10 Winter Weekend Getaways in the USA • The Blonde Abroad

Updated: November 2022

While I love cuddling up with a good book in front of the fireplace during the cold winter months, there are just too many wintry adventures to be had.

From Anchorage to New York City, there is such an incredibly diverse array of getaways to explore in the United States. Whether you want to get your heart racing on the mountain tops or chill at a luxe ski resort, start planning your next journey.

Here are the top ten winter weekend getaways in the USA!

Park City, Utah

Utah is home to some first-class ski resorts. In fact, Deer Valley was rated the #1 North American ski resort for three years in a row.

With slopes catering to all levels of skiers alongside tons of great ski schools, this is the perfect place for old pros and total newbies alike.

Leavenworth, Washington

Want all the European vibes without leaving the US? The Bavarian-styled village of Leavenworth is the place!

Located in the Cascade Mountains, Leavenworth is lined with Alpine-style buildings and restaurants that offer German beer and food. The nearby lake of Wenatchee is the ideal spot for a cozy cabin getaway where you can bird-watch.

Oh, and did I mention the ski areas and wineries? Yep! This place is the ultimate winter holiday destination.

Boulder, Colorado

Although many areas of Colorado cater to the skiing crowd, Boulder is very diverse. While it’s about 35 minutes away from the nearest ski resort, the city offers ice climbing, sledding, hiking, and so much more.

If you are lucky enough to be in the area in early February, you won’t want to miss the Boulder International Film Festival. If you have a few more days, be sure to hit Denver too!

Mammoth, California

Whether you are into extreme sports or quiet days of trekking, you will love the Mammoth Lakes area. This California hot spot is the perfect place to go paragliding, ice climbing, skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling.

Mammoth is also a great place to shop.

It’s got cool, local boutiques and international brands. Foodies will also love the selection of restaurants and brews. From traditional American to international fusion, there’s something for everyone here.

New York City, New York

Even if you’ve been to NYC before, you’ll see it in a totally new light during the winter.

With an unparalleled New Year’s Eve celebration, the iconic Rockefeller Center ice skating, and the world’s largest Saint Patrick’s Day parade, you don’t need warm weather to have the time of your life in New York City.

Lake Tahoe, California

Aspen or Lake Tahoe is an age-old debate among skiers and outdoor lovers.

Ultimately, they are both amazing destinations. Whether you love to ski or are more into the après-ski scene, it’s impossible to pack all that Lake Tahoe has to offer in one weekend.

Charleston, South Carolina

For its Southern cooking, friendly hospitality, and interesting culture, Charleston, South Carolina has been voted by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler as their favorite city in the United States.

With mild temps still reaching the fifties in the winter, there’s no better time to explore it.

San Diego, California

Not into the snow? Head to Southern California! With the weather still in the sixties and even up to the seventies, San Diego is the place to go to escape winter. You may even get a beautiful beach day!

Thanks to the smaller crowds and lower prices, winter is the perfect time to explore.

Check out the world’s most beloved zoo, The San Diego Zoo, and take in the culture at the endless array of museums around Balboa Park.

Winter is also the best time of year to go whale watching so book a tour to go see some of the 20,000 gray whales that pass by the shores of San Diego during the winter.

Aspen, Colorado

Aspen is wonderful in the winter. The world-famous mountains of Colorado come alive in the snowy season, and it’s about more than just skiing.

Aspen is a winter wonderland full of dog sled tours, snowshoe tours, snowmobiling, and even hot air balloon rides.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Who says that you need to travel abroad to have an amazing safari? The Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris will get you up close and personal with Wyoming locals like bald eagles and buffalos.

Be sure to bring your camera! Afterward, plan on time to ski, snowmobile, and hike this gorgeous land.

What places in the USA do you think make for incredible winter getaways? Let me know in the comments below!

Instagram

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

1834 55

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 17869856373573722

Some places are worth coming back to 🐧

Boulders Beach, Cape Town with Oliver
9 months → 21 months → 3.5 years

I blinked and my baby become a toddler…
and my toddler become a little boy. 😭

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

2177 69

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18090265751115394

January Wrapped 🗓️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We landed in Cape Town mid-January and hit the ground running.

