Plan your winter travels in the US with our guide to the best places to visit. Crystal Bolin/Getty Images
In the doldrums of winter in the US, when you find yourself longing for spring鈥檚 arrival, why not treat yourself to a vacation instead? The change of scenery 鈥 whether to a warm, tropical locale or to a cozy, snowy wonderland 鈥 can go a long way toward brightening the dark, chilly season. As a bonus, winter can be one of the best times to travel in the United States, with more affordable lodging options, smaller crowds and mellower vibes overall.
Whether you dream of shredding some powder, lounging in the sun, marveling at wildlife or relaxing in a spa, these are our top picks for where to go in the US this winter.
1. Palm Beach County, Florida
Best for wildlife encounters and soaking up sunshine
Vibes: Trade your Christmas tree for palm trees on a trip to this sunny destination on South Florida鈥檚 Atlantic Coast. While other parts of the country are shivering, the communities within Palm Beach County stay nice and warm, with temperatures hovering in the 70s (潞F).
Do: Winter is one of the best times to see manatees, the iconic, gentle giants also known as 鈥渟ea cows.鈥 To catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures in Palm Beach County, head to West Palm Beach鈥檚 , where the sea cows congregate near the Riviera Beach Next Generation Clean Energy Center. Winter is also polo season, and you can watch impressive human and horse athletes compete at the in Wellington from January through April.
Eat: Grab a spot on the colorful patio at and savor refreshing dishes like ginger guacamole, ceviche of the day and tuna poke.
Stay: Don鈥檛 want to miss out on cold-weather traditions? Check into hotel, which this winter is unveiling a real, outdoor ice-skating rink. After gliding around on the ice, retreat to your sophisticated room overlooking the glamorous yachts of .
2. Madison, Wisconsin
Best for urban outdoor adventures
Vibes: People who live in Madison don鈥檛 shy away from the snow and ice; they embrace it, with activities ranging from ice fishing and fat-tire biking to snowshoeing and ice skating. In true 鈥淢idwest nice鈥 fashion, this mid-sized city in south-central Wisconsin is warm and inviting, even when the temperatures plummet.
Do: Pedal along the city鈥檚 miles of bike trails (which are always plowed!), then warm up inside the toasty, tropical Bolz Conservatory at . Mark your calendar for winter events like the (where everyone wears pointy red hats) and the festival (held on frozen Lake Mendota). In February 2025, Madison is also hosting the 鈥 a truly amazing spectacle involving athletes racing across the ice on skis and snowboards while holding windsurfing rigs, kites and sails.
Eat: Make a reservation for dinner at , a fine-dining restaurant that emphasizes Wisconsin-grown ingredients. In 2023, chefs and co-owners Itaru Nagano and Andrew Kroeger jointly won the James Beard Award for best chef in the Midwest. (To date, Madison鈥檚 chefs and restaurateurs have racked up an impressive 43 James Beard nods, so you鈥檙e guaranteed to have a good meal anywhere you go.)
Stay: Take a trip back in time at the . Built in 1856 on 鈥淏ig Bug Hill,鈥 this opulent sandstone home has been lovingly transformed into a historic, 10-room boutique hotel.
3. Vail, Colorado
Best for family-friendly skiing and snowboarding
Vibes: For a postcard-worthy ski vacation, head to Vail. This iconic Colorado mountain town has been a beloved winter playground for more than 60 years, and it continues to live up to the hype. Go for family-friendly fun, on and off the slopes.
Do: Whether you ski or snowboard, you can鈥檛 go wrong exploring 鈥檚 5317 acres of terrain. (Vail is the largest ski area in Colorado and one of the largest in North America.) But if that鈥檚 not enough, you can also head to nearby 鈥 Vail鈥檚 sister ski area 鈥 for an additional 1832 acres (plus, free warm chocolate chip cookies every afternoon). If your legs need a break, check out the , an intimate venue with eye-opening exhibits about skiing鈥檚 past and future.
Eat: Award-winning chef Makoto Okuwa brings more than two decades of experience to , a new Japanese and sushi restaurant located inside the . For a nightcap, grab a drink at , a sultry wine and cocktail bar.
Stay: For a cozy, home-like stay, book a condo at . You鈥檒l be mere steps from the ski resort鈥檚 Eagle Bahn Gondola, and you鈥檒l have a gorgeous view of Gore Creek. The condos are equipped with full kitchens, but if you don鈥檛 feel like cooking one night, can deliver homemade meals right to your door 鈥 hearty dishes like lasagna and beef stew. After skiing all day, retreat to the heated pool and two outdoor hot tubs.
