Bye Bye Gloves: 8 Wonderfully Warm Winter Getaways
February 27, 2015
Following news that Boston is experiencing its snowiest month ever (and given the colder-than-cold temperatures across much of the rest of the country), spring feels years away for those of us stuck in wintry climes. But you don’t need to travel far to get away from the seven-foot snowdrifts. Most of the winter escapes below are within easy reach of our Zipcar hubs (though you could also treat yourself with a quick trip on a JetBlue flight). Get inspired and get away for culture, vitamin D, and the chance to finally rock your sunnies again.
MIAMI, FL: No wonder Miami is at the top of our list. At this time of year, it has some of the warmest land and ocean water temperatures of any destination in the U.S. We don't want to say you'd be jinxing things by packing some suntan lotion, flip flops, and a brand spanking new bathing suit, but even in the worst case scenario, there are spas to frequent, shopping on Lincoln Road, and more Cuban sandwiches than you could know what to do with.
Photo courtesy of Fotomak/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of Fotomak/iStock/Thinkstock
EVERGLADES, FL: Even in the depths of winter, Everglades National Park is steamy, sultry, and gloriously swampy (in the best possible way, of course). On the southern tip of Florida, the sprawling park is famous for its manatees, its mangrove forests, its hiking trails...and its gators. If you're looking to get active – or even just zoom around in an airboat – this is a decidedly sunny bet.
Photo courtesy of Kačka a Ondra/Flickr
Photo courtesy of Kačka a Ondra/Flickr
PALM SPRINGS, CA: Even when a certain massive festival isn't in town, there's still ample reason to make the trip to Palm Springs (not least of which is its arid climate, which means you'll almost certainly find heat and sun waiting for you). Chartered desert treks and hikes take visitors rambling through the golden hills and past the spiky cacti of the region, while the city's Mid-Century Modern architecture tour brings you back to something a bit more manmade.
Photo courtesy of bpperry/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of bpperry/iStock/Thinkstock
SAN DIEGO, CA: Oh, San Diego: land of beautiful beaches, swaying palms, and what might be the country's best fish tacos. All are reason enough to go for warm winter getaways in the city – not to mention an average temperature of 66° in March. Whether you're staying in the city or going for a quick trip over to neighboring Coronado Island, bet on some serious time spent surfside.
Photo courtesy of dancestrokes/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of dancestrokes/iStock/Thinkstock
HILL COUNTRY, TX: Always fancied yourself something of a rough and tumble cowboy type? Test the fantasy in Bandera, Texas – i.e., the country's "Cowboy Capital." On your way, you'll have a pretty trip through Texas Hill Country, and, if you think you've got the swagger, there are plenty of dude ranches to escape to (ten gallon hats not required).
Photo courtesy of Darin Burt/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of Darin Burt/iStock/Thinkstock
HOUSTON, TX: Austin may be the Texan city that gets the most hype, but given that colossal Houston covers more turf than some U.S. states, it's not like you're about to run out of things to do. Totally Texan at heart but also cosmopolitan – just check out the impressive Museum of Fine Arts, the delightfully quirky visionary art tour, or new southern restaurants like Underbelly – it also has an average high of 73° this time of year.
Photo courtesy of Katie Haugland/Flickr
Photo courtesy of Katie Haugland/Flickr
MENDOCINO, CA: While Northern California won't be toasty toasty in March, warm winter getaways here still beat those blizzards by a long shot. Bypass crowded Napa and head out of town to gorgeous Mendocino. From redwoods to the famous Glass Beach to the town's B&Bs, it's a pretty idyllic corner of the world (and that's not even mentioning the wine route).
