The Best Places in the US to Visit in Winter
Best winter destinations to travel to in the US
Looking for the best beautiful places to visit in the US in winter?
Whether you’re planning to enjoy winter activities in a snowy location, or looking to escape the winter cold on a sunny beach, you don’t have to look far to find your perfect US winter travel getaway!
From mountains and valleys, to national parks, beaches, and more, America has an incredible variety of winter trip locations no matter your preference!
Read on for the best winter vacation spots in the United States to add to your bucket list!
Alaska
Alaska is a magical wonderland in the wintertime, and if you’re into winter activities, you’ll be in paradise here! Alaska has everything from downhill skiing and snowboarding, to ice skating, dog sledding, and more. Looking for something a little more relaxing? Alaska is one of the best locations to see the famous Northern Lights. Make sure to bundle up though, winter temperatures in Alaska range from 0°F to -30°F. Some popular Alaska winter destinations include: the North Pole, Fairbanks, Coldfoot, and Anchorage.
Arizona
Love the snow but hate being cold? Arizona is the spot for you! This state offers beautiful snow-covered mountains and great skiing conditions up north, and mild, warm winter weather down south. During the winter months, Arizona’s daytime temperatures can average 70°F, with night temperatures ranging from freezing or slightly below in the desert. Some popular Arizona winter destinations include: Page, Tucson, and Sedona.
California
California offers a wild variety of climates to suit your liking. From snowbird-friendly conditions up north, central mild and cool conditions, to warmer beach vibes down south, you simply can’t go wrong with The Golden State! Some popular California winter destinations include: Palm Springs, Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon National Park, Joshua Tree, Mammoth Lakes, Lake Tahoe, Death Valley National Park, San Diego, and San Francisco.
Colorado
In Colorado you’ll find sunny skies, snow-capped mountain peaks, and powdery valleys — the perfect recipe for some winter fun! While this state is known for some of the best skiing in the US, there are lots of other winter activities to do like snowshoeing, tubing, riding in a horse-drawn sleigh, ice fishing, and more. The average temperatures in Colorado during winter are between 16° - 54°F. Some popular Colorado winter destinations include: Vail, Boulder, Crested Butte, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Steamboat Springs, and Rocky Mountain National Park.
Florida
Florida has the mildest winters in the US, which is why most East Coaster’s tend to flock here in order to escape the cold. In the winter, the weather is mild and sunny with occasional rain. The northern parts range from 39° - 68°F, while the central and southern areas range from 50° to 77°F. Some popular Florida winter destinations include: Key West, Miami, St Augustine, Fort Lauderdale, and Fort Myers Beaches.
Georgia
In the winter, the average temperatures range from a low of mid 50°F to a high of 60°F. The mild winter weather makes it perfect for exploring all that Georgia has to offer! Enjoy cafes, breweries, hiking, snow tubing, ice skating, museums, and more. Some popular Georgia winter destinations include: Savannah, Atlanta, and Dahlonega.
Hawaii
Hawaii offers beautiful weather all year round, so it’s no wonder it’s such a popular vacation choice! In winter, temperatures in Hawaii range from 75°F to 80°F. You can expect dry, sunny climate with the occasional rain. Escape the winter blues and enjoy Hawaii’s abundant sunshine, warm temperatures, clear waters, and gorgeous sand beaches. Some popular Hawaii winter destinations include: Maui, Kauai, and The Big Island.
Idaho
Idaho winters may be cold, but they are beautiful! Enjoy winter sports like skiing and snowshoeing, go dog sledding, see frozen falls, visit small mountain towns, explore state parks and national forests, or soak in natural hot springs. During winter, temperatures average 30.7 °F, and lows falling to 0 °F or below. Some popular Idaho winter destinations include: Castle Rocks State Park, Sun Valley, Sandpoint, McCall, and Stanley.
Louisiana
Winter is a great time to visit Louisiana! During this time you’ll see less crowds, more affordable rates, and comfortable weather. Enjoy Louisiana’s beautiful architecture, flavorful cuisine, rich history, state parks and more! Temperatures range from lows in the mid-40s to highs in the 60s. Some popular Louisiana winter destinations include: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette.
