If you're ready to bust out your winter coats, your rain jackets, and your boots, here are the best winter vacation destinations in Washington State. Required fields are marked *. Big Cypress is great for spotting wildlife, too, and not just gators. Beech Mountain Resort has nine lifts for its many ski trails. December 16th, 17th, & 18th. Here are the five closest ski resorts to Florida, arranged in order of drive time: Wolf Ridge Ski Resort Travel Time: Jacksonville: 7 hours, 10 minutes Tallahassee: 8 hours, 17 minutes Orlando: 9 hours, 12 minutes Miami: 12 hours, 11 minutes Elevation: 4,700 ft. Vertical Drop: 700 ft. It receives the lowest average December snowfall in this compilation (11.9 inches), but thanks to December lows in the 10 F to 15 F range, snow tends to linger around the landscape regardless of whether or not new snowfall falls on Christmas day. The Old Town's row houses and centuries-old brick . Dates: November 18th, 2022 January 1st, 2023Official Website. Just ugly brown grass. Where to Stay: As the cultural hub of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach offers an eclectic mix of arts, entertainment and nature (and, of course, some . IF you have need multi face Authentication? Address: Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park, 11016 Lillian Saunders Drive White Springs, FL Why You Need To Go: A great place to see snow, roast marshmallows, and behold beautiful light displays! The folks in Jacksonville still remember the "big snowstorm" that hit the area around Christmas in 1989. Join the flagship Performance Tour to experience a 60-minute trolley through Downtown Pensacola and meet famous Christmas characters. The Key West Bight Marina, known as the islands Historic Seaport, plays host to an array of festive events. Tarpon Springs also has delicious seafood. Dates: November 24th & Lighting up every evening through New Years Eve, 2022Official Website. Its probably the most festive hotel in the entire state, as Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee boasts its famous holiday event that delights both kids and kids at heart with its 9-degree winter-themed wonderland. If you're a novice at winter sports, there is also a resort that provides beginner-level slopes for you to practice skiing. With a theme centered around Elf in 2021, you can take a journey through the fascinating collection of interactive, multi-sensory experiences. Photo Courtesy of San Antonio CVB. Titusville has great places to eat where you can enjoy seafood thats been caught that same morning. Where to stay: 2. Do you like seafood? And sometimes thats the best way to find snow in the south. From Vicky Sosa of Buddy The Traveling Monkey: For a winter getaway in Florida, we recommend the city of Titusville on Floridas Space Coast. Gaylord Palms Resort in Orlando, Florida, is one of the most beautiful family-friendly resorts you've ever seen. Miami has exciting events held throughout the year, but Christmas is the perfect time to plan a family trip. 13 Perfect Things To Add To Your Florida Winter Bucket List, Visit 12 Christmas Lights Displays In Florida For A Magical Experience. The island has cabins to rent and campgrounds on the beach, or you can choose from hotels nearby in Marathon. In the Sapphire Valley, up in the Blue Ridge Mountains, you will find skiing, tubing, and all types of winter fun. All Rights Reserved, Worldwide. Roseate Spoonbills at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge - Photo by Bret Love & Mary Gabbett of Green Global Travel. Well send you our newsletter with travel destinations, It isn't easy to picture a better setting for a beach vacation than this portal to the Sunshine State's pristine beaches. At an elevation of 6,000 feet above sea level, Mt. This list of ten of the snowiest cities is based on the National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration's 30-year (1981 to 2010) data of locations with a 91% to 100% historical probability of seeing at least one inch of snow on the ground on December 25. A lesser-known Florida getaway spot, Blowing Rocks Preserve is a nature conservancy on Jupiter Island. The most helpful article I could find on the subject. Kickstart your winter adventure by checking out the best places to visit in December in the USA below. One of the main attractions of Tarpon Springs is the historic Sponge Dock. Hotel: Hampton Inn & Suites For the full spa experience, give the Mountain Laurel Creek Inn & Spa a try. Laguna gets a decent amount of snowfall each year about 13 inches per year. Hotel: Bridgewalk in Bradenton Beach I highly recommend this cozy town for your next Florida winter trip! https://www.thoughtco.com/us-cities-with-white-christmas-3444462 (accessed March 1, 2023). ski runs, and gorgeous views of Mt Rainier and the cascade mountain range, all decked out in their winter's best! . What's more, itsDecember high temperatures tend to stay well below freezing, so if there's precipitation, the odds are it'll be snow. Airbnb: Spanish-Style Bungalow in Quaint Mount Dora, a cozy vintage bungalow with modern comforts. Here are five top-rated places where you can see snow in the south. Why we go: Located about 20 minutes south of D.C., Alexandria is a picture-perfect place to spend the holiday