Aspen vs. Breckenridge: How to choose your Colorado mountain town

November falls between two of the busiest travel windows of the year: summer vacation and the winter holidays. Airfare and hotel rates tend to soften, popular attractions are easier to book, and the weather in many destinations is mild enough for outdoor activities without the peak-season heat or crowds.  It's also a month of transition: ski towns are gearing up for winter, beach destinations are cooling into their most comfortable stretch, and European cities settle into a slower, more local rhythm.  Whether the goal is a coastal escape, a cultural city break or a warm-weather reset, November tends to reward travelers who go against the grain of the holiday rush. For a broader look at For domestic trips, November favors destinations known for outdoor scenery, food and events rather than peak summer crowds. Two standouts: Malibu, California Malibu's cooler, breezy weather in November is ideal for long beach walks and hikes through trails like Solstice Canyon. The slower pace ahead of the holidays makes it easy to spend a few unhurried days wine tasting in the Malibu Hills, touring the art and architecture at the Getty Villa, or taking a surf lesson. Gray whale season begins offshore in December, so a late-month coastal boat tour may catch the first arrivals. Cap it off with a drive along the Pacific Coast Highway for one of the best late-autumn getaways in Southern California. Charleston, South Carolina Charleston pairs mild November weather with a packed events calendar, including the Charleston Art Walk and the NCAA Charleston Classic basketball tournament. Lighter crowds make it easier to book tables at the city's top restaurants and explore the historic district without the summer rush. Visiting over Thanksgiving adds the bonus of a true Southern feast, from creamy casseroles to spiced pumpkin pie. November is shoulder season across most of Europe, which means fewer tourists, shorter lines and a more relaxed way to experience cities that are packed in summer. The summer crowds thin out considerably in Rome by November, making it an easier month to see the Colosseum, the Vatican and the Pantheon at a relaxed pace. Milder temperatures are ideal for wandering cobblestone streets, sipping espresso in Trastevere or having gelato by the Trevi Fountain without the summer heat. Hearty pasta dishes, roasted chestnuts and rich reds pair well with the crisp evenings. Paris in November trades peak-season crowds for a quieter, more local pace. Museums like the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay are far easier to navigate, and the city's cafes and bistros feel less rushed. Crisp air and shorter days make it a natural season for slow mornings at a neighborhood boulangerie followed by an afternoon wandering the Marais or Montmartre. Tuscany's olive harvest wraps up in November, and the surrounding countryside settles into a quieter rhythm that makes it easier to book a table at a favorite trattoria or tour a vineyard without a wait. In Florence, the Uffizi Gallery and the Duomo are noticeably less crowded, and the cooler weather is well suited to exploring the city on foot. Not every November trip has to trade sunshine for sweaters. These destinations hold onto warm weather well into late fall. Average highs in the 70s and 80s make Fort Lauderdale a reliable warm-weather escape in November. Spend the day strolling Las Olas Boulevard, dining al fresco or taking a day trip to Everglades National Park for an airboat tour with fewer crowds. It's a warm-weather getaway that feels far removed from gray November skies elsewhere in the country. Hawaii is a top pick for warm-weather travel in November thanks to fewer crowds, lower prices and consistently balmy weather. The month also kicks off big-wave season on Oahu's North Shore, where surfers take on some of the most legendary swells in the country. On Maui, whale-watching season begins, offering a chance to spot humpbacks migrating through the Pacific. Beyond the beaches, the quieter pace makes it a good time for hiking and snorkeling without the peak-season rush. Just a short flight from the West Coast, Cabo offers sun-drenched days and a laid-back pace that's hard to resist in November. The month brings warm, dry weather before peak season begins, making it an easy time to sail along the coast, golf one of the region's oceanfront courses or spend an evening at a beachfront restaurant without a wait. The best November trips are often the ones people want to repeat: a coastal drive through Malibu with family, a quiet week in Tuscany, a warm afternoon on a Cabo beach. But booking a hotel or vacation rental every year means starting from scratch each time, with no guarantee of the same view, the same neighborhood or even the same availability.  Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a fully managed luxury home through a property-specific LLC, giving them a true real estate asset without the full cost of ownership. That means a real second home in a favorite November destination, professionally managed and ready when it's time to visit, rather than a different rental every year.  Pacaso's portfolio spans

Ask a group of skiers to name the best ski towns in the country and you will get a long, passionate list. Some care most about the mountain. Others care about the walk from the gondola to dinner, the après scene or how easy it is to fly in for a long weekend. The towns below deliver on both fronts: terrain worth the trip and a place you actually want to spend your evenings. This guide covers 12 of the best ski towns in the U.S., how the top Colorado options compare, which towns suit different kinds of skiers, and when resorts plan to open for the 2026-27 season. A great ski town is more than a lift ticket. These are the factors we weighed when choosing the best ski resort towns in the U.S.: Here is a quick look at all 12 towns before the full breakdown. Acreage reflects the primary resort (or resorts) closest to each town. Aspen is the most complete ski town in the country. A former silver mining town with a historic, walkable downtown, it gives skiers access to four distinct mountains on one Aspen Snowmass ticket or Ikon Pass, linked by free RFTA buses: Off the slopes, Aspen has Michelin-recognized restaurants, galleries, the Aspen Art Museum and live music at Belly Up. Aspen/Pitkin County Airport sits just a few miles from town. Explore Vail was purpose-built as a ski resort in the 1960s, and it shows. Its Bavarian-style villages, Vail Village and Lionshead, are pedestrian-friendly and sit right at the base of Vail Mountain, the largest ski area in Colorado at 5,317 acres.  