again. Winterfest happens in Syracuse in February and includes music, games, art classes, ice carving, local food and drinks, and a dogsled race that the whole family can enjoy. Keep the seasonal spirit going and visit this northeastern town. 

Central Park – Westchester, New York: Westchester is just north of the Bronx and is a quick train ride from uptown Manhattan where you can visit New York City’s most romantic spot of all. Central Park transforms into a wintery utopia when the leaves fall and snow covers its green spaces. Visit this exceptionally calm spot amid the city that never sleeps. 

Get ready to escape the cold to somewhere warm and tropical. Or go after those glimpses of snow you’ve always longed for. Either way, we can’t wait to fly you to your winter getaway.