As winter arrives, you may be thinking of a good destination for a home exchange vacation. While Aspen is one of the most popular winter vacation destinations, if you’re looking for a new set of ideas, we’ve got plenty. Consider a house swap vacation in one of these exciting spots this winter.
Have you ever visited Michigan in the winter? The state is known for its ample amounts of snow and an abundance of activities. It’s time to consider Michigan for your next house swap, because we have plenty of options for you to explore the state.
Frankenmuth is known as Michigan’s “Little Bavaria” and is less than three hours from several of our Michigan home exchange properties. This charming town features has things to do for adults and kids alike, including indoor and outdoor activities. The town has a magic about it, and you’ll feel you’ve been transported to a quaint German village. Tourists and residents love watching the clock tower at noon, 3 p.m., 6 p.m., and 9 p.m. daily as the landmark plays a 35 bell Carillion and then depicts imagery from the Piped Piper of Hamlin folk tale. A Christmas museum, and Frankenmuth’s famous fried chicken are just a few of the reasons to visit for a quick day trip.
Photograph used under Creative Commons from Flickr user eepaul
If you’d like to indulge in winter sports, you can’t go wrong with Michigan. Tubing, sledding, skiing, and snowmobiling are just some of the options for this great state. Nubs Nob is known as a great ski destination for families, and features 43 slopes. For a departure from winter sports, consider a little cultural exploration. Do you love exploring wineries? Suttons Bay has several wineries for you to visit, such as Black Star Farms, L. Mawby Vineyards, and Longview Winery. If museums are more your taste, Michigan has several throughout the state worth seeing, including The Henry Ford Museum, Great Lakes Children’s Museum, and the History Center of Traverse. When the snow is falling, you can take in art and history at your leisure at these attractions.
New Mexico in winter has been described as “enchanting” and a must-do. There’s a number of state parks where you hike, snowshoe, snowmobile and more among true natural beauty. Our New Mexico house swap options include Angel Fire, Las Cruces, and more. No trip to the state is complete in winter without a dip in a hot spring, such as the Montezuma Hot Springs, Black Rock Hot Springs, or the Melanie Hot Springs.
Spending the winter and holidays on a house exchange in New Mexico is an experience like none other. Here you’ll be witness to a number of special tributes and celebrations such as luminarias, parades, walk-through light displays, and more. In Madrid, New Mexico, you’ll find a whole town decorated with holiday lights from top to bottom, and Christmas on the Pecos in Carlsbad, which has been named a top attraction since 1996.
Photograph used under Creative Commons from Flickr user littlebirdie
Each of our house exchange properties offers its own appeal and beauty nestled in a part of New Mexico. The Red River area is popular with anyone wanting outdoor adventure, and is minutes away from the Enchanted Forest, a magical forest area with trails, skiing, dinner tours and more. Consider taking a day to explore some of the state’s eerie ghost towns, because New Mexico has over 400 of them!
Wisconsin is another state where you can play and enjoy sport in the beautiful white snow. The Vacation Exchange has Wisconsin home exchange properties in Lake Geneva, Sister Bay, Princeton and more. There are over 25,000 miles of snowmobile trails alone in the state, so you have plenty of places to travel! In Lake Geneva, they hold the holiday spirit close with a number of special events. You can take in a show of the Fireside Christmas at the Fireside Dinner Theatre, which features songs, stories and dances designed to put you in the Christmas spirit. Have a little one that loves trains? You can’t miss The East Troy Electric Railroad. You’ll board a restored 1940’s railroad car for a trip with Santa and his elves. Along the way will be hot chocolate, storytelling and caroling.
Ice fishing is a big draw for many in Wisconsin, and on vacation, you’re more than welcome to give it a try! You might turn up with walleye, pike or panfish. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has several safety tips and guidelines to help make your experience a memorable and fun one. Be sure you read over these before heading out on the ice!
New York has multiple areas for you to spend winter, including New York City, the Catskills and more. You’ll also find over 20 house exchange properties available in New York from us. The next winter vacation you’ve been dreaming of is just waiting, but why take it from us? Just look at all of the options you have available to you!
Let’s start with The Catskills, which are rich with culture, heritage, and activity. When you stay at one of our home swap properties in the area, you’re just a drive from New York City, but why go there with all the area offers? You can spend a day browsing antique galleries and shops along quiet streets, or go zooming down the hills in an inner tube on one of the snowcovered hills. What could beat a romantic trip to The Catskills? Stay inside a cozy cabin mountain retreat and watch the snow fall gently outside.
Photograph used under Creative Commons from Flickr user tji_72
At Windham Mountain Adventure Park, kids now have their own snowmobile park to enjoy! The vehicles are made just for kids, and give the children a taste of winter fun that’s all their own. You and your whole family can also race down a 650 foot high slope on a canvas-backed tube, and marvel at the crisp winter air. The Adventure Park also features ice skating, tubing, and even euro bungee. We can’t mention New York without highlighting New York City, where there’s plenty to enjoy. Take in a Broadway show or watch the famed Rockefettes Radio City show. You can also spend a day walking down Madison Avenue and other streets enjoying the elaborate window decorations, or see the famous tree at Rockefeller Center.
Brr, is it cold outside? Maybe you want to escape the heat and get into the sun. That means you need to visit St. Croix, a sunny destination in the United States Virgin Islands. Our St. Croix options for home exchange feature two properties, each with great amenities for your family. St. Croix has several traditions that you’ll enjoy bearing witness to, including the Crucian Christmas Festival. It’s a month-long festival with parades, crafts, food, dances, and much more.
Another option for you to explore in St. Croix during a house swap is the St. Croix Boat Parade, which usually occurs on the second Saturday of December. During this event, you’ll see all types of boats, each decked out to celebrate the holidays with lights and fun. This year it will be held on December 13, and is the perfect event to enjoy a delicious holiday dinner.
Have we given you a few ideas for your next winter house swap? Whether you want to stay a week, a week, or even a couple of weeks, you can find an option to meet your needs. Our homes are charming, well-decorated, and designed to give you the best of the comfort while you have fun. Take a look at all our vacation exchange options, and see what you can find!
Remember, we offer both direct and indirect exchanges, with all homes featured exclusively vacation homes. Stay where you want, when you want, and at a perfect price!
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