Montana
Montana offers a beautiful snowy landscape during the winter! Enjoy activities like cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, dog sledding, commercial hot springs, and more. Average daily high temperature falls below 40°F. Some popular Montana winter destinations include: Whitefish, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Bigfork, Missoula, Big Sky, and Bozeman.
Massachusetts
Enjoy skiing, snowboard, snowtubing, indoor water parks, horse-drawn sleigh rides, beautiful greenhouses, frozen waterfalls, ice skating, historical tours, breweries, Winterfest, and more. During the winter, temperatures can be as low as 16 °F and as high as 45°F. Some popular Massachusetts winter destinations include: Boston Mount Washington, Wachusett Mountain.
Nevada
Nevada's average winter temperature ranges from lows of 20.7°F and highs of 42.8°F. Enjoy desert hikes and state parks, head to the city for casinos, events, shows, cafes, bars, holiday popups and popular sights, or head up north to enjoy the snow and winter activities. Some popular Nevada winter destinations include: Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe, Mt. Charleston, Red Rock Canyon National Park, and Valley of Fire.
New Mexico
New Mexico’s winter temperatures average from the low 40s to high 60s. The dry, sunny climate makes it the perfect winter escape! Enjoy desert landscapes, mountain ranges, historic and paranormal sites, hot springs, and beautiful national parks. You can also head to the mountains for some winter activities and sports. Some popular New Mexico winter destinations include: Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Roswell, White Sands National Park, Cibola National Forest, and Sugarite Canyon State Park.
New York
New York’s winter temperatures average below freezing for most of the state with the north seeing 18–23 °F, central 30–35 °F, and southern areas 37–42 °F. Visit the city for magical seasonal decor, ice skating, pop ups, and dining, or head upstate for a quiet escape to enjoy the snow and winter activities. Some popular New York winter destinations include: New York City, Lake Placid, and Syracuse.
Oregon
Oregon’s winter temperatures range from highs in the 40s and 50s, to lows in the 20s and 30s. Enjoy winter activities like skiing, snowshoeing in the snow-capped mountains, exploring frozen waterfalls, and dipping into steamy hot springs, . Some popular Oregon winter destinations include: Mt. Hood, Redmond, Oregon Coast, Bend, Crater Lake National Park, Cascade Mountains, Portland, Mt. Bachelor, and Medford.
Texas
Texas winters are mild and dry. The average low temperatures are from 30°F to 50°F and highs from 50°F to 70°F. Enjoy national parks, seasonal decor and events, aquariums, cafes, hiking, museums, beaches, golfing, ice skating, gator tours, the River Walk and more. Some popular Texas winter destinations include: Austin, San Antonio, Galveston, Big Bend National Park, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Utah
This state has some of the best powdery mountains for winter sports, which makes it a very popular vacation destination. Enjoy skiing and snowboarding, snow tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating, bobsledding, hiking, ice castles, dog sledding, ice fishing, hot springs (highly recommend checking out Fifth Water Hot Springs), and more. Utah’s average winter temperature is slightly below freezing. . Some popular Utah winter destinations include: Salt Lake City, Park City, Utah’s “Mighty Five”, and Canyonlands National Park.
Vermont
Vermont’s winter temperatures average a high of 22°F and lows of 2°F. Enjoy skiing and snowboarding, snow tubing, sledding, ice climbing, dog sledding, ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, snowshoeing, breweries, and more. Some popular Vermont winter destinations include: Stowe, Woodstock, Manchester, and Burlington.
West Virginia
West Virginia winters are mild and crisp, with temperatures averaging in the low 20s to 30s. Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snow tubing, frozen waterfalls, horseback riding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, breweries, and more. Some popular West Virginia winter destinations include: Snowshoe Mountain, Blue Ridge, Blackwater Falls State Park, and Shenandoah National Park.
Wyoming
Average minimum winter temperatures in Wyoming vary from 5°F to 18°F, with colder temperatures at higher elevations. Enjoy skiing, dog sledding, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, yurt trips, national parks, snowmobiling, ice climbing, fat biking, hot springs, and more. Some popular Wyoming winter destinations include: Jackson Hole, Yellowstone National Park.
Need help packing for a cold-weather winter trip? I’ve got you covered with this Winter Packing Guide!
