Winter travel close to home

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There’s no shortage of winter vacation destinations down south and halfway around the world. But what if you’re looking for something a little more budget-conscious and close to home in early 2018? Here are a few wonderful suggestions:

  • Park City, Utah: Known by many as the home of the Sundance Film Festival, Park City offers majestic mountain scenery, exhilarating skiing and a quaint and historic Main Street with great dining, shops and galleries, long after the fancy movie stars clear out in January.
  • Ojo Caliente, New Mexico: Fifty miles south of Santa Fe, discover Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs, where 100,000 gallons of geothermal mineral-rich water rise to the surface each day. Treat yourself to rejuvenating spa treatments then travel north to Taos Pueblo, a National Historic Landmark continuously inhabited for more than a millennium.
  • Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming: Equally glorious in winter as in summer, the world’s first national park offers endless selfies surrounded by snow-covered evergreens and brave winter beasts, including bison, elk and coyotes.
  • Anywhere, Hawaii: Winter doesn’t mean all that much to the Hawaiian locals but it’s still paradise for the rest of us. Don’t miss humpback whale watching near the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai – one of the most mystical and emotional experiences you’re likely to have anywhere. And then, there’s always the beaches…Have you checked out the seriously cheap flights?

Where are your favorite winter getaways? Share them in the Shop Talk blog community forum – and be sure to check out here and here for some more great escapes.

Did you know? Close to home

Of the 66 million Americans who traveled internationally last year, more than half stayed close to home, mostly to Mexico (25 million) and Canada (12 million), with the rest in Europe, the Caribbean and Asia. (Source)

31 thoughts on “Winter travel close to home”

  5. My favorite place to go in the middle of winter is Key West, Florida. While I can’t afford to go every year, I do try and save up to go as often as possible. It is the southern most point in the United States so even in the dead of winter it’s warm and fun. From the beaches to the daily sunset celebrations, there is plenty to do or to just hang out and do nothing.

  7. These places look wonderful, I would love to be able to go to Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, or also Hawaii. Right now my winter will be in Wisconsin. So say, but there is nothing I can do about that.

  8. With below freezing temps & a major snowstorm on the way, we’re staying cozy 7 warm at home.

  9. Check the weather forecasts – If there is snow in the forecast, avoid it. Do NOT drive in it if it has been six months since you last drove on snow. A crash will ruin whatever plan you had. Ice and slopes is a recipe for the body shop. Stay off the roads. If you have to go, install the chains FIRST.

  12. We do not have a particular favorite place to visit during the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere. Two years ago we took a 43 day cruise to Hawaii and the South Pacific which included places like Fiji, Cook Islands, Australia, New Zealand etc. This was a beautiful trip and we did not want to get off the ship even after this long period of time. The best part was the fact that winter was over in Wisconsin when we returned home. This year we are going on the same ship and spending 50 days visiting countries in South America. We will cruise completely around South America going through the Panama canal and making Mexico our last stop. Our hope is that winter will be over when we arrive back home!

  13. Unfortunately I’m not able to travel during the winter for financial reasons. Maybe someday in the future I’ll be able to take a short (or not so short) relaxing mini-spa vacay to get away from the holiday craziness and stress. Wishful thinking.

  16. Traveled twice to Lancaster, PA. Went to outlet malls twice, to the National Christmas Center twice, and rode the Strasburg railroad twice.

  17. I don’t travel much during the early part of the year. But starting in March I do a lot of travelling. I go to Oklahoma a few times, and Missouri a few times during the year. I usually go to Iowa once a year and have started going to Tennessee now that my brother moved there. this year I am also going to Kentucky and Louisianna this year, those are my short trips. Every November I go to Germany to visit my mother and that is my long trip.

  20. I live in a state that is amazing in the winter and summer too. My Granddaughters can wear shorts year round (in the winter they add a hoodie for warmth) do traveling real close to home is great with me!

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