Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? By Suzanne Rowan Kelleher on Nov 8, 2016
Holiday fun at Gaylord Hotels. (Gaylord Hotels)
Are you longing for a place where sleigh bells ring and snow glistens? Nothing puts the ho-ho-ho in the holiday season faster than a family getaway with a winter wonderland vibe, and you don’t necessarily have to head up north to find it. These five getaways are guaranteed to supercharge your season with everything we love about this time of year:
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Gaylord Hotels
Where: Orlando, FL>; National Harbor, MD>; Nashville, TN>; Grapevine, TX
Why: Because the four Marriott-owned Gaylord Resorts have once again spectacularly transformed themselves into magical holiday wonderlands with millions of twinkling lights, nightly indoor snowfalls, dancing fountains, and ICE!, a wildly popular annual exhibit showcasing life-size hand-carved ice sculptures, including two-story-tall ice slides. Other wintry options include hot cocoa, gingerbread decorating, and even snow tubing. Hotel packages and ticket prices vary by destination.
Congress Hall
Holiday at the Congress Hall Hotel (Cape Resorts)
Where: Cape May, NJ
Why: Because winter is a magical time of year in the Victorian seaside town of Cape May, as America’s oldest seaside resort transforms into a winter wonderland for the season with 12-foot toy soldiers in the lobby, breakfast with Santa, storytime with Mrs. Claus, gingerbread house-building, holiday caroling, a holiday train, and much more. Congress Hall and two of its sister properties, the Sandpiper Beach Club and Star Inn, are each offering a Walkin’ in a Winter Wonderland package that includes deluxe accommodations, Congress Hall Express Train rides, hot chocolate with whipped cream, and $30 breakfast dining credit at the Blue Pig Tavern per day. Plus, kid’s eat FREE!. Available November 25 – December 31, 2016.
Keystone Resort
Fireworks over Keystone, Colorado (Keystone Resort)
Where: Keystone, CO
Why: Because if your idea of paradise is a family-friendly ski mecca with plenty of wintry fun for the whole family, then Keystone is just the ticket. Throughout the holiday season, families can enjoy parades, fireworks, mountaintop tubing, the enormous Kidtopia snow fort, two ice-skating rinks, snowshoeing, and much more. Plan the Ultimate Family Vacation and enjoy their Kids 12 and under Ski Free with any 2 or more night stay!
(MORE: 5 Fabulous Resorts To Host Your Family Thanksgiving)
Ice skating at Fairmont Scottsdale resort (Fairmont Scottsdale Princess)
Where: Scottsdale, AZ
Why: Because this upscale Scottsdale resort is hosting its annual “Christmas at the Princess” festival, creating a desert winter wonderland complete with an ice skating rink, four-story musical tree, holiday train, carolers, visits from Santa, and more. The Family Celebration includes accommodations in a luxuriously appointed Deluxe or Sunset Signature Room, plus 2 Adult and 3 Child VIP Express Passes to enjoy Christmas at the Princess festivities.
Hot springs and ice skating at Omni Homestead (Omni Homestead Resort)
Where: Hot Springs, VA
Why: Because this historic luxury resort in Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains is an alluring winter playground with a variety of family-friendly activities that include skiing and snow mobiling, as well as side-by-side ice skating and outdoor swimming in the adjacent spring-fed heated pool. The Stay, Save and Be Merry Package includes luxurious accommodations, up to 15% off our best available rates and a $10 gift card to use during your stay.
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher contributed this to www.MiniTime.com.
