Whether you’re looking to escape the cold, immerse yourself in a white wonderland, or do some seaside storm watching, there are many destinations to consider for a winter weekend getaway. Of course, with so many options across the U.S., you’ll want a destination that’s relatively easy to reach to make the most of the time you have.
To help you with your planning, this guide is organized by major cities, with weekend destinations that are easily accessible by car or flight.
Ready to get inspired for your winter weekend getaway? Let’s go!
Los Angeles, California
Table of Contents
Big Bear Lake
Located in the Big Bear Mountains, less than a two-hour drive from Los Angeles, the town of Big Bear Lake is transformed into an enchanting wonderland in winter. Set on the banks of its namesake lake, outdoor adventures are popular year-round, but many come for its ski resorts in the winter. Skiing and boarding are both popular, but there are other winter activities, like tubing at Grizzly Ridge Tube Park.
The lively après scene includes bars hosting live music, casual brew pubs, and restaurants both on the mountain and in The Village, the downtown hub for shopping, dining, and nightlife. If you’re here in December, you can bring the kids to see Santa Claus while immersed among the festive decor and twinkling lights.
Recommended stay: Bluegreen Vacations Big Bear Village, Ascend Resort Collection has multi-bedroom suites for families and groups, along with an outdoor pool and hot tub.
San Francisco, California
Carmel-by-the-Sea
While there won’t be any snow in Carmel-by-the-Sea on Monterey Bay, it’s the perfect romantic getaway from San Francisco in the winter. Just a two-hour drive south, it’s sweatshirt weather now, ideal for listening to the blissful sounds of the waves crashing onto the rocks while cozying up with your loved one by a bonfire with your toes in the sand.
The fairytale-inspired downtown area is fun to wander with many upscale retailers like Tiffany & Co., art galleries, and tasting venues for sampling local and regional wines. Nine blocks south is Mission Ranch, a luxurious hotel and restaurant with an intriguing past.
Recommended stay: Mission Ranch, the former ranch turned into a luxury hotel and restaurant, purchased by actor Clint Eastwood in 1986 to save it from being developed into condominiums.
Portland, Oregon
Cannon Beach
A bit farther north, Cannon Beach is another one of my favorite destinations for a romantic retreat. The main beach is about four miles long, stretching north and south from the downtown area, popular for tranquil strolls, beachcombing, and storm watching. It’s home to iconic Haystack Rock, a massive monolith featured in the cult hit film “The Goonies” which makes for a great photo op. All sorts of wildlife can be seen here, including marine creatures in the tidepools at low tide and a large puffin colony. Winter is also the time to watch for gray whales that migrate by, with mid-December to mid-January the peak of the season.
In the downtown area, you’ll find a wide range of local art galleries, shops, restaurants, a community theater, and the Cannon Beach History Center & Museum.
Recommended stay: The oceanfront Stephanie Inn with ocean-view rooms that include gas fireplaces and Jacuzzi tubs.
Seattle, Washington
Leavenworth
Living in the Seattle area, I spent quite a few weekends in the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, a two-hour and 15-minute drive away. Traveling over the Cascade Mountains, with the scenery looking like a virtual snow globe, made winter my favorite season for a visit. The village lies just east with the towering, jagged peaks providing a stunning backdrop. Once there (from Thanksgiving through the end of February), you’ll see holiday decor and lights strewn across the Bavarian-style buildings, while costumed characters wander around and the sounds of caroling echo through the streets. In Front Street Park, there’s also an outdoor holiday market ideal for gift and souvenir buying.
If you’re looking for activities in the snow, the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club hosts a tubing hill, rope-tow skiing, and Nordic skiing. Horse-drawn sleigh rides and snowmobiling are popular too.
Recommended stay: Mountain Home Lodge has individual cabins with private Jacuzzis for two.
Phoenix, Arizona
Sedona
Only a two-hour drive north of Phoenix, Sedona’s famous red rocks are best experienced in winter. The crowds are few, the skies are often bright blue, and there may be a dusting of snow across this desert oasis. Imagine starting your day by floating above the stunning landscape on a hot-air balloon ride at sunrise and ending it with some of the best stargazing on the planet. In between, you might hike the scenic trails for breathtaking views of red rock formations like Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock.
These iconic monoliths, along with Airport Mesa and Boynton Canyon, are also famous vortex sites, areas of concentrated, swirling energy called vortexes, said to enhance healing and meditation practices. They’ve helped make Sedona a “New Age Capital,” with many venues for energy healing sessions and shops selling items like healing stones and crystals.
Recommended stay: Creek Side Inn Sedona has suites with in-room Jacuzzi tubs, fireplaces, and private porches.
Denver, Colorado
Estes Park
Estes Park is the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, located near its eastern entrance, about a 90-minute drive from Denver. This charming mountain town is surrounded by dramatic peaks that are blanketed in snow during the winter. It’s filled with shops selling quintessential Rocky Mountain-style items while the famous Stanley Hotel that inspired Jack Nicholson’s “The Shining” looms in the distance. It’s worth visiting the hotel just to view the opulent interior, but you might want to dine with the sounds of piano music, and perhaps, a ghost sighting.
Snowshoeing, sleigh rides, and ice skating are just a few of the popular winter activities. Wildlife watching is epic this season as animals like deer and elk are more commonly seen as they move to the lower elevations. Some even wander right through town.
Recommended stay: One of the rooms at Murphy’s River Lodge on the banks of the Fall River with a fireplace, hot tub, and private deck.
