From Midwest Living
Alabama's Gulf Coast
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sun-drenched beaches along Alabama’s Gulf Coast invite snow-weary
Midwesterners to play along the shore (or explore moss-draped forests).
The sister cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach (58 miles southeast of
airport-hub Mobile) stretch along 32 miles of beach on the Gulf of
Mexico. Southerners know Gulf Shores as the destination for
unpretentious, outdoors-centric getaways. Pedal a bike along a
backcountry trail, try your hand at fishing or just relax along the
sandy beach.
Tucson, Arizona
Tucson’s
sunny skies and 68-degree average high in February offer the perfect
winter escape. Northerners homesick for snow find their powder (and the
Mount Lemmon Ski Valley) in the Santa Catalina Mountains northeast of
town. But most visitors enjoy the mountains as backdrops to afternoon
hikes, rounds of golf (Tucson has more than 20 courses) and dinners at
the high-end resorts in the foothills on the edge of town.
Naples and San Marco, Florida
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Warm
up with a trip down I-75 to the sugar-soft sand and azure blue waters
of Florida's Naples and Marco Island. In Naples, tropical umbrellas line
the streets of downtown, where pastel stucco buildings house art
galleries and boutiques. A few miles south of the multimillion-dollar
homes lining Naples' waterfront, the wealthy on Marco stay at the
sprawling Marco Island Marriott. But visitors staying at budget spots
can enjoy the hotel's lavish spa, inventive restaurant and shelling
cruises.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
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Warmed
by world-class art and nearly constant sunshine, Santa Fe offers a
bright midwinter escape. An arts community launched by Wisconsin native
Georgia O'Keeffe has grown to more than 200 galleries and a dozen
museums. There's rarely a bad day for painting—or anything else,
really—in Santa Fe, which sees 300-plus sunny days a year and enjoys the
crystalline atmosphere of a 7,000-foot elevation. Take guided walks to
learn about the area's history, debate red vs. green chile sauce on your
enchiladas, and shop for art finds on the Turquoise Trail.
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Texas' Hill Country
To
some Midwesterners, Texas may come across as big and brash. But out in
the Hill Country, 70 miles west of Austin in south-central Texas, the
area that was home to Lyndon B. Johnson resonates with travelers eager
to explore a side of the Lone Star State that somehow feels familiar. A
getaway to Fredericksburg (population: 10,530), known for its carefully
preserved Main Street, includes German heritage, fields of wildflowers,
family-owned wineries, fine dining, and a Smithsonian-quality museum
about World War II.
Savannah, Georgia
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Lined
with twisty, moss-draped oaks, the historic district of Savannah,
Georgia, offers romantic inns, chic cafes and stirring glimpses of our
nation's past. Tour the First African Baptist Church, a stop on the
Underground Railroad; bite into ethereal crabcakes at Chef Joe Randall's
Cooking School; breathe in the fresh sea air at Tybee Island beaches;
and learn about the founder of Girl Scouts at the Juliette Gordon Low
Birthplace.
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Austin, Texas
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Deep
in the heart of Texas, winter visitors find sunny days, one seriously
big capitol, an unrivaled live music scene and proof that locals
continue to “Keep Austin Weird.” An average February temp of 55 degrees
pulls people outside to enjoy golfing, wildflower walks, strolls around
the lake and alfresco dining. Among the must-see stops: the Bullock
Texas State History Museum, Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center and the
Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
