Winter Vacation Spots

For many people, winter is the best time of the year to explore new heights of adventure. They like to snowboard, ski, and participate in activities that the cold weather entails. Traveling all over the world to find the best winter vacation spots can be a hassle and a bit expensive. So why not find them right here in the U.S. that are fun-filled for singles and for families as well? As most of you, even I find myself hunting for top vacation spots each year. Summer isn't the only season that can make for a good vacation, and many people are looking for cooler places for families during the winter months. If you're looking to have such a vacation, there are many choices available for people who love winter and snow, and for those who like to opt for warmer places as well. There are many spots all over the world that can take your breath away. To make your winter vacation spot the best one ever, here is a list of a few places for everyone to enjoy.

Winter Vacation Destination in the U.S.

These offer some truly unique opportunities and experiences for everyone. Given below are suggestions that can be useful for people who wish to travel with their family and friends.

Aspen, Colorado
You can enjoy Aspen ski vacation by skiing all four mountains in one day; Aspen Mountain (a.k.a. Ajax), Aspen Highlands, Buttermilk Mountain, and Snowmass Mountain. You can take advantage of the cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails in the beautiful Ashcroft Valley. Try your hand at paragliding, snowmobiling, snowboarding, dog sledging, ice skating, and sleigh-rides.

Lake Tahoe, California
Take part in skiing and other traditional winter sports at Lake Tahoe. You can opt for skiing lessons, go tubing, or sit in your lodge sipping hot cocoa. The best advantage of this winter vacation spot for families is that Lake Tahoe offers child day camps or other activities, so that grownups can have a time of their own. Kids can enjoy doing crafts or playing games.

New York, New York
New York City is also a great destination for the holidays for a variety of reasons. Watch the famous ball drop in Times Square this New Year's Eve, a tradition dating back to 1906. Watch it and be a part of the most famous celebration of the year. There are tons of attractions like Top of the Rock, Harbor Tour on a crazy fast boat, Natural History Museum (real dinosaur skeletons), art museums, movie tours, Chinatown, and Blue Man Group performance.

Winter Park, Colorado
There are tons of activities at the Winter Park like dog sledding, snowshoeing, inner tubing, ice skating, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, cross-country skiing, hot air balloon riding in Colorado Rockies, and hot sulfur springs. Snuggled against the western slope of the Continental Divide, and just a short drive from Denver, Winter Park is a great place for world-class skiing. Winter Park has a special beginners' area known as the Discovery Park and cruising runs such as Jabberwocky and Sundance for the intermediates. Experts can test their skills at Parsenn Bowl.

Yellowstone, Montana
Explore the glorious Yellowstone National Park in winter by snowmobile. It has an authentic winter wonderland with steaming hot springs and bubbling mud volcanoes amidst beautiful snow-caked trees. You can also spot elks, trumpeter swans, eagles, moose, and bison. Make sure to stop at the Old Faithful, the park's best-known geyser. It erupts approximately every 91 minutes, reaching heights of 106-184 ft.

Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a perfect winter vacation spot for families who love to avoid the snow, an impressive feature, for a town in Florida that doesn't even have a beach. Orlando is the hub of theme parks, with Disney World, Islands of Adventure, and Universal Studios Florida have thrill rides. Orlando has become one of the few places where you can find a Cirque du Soleil show, the "La Nouba" show. The show was created for this location in Downtown Disney.

Everglades National Park, Florida
If busy theme parks and crowded beaches are a bit too much for you, then why not choose the legendary Everglades National Park only a few hours south of Miami. This is one of the popular choices for families who like to include education-as-fun for their kids, so they can learn about this unique ecosystem. Flamingo, (the main attraction at Everglades National Park), is 38-miles from the park's entrance where you can find a lodge, camping, boat tours, mangrove swamp, and also a couple of crocodiles lounging at the boat- launch.

Crystal River, Florida
Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1941, is situated across 31,000 acres of saltwater bays, brackish marshes, and estuaries at the mouth of the Chassahowitzka River. It's located approximately 65 miles north of St. Petersburg, FL, and is home to over 250 species of birds, 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, protects waterfowl habitat, and at least 25 different species of mammals, including the endangered West Indian Manatee (you can also swim with them!). It is accessible only by boats, and public boat ramps near the refuge are limited. Rental boats and tour guides are available in nearby towns of Chassahowitzka and Homosassa. Make reservations in advance (the best months are November and May).

Wakulla Spring, Tallahassee, Florida
Wakulla Spring are known to be the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. They are located in the Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. The breathtaking waters come from an aquifer in Georgia, which emerges from the underground caves. You can see alligators on a river boat tour, or turtles, do a glass bottom boat ride, and take nature hikes. If you are going with your family, your kids would love to swim and snorkel in the springs, or jump off the 15' diving platform.

Busch Gardens Africa, Tampa Bay, Florida
Busch Gardens Africa theme park has exhilarating roller coasters, attractive African theme, great water rides, and chances to see elephants, giraffes, rhinos, hippos, white Bengal tigers, chimpanzees, gorillas, etc. Their key attraction 'Rhino Rally' takes you on a wild jeep ride through animal habitats. Combine Busch Gardens Tampa Bay with other attractions in Florida. You can buy a Flex ticket to ease the load of covering all the attractions like SeaWorld Orlando, Wet'n'Wild water park, Universal Studio's Florida, and Island of Adventure.

Checkout the Internet-based travel agencies and make your own winter vacation. If you are planning on organizing an international vacation in very little time, here are some suggestions that can come in handy.

1. Bay of Fires, Tasmania ~ Bombay Sapphire sea with perfect white beaches with fine sand, and bright blue sky.
2. Languedoc, France ~ Languedoc has long, sandy beaches, with dynamic towns such as Montpellier, Sète and Nîmes. Haut-Languedoc.
3. Jukkasjarvi, Sweden ~ Enjoy your stay in one of the famous hotels completely made of ice. (Available from mid-December to mid-April)
4. Nam Ha, Laos ~ This place is especially known for die-hard adventurers for its mountains and waterfalls. It is home for some 30 ethnic groups which creates an ideal landscape for eco-trekking.
5. Svalbard, Norway ~ Svalbard is the only place in Europe where polar bears roam freely. It's famous for pure, white snow and beautiful glaciers.

For many, including myself, winter has always been a special time for getaways. The beautiful and quiet long nights are made even more glorious with layers of snow over the landscape like a soft white blanket. Whether you have visited multiple winter vacation destinations or this is your first experience planning one, you can find recommendations here for places where couples, families, singles, and friends can make lifetime memories.