Key West, FL, has a party-hearty rep, and it won’t disappoint those who come here seeking the hard-drinking spirit of Ernest Hemingway. But it also offers Victorian homes, kayaking, art galleries, and beautiful beaches. Book a great hotel deal here.
Puerto Rico is rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Maria and will be welcoming winter travelers with Old-World-meets-New-World verve, sizzling music and food, colorful El Yunque rain forest, and miles of beaches – all without having to leave the US. Copamarina Beach Resort has lovely rooms starting at under $150 per night.
Courtesy Copamarina Beach Resort
Kids ski free at Keystone, CO. No exceptions, no blackout dates. The resort offers a range of reasonable lodgings, and lovely River Run Village is like a charming small town tucked into the foot of the mountain. The comfy gondola lets you ride to the summit in style.
Courtesy Keystone Resort
The lighthouse on Tybee Island, GA, stands sentinel over five miles of perfect beach, an old-timey boardwalk, and affordable low-key lodgings – all just 17 miles from Savannah! Book a great hotel deal here.
Believe it or not, Las Vegas, NV, may be America’s new Christmas city, with incredible displays at the Fremont Street Experience and at the casinos. You can find lodging here for less than $100 per night, and the city has plenty to do for both families and kid-free adults. Book a great hotel deal here.
Courtesy Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Bureau
May the Force be with you at Disney’s newest out-of-this-world attraction in Orlando, FL: Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, where you can join the rebellion and fly the Millennium Falcon. Book a great hotel deal here.
Kevin T Sokuroglu | Dreamstime.com
You already know that the zoo in San Diego, CA, is packed with polar bears, pandas, gorillas, hippos, and tigers. Betcha didn’t know that you can purchase combo tickets that get you into not only the zoo but also museums and other parks. Book a great hotel deal here.
Courtesy The Zoological Society of San Diego 2007
Stratton, VT, is not only one of the Northeast’s most beautiful ski resorts, but it also boasts amazing terrain and one of the most reasonable lift ticket programs in America.
Hubert Schriebl
Don’t miss out on fresh beignets from famous Café Du Monde, as well as the smorgasbord of other culinary adventures in this Deep South cultural heaven. New Orleans, LA, is calling your name with cobblestone streets, hot jazz, and unforgettable cuisine. Visit before Mardi Gras season and save big on hotels. Book a great hotel deal here.
Hurry! Scottsdale, AZ, is a steal in December. Nab the desert sun, spa treatments, and golf before the crowds hit the lovely Wingate by Wyndham and the prices go up after the holidays.
Catalina, CA, is about 20 miles off the Southern California coast. A ferry will drop you in Avalon for browsing and relaxing, and you can rent a golf cart if you have the urge to move any faster. The Hermosa Hotel is incredibly reasonable during winter months.
The gorgeous Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park, TX, is right on the border between the US and Mexico. Visit in winter for a temperate climate and sparse rain and sparser crowds. Book a great hotel deal here.
Zrfphoto/Dreamstime
The weather in Honolulu, HI, is always awesome, but winter is slightly rainy. That means misty mornings, rainbows, and bargains at lovely Hotel Renew on Waikiki Beach, where winter rates can be 25 percent less than in summer.
Courtesy Butch25/myBudgetTravel
America’s easternmost point is in the US Virgin Islands: St. Croix is a tiny island that packs a big punch with peerless swimming, snorkeling, dining, and golf. Hotel Caravelle, in historic Christiansted, offers a restaurant, bar, pool, and casino onsite.
Linda Morland/Dreamstime
A short drive from Tampa, Caladesi Island, FL, is one of America’s “secret islands” that stay warm all year long, with three miles of beach, no hotels, and a boardwalk nature trail. Stay in nearby Clearwater Beach for easy access.
Jian Huang
Bridger Bowl, MT, in the heart of the Rockies, has beginner-to-expert terrain, tons of fresh powder, and affordable lift/lodging packages with area hotels. Nearby Bozeman is home to the exceptional Museum of the Rockies, where you can delve into Montana history and ogle immense dinosaur fossils.
Courtesy Bridger Bowl
From the beaches of Florida to the snow-capped Rocky Mountains, from the Caribbean to Hawaii – not to mention secret islands that stay warm all year – America is second to none for winter fun. Here are some of our favorite places to warm up or get your ski on – all at a price you can actually afford!