The north-facing Front Side holds most of the groomers, while the Legendary Back Bowls cover roughly 3,000 acres of open terrain that shines on powder days. Blue Sky Basin adds gladed, backcountry-style skiing farther out. Vail sits right off Interstate 70, about two hours from Denver, and Eagle County Regional Airport is roughly 35 miles away. It runs on the Epic Pass. Browse Breckenridge is the most down-to-earth of Colorado's big ski towns. Its historic Main Street is lined with colorful Victorian-era buildings, breweries and shops, and the town hosts favorites like Ullr Fest in December and the International Snow Sculpture Championships in January. Breckenridge Ski Resort spans 2,908 acres across five connected peaks and tops out at 12,998 feet. It is home to the Imperial Express, the highest chairlift in North America, and the BreckConnect Gondola links town to Peaks 7 and 8.  Breck is about 80 miles from Denver International Airport, so weekends can be busy. Plan for the 9,600-foot base elevation by giving yourself a day to acclimate. See Tucked into a box canyon in the San Juan Mountains, Telluride is a former mining town with a National Historic Landmark district and some of the most dramatic scenery in the Rockies. A free gondola connects downtown with Mountain Village, so it is easy to stay car-free. Telluride Ski Resort covers about 2,000 acres with a 4,425-foot vertical drop, mixing long beginner-friendly runs with steep, hike-to expert terrain. Its remote location means smaller crowds than resorts closer to Denver.  Epic Pass holders get up to seven days here, and reservations are no longer required. For ideas beyond the slopes, see our Steamboat Springs is a working ranch town that happens to have a world-class ski resort. Locals still wear cowboy hats downtown, the town has produced dozens of Winter Olympians, and Howelsen Hill, right in town, is one of the oldest operating ski areas in the West. Steamboat Resort is famous for its light, dry Champagne Powder and its tree skiing. After its recent expansion, the resort covers 3,741 acres, including the expert terrain of Mahogany Ridge, and the Wild Blue Gondola, the longest and fastest 10-person gondola in North America, carries skiers from the base to Sunshine Peak.  After skiing, soak at Strawberry Park Hot Springs. Steamboat is on the Ikon Pass. Discover Park City may be the easiest big-mountain trip in the country: Salt Lake City International Airport is roughly 40 minutes away. The former mining town has a historic Main Street packed with restaurants and galleries, and it was the longtime home of the Sundance Film Festival, which moved to Boulder, Colorado, beginning in 2027. Two resorts sit minutes from town: Find Jackson is the classic Western ski town: wooden boardwalks, elk antler arches on Town Square and the Teton Range filling the skyline. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort covers more than 2,500 acres with over 4,100 feet of vertical, and its aerial tram climbs to the top of Rendezvous Mountain. Experts come for steep chutes like Corbet's Couloir, though there is solid intermediate terrain too. Two more ski areas are nearby: Snow King Mountain, right in town, and Grand Targhee, about an hour away. Off the slopes, take a sleigh ride through the National Elk Refuge or a winter wildlife tour in Grand Teton National Park. Jackson Hole is on the Ikon Pass. Browse The Lake Tahoe region has more than a dozen ski areas, so there is no single ski town here. Instead, you choose a shore: Reno-Tahoe International Airport is about an hour from most of the lake. Explore Bend is an outdoor town first and a ski town second, which is exactly its appeal. The Central Oregon high desert city has a walkable downtown, a celebrated brewery scene along the Bend Ale Trail and easy access to the Deschutes River. Mt. Bachelor, about 22 miles from town, offers more than 4,300 skiable acres and lift-served skiing off the summit in every direction. Its dry, high-desert snow and long season make it a favorite in the Pacific Northwest. Redmond Municipal Airport is about 30 minutes from Bend. See Sun Valley opened in 1936 as America's first destination ski resort and introduced the world's first chairlifts. It still has old-Hollywood style, and the neighboring town of Ketchum adds galleries, restaurants and the Ernest Hemingway connection. The area sits within the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, so clear nights are spectacular. Bald Mountain delivers about 3,400 feet of consistent, fall-line vertical, while Dollar Mountain is a gentle learning hill for beginners and kids. For 2026-27, the resort plans to open two new chairlifts, Lookout Express and Christmas, and continue adding gladed terrain. Lift lines are famously short, and Ikon Pass holders get seven days. Big Sky is the answer for skiers who want room to roam. Big Sky Resort covers about 5,850 acres, making it one of the largest ski areas in the U.S., and the Lone Peak Tram reaches the 11,166-foot summit for some of the steepest lift-served lines in the country. Even on busy days, the ratio of skiers to acres stays low. The town has grown into a polished mountain community without losing its remote feel, and Yellowstone National Park is close enough for a winter day trip. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is about an hour away. Big Sky is on the Ikon Pass. Stowe is the picture-perfect New England ski town, with a white-steepled church, covered bridges and a village of inns and maple-themed shops. The von Trapp family settled here in the 1940s, and the Trapp Family Lodge still offers Austrian-style hospitality and cross-country skiing. Stowe Mountain Resort sits on Mount Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, with about 485 acres and 116 trails, including the expert runs known as the Front Four. Burlington International Airport is about 45 minutes away, which makes Stowe the top pick on this list for East Coast skiers. Stowe is on the Epic Pass. There is no single best ski town in the U.S. for everyone, but Aspen comes closest. It combines four mountains for every ability, a historic and walkable downtown, a year-round arts and dining scene and its own airport. If you are optimizing for something specific, the answer