Winter Weekend Getaway Ideas

Whether you want to escape the cold or embrace it, head to these convenient U.S. spots during snow season.

Escape to LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort for a warm winter holiday.

Beach Scene: Naples, Florida

If the winter chill wears on you, retreat to the land of endless summer: South Florida. December through February, temps average in the mid to high 70s. The  powder-sand coast provides a place to relax, savor a Gulf sunset, and snuggle up by a beachfront fire pit at the 189-room LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort. The hotel pulls out all the stops for the holidays. A four-course stars local seafood on Christmas Eve. On Christmas, expect a traditional Christmas dinner served on elaborate tables piled high with fixings.

The whole Naples area gets in on the fun, including the mid-December Christmas Boat Parade on Naples Bay. At the Naples Botanical Garden’s annual Night Lights event, thousands of twinkle lights illuminate the garden’s tropical plants, accompanied by live music and gourmet food (November 29 through December 23). With New Year’s Eve comes a spectacular fireworks display, followed by the Naples New Year’s Art Show. It features works by more than 250 artists from around the country.

Newport’s historic mansions are the perfect place for winter weekend getaways.

Urban Exploration: Newport, Rhode Island

Newport thrums with activity during the high season (Memorial Day through Labor Day). But during the destination’s unsung prime time, winter, a festive vibe infuses the city’s historic inns, colonial neighborhoods, and Gilded Age mansions.

November 23 through January 1, poinsettias, wreaths, and Christmas trees swathe the famous summer “cottages” of the Vanderbilts and other wealthy families. When attention shifts to New Year’s resolutions, Newport hosts a mid-January Wellness Week with spa treatments, fitness classes, and healthy-eating workshops. Come February, attend the Newport Winter Festival for a chili cook-off, concerts, and ice sculpting.

Where to stay? There’s nothing more intimate than the 20-room The Chanler at Cliff Walk’s period suites, outfitted with in-room Jacuzzis.

The Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch sparkles with winter spirit.

Ski Retreat: Avon, Colorado

For purists in search of a traditional winter getaway, The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch delivers. This 202-room ski-in, ski-out lodge sits on more than 1,800 acres of Beaver Creek Mountain terrain. Take advantage of the ski and snowboard school, as well as other handy services such as ski concierges and a ski-nanny program. For a change of pace, frosty fun also takes the shape of snowshoeing outings with the resort’s canine ambassadors, Bachelor and Scout.

Warm up afterward next to a fireside bar hosted by Moët & Chandon Champagne. Or, the pinnacle of hygge: ride a horse-drawn sleigh to a turn-of-the-century log cabin to dine on bison chili and Colorado trout next to a wood-burning fire.

Our Favorite Summer Destinations For Long Weekend Getaways

Summer is almost here. And summer is our favorite time of the year to plan long weekend getaways. So in case you need some travel inspiration, here are some of our favorite summer destinations.

Seattle, Washington

Seattle Guide

You can't go wrong with Seattle in the summer. The weather is normally comfortable and not overly hot. There is plenty to do including visiting Pike's Place Market, the Seattle Space Needle and of course consuming excessive amounts of delicious Seattle coffee.

Where We Stay: Thompson Seattle or Grand Hyatt Seattle Our Favorite Place To Eat: Il Corvo (the best pasta we've ever eaten - but they are only open for lunch Monday - Friday) Where We Go To Get Coffee: Caffé Vita or Starbucks Reserve Tasting Room Weekend Guide: See our complete Seattle Weekend Guide

Portland, Oregon

Where We Stay: The Duniway Our Favorite Place To Eat: Mother's Bistro and make sure you get ice cream at Salt & Straw Where We Go To Get Coffee: Stumptown Coffee Roasters Weekend Guide: See our complete Portland Weekend Guide

Washington D.C.

It's hard to see all of Washington D.C. over a long weekend trip, but it's still a great place for a quick getaway. There is plenty to do in the Nation's capital with dozens of museums and historical sites. Our recommendations, spend half a day at the Newseum, one of our favorite museums in the district. And take time to explore Old Town Alexandria.

Where We Stay: The Fairmont Georgetown or Canopy by Hilton The Wharf Our Favorite Place To Eat: Founding Farmers, or just skip real food and get ice cream at Ice Cream Jubilee Where We Go To Get Coffee: La Colombe Weekend Guide: See our complete Washington D.C. Weekend Guide

Charleston, SC

What's not to love about cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages and pastel antebellum houses. Charleston is full of history and southern charm. Take time to check out the Battery promenade and Waterfront Park both which overlook the Charleston Harbor. And of course you'll be able to shop and eat your way through Charleston's French Quarter.

Where We Stay: The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel Our Favorite Place To Eat: Magnolias Where We Go To Get Coffee: Mercantile And Mash

Park City, UT

Park City is more than just a ski town. It's another one of our favorite summer destinations. When the sun comes and the snow melts away, it reveals an adventurer's paradise! Try your hand at fly-fishing, soar above the mountains in a hot air balloon, explore the mountain on foot, a bike, or horseback, test your balance with stand up paddle board yoga, or tackle one of our golf courses. 

Where We Stay: Waldorf Astoria Park City or Main & Sky Our Favorite Place To Eat: Yuki Yama Sushi Where We Go To Get Coffee: Pink Elephant Coffee Weekend Guide: See our complete Park City Weekend Guide

Austin, Texas

Austin is a big city with a small-town heart. And Austin earns the love with great music, culinary prowess, whip-smart locals and a sociable streak impossible to resist. And with so much going on, it’s little wonder that the Texan capital also happens to be a great place to eat, with its famous barbecue joints, fantastic food trucks and excellent high-end restaurants.

Where We Stay: Fairmont Austin or The Driskill Our Favorite Place To Eat: Torchy's Tacos & Lambert's Downtown Barbeque Where We Go To Get Coffee: Caffe Medici Weekend Guide: See our complete Austin Weekend Guide

Scottsdale, Arizona

Andaz Scottsdale

Sure, there's lot do in Scottsdale including hundreds of great places to eat, high end shopping and plenty of hiking. But we go to Scottsdale for the world class resorts, which by the way are extremely affordable during the hot summer months. But what better way to spend a long weekend than relaxing in the pool with a cocktail? Scottsdale is definitely one of our favorite summer destinations for a long weekend getaway.

Where We Stay: Andaz Scottsdale Our Favorite Place To Eat: Farm & Craft Where We Go To Get Coffee: Cartel Coffee Lab Weekend Guide: See our complete Scottsdale Weekend Guide