The Best Family Winter Getaways for Every Budget
The days are shorter, the nights longer in the Northern Hemisphere this time of year. What’s your preference for a winter family getaway? Sun or Snow? Or something else?
Maybe you want to take that long-delayed trip to Orlando, go on a cruise with extended family, or celebrate a milestone with a special trip. Maybe you are looking for an affordable getaway not too far from home.
The good news is there are plenty of affordable winter getaway options, before or after the holidays, and especially if you can grab a Black Friday-Travel Tuesday deal.
According to Airbnb data, winter travel is taking an exciting turn this year, with Italy emerging as a top destination as a result of the growing anticipation for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and a notable increase in searches in the Olympic host regions. Globally, travelers are gravitating toward places that offer both easy access to city amenities and natural beauty, while in the US, many are choosing between hidden gem ski towns and sunny waterfront retreats. Families, in particular, are leading the way in domestic and local winter travel in the US, with 80% selecting suburban and rural destinations for their getaways.
CELEBRATE WITH HOLIDAY LIGHTS AND CHEER
It’s holiday time in many households, with preparations underway for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, and other events. This could be your year to go green by picking your own holiday tree.
Don’t miss a family outing to a local holiday lights celebration — or include one wherever you’re traveling. Most open the day after Thanksgiving and stay illuminated each night till early January. Our guide to the top public lights displays and holiday decorations (I have a new Holiday Lights column I can send a link the end of NOV – ok) should get you started planning your own joyful adventure.
GET YOUR INNER OLYMPIAN ON IN PARK CITY, UTAH
If you’re not flying in for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics 2026 starting Feb. 6 in Italy, experience Olympic sports closer to home. Park City Utah is home to Park City Mountain Resort, the largest ski resort in the country, as well as Deer Valley Resort, one of the few that doesn’t permit snowboarders. It’s also host to Utah Olympic Park, home to the 2002 Winter Olympics. Today, it’s a top attraction with zip lining, bobsledding with a professional driver down the Winter Games Sliding Track, the Fly Aces ski jumping show, the Soldier Hollow Nordic Center and much more. Park City is also famous for its historic and picturesque downtown (ski right to town!), its many restaurants and off-the- slope activities. Be sure to try snow tubing, dog sledding, ice skating, fat biking, snow shoeing and more.
HEAD TO A 2026 WINTER FESTIVAL
The St. Paul Winter Carnival (Jan. 22-Feb.1) in Minnesota is the USA’s oldest and is known for its impressive snow and ice sculptures, curling, treasure hunts, ice carving competitions and more.
The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival (Feb. 6-15), the longest running event of its kind on the East Coast, features parades, fireworks, and a huge ice palace in the Adirondack mountains.
The International Snow Sculpture Championships in Breckenridge, Colorado (Jan. 24-Feb. 3) is the place to watch artists from around the world create spectacular huge sculptures from blocks of ice.
Pigeon Forge Winterfest(Nov. 6, 2025-Feb. 15, 2026), near Dollywood in Tennessee, boasts six million lights illuminating the city, a drive-through light show, music, holiday performances, and winter shopping events. It’s a great time to visit Dollywood and Smoky Mountains National Park, the country’s most visited, in the off-season.
SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
Last winter, we embarked on a terrific Hurtigruten cruise up the coast of Norway and were able to see the Northern Lights streak across the sky, sample Norwegian cuisine, meet the indigenous Sami People, tour an Igloo hotel, go dogsledding and much more.
You can also experience the Northern Lights in Alaska with the most frequent sightings in Fairbanks and north. Fairbanks is a prime location due to its position and clear skies, plus Alaska Airlines has great airfares there from the West Coast. Learn more about Fairbanks’ top winter attractions here. Hint: Visit the Chena Hot Springs outside the city where we saw the northern lights while sipping hot cocoa from a heated tent!.
Iceland’s location also is a great place for viewing the Aurora Borealis in the winter as there are many places with minimal light pollution. Guided tours are a great option as local experts know all the best viewing spots in Thingvellir National Park, the Westfjords with some of the darkest skies and on the South Coast. We loved visiting Reykjavik and its fabulous Sky Lagoon with sea views from the geothermal waters.
THE PLUSES OF A HOTEL IN SNOW COUNTRY
Winter arrives early in the Northeast and stays a while, transforming destinations like Lake Placid, NY and Stowe, Vt. into a world of snow-covered peaks and timeless village charm. Grab a calendar and get ready to shop with our partner’s post about great Cyber Monday deals!
From world-class skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing and ice skating to seasonal events, locally-sourced dining, relaxing spas, museums and more, there are a variety of winter adventures and attractions suitable for all ages. High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid and Topnotch Resort in Stowe are the perfect home bases for exploring, with indoor heated pools, fireplaces, on-site restaurants, and breathtaking mountain views. Visit HighPeaksResort.com and Topnotchresort.com to view the latest packages and offers.
If you plan a ski and snow vacation regionally, a pass such as the Northeast Value Pass offers access to 21 Vail resorts in the Northeast including Stowe (10 days per season), Okemo and Mt. Snow in Vermont, plus Hunter in New York State. The best deal, of course, is a season pass (bought early) for just one resort. These passes also offer deals on food, lodging and gear.
KEEP COMMUNITY IN MIND
Keep your values top of mind. Survey after survey suggest experiences are preferred gifts this season. Will your family skip material gifts and support causes?
Add kindness to the menu to keep everyone in the holiday spirit. Help your block put up Christmas lights or plan a school toy drive to share the season’s bounty. Bring tins of home baked cookies to a food bank in your community or send them to those you won’t get to see. Volunteer to respond to Santa letters or do work in your community.
When you have time to sit down with a cup of tea, join us in exploring the very best, most affordable, fun and safe family winter vacation ideas with our partners at The Family Travel Forum.
ESCAPE TO SUNNY EUROPE ON MID-WINTER RIVER CRUISES
Enjoy southern Europe’s sunshine without the crowds! As unlikely as that sounds to fans of London and Paris, you will need sunblock if you head south to Italy’s Mediterranean coast and Malta. Special winter discount rates are available. As an example, save $700 pp on a luxury, eight-day Naples, the Amalfi Coast and Sicily itinerary over the Christmas week. Or, consider an 8-day cruise through the Canary Islands and save up to $950 pp on January departures. (Many schools take a mid-winter break then.)
CroisiEurope offers Winter Cruise Family Offers cruises, timed to holidays in February and early March. Discover six of the Canary Islands with wonderfully mild weather yet contrasts in landscape that set them apart. Celebrate the best of Andalucia, Spain with the kids and practice your Spanish!
The celebrated France-based river cruise company welcomes guests of all ages and interests on their well-priced river adventures. Experience CroisiEurope’s exceptional service, impeccable French cuisine that kids love, intimate-sized ships, and immersive itineraries at an exceptional value. Don’t forget that year-round family perks include children under 16 cruising free, which means up to 2 children per cabin occupied by at least 1 paying adult. Additionally, if a grandparent or uncle wants to join, they enjoy a free single cabin supplement when they are sharing with a child under 16 yrs cruising free.
Don’t take our word for it. Check out these family cruise reviews on the Mekong River in Southeast Asia and an incredible river safari in Southern Africa.
Plan Ahead Couples Escape! For 2026 Early Booking Incentives, take advantage of 10% off on France’s Legendary Wine Region cruises for next year with code BOOKING2026.
Contact the knowledgeable CroisiEurope agents today for tips on the best river cruise option for you and your family.
GET YOUR KICKS ON ROUTE 66
The “Mother Road,” celebrating its centennial in 2026, stretches from Chicago to Santa Monica, spanning 2,400 miles and passing through eight states. This was the road those fleeing the Dust Bowl drove west in the 1930s and later, to transport troops and supplies during WWII.
In the 1950s, this became the major road for car-crazed Americans on road trips with all varieties of attractions – everything from teepee-shaped motels to frozen custard stands, reptile farms and fast food.
President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal helped complete Route 66 and John Steinbeck coined the term “Mother Road.” This generation of kids, of course, knows it best from the animated “Cars” movies, Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park with Piston Peak, a new area inspired by Cars, coming to Walt Disney World with a national parks twist.
When we visited recently Albuquerque recently , we stayed at the ARRIVE hotel in downtown Albuquerque right on Route 66. In fact, the 18-mile stretch of Route 66 that goes through Albuquerque is the largest continuous urban stretch, complete with neon signs, restaurants, shops, and places to stay. We loved the re-imagined 1965 historic property overlooking the city’s landmark Robinson Park with its mid-20th-century vibe, “hidden” art gallery, vintage art throughout the hotel, restaurant, and bar popular with locals. Don’t miss the 66 Diner for fries smothered in cheese, chili eggs, Frito pie, and every variety of ice cream concoction.
Chicagoans never let the cold cramp their style. There are holiday markets and spectacular light displays, culinary celebrations (Chicago Restaurant Week Jan. 23-Feb 8), Chicago Theatre week (Feb. 4-15), Chicago Auto Show (Feb. 7-16) and much more. There are terrific smaller museums and famous, world-class ones. The Windy City has just been named one of the best places to go in 2026 by Frommer’s. And for the ninth consecutive year, Chicago was recently voted the Best Big City in the U.S. by readers of Conde Nast Traveler.
Chicago’s free Lincoln Park Zoo is open for exploration 365 days a year. In the colder months, you can admire majestic polar bears, penguins, and snow monkeys as they play outside.
Bundle up and take a walk along frozen Lake Michigan on the Lakefront Trail.
Get an amazing view from the Skydeck at Willis Tower where you can stand at 1,353 feet above the city. The Ledge features glass balconies that extend more than 4 feet! Don’t miss the interactive museum at the Willis Center, which is a combination history museum, children’s museum and more.
Sample deep dish Chicago pizza, a Chicago-style hot dog, Italian beef sandwich, Flaming Saganaki, in Greektown a Greek-style fried cheese, and Garrett Mix popcorn, a popular mix of cheddar and caramel popcorn. Of course there are plenty of places upscale offerings.
Whatever the weather, visitors must pose in Millennium Park at the huge 33 feet high Cloud Gate sculpture (It weighs 110 tons!) affectionately dubbed “the Bean” for its shape. The huge sculpture, one of the world’s largest permanent outdoor art installations, is one of Chicago’s most popular sights
Rent skates and come skating at the free rink!
BLACK AMERICANS AND OUR SHARED HISTORY
Black History Month, celebrated each year during February, is a chance for Americans to learn details of their nation’s history that are far too often neglected. Fortunately, there are more opportunities to do that, available year-round.
Start, if you can, at the terrific Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC. The sweeping panorama of Black history provides a rich overview of Black American culture. There’s so much to see and do in DC. The capital is always a top vacation pick and there are many affordable vacation options, especially on weekends. The homey Hotel Lombardy has spacious rooms from just $117 per night; while the compact, hipper Motto by Hilton starts at $95 and features bunk beds. There are also more free museums and sites than other cities, once the government shutdown ends.
Experience the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. Take a self-guided audio tour of the Underground Railroad in Boston. Visit the Douglass Family South Street Home Site in Rochester, NY. Look deeper into the Underground Railroad as you bike in stages up to 1,997 miles of the Adventure Cycling Association’s Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. Five itineraries follow freedom seekers from Mobile, Alabama to Owen Sound, Ontario. Jackson, Mississippi is a beacon of civil rights activism, dedicated to keeping the story alive including the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, which pays homage to Medgar Evers, the first secretary of the NAACP.
CARIBBEAN RESORTS ATTRACT EVERYONE ALL WINTER
The ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao, are part of the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea and for the most part, out of the hurricane belt. It’s tough to find winter deals in the Caribbean, but the new, super family-welcoming Embassy Suites By Hilton Aruba has suites including sofa beds, balcony, full breakfast, nightly cocktail reception, Wi-Fi, and kids’ activities at rates from $359/N. Plus, the beaches are gorgeous. Also check out the Harbour Village Beach Club in Bonaire, a top pick for divers, snorkelers and beach lovers.
Barbados is known for its sophisticated African/British heritage and history (it gained independence from Britain in 1966) and white sand beaches. Part of the Eco-Adventure Park at Harrison’s Cave, you can tour the nearly 1.5-mile long stream cave system at one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island. Opt for an all-inclusive resort as well as condos at the luxury Sea Breez Beach House. See the swimming horses if you can get to Pebbles Beach at 6 am when the trainers exercise the racehorses.
Curacao, just 40 miles from the Venezuela coast, is a true gem. We loved the European vibe and less-touristy feel of the island. In fact, most of those staying at our beachfront 137-unit Lions Dive Beach Resort were Dutch families. Don’t miss the Barrio Urban Street Food patio that serves up dishes from six different street food stands.
You can luxuriate at Puerto Rico’s super posh Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reserve in a suite or residence. Enjoy the West or East Beaches, a first-class golf course, private pools, gourmet restaurants, and an ultra-luxurious spa.
SAIL AWAY ON A FAMILY CRUISE
Many families, especially multigenerational groups, love cruising because many can drive to a port—from New York to Florida, Charleston, SC, Baltimore, New Orleans, Galveston, TX, LA, Long Beach and San Deago, Seattle among them. A big plus: Your lodging, Meals and on-board activities are all one price paid for in advance. There are organized programs for kids and teens, in some cases having nurseries for babies. Carnival Cruise Line, which carries more children than any other line, starts its program for two-year-olds. It is key that you choose the right cruise line and ship for your family. Are there all-inclusive options including excursions, Wi-Fi, and tips? (Regent Seven Seas, popular for its Alaska cruises for upscale families offers all-inclusive programs.)