shifts: Colorado's most popular ski towns often end up on the same shortlist. Here is how the most common comparisons shake out. Aspen gives you more terrain variety, more on-mountain dining and a more upscale town, but it costs more to get to and to stay in. Breckenridge is closer to Denver, more casual and contained within one large, five-peak resort. The two are about 140 miles apart, so few skiers split a single trip between them. Read our full Vail is about scale and ease: one enormous, connected mountain right off I-70. Aspen is about variety and atmosphere: four separate mountains and a real town with a year-round culture calendar. Your pass may decide it, since Vail is on the Epic Pass and Aspen Snowmass is on the Ikon Pass. Dig into the details in our Snowmass and Aspen sit about nine miles apart and share the same lift ticket, so the question is really where to stay. Snowmass suits families and groups who want ski-in, ski-out lodging and wide-open cruisers. Aspen suits travelers who want to walk to dinner, galleries and nightlife. See our Most major U.S. resorts target openings between early November and mid-December, depending on elevation and early-season snow. Here are announced and targeted dates for the 2026-27 season as of early October 2026: All dates depend on snow and weather, so confirm with each resort before booking. For the best conditions, aim for January through March, when bases are deepest. Spring skiing in late March and April brings sunshine, softer snow and lower lodging rates. Holiday weeks fill up early, so book lodging as soon as your dates are set. The best ski seasons tend to become traditions: first chair on opening weekend, the same fireside table after a powder day, a holiday week when the whole family shows up. Having a home of your own in the mountains turns those moments into something you return to every year, instead of rebooking a hotel and hoping the dates line up. The challenge is that buying a ski home outright in towns like Pacaso offers a different path. Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a fully managed luxury home through a property-specific LLC, giving them a true real estate asset without the full cost of ownership.  Pacaso has homes in nine of the ski destinations on this list:

Not a skier? You're in good company. Plenty of people who visit Vail each winter never click into a binding, and the town is built to welcome them. Its two pedestrian villages, heated gondolas, and miles of snowy backcountry make it easy to fill a week with mountain views, good food, and fresh air without a lift ticket. This guide covers the best things to do in Vail for non-skiers, from adventurous outings and quiet spa days to fun activities for kids in Vail Village, plus a few tips on timing and booking. The best things to do in Vail for non-skiers include scenic gondola rides, guided snowshoe tours, snowmobiling, dog sledding, sleigh ride dinners, spa days, ice skating, and exploring Vail Village and Lionshead. Use the table below to match activities to your group. If you came for the mountains but not the lift lines, the Vail Valley has plenty of fun activities that still get your heart rate up. Most are guided, include equipment, and work for first-timers. Snowmobiling is one of the most popular things to do in Vail besides skiing. For higher-elevation riding, Nova Guides leads tours near Camp Hale National Monument, where the 10th Mountain Division trained during World War II. Its routes climb toward the Continental Divide, with views of four mountain ranges. Riders who would rather sit back can book Nova's heated snow coach instead. Walking Mountains Science Center offers free naturalist-led snowshoe tours from its Nature Discovery Center at the top of the Eagle Bahn Gondola. Tours focus on winter ecology and how wildlife survives the season, and snowshoes are provided.  Registration is required, participants must be 10 or older, and you'll need a gondola ticket to reach the meeting point. Dress for about 90 minutes outside with snow pants, gloves, sunglasses, and sturdy boots. In winter, the Vail Golf Club turns into the Vail Nordic Center, with roughly 17 kilometers of groomed track for classic and skate skiing and about 10 kilometers of separate snowshoe trails. Cross-country skiing is a different sport from downhill: it's flat, quiet, and easy to learn with a lesson. Rentals are available on-site. A horse-drawn sleigh ride is a classic Vail winter outing. Bearcat Stables and 4 Eagle Ranch, both west of Vail, offer rides through snowy meadows, and some trips end with a fireside dinner at a rustic cabin. Bundle up, bring a thermos, and book early for holiday dates. Gore Creek and the Eagle River stay fishable through much of the winter, and local outfitters such as You don't need skis to get up on the mountain. Vail's two gondolas and its mid-mountain restaurants give non-skiers plenty of time above 10,000 feet. Both Gondola One, which departs from Vail Village, and the Eagle Bahn Gondola, which departs from Lionshead, are open to foot passengers in winter with a scenic ride ticket. Gondola One rises to Mid-Vail, while Eagle Bahn climbs to Eagle's Nest, the jumping-off point for snowshoe tours. From the top, you can see across the Gore Range, and on clear days the views stretch toward the Continental Divide. Gondola One's cabins have heated seats, which you'll appreciate in January. For many non-skiers, the real draw of Vail is slowing down. These are the best ways to spend a quieter day. Vail's resort spas are built for cold-weather recovery, whether or not you spent the morning outdoors. The spa at Vail's two main villages are walkable, car-free in their cores, and linked by a free in-town bus. Vail Village has the Bavarian-inspired architecture, heated walkways, boutiques, and galleries the town is known for. Lionshead, to the west, is a little more relaxed, with Arrabelle at Vail Square and its outdoor rink at the center. Spend an afternoon browsing shops, then warm up by an outdoor fire pit. The Colorado Snowsports Museum and Hall of Fame tells the story of skiing and snowboarding in Colorado, including the 10th Mountain Division and Olympians like Mikaela Shiffrin. It sits on the third level of the Vail Village Parking Structure, next to the Covered Bridge, and admission is free (donations appreciated). In winter, the museum also leads a one-hour historic walking tour of Vail Village on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 