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While some might be inclined to plan beach vacations when the mercury drops, hot chocolate by a fire and outdoor sports sprinkled with snow can be just as restorative for those who love winter. If you’re one of them, now’s the time to start thinking of wool hats and cozy snow globe scenes as you plan a getaway that delivers all the wonders of the season. Here are 10 of our favorite chilled-out (literally) destinations that ratchet up hibernal merriment without freezing your funds.
Bloomington, Indiana
Snowy 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 35,000 of them — tucked inside IU’s Lilly Library.
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 $5 and $20.
If you prefer to immerse yourself in serene winter scenery, the Griffy Lake Nature Preserve has eight trails that are all less than 2 miles long. Ice sculpting, kids’ games and hot chili are in store for visitors to the fourth annual (and free) Freezefest, which takes place in downtown Bloomington on Jan. 19 and 20.
Stay: Showers Inn, within walking distance of Kirkwood Avenue, has 12 cozy rooms, some with fireplaces, plus free parking and daily breakfast. Rates start at around $139.
Quechee and Woodstock, Vermont
Just 2½ hours from downtown Boston, these two historic villages, less than 8 miles apart, deliver double the opportunity to experience 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 the selection of vinyl records. On nearby Elm Street, family-owned F.H. Gillingham & Sons General Store has shelves full of locally made Vermont goodies, including 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 $57 and half-day tickets (after noon) for $44 ($22 if you ski from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday afternoons). The village of Quechee is also home to 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 at the adorable Village Inn of Woodstock are full of antiques, and a second-floor suite has an original woodburning fireplace. Best of all, a gourmet breakfast made with Vermont ingredients is included with the stay. Rates start at around $238.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Though the Southwest conjures images of scorching heat, Santa Fe, with its year-round sunshine and 7,198-foot elevation, is a winter paradise from about November through March, with an average of 32 inches of snow in town and up to 300 inches in the surrounding mountains. Skiing is a popular pursuit, since you can be schussing down the slopes just 35 minutes from downtown at family-friendly Ski Santa Fe, where weekday full-day lift tickets for older adults (ages 62 to 71) are just $76 ($16 for those 72-plus).
Take a wintry stroll along Canyon Road, a pedestrian-friendly stretch of former adobe homes that now house varied Santa Fe art galleries. In February, the second annual Art + Sol winter festival brings live performances as well as special exhibitions to town, with a range of ticketed and free events. For a taste of some of Santa Fe’s stellar cuisine —and some dining-out deals — visit during Santa Fe Restaurant Week, held in late February and early March.
Stay: Less than a mile from Santa Fe’s historic plaza, the 154-room Sage Hotel is a pet-friendly option, with complimentary amenities including a downtown shuttle, breakfast, guest laundry and Wi-Fi. Winter midweek rates start at around $85.
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, which houses a large collection of European, Chinese, Japanese, African and American art and hosts 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).