season. Homosassa is on the southern end of the Big Bend and endures long, hot summers, which are often cloudy. by Mommy Nearest. You can see tons of birds, armadillos, bears, manatees (in the right area), the elusive Florida panther, and maybe even a Skunk Ape, Floridas version of Bigfoot. Once the place where Thomas Edison and Henry Ford vacationed, the Edison & Ford Winter Estates Holiday Nights in Fort Myers is an old-fashioned celebration. The list also includes Florida winter vacation spots for nature-lovers, for families or for couples, along with suggestions for places to stay in Florida. (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? If you're more into winter sightseeing than anything else, then you have to see the amazing Hohensalzburg Castle amidst a landscape of snow. On Jan. 31, 1979, a whopping 7.4 inches of snow was measured at McCarran Airport, their heaviest one-day snowfall on record, according to the NWS. Airbnb: Lovely Cottage in the Country, very private with its own pool and pond. In recent years, there have been several Christmas's where there wasn't even any snow at Christmas. In December, the city sees 17.7 inches of snowfall on average, and its maximum temperatures remain nearly 10 F below freezing for the month. Its one of only three freshwater lighthouses in Florida and is just the right color to provide a backdrop for a holiday setting. our latest advice & deals in your inbox! Where to stay: While many are familiar with Key West, youll find one of the best Florida beach destinations in Bahia Honda State Park at mile marker 37 in the Florida Keys (just 12 miles south of Marathon). We love to end our Tarpon Springs visit with a visit to the nearby Fred Howard Park at sunset and take a walk along the beach. The tubing park has 700 feet slides for winter fun runs. Watch as white snow flurries fall from the sky, while Charles Dickens carolers, horse-drawn carriages rides and an ice rink create a magical winter wonderland. Floridians may not be used to such snow. In the Southern part (Central Florida to the Keys) average highs will be closer to 76F (24.4C). You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings. Make it a weekend getaway and see the mermaid show at Weeki Wachee, explore the Rainbow River, eat fabulous seafood on the waterfront, or simply take in the charm of small-town Florida. You can watch them from the shore at Three Sisters Springs. From Bret Love & Mary Gabbett of Green Global Travel: Located in southwest Florida off the coast of Fort Myers,Sanibel and Captiva are barrier islands, created by nature to protect the mainland from the elements with their palm and mangrove trees. If you're a kdrama addict, you might also want to check out The Garden of Morning Calm, where popular drama series Love In The Moonlight was filmed! But it is quietly becoming very popular with outsiders looking to live in a great small city. Nine miles south of Beech Mountain, you will find the wonder of Sugar Mountain Resort. Chance of Snow: Winter Storm Types and Snowfall Intensity, Geography and Overview of Yellowstone National Park, Rain, Snow, Sleet, and Other Types of Precipitation, Understanding the Various Temperatures of Rain Drops, How Geography Shapes Regional Weather of the United States, Weather Folklore: Mother Nature's Winter Predictions, Wyoming National Parks: Fossils, Hot Springs, and Monoliths, How Thundersnow Works (and Where to Find It), B.S., Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, University of North Carolina. may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. Number of Runs: 22 You can enjoy lazy days in the beach house relaxing with cocktails by the pool, bike to the different beach communities and see some amazing South Walton sunsets. Anna Maria Island is a perfect Florida winter getaway because youll feel a million miles away from it all on this seven-mile strip of gorgeous white sand beaches. The main street is filled with shops selling sponges, spices, olive oils, hand soaps, and antiques and is a delight to shop. The island is on the west coast of Florida, 20 minutes from Bradenton and an hour south of Tampa. "11 Best Things to Do in and Around Big Sky, Montana. Theres even a throne made of ice where you can sit on and channel your inner Elsa! IF (in caps on purpose) there is snow, and you want scenic, you are looking at 8-10 hours one way. On December 25, 2014, the city saw 8.5 inches of new snowfall in one dayits third snowiest Christmas on record. Theyre Magical. The islands of Saint Croix, Saint Thomas, and Saint John are United States territories and have tropical natural landscapes perfect for a mid-winter getaway. Thank you! While Tampa deservedly gets lots of attention for being a fantastic city to visit in Florida, not many people know about its neighbour, St.Petersburg. December 16th, 17th, & 18th. Wave Season Cruises w/ Air - Up to $500 Off ends 2/28, 50% Off | Air & 9-Day Portugal Coastal Cities Tour, The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua w/ $100 Credit, Air & 10-Day A Taste of New Zealand Vacation, Plan the Ultimate Trip w/ the Anchorage Travel Guide, The Newbury Boston | $100 Food & Drink Credit, The Little Nell w/ 2 Lift Tickets & 2 Ski Rentals, 9-Day Hidden Treasures of Southern Italy Guided Tour, Up to 50% Savings | 8-Day Blue Danube River Cruise, 9-Day Danube River Cruise w/ 3-Nt Romania Hotel, 14-Day Southern Italy Tour | Save $300 Per Couple. Best of all, theres a fun festival atmosphere with live entertainment before and after the Parade. You can ski, ice skate, tube, and more at Sugar Mountain. Alaska has the highest median snow depth in the U.S., at 11.71 inches. They are making snow now. From the bunny hill to the Main Ski Hill, you can learn to ski or ski your heart out on the trails. At Stowe, you can spend time with each other in a little cottage or bed-and-breakfast with the fireplace on and mugs of hot chocolate. Its entirely probable to walk around the island via trails and see no one and you can easily find your own stretch of beach with no one around. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-71057117', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane. ThoughtCo. Head to the Blue Ridge Mountains for the best opportunity to enjoy the snow. These are the best places to travel in December this year. Lake Arrowhead. Snow will fall on this adorable little town every night from November 28th through December 31st. If you prefer something a little more thrilling, do check out Gapyeong Sledding Hills! Dates: December 3rd, 2022Official Website. This charming Austrian village has a wide range of activities that cater to the laidback and the thrill-seekers alike. homosassa. Rounding up this list is Gapyeong, a small county just north east of Seoul that offers amazing scenic snowfall sights and wintry landscapes that you should definitely not miss out this December! We love spending the winter in Florida, where the weather is mild and we dont have to worry about freezing temperatures. #15 in Best Places to Visit in December 2023. Learn how your comment data is processed. The Key West Bight Marina, known as the island's Historic Seaport, plays host to an array of festive events. Airbnb: River House Merritt Island, riverfront home close to the beach and Port Canaveral. Thats where these awesome events and festivals come in. Here's Our Top 10 Places To See Snow In December Near Florida. See our full Disclosure & Privacy Policy here. Picture an impossibly flat desert floor with massive sandstone towers rising 1,000 feet into the sky. Click here for the "11 Best Things to Do in and Around Big Sky, Montana.". From Jillian Michelle of Adventure Dragon: Mount Dora is a lesser-known vacation spot in Florida, located on a lake just half an hour from Orlando. On average, 96 percent of Alta's terrain is operational by Christmas Day - the highest rate of any resort. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-71056964', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');plane ride away. The light pollution is so low, we saw the milky way one night from the beach. Loggerhead is also amazing for stargazing. St. Petersburg Snowfest, Straub Park Flickr/Matthew Paulson Instead, St.Petersburg has a diverse food community featuring local produce and international flavours. Because when the waters in the Gulf of Mexico drop below 68 degrees, manatees flock to the crystal clear springs of Crystal River, just 1.5 hours drive north of Tampa or west of Orlando. Tucked into the mountains of Colorado's White River National Forest, Aspen is the perfect destination for a dog-friendly winter vacation if your pup loves the snow. There's also a Glacier Palace, where you can find caverns and sculptures carved out of ice. Snow flurries, movies, visits with Santa, gift wrapping and parking are free. Start your Christmas vacation off right with Ford Holiday Boat Caroling, which takes place from December 1-23.While drifting down the magnificently lit River Walk, floating carolers serenade . Arapahoe Basin - "A-Basin" has a laid-back vibe with lots of fluffy powder and some of the best steeps in the West. 5. The resort is only 1.5 hours . You are talking hours and hours and hours to drive somewhere. The Florida panhandle to Jacksonville has snow flurries a few times a winter in some of the colder winters. Cedar Key is great all year round, but winter time is especially great because temperatures average 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.5 C). Known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth State Park offers a bounty of outdoor activities to warm you up during winter. Means, Tiffany. ? The temperatures have cooled down, the leaves are falling off the trees, holiday decor is beginning to pop up everywhere, and thoughts of holiday treats have begun to spring up. Celebration, FL does fake snow every hour on evenings during the holiday season. Nothing says []. Snowfall is usually expected from early Dec till late Mar in Kyoto, though they melt by noon. Hop on one of the 100 rides, or enjoy the parks interactive games and the petting zoo. Credit: DeEfteling.Eftel-site.nlon Facebook. There are lots of great hotels in St.Petersburg but the most grand is the Vinoy Renaissance Hotel, which is the unofficial hotel for nearly every major sports team that visits. Its a small city, compared to cities like Orlando and Miami, but there is still plenty to do in Titusville. You can only access the island by ferry, walking, kayak, or private boat. So rise early to experience snow in