This is a good time to work with a travel advisor, especially if you are new to cruises. The Cruise Lines International Association enables you to search for a travel advisor who is a cruise expert based on your zip code. Cruise Critic is also a good resource as there are reviews of ships. Check out our annual Family Cruise Guide.
Families also are seeking more adventurous options on small ships. AdventureSmith Explorations specializes in small ship, adventure cruise vacations. Families with teens or kids in college like Windstar Cruises because their small size enables them to visit less touristed and crowded ports and in warm weather locales they have their own water platform for swimming and kayaking.
January-March is “Wave Season” which traditionally offers the best deals of the year including kids free sharing a cabin with parents, upgrades, on-board credits and more. It’s always a good idea to follow the cruise lines you might want to sail on social media to get first dibs on their offers.
FOREVER CAIRO, THE NEW ART CAPITAL OF AFRICA
European families know Cairo as an affordable, culturally rich long weekend destination. And, in this year of tight budgets, there are long-distance flight deals to be had. Consider what a bargain Egypt is for luxury hotels and fine dining, and the airfares start to look reasonable.
Plan four-days to experience Cairo and Giza, site of the famous Pyramids of Giza, located 20 miles south. It’s the perfect time to go because the magnificent Grand Egyptian Museum finally opened (in full) on Nov. 1, 2025. Go now to see the entire treasury — more than 5,500 items — discovered in King Tut’s tomb. They are united at last. Additionally, Giza is hosting the fifth edition of Forever Is Now, the world-renowned contemporary art exhibition Nov. 11 to Dec. 6, 2025. Artists such as Emilio Ferro, Carol Feuerman, and Zeinab Al Hashemi reinterpret the Pyramids through light, geometry, sound, and sculpture: merging myth and modernity, sand and steel, history, and futurism.
Both the Ramses Hilton in Zamalek and the Hilton Heliopolis by the airport are full service, luxury budget options with large swimming pools, extensive amenities, and several restaurants and easy access to Cairo attractions. Check out Family Travel Forum’s top Cairo and Egypt itineraries whether you have 4 days or 15! And if you’re experienced cyclists and want to dive in, check out BoatBikeTours new 13-day overland itinerary on e-bikes. There’s a 20% discount on their February ’26 departures.
SOUTH AFRICA IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A SAFARI DESTINATION
From Cape Town to Johannesburg, politics to music, South Africa has a big reputation. Celebrities like the late president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Nelson Mandela, the famed DJ Black Coffee and even Oprah Winfrey have homes there.
Because of its location on the very southern tip of the Southern Hemisphere, the North’s winter is a popular time to visit. While some areas like the safari destination of Kruger National Park get very toasty, other places may just experience some rain. Enjoy the popular surfing beaches of Cape Town, tour Johannesburg and check out some of the regions highlighted in our “An Offbeat South Africa Road Trip.”
COZY UP WITH PANDAS AND FRIENDS AT ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS
You may not think winter is the time to visit a zoo or aquarium but think again. Immerse yourselves in an animal habitat for a low cost, enriching escape from the ordinary. Animal and marine life conservancies in colder climates must provide warm habitats for the species (and visitors) that need them. The Oregon Coast Aquarium opens its renovated Connected Coasts gallery and new Sea Jelly gallery to the public in winter.
Zoos across the country have fantastic holiday light displays.
Pandas are back at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo! And are ensconced in their renovated habitat on Asia Trail. Meanwhile, there is also plenty else to see and do. Meet animal keepers and see demonstrations throughout the day. Visit the Great Ape House and the Reptile Discovery Center. Laugh at the orangutans.
The Atlanta Zoo has four pandas, including the first twins born in the U.S. in more than a quarter century. The San Diego Zoo also has two Pandas—Yu Chuan and Xin Bao—who live in the Zoo’s Panda Ridge. The refresh and expanded area was inspired by the giant Panda’s native habitats in China.
GO BIG ON SNOWSPORTS: THINK SMALL -OR OVERSEAS
Family ski trips are among our favorite winter vacations, but they can be pricey. However you envision your getaway to the snow, there have never been more options – and that includes overseas, which despite the cost of flights, can be less expensive than a comparable trip to the snow in the United States or Canada. Japan and France are especially popular.
We highlight our top large and small mountain resorts in the annual Family Ski and Snowsports Directory. Families already hooked on snow sports will appreciate the many on-mountain improvements being made this season.
If you’re new to the sport, consider one of the smaller mountain resorts closer to home. It’s more economical to opt for a smaller ski resort your first time out. Extend your budget by driving rather than flying to your destination. Pay less for lodging near the slopes instead of on them. Save on lift tickets and ski school classes with regional passes.
Many states such as Idaho, Michigan, New York, Utah and Vermont have kids’ ski free deals for certain grades, often starting for third graders, even for non-residents. Besides free lift tickets — a significant savings that can add up to hundreds of dollars – many Kids Ski Free passes encourage lifelong learning with discounts on rental gear, outerwear and more.
Some mountain resorts offer kids-free deals with a stay. For example, in Colorado, Keystone, a Vail resort, offers a free day on the slopes for kids 12 and under with a two-night stay and an additional day of free skiing for each day booked. (We love Keystone’s huge mountaintop snow fort!)
In Vermont at Killington, lift tickets are discounted with a lodging package. And with a five-day adult lift ticket, you can get a free lift ticket for kids 12 and under, though it isn’t available on peak days.
Early season skiers will love this: From Dec. 6- Dec. 12, 2025, kids get up to 7 free lift tickets at 15 of Alterra Mountain Company’s mountain destinations for Kids Ski Free Week. Participating destinations include: Steamboat, Winter Park Resort and Arapahoe Basin in Colorado; Palisades Tahoe, Mammoth Mountain, Big Bear Mountain Resort, and Snow Valley in California; Stratton and Sugarbush Resort in Vermont; Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia; Crystal Mountain in Washington; Schweitzer in Idaho; Deer Valley Resort and Solitude Mountain Resort in Utah; Tremblant in Quebec and Blue Mountain (subject to opening date) in Ontario, Canada.
Rent kids equipment (ages 7 to 12) at Four Mountain Sports in Aspen Snowmass and kids get complimentary lift tickets for the same number of days.
You can also save significantly by booking a package. Book a three-night stay at participating Park City, Utah, lodging companies and get a $400 Delta Airlines electronic gift card (though there are blackout dates). Jackson Hole, Wyoming, touts up to $500 per person off airfare when flights, lodging and a qualifying activity (like lift tickets) are booked through Jackson Hole Resort Reservations by Dec. 31, 2025.
Think Big, Ski Local. Smaller resorts — those in the Midwest and Pennsylvania continue to attract families who prefer to stay closer to home. Smaller, cheaper but higher altitude mountain resorts in the West are also gaining in popularity. Check out affordable options with programs such as the Colorado Gems (Arapahoe Basin, Cooper, Echo, Eldora, Granby Ranch, Loveland, Monarch, Powderhorn, Purgatory, and Sunlight). There are also kids ski free and special kids passports around the country.
Passes. The majority of big resorts have affiliated themselves with either Vail Resorts or the Alterra Mountain Company. Their asses are the only way to go this season for the best value. To ski or snowboard one day or a week, get an Epic Day Pass (Vail) or and IKON Pass (Alterra).
For those who want to ski some of the most iconic slopes, The Mountain Collective gives you two days at each resort and unlimited half-price days after that from Alta to Aspen to Jackson Hole, Revelstoke in Canada and Chamonix in France for $659 ($259 for kids 12 and under.)
If you plan a ski and snow vacation regionally, a pass such as the Northeast Value Pass offers access to all eight Vail resorts in the Northeast including Stowe, Okemo, Mt. Snow and Hunter. The best deal, of course, is a season= pass (bought early) for just one resort. These passes also offer deals on food, lodging and gear.
Kids Free or nearly free. Many states including California, Utah, New Hampshire, Maine and New York have kids’ ski free deals for certain grades to promote a lifelong love of the sport. Each program is slightly different. Typically, you need to apply in advance. Plus, kids under Six ski free at many resorts and some including Keystone and AspenSnowmass have broader kids-free deals available with a stay. Check here where kids free deals are available this season.
Tips to Make Snow Sports More Affordable
Don’t head to the mountains when the resorts are most crowded and expensive, regardless of snow conditions. We mean the school holidays, weekends, and special event days. Do more to save:
- Book midweek at the more affordable ski and snow family vacations to save big.
- Drive rather than fly or stay regional. Save on airfare and carbon emissions.
- Skip the ski in/ski out hotels and book condos or houses with kitchens and room to spread out.
- Enquire about resort deals, especially if you opt to stay longer, at places like at The Antlers at Vail.
This special FamilyTravelConsulting.com travel section has been brought to you by our sponsors: CroiseEurope, Park City UT, resorts in Stowe (VT) and Lake Placid (NY), Airbnb, Choose Chicago. All other content and opinions are based upon the authors’ actual travel experience and knowledge.