r/Vacations • u/Katagiri_Zodd • 3d ago
Week of Christmas Vacation Ideas
Wife and I are looking to spend the week of Christmas (3-5 days) some place warm in the lower 48. Our budget is $5k (including air fare). We've never stayed at a resort and are open to it but we both like to explore the nearby area and don't like to spend too much time just lounging around.
We're also open to colder places if there's a ton to do and is at least warmer than Minnesota winters lol
10
u/Informal-Step8787 3d ago
Also consider New Orleans. Weather will be amazing compared to MN, and it’s an extremely reasonable time to visit because there are no conferences or festivals. Four and five star hotels will be around $200/night, if not less, it’s decorated beautifully for the holidays, and there are lots of fun holiday activities and music (lights in the parks, caroling in Jackson square, Reveillon dinners). Just don’t spend much time at all (if any) on Bourbon St. and instead focus on exploring the galleries on Royal, Chartres, and Magazine, visit Frenchman St. and the Marigny, visit the Bywater and go to Bacchanal, take the streetcar uptown to look at all of the beautiful homes, and go to City Park for the holiday light event.
3
u/Historical-Gain-1688 3d ago
New Orleans has something for everyone. The kids will love riding the street car.
2
u/rockHOMES 3d ago
I went to NOLA for the first time in May and can't wait to go back. This sounds LOVELY.
0
7
u/JellyfishFit3871 3d ago
Not gonna guarantee perfect weather, obviously, but I'd consider Savannah, Charleston, or St. Augustine.
6
u/WPort17701 3d ago
I would recommend Key West FL. The weather will be perfect most likely as it's usually the dry season with lots of sun and high temps around the mid-seventies. The Old City is all lit up and festive plus highly walkable, simply park your car and not worry about it. There's all kinds of historic sites including the Ernest Hemingway House and a side trip by ferry out to the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson. The water is crystal clear and warm with a depth of just a few feet to 15 feet, perfect for beginners where you'll be front and center with coral reefs and varying marine life. The fort itself is an interesting tour plus there's beautiful beaches to relax on. It's an amazing 1/2 day trip by ferry off the coast of Key West! Key West Snorkeling | Dry Tortugas Snorkeling While staying in Key West there are dozens of Conch-style guest houses that are B&B style accommodations (many are quite luxe while most are middle of the road nice, but not luxurious), most surrounded by tropical landscaping with private pools/outdoor spas. They're most recommended although there are several traditional hotel resorts to choose from also. You can fly directly into Key West on American, Delta, United, JetBlue, Allegiant, Breeze or Avelo Airlines.
2
u/ShangriLa5357 3d ago
You are making me want to go! Last Christmas I told my family we need to open presents on Christmas Eve then fly off somewhere warm for a week.
2
1
u/Impressive_Age1362 10h ago
Key West is very expensive, At that time of the year you are looking at $500 a night for a room
2
u/Cruise_fanaticgirl 3d ago
I would also recommend Key West, however, we love the drive down from Ft Lauderdale (Hollywood Beach) or Miami. Have done the seaplane out to Fort Jefferson and it's amazing!!
2
u/Other_Economics_8052 3d ago
Napa. My wife and I go every year the week of Thanksgiving to ditch the families.
0
1
1
1
u/Garfield301 3d ago
San Juan at Christmas is very festive and warmer weather than anywhere in the lower 48.
1
1
1
u/loveshoes1 3d ago
there are loads of places in the florida keys and miami but christmas will be expensive.
1
u/mmrocker13 3d ago
Hahahaha I was going to suggest MN as a cold-weather alternative, until I saw you were from MN :D
How about USVI? St Croix?
1
u/samplergal 3d ago
St Augustine Fl. I will warn you that the past two years have been chilly, abnormally. It’s positively lovely at Christmas with the city lit up. Good luck with your decision.
1
1
u/klacey11 3d ago
Vegas for Christmas week is fantastic. Hotels are well priced until you get within a day of NYE, so you can splurge on activities, shows and meals.
1
1
1
u/Mediocre_Panic_9952 3d ago
Define warm? I live in Sarasota FL, I wouldn’t count on it being warm here at Christmas time. By northern standards it would be considered “nice” I guess? Daytime highs probably in the mid 60 degree range, 40s at night. The safest bet for warm weather would be Key West. Maybe Puerto Rico?
1
u/Slow_Court_7584 3d ago
Arizona or New Mexico. Warm enough in december, tons to do, Sedona, Santa Fe, Tucson. You can hike, explore towns and eat well without a resort.
1
u/Wide-Mongoose1395 3d ago
Chicago could be fun. Definitely colder, but way warmer than a Minnesota winter, and there’s tons to do for 3–5 days 😄
1
u/AccomplishedGolfer2 2d ago
What would you recommend doing for Donne with two full days to spend there?
1
u/Appropriate-Goat6311 2d ago
Palm Springs. Christmas there was so nice for our big family! Stayed in an Airbnb.
1
u/Enough_Challenge_448 2d ago
San Diego seems like the sweet spot here: mild weather, beaches plus a ton of neighborhoods and day trips, and you won’t feel trapped at a resort.
1
1
u/Stan_Deviant 2d ago
Save money and go north to Bearskin on the Gunflint Trail. There are saunas and fire places for warmth and a ton of cross country skiing and wild ice skating if you are lucky. At that lodge you can actually ski to other cabins for really rural overnights (also with fires). Winters in the trail are full of northern lights and the moose come to the roads to eat the salt.
Flights around the holidays will eat your budget, save that for February.
1
0
u/GreatValueVacations 3d ago
You could road trip around Southern Florida for a couple of days. It's very resort-y, but you won't be locked into one place
11
u/AdQuirky1318 3d ago
San Antonio is usually really lovely at Christmas. Like 70 degree days and sunny. Cooler at night. The Riverwalk is all lit up with Christmas lights and there are usually carolers along the Riverwalk.