12 Favorite Family Winter Getaways And Travel Deals

Sun or snow or stay close for your family winter getaways? Maybe your winter escape is that long-delayed trip to Orlando. Perhaps it’s a cruise with extended family or experiencing Rome during its Jubilee Year.

You have plenty of affordable winter getaway options (especially after the holidays), whether traveling in the US, North America or abroad.

Here are our 12 favorite trip ideas reimagined with partners at Taking the Kids and Little Family Adventures.

MONTREAL, THE ULTIMATE WINTER AND SPRING BREAK DESTINATION 

From Feb. 27 to Mar. 9, 2025, celebrate 26 years of lighting up winter! For the past quarter century, the legendary Montréal en Lumière festival has welcomed nearly 600,000 visitors yearly to experience Montreal’s winter to the fullest through a unique program combining performing arts, gastronomy, free outdoor family activities, and a whole night of original surprises.

Skating is at the center of the festival. The Skating Loop overlooking the Place des Festivals allows festivalgoers to enjoy an extraordinary sound and light experience on the ice. Nearly 150 free activities are also offered to entertain the whole family, no matter the age or snow sports skills. Bundle up to experience the Ferris wheel, DJ Booth, animations, illuminated art and much more.

Discover everything the festival has to offer at montrealenlumiere.com 

MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE | FEBRUARY 27 TO MARCH 9, 2025 | GASTRONOMIC PROGRAMMING STARTING FEBRUARY 20

ESCAPE TO SUNNY EUROPE ON MID-WINTER RIVER CRUISES

If you’re looking for something a little different this winter, enjoy southern Europe’s sunshine without the crowds. Consider a 7-day cruise through the Canary Islands.  CroisiEurope offers Winter Cruise Family Offers cruises in February and early March. Discover six islands with wonderfully mild weather yet contrasts in landscape that set them apart. Celebrate the company’s 25th year of Venice operations with a 25% discount. The 5-day Culinary and Artisan Treasures of Venice trip runs in March so you can take advantage of school breaks. Or, go big and fulfill a bucket list dream by booking their ship for the world famous celebration of Carnival in Venice.

The celebrated river cruise company, which took Kyle McCarthy’s family down the fascinating Mekong River in Southeast Asia, welcomes guests of all ages and interests on their well-priced river adventures. Check out their new itinerary on the Mekong River in Southeast Asia that is more active, including mountain biking. It’s offered on smaller ships (20-40passenger). For more adventurous or well-traveled families with kids 12 and over, this nine day itinerary includes a cable car ride, tuk-tuks, local boat rides and biking.

Act now to take advantage of Wave Season promotions with incredible discounts on a wide range of Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia cruises. Highlights of CroisiEurope’s 2025 Wave Season Offers:

• Up to 50% off on selected canal and river cruises across CroisiEurope’s fleet of 50+ ships.
• No Solo Supplement and single occupancy cabins on select cruises for solo travelers, making river cruising more accessible than ever before.
• Up to 40% off Cruise & Stay Programs.  Choose from Paris & Bordeaux, Florence/Tuscany & Venice or The Beautiful Blue Danube & Munich. 
• Celebrating Three Anniversaries in 2025 with fantastic offers.  10 years on the Loire, a CroisiEurope exclusive, 25 years in Venice and Canal Bianco and 30 years on the Rhone and Saone. 
• 2026 Early Booking Incentives, take advantage of up to 15% off in all destinations.

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. Contact the knowledgeable CroisiEurope agents today for tips on the best river cruise option for you and your family.

Make Your Holidays A Family Adventure

We’re excited that 2025 travel trends are all pointing to more affordable and meaningful family vacations in the months to come. If you’re intrigued by vanlife or the idea of a spa retreat — maybe a bucket list trip to Alaska — there are many new opportunities ahead.  

Companies like RVshare.com, for example, connect you to RV and campervan owners in your area or at a dreamed of destination. You don’t need to go all in now; just rent a campervan or RV and try it! It doesn’t take long to appreciate the simplicity of the ‘tiny’ lifestyle and the beauty of the great outdoors in winter. A taste of vanlife may even be your spark to try homeschooling or worldschooling with the kids.  