Houston, Texas
Galveston
Less than an hour from Houston, Galveston is ideal for a winter weekend getaway at the beach, with 32 miles of sand and mild temperatures for playing, with average highs in the 60s. While it’s often jam-packed for spring break and summer vacations, this is the season for quiet beach walks, collecting shells, fishing, and birdwatching without the crowds. There’s no elbowing through others to see the art and artifacts from Texas and the American West at the Bryan Museum either.
A visit to the Galveston Railroad Museum is popular year-round, but if you’re here during the holidays, you can ride the popular Christmas-themed Polar Express Train. Visiting Moody Gardens during the season is a must with its dazzling holiday light displays.
Recommended stay: The San Luis Resort Spa and Conference Center with Gulf-view rooms and a swimming pool.
Chicago, Illinois
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
When snow blankets the town of Lake Geneva, 90 minutes northwest of Chicago, it brings the opportunity for skiing and snowboarding, racing down tubing hills, and gliding across ice rinks. There are also trails winding through tranquil landscapes for snowshoeing, and frozen lakes popular for ice fishing. Downtown comes alive during the holidays with festive markets, decorated shop windows, and colorful lights. Winterfest, a five-day event held over late January and early February, is worth planning a visit around, bringing skilled artists from across the country to create remarkable snow sculptures.
A stay at the Grand Geneva Resort & Spa is sure to enhance your visit, especially over the holidays, with special programming that includes breakfast with Santa and the option to have a fully decorated Christmas tree right in your room or villa.
Recommended stay: Grand Geneva Resort & Spa with villas for families and a year-round waterpark next door.
Columbus, Oh
Hocking Hills
An hour’s drive from Columbus, and you can be in Hocking Hills, a region in southeastern Ohio spanning several towns with state parks and nature reserves. It’s a popular winter getaway for exploring snowy trails, frozen waterfalls, and magnificent ice displays in Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave. If you’re an avid birder, watch for unique winter birds like the great horned owl in Conkle’s Hollow State Nature Preserve. When you want to head indoors, Hocking Hills Winery has wine flights and charcuterie boards. With many cabin rentals, it’s easy to find the perfect cozy spot to return to after a day of play.
Recommended stay: The Elk Cabin with a fireplace and hot tub, just five minutes from Hocking Hills State Park.
Atlanta, Georgia
Helen
Helen is a unique Bavarian village-style alpine town in the Blue Ridge Mountains, about an hour and 40-minute drive from Atlanta. Here you can stroll cobbled streets lined with colorfully painted wooden homes, chateaus, and specialty shops selling handcrafted items. Every building in town was constructed in the classic Bavarian style, even the chain stores.
In the surrounding area, admire dozens of waterfalls that flow year-round, including stunning Anna Ruby, two waterfalls cascading 150 and 50 feet. For big thrills, ride the Georgia Mountain Coaster that reaches speeds of up to 25 mph. During the holidays, whiz down while gazing out at the Christmas lights on the surrounding hills.
Recommended stay: The Helen Hideaway cabin with a hot tub, fire pit, and arcade, just a 10-minute walk from town.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Asheville
Experience a mix of downtown charms, snowy mountain activities, and the grandeur of Biltmore Estate just over two hours from Charlotte in Asheville. If you’re here during the holidays, downtown will be at its best with spectacular decor and twinkling lights draped across galleries, shops, craft breweries, cafes, and restaurants.
Nearby, Biltmore Estate is a “yuletide oasis” with its opulence enhanced by thousands of ornaments, garlands, and wreaths. Candlelight Christmas Evenings bring the chance to indulge in a multicourse feast immersed among it all. Throughout the season, snow tubing, snowboarding, skiing, and snowmobiling are available nearby at Wolf Ridge, Cataloochee Ski Area, and Moonshine Mountain.
Recommended stay: Asheville Cabins of Willow Winds close to downtown Asheville and Biltmore Estate, with accommodation in one- to three-bedroom cabins featuring private hot tubs.
Nashville, Tennessee
Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, a two-hour drive from Nashville, you can take a walk on Lookout Mountain’s Bluff Trail for unobstructed views of the valley, or hike to waterfalls and scenic overlooks. In town, stroll the Tennessee River Walk, browse holiday markets, or take one of the magical holiday-themed train rides, like the Holiday Christmas Lights Train or NightCap with St. Nick Train. An ice rink is open throughout the winter for skating, and there are also horse-drawn carriage rides and riverboat cruises.
Recommended stay: Bluff View Inn in the historic Bluff View Art District, hosting accommodation in magnificently restored early 1900s homes.
New York, New York
Windham
About a 2.5-hour drive from New York City in the Great Northern Catskills, Windham is a great place for activities centered around Windham Mountain or nearby Hunter Mountain, including skiing, boarding, and tubing. Snowshoeing and Nordic skiing are also popular for exploring peaceful, snow-blanketed landscapes. Waterfalls can be admired too, including Artist Falls and Kaaterskill Falls.
The Historic Main Street in Windham is lined with independent shops, eateries, and the Magic On Main theater.
Recommended stay: The Haüs Windham with rooms that have Jacuzzi tubs for soaking with a mountain view.
Boston, Massachusetts
Woodstock, Vermont
The quintessential New England experience can be found in Woodstock, with its white-steepled churches, covered bridges, and snow-capped mountains. Just over a two-hour drive from Boston, this historic town is magical in the winter, whether you want to cozy up by the warmth of a fire while watching the snowflakes fall out your window, take part in outdoor adventures, or do a little of both. Horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing, and downhill skiing are just a few of the ways to get outside. The downtown area has many enticing shops, including Vermont’s oldest general stores and eateries worthy of a foodie experience like The Prince & the Pauper.
Recommended stay: The historic Woodstock Inn & Resort, just steps from downtown with a complimentary shuttle to the Suicide Six Ski Area.
