Winter is a wonderful time for a family vacation, whether you're seeking snow or sun. Here are the best winter vacation getaways with kids.
Even if you just take a four-day weekend to get some respite from the cold or enjoy winter sports, there are some wonderful and often overlooked destinations for families in winter.
Winter Family Vacations with Snow
Kids just love the snow, whether it's something as simple as building a snowman or as involved as skiing and snowboarding. Here are some of the top winter vacation destinations for lovers of snow:
- Ottawa - The wonderful thing about visiting this underrated but compact capital city is the river through town converts into a natural ice skating rink for winter. For some real fun, visit in the first half of February to enjoy Winterlude.
- Smuggler's Notch, Vermont - This winter resort gets major snaps for its family and children's programs, and it's actually one of the few resorts that is "child-friendly" for children under age 3. They have programs for every age of child from 6 weeks to 17 years, including childcare and skiiing and snowboarding lessons starting at age 3.
- Montecito Sequoia Lodge in King's Canyon National Park, Calif. - The list of winter sports, many available for children ages 5 and up, is extensive. You can cross-country ski, snowshow, snow tube, sled, ride a dog sled, snow board, snow bike and ice skate.
Winter Family Vacations with Sun
Sometimes, you just want a break from winter. Kids love a chance to hit the beach or splash right in the middle of winter, and it's a great way to boost family morale and mood in the middle of winter.
- Beaches Resorts with various locations - These family all-inclusive resorts feature a wide diversity of family amenities, ranging from childcare services and Sesame Street characters at breakfast to Crayola art camps and XBOX Game Centers. And, of course, the sunshine.
- Club Med Sandpiper in Florida - This is another one great for those with babies through teens, featuring a Baby Club Med program starting at 4 months of age, up to a Junior Club Med program for kids aged 11-17 years. There is a Circus School, tennis academy, waterskiing and wakeboarding.
- San Diego - Find loads of great kid activities and a warm climate. San Diego features a zoo, Legoland, Wild Animal Park and, of course, Sea World.
Winter Family Vacations at Indoor Water Parks
Another ideal choice for a winter family vacation is a visit to an indoor water park. The nice thing about this is it serves as a way to get winter vacations that feature both snow and sun.
There are some wonderful choices in the North to escape to Southern climates, such as Wisconsin Dells and some of the various Great Wolf Lodge resorts.
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