GET AWAY THIS WINTER TO THE CARIBBEAN ISLANDS WE LOVE

A Caribbean winter getaway is certainly a no-brainer; it’s a favorite escape for much of the Northeast. With advance planning and some flexibility in travel dates, however, you might score a bargain.

Barbados in Winter

Barbados  is known for its sophisticated African/British heritage and white sand beaches. 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 them. At the Eco-Adventure Park at Harrison’s Cave, tour the nearly 1.5-mile long stream cave system and stop into the Rum Museum at one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island.

The D. R. Attracts Snowbirds with Budget Getaways in Winter

An elegant yet affordable, all-inclusive resort in Dominican Republic is The Finest Punta Cana. Your group can split up into the separate adults-only wing known as The Excellence, or opt for The Finest (family) wing. Take advantage of extensive and spacious kids’ facilities including a kids’ spa, well-spaced loungers and cabanas, and gourmet dining.

The Dutch Islands: Aruba and Curacao

The ABC islands — Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao, are part of the Leeward Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. It’s tough to find winter deals in the Caribbean, but the new, super family-welcoming Embassy Suites By Hilton Aruba has suites including sofabed, balcony, full breakfast, nightly cocktail reception, WiFi, and kids’ activities at rates from $359/N. Plus, the beaches are gorgeous.

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.

Getaway Passport-Free to Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are also excellent bets for midweek, non-holiday winter getaways. These islands are served by low-cost carriers Sun Country and Frontier.; have myriad vacation rentals and don’t require passports from US citizens. You can luxuriate at Puerto Rico’s super posh Dorado Beach, a Ritz Carlton Reservein a suite or residence. Enjoy the West or East Beaches, a first-class golf course, private pools, gourmet restaurants, and an ultra-luxurious spa. Or , check into the Residence Inn Isla Verde where four can sleep and have breakfast for $229/N.

WINTER ESCAPES IN BAJA AND THE LOS CABOS PENINSULA

Follow the social buzz to Baja or Cabo this winter. The long, skinny Baja California peninsula boasts 1,900 miles of coastline split between the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez.

Escape to any of the winter getaway resort areas of Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and Todos Santos, all in the south. While the beaches and glittering sea are equally beautiful, the vibe in each town will appeal to different travelers.

Our guide to Los Cabos and where to stay, dine and play should help you decide where to go. The Hilton Los Cabos, for example, near Cabo San Lucas on the Sea of Cortez, has a swimmable  beach and access to four world-renowned golf courses. Rates through Dec. 6, 2024 start at $239/N — 40% off with a three-night minimum stay.  The family-friendly and all-inclusive Solmar Playa Grande Resort is taking 30% off in booked by Dec. 1.

And with hotels from under $200/night throughout the winters eason, smart shoppers will still find a bargain.

JUBILEE MARKS THE HOLY YEAR OF 2025 IN ROME, ITALY

Pope Boniface VIII began the Jubilee tradition of a Holy Year in 1300. He called for Roman Catholics to reaffirm their faith by making a pilgrimage to the Roman Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul. Holy Years were celebrated every century and by 1470, Pope Paul II proclaimed them every 25 years. Thus, 2025 is a Jubilee year and Rome is ready for an expected 35 million visitors.

The Vatican’s new Via della Conciliazione entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica has been enhanced with technology to welcome every pilgrim, including those with disabilities, in their own language. Multimedia VR and augmented reality displays designed for families introduce the basilica complex. Masterworks such as the newly restored “Baldachin” by Bernini are highlighted. A new app will give pilgrims access to a network of outside clergy, while in-person dialogue will take place at the Basilica. Visitors to Rome should expect a merchandise blitz with a new Piazza San Pietro magazine plus souvenirs of the occasion.

A Challenging Time to Do as the Romans Do

Note that pilgrims who participate in the Jubilee are granted a plenary indulgence. In addition to visiting St. Peter’s, make the 25 kms ‘Pilgrimage of the Seven Churches,’ and visit the Holy Door. Check the official Vatican Giubileo calendar for more information on special events throughout 2025.