a.m.; call ahead to reserve a spot. Glenwood Springs is about an hour west of Vail on I-70. Its hot springs pools, including Glenwood Hot Springs Pool and Iron Mountain Hot Springs, make a soothing day trip when you want a break from the cold. Check road conditions before you leave, since Glenwood Canyon can close during storms. If you've already done the spa and the gondola, these unusual things to do in Vail for non-skiers make for great stories. Vail is easy with kids, even if no one in the family skis. Here are the most fun activities for kids in Vail Village and nearby. Vail has two outdoor rinks that open daily in winter, both with skate rentals. Tucked into Solaris Plaza, DECA + BOL pairs a restaurant with 10 bowling lanes and lounge seating. It's a reliable plan for a snowy evening or a rest day, and bowling reservations are required. Imagination Station, run by the Vail Recreation District, is a hands-on discovery center with pottery painting, science activities, and virtual reality for older kids. Adults enter free with children. For a quieter break, the Kids Zone at Vail Library has books, educational games, and twice-weekly storytimes. Many older guides still list tubing at Adventure Ridge on Vail Mountain, but the winter tubing hill there has not operated in recent seasons. For tubing, head over Vail Pass to Frisco Adventure Park, about 30 minutes east, which has a groomed, multi-lane tubing hill. Reservations are required, and the season depends on snow conditions. A scenic gondola ride is an easy win with kids, and the free Colorado Snowsports Museum is a good indoor stop. The museum's Olympic gear and vintage equipment tend to hold kids' attention longer than parents expect. Après is one of the best parts of a Vail winter, and you don't have to ski to enjoy it. Grab a seat by a fire pit around 3 p.m. as skiers come off the mountain. Popular restaurants fill up quickly in winter, so reserve ahead, especially from mid-December through early January and during Presidents' Day week. Timing a trip around an event adds a lot for non-skiers. These are the signature winter events to watch for. Dates change each season, so check the Town of Vail and Discover Vail event calendars before booking. Vail Mountain usually opens in mid-November, and the 2026–27 season is set to open on Friday, November 13, 2026, weather permitting. The best timing depends on what you want from the trip. A few planning tips: Vail Village sits at more than 8,000 feet, so drink plenty of water and take it easy on the first day. Use the free in-town bus instead of driving between villages, and book guided activities, spa treatments, and dinners ahead of time. Both towns work well for non-skiers, but they feel different. Aspen has the edge for travelers who want a year-round town with deep arts and culture, while Vail offers easier access from Denver, two walkable villages, and plenty of outdoor activities to fill a week. If you're deciding between the two, our guide to And if you're thinking about a return trip once the snow melts, Vail's warmer months are just as full. See our list of The best mountain trips tend to become traditions. The same fireside table on the first night, the same sleigh ride the kids ask about all year, the same quiet morning walk through the village before the crowds arrive. Having a place of your own in the mountains turns those moments into something you come back to every season. The hard part is that owning a home in Vail outright means carrying the full cost of a mountain property, plus snow removal, maintenance, and upkeep in the months you're not there. Many families love the idea of a Vail home but aren't sure they'd use it enough to justify the expense. Pacaso offers a different path. Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a fully managed luxury home through a property-specific LLC, giving them a true real estate asset without the full cost of ownership.  Learn more about

A great trip rarely happens by accident. The difference between a getaway that feels effortless and one that feels rushed usually comes down to a few early choices: a realistic budget, a destination that fits how you like to spend your time and travel dates that work in your favor. This vacation planning guide organizes those choices into a simple sequence. Each section gives you a short overview and links to a deeper guide, so you can jump straight to the part of the plan you are working on. Most vacation planning follows the same order. Settle the big decisions first, then lock in the details: The sections below follow this same order, from budget to setting to timing. A one-week U.S. vacation costs about $1,991 per person on average, according to Chime's 2026 breakdown, with a typical range of $739 to $5,728. Group size changes the math quickly, because couples and families can split lodging and rental cars but still pay for extra flights, meals and activities. Destination, season, booking timing and lodging type are the biggest cost drivers. For a full breakdown with budgeting tips, read our Once you know your budget, the next vacation planning decision is the setting. Each landscape shapes the pace of the trip, the activities on offer and the best time of year to go. Beach trips win on warm weather, water sports, an easy social scene and simple access, while mountain trips offer cozy stays, outdoor adventure, après-ski dining, dramatic scenery and real solitude. Many travelers end up enjoying both at different times of year. If you are still deciding, compare the case for each in Mountain destinations range from the Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Mountains in the East to the Rockies, Sierra Nevada, Grand Tetons and Cascades in the West. Farther afield, the French Alps, the Dolomites and Mexico's Sierra la Laguna offer a different kind of high-altitude escape. Browse the full list of Lakes combine time on the water with a slower pace than most beach towns. Top picks include Lake Tahoe, Lake Arrowhead, Flathead Lake, Lake Coeur d'Alene, the Finger Lakes and Lake Winnipesaukee, each with its own mix of swimming, boating, hiking and small-town dining. Explore the Who you travel with often matters as much as where you go. The right destination for a couple's anniversary is rarely the right one for a family of five or a trip with your dog. The best couples' trips pair a beautiful setting with time to slow down. Standouts include Napa Valley in fall for hot air balloon rides over the