Need an escape to get you through the winter months? Your military ID card can unlock an affordable, family-friendly vacation in some of the world’s top destinations. Whether you want to chase sunshine or embrace winter weather, these nine destinations offer plenty of inspiration for a memorable getaway.
Many of these destinations are part of MWR travel programs or military-operated resorts that offer service members and their families access to lodging and recreation at much lower costs than comparable civilian options. Some sites also offer military discounts for area attractions.
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Top CONUS Winter Getaways for Military Families
Destin Army Recreation Area (Destin, FL)
Operated by Fort Benning but located on the Florida Panhandle, this military resort offers sunshine and easy access to one of the most popular stretches of the Emerald Coast. It sits in Old Destin, just minutes from HarborWalk Village, a lively shopping, dining, and entertainment area.
Lodging options include two- and three-bedroom villas, hotel-style rooms, and an RV park. Even in winter, families can enjoy the heated pool and splash park, while fishing and crabbing off the pier remain popular activities.
This location is part of the broader network of MWR travel options available to military families year-round.
Fort Tuthill (Flagstaff, AZ)
Fort Tuthill is a year-round recreation area operated by Luke Air Force Base. Sitting at roughly 7,000 feet in elevation, winter at this Arizona resort brings cold temperatures and reliable snow.
The facility rents all the gear you need to take advantage of winter sports, including alpine and cross-country skis, snowboards, boots, poles, and even snow tubes.
You can also mix snow activities with classic Arizona sightseeing or hiking: the Grand Canyon is about 90 minutes away, and Sedona is a 40-minute drive.
Fort Tuthill has a 20-room lodge with hotel-style rooms, various cabins and A-frames, a bungalow, and an RV campground, with site availability dependent on weather.
Navy Lodge North Island (San Diego, CA)
One of the top destinations in Navy lodging, this facility is directly on the beach at NAS North Island and offers plenty of sun and sand.
Many of the rooms feature balconies with beautiful ocean views, and guests can relax at the beachfront pool or rooftop lounge. One of the biggest draws is the quiet stretch of beach reserved exclusively for those with base access.
San Diego offers plenty of entertainment, including SeaWorld, the famous San Diego Zoo, and the city’s many incredible museums (don’t miss a tour of the USS Midway).
Great Pond Outdoor Adventure Center (Great Pond, Maine)
Ideal for travelers ready to bundle up and enjoy the outdoors, no matter the weather, this recreation area operated by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard spans 375 wooded acres and takes winter head-on.
Great Pond rents ice skates, snowshoes, cross-country skis, and ice-fishing equipment, making it easy to explore the surrounding landscape. Great Pond, like other MWR travel spots, is family-friendly and offers outdoor adventures affordably.
Accommodations include fully furnished cabins that sleep up to six guests, along with several lodges designed for larger groups.
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Escape Winter with Military Lodging in Hawaii
Hale Koa (Honolulu, HI)
One of our Armed Forces Recreation Center (AFRC) resorts, the Hale Koa is a full-scale beachfront property on Waikiki. Recently renovated rooms and an updated pool complex deliver an experience that easily rivals nearby civilian hotels.
Rooms vary in view, but all offer generous space and sleep up to four guests. The resort features two sit-down restaurants, several casual eateries, and bars, and the popular Aloha Friday Prime Rib & Seafood Buffet. Additional amenities include tennis and pickleball courts, a fitness center, a spa, and beach equipment rentals.
During your stay, enjoy easy access to downtown Honolulu and other popular attractions in the area, such as Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head. The hotel’s concierge desk can help you arrange an array of island tours and activities.
Barbers Point Beach Cottages (Kalaeloa, HI)
For travelers looking to truly unplug, the Barbers Point Beach Cottages offer a more relaxed alternative to the Hale Koa or other Waikiki resorts.
The one-, two-, and three-bedroom cottages are located in a quieter area of Oahu and sit along three neighboring beaches: White Plains Beach, Nimitz Beach, and Nimitz Cove. Each cottage is just steps from the shoreline.
Recently renovated and well equipped, the cottages make it easy to settle into a relaxed beach routine. Guests can also rent body boards, paddleboards, and longboards or take surfing lessons from the on-site Surf Shack.
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Winter Getaways in Japan and South Korea
Okuma Beach (Okinawa, Japan)
Japan is rarely top of mind for beach vacations unless you’ve been to Okinawa! Okuma Beach is a military resort on the island’s northeastern coast, about a three-hour flight from Tokyo. It delivers a true sun-and-sand experience.
Okuma Beach offers a wide range of water activities, including snorkeling, dive excursions, glass-bottom boat tours, and boat rentals. On land, guests can enjoy everything from golf and go-karting to spa treatments.
Accommodations include private beach cottages, cabins, and hotel-style rooms, making it easy to plan anything from a quiet couples retreat to a full-family vacation.
Dragon Hill Lodge (Seoul, South Korea)
Another AFRC, Dragon Hill Lodge sits in the “heart of Seoul,” offering guests access to museums, royal palaces, lively markets, standout dining, and centuries of history.
The lodge features spacious rooms, resort-style amenities, multiple dining options, and a concierge desk ready to help arrange tours and guided excursions throughout the city and region.
Winters in Seoul are undeniably cold, but the city’s energy, culture, and food scene make it a fun destination year-round.
Europe
Edelweiss Lodge & Resort (Germany)
This military resort, also an AFRC, is in the majestic Bavarian Alps of Germany. The sport lodge makes the logistics of a ski vacation simple by offering everything you need right on site, including lift tickets, equipment rental, and lessons, plus storage for your gear.
The resort also offers four-day snow sports instruction packages that include transportation to and from the hotel, rental equipment, and daily lessons.
Guests can choose from standard hotel rooms and suites in the main building or furnished cabins in the nearby Vacation Village, each accommodating up to six people.
Beyond skiing and snowboarding, Edelweiss continues to offer many of its popular tours during winter, including visits to Neuschwanstein Castle, Linderhof Palace, and a local brewery.
How to Find Open Rooms and Last-Minute Military Travel Deals
Many of these destinations are popular and book far in advance, but there are always cancelations. If you can’t secure a reservation on the first try, keep checking back or ask if they maintain a waitlist. Also, some facilities post last-minute availability on Facebook, so following their respective pages can pay off.
You can find last-minute military travel deals when rooms open unexpectedly, especially on weekends or during shoulder-season travel. Remember to check each location’s website for seasonal military discounts, as some winter specials aren’t widely advertised.
Military lodging facilities make it easy to plan an affordable winter escape without sacrificing comfort or fun. From beachfront resorts to snow-filled mountain getaways, these destinations let you use your benefits to create memorable vacations.
Learn more about using your military travel benefits and find military discounts and deals for MWR travel and more with our free guide below.
