Top 5 Warm Family Vacations for This Winter
When temperatures plummet and snow starts falling, it’s easy to stay inside and wait out the freezing months ahead. But what if there were better alternatives to hibernating all winter long? If you can’t embrace cold weather with skiing or snowboarding, try escaping it instead. Check out these warm family vacations that will keep you busy until spring finally arrives.
1. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
One of the easiest ways to skip winter is to head to the Southern Hemisphere! Sydney, Australia, is a great family vacation spot, with activities that both kids and adults will love. The ferry ride from Circular Quay to Watsons Bay offers beautiful views of the Sydney Harbour and Opera House. Kids will have a blast swimming and building sandcastles on a beach at Watsons Bay.
2. CHIANG MAI, THAILAND
There’s so much more to Thailand than picturesque beaches – although that’s a great reason to visit, too! If you’re looking for a unique place to take your family this winter, look into Chiang Mai, Thailand. The weather is perfect during January and February, and there are tons of things to do here. The Elephant Jungle Sanctuary is the perfect combination of education and fun. As kids learn about the importance of protecting elephants, they’ll also have the chance to feed, pet and bathe them, too! It’s sure to be an experience of a lifetime for the whole family.
3. KEY WEST, FLORIDA
Warm family vacations can be hard to come by on the East Coast, especially if you don’t want to travel too far. But Key West, Florida, is as close to a tropical paradise as you’ll find in the continental United States, offering plenty of summery activities for the whole family. Don’t miss Dry Tortugas National Park, where you can swim, snorkel and scuba dive. And if you prefer a more relaxing vacation, nothing beats a lazy day taking in a gorgeous sunset on the beach.
4. RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL
What better way to inject life into a dull winter than by visiting Rio de Janeiro, Brazil? This vibrant city is filled with family-friendly things to do, from wandering through the Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico) to checking out the colorful Mural Etnias. A trip to Rio will surely banish your winter blues in a heartbeat.
5. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
If you want to escape winter on the West Coast, why not head down to Southern California? San Diego is a great city for families, boasting one of the best zoos in the world. If you prefer a small-town experience, check out Encinitas. This lovely little beach town is just 30 minutes north of San Diego, and is home to the oldest gardens in North County, California, the Sunshine Gardens. And of course, don’t miss the chance to soak up some sun at the beach.
There are plenty of ways to keep busy this winter. Check out more winter family vacation ideas here.
