Winter getaway ideas: 8 quick & easy flights from Detroit
Escape the cold on one of these non-stop flights from Detroit to popular destinations for the ultimate winter getaway.
Detroit was named one of Travel + Leisure’s best places to go in 2025—and for good reason. The Motor City is home to plenty of cultural attractions, must-try restaurants, and energetic entertainment venues. But come winter time, the chilly temps leave many dreaming of warmer locales.
Fortunately, the Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport is a major transportation hub and offers tons of direct flights to warm-weather destinations. From Cancun to Charlotte, discover all the places you can get to via nonstop flights from Detroit for a quick winter getaway.
Arizona
Phoenix
Phoenix is an outdoor lover’s dream, with plenty of hiking trails, parks, and bike paths to explore. But the Valley of the Sun is also making a name for itself as a destination for foodies and fashionistas. Get brunch at one of these popular spots, try a vegan-friendly restaurant, or dine at one of the city’s best pizza joints. Refresh your wardrobe at one of these sustainable stores or head to Biltmore Fashion Park, home to more than 60 stores and restaurants.
For more ideas on how to spend your vacation in Phoenix, check out Copper Courier’s guide of 21 fun things to do in the city.
Flight time from Detroit: About four hours and 30 minutes via American Airlines, Delta, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines.
Where to stay: The Arizona Biltmore is a luxe resort with a spa and pickleball courts, the Sheraton Grand at Wild Horse Pass boasts a beautiful panoramic view of the Sierra Estrella mountain range, and The Camby offers an authentic southwestern experience. Traveling with your pet? Check out these pet-friendly hotels.
Florida
Fort Lauderdale
There’s plenty of fun to be had in Fort Lauderdale, a coastal city known for its beaches. Start your vacation at The Strip, a promenade that’s lined with outdoor restaurants and bars, boutiques, and hotels.
Las Olas Boulevard is another top destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Las Olas Beach is one of Fort Lauderdale’s most beautiful beaches and a popular spot for tourists and locals.
Flight time from Detroit: Three hours and 15 minutes via Delta or Spirit Airlines.
Where to stay: The W Fort Lauderdale for modern luxury, B Ocean Resort for an affordable beachfront stay, or Sun Tower Hotel & Suites, where every guest room has an ocean view.
Miami
Fort Lauderdale isn’t the only Florida destination you can easily reach from Detroit. Nearby Miami has plenty to offer travelers looking for a quick escape from the cold. Head to South Beach for nightlife and partying, Little Havana for Latin-inspired eats, rum bars, and cigar shops, and Wynwood for murals, art galleries, and craft breweries.
Dine at these waterfront restaurants, and for more itinerary inspiration, check out this guide to affordable activities, restaurants, and hotels in Miami.
Flight time from Detroit: About three hours via Spirit Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines.
Where to stay: The Four Seasons Hotel Miami for an upscale experience, Esme Miami Beach for boutique charm, or Century Hotel Miami Beach for an affordable stay in the Art Deco District.
Alternative Floridia destinations include Orlando (two hours and 50 minutes via Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, or Spirit Airlines) and Tampa (two hours and 45 minutes via Delta, Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines, or Spirit Airlines).
Mexico
Cancun
In just a few hours, you can be sipping margaritas on the beach in Cancun. Delta and Spirit Airlines offer direct flights to this vacation hot spot known for its vibrant nightlife, white sand beaches, and all-inclusive resorts.
Playa Delfines is one of the biggest and most beautiful beaches in Cancun, while Playa Tortugas is a quieter escape. After some fun in the sun, keep the party going at one of the many nightclubs in the area, such as Coco Bongo, La Vaquita, and Mandala Cancun.
Flight time from Detroit: About three hours and 50 minutes via Delta and Spirit Airlines.
Where to stay: There’s no shortage of hotels in Cancun, from upscale spots like the Waldorf Astoria and all-inclusive resorts like Hard Rock Hotel to hostels such as Selina Cancun and Nomads Party Hostel.
Texas
Austin
There are several major cities in Texas you can reach via a direct flight from Detroit.
Austin is known for its lively music scene—it’s nicknamed the Live Music Capital of the World—and it’s home to tons of outdoor venues. Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden, located in the heart of the Rainey Street entertainment district, regularly hosts shows by local artists and has an extensive craft beer menu. Over in the Red River Entertainment District, Cheer Up Charlies also hosts live music on its parachute-covered patio. This woman-owned, LGBTQ+-friendly spot serves up vegan eats plus local beers and creative cocktails.
Not into music? Austin is full of outdoor activities and attractions, too. Kayak in Lady Bird Lake, explore Zilker Park and take a dip in Barton Springs Pool, or rent a bike and traverse Austin’s many bike paths and trails.
Flight time from Detroit: Three and a half hours via Delta.
Where to stay: There’s the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel, elegant Commodore Perry Estate, playful and funky Austin Motel, and all-inclusive Lake Austin Spa Resort, to name just a few lodging options.
Dallas
Dallas has a thriving arts scene—its arts district is the largest contiguous urban arts district in the U.S.—and there are plenty of museums to explore, such as the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Contemporary, and the Crow Museum of Asian Art.
Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood is home to numerous live music venues, barbeque joints, and Deep Ellum Brewing Company.
The Dallas Farmers Market is open year-round and sells items exclusively grown or made in Texas. It also has a food hall with four restaurants.
Flight time from Detroit: Three hours via Delta, American Airlines, Frontier Airlines, or Spirit Airlines.
Where to stay: Art aficionados will love The Joule, which is filled with works by Andy Warhol and Millard Sheets. Hotel ZaZa Dallas is centrally located near many attractions, and Bowie House in nearby Fort Worth masterfully blends Western charm and modern sophistication.
If neither Austin nor Dallas sounds like your ideal weekend getaway spot, Houston can be reached in about three hours via a direct flight on Delta, Spirit Airlines, or United Airlines.
North Carolina
Charlotte
In North Carolina, Charlotte is a popular destination you can fly directly to from Detroit, and there’s no shortage of fun things to do. Check out the city’s best murals, grab a late-night bite to eat, or sink your teeth into the best barbeque around.
Rally is a fun place to meet new people while staying active on vacation. It features indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, and every court reservation includes equipment and a private courtside lounge with food and beverage service. If shopping is a must for you on vacation, check out Brown Sugar Collab, a boutique with natural products handcrafted by more than 20 BIPOC women creators.
Flight time from Detroit: Less than two hours via Delta and American Airlines.
Where to stay: AC Hotel Charlotte SouthPark has a rooftop bar with stunning city views, The Duke Mansion oozes Southern charm, and the Grand Bohemian has a luxury spa perfect for a day of pampering.
Raleigh
North Carolina’s capital city offers something for all sorts of travelers. Foodies should make reservations at Raleigh’s best restaurants, art and history buffs will enjoy exploring the city’s top museums, and those looking to let loose can get their drink on at beloved breweries or dive bars.
Flight time from Detroit: About one hour and 45 minutes via Delta and Frontier Airlines.
Where to stay: Heights House is an adults-only boutique located in a restored mansion, The Casso is a trendy option in the Warehouse District, and for a more intimate experience, check out Guest House Raleigh.
If none of these spots have you ready to pack your bags and take flight, you can also reach Charleston and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; Las Vegas; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; New Orleans; Atlanta; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic via direct flights from Detroit.
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