vineyards, Maui in spring for sunrise at Haleakalā, Palm Springs in winter for mineral hot springs, plus Los Cabos, Paris, Tuscany and Charleston. See all of the Family trips work best when there is something for every age. Spring break is one of the busiest windows of the year, and favorites range from Oahu and San Diego to the Grand Canyon, Washington, D.C., Hilton Head Island and Orlando. Get more ideas and planning tips in our list of Bringing your dog means planning around pet-friendly lodging, dining and trails. Destinations like Bend, Carmel-by-the-Sea, Lake Tahoe, Sedona, Asheville and Bar Harbor welcome dogs, and a little prep goes a long way: update ID tags and vaccinations, test your dog's travel tolerance and pack extra supplies. Find state-by-state picks and 10 planning tips in our guide to Timing can make or break a trip. The cooler months offer some of the best opportunities of the year, from fall foliage and harvest season to ski trips and long winter escapes to the sun. Here is a quick look at what each part of the season offers: Fall brings crisp weather, changing leaves and harvest festivals across the country. Top picks include Woodstock, Vermont, the Hudson Valley, Jackson Hole, Napa Valley, Santa Fe, Asheville and Charleston. Browse all of the For couples, fall is one of the most romantic seasons to travel. Our picks are organized by region, from Acadia National Park and Nantucket in the Northeast to Aspen, Telluride and Park City in the West, Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur on the coast, Savannah in the South and Paris, London and Tuscany in Europe. Plan your trip with these November sits in the sweet spot between summer crowds and the holiday rush. Coastal towns like Malibu and event-filled cities like Charleston feel quieter, while Rome, Paris and Florence are easier to enjoy with thinner crowds. For warm weather, Fort Lauderdale, Hawaii and Cabo San Lucas deliver sunshine before peak season begins. Get the full list of Winter travelers usually fall into one of two camps: those chasing snow and those escaping it. Lake Tahoe, Jackson and Vail deliver mountain views and slope access, while Malibu, La Quinta and the Pacific coast offer sunshine and ocean air. Compare both sides with these The best ski towns combine great terrain with just as much to do off the slopes. Vail, Aspen, Breckenridge, Telluride, Park City, Jackson, Sun Valley and Stowe all make the list for their mix of skiing, dining and mountain-town character. Plan your next trip with our list of the A snowbird destination is a warm-weather place where people spend part or all of winter, typically from October or November through March or April. Florida, Arizona, California, Texas and South Carolina lead in the U.S., and Los Cabos is a favorite international option. Because snowbird stays last weeks or months, lodging choice matters more than on a typical trip. Learn what to look for in our guide to the The best trips have a way of turning into traditions: the lake you return to every summer, the ski town where the kids learned to ski, the desert escape you count on each February. Yet every return trip still means starting from scratch, searching listings, comparing prices and hoping the place you loved is still available. For destinations you keep coming back to, owning a home there can turn vacation planning into simply choosing your dates. Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a fully managed home through a property-specific LLC, giving them a true real estate asset without the full cost of ownership.  Here is how that simplifies your travel: Learn more about

Healdsburg is a small Sonoma County town bordered by three of California's best-known wine valleys: Russian River Valley, Alexander Valley and Dry Creek Valley. That location, plus a walkable downtown plaza lined with tasting rooms, makes it one of the more approachable bases in wine country.  With well over 150 wineries within reach, deciding where to taste can be the hardest part of the trip. Below is a curated list of the best Healdsburg wineries, along with dog-friendly picks, tour options and planning tips. Healdsburg wineries draw fruit from three distinct AVAs, each suited to different grapes. Russian River Valley's coastal fog produces some of California's best pinot noir and chardonnay. Dry Creek Valley, just west of downtown, is known for old-vine zinfandel. Alexander Valley, to the northeast, runs warmer and favors cabernet sauvignon and other Bordeaux varietals.  That range means a single day of tasting can move from cool-climate pinot noir to old-vine zinfandel to Alexander Valley cabernet. Add a walkable town plaza with restaurants, boutiques and downtown tasting rooms, and Healdsburg works as well for a single afternoon as it does for a full weekend. These are some of the top Healdsburg wineries, spanning all three surrounding valleys and a range of tasting styles, from reserved estate visits to walk-in downtown flights. Located just south of Healdsburg in the Russian River Valley, Chalk Hill Estate is known for its organic on-site gardens, complete with chickens for fresh eggs and bees for honey. The winery favors minimal intervention winemaking, so tastings reflect a true expression of the vineyard. Beyond pinot noir and chardonnay, look for sauvignon blanc, cabernet, syrah and carménère. Copain, French for "friend," built its tasting program around sharing wine with people you like. The winery sits on a hillside overlooking the Russian River Valley, and its seated tastings pair five single-vineyard wines with small bites with the estate's pinot noir, chardonnay and syrah. Dry Creek Vineyard is an independent, family-owned Healdsburg winery known for red, white and dessert wines that consistently score 90 or higher. Wines are produced from a blend of estate fruit and other local family vineyards. Taste in the chateau-style tasting room, on the terrace or in the Secret Garden, and bring the dog: the outdoor seating area is dog-friendly. A visit to Ferrari-Carano's Villa Fiore in Dry Creek Valley is worth the detour. The Italianate villa sits inside manicured gardens that peak with daffodils and tulips each spring. Ferrari-Carano farms 24 vineyards across 1,200 acres, drawing fruit from all three local valleys plus Napa Carneros and Mendocino Ridge for its cabernet, chardonnay and pinot noir. Gary Farrell keeps things simple: top-notch pinot noir and chardonnay from its Russian River Valley estate. Tastings pair