Photo courtesy of Jairo-Rene-Leiva/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of Jairo-Rene-Leiva/iStock/Thinkstock
MACON, GA: It's well known that Macon is a soul food capital (for those looking to add on some snow-fighting padding before their return to colder climes). Opt for heaping plates of cobbler before uncovering the city's musical heritage – Little Richard, Otis Redding, and the Allman Brothers all used to hang out here. And as an added bonus, if you get here by late March, you'll be right in time for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
Photo courtesy of rez-art/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of rez-art/iStock/Thinkstock
MIAMI, FL: No wonder Miami is at the top of our list. At this time of year, it has some of the warmest land and ocean water temperatures of any destination in the U.S. We don't want to say you'd be jinxing things by packing some suntan lotion, flip flops, and a brand spanking new bathing suit, but even in the worst case scenario, there are spas to frequent, shopping on Lincoln Road, and more Cuban sandwiches than you could know what to do with.
Photo courtesy of Fotomak/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of Fotomak/iStock/Thinkstock
EVERGLADES, FL: Even in the depths of winter, Everglades National Park is steamy, sultry, and gloriously swampy (in the best possible way, of course). On the southern tip of Florida, the sprawling park is famous for its manatees, its mangrove forests, its hiking trails...and its gators. If you're looking to get active – or even just zoom around in an airboat – this is a decidedly sunny bet.
Photo courtesy of Kačka a Ondra/Flickr
Photo courtesy of Kačka a Ondra/Flickr
PALM SPRINGS, CA: Even when a certain massive festival isn't in town, there's still ample reason to make the trip to Palm Springs (not least of which is its arid climate, which means you'll almost certainly find heat and sun waiting for you). Chartered desert treks and hikes take visitors rambling through the golden hills and past the spiky cacti of the region, while the city's Mid-Century Modern architecture tour brings you back to something a bit more manmade.
Photo courtesy of bpperry/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of bpperry/iStock/Thinkstock
SAN DIEGO, CA: Oh, San Diego: land of beautiful beaches, swaying palms, and what might be the country's best fish tacos. All are reason enough to go for warm winter getaways in the city – not to mention an average temperature of 66° in March. Whether you're staying in the city or going for a quick trip over to neighboring Coronado Island, bet on some serious time spent surfside.
Photo courtesy of dancestrokes/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of dancestrokes/iStock/Thinkstock
HILL COUNTRY, TX: Always fancied yourself something of a rough and tumble cowboy type? Test the fantasy in Bandera, Texas – i.e., the country's "Cowboy Capital." On your way, you'll have a pretty trip through Texas Hill Country, and, if you think you've got the swagger, there are plenty of dude ranches to escape to (ten gallon hats not required).
Photo courtesy of Darin Burt/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of Darin Burt/iStock/Thinkstock
HOUSTON, TX: Austin may be the Texan city that gets the most hype, but given that colossal Houston covers more turf than some U.S. states, it's not like you're about to run out of things to do. Totally Texan at heart but also cosmopolitan – just check out the impressive Museum of Fine Arts, the delightfully quirky visionary art tour, or new southern restaurants like Underbelly – it also has an average high of 73° this time of year.
Photo courtesy of Katie Haugland/Flickr
Photo courtesy of Katie Haugland/Flickr
MENDOCINO, CA: While Northern California won't be toasty toasty in March, warm winter getaways here still beat those blizzards by a long shot. Bypass crowded Napa and head out of town to gorgeous Mendocino. From redwoods to the famous Glass Beach to the town's B&Bs, it's a pretty idyllic corner of the world (and that's not even mentioning the wine route).
Photo courtesy of Jairo-Rene-Leiva/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of Jairo-Rene-Leiva/iStock/Thinkstock
MACON, GA: It's well known that Macon is a soul food capital (for those looking to add on some snow-fighting padding before their return to colder climes). Opt for heaping plates of cobbler before uncovering the city's musical heritage – Little Richard, Otis Redding, and the Allman Brothers all used to hang out here. And as an added bonus, if you get here by late March, you'll be right in time for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival.
Photo courtesy of rez-art/iStock/Thinkstock
Photo courtesy of rez-art/iStock/Thinkstock
