In a city, it takes less than a day for a winter wonderland to become a landscape of gray sludge. If you’ve got the chance, skip out of town on one of these winter escapes and leave the nasty pile-ups to Public Works.

Photo by LaTur.

FRONT ROYAL, VA: There are lots of reasons to visit Front Royal, which is about an hour’s drive from D.C. It has cute antique shops and you can hop on the famed Skyline Drive for a pretty view of the foliage. But if you’re planning a winter weekend getaway, you’d best book yourself a cabin at Hot Tub Heaven. These vacation rentals are cute, reasonably priced, and ideal for a group. And, most importantly, every cabin has a hot tub. To round out the weekend, I’d suggest hitting up one of the nearby wineries or heading a bit further afield to the Cactotin Creek distillery (120 W Main St, Purcellville, Virginia) followed by some tipsy antiquing. And be sure to stop at the Apple House (4675 John Marshall Highway, Linden, Virginia) for some barbeque and fresh cider donuts.—Alicia Mazzara

LANSDOWNE RESORT: Lansdowne Resort is in Leesburg, about 10 minutes from Dulles Airport. That makes it perfect for a relatively close getaway. While it may be too cold to golf on the site’s illustrious course, the resort has plenty of relaxing ways to enjoy your vacay. You can spend a morning at the spa and grab lunch at Stonewalls Tavern—known for its massive fireplace, overstuffed leather chairs, and sports bar atmosphere. The resort also features a tennis and aquatic complexes, and a premier health and fitness center. The resort is located in Virginia’s wine country, so you can cap the evening by visiting one of 30 local wineries.—Christina Sturdivant

BERKELEY SPRINGS, WV: Will the famed mineral water in historic Berkeley Springs heal what ails you? I don’t know, but I did try soaking in it for 20 minutes or so. What is more likely to heal you are any of the other spa-related services available in this quirky resort town about an hour and a half from D.C. The town is famous for its hot springs, boasting the first spa in America. The main drag smacks of small-town charm with funky coffee shops and cafes, which tend to be filled with shiny-faced women fresh off a facial. Get your zen on with a soak or massage at one of the many spas in town; it’s the perfect indoor activity for a cold, blustery weekend.—Alicia Mazzara

WILLIAMSBURG, VA: If you’re looking to wow the kids (or, ahem, yourself), take them on a two hour drive to Christmas Town. During the summer Busch Gardens is known for its splash parks and roller coasters, but during the winter it transforms into a holiday-themed wonderland complete with eight million lights. Christmas Town runs from November 27 through January 23 and features live performances, a santa’s workshop, holiday dining options, and plenty of places to shops—so it’s perfect for children and adults. Plus, families can experience Christmas traditions across the globe. Tickets start at $35. And while you’re in Williamsburg, check out the Jamestown Settlement, the Colonial Williamsburg museum and other attractions that make the town rich in history.—Christina Sturdivant

MASSANUTTEN, VA: If you’re into snow sports, Massanutten Resort has just about all of them. If you’d prefer to an indoor waterpark or spa, they’ve got those too. Surrounded by the mountains of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, this is an ideal destination for groups who can’t decide whether to take in the stiff winter air or cozy up by the fireplace. The resort offers private condos with all the amenities you’d get at home, or hotels rooms if you need less space. Warning: this is a timeshare spot so they will try to get you to purchase.—Christina Sturdivant

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ: People say this old gambling town is crumbling as casino after casino shuts down. But maybe that’s the best reason to try your luck at one of the eight that remain. And for a beach town, Atlantic City is pretty focused on its indoor activities so you won’t miss anything outdoorsy if you spend your whole time there at the blackjack table. Think about it—you could be personally responsible for bringing this place back from the brink.

STICK AROUND: C’mon, let’s be real. Why would you want to go anywhere in the winter? D.C. has a ton of cozy places for a wintry day, including bars with great fireplaces and opportunities to view world-class art. If you’re feeling really adventurous, you can snowshoe through Rock Creek Park.