Best Family Vacations in January

01 of 14

Head to Disney World

Many people would argue that there is no bad time to visit Disney World. But when you look at crowds, weather and prices, two months stand out as particularly ideal times to visit this mega popular family destination—and January is one of them.

02 of 14

Make a Splash at an Indoor Water Park

Howlin' Tornado at Great Wolf Lodge Garden Grove — Courtesy of Great Wolf Resorts

No matter the weather, every day's a pool day at an indoor water park. From the Northwest to the Southeast and everywhere in between, here are the best in every region of the United States.

03 of 14

Go Whale Watching in San Diego

Are your kids fascinated by whales? Consider planning a whale watching family getaway to Southern California. San Diego’s famous gray whale-watching season stretches from December through April. You can watch a parade of California gray whales make their annual 5,000-mile migration from the chilly Alaskan seas to the warm water lagoons of Baja California.

04 of 14

Stay at Quebec's Ice Hotel

Canada, Quebec Province, Sainte Catherine de la Jacques Cartier, Ice Hotel — SUDRES Jean-Daniel / hemis.fr / Getty Images

Once again, a team of dozens of artisans have come together to create the one-of-a-kind Hotel de Glace out of ice and snow, now one of the most popular winter tourist attractions in Quebec.

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05 of 14

Learn to Ski and Snowboard

January is Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month when many resorts offer special deals and lessons from professional instructors. Here’s where to find “kids ski free” offers at ski destinations around North America.

06 of 14

Celebrate MLK With Kids

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial -- the "Stone of Hope" is pulled from the rock wall behind it, known as the "Mountain of Despair" — Brooks Kraft / Corbis Historical / Getty Images

The birthday of civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr. is a public holiday that creates a long three-day weekend in mid-January. It's a great opportunity to take time to learn more about the man and his role in the civil rights movement, and to plan a family getaway to one of the destinations steeped in his legacy.

07 of 14

Enjoy Disneyland's Lower Prices

While Southern California weather beckons year-round, three months deliver at Disneyland when it comes to lower prices, fewer crowds, and mild temperatures.

08 of 14

Visit Universal Orlando's 'A Celebration of Harry Potter'

Hogswart Express at Universal Orlando — Courtesy of Universal Orlando Resort

Universal Orlando Resort and Warner Bros. will host the second annual A Celebration of Harry Potter, a three-day special fan event including special experiences at both Universal theme parks, Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida. The event takes place in late January.

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09 of 14

Take a Trip to NYC

Central Park NYC snow — PublicDomainPictures / Pixabay

Looking to get a slice of the Big Apple for less? January is a month of super hotel deals, plus popular money-savings promos like Restaurant Week and Broadway Week.

10 of 14

Have Your Own Winter Olympics

Utah Olympic Park — Liji Jinaraj / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

You don't have to be an athlete to try out some of the sports at Olympic complexes, and an Olympic-themed getaway can make for a fun and active family trip. Along with delivering Olympic fun, these locations are without exception tremendously scenic and chock full of charm. They are picturesque ski towns with a wide array of kid-friendly hotels, restaurants, shops, and other amenities to keep families happy.

11 of 14

Take the Kids Dog Sledding

Love dogs? Love winter? Dog sledding is a fun and family-friendly adventure that combines the two. There are plenty of places to go for a spin on the snow and maybe even learn a few dog-driving skills.

12 of 14

Have Some National Park Winter Adventures

Yellowstone bison — Peter Cairns/Nature Picture Library

Perhaps the best-kept secret about national parks is that they are terrific places to visit year-round. During the winter, your family can take advantage of free ranger-led tours, junior ranger activities, and wildlife learning without the heat and the crowds.

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13 of 14

Take the Kids Ice Skating

Skaters holding hands on the Rideau Canal — Danielle Donders / Getty Images

Lacing up skates for a smooth glide around an ice rink is a quintessential winter pasttime. Here's a roundup of the best places to skate in some of North America's major destinations.

14 of 14

Experience Texas Rodeo Season

There is perhaps no better way for families to tap into the authentic cowboy culture in Texas than to visit when there’s a rodeo in town. January through March is prime rodeo season in the Lone Star State, drawing crowds from across the country to enjoy this storied Western tradition. As a bonus, you will get to visit Texas when temperatures are at their mildest.