artisan cheese with wine in a cozy tasting salon or on an outdoor terrace with hilltop views, and the winery holds a strong reputation among visitors for its scenery and knowledgeable staff. J Vineyards is best known for sparkling wine, plus a food program built entirely from ingredients sourced within 50 miles of the winery. Tastings happen in the J Bubble Room or on the landscaped terrace's Legacy Lounge, and flights typically include red, white and sparkling wines from Russian River Valley and Sonoma County fruit. Jordan is one of the few Healdsburg wineries that offers overnight stays in its chateau to rewards members. The estate spans 1,200 acres, more than three-quarters of it left wild as part of the winery's conservation program, and Jordan is certified both pollinator-friendly and fish-friendly. MacRostie's glass-walled estate house just outside Healdsburg looks out over the Russian River Valley. The winery works with 30 chardonnay vineyards and 15 pinot noir sites, running up to 130 small fermentations a year to build a broad flavor palate, and it's earned accolades for both its wine and its tasting room. Dogs are welcome in the outdoor areas. Seghesio Winery in Healdsburg is one of the town's oldest, founded in 1895 and still known for zinfandel and heritage Italian varietals from its 300 acres of pre-Prohibition, family-owned vineyards. The downtown tasting room, at 700 Grove Street, is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and includes a wine garden and a "Bocce and Bottles" reservation option. Seghesio is also one of the best dog-friendly wineries in Healdsburg: the Grove Experience is a first-come, first-served outdoor lounge that welcomes leashed dogs and kids, no reservation required. Ten minutes east of downtown, Silver Oak's tasting room pours its signature cabernet sauvignon, made from grapes grown in both Napa Valley and Alexander Valley. Contemporary architecture and reflecting pools frame panoramic views of the estate's 75 acres of cabernet vineyards and the surrounding Alexander Valley. Silver Oak is LEED Platinum certified, and its solar array produces more energy than the winery consumes. VML, sister winery to Truett Hurst, pours from a downtown tasting room on Mill Street and is worth seeking out for the unexpected. The winery produces small lots of pinot noir, chardonnay and other varietals from a collection of small Russian River Valley vineyards, each with its own microclimate, and every label is as playful as what's in the bottle. Williamson Winery in Healdsburg is a downtown fixture, now consolidated into a single tasting room at 18 Matheson Street after closing its original space nearby. Reservations are recommended: seated tastings run daily between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., pairing wine with small artisan bites. Williamson also runs Epicurean Kitchen, a fixed-price bistro around the corner, and hosts reserve tastings at its Yoakim Bridge Estate on Dry Creek Road. Plenty of Healdsburg wineries welcome leashed dogs, which makes the area easy to build a full day around, tasting room to trailhead. Some of the best dog-friendly wineries in Healdsburg include: Most Healdsburg wineries sit along Dry Creek Road or Westside Road, close enough together to string into a self-guided driving or biking day. For a more structured option, several Healdsburg winery tours are worth booking ahead: Tasting fees and gratuities are typically not included in tour pricing, so budget separately for those. Harvest season, roughly late August through October, is Healdsburg's busiest and most rewarding stretch, with crush activity, grape stomps and harvest dinners layered on top of regular tastings. Spring brings blooming gardens at estates like Ferrari-Carano and thinner crowds.  Reservations matter most at name-brand estates and on weekends; several of the wineries above, including Williamson Wines and Seghesio's Grove Experience, still welcome walk-ins, which makes them useful backups if a reserved slot falls through. Visiting Healdsburg wineries on a single trip means packing in as many tastings as the schedule allows. Owning a second home nearby changes that math: instead of a once-a-year itinerary, harvest becomes a season you return to, with a favorite tasting room, a regular restaurant and a porch to come back to after a day among the vines.  Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a For a closer look at how Healdsburg compares to its neighbor across the Mayacamas Mountains, see our guide to

Newport Beach is best known for its harbor and its beaches, but much of its character sits a block or two back from the sand. The town has deep maritime roots, an easy social rhythm and a string of distinct neighborhoods, from Balboa Island to Corona del Mar. Whether you have a weekend or a full summer, here are the best things to do in Newport Beach, from the well-known beaches to the places locals return to. If you only have a short list, start here. These are the things to do in Newport Beach that consistently top visitor and local favorites alike: Keep reading for the full breakdown of beaches, dining, family activities, and the local favorites that round out any list of best things to do in Newport Beach. Newport Beach isn't just about sunbathing and yacht spotting. Its coastline covers everything from wide sandy stretches to quiet tide pools. These are the neighborhood staples locals keep coming back to. Newport Beach may be known for upscale shopping and fine dining, but it has plenty of fun things to do in Newport Beach with kids too. For a full itinerary built specifically around kids, see our guide to When you're ready to brush off the sand, these local spots deliver history, charm, and a little retail therapy. They're the unique things to do in Newport Beach that regulars rarely tell visitors about. Between the harbor sunsets and the slow coastal pace, there's no shortage of romantic things to do in Newport Beach. Newport Beach's calendar has a strong seasonal rhythm worth planning a trip around. Beyond the beach towel, Newport Beach rewards visitors who want to get moving. The more time you spend exploring the best beaches, restaurants, and local favorites, the more a weekend trip can start to feel like it's not quite enough. Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a Instead of booking a hotel or rental every time you want to explore Newport Beach's beaches, harbor, and dining scene, ownership means a dedicated home base that's ready when you arrive, without the responsibility of managing it full time. See available

