The semester is almost over, work is slowing down, and it’s officially the holiday season! Very soon, you will have had your fill of family time, so you will surely need some time for yourself. How about a quick trip out of town? We’ve gathered some cheap destinations for spur-of-the-moment trips you can take with a friend or special someone and make the most of your winter break!
Portland, ME
An easy jaunt from Boston, Portland might be an unexpected winter destination, but you’ll find plenty to do inside and out of the cold. Beer lovers will be thrilled by a visit to Allagash Brewery for samples and a tour. Plus, a handful of other breweries – and a distillery! – are nearby, so you can make a whole weekend of drinking local.
You’ll need some food to go with all that beer, so head to Duckfat for excellent local fare. The fries are famously fantastic, and they come with a choice of dipping sauces – or in poutine form!
Make your escape: Book a ticket to Portland, ME from Boston for around $25!
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee is the perfect place to visit museums during the winter! The impressive Milwaukee Art Museum has enough space to display over 1,000-plus works of art in a very visitor-friendly environment.
For an entirely different museum experience, check out the Harley Davidson Museum. Though motorcycles obviously won’t be in short supply, the museum also showcases the history of Americana to intrigue more than just motorcycle lovers.
Of course, when in Milwaukee, you can’t leave without savoring some cheese and beer, and Uber Tap Room has you covered on both fronts. From themed cheese plates to grilled cheese to mac and cheese, you can pair the ooey gooey deliciousness with a Wisconsin beer strikes your fancy – perhaps the much-coveted Spotted Cow, which is only available in-state?
Make your escape: Book a cheap trip to Milwaukee from Chicago for less than twenty bucks!
Louisville, KY
Make winter break your chance to visit “the manliest town in America” according to GQ magazine. Obviously, part of this masculine appeal is the Louisville Slugger Museum. Any lover of America’s pastime will appreciate a visit to the museum – and a tour of the baseball bat factory!
Another must-visit in this manly town is the Muhammad Ali Center, with exhibits and galleries dedicated to Ali and the principles he stands for.
And even if you don’t stay at the cool 21c Museum Hotel, its museum is definitely worth a visit. The constantly changing exhibits mean you’ll always be surprised and delighted by what you find here.
Make your escape: Book a cheap ticket to Louisville from Indianapolis for less than twenty bucks round trip or from Chicago for only $40!
Houston, TX
Head to Houston to enjoy the warmer winter weather, and see how the second fastest growing city in America is changing.
The weather in January is ideal for a visit to Discovery Green, a 12-acre urban park featuring engaging events and interactive displays of art. See GUST: Celebrating a Decade of Discovery, open through March 20, and The Rink, Houston’s first-ever outdoor roller rink, bringing some new excitement to the city on March 1 until April 21. You can also find several permanent art installations to delight the senses and step into the world of discovery.
For a true Texas souvenir, you’ll want to stop by Texas Junk Co. Only open on Fridays and Saturdays and cash (or check?!) only, this is the place to find all sorts of interesting tchotchkes, but the main attraction is the extensive collection of cowboy boots. The selection changes often, so you never know what amazing footwear you’ll discover!
Make your escape: Book a cheap ticket to Houston from Austin, San Antonio, or Dallas for only around $20!
Palm Springs, CA
Sure, the Palm Springs area is the place to be in April when Coachella is going on, but it has plenty of appeal in January, too!
Make the Ace Hotel Palm Springs your home base for the social scene at night – and for the swim club! You can even rent scooters right at the hotel to ride around the rest of the city in style. And for an awesome live music experience, head to Pappy & Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace.
If you want something a little more outdoorsy, get out of Palm Springs to Joshua Tree National Park and explore the amazing natural wonders where the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert converge.
Make your escape: Book a cheap ticket to Palm Springs from Los Angeles for under $40 round trip!
