6 winter vacation ideas in the northeast and midwest​

NORTH CONWAY, NEW HAMPSHIRE Cozy inns, friendly mom-and-pop shops (don’t miss Zeb’s General Store!) and miles of snowy trails for skiing, snowshoeing and sleigh riding make this New

Hampshire village the ideal base camp for winter in the White Mountains. Mount Washington, which looms majestically at the end of Main Street, beckons visitors to explore the surrounding

snowy landscape. Just a block or so from Zeb's is Vito Marcello's Italian Bistro, where Chef Vito serves his signature marinara sauce, homemade meatballs and minestrone in a warm,

friendly atmosphere. A great place to begin is 20 miles north of town at the Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center in Pinkham Notch. Here, 28 miles of forested trails offer spectacular views of

the Presidential Range. For a unique adventure, try fat biking, which involves pedaling snow-packed carriage roads on a bicycle equipped with extra-wide tires. Then climb aboard the center’s

four-track Snow Coach for a guided tour to Mount Washington’s tree line. Feeling extra adventurous? You’re welcome to hop out at any point on the return trip to snowshoe the rest of the

way down. In nearby Bartlett, explore winter’s wonderland by snowmobile. Northern Extremes offers a variety of guided tours perfect for novices through the scenic Bear Notch snowmobile

system. Or, for a romantic adventure, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride along the Saco River and through the woods at Farm by the River. And stop by beautiful Jackson Falls on the Wildcat

River, just up the road from North Conway on Route 16 (you'll drive through the photogenic and historic Jackson covered bridge, known as the Honeymoon Bridge). WHERE TO STAY: Conway

abounds with cozy accommodations. Two located right in town are the Cranmore Inn, which offers 19 rooms steeped in New England charm ($150 and up) and the Snowvillage Inn, tucked into the

slopes of Foss Mountain 10 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of town (rates begin at $189/night). Vineyard Woods Courtesy Ashtabula County Visitors Bureau ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO If

you’ve never heard of ice wine, this bucolic county on the shores of Lake Erie is the place to start your education. Made from grapes that are left on the vine to freeze before being

harvested at a chilly 17 degrees and pressed right away, ice wines are sweet, rich and perfect for dessert. More than 30 vineyards make up Ohio’s Grand River Valley viticulture area, where

you’ll find everything from chardonnay to riesling to cabernet sauvignon, along with many delicious ice wine varieties, less than a 45-minute drive northeast from downtown Cleveland. 

Wintertime in the wineries is especially magical. Bare grapevines contrast with the snowy landscape, Adirondack chairs surround blazing outdoor fire pits and local winemakers are frequently

on hand to pour their wines and share their stories. For a unique experience, lace up your boots and wander through the dormant vines — several valley vineyards invite guests to explore.

Afterward, warm up with a wine tasting. One of the coziest spots is Hundley Cellars in Geneva, where mother-daughter duo Tracy and Gerri pair warm hospitality with excellent wines, including

a superior Bordeaux blend they call The Baron. Nearby, settle in to watch the snow fall and sip a glass of vidal blanc ice wine in the sparkling sunroom at Laurentia Vineyard &

Winery in Madison.  WHERE TO STAY: For gorgeous Lake Erie views and easy access to winter adventures at Geneva State Park, try The Lodge at Geneva-on-the-Lake ($99 and up). Or consider

nearby Vineyard Woods, where private cottages and three villa suites sit among the vines ($199 and up). Courtesy Traverse City Tourism TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN Tucked into a bay on Lake

Michigan, Traverse City attracts the lion’s share of its visitors during the summer — it's considered the Cherry Capital of the World, after all. But when the snow starts to fall, this

northern Michigan burg vibrates with a warm winter spirit. Twinkling lights glimmer in the trees along Front Street, the city’s main drag, while cozy shops invite browsing, and craft

breweries pour tasting flights. Traverse, as it’s called in these parts, also has a dynamic food scene that draws heavily from the bounty produced by local farms, orchards, and wineries.

Favorites include amical, famed for its potpie and Sunday brunch, and Raduno, an Italian deli and cafe on Eighth Street. One unique spot in nearby Maple City that combines great food with

winter fun is Broomstack Kitchen & Taphouse, which doubles as the home of the Leelanau Curling Club. Diners can take curling lessons at the on-site rink (its website sums up the

experience: eatdrinkcurl.com).