Oliver and I packed up our life and moved abroad for a year — chasing a simple question: what’s the best that could happen?

My parents joined us for the first month — which meant extra hands, loving support, and the sweetest way to begin this chapter.

Between toddler sickness (IYKYK) and playing full-time tour guide, we somehow managed to squeeze in so much life.

A long weekend in Paternoster.
Glamping under the stars at Camp Canoe.
Summertime in the city.
Oliver starting at his new preschool.
Adventures through the Cape Winelands.
Slow weekends at the farmer’s market.
Afternoons stretched long at the beach.

It’s been messy and magical.
Exhausting and energizing.

Somewhere between pharmacy runs and beach swims, it started to feel less like a move…

and more like the start of our biggest adventure yet! 🌍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown

Sun-drenched mornings, salty air, and the kind of place that makes you instantly exhale @waldorfastoriacostarica ✌️
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Our stay at this brand-new property was truly a dream — sweeping ocean views, elevated design, and more pools than I’ve ever seen at a hotel in my entire life.

From award-winning wellness to coconuts by the pool, every detail felt thoughtful and intentional.

🧖‍♀️ The Spa
Recently named Costa Rica’s Best Resort Spa, this sanctuary blends modern wellness with local healing traditions — volcanic mud rituals, rainforest-inspired therapies, and grounding treatments that leave you floating.

🛎️ Amenities
World-class service, beachfront access, a stunning collection of pools (truly — endless), curated experiences, and those sweet elevated touches everywhere you turn. Newly opened, yet already operating like a seasoned 5-star icon.

💦 Kids’ Club
One of the coolest spaces for littles — crafts, games, toys, and outdoor play areas that made traveling with Oliver feel easy (and fun for him, too).

🥥 The Food & Coffee
Fresh, locally sourced Costa Rican flavors with elevated execution. Oceanfront bites, poolside snacks, handcrafted coffee experiences, and yes… plenty of coconuts.

🌿 Sustainability
Proud holders of the Bandera Azul Ecológica for conservation and environmental efforts — luxury and responsibility beautifully intertwined.

We truly cannot wait to come back. ✨

If you’re looking for a luxury, family-friendly escape in Costa Rica — this is your spot.

A huge thank you to @waldorfastoriacostarica for hosting us on this sunshine-soaked getaway.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#costarica #waldorfastoria #luxuryfamilytravel #familytravel

451 25

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18094787833947297

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

2538 84

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18380851606081524

A little late sharing this — but I needed time to sit with 2025. It was so much more than what made it to Instagram.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
This was the year I stopped measuring life in miles traveled… and started measuring it in the days we weren’t promised.

Not in passport stamps.
Not in hotel check-ins.
Not in how far we could go.

But in the quiet relief of “clear.”
In small hands squeezing mine tighter.
In birthday candles and quiet camping mornings.
In laughter that came back after fear.

2025 was the plot twist year.

The year I learned strength doesn’t look like control —
it looks like surrender.
It looks like showing up anyway.
It looks like choosing joy even when you know how fragile it is.

And it looks like being surrounded by the people who love us most.

We traveled the world.
But more importantly —
we celebrated what we almost lost.

And at the end of it all?
We packed up our life and chose a new continent. 🇿🇦

2025, you were heavy.
You were also beautiful.
You changed me.

2026 — I’m ready.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#2025wrapped

My favorite smart features of my old home! 🏠
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
I put a lot of thought and design into my home, so I knew I had to get curated, high-tech window shades to match.

Enter @rollishades — sleek, custom motorized shades that actually elevate the space while solving the very real sunlight problem. From light-filtering to blackout options, everything is tailored to fit perfectly and controlled with the touch of a button (or app). It’s the kind of smart, intentional design that makes a home feel finished. 🪟🤍

I easily installed these in my guest bedroom and let me just say, when guests come over, they’re getting what feels like a hotel experience in my home (minus the room service).
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••⁠
#gifted #homedesign #interiorinspo #smarthome #rollishades

515 20

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18083248064243187