You don’t have to be Catholic to appreciate the refreshed face of Rome, where enhancements to infrastructure, museums, historic sites, hotels and more have just been completed. Unless you are traveling with a church group – the only way to find a cheap hotel — you need the services of a local tour operator. Tourist Italy is a good one to facilitate your Roman holiday. According to Roberto Gualtieri, Mayor of Rome, “The hope is that the millions of pilgrims will have a remarkable, unforgettable experience, a great spiritual experience; that the Jubilee of Hope will have extraordinary spiritual value in a world that is emerging from a terrible pandemic, that is ravaged by wars.”

OUR SHARED BLACK HISTORY EXPLORED

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 year round on your next family vacation..

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 #3 on WalletHub’s list of Top 10 Winter Getaways, and has the lowest price for a three-star hotel room of any of them, especially on weekends when government offices close, 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.

Destinations Where Black Lives Always Mattered

The National Park Service has added new listings to 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. Minority stories are now highlighted at many sites of national significance.

CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA INSTEAD OF LOS ANGELES THIS WINTER

If you tuned into this post earlier, you would have seen our feature on Los Angeles, one of this year’s dozen top family getaways.  Sadly, the raging wildfires have made it impossible for us to recommend you visit now. Instead, let’s look at Carlsbad, just an hour south. It’s packed with outdoor and beach family attractions, making it much more than a dupe destination for families who planned to visit the wondrous sites of LA.

Plan time for the Agua Hedionda Discover Campus and the Batiquitos Lagoon. Both environmental centers conserve unusual habitats and have scheduled educational programs in addition to hiking and discovery trails. Rent a bike and ride the hills at the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. Free tours of the classic adobe ranchhouse take place weekends. The Museum of Making Music, where kids can try out different instruments, is another favorite attraction.

Many hotels are now accommodating regional families displaced by the devastating wildfires, yet this town still has good room rates. Check out our review of Carlsbad’s top sights and hotels. The Legoland theme park is close by, and the thrills of Disneyland in Anaheim and SeaWorld San Diego are within an hour’s drive. In addition, enjoy the upscale shops and restaurants, good day spas and fun fish shacks along Carlsbad’s oceanfront drive.  And if you go close to the March 1, 2025 opening date, you’ll see the rainbow of blooming ranunculus at the 55-acre Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch. This year’s display includes an art show by artist Alex Heveri, “Glass in Flight” which features over three dozen glass and steel sculptures of sparkling butterflies, dragonflies, bamboo, bees and insects.

GO BIG ON SNOWSPORTS: THINK SMALL THIS SEASON

Family ski trips are among our favorite winter getaways, but travel with the required gear can seem more stressful than gleeful. Enter ShipSkis. This company will pick up your family’s ski gear and luggage at your home and seamlessly deliver it to your destination. Read more about their affordable, easy-peasy service here.

We highlight our top large and small mountain resorts in the annual Family Ski and Snowsports Directory. Families already hooked on snowsports will appreciate the many on-mountain improvements being made this season. You know to save money on lift tickets at the major resorts with an EPIC (Vail Resorts) or IKON (Alterra Mountain Co.) Pass.

Small Ski and Snow Fun Resorts Can Mean Big Savings

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.

National and State Park Provide Free Winter Getaways to Snow Lovers

Hardy families should head to Mount Rainier National Park to sample Washington’s best snowshoeing and winter camping free of charge. Utah’s Bryce Canyon will likely have less snow, so winter is a great time to tour the Hoodoos (rock spires) the park is known for. Browse the National Parks Foundation Travel Guides for more free fun ideas for winter getaways.

PANDAS AND ORANGUTANS AND BEARS, OH MY!

Pandas are back at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo! Bao Li and Qing Bao have arrived and starting in late January, you can visit them 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. This year, the San Diego Zoo made a new commitment with China Wildlife Conservation Association and welcomed two Pandas once again—YU Chuan and Xin Bao—who live in the Zoo’s Panda Ridge. The newly refreshed and expanded area takes inspiration from the breathtaking, lush landscapes in and around giant pandas’ native habitats in China’s Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanxi provinces.

Until February 2, see the Wildlife Rescue Interactive Exhibit at Zoo Miami where kids can climb, play and learn about the animals that need our help.

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.

WHAT DID YOU EXPECT IN DOOR COUNTY, WISCONSIN?

