Searching for the Top Winter Getaways for Families With Kids
The quest for the best vacations for families with children is different when you’re driving out with a crying toddler in the car seat and a 10-year-old saying, “are we there yet??” before you leave the driveway. I’ve been that parent. A few great failures and a lot of wins. When you find the right travel destination, cold weather family trips can be magical. The wrong one? Pure survival mode. These were the individual places where we got what we needed.
1. Breckenridge, Colorado
The town of Breckenridge is like stepping into a snow globe. This ski school turned my 5-year-old from a frightened to a pizza stopper on the bunny hill in just 2 days. Just that was enough to make it worth the trip.
The town itself is keeping kids entertained outside of skiing. We took an afternoon to go to the Breckenridge Recreation Center, they have a great indoor pool with a lazy river. Hot chocolate is available on every block of Main Street and you don’t have to worry about parking, as there is a free bus system! But that doesn’t mean it isn’t real altitude sickness, so drink like you’re drinking the water of life! Our first night we learned the hard way.
2. Orlando, Florida
Yes, Orlando is a winter vacation spot. A place where it is 15 degrees and grey is 70 degrees and sunny is a miracle. We made our trip after New Year’s one year ago, and the crowds were surprisingly easy to handle, at least in comparison to summer.
Also Read: Winter Travel Destinations for Snow Lovers 2026
The actual winning factor was the weather. My children were wearing shorts and T-shirts, and their classmates were wearing parkas back home. We have spent half our time in Magic Kingdom, and half in Discovery Cove, where my daughter swam with dolphins. The hotel rates are also lower after the holidays. Our choice is the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress, which has a pool with a waterslide to keep the kids occupied on our “rest day.”
3. Park City, Utah
Park City offers just that balance of adventure and chill. Deer Valley’s ski-in/ski-out facilities ensure that mornings are easy when it comes to getting kids ready for their skis. No shuttles, no loading boots into the car. Simply go outside and walk.
We got to do a day at the Utah Olympic Park as well, where my older son had the chance to do the bobsled ride. Two years later, he still speaks of it. The town has a walkable Historic Main Street with restaurants that actually have kids’ menus that go beyond chicken fingers. This is something I hadn’t thought of: The air is extremely dry. Create a pack of moisturizer and lip balm for all of you, or your children will look like they had to cross the desert.
4. Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Gatlinburg could be the little known family winter vacation spot in the country. The Smoky Mountains receive snowfall, but just not enough to close it down, and the town is still quite lively in January. The kids would have stayed in this cabin for the whole trip if I hadn’t invited them to return to their own homes. We were staying in this cabin with a hot tub and fireplace and if it wasn’t for the kids going back home, I believe that’s where they would have all been for the rest of the vacation.
However, we pulled them along and they were grateful! The pancake houses are legendary, Aquarium of the Smokies in Ripley is an impressive place and Ober Mountain offers tubing and ice skating as well. We own a VRO cabin with a cost of less than the mid-range hotel in most ski towns. Just FYI, the main can be very busy on weekends so you need to plan accordingly.
5. San Diego, California
For those who want warm weather without packing up for a trip to the Caribbean, San Diego in the winter might be the cheat code. In January, average high temperatures are around 65 degrees and the beaches are not crowded. We only managed to visit about half of the San Diego Zoo in a day.
LEGOLAND is located approximately 30 minutes north and is ideal for younger children (under 12 years old). My youngest was so into Miniland USA, we walked through it three times. The Hotel del Coronado was a place that for us was special but not stuffy. I think this is the best part of winter here — the prices. January and February are very reasonable months in San Diego, but in the summer months it can be quite hot.
Top Winter Getaways for Families With Kids Who Love Snow
It’s not always a family that wants to get away to the beach when the weather turns cold. Some children are living for snowball fights, fort building and arriving in the house with red cheeks and wet gloves. Here are some of the next few that are just for families that want to catch the snow.
6. Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada
Lake Tahoe was one of our BEST family vacations. We were on the North Shore, near the Northstar California Resort and the village had an ice rink in the middle with shops and restaurants all around. It was like in a movie, when everything is set up.
The skiing is suitable for everybody. My youngest stayed in the learning area, my husband and older son ran in the intermediate area. The landscape is the thing that makes Tahoe unique. Yes, that lake in front of snow covered mountains is truly stunning, even with foggy ski goggles. We booked a lakefront cabin at Vacasa and ate the majority of our meals in the cabin, saving a lot of money. Shopping trips to Safeway were made routine.
7. Stowe, Vermont
Stowe is New England charm at a level 11. The white church steeple rising above the fresh snow, the covered bridges, the overall atmosphere is truly like a Hallmark channel movie, except that this time it’s a good one. Stowe Mountain Resort is a great kids’ resort where I spent a whole day with my 6-year-old.
We also visited the Ben & Jerry’s factory in nearby Waterbury, on an afternoon. Although the tour is brief, the ice cream samples at the end are the highlight for any child. Yes, the one that’s been linked to The Sound of Music, The Trapp Family Lodge, has cross country skiing and snowshoeing which our reluctant 8 year old enjoyed. It is a more expensive experience at Stowe but also keep a look out for any midweek offers!
8. Keystone, Colorado
Keystone is not Vail or Aspen so that’s part of the reason why we loved it. No crowds, no prices and a pretty amazing kids ski school called Kidtopia. They create a huge snow fort each winter season and my children played in more than on the hill.
Another highlight is the night skiing. It’s one of the few mountain resorts in Colorado that offers it and skiing with my young daughter while the night was filled with glittering stars was one of those parenting moments I never want to forget. Within walking distance of the River Run Village, you’ll have all you need. We booked our condo at the resort’s website and were not disappointed with the location on the slopes.
9. Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
It’s known as the “Waterpark Capital of the World” and in the winter, that’s quite significant. These gigantic indoor waterparks continue to serve at 84 degrees when it’s frozen out. We spent the night at the resort of Kalahari and even the indoor waterpark would have taken up three days.
My kids spent hours running on waterslides and playing in the wave pool and lazy river. There was also an indoor theme park, mini golf and an arcade at the resort. We had a great time snow tubing at Cascade Mountain, 20 minutes drive outside the resort. It was a vacation and a staycation all in one. Wisconsin Dells is particularly brilliant for Midwest families that don’t desire a lengthy journey but would like a true vacation.
10. Scottsdale, Arizona
In Scottsdale, it’s warm desert weather, while all of the rest of the country is shivering. January temperatures are in the mid-60s and almost guaranteed to be sunny. It was a family hike up Pinnacle Peak Trail (also easy for our 7 year old) and the vistas from the top were amazing.
Also Read: How to Plan a Budget Ski Trip 2026
The OdySea Aquarium left us with surprise. It was large, well designed and my kids had a blast at SeaTREK, walking around the bottom of a tank with rays and sharks. Old Town Scottsdale has excellent restaurants and a laid-back ambiance that isn’t dull. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort which has a water playground area and a sand beach pool. IMO, Scottsdale is one of the least known family-friendly destinations in the area in the winter.
11. Steamboat Springs, Colorado
Steamboat is “Ski Town, USA,” and they live up to their name. The Champagne Powder here is lighter, drier and makes learning to ski way easier for children at other resorts. Falls are less likely to hurt if the snow feels like a pillow.
One evening we went on a magic evening to Strawberry Park Hot Springs, and it was magical. Steam rising from natural hot pools encircled by trees in the snow. It has the feel of a true western town without all the slick development. We didn’t just visit tourist trap restaurants, we visited the places where the local people ate. The free city bus operates on a regular schedule and links the mountain to downtown, making it easy and stress free to be car-free days.
12. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach in the winter won’t bring you beach weather, but they will bring you 55 degree weather, empty boardwalks and hotel rates that seem too good to be true. Back in February we were able to stay in a resort for less than $90 a night that was right on the ocean. The same room in July is $250.
They had half a day of fun at WonderWorks by playing with the upside down building and interactive science displays. Also, Broadway at the Beach with shops, restaurants and attractions kept everyone happy. Their aquarium here is solid, Ripley’s Aquarium. Crowds were much more light during the winter so lines were basically non-existent. Not a sexy choice, but for a low-cost getaway with the kids in the winter, Myrtle Beach really is a lot for its buck.
FAQs
What Are the Most Affordable Top Winter Getaways for Families With Kids?
Wisconsin Dells, Gatlinburg and Myrtle Beach are always the cheapest. Rental costs of cabins, hotel resorts with indoor water parks and low rates during off season keep the costs low. We spent about 40% less on our Gatlinburg cabin trip compared to a similar length ski vacation in Colorado. Traveling/making reservations midweek and direct through resorts can save even more.
When Is the Best Time to Book a Winter Family Trip?
The best time to book is typically around 6-8 weeks ahead of your trip. Special weeks such as Christmas and Presidents’ Day are the ones that go fast, and require early planning. Early January and late February are the times we’ve seen the best deals, crowds and weather.
Are Ski Resorts Actually Fun for Kids Who Don’t Ski?
Absolutely. Now most big resorts provide tubing, snowshoeing, indoor swimming pools, ice skating and children’s activity centers. Keystone’s snow fort was all my younger kept me occupied for hours without resorting to the ski. There are also many activities to enjoy outside the ski area in Steamboat and Park City, ensuring the whole family has a great time.
How Do I Handle Altitude Sickness With Kids on Mountain Trips?
Drink plenty of fluids before and during the journey, minimal exercise on first day and carry children’s ibuprofen in case. We were in Breckenridge the first night and moved too rapidly on that night and our 7 year old had a headache and was feeling sick. On the next trip, the first day was spent getting acclimatised at a lower altitude before ascending to the resort. This was what it took.
Is It Worth Traveling to Warm Destinations in Winter With Kids?
And for families who don’t enjoy the cold or winter sports, there are warm locales in mind, such as San Diego, Scottsdale and Orlando. Hotels are cheaper at warm weather destinations, lines are shorter and the vibe is much more laid back during the off season. We went to Orlando in January and paid half the price and twice the fun as we did the last time in the summer.
Conclusion
Every family has their idea of the best winter getaway. Some people are for the days when they can eat powder and drink hot chocolate, others are for the days of swimming and sunshine. The best thing you can do is match up the destination with the kids you have, and not the ones you want. Where are you going for yours this winter?
