Winter School Vacation Travel Ideas

Many families in the Northeast have their winter break coming up in February. Are you planning a winter break family vacation?  If you haven’t, here some winter school vacation travel ideas, including warm weather destinations and cold weather destinations.

Please be aware of the Zika Virus guidelines from the CDC before traveling. We visited some of these locations at no cost for purposes of review, but all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links – a purchase through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us. 

Winter School Vacation Travel Ideas for February Vacation

Smugglers Notch

My family has loved visited Smugglers’ Notch in the summer, and if you’re a family of skiers (or want to be), this is definitely a great place to spend your February school vacation week. Accommodations are in suites, so you’ll have plenty of room, and there are kids programs as well as a nursery.

There are also some indoor things to do at the resort, so you can enjoy other activities in addition to skiing. The notch is closed for travel in the winter, so make sure that you get the correct directions to Smugglers Notch before getting on the road. You may have to go a slightly longer route. 

White Mountains, New Hampshire

I just can’t get enough of the White Mountains, and in the winter, it’s a full winter wonderland. Visit Attitash Resort in Bartlett or Loon Mountain in Lincoln for loads of family ski fun. Don’t miss a trip to the Settlers Green Outlet Village to get some great deals on name-brand products (no tax in NH)!

I’d recommend staying on the North Conway side of the Kancamagus Highway, because there’s more to do in the winter. If you want to visit an indoor water park, we recommend the Red Jacket Mountain View Resort, which is home to the indoor Kahuna Laguna Water Park. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Perhaps you are looking to get away from the cold weather?  If so, San Juan Puerto Rico may be perfect for you.  US residents don’t need a passport, and there are lots of family-friendly hotel options, including the El Conquistador Resort, where we stayed last year. Getting through the airport is so easy with no need to go through passport control or immigration.

US Virgin Islands

I visited the US Virgin Islands on a family cruise several years ago, and loved it. Again, passports aren’t needed for US residents, making it an easier trip than other parts of the Caribbean. You can also use your cell phone there – a big benefit for those who need to stay in contact with home. 

San Diego, California

San Diego is one of my favorite places on Earth, and there’s plenty of things for kids to do. From Legoland to the San Diego Zoo, the kids will have a great time. The weather is always mild in San Diego, so it’s a great escape from the cold.

When planning your San Diego vacation, you’ll have several options of where to stay. These neighborhoods/suburbs include Calistoga, Mission Beach, downtown San Diego, the Gaslamp Quarter, La Jolla, and Coronado Island. They all have their own benefits, so decide what activities you want to do and then choose where you want to stay. 

You can book a Southern California vacation package here, and use the code FTM10 for $10 off. 

Florida Gulf Coast

I absolutely love the Gulf Coast of Florida. There are so many beautiful Florida beaches there, as well as activities for families. Consider visiting Sarasota, Tampa, Clearwater, or Fort Myers. All offer plenty of amenities, hotels, and other kid-friendly activities. There are lots of different airports that you can fly into, so you can search around and find the best hotel deals from your destination.

Great Wolf Lodge

There are dozens of Great Wolf Lodge locations, so you can probably find one that is within easy driving distance of your home. All of the water parks at the Great Wolf Lodge are indoors, so the cold February weather won’t be a factor at all. In fact, you can spend most of your time inside, and not even realize how cold it is outdoors.

If you do decide to visit the Great Wolf Lodge, be sure to check out our Great Wolf Lodge packing list. 

Do your kids get a February vacation? Where will you be headed?