These 6 Southeast Winter Getaways Are Off Spring Breakers’ Radar

If you’re looking for a late-winter getaway in the Southeast but don’t want to contend with spring break partiers, several places offer beach and family fun without the teeming crowds.

Here are some options in Florida and Georgia:

Hang With The Manatees

Winter is the best time of the year to visit Crystal River, Florida, the so-called “manatee capital of the world.”

Manatees like to visit the thermal springs in the area when sea temperatures fall. It’s not uncommon to see the sea cows in the crystal waters of both Homosassa Springs and Three Sisters Springs from the land. And some tourism businesses offer chances to swim, kayak and paddleboard near the sea cows — from a distance prescribed in conservation regulations. However, these gentle creatures with no natural predators do sometimes swim up and interact with humans.

Outdoor pursuits in Citrus County extend beyond the manatees with hiking, biking, fishing and scalloping, and other outdoor activities.

Crystal River is also a great place for foodies to visit with restaurants catering to a variety of tastes from fresh seafood to down-home cooking. A full calendar of arts and cultural events awaits, too.

Visit This ‘Culture-Packed Gem’

Naples, located in southwest Florida on the Gulf Coast, in a more peaceful destination than nearby Fort Myers, according to TripAdvisor, which calls it a “polished, culture-packed gem fringed by blue bays and sugar-sand beaches.”

The city has mild winter temperatures and low humidity. Daytime temperatures range from the mid-60s to low 70s, while it’s generally cooler in the evenings, in the mid- to upper 50s.

This city is known for its 9 miles of pristine white sand beaches. Don't miss Naples Pier, which shoots more than 1,000 feet into the Gulf,offers panoramic views of the water. You may even see a few dolphins.

Naples is also a golfer’s paradise with top-rated courses that cater to seasoned pros and beginners. It’s full of museums and galleries, upscale shopping, and beachside restaurants serving extremely fresh seafood.

Visit Florida’s Oldest Inland Town

For an interior Florida getaway, consider Micanopy, a historic town with access to Payne Prairie Preserve Park, combines small-town charm, natural beauty and mild winter weather. Founded in 1821, Micanopy is the oldest inland town in Florida.

The town has fewer than 1,000 residents, but it’s a weekend destination for visitors drawn to the historic storefronts of Cholokka Boulevard that house quaint boutiques, antique shops and eateries.

Just outside the downtown area are short and easy hiking trails at Native American Heritage Preserve and Tuscawilla Preserve. Nearby are Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, which offers the rare chance to spot bison and wild horses that roam there, and Barr Hammock Preserve.

Ten miles east of Micanopy are Cross Creek and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, where visitors can explore the Cracker-style home and 1930s-era farm that belonged to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Yearling,” and eat at The Yearling Restaurant, where cabins are available for longer stays.

For a fancier stay, consider the circa 1845 Herlong Mansion Bed & Breakfast, which is almost as old as Micanopy. Southern hospitality is the trademark of the National Register of Historic Places-listed inn, which offers a generous breakfast every morning and platters of fresh-baked cookies and wine in the evenings.

Another option, the Micanopy Inn, is a 60-room boutique motel that offer Florida Ga tors-themed rooms. The husband-and-wife owners focus on providing memorable experiences to their guests.

Chase Waterfalls In Blue Ridge

Winter is the off-season for Blue Ridge, a quintessential Georgia mountain town with a gorgeous view of the Appalachian Mountains. Just a short drive from Atlanta, Blue Ridge was once considered an elite health resort because of its pure mineral waters. It was built up as a railroad town that attracted visitors who would take the train to town, eat dinner and take a stroll to the mineral springs.

Today, visitors still ride the train to Blue Ridge and take in the small-town, friendly atmosphere as they stroll Main Street, which is filled with antique and specialty shops, galleries and restaurants.

There are 16 waterfalls within a short drive of Blue Ridge, and those with a steep drop are especially impressive in the late winter and early spring. One of the most spectacular is Amicalola Falls, located about 35 miles from Blue Ridge. At 729 feet, is the tallest cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River.

Visit ‘The Hostess City Of The South’

Savannah is known as the “Hostess City of the South” because of its history, culture and hospitality.

It’s a perfect coastal city for a winter getaway. Temperatures are generally mild, and the crowds are minimal compared to peak tourist season, making it a great time to take a walking tour. Trolley tours are an option, too.

The coastal city’s rich history is apparent at every turn, from museum and historic homes to the multiple squares, public gathering places and parks that were part of the city’s early urban plan. Each one has special historic or cultural significance and sometime, as is the case of Chippewa Square, significance in pop culture as well. The movie character Forrest Gump told his life story from a park bench in Chippewa Square.

Where to eat can be a major decision. The city’s spirits and cuisine are world renowned. Restaurnans range from fancy to down home. For the latter, don’t miss Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room, where the line forms well before the 11 a.m. opening for a chance to sit alongside strangers at one of the large tables-for-10. The tables are heaped with platters and bowls of traditional Southern fare like fried chicken and cornbread dressing, sweet potato souffle, black-eyed peas, okra gumbo, corn muffins and biscuits. The menu changes daily.

Don’t miss out on Broughton Street, Savannah’s main drag. It’s full of shops, places to eat and galleries, including the always-free Gutstein Gallery that has been home to exhibition of artists like Yoko Ono, Chuck Close, Richard Mosse, and Gregory Crewdson.

The two-floor Paris Market and Brocante is a fabulous place to shop. Paula Danyluk, who owns it, travels with her husband to places like France, Milan, Rome, India, and Cairo in search of treasures and decor for the market.

Savannah blends its old-world charm with a vibrant selection of performances, location and celebrations that have helped position Savannah as a leading actor in countless novels, films and TV series.

There’s no shortage of places to stay, including campgrounds and RV parks. hotels and motels, and historic inns and bed and breakfasts. Savannah also has a few haunted boutique hotels.

Visit Germany But Stay In Georgia

A visit to the alpine village of Helen, Georgia, can be a bit like stepping inside a Bavarian snow globe in the winter. Known for its European architecture, Helen offers a charming mix of shops and restaurants where visitors can see artisans hand-blowing glass or making fudge on a marble slab.

Visitors may feel as if they’re strolling the cobblestone street of a quintessential German village, but instead are supporting a vibrant local business district dotted with boutiques, gift shops and emporiums, according to Helen tourism officials.

Helen has multiple historic sites and other attractions, including spas, activities for families, art galleries and museums, and scrumptious cuisine along the way.

Outdoorsy types will find plenty to do, too. The frozen waterfalls Ruby Falls or Raven Cliff Falls are an icy delight.

Helen is a 90-mile drive from Atlanta.