These Hidden Gem Destinations Are Great For A U.S. Winter Getaway
By JASON TUSHINSKI
Winter is a fabulous time to stroll Nantucket's beaches. Head out to Great Point to see seals, gulls, long-tailed ducks, and Arctic birds.
Nantucket
The beach's views are stunning, and the point is serenely peaceful. The Trustee of Reservations also offers natural history and Great Point Lighthouse tours.
Don't miss the Whaling Museum, which boasts a rooftop deck with amazing views. You can also hit the popular Cisco Brewery, where experts guide your drink selections.
A Pittsburgh winter is the best time to take in its world-class museums. Start at The Andy Warhol Museum, a seven-floor jewel celebrating the artist's art and legacy.
Pittsburgh
The August Wilson African American Cultural Center boasts three galleries celebrating African-American culture, and the Carnegie Science Center hosts a World War II-era submarine.
This city's plethora of attractions and mild winter weather make it a great winter getaway. Baseball fans should visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory.
Louisville
Afterward, take a bourbon distillery and horse farm tour through Travel The Trail. The tour will last most of the day and cost an average of $260 per person.
About 93 miles south of Louisville is Mammoth Cave, the world's most extensive cave system. Rangers give guided tours, and the caves remain 54 degrees Fahrenheit year-round.
Big Pine Key in Key West is a quiet, stunning part of the Florida Keys. To see the beach, head to Bahia Honda State Park for white sand and turquoise waters.
Big Pine Key
The highly regarded Keys Boat Tours takes snorkelers to Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary, where you can swim alongside aquatic life and explore the Keys' most vibrant reef.
If you want to add a little luxury to your vacation, consider staying at the Isla Bella Beach Resort, which features five pools, a marina, a restaurant, and a luxurious spa.
Michigan's Upper Peninsula is renowned for its spectacular fall foliage, but you can also try rock climbing and surfing during the colder months.
Upper Peninsula
The Michigan Ice Fest is the oldest ice climbing festival in the country, held every February in Munising at the Pictured Rocks National Park on the shores of Lake Superior.
Winter surfing is popular on the Great Lakes from January to March. Stay at Big Bay Point Lighthouse B&B, which has 40 acres of secluded, wooded property overlooking Lake Superior.