I know this is way off topic but I need help.
My Family and I want to take a Winter/Holiday Vacation. It will be the week of Christmas. Our problem is that we really aren't sure where we want to go.
Has anyone taken a winter vacation?
Does anyone have suggestions? We would like to stay in the United States.

Florida is the best winter vacation spot.
We going to LV...

We need more information. Do you want a "beach" vacation or do you want a "ski resort" get away? Are your children very young or old enough to participate in activities? Is a Cruise out of the question?

Are you planning for this year or next year? If it's this year, your choices may be limited by availability and price, as things tend to book early for the holidays.

What part of the country are you in? Do you want to be able to drive somewhere, or do you want to fly?

We are planning for this year. We live in Illinois. My daughters are 15 and 18.
My husband refuses to do a cruise.
We can drive or fly it doesn't matter. I just hate to spend the $$ on the flight. They are so expensive.

so my guess is warmer climate. Florida (disney world) if you haven't been, your daughters will still love it. Or come to California, universal studios and other theme parks and star gazing. Or to San Diego to a nice beach resort. How about drive to grand canyon, yellowstone?

If staying closer in MW or East cost, big city like New York? The Great Fall? You can go over to canada too. (a bit cold though).

I'll be spending Christmas with my little sister, down in sunny Florida. IMHO, there's just nothing like escaping the bitter cold & black ice to renew ones spirits. And seeing my sister is always fun (and saves on hotel expenses) since we live SO far away now.

We drive, because we can't afford the plane tickets. For us it's 24 driving-hours to the Tampa area, and we do it in two days to maximize our time in-state. From Illinois you'd probably cut about 6-8 hours off that driving time since we drive right near Chicago on our way down.

Another idea that we've been considering, is to take a winter trip to the Colorado mountains. We don't ski, so we'd be going for a rustic/get-away kind of trip... and I've found rental homes for as little as $600 per week that sleep four!

You are always welcome in Memphis! It doesn't get too cold here around Christmas, and there is virtually no chance of snow. Graceland is done up in the same blue lights that Elvis liked with his Nativity set on the lawn. Our zoo has pandas (my very favorite) and a new exhibit that is a likeness of the lodge at Yellowstone. There are 3 grizzly cubs rescued from Montana in their new home, along with wolf pups. I haven't seen it yet, but I heard it is great. Plus, the zoo will be decorated for the holidays. Also, Peabody Hotel lobby fountain with ducks and Beale Street.

Happy traveling!

Can't beat NYC at Christmas time, IMO!

There's Rockefeller Center and the tree, Radio City and the Rockettes, shopping everywhere. I live here, and I still can't get enough of the city during the holidays.

Two years ago, we spent Christmas week in New Orleans. We're going back this year. It's more of a sight-seeing vacation, but the weather is typically warmer than the frozen north (although cooler than Florida). We volunteered at Habitat for Humanity the day after Christmas, and we plan to volunteer one day this trip as well. There are decent prices on hotels on all the various websites.

You should check out the prices for the all-inclusive vacations in Mexico. I know you said you want to stay in the U.S. but you can get great deals and the all-inclusive means your cost while there is almost nothing as all of the food, drinks, and most of the activities are included. If you are taking two children, the cost per child is also reduced if you share one room.

We are going to Puerto Vallarta in January and staying at the Royal Decameron. The beach is phenomenal (we were there last year) and the package price is $847 Cdn per person plus tax. It would be lower in US funds and the flight may be less too. A friend of mine booked the same trip for her family for Xmas to new years.

If you are interested in coming to the mountains, Colorado is a great place. You will still deal with the cold and snow, but it usually isn't as bitterly cold as it can get in the midwest, especially Southwestern Colorado. There are a couple or good ski resorts down there and it is the type of place where there have be 6 inches of fresh powder and you can be out in you sweatshirt or shirtsleeves because we have sun almost 260 days out of the year. If you don't ski there is snowmobiling, serious sledding, horse-drawn sleds, ice skating, snow shoeing, ect. You can truly get cheap accommodations this time of year because there are far more people that come in in the summer than the winter. Plus, there are many camps that rent out cabins in the winter for cheap because they aren't operating during that season.

Thanks for all of the suggestions.
We have decided to go to Wisconsin. We found a place that offers snowmobile tours. They also have sleigh rides. We are going the week of Christmas and we are all excited!!!

quote:

Originally posted by steph7134:
Can't beat NYC at Christmas time, IMO!

There's Rockefeller Center and the tree, Radio City and the Rockettes, shopping everywhere. I live here, and I still can't get enough of the city during the holidays.

Oh, I agree steph! I don't care how old you are, if NYC at Christmastime doesn't make your heart beat faster, I can't imagine why! NYC has a special vibe anytime of year, but at Christmas, it becomes positively magical. And if there's snow already or it's snowing, it's downright lethal!

I would love to go to NYC at Christmastime. Maybe next year!!!