Going on a winter weekend getaway is the best way to get out of the cold, dreary weather at home and into a little vacation mode. You’ll come home refreshed and rejuvenated. We love traveling over President’s Day weekend or Civil Rights weekend.
All of these options have amazing destinations within 30 minutes of the airport and can be very budget-friendly. If you have a free weekend, these destinations are for you.
1. Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
This Winter Weekend Getaway is the ‘shelling capital of the world’!
We found this place when all of our other plans fell through and we just boarded a plane with no clue what Fort Myers even was. We were just hoping there was a beach there! My husband paid for in-flight internet to figure out what this place had to offer.
He soon found out it was the shelling capital of the world. I asked, “What is ‘shelling’?” So if you are also wondering, it means that the most shells wash up on the beaches here. People will search for and collect amazing shells on the beach and from the water.
Fort Myers is on the gulf side of Florida. In the summer the water is 90 degrees! In the winter, the colder water is a little chilly to fully submerse in. But the sand and shells are enough to make this beach an amazing weekend getaway. 
Sanibel Island has the best shells and Lovers Key state park is a beautiful drive with endless beaches. With gorgeous white sands and unlimited shells, don’t forget your collecting buckets!
2. South Padre Island, Texas (BRO)
The ‘Sandcastle Captial of America’ is a great winter weekend getaway!
South Padre Island looked to me like a 1970s dream vacation spot. It is a little outdated, but that makes it affordable and easy to access (i.e lots of standby seats available!)
The island has endless beach options. The sand really is the best I’ve seen for building castles.
The water is from the Gulf on the Texas side. It has a lot of seaweed (which can be decorations for your castle).
While it may not be as warm as other beaches, the sand really is the best we’ve ever seen for building castle and sculptures. Take a walk down the beach to see people creations.
There are a few attractions and options for entertaining the kids. You have close access to the beach without the high prices you’d find in other locations.
3. San Diego, California (SAN) 
San Diego offers various kid-friendly attractions and events for a great winter weekend getaway.
One year, we bought a season pass to Sea World. We would fly in the morning, spend the day and then fly home early the next morning.
Legoland is also a perfect day trip for kids. The Zoo, park, Balboa and Old San Diego are sure to create a good time for the kids. We love La Jolla and the sea lions and activities there.
I’m a sucker for the beach though which is where we usually end up. Its free and the kids LOVE it. The freedom to dig, explore, get wet and dirty and play is endless. The weather is reliably warm in Southern California, so the beach is always enjoyable.
4. Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC)
What’s a better winter weekend getaway than a place surrounded by mountains in winter weather? Utah is warm enough in the valley to be bearable, but the mountains are just so close and gorgeous in a snow-covered world. So, embrace th
e winter weather and cozy up in a mountain cabin.
The resort town of Park City is only a 30-minute drive from the airport. Or Big or Little Cottonwood Canyons, only 20 minutes away, offer so many options for winter cabins and condos.
Sure, you’ll have to pack a lot more winter gears, but bags are checked free, so go for it!
You can choose between sledding, tubing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, or snowshoeing. After a day in the mountains, warm up by a fireplace, watch the snow fall from a hot tub.
If getting into the weather doesn’t sound fun, Salt Lake still offers so many family-friendly attractions. There are several children’s museums, aquariums, science centers and free tours on Temple Square.
5. Hawaii (LIH, HNL, OGG, KOA)
Isn’t Hawaii too far to be a quick winter weekend getaway?
Hear me out on this! I know it is a long flight, but Hawaii has the best beaches, hikes, waterfall, and tourism. It is always reliably warm and picture perfect. Plus, flying standby, it is free.
We have done 5 trips to Hawaii with kids and only stayed one night. The benefit of this is the jet lag doesn’t even set in until you are already home! The longer trips we’ve had on Hawaii have resulted in major meltdowns by the kids and frustration from us. The day trips are the perfect getaway.
2 day Hawaii itinerary:
We land on the island with enough time to grab a pizza at Costco and hit the beach. The kids are up way past their bedtimes, but with the sand, and surf, and sun they are excited to keep playing. We watch a fantastic sunset and sleep hard in the hotel. Hopefully, because you stayed up so late they sleep in a little bit so you aren’t awake at 2 am!
Early the next morning we might do a hike, or watch a sunrise. Then, we spend all the next day exploring, snorkeling and beaching. It is pure paradise! 
A hotel with a pool and hospitality clean-up room is the best option for getting ready to head back to the airport. But sometimes we just cleaned off in the beach showers and called it good. Head back to the airport by the time the kids are getting cranky and they sleep all the way home.
Being at home one moment and in Hawaii the next is the best feeling. Maybe you’ll even come home with a golden winter tan!
For a specific weekend in Kauai read All Around Kauai with Kids
Spend a day at Hanauma Bay with your kids
All of these options are sure to give you a quick getaway from the normal routine of life. Your kids will thank you for the chance to get out and see the wintery world.
Where do you like to go in the winter? Please share with me since we need a new destination in a couple of weeks!
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