Dreaming of a Vacation? These Are the Best Places to Book a Winter Getaway

When the weather outside is frightful, few things are more delightful than a good winter getaway. Whether it's a romantic couple's resort you can book on a budget, a solo retreat, a restorative girl's weekend, a quick affordable excursion, an old-fashioned road trip, or something for the whole family, a winter vacation will help you forget all about the cold...or inspire you to really indulge in it.

With that in mind, we've compiled a list of the best places to vacation this winter—for every type of traveler. Dreaming of days filled with sun, sand, and stiff drinks? You may want to head south for a warm-weather beach vacation, either in the U.S. (think: somewhere in Florida, Hawaii, or California) or just outside of it (hello, Aruba!). More of a ski bunny than snowbird? In that case, you can't go wrong with a snow-covered winter wonderland, from Stowe, Vermont, to Traverse City, Michigan, to Breckenridge, Colorado. Not to mention that winter is also the perfect time to go to an iconic city—like New York or Washington D.C.—which feel particularly magical, thanks to all of the twinkling lights, festive decorations, and holiday markets.

Ahead, these are the best winter vacation ideas—from calm stretches of sand in the Caribbean to under-the-radar towns in the Northeast—as well as suggestions for what to eat, see, and do in each place. And, of course, no matter where you're headed, make sure to check what rules are in place at your destination (either through the state health departments or the U.S. Embassies and Consulates) and follow CDC guidance for how to best protect yourself and others from COVID-19 while traveling domestically or internationally.