The time from January to April can really seem like a drag, especially in the northeast where it’s cold and gray. Having something to which to look forward can be a real mood booster, so in my view it’s the perfect time to plan a weekend getaway. Since it’s a short trip, it won’t be too costly and won’t take too much effort to plan. 

If you live in or near a warmer climate, lucky you! If not, there’s still hope: A cozy winter weekend in a cabin in the woods or some (perhaps snowy) time spent in a new location with a cute downtown will offer you a change of scenery and routine and help break up the long winter stretch.

The first step is to decide on your destination.

I recommend no further than three hours from where you live, as a three-hour drive gets you far enough away that you feel like you’re on vacation without having to sit in the car for an exorbitant amount of time, especially if you’re traveling with kids.

Next, decide on the weekend’s vibe.

Are you up for winter activities like snow shoeing or skiing or do you prefer a relaxing weekend of slow mornings, afternoon shopping and early, cozy dinners? It might even be helpful to choose a theme for your weekend. Once you decide on what kind of trip you’re interested in taking, research places to go/see and reserve spots for winter sports in advance. I also like to make restaurant reservations well in advance. It’s a complete time waster to try and find a place to eat (especially if you have food allergies) while you’re actually on vacation. It makes much more sense to plan ahead. Peruse menus and restaurant reviews online and book your tables in advance from home. You can always tweak your plans later if need be.

Choose your home away from home.

For accommodations, I recommend an inn or a hotel versus Airbnb, Vrbo or the like. You want to feel like you’re on vacation, and cooking in someone else’s kitchen or making beds in someone else’s house doesn’t feel like vacation to me. I much prefer a place with housekeeping services, a gym and a nice breakfast room. If you shop around you can get great deals on higher end establishments, especially over some random weekend in the winter.

Make packing easier by using a pre-made checklist.

I have a few packing checklists that I have made and edited over the years as my family’s needs change. One list is for warm weather vacations and the other is for winter vacays. The beauty of a road trip vacation as opposed to one which involves flying is that you often have wiggle room in terms of what you can bring. For example, if I know we plan on ice skating at our destination, I pack our own skates instead of spending money renting ones once we get there.

Prep your vehicle.

First and foremost, make sure your car is in good working order and that you have a full tank of gas and wiper fluid. I like to make sure my car is clean inside as well because it just makes the drive nicer. Either way, be sure to bring along some car-friendly games, create a weekend getaway playlist and pack some snacks for the trip. If you’re leaving early in the morning, bring along a throw blanket to cozy up your spot. Make sure you have a box of tissues in the car and pack a bottle of water for each passenger as well. If you know you’ll need to make a pit stop, research places to do so in advance. I also always print out a copy of the directions to the destination, just in case your phone/car navigation service goes out.

Don’t forget about your furry family members.

If you have pets, decide if they will be traveling with you or not and be sure to make plans for them either way. Boarding reservations need to be made well in advance and if you’re taking your pets with you, you’ll need to book accommodations which allow for that. I always add my pet’s needs to our family packing list so that nothing gets forgotten. It’s stressful enough for your pet to be traveling or be boarded, never mind forgetting to pack their necessities or anything that will make their experience more comfortable while you’re away.

Leave your expectations at home.

It’s always exciting to plan for and go on a trip, so it’s a challenge to keep our expectations in check, especially after prepping for one, but we should try. Things can (and will) go wrong. The weather could complicate things or make travel impossible, or someone could become ill or get injured. Even if those worst-case scenarios don’t happen, perhaps the trip won’t meet other expectations. Try to take the pressure off and remember that this is simply a way to reconnect with yourself, your family and perhaps with nature. Go with the flow and just be happy to be out and about (and away from a desk, stove and washing machine). Before you know it, you’ll be back at work and wishing you were back on vacation!