5 Best Winter Getaways for Fun in the Sun

Goodbye, parkas; hello suntans!

Do blustery days and long nights have you singing the cold-weather blues? We hear you! Sure, “snow days” are fun, and fresh powder on the slopes is always a plus. But if a few weeks of soggy gloves and bone-chilling temps have you daydreaming for palm tree-lined beaches, we’ve got you covered.

Check out our favorite spots for winter getaways, where you can trade white slopes for white sands and wool scarves for flowered leis!

• Hilton Head Island, SC

  The cold season in Hilton Head is pretty much the same as spring up north: warm and sunny. Even better, it’s oyster season and they have not one, not two, but a whopping three seafood festivals to prove it.

  Vacationing with your furry bestie? Then Hilton Head in the winter is for you. While beaches are closed to four-legged visitors during summer days (too hot), they can frolic on the sand all day during the winter months.

  Best Winter Destination: for bringing your pooch

• Las Vegas, NV

  Looking for a bit of glitter and glam to go with those warm nights? Then head to Sin City, baby! You can casino-hop along the Strip without wilting in the sweltering weather. And you can also indulge in some of Vegas’s other outdoor activities more comfortably: golf, visit Valley of Fire State Park, or enjoy some of the nearby hiking and biking trails.

  If you prefer your winter getaways with a side of sports, there’s one more reason to visit Vegas in winter: the Golden Knights. Affectionately (we think?) known as the Golden Misfits, you can pick up tix to cheer on the hometown NHL team.

  Best Winter Destination: for betting it all on red

• Marco Island, FL

  Surely you didn’t think we were going to leave the Sunshine State off our list of winter getaways? Pretty much anywhere you go in Florida during the winter will have you sitting under a palm tree, but Marco Island is one of our top picks for its laid-back vibe.

  Unlike vibrant, bustling Miami, this Gulf Coast island is all about chilling out. Long beach walks on sunny days are a given. But there’s plenty to do off the sand, too: outdoor movies, farmer’s markets, concerts in the park… Marco Island is the ideal spot for thawing out.

  Best Winter Destination: for dipping your toes in the water

• Maui, HI

  If you’re doing winter getaways, might as well go all–out, right? And what’s less winter-y than the Aloha State? The volcanic island is a nature-lovers paradise, with black sand beaches, waterfalls, and volcanos all waiting to be explored.

  If you’re ready to try your hand at surfing, Maui’s definitely your spot. It has more beginner breaks and surf spots than any of the other islands, making it ideal for first-time surfers.

  Best Winter Destination: for dusting off your best hula moves.

• Palm Springs, CA

  Located less than two hours from Los Angeles, this desert getaway became famous in the 1930s as the weekend playground for the stars. Think Marilyn Monroe, Cary Grant, and the famed Rat Pack. The best part? The city has retained its irresistible retro-chic charm, from bungalow hotels to vintage boutiques.

  While you’re there, make sure you take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. You’ll be transported 2.5 miles over stunning vistas along the Chino Canyon before dropping you off at the top of Mt. San Jacinto State Park where you can hike, dine, or just enjoy the view.

  Best Winter Destination: for going old-Hollywood glam

Jump (or dive) straight into your warm-weather vacay by shipping your bags to your hotel or Airbnb with LugLess. No need to wait around baggage claim or drop off your bags when you could be thawing out! We’ll get your bags to your final destination, so you can hop off the plane and start your sunny vacation right away.