Budget-Friendly Winter Getaways

Pull on the wool hats and gloves, and head to one of these destinations that know how to dial up the magic and deliver winter wonders that are as fun as they are affordable. 

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​Bloomington, Indiana

Snow-covered rolling hills and ice-covered trees transform Bloomington into an urban winter wonderland, especially around downtown’s light-strung square and historic Monroe County Courthouse. Wander iconic Kirkwood Avenue, chock-full of shops, cafés, bars, restaurants and performance venues. Indiana University’s walkable 1,900-acre campus is nearby, too, and home to one of B-town’s hidden gems: the world’s largest collection of mechanical puzzles — more than 30,000 of them — tucked inside IU’s Lilly Library.

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Of course, no college town is complete without a good watering hole, and Crazy Horse is a local favorite thanks to cheap daily specials, including $3 mimosas and Bloody Marys on weekends. Get your live music fix at the famed Bluebird Nightclub, where artists rock out year-round and tickets run between $10 and $15. 

To immerse yourself in serene winter scenery, the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve has eight trails that are all less than 2 miles in length. Ice sculpting, kids’ games and hot chili are in store for visitors to the third annual and free Freezefest, which takes place in downtown Bloomington January 20 and 21.

​Stay: Showers Inn has 12 cozy rooms, some with fireplaces, plus free parking and daily breakfast, within walking distance of Kirkwood Avenue. Rates start around $139.

Jerry and Marcy Monkman / Alamy Stock Photo

​Quechee and Woodstock, Vermont

Just 2½ hours from downtown Boston, these two historic villages, less than 8 miles apart, deliver double the opportunity to explore historic and picturesque New England charm. Stroll hand in hand along Woodstock’s Central Street lined with clothing boutiques, art galleries and the Yankee Bookshop, where you can pick up a bestseller or browse their selection of vinyl records. On nearby Elm Street, family-owned F.H. Gillingham & Sons General Store has shelves full of locally made Vermont goodies such as cheddar cheese and maple syrup. 

One of Vermont’s best-kept ski secrets is Ski Quechee, a forgiving family-friendly hill with full-day lift tickets for just $51 and half-day tickets (after noon) for $39. The village of Quechee is also home to the artisans of the Simon Pearce glass factory, where visitors can watch glassblowing demonstrations and dine overlooking the Ottauquechee River. Before heading home, make sure to snap a photo of the area’s picturesque covered bridges.

Stay: The seven rooms of Woodstock’s adorable Village Inn are full of antiques, and the second-floor suite has an original wood-burning fireplace. Best of all, a gourmet breakfast made with Vermont ingredients is included with the stay. Rates start around $238. 

​Ann Arbor, Michigan

The city of Ann Arbor, about 45 minutes west of downtown Detroit, is home to the University of Michigan, which means there is usually a lot going on, and not just on game day. There are several free museums on campus, including the University of Michigan Museum of Art, housing a large collection of European, Chinese, Japanese, African and American art, and hosting dozens of special exhibitions each year. Car buffs should motor 8 miles east to the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum, spotlighting Michigan's auto-manufacturing history with displays of vintage vehicles ($5 admission). 

Looking for some winter retail therapy? Ann Arbor’s downtown is made for walking, browsing and eating thanks to its abundance of independent theaters, shops, bars, breweries and restaurants (Main, State and Liberty streets are good places to start). Take a quick stroll through the historic Nickels Arcade, a covered mosaic-tiled shopping corridor now listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and check out the calendar of events at Literati Bookstore and at the Michigan Theater, which hosts some free events.

At most downtown bars, you can count on daily food and drink discounts. If you’re in town on a Thursday, go to Good Time Charley’s for their $6 burger, fries and soft drink special. Locals don’t let a little cold weather stop them from enjoying the numerous surrounding parks all year long, and you shouldn’t either. Top among cross-country skiers and snowshoers is 439-acre Rolling Hills County Park, where the varied terrain and trails suit all levels, and you can rent skis for $15 an hour. 

Stay: The Baxter House puts the “breakfast” in B&B thanks to an innkeeper who’s also an avid foodie and cookbook author. Rates start around $165 (two-night minimum).

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​Decorah, Iowa

Located in the northeast corner of the state in an area known as the Driftless — “a part of the country the glaciers missed,” according to Visit Decorah — this picturesque town of less than 8,000 people is just as beautiful in winter as it is in summer, but it requires a few more layers to enjoy a stroll past the downtown district’s historic buildings on Main and Water streets that shelter restaurants, boutiques and bars. Decorah is also home to the country’s largest museum devoted to a single immigrant group, the Vesterheim National Norwegian-American Museum and Folk Art School, which holds more than 33,000 artifacts, folk art, tools and furnishings ($12 admission, $10 for 65-plus, but free on the second Saturday of the month). 

Winter sports lovers will appreciate Decorah’s proximity to classic track cross-country skiing on the Trout Run Trail, which loops 11 miles near downtown and along the river. Don’t want to schlep your own gear? Head to Decorah Bicycles and rent a pair of cross-country skis ($10) or ice skates ($5), and walk to the basketball courts-turned-ice-rink at Carl Selland Wayside Park. 

Cold craft brews are a year-round treat in Decorah, and Pulpit Rock Brewing Company has several on tap that are only $3 for a four-ounce pour, making it easy to create your own flight. For some entertainment with your beer, head to Toppling Goliath Taproom on Tuesday nights between 6 and 7:30 p.m. for free games of bingo with prizes. 

Stay: The historic Hotel Winneshiek has simple rooms and large suites suited for families within walking distance of shops, museums and galleries. Rates start around $129.

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​Leavenworth, Washington

If you’re looking for a small town that cranks up the holiday cheer all season long, the Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth in the foothills of the Cascades rises to the top of the list. With a half-million lights casting their glow from Thanksgiving until Valentine's Day, it’s hard not to feel like you’ve fallen into a snow globe. January is a great time to visit, when Winter Karneval skates into town with ice-carving contests, musical entertainment and German-style food and drink seven days a week.