Winter Vacation Ideas

Depending on how you feel about chilly temperatures, you can head to a warm destination to soak up the sun or travel to a cooler location to see snow and sip hot cocoa. Here are some of the best places to visit during the winter months.

Vancouver, British Columbia

If you want a winter vacation with an international flair, Vancouver, British Columbia could be your perfect getaway. Enjoy cosmopolitan shopping, dining and sightseeing throughout this historic Canadian city. Be sure to visit Stanley Park if you’re traveling here during the holiday season—going for a ride on the park’s Bright Nights Christmas Train is a local holiday tradition. If skiing is on your wish list, head 30-minutes north of downtown to the North Shore mountains—Cypress Mountain, Mount Seymour and Grouse Mountain—to hit the slopes and enjoy amazing views.

Key West

Follow in the legendary footsteps of author Ernest Hemingway and head to the tip of the Florida Keys for warm winter delights. Key West is one of the best places to visit during the winter if you dream of beaches, drinks in friendly bars, casual seafood restaurants and eccentric compatriots. Head to Duval Street for upscale eateries and cool watering holes, perfect after a visit to the grand house that was Hemingway's residence when he penned his most famous novels. It's located in Old Town and listed as a U.S. National Historic Landmark. You'll also have your pick of outdoor adventures in Key West. Choose from kayaking, diving, snorkeling, biking and sailing. Then there are those long, beautiful beaches that made you choose Key West in the first place.

Lake Tahoe

If you decide to embrace the cold and you want some snowy fun, Lake Tahoe is one of the great winter vacation destinations. The body of water itself is the largest alpine lake on the continent, some 20 miles long. Deep, blue and surrounded by the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountains, it will take your breath away. Lake Tahoe is on the California-Nevada border, ready to welcome you with fabled ski destinations like Squaw Valley and Heavenly Valley. Take lessons if you're a beginner, or shred powder if you're already rolling. You can also swim in hotel pools, golf, dance 'til dawn or test your luck in the casinos on the lake's southern shore.

Honolulu

Located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Honolulu is among the great winter destinations for beach lovers. It’s home to the famed Waikiki Beach, along with other picturesque seaside sites, including Waimea Bay and Kailua Beach Park. After soaking up the sun and scenery, take a walk through downtown to experience more iconic island attractions. Start at the Aloha Tower—the 10-story landmark is surrounded by shops and restaurants—and make your way to Iolani Palace to see how Hawaii’s 19th century monarchs lived. Honolulu is also known for its vibrant nightlife scene, so the fun keeps going after the sun goes down.

Aspen

Aspen, Colorado, is another great option when you're searching for winter vacation ideas. Set high in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, this ski resort town is famous for its luxury eateries, high-end boutiques and high-brow entertainment, both artistic and musical. The town itself is charming, full of chalets clinging to snowy slopes. Four nearby premier ski areas—Aspen Mountain, Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk and Snowmass—offer facilities for skiers of all levels. It’s one of the best places to visit in winter and you're sure to have an active and unforgettable trip.

Ready to travel? Find hotels in Key West, Lake Tahoe, Honolulu, Aspen, Vancouver, BC.