Massachusetts ‘Cape Cod Treasure’ Among America’s Best Vacays

We're heading into December, so it's difficult to think about beaches right now. But, in certain areas of the U.S., it's always a good time to hit the beach. As someone who lives in the Midwest, I definitely wish we could have our beaches open year-round. But, it obviously gets super cold in the Midwest during the winter months. That said, if you're looking at a winter getaway and America's best vacations, Good Housekeeping has has a new list out featuring the best beach resorts in the U.S. What's extra cool is that one Massachusetts spot has been named a "Cape Cod Treasure." It's also one of America's best vacations.

The report highlights beaches from all over, including getaways in Jamaica, Mexico, Puerto Rico, New York and even Portugal. One interesting pick was their "cottages at the lake" choice at The Cove. That's located at Sylvan Beach in Sylvan Beach, New York. The Cove at Sylvan Beach boasts 70 two- and three-bedroom cottages with kitchens, outdoor grills, living rooms and washer/dryers. As a Midwestern, that sounds like a totally familiar vacation.

If you're looking for a getaway in the winter down south, Good Housekeeping says to try JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa in Clearwater Beach. This resort just opened in May, according to the publication, and it features a special kids' play section that’s just for resort guests. In addition, Good Housekeeping adds, "Mini vacationers can go to town with the loaner sand toys (and even games like Jenga) while you comfortably watch from your nearby lounger."

So, which Massachusetts "Cape Cod Treasure" is one of America's best vacations? It's the nearly century-old Wequassett Resort and Golf Club in Harwich, Massachusetts. It's cold up there right now, but come summer, Good Housekeeping boasts, "The vibe is chill—summer afternoons are spent on the resort's small private beach or the Cape Cod National Seashore (guests can take a boat shuttle there from the resort's dock). At night, families gather by the firepits for s'mores-roasting and listen to live music." Find the full list here.

Christmas is a time to visit family and friends and get away from the daily grind. The holidays can be a wonderful time, but they can also be very expensive. From buying lots of Christmas gifts for family and friends to having to pay for plane tickets and travel, holiday expenses can really add up. But, the good news is that there are some affordable Christmas vacations out there. Moreover, Massachusetts has one of the most affordable Christmas vacations, too.

One good thing about traveling during the winter months is that it's often the off-season for popular vacation destinations. Of course, the holidays are a busy travel time. That makes late December a difficult time to find a deal for travel. But, if you don't mind the cold and snow, some northern areas of the U.S. offer very good deals. That's true even during the Christmas season.

Some tips for finding a good deal for holiday vacationing include searching a lot of booking websites, comparing different hotel dates to find the most reasonable ones and finding bundle deals. Also, keep your eyes open for special deals on resorts and hotels that are just opening. That's because sometimes, during those opening months, new vacation spots try to attract a loyal clientele by offering special deals. One more tip is to search for airfare rates individually even if you are traveling as a couple or a group. If you put in a search for a group of tickets, the algorithms will often leave out information on one or two cheaper tickets being available. They'll just send you a group of tickets, sitting together, all at the same price. So, you might get a deal if you search for one ticket, instead.

So, what are the best affordable Christmas vacations in the U.S.? Here are some popular spots that won't break the bank.

Frankenmuth, Michigan, is the self-proclaimed Christmas capital city of the world. Okay, so many argue that Strasbourg, France, takes that honor, but Frankenmuth is close, and it's a lot cheaper to get there. No passport needed. The villiage's Franconian-style architecture has given it the loving name "Little Bavaria." Frankenmuth is also home to the world's biggest Christmas store.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is located in Pennsylvania Dutch Country, and it offers a beautiful view of snowy hills and Amish country. It's a very old-fashioned type of town, making it a charming winter getaway. There are plenty of fun, holiday-type things to do in Lancaster that won't break the bank.

You might never guess, but Las Vegas, Nevada, is a great spot for an affordable holiday trip. Think about it. Most people wouldn't think to go to "Sin City" for Christmas. Of course, it's much less the "sin" part these days, as Las Vegas offers fun activities for the whole family.

Charlotte, North Carolina, is a great spot to visit in the holiday season, because it's not as crowded as other times during the year. It's also less expensive to visit during the holidays and offers beautiful decorations during Christmas. Don't forget the many holiday markets.

Fort Myers, Florida, is a popular destination for snow birds. But, that's doesn't mean to skip it during the holidays. If you want to get away from the snow and ice, Fort Myers offers a great escape over Christmas and for prices that are more reasonable than in many other areas of Florida.

Boston, Massachusetts, gets cold in the winter, but it also has that classic Christmas charm. It's a big city with a smaller city feel during the holidays. What's more, it's a more affordable winter vacation destination than many other areas, and you won't have the fight the crowds.