29 Nov Have a Holly Jolly Holiday with Winter Family Vacations

The Best Winter Family Vacations

Sometimes it’s hard to plan a winter family vacation that adults and kids will both enjoy. Most children aren’t avid spa-goers and most adults can only handle so much mini golf and Legoland. However, the winter often comes with some time off from school for the kids, so it can be the perfect time to vacation, and you would be surprised at how many vacations are great for parents and children alike! That’s why we’ve assembled some of the best winter vacations for families, in no particular order:

Go Skiing at Heidelberg Inn

June Lake, California

The Heidelberg Inn looks a bit like a gingerbread house, and the surrounding scenery is just as magical. In fact, the location is so lovely that it was used as a filming location in the 1930s, to create movies like Road to Utopia. Plus, the Heidelberg Inn is one of the best family ski resorts, because it’s very close to June Mountain, where kids can ski for free!

Explore Nature in Yellowstone National Park

Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho

Yellowstone National Park is as beautiful as ever in the winter, albeit a bit chilly. If you and your little adventurers want to brave the elements, try snowshoeing. Or if you’d prefer to have some cover, enjoy a snowcoach tour instead. You may see spouting geysers, bison, moose, elk, and even wolves! Whichever option you choose, make sure you check Yellowstone’s website to make sure you pack the proper gear and know which areas are most safe.

Learn about History and Culture at Strawbery Banke and the Peabody-Essex Museum

Portsmouth and Salem, NH

If your family’s idea of excitement is to learn about history, Strawbery Banke in Portsmouth is a great place to do so, especially around the holidays. Strawbery Banke is a living history museum with preserved and restored buildings from 1695 to 1954. Roleplayers are hired to act like historical figures and interact with visitors by playing historical instruments for them, teaching them how to play games of the time, and answering their questions. Around the holidays, during the first few weeks of December, Strawbery Banke offers a candlelight stroll of the historical houses, which are decked out in beautiful holiday decor. Holiday music plays, a bonfire crackles, and guests get to learn about the Christmas and Hanukkah traditions of the past. To top it all off, complimentary hot cider is provided and guests can add activities like skating and colonial dining at Pickwick’s onto their experience. While you’re in New Hampshire, also be sure to check out the Peabody-Essex Museum in Salem, which always has exciting exhibits, from the modern and avant-garde to the historical and classic.

See What Mickey’s Up To This Winter

Orlando and Kissimmee, Florida

Disney World is one of the best winter vacations for families. It’s a fantasy brought to life for children and a chance for adults to access their inner child. Plus, if even the best family ski resorts sounds too cold to enjoy, a trip to Florida will warm you right up. Disney’s parks offer delightful winter events. “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios comes complete with seasonal music and fireworks. Holidays Around the World Storytellers at Epcot showcases different cultural holiday traditions and Magic Kingdom features a show with Elsa of Frozen—and that’s just a small sampling of what Disney offers. Check out our Orlando resort inventory and Kissimmee rentals as you plan your trip.

Enjoy Your Winter Family Vacation!

We hope you’ve found a vacation on this list that really speaks to you and your family’s preferences. As you look for a place to stay, consider our interactive resort rental map, where you’ll find great savings on incredible accommodations. Whether you choose to explore the great outdoors or the ways of the past, hang out with your favorite animated characters, or hit the slopes, you’re sure to have one of the best winter family vacations you could ask for!