South Carolina's coast is lined with barrier islands, and two of them come up again and again when people plan a Lowcountry getaway or look for a second home: Kiawah Island and Hilton Head. Both offer warm water, soft sand, maritime forests, and some of the best golf in the country. Yet they feel very different once you arrive. This guide compares Kiawah Island vs. Hilton Head across the factors that matter most for a repeat visitor or future owner: access, climate, beaches, golf, dining, cost of living, and the real estate market. We also look at where Charleston fits in, since many travelers weigh all three. The short answer: Kiawah Island is quieter, more private, and more expensive, while Hilton Head is larger, more developed, and more social. Kiawah suits travelers who want long, uncrowded beach walks and a nature-focused island. Hilton Head suits those who want many restaurants, public beaches, and a wide range of activities within a short bike ride. Both islands connect to the mainland by road, so no ferry is required for either one. The bigger difference is which airport and city you'll use as your gateway. Kiawah sits about 25 miles southwest of downtown Charleston, roughly a 40-minute drive through Johns Island. Charleston International Airport (CHS) is about 33 miles away, and Charleston Executive Airport (JZI) is closer for private flights. Kiawah is a gated community, so guests check in at the main gate with a reservation or owner's guest pass. The two-lane approach roads can back up on summer Saturdays, so plan extra time for arrival day. Hilton Head is about 20 miles northeast of Savannah as the crow flies and 95 miles southwest of Charleston. Most visitors fly into Savannah/Hilton Head International (SAV) and drive about 45 minutes over the U.S. 278 bridges. Hilton Head Island Airport (HHH) sits right on the island for regional and private flights. Once there, William Hilton Parkway and the Cross Island Parkway connect most neighborhoods, and more than 60 miles of multi-use paths make it easy to get around by bike. There's no scheduled ferry or passenger boat between Hilton Head and Kiawah Island. Boaters can make the trip privately along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, a sheltered route of roughly 70 miles that winds through Port Royal Sound, the ACE Basin, and the North Edisto River. Kiawah itself has no public marina, so most boaters tie up at Bohicket Marina, a full-service marina between Kiawah and Seabrook Islands that accommodates vessels up to 150 feet. Depending on the boat and tides, the trip can take a few hours in a fast powerboat or most of a day in a trawler. For most travelers, the 110-mile drive (about 2 hours and 15 minutes) is the practical choice. Kiawah Island and Hilton Head share a humid subtropical climate, and day-to-day weather is nearly identical. Hilton Head, about 50 miles farther south as the crow flies, tends to run a touch milder in winter. Both islands fall within the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 through November 30), so owners should plan for flood insurance and storm preparedness no matter which island they choose. Both islands have wide, flat beaches with gentle surf and hard-packed sand that's easy to bike on at low tide. Visitors to either island can spot loggerhead sea turtles in nesting season, dolphins in the creeks, and herons and egrets in the marsh. The difference is how you access them. Kiawah's 10 miles of beach are mostly reserved for residents, owners, and resort guests, which keeps the shoreline uncrowded even in summer. The only public access is Beachwalker Park, a Charleston County park on the island's west end.  More than a third of the island is protected: according to the See our guide to Hilton Head's 12 miles of Atlantic beachfront are largely public, with well-kept access points, restrooms, and parking. For nature, the 4,000-acre For a single bucket-list round, Kiawah Island has the edge. For variety over a longer stay, Hilton Head wins. Kiawah's stays and restaurants lean intimate and low-rise, designed to blend into the landscape. Hilton Head offers far more choice at a wider range of price points, plus a more active evening scene. The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort is the island's flagship oceanfront hotel, and most other stays are private villas and homes. Dining centers on fresh Lowcountry seafood with a Evenings are quiet. Freshfields Village, just outside the gate, is the go-to spot for casual dinners, shopping, and seasonal live music. Hilton Head's larger footprint supports everything from beachfront resorts like the Omni Hilton Head Oceanfront Resort and the Inn & Club at Harbour Town to rental villas and family condos. Montage Palmetto Bluff is a short drive away in Bluffton. With more than 250 restaurants, the dining scene ranges from casual seafood shacks to Italian, Caribbean, and Japanese cuisine: Nightlife is easy to find. The Tiki Hut on Coligny Beach draws a crowd for waterside drinks, and Harbour Town and Shelter Cove host live music and family concerts through the summer. Both islands cost more than the typical U.S. town, but Kiawah sits in a higher tier. Housing is the biggest driver: Kiawah's average home value is nearly three times Hilton Head's. Everyday costs also run higher on Kiawah, where most groceries and services come from Freshfields Village or Johns Island, while Hilton Head has a full range of grocery stores, shops, and services on the island itself. A few other costs to plan for on either island: When comparing Kiawah Island vs. Hilton Head real estate, the core difference is supply. Kiawah is a master-planned island with a development cap and a large share of protected land, so inventory is tight and prices are high. Hilton Head is larger and more developed, with a broader mix of condos, villas, and single-family homes across many neighborhoods. Many travelers comparing Kiawah Island vs. Hilton Head vs. Charleston are really choosing between an island escape and a city base. Kiawah offers the best of both: island seclusion with Charleston's restaurants and history about 40 minutes away. Hilton Head pairs more naturally with Savannah, while a Charleston stay suits travelers who want city energy first and beach days second. The best Lowcountry trips tend to become traditions: the same stretch of beach every summer, a favorite oyster roast in the fall, a porch where the whole family gathers after a day on the water. Owning a place to come back to makes those moments easier to repeat. But on islands where homes can cost several million dollars, and where upkeep, storms, and scheduling add up, full ownership often means spending more time managing a house than enjoying it. Pacaso offers a simpler path. Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a fully managed luxury home through a property-specific LLC, giving them a true real estate asset without the full cost of ownership.  Every home is Whether you're drawn to Kiawah's quiet shoreline or Hilton Head's lively beach scene, you can

