Best Places to Travel in USA in the Winter (Dec-Feb)

Key West, Florida

Key West is the furthest point to the south of the continental U.S., and it is, honestly, the best place to run away to when it gets cold. The climate remains in the high seventies to the low eighties, so it indeed seems like a tropical heaven. The entire area is such a fun atmosphere with vibrant bars, fantastic seafood, and beaches where you can simply sit under the sun.

It is not all about the beach. During winter, you can explore the Old Town area, ride the Conch Train, visit the House of Ernest Hemingway, or take a sunset boat ride. And whilst you are feeling adventurous, you should visit Dry Tortugas National Park on a day visit. That water is the bluest water I have ever seen, and the wildlife is unbelievable. The park still remains one of my favorite national parks of the 56 parks that I have been to!

There is a lot to do in winter in Key West because winter is all about warm weather, island air, and being in the tropics. It is the type of location you will want to visit on an annual basis.

Things to Do in Key West

1. Walk down Duval Street.
2. See the Southernmost Point of the continental U.S.
3. Take the Conch Train Tour,
4. Take a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park during the winter is much colder and yet remains just as beautiful. The mountains with the snow covering them, as well as the lakes and these giant sequoias, render it unforgettable. Some trails remain open, allowing you to see still El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Mirror Lake. And at sunset in February at Horsetail Falls, it becomes magic, it flashes orange as though the water were fire.

Joshua Tree National Park

In winter, Joshua Tree National Park is the right place to be. The Mojave Desert heat can be unbearable in summer, but everything is so much better in the cooler months.

The desert trails can be hiked, and they have trails of every difficulty. It is pleasant camping there as well, with its own odd Joshua trees. However, it is most rewarding at night when the light pollution is at its lowest and we get to see the sky full of innumerable stars shining brighter than you ever imagined.

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is a fine winter destination, particularly when you do not want any snow in the mountains. It is a full-blooded little town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is not as cold as in the hectic fall, though there is much to do.

Biltmore Castle is beautiful at Christmas with its lights and more than enough shops, restaurants, and bars downtown to see. Within the city, you can find numerous breweries and scenic trails, but of course, there must be a drive down the Blue Ridge Parkway, outside the city.

Seattle, Washington

There is a different charm in winter in Seattle. Although it does not actually stop raining, the city still feels alive. It is referred to as the Emerald City due to all the green that has been integrated into the city environment. 

It is a requirement to visit the Pike Place Market and the Space Needle, and the food there is amazing. And to coffee lovers, it is a treat that Seattle is where the original flagship store of Starbucks is located.

Sedona, Arizona

Sedona truly is exactly as it claims to be, one of the most beautiful places on Earth. The red rocks are beautiful, and they attract so many people annually. The snowy days are lovely to visit the tracks and parks, although the nights become cold. 

In addition to the scenery, the Sedona landscape also enjoys an arts and culture scene as well as a rich native background that has so much to add to the experience.

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas, seems like such an ideal winter vacation, or you want a change of something. It is becoming referred to as Spa City, and Bathhouse Row is the best part, with all its historic buildings built during the late nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. 

Some of them still run today, such as Buckstaff and Quapaw, so you can literally see how the spa practices that founded the town are still alive. The bathhouses are only part of the story; there are approximately 26 miles of trails within the park, which cross through the forests that surround it. 

It is so relaxing walking along them during the winter. There are even trails that have streams of steam flowing next to them; however, that water is too hot to touch, as the water is approximately 143°F.

Wisconsin’s winter lakes

Wisconsin is an underrated winter destination, yet it has so much to offer. The locals, as they are sometimes referred to as Cheeseheads, know how to make the cold fun. Near Green Bay, fishermen are heading to the ice on Lake Michigan. Around Fond du Lac, the smaller lakes are doing equally well, particularly during February when the quaint Sturgeon Spectacular is held.

To get really rough, you can even watch surfers riding in the icy waves on the coast of Lake Michigan, all wrapped up in heavy wetsuits. And when you need to keep things toasty, a traditional Wisconsin supper club is hard to beat, as homely meals, Wisconsin beer, and lots of cheese are the ideal closure to a winter day.