Best winter vacations for families: 8 trips everyone will love

There’s a winter getaway for every family, whether its snow or sun, ice skating or camel rides, mountains or beaches. If you’re looking for a December destination that combines comfort, convenience, and kid-friendly entertainment, we’ve got you covered with 8 winter escape ideas.

The best part? Getting there is easy. Each of these destinations is well-connected, with frequent flights from major US and other international hubs. Better yet, with Paylater Travel, you can lock in your flights without the upfront cost, just a small deposit to start with, and then easy installments over time.

Ready to start planning? Here are some of our favorite winter vacation ideas for families wanting to travel somewhere at the end of the year:

1. Lapland, Finland

Why families love it: Snowy adventures, reindeer rides, and Santa sightings.

With plenty of resorts and activities that cater to kids, Lapland isn’t just magical, it’s incredibly family-friendly. You can easily rent winter gear if you’re up for a snowy adventure, or find indoor play areas and cozy dining spots to escape the cold weather.

Finland is also consistently ranked as one of the safest countries in the world, which we know any parent will appreciate, especially those with younger kids.

Lapland family favorites

• Meet Santa and his elves at Rovaniemi’s magical Santa Claus Village
• Glide through snowy forests on a reindeer sleigh or husky sled
• Keep an eye out for the hypnotic Northern Lights over the Arctic sky
  

2. Quebec City, Canada

Why families love it: Festive winter carnivals, ice skating, and cozy snow days.

Built for winter, Quebec City combines charm with convenience and reliability for a one-of-a-kind Christmas vacation. The historic centre is pretty compact, so you can walk almost anywhere—and you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to shops, cafés, and attractions. 

Sidewalks are also well-maintained, with efficient snow clearing throughout the day. This doesn't just make it easier to move around, but also means you’re less likely to have plans cancelled because of the weather. In other words, no last-minute tears over missing the winter carnival or a day on the ice rink.

Quebec City family favorites

• Enjoy lively parades and festive music shows at Québec Winter Carnival
• Go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating in the historic Plains of Abraham
• Wander through the charming, snow-dusted streets and historic buildings of Old Quebec

3. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Why families love it: All-inclusive resorts, warm beaches, and stress-free downtime.

Who says a winter holiday has to involve snow and layers upon layers of clothes? In Punta Cana, you get the exact opposite, with temperatures sitting comfortably in the mid-70s to low-80s °F.

There’s no shortage of family-friendly resorts, with amenities like kids’ clubs, family pools and splash parks, on-site babysitting and, of course, all-you-can-eat buffet options for even the pickiest of eaters.

A lot of these resorts also have direct beach access. The waters are generally calm and shallow, and you’ll often find loungers, shade, and lifeguards on duty for extra peace of mind.

Punta Cana family favorites

• Try zorbing, horseback riding, or ziplining at the enormous Bavaro Adventure Park
• Go for a dip in the calm, clear, kid-friendly waters of Bavaro Beach, Juanillo Beach, or Hoyo Azul
• Meet playful squirrel monkeys in a natural habitat at Punta Cana Monkey Land Tour

4. New York City, USA

Why families love it: Holiday lights, ice skating, and world-class Broadway shows.

If you want to keep your winter getaway local-ish, it doesn’t get much better than NYC. There’s a huge variety of indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. We’re talking museums, indoor play spaces, aquariums, ice skating, holiday markets, and, of course, Broadway.

Many of these are conveniently clustered in Midtown, Downtown, and Central Park areas, so you can walk between sites instead of herding the little ones on long transit rides. Plus, the reliable winter infrastructure means you won’t get stranded because of too much snow.

New York family favorites

• Go ice skating at Wollman Rink in Central Park for a magical, movie-like experience
• Catch a family-friendly Broadway show full of dazzling sets and lively music
• Take the iconic (and free!) Staten Island Ferry for stunning views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty

5. Kyoto, Japan

Why families love it: Culture, temples, and serene winter streets.

If your family’s not really sold on a snowy getaway or a beachy escape, Kyoto might be the destination for you. During winter, temperatures sit around 40–55°F/5-13°C, and snow is rare. It’s cold but not freezing, which makes sightseeing and wandering around a lot easier. No snow boots or heavy winter gear involved.

Since it’s not cherry blossom season, winter in Kyoto is less crowded and more manageable to explore with kids in tow. 

Public transport is clean, safe, and on time, making it easy to move around with strollers, and there’s good signage in English so you can get around without stress.

Kyoto family favourites

• Explore the Kyoto International Manga Museum. It's the perfect activity for a rainy day
• Go on a temple-hopping adventure and discover all the beautiful shrines and gardens
• Keep an eye out for the Kyoto Winter Special Openings, a program that gives access to historical buildings not usually open to the public

6. Salzburg, Austria

Why families love it: Christmas markets, snowy mountains, and Sound of Music charm.

With a compact historic centre and conveniently located seasonal events, Salzburg is the place for families wanting a winter getaway without long transit hassles. 

Even snowy alpine areas are only a short drive away from the city, so it’s easy to plan a family day on the slopes even if you’re not staying at a resort. Or, if the cold gets to be too much, museums, palaces, cafés, and bakeries are scattered all throughout the city.

Salzburg is also very safe, public transport is reliable and punctual, and you’ll see plenty of helpful tourist information in English.

Salzburg family favorites

• Indulge in festive treats and twinkling decorations at the magical Salzburg Christmas markets
• Take in 360° views of the snow-covered city from Fortress Hohensalzburg, the biggest fully preserved castle in Central Europe
• Discover the House of Nature museum, spanning over 8 levels in 2 buildings—great for an indoor day when the weather isn’t ideal

7. Barcelona, Spain

Why families love it: Mild winter weather, tapas, and lively city life without heavy crowds.

Barcelona’s mild, comfortable winter weather makes sightseeing and walking around enjoyable without extreme cold. Plus, rain is relatively uncommon, so outdoor plans are rarely ever disrupted.

Many attractions are close together or well connected by quick public transit rides, and walking-friendly streets make getting around easier for families with strollers or young children. 

And let’s be real, who can resist a delicious assortment of tapas? Kids are guaranteed to love it, and so are you.

Barcelona family favorites

• Wander through the whimsical Park Güell and marvel at Gaudí's architecture, colorful mosaics, and winding pathways
• Spend a day at Tibidabo Amusement Park, which turns into a festive wonderland for the holiday season, with over 35 attractions for the whole family to enjoy
• Satisfy your little one’s sweet tooth at the Museu de la Xocolata, or Chocolate Museum

8. Marrakech, Morocco

Why families love it: Sunshine, bustling souks, and camel rides in the desert.

With temperatures ranging from 60 to 70°F, Marrakech’s mild, mostly dry winter weather makes exploring stress-free. The medina’s narrow lanes and bustling squares are easy to navigate on foot, and hey, who needs a taxi or Uber when you can hop on a camel’s back for a ride of a lifetime?

Family-friendly riads and hotels provide cozy rooms for when you need a rest, and short trips to the Atlas Mountains or waterfalls are easy to organize

Marrakech family favorites

• Go on an unforgettable camel ride through the Marrakech palm groves
• Watch the sunset from up high on a magical hot air balloon ride
• Browse local crafts and pick up souvenirs in the souks, Morocco’s traditional open-air marketplaces

Book your family winter getaway with PayLater Travel

With Paylater Travel, you can lock in the best flight deal today with just a small deposit, and pay the remainder off in weekly or bi-weekly installments, whatever works best for you. 

This means you can grab your tickets sooner rather than later, enjoy flexible payment plans, and make unforgettable memories without stressing over upfront costs. Search flights and book your family trip today!