sites such as Kinkakuji and Kiyomizu-dera! Your email address will not be published. Maui, Hawaii Maui, HI 96708-96793 (808) 270-7230 Maui, also referred to as The Valley Isle, is Hawaii's second-largest island in the Central Pacific. Many residents remember the Christmas of 1996 when 14 inches of snow fell over the city creating snowdrifts of over 2 feet. Airbnb: Ozello Island House, a waterfront home with direct access to the Gulf and nature preserve. While the winters are short and partly cloudy, the sunsets are dramatic. In the morning, get your fill of all you can eat pancakes at the Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe. Means, Tiffany. It includes sweet and colorful coastal communities like Inlet Beach, Rosemary Beach, Seacrest, Alys Beach, WaterSound, Seagrove, Seaside and WaterColor among others. We moved from Iowa to (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Why? The Tellaula River begins in North Carolina and flows through the Georgia Mountains before merging with the Chattooga River. Pensacola goes all out for Christmas with its annual Winterfest, beginning with an Elf Parade on November 25th. Airbnb: On a Whim, cute near beach cottage in village area orSanibel Beachfront Condo at Sands Edge (photo above) great view! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In December, the winter snowfall further accentuates the stark sweeping landscape of jagged peaks that pierce through the sea of clouds, creating a much more dramatic scenery! Snow can be spotty in the southern Appalachians. Miami - 729 miles, 10 hours and 30 minutes, Orlando - 503 miles, 7 hours and 15 minutes, Tallahassee - 330 miles, 5 hours and 30 minutes, Jacksonville - 437 miles, 6 hours and 30 minutes, Tampa - 605 miles, 9 hours and 30 minutes. Zoo Lights Miami will take place on select nights November 25 - December 30, 2022 from 6:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Book your luxury Miami Vacation Rental with our discount here! Hotel: Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club. Once on the island, you only get 4 hours before having to return via ferry so use your time wisely, take plenty of bug spray for the trails, and reef-safe sunscreen. Airbnb: The Cypress House, a charming 1905 bungalow in the heart of downtown Tarpon Springs. Credit: Glenn Guyon Facebook #HHWT Tip: Be prepared that some trekking paths may be closed should a heavy snowfall occur.. 10. Credit: Korea Tourism Organization Indiaon Facebook. We will be on vacation in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Save articles to your bucket list and start planning. Then, bring the kids out for snowfall in CityPlace every night (except Christmas) through the end of December. Airbnb:Bay Breeze Cottages (The Mahi-Mahi), located on the North End of the island and close to local attractions, or a Beachfront Condo in Bradenton Beach, with amazing views (photo above)! Snowdrift is open 7 days a week while snow lasts, and admission is $20 per person. 6 Places Where You Can Play in the Snow . In the Northern part of the state (Central Florida to the Panhandle) average daily highs in December will be around 63F (17.7C) and lows will be about 43F (6.1C). The best time to visit for warm-weather activities is in March, May, October, and November. Where can you find these hidden gems in Florida? All the southern states from Texas to Florida have received some snow historically. Mark your calendar for one of Palm Beachs most treasured traditions, the annual Palm Beach Holiday Boat Parade and toy drive. Follow the boardwalk at the Indian River Lagoon to learn more. Kids love the chance to spot nurse sharks and sea turtles in the conservation lagoon and pet stingrays at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. Some celebrations have small ice rinks or you can find public ice skating year round at The Ice Factory in Kissimmee or RDV Sportsplex in (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? 1. Americas sunshine state is a popular destination for winter escapes, but you can still find secret winter getaways in Florida too. You may also like: Miami to Key West Drive: The 15 Stops You Cant Miss, Photo by Jenn and Ed Coleman at Coleman Concierge. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. You could also do ICE at the Gaylord Palms. You can attend a Light-Up Celebration, the annual Christmas Tour of Homes, and the Regatta of Lights. Where to Stay These cookies are necessary for the site function. After youve sent your postcard from the famous post office in the quaint town of Christmas, fill up your calendar with these top things to do in Florida in December. Spend the evenings enjoying fresh seafood at the many local restaurants. Ranked one of the top holiday light displays in the country, you wont want to miss the variety of festive activities centered around this event. But dont worry, if camping isnt your thing, you can always stay in Everglades City. If there is snow falling in the Georgia Mountains, head north of Dahlonega to Amicalola Falls State Park. ThoughtCo, Aug. 26, 2020, thoughtco.com/us-cities-with-white-christmas-3444462. Delnor Wiggins State Park Beach is the best place to go swimming and sunbathing in Naples in December when the average daily temperature is 77F.