Ranked: The 5 Best Budget-Friendly Winter Travel Spots

Once the holidays are over and winter kicks into full swing, I usually get antsy waiting for spring to arrive. And with colder temperatures already settling where I live, I'm daydreaming of vacations early this year.

The good news is, you don't have to break the bank to travel to many places. If you've racked up free airline miles on your travel credit card over the past year or just need a budget-friendly getaway to cure your cabin fever, these travel spots should do the trick.

1. St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

I went to the U.S. Virgin Islands for my honeymoon, and years later, I still consider them one of the best places I've visited. We swam with tropical fishes, went horseback riding on neighboring St. John's island, shopped at the local markets, and spent plenty of time on the beach.

Besides the fantastic weather, the great thing about the islands is that you don't have to break the bank to visit.

A quick search brought up a non-stop, roundtrip flight on Delta Air Lines from New York to St. Thomas for just $219 in January. Add that ticket to your Delta credit card, and you'll be well on your way to sunnier winter days while potentially earning rewards at the same time.

2. Santa Fe, New Mexico

Santa Fe may be just the place if you're looking for a fantastic destination with history and winter activities. You can ski or snowboard atop the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with a base elevation of 10,000 feet -- all just 16 miles outside the city.

History buffs and architecture fans will love the Palace of the Governors in the Santa Fe historic district. The building dates back to 1610 and is a beautiful display of Pueblo Revival architecture.

Some flights to the city are relatively inexpensive right now. I found a roundtrip, one-stop flight from New York to Santa Fe in mid-January for only $314.

3. San Juan, Puerto Rico

One of the best escapes from the winter blues may be to head for the blue skies of Puerto Rico. With January highs in the 80s and lows in the 70s, the winter temperature in San Juan won't disappoint.

Stroll down the historic streets of Old San Juan for shopping and great food, or save a little money by taking a day hike at El Yunque National Forest.

I found a non-stop ticket from Atlanta to San Juan in January for just $110. I'm packing my hiking boots as we speak; we'll meet up at El Toro Wilderness trailhead.

4. Gatlinburg, Tennessee

I took my family to Gatlinburg a few years ago and can't wait to return. We played minigolf in Gatlinburg's downtown, hiked the Great Smoky Mountains, and had a blast at the iconic Dollywood theme park nearby.

While you'll likely run into many other tourists, there are plenty of things for everyone to do in Gatlinburg, including hiking, an amazing sky bridge, and roller coasters in nearby Pigeon Forge, in addition to an aquarium and museums.

A roundtrip non-stop flight from Chicago to Gatlinburg in early January can be yours for only $178.

5. Washington, D.C.

I grew up just a few hours from Washington, D.C., and made several trips there with my family and school. Now, I know why -- it's an affordable place to take kids. The city is teeming with free museums, including the Smithsonian National Museum of History, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture, to name a few.

After you've perused the books in the Library of Congress and walked down the National Mall, I recommend taking the metro to Alexandria to stroll down the cobblestone streets in Old Town. With tons of local shops to choose from, take your credit card with you on this outing.

Washington, D.C., is easily accessible by car if you live in the northeast or mid-Atlantic area and is a quick train ride from New York. I also found a roundtrip non-stop flight from Chicago to Washington, D.C., for only $208.

A quick tip on how to save money on winter travel

In addition to choosing one of these budget-friendly destinations, you can likely save money on your next trip simply by being flexible with your travel schedule.

When booking your airfare, select different airlines and airports, and test different arrival and departure times. Even if you don't find a better deal, you'll at least know that you got the best price for your winter vacation.