Three Low Cost Winter Getaways!

December 27, 2013

Low cost winter getaways?!

Does such a thing exist?

If you’re thinking the Caribbean or the slopes of Aspen, no it doesn’t.

Epic winter getaways to warm and sunny places (or to popular ski resort areas) take some advanced planning – such trips also tend to be expensive.

Playing on the north-end of Wrightsville Beach, NC in January – yes, we said January!

For those of us in the Southeast though, many options exist for quick, inexpensive, and often times even warm winter getaways. Just look to our coast: the beaches and coastal towns of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia hold many options.

Check out these three options:

Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina

Wrightsville Beach is a small barrier island just a 2-hour drive from North Carolina’s Triangle (Durham-Raleigh-Chapel Hill) area.

A Wrightsville Beach sunrise from the Shell Island Resort

During the summer it is packed and often times rather expensive. During the off-season though, the crowds thin and the prices drop. On the north-end of Wrightsville is the Shell Island Resort.

Strolling Wrightsville Beach in January!

We’ve enjoyed many long winter weekends at Shell Island, and we always see at least one day with temperatures in the 60s, if not the 70s.

Throwing sand into Wrightsville Beach’s Mason Inlet near the Shell Island Resort, in January!

Wrightsville Beach runs north to south, so the sun rises are amazing. All rooms face east, so you can soak up the rays into the early afternoon and channel some summertime. There’s an indoor pool (as well as an outdoor one) and an outdoor hot tub!

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Growing up in North Carolina’s Alamance and Orange Counties, the word vacation was synonymous with Myrtle Beach.

We’ve never been fans of Myrtle Beach, though – the place is just…well…too much of just about everything, the scale is off. Everything is big and crowded.

In the winter Myrtle Beach changes.

The prices come down and the crowds disappear – and we have come to really enjoy our winter trips to Myrtle!

One of my favorite family travel shots – strolling Myrtle Beach near the Dunes Village Resort, in January

With the kids, we enjoy visiting the Dunes Village Resort.

Late December afternoon on a Dunes Village balcony

Late December at the Dunes

The Dunes has an indoor water park that rivals the popular Great Wolf Lodges, is right on the beach, and close to many of Myrtle Beach’s famous restaurants and shopping outlets.

Sunrise at the Dunes

The resort has a wide variety of room types (all at great prices during the winter) including multiple-bedroom condo-type rooms with extended balconies – great for those very likely 60+ degree days.

Enjoying one of those 60+ degree December days in Myrtle Beach

And, same as Shell Island, the Dunes faces east. Expect dramatic sunrises and a summer-like feel on the balconies until the early to mid afternoon.

 Extended balconies at the Dunes

Myrtle Beach is a 4-hour or less drive from much of the Southeast.

Jekyll Island, Georgia

We made our first trip to Jekyll Island last month and loved it!

Strolling the beach on Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island is a farther drive for us, but the island’s natural beauty, responsible development, relaxed vibe, and potentially warm winter weather make a great choice for a longer stay.

Finding a HUGE horseshoe crab shell on the beach at Jekyll Island

We stayed at the Days Inn and Suites on the beach. With a heated pool and a large hot tub, we hope to make another visit this winter!

All smiles on Jekyll Island

For that epic winter getaway in late 2014 or early 2015, start planning now. Give us a call and we’ll be happy to give you the scoop on some amazing trips.

For this winter though, give some thought to Wrightsville Beach, Myrtle Beach, or Jekyll Island.

Check out the resorts we’ve mentioned or give us a call, we’ll be happy to give you some more ideas. This time of year, we always check out the weather forecasts before we finalize plans!

Never forget to:

Relax…you can get there from here!