This might sound a little controversial, but I hate snow. When it snows, all I can think about is how long it will be before it becomes a muddy mess and how much grueling work it will take to clean it up. Growing up on a tropical island, I never got used to the harsh winters of the Northeastern United States, despite spending over three decades in the northern hemisphere. I’m always sneaking in a getaway to warm places just to make it through the chilly months. Brrrr… I am cold just writing that.
If you also are in need of a warm getaway with the family, keep on reading! I have personally visited and recommend all of the places listed below. I also narrowed the list to United States destinations that do not require a passport, allowing for last-minute travel.
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Table of Contents
1. Maui Is One Of Our Favorite Warm Places
Maui makes the top of my list of warm places to visit in the country. Although it is still reeling from the devastating wilfire of August 2023, the island is slowly welcoming visitors back which are vital for its economy. However, if you are planning on vacationing to Maui, please be considerate of the residents, avoid the Lahaina area and stick to the other parts of the island not affected.
Where to stay: we love the Maui Beach Vacation Club. Centrally located in Kihei, all the condos were fully renovated in 2020 and have everything you need for your home away from home.
Things to do: surfing, beach, snorkeling, hiking, boating, whale watching, Maui is an outdoor adventure traveler paradise.
2. Orange County, California
Despite being a four-seasons destination, temperatures remain relatively warm in the winter in Orange County. Coupled with plenty to do with kids, OC is a great family destination to escape the cold winter.
Where to stay: we loved the Howard Johnson Anaheim when we stayed in Anaheim. The resort is only 8 mins walk from the entrance to Disneyland. Get 10% Discount when using code: 1000022077. If you would prefer to stay near the beach, look no further than the Waterfront Beach Resort. The hotel sits across the street from the beach and has 2 pools, one with slides that the kids will enjoy.
Things to do: Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm are the top destinations for families in OC. January and February tend to have lesser crowds at Disneyland and are the best months to visit. However there’s much more to visiting Orange County with kids than theme parks. Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach are must-visit beach towns. Kids would also love to play with OC’s famous tide pools. Finally, winter is whale and dolphin season so don’t forget to hop on a boat tour to the kids delight.
3. San Diego is Known To Be A Warm Place Year-Round
San Diego is said to have perfect weather year-round. It is an excellent winter holiday destination for families, with year-round sunshine, temperatures in the 70s, and a plethora of kids entertainment.
Where to stay: If money were not an issue, definitely stay at the iconic luxurious Hotel Del Coronado resort on Coronado Island. And even if you are not staying at the Del, the property is most-deserving of a visit. For more options easy on your wallet, I recommend the Kings Inn San Diego, a fun, retro hotel with a pool, 2 restaurants, a bar, and even laundry machines.
Things to do: No trip to San Diego is complete without visiting the world-renowned San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Animal enthusiasts can also visit Seaworld. Tide pooling is a popular winter activity in San Diego, as is whale watching. San Diego has many wonderful beaches so make sure to plan a beach day. San Diego also boasts theme parks such as Sesame Place and Legoland, as well as an amusement park called Belmont Park. Finally for a good dose of history and culture, take the kiddos to Balboa Park, First Mission, and the USS Midway Museum.
4. Palm Springs
Like an oasis in the middle of the desert, Palm Springs is another fantastic winter destination for families. Just an hour from Los Angeles, the town is instantly recognizable with its sky-high palm trees. Palm Springs has a retro-chic vibe and is filled with trendy restaurants, artsy shops, and fun kids activities.
Where to stay: Palm Springs boasts a multitude of hotels and resorts with gigantic pools. You can take your pick of accommodations. Omni Rancho Las Palmas is an amazing resort choice. Decked with water slides, and a lazy river, the resort has much to offer the whole family. For a more affordable pick, stay at the Caliente Tropics Resort. We stayed there during our visit. I loved the hotel’s retro vibes and our family spent countless hours lounging by the giant pool.
Things to do: The City of Palm Springs has a lot to interest families like the Gondola, museums like the Palm Springs Art Museum, and the Living Desert Zoo and Garden. When in town, spend some time to explore Joshua Tree National Park. With its Dr Seuss-esque Joshua trees, the park is very kid-friendly with several short hiking trails, and the most scenic road ever. And finally, hop on a Red Jeep Tours to see the famous San Andreas fault.
5. Death Valley National Park, A Warm Spot In The Desert
Death Valley National Park in California is known for having the highest temperatures ever recorded. Winter is actually the most pleasant time to visit the park when temperatures are not nearing 3 digits. But, fret not. You will still find it a warm place with temps averaging in the 70s.
Where to stay: the Ranch at Death Valley is a fun kid-friendly resort located inside the park. Besides the pool, the resort offers many activities like horseback rides, bike rentals, and golfing.
Things to do: Winter is a great time to enjoy all that park has to offer from sledding down the Mesquite sand dunes to watching the sun set at Zabriskie Point and hiking all the family-friendly trails. Don’t forget to stop by Badwater Basin Salt Flats which is the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level. From there, make sure to stop the scenic Artist’s Drive with its colorful hillsides.