Door County, Wisconsin offers a variety of fun and exciting winter family activities. From skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing to snowshoeing, sledding and tubing, Door County has something for everyone. You can enjoy the cozy warmth of a fire in a wood stove and the breathtaking beauty of sparkling snow-covered trees while drinking hot cocoa by an outdoor bonfire. For those wanting to explore beyond the snowy terrain, visit any of Door County’s state parks for hiking, guided tours or educational programs. Explore the unique shops in Fish Creek or take an exciting sleigh ride through winding wooded trails. Whatever your family desires, you will find it in our perfect three-day Door County winter itinerary.

If the weather is too rugged for some family members, the county also has several museums with fascinating exhibits. Learn more at the Maritime Museum which offers insight into the history of the Great Lakes. There are plenty of indoor activities as well including bowling or curling at Sister Bay Bowl. Stay warm visiting one of their many art galleries where you can purchase handmade souvenirs to remember your winter adventure in Door County.

SPANISH HERITAGE CELEBRATED IN FLORIDA’S PALM BEACHES

Palm Beach County is so much more than a visit to grandma’s, a winter getaway, the Mar-a-Lago Club or grand hotels. Families in the know flock to horse shows in Wellington and the quaint Yesteryear Village, a living history museum about early 20th-century Florida. Culture hounds plan ahead for the Japanese garden at Boca Raton’s Morikami Museum, and regional productions at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre. Thanks to support from the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County, the region’s rich Spanish culture will thrill snowbirds and visitors this winter.

Boca Raton Attractions

The original Boca Raton, a graceful Mediterranean Revival style beach town, was designed by architect Addison Mizner based on Spanish architecture. To celebrate its centenary, and the 75th anniversary of the Boca Raton Museum of Art, they’re featuring Splendor & Passion through March 25, 2025. Baroque-era masterworks include 57 paintings loaned by New York’s Hispanic Society Museum & Library (HSM&L.) Art lovers can revel in paintings by Velazquez, Goya and other stars that highlight conquistadors and the region’s Spanish history. Families should book events that provide context for kids, such as live flamenco (Dec. 13) and Spanish Guitar (Jan. 26) performances. Kid-friendly, inspiring Creation Station crafts and sm(ART) programs run each Saturday morning among other events.

Palm Beach Collections

The Norton Museum of Art features more riches from the HSM&L in  Sorolla and the Sea through April 13, 2025. Painter Joaquín Sorolla y Bastida from Valencia was hailed by Monet as a “master of light.” Don’t miss their 30-minute Saturday tours of the exhibit and other family programs included with admission. The selection of Sorolla’s paintings showcase Spain’s beaches and his love of the sea – a perfect complement to the Palm Beaches.

Save $ in the Palm Beaches

Frugal travelers love the convenient Embassy Suites Boca Raton and its bountiful free breakfast. From $203/N, sleep your family of four in a one-bedroom unit with living area and a sofabed. The pool is nice too!

As for beaches, usually warm and sunny all winter, you’ll need this local’s guide to those free Palm Beach oceanfront parking spots your grandparents may remember.

ICELAND IS NOT AS COLD IN WINTER AS IT SOUNDS

Aurora trackers make Iceland as popular in winter as in summer for views of the Northern Lights. Winter visitors also love to soak in geothermal hot springs, explore ice caves and glaciers, and participate in plenty of other winter sports. The majority of people in Iceland live in the Reykjavik area. Only 370,000 people live in Iceland and about 63% – some 236,000 – live here, many in the suburbs. This is the center of Iceland’s culture, economy and government. If you plan to take in some of Reykjavik’s major museums, including the National Museum of Iceland, the Reykjavik Art Museum, the Reykjavik Zoo, the excellent Maritime Museum and Family Park, as well as many of the city’s thermal pools, invest in a City Card, as it also includes Reykjavik City Buses and Videy Island ferries, as well as discounts at various restaurants and tours. Reykjavik Konsulat Hotel, once a department store, fit the bill. It was walking distance to the compact city’s major museums, restaurants, and shopping and best of all Baejarins Beztu. It’s the oldest hot dog stand in the city that has been in operation since 1937 and has served everyone from Bill Clinton to Kim Kardashian.

Do you have a favorite family winter getaway? If so, please share it in the Comments below.