Vail and Aspen sit about 110 road miles apart in the Colorado Rockies, and both average well over 300 inches of snow a year. That's where the similarities start to thin out. One is a purpose-built ski village wrapped around a single giant mountain; the other is a 19th-century silver mining town with four separate ski areas and a year-round culture calendar. Here's how they compare on skiing, après, families, summer, access, and real estate, updated for the 2026-27 season. The short version: Vail is about scale and ease, and Aspen is about variety and atmosphere. Vail Mountain is the largest ski area in Colorado and sits right off Interstate 70, so it's an easier trip from Denver. Aspen is farther out, but its four mountains, walkable downtown, and arts scene give it a character that's hard to match anywhere in the West. Typical home values reflect Zillow's Home Value Index across all home types, including condos. Single-family homes in both towns trade well above these figures. On paper, the two are close in total acreage. In practice, they ski very differently. Vail is one connected mountain you can explore for a week without repeating a run. Aspen gives you four distinct mountains, each with its own personality, linked by free buses rather than lifts. Vail's 5,317 acres break into three areas. The north-facing Front Side (about 1,627 acres) holds most of the groomed runs and lifts, with Gondola One rising from Vail Village and the Eagle Bahn Gondola from Lionshead. Behind it, the seven Legendary Back Bowls cover roughly 3,017 acres of open, largely treeless terrain that's at its best on powder days. Farther out, Blue Sky Basin adds about 645 acres of gladed, backcountry-style skiing. Aspen's biggest skiing advantage is variety. One Aspen Snowmass ticket or pass covers all four mountains, and free RFTA buses connect them with downtown Aspen and Snowmass Village. If you're deciding where to base yourself within the valley, see our guide to Your season pass may decide this for you. Vail is owned by Vail Resorts and runs on the Epic Pass, while Aspen Snowmass partners with Alterra's Ikon Pass. Neither pass works at the other resort. Note: Prices shown as of September 2026. Both passes raise prices at set points through the fall and stop selling in early December, so confirm current rates at epicpass.com and ikonpass.com before buying. A few 2026-27 changes worth knowing: All dates depend on snow and weather, so confirm with each resort before booking. Both towns take après seriously, but the mood is different. Snowmass is also reopening a reimagined Ullrhof, its first all-electric restaurant, this season. After dark, Belly Up brings major touring acts to an intimate downtown room, and many restaurants in town have been recognized by the Michelin Guide. Both are strong family destinations, and the right pick depends on how your group skis together. Aspen has the edge for non-skiers, mainly because it's a real town with a year-round cultural life. Vail still offers plenty to fill a week off the slopes. For more ideas, see our list of Both towns are four-season destinations, and summer is where Aspen's cultural reputation really shows. Outdoors, the Maroon Bells, the drive over Independence Pass, and miles of hiking and biking trails are all close by. Fall is just as striking, with aspen groves turning gold from late September into early October. See our guide to On the mountain, gondola rides, mountain biking, and adventure activities keep kids busy, and the Eagle River and Gore Creek offer excellent fly fishing. Browse our list of Access is Vail's clearest advantage. Once you arrive, you won't need a car in either town. Vail runs free in-town buses between its villages, and Aspen's free RFTA buses connect downtown with all four mountains. Both are among the most expensive mountain markets in the country, but Aspen is in a category of its own. Whichever town you choose, a few features make a ski home far easier to enjoy: Breckenridge often enters the conversation as the third option, and it's a very different trip from either Vail or Aspen. Breckenridge Ski Resort covers about 2,908 acres across five connected peaks (Peaks 6 through 10) and tops out at 12,998 feet. It's home to the Imperial Express, the highest chairlift in North America, and hike-to bowls on Peak 6 for experts. It's about 80 miles, or roughly two hours, from Denver International Airport. The BreckConnect Gondola links town to Peaks 7 and 8, and the free Ride bus covers the rest. Like Vail, Breck is on the Epic Pass, and it's scheduled to open Nov. 6, 2026. Off the mountain, Breck's historic Main Street is lined with colorful Victorian buildings, shops, and breweries, and the vibe is the most casual of the three. Its proximity to Denver also means it's the busiest on weekends. One thing to plan for: the base elevation is 9,600 feet, so give yourself time to acclimate. For a wider look at the region and beyond, see our roundup of There's no wrong answer, only a better fit for how you like to spend your mountain time. The best mountain trips tend to become traditions: the same first chair on opening weekend, the same fireside table after a powder day, the same summer week when the whole family shows up for the music festival. Having a home of your own in the mountains turns those moments into something you return to year after year, instead of rebooking a hotel and hoping the dates line up. The challenge is that buying a ski home outright in Vail or Aspen means carrying the full cost of a multimillion-dollar property, plus snow removal, Pacaso offers a different path. Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a fully managed luxury home through a property-specific LLC, giving them a true real estate asset without the full cost of ownership.  Each home is Learn more about