4. Pismo Beach, California
Best for butterfly sightings and ocean views
Vibes: Situated along California鈥檚 stunning central coast, Pismo Beach is a laid-back beach town that hugs the Pacific Ocean. It鈥檚 beautiful all year long but becomes especially stunning during the winter, when thousands of western monarchs arrive to take advantage of the region鈥檚 relatively mild weather. From October to February, the migrating black and orange butterflies hunker down here 鈥 a phenomenon known as overwintering.
Do: Catch the butterflies in all their glory at , a small but mighty nature preserve filled with tall eucalyptus trees. The butterflies tend to be most active in the afternoons, but you can see them all day long. Just slow down and look upwards.
Eat: Take a romantic stroll along the pier, then grab a bite at , a casual food truck in a vintage Airstream. Go for the light and flaky tempura-battered fish and chips or the satisfying grilled shrimp tacos.
Stay: Sip your morning coffee while gazing out at the ocean from your balcony at . Situated atop the rocky cliffs that plunge into the ocean, this boutique hotel is bright and airy, with an oceanfront pool and free Saturday morning yoga classes.
5. Taos, New Mexico
Best for rugged skiing and Southwestern eats
Vibes: This artsy community in the northern New Mexico high desert is a feast for the senses. You鈥檒l see jagged, snow-covered peaks, smell the fragrant aromas of smoldering pi帽on wood, feel the wind biting at your cheeks, hear the lonesome howls of coyotes and taste soul-warming bowls of spicy green chile.
Do: Shred the slopes of , a resort that鈥檚 renowned for its steep, challenging terrain and big dumps of light, dry powder. Many of the runs are for advanced skiers, but you can still have a good time even if you鈥檙e a beginner 鈥 and if you want to level up your skills or just want someone to show you around the mountain, book a lesson at the .
Eat: For a hearty mealy with a kick, head into town for smothered enchiladas at or chile relleno en nagada at Antonio鈥檚 the Taste of Mexico.
Stay: If skiing is your top priority, stay slopeside at , a ski-in/ski-out hotel that鈥檚 just a few steps from the chairlift. If you鈥檇 prefer to be more centrally located, check into the historic .
6. Tucson, Arizona
Best for sunny hikes and spa days
Vibes: Admire the stately silhouettes of giant saguaro cacti while basking in the warm, dry winter climate of Tucson. Situated in southeastern Arizona in the Sonoran Desert, this city is surrounded by mountains, so you鈥檙e never far from a hiking or mountain biking trail.
Do: Whether you consider yourself a plant lover or not, Saguaro National Park is a must. Here, you can hike among the iconic, namesake cacti that have become a symbol of the American Southwest. You might be sore afterward, so treat yourself to a massage at one of Tucson鈥檚 relaxing spas, like or .
Eat: In 2015, Tucson became the US鈥 first , and it continues to wear this designation with pride. Tucson鈥檚 cuisine is a mish-mash of Mexican, Indigenous, Spanish, Chinese, American, and other influences. Try the eclectic mix out at , where you can munch on a Sonoran hot dog 鈥 a bacon-wrapped frank topped with beans, grilled and fresh onions, tomatoes, mayo, mustard and jalape帽o sauce.
Stay: Spend the night at the , a new, 145-room boutique hotel that opened in one of downtown Tucson鈥檚 tallest and most iconic buildings. It鈥檚 chic, it鈥檚 contemporary, and it鈥檚 centrally located for all of your Tucson adventures.
7. Luray, Virginia
Best for cozy cabins and serene winter landscapes
Vibes: As a gateway to Shenandoah National Park, Luray is the perfect destination for disconnecting from devices and soaking up the serenity of nature. Re-center yourself while enjoying tranquil snow-dusted forests, icy waterfalls and breathtaking mountain vistas.
Do: Admire the national park from the comfort of your vehicle on Skyline Drive, or don your coat and head out for a peaceful day hike, such as the 2-mile round-trip trek to the Whiteoak Canyon lower falls or the 1.5-mile jaunt to Dark Hollow Falls. Head underground to experience the otherworldly stalactites of 鈥 the largest cavern in the eastern United States 鈥 which stays at a balmy 54潞F all year long.
Eat: Sip a flight of craft beers at , then head to for seasonal, farm-to-table fare.
Stay: Page County鈥檚 nickname is the 鈥淐abin Capital of Virginia,鈥 so you鈥檝e got lots of cozy options to choose from. For an upscale, romantic experience, book one of the timber-frame cabins at , nestled among 15 acres of trees in the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you鈥檙e traveling with a family or group, check into , which offer more room to spread out but are equally as comfy.
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