Four Winter Escapes for Your Family

The snowfall, the gloves and the occasional complaint about it being too cold to go out and play, yes Ned Stark is right, winter is coming. While we love taking families to winter wonderland locations like Whitefish, MT and Winter Park, Colo., we know that for some, winter is just that pesky thing separating you from spring. If frigid temps and wind chills make you cringe then follow our advice, just change the forecast with a family getaway to one of these locations and let the #AmtrakStories unfold.

Sanford, Florida
How do you to skip the traffic on I-95 south and still get to Florida with your car? By hopping on Amtrak and taking our Auto Train to Sanford, Florida where the average winter temperature is 70 degrees. Enjoy the freedom of walking around, free wifi and a full service dining car as you ride all the way to central Florida. Fun fact, no stops on this route just hop on, ride, enjoy and hop off. Once you’re in Sanford, drive to Orlando where there are theme parks galore, golfing, shopping and more restaurants than you can pack in a weekend. Trust us, a winter getaway to Florida will leave the entire family with a smile. AMTRAK TIP: Book your Auto Train getaway by December 18 and only pay $95 with our saver fare.

Savannah
With its small town feel and big personality, Savannah is a southern city with a little bit of everything. From the sandy beaches, to the golf course, the rivers cruises and the historic downtown square, it’s as if Savannah casually encourages its visitors to explore more. Tempted to travel to Savannah with us? Just pack up the family, hop on our Silver Service/Palmetto and enjoy the space and room and comfort of the train before you dive in to all Savannah has to offer.

San Diego
Sand, surf and sun, what’s really not to love about San Diego? If you have the winter blues then SoCal might be so needed. Sit back and watch the dolphins frolic along the surf (no joke), as you take the Pacific Surfliner all the way to America’s Finest City. Indulge in regional favorites like Bencotto Italian Kitchen or Davanti Enoteca or take the family to the pier to watch surfers before trying it yourself. Whatever pops up on your to-do list on your winter getaway to San Diego, know that the weather won’t be an issue. As San Diego local Erin Jackson puts it, “Temperature-wise, San Diego is like Baby Bear’s oatmeal in Goldilocks: not too hot, not too cold, but just right.”

Atlanta
While Atlanta maybe the chilliest city on the list, it’s still a great winter getaway stop for families. Book a ticket on our Crescent route and stretch out as you head to a city that is affectionately referred to as HotLanta. Families of all ages making a stop in Atlanta should be prepared to pack in a lot of fun because with the World of Coca Cola, The Georgia Aquarium and the Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site AND Centennial Olympic Park there’s plenty to do in a short period of time.