6. Las Vegas
Known as Sin City for a good reason, visitors are usually shocked to learn that Las Vegas is a family-friendly destination. Indeed, the city offers so many kid-friendly activities here that families will never run out of things to do. Also with temperatures in the 60s December through March, Las Vegas has earned a spot on the warm places to visit list.
Where to stay: the Mandalay Bay, with its wave pool and lazy river, is possibly one of our family’s favorite hotels in the country. However, since the aquatics are closed in the winter, I recommend staying at the Excalibur instead during the winter months. Why the Excalibur, you ask? Because what kid wouldn’t want to stay at a castle-shaped hotel?
Things to do: Las Vegas has several shows like the Blue Man Group and the Excalibur Tournament of Kings; amusement park such as at the Adventuredome; museums like the Discovery Children’s Museum; and tons of shops all geared towards families. For one-of-a-kind experiences, visit the Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix Family Fun Center or the Minus5 ICEBAR open to kids before 9 pm and where everything is made of ice. Budget-conscious travelers would enjoy free attractions such as the Bellagio Fountains and Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, the Mirage Volcano, the Venetian gondolas rides, Mermaid Show at Silverton Casino and the Children’s Treehouse at Downtown Container Park. The Shark Reef Aquarium and the Flamingo Wildlife Habitat are guaranteed to please animal lovers of all ages. Outdoorsy families will love visiting Valley of Fire State Park, the famed Hoover Dam and last but not least, Grand Canyon National Park.
7. Orlando, Another Favorite Warm Places
Also known as the “Theme Park Capital Of The World”, Orlando attracts millions of visitors each year flocking to its dozen theme parks. The weather is warm year-round, but winter is the greatest time to go outside and see all that Orlando has to offer without the oppressive heat and humidity that Florida is known for.
Where to stay: Orlando offers a myriad of accommodations for all budgets and family sizes. The Grove Resort & Water Park Orlando is a fantastic option. This all-condos resort is nicely located in Kissimmee and features a lazy river, waterpark, pool, and on-site restaurants. For more budget-friendly stays, look for deals at Disney budget resorts like Disneyโs All Star Movies Resort. Weโve also stayed at the highly-rated kid-friendly Magic Moment Resort and Kids Club in Kissimmee for under $70 a night and loved its proximity to the parks.
Things to do: Disneyworld, Universal Studios, Seaworld and Legoland may be the top attractions in Orlando, but don’t overlook the other activities on this list. Kids will love Gatorland and Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the offerings at Lake Eola Park, the water activities at Wekiwa Springs State Park (swimming, snorkeling, tubing, kayaking and paddleboarding), and the manatees at Blue Spring State Park. The Kennedy Space Center is less than an hour away and so is the beautiful beach of Cocoa Beach. Both are deserving of a visit.
8. Miami
Miami clearly figures on our list of warm places in the US, with average temperature in the mid to high 70s. It is a popular destination in the winter months for those looking to escape the harsh weather.
Where to stay: our family thoroughly enjoyed the lovely Esmรฉ Hotel in South Beach. This boutique hotel is conveniently located right on Espanola Way, mere steps from restaurants, cafes, shops, and the beach. Just make sure to stay in the quieter Casa Matanza building away from the street noise.
Things to do: Miami has a lot to offer families starting with world-class museums such as the Perez Art Museum Miami, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, and Wynwood Walls. Other popular attractions include animal encounters at Jungle Island, sightseeing speedboat tours, and airboat rides across the Everglades. Discover Cuban culture in Little Havana. Versailles is an excellent restaurant for sampling Cuban cuisine (don’t forget to try Cuban coffee!)
9. Florida Keys
The winter weather in the Keys is generally pleasant, with sunny skies, dry weather and average temperatures in the 70s. With so many water-related outdoor activities to choose from, including boating, fishing, and snorkeling that will appeal to everyone in the family, it’s no surprise that the Keys are a popular destination for families during the colder months.
Where to stay: Accommodations in the Keys are slightly more expensive than in other warm places. Stay at the Ocean Pointe Suites in Key Largo for a laid-back vacation experience. The waterfront resort offers all-suite accommodations, a pool, and a private beach, among other amenities.
Things to do: In Key Largo, try a cruisin’ tiki boat ride. In Islamorada, stop by the Theater of the Sea and enjoy the different animal performances with the possibility for kids to swim with dolphins. Once you hit Key West, visit the nature-themed attractions such as the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters, and Dolphin Research Center. Museums like the Key West Shipwreck Museum and The Hemingway Home and Museum will appeal to families. Kids will love riding around town on the Conch train. Beyond Key West, a must-visit warm place is Dry Tortugas National Park with its 19th century fort, blue turquoise waters and coral reef.
There you go! I hope you’ll visit these wonderful warm places the next time you feel the winter blues creeping up on you. As a bonus, I would include Tucson, San Antonio, Houston, and Puerto Rico on this list. Unfortunately, I have yet to visit those destinations but I will update this blog post once I do. Do you agree with this list? What would you add? Please let me know in the comments.
Thank you for reading!
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