Xplorie’s Top 3 Destinations for a New Year’s Getaway
December 28, 2021
Bid farewell to 2021 and ring in the New Year in our Top 3 Destinations for a New Year’s Getaway! Whether you’re dreaming of fresh blankets of snow, buzzy aprés ski and cozy mountain cabins, or sunny beach days, summer cocktails with your toes in the sand, and island-style oceanfront living, we’ve got you covered.
Welcome in the New Year in our favorite destinations with the best places to stay and fun local activities built into one perfect vacation package with free tours, attractions, and activities for every day you stay. From guided snowmobile tours and classic train rides to the North Pole to whale watching tours and sunset cocktail cruises, you’re sure to find a festive fireworks displays and a fun way to welcome in 2022 in our top New Year destinations.
Park City, Utah
Park City is a historic resort town overflowing with authentic western charm, world-class ski slopes, and a decadent dining scene, placing it top of the 2021 list of America’s Best Ski Towns.
Plenty of skiing opportunities in Park City!
Park City is also one of the “Top-Ranked Ski Resorts in the West” for 2021 and offers over 7,300 skiable acres at three resorts with everything from bunny hills to black diamonds, a great ski school if you need help getting on the slopes, onsite gear rentals (or rental delivery to your vacation home!) … and you can hop on the Town Lift from historic Main Street!
Park City offers so much more than world-class slopes with unique experiences for the whole family -snowshoe trails and tours through the backcountry, dog-sledding adventures, winter fly fishing excursions, and guided snowmobile tours through the powder fields and peaks in the Heber Valley, Utah’s Snowmobiling Capital! While in the Heber Valley reserve your seat on the Heber Valley Railroad for a traditional train ride to visit Santa in the North Pole.
New Year Celebrations in Park City begin with warm cookies, hot cocoa, and the Torchlight Parade on Bald Eagle Mountain at Deer Valley Resort. Next up is the free, family-friendly New Year’s Eve Celebration at Canyons Village at Park City with snow play for the kids, aprés ski activities, live music, and a fireworks display to cap the night.
Kick-off the new year right in Park City!
For a taste of Park City’s arts and culture scene stroll the galleries of Main Street on the Last Friday Gallery Stroll, visit the amazing Snow Globe Stroll, or ring in the New Year with the Drifters at the Egyptian Theatre. Looking to keep it laid back, ski-in to the High West Saloon for vibey aprés ski then head to one of Main Street’s restaurants, bars, or live music venues for the countdown to 2022 (Reservations essential!)
Maui, Hawaii
And now for something completely different, a dream beach vacation in Hawaii! 2021 will soon be forgotten when you’re barefoot in baggies and bikinis on the soft sandy beaches of Maui. Maui promises a bucket-list beach vacation with tropical landscapes, lush rain forests, miles of untouched beaches, intimate beachfront resorts, and an action-packed itinerary of island adventures.
When you’re not barefoot in baggies and bikinis, tee off on world-famous golf courses, embark on a whale watching tour or reef-viewing adventure on a glass-bottom boat, explore miles of coastal hiking trails, or book a jeep tour of the volcanoes, coffee farms, and pineapple plantations of Maui. Watch the sunrise or sunset from the Haleakala Crater and take a scenic drive along the rugged coastline on the Hana Highway with dramatic seascapes and 59 bridges!
Ring in the New Year on a New Year’s Eve sunset cocktail cruise, sipping on a Mai Tai at a barefoot beachfront tiki bar, or go all out with New Year’s Eve Fireworks and special celebrations at a Holiday Luau. Many of the resorts on Maui plan fireworks displays and celebrations, but wherever you choose to celebrate, you’re guaranteed an island-style New Year’s celebration with fireworks lighting up the Maui skies.
Tee off at Kahili Golf Course
Breckenridge, Colorado
Breckenridge is not far behind Park City, ranking #7 on America’s Best Ski Towns and #12 on Ski Mags Best Ski Resorts in the West for 2021. This historic Rocky Mountain ski town is adorned in natural beauty with a rich history dating back to the 1859 Gold Rush and an abundance of winter sports, family-friendly activities, and cozy bars and restaurants to welcome in the New Year.
Downtown Breckenridge looking very festive!
Say goodbye to 2021 on the slopes of Breckenridge with 2,908 acres of diverse terrain across five peaks of the Tenmile Range, 187 trails, 4 terrain parks, 2 half-pipes, 2 ski schools, and 3 festive base areas. There’s a free ski bus to Copper Mountain and Keystone to mix it up a little and get in more mileage on the slopes! If you’re not skiing Breck, be sure to ride the free BreckConnect Gondola from Park Avenue in town to the Peak 8 base to take in spectacular alpine views and ride the Gold Runner Alpine Coaster.
Again, there’s more to this charming ski town than the downhill scene! Breckenridge’s fairy-lit Main Street comes alive with western ski charm and holiday cheer all winter long. Browse over 200 unique shops, sip award-winning Bourbon at the Breckenridge Distillery (the world’s highest distillery), sample local craft beer at the Breckenridge Brewery, and enjoy great food, drinks, and aprés fun at the Gold Pan Saloon, a historic 19th-century saloon in the heart of downtown Breckenridge. Ride the Main Street Trolley, take a self-guided tour of the local galleries in the BreckCreate Arts District anchored by the Riverwalk Center, and refuel at one of many Breckenridge eateries.
For activities off the ski slopes, there’s free sledding at Carter Park, snow tubing at Frisco Adventure Park, axe-throwing in downtown Breckenridge, classic horse-drawn sleigh-rides, or dog-sledding adventures through the winter forests and exhilarating snowmobile tours to the top of the Continental Divide. Enjoy endless family activities at the Breckenridge Recreation Center with indoor rock climbing, leisure pools, and therapeutic hot tubs, or load on the layers and explore miles of trails for snowshoeing, fat biking, classic cross country, or skate skiing at the Gold Run Nordic Center.
Practice your axe throwing skills at MTN Axe!
Traditional New Year’s celebrations have toned down since the onset of COVID-19 and restrictions remain in place in many vacation destinations across the US, so be sure to stay up to date with local regulations and restrictions before and during your travels and make reservations in advance to avoid disappointment!
Whether you’re a traveler on a budget or planning an elaborate New Year’s escape, you can celebrate the New Year with loved ones in an intimate setting in the comfort of a vacation rental home. Stay close to the New Year’s festivities in the heart of Park City, book a secluded hot tub cabin on the peaks of Breckenridge, or stay oceanfront in a luxury Maui beach villa with the options of entertainment rooms, hot tubs, outdoor firepits, private pools, gourmet kitchens, and free Xplorie activities!
