With hours of traffic, high airfare prices, and overzealous crowds, summertime travel isn’t necessarily all it’s cracked up to be. Travelers in the know — those who prefer minimal travel time, saving money (for that extra round of cocktails), and smaller crowds — often take advantage of traveling to off-season locales.
So, why shouldn’t you?
Florida in the summer, Florida in the winter. (Photo Credit: @surfcomberhotel)
This winter, head to these vacation spots that normally embody summer vibes — but, in reality, are actually better in the winter.
Manchester, Vermont
Embrace all things winter by skiing the perfectly groomed slopes at Bromley and Stratton Mountains. Or if you’re looking for more of a quaint adventure, head over to Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home, where you can partake in a snowshoe hike across the estate grounds. (Rent snowshoes at The Mountain Goat, and also make sure to grab a complimentary hand-carved walking stick from the Kimpton Taconic.)
Sample seasonal bounty like fruitcakes, local jams and jellies, and specialty Vermont cheeses at the Vermont Country Store in Weston, and jars of orange marmalade and chewy Turkish taffy at the Manchester Country Store.
Don’t forget the fur babies when visiting cozy, off-season locales. (Photo Credit: @ralphiethecockapoo)
You can rest easy at Kimpton Taconic Hotel in Manchester, a winter wonderland. (Photo Credit: @dana.pauly)
When temperatures drop, theatergoers can book a Weston Playhouse show — an intimate theater (and we mean intimate — there are only 5 rows of seats in front of a small stage) that showcases new plays but also classics like Singin’ in the Rain and You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Finally, hit the road to enjoy Vermont’s picturesque countryside on a day trip north to Burlington for an afternoon spent by the icy shores of Lake Champlain.
Where to stay: Kimpton Taconic Hotel
Phoenix, Arizona
Summer brings triple digit temperatures to Phoenix — often for weeks at a time — which means you will be inside for the bulk of your summer vacation in the Valley of the Sun. What fun is that? Lucky for us, in the winter, temps in Pheonix stay at a cool high of 70 degrees Fahrenheit: The definition of perfect weather.
Summer vibes in a Phoenix winter. (Photo Credit: @hellosilhouette)
Perfect weather means it’s time to hike the mountains that surround the city of Phoenix. If looking for a moderate hike, climb the Hidden Valley Trail in South Mountain Park, a 4-mile out-and-back with views of stunning rock formations. A more challenging hike — Echo Canyon Trail — will take you to the top of Camelback Mountain, which offers some of the best views of Pheonix.
Stroll through the Desert Botanical Gardens and witness nearly 5,000 desert species in the Living Collection, all showcased in beautiful outdoor exhibits. Located in downtown Phoenix, the Heard Museum — founded in 1929 — is dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art and will teach you about the region’s first inhabitants since time immemorial, while showcasing the beauty and vitality of traditional art.
Where to stay: Kimpton Hotel Palomar Phoenix
Miami, Florida
Chances are, when you think of “spring break” or “summer vacation”, the state of Florida will be at the top of every list. Surrounded by warm, Caribbean waters and blessed with near-constant sunshine, the vision of laying on a beach in Miami mid-summer while it’s snowing outside can be hard to resist. But hear us out — everyone else living through winter has also had those thoughts. And you could just go now.
Somehow, Miami is even better in the winter. (Photo Credit: @closalvarado)
A 20-minute drive from Miami — and well worth it — is the Venetian Pool, coined one of the most beautiful pools in the world. Typically packed during the summer, this gem is a must-visit in the off-season, not only for its cool spring-fed waters but to marvel at the architectural beauty surrounding the pool.
Another architectural gem in northern Miami is the Ancient Spanish Monastery, which originally dates to the year 1133 (you read that right), was subsequently dismantled by William Randolph Hearst, and then shipped in crates to the United States before ultimately being rebuilt in Miami.
Whether lounging on the beach or in your room, you will have a great time in Miami. (Photo Credit: @alwaysalejandra)
Bonus points for breakfast and champagne in bed. (Photo Credit: @alwaysalejandra)
Located right in the center of three Kimpton Miami Beach hotels, Española Way is a historical district filled with boutique shopping and an array of dining options including Oh! Mexico and Havana 1957. If looking for that quintessential Miami Beach experience, all you have to do is walk out to South Beach, roll out that towel, pop that umbrella, and soak it all in.
Where to stay: Kimpton Hotel Palomar South Beach, Kimpton Surfcomber Hotel, Kimpton Angler’s Hotel, Kimpton EPIC Hotel
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Even in the height of winter, temperatures rarely dip below 60 degrees Fahrenheit in southern Florida, and it actually rains less in the winter than in the summer. (And don’t even get us started on summer humidity.) Off-season in the state also means that there will be fewer crowds, meaning you can partake in activities that would normally be jam-packed in the summer.
Head north to Fort Lauderdale for even more outdoor experiences, even in the off-season. (Photo Credit: @megslayshair)
Located 30 minutes north of Miami is Fort Lauderdale, where, unbeknownst to most, one can find absolutely spectacular scuba diving and snorkeling. Not only are there miles of coral reefs to explore in the area, but there are also shipwrecks galore, making this diving trip more unique than most. Just south of Fort Lauderdale, take a kayak tour through pristine mangrove forest, witnessing native birds in their natural habitat.
Venture out to the Flamingo Gardens, where 60 acres of lush botanical gardens make for a tropical paradise. If visiting in December, witness the Garden of Lights, an after-hours self-guided walk through gardens bedecked with thousands of twinkle lights.
Don’t just dream of Florida in the winter — go there. (Photo Credit: @shorebreakresort)
If looking for a truly Floridian experience, book an airboat tour out to the Everglades. Witness the singular ecosystem that is Everglades National Park, complete with alligators, native birds, and flora unique to this region. Because a trip to Florida wouldn’t be complete without seeing an alligator, right?
Where to stay: Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale
