13 Best Winter Vacation Destinations in the U.S. (Snowy Trips + Warm December Escapes)

Looking for the best winter destinations in the U.S.? Whether you want snowy mountain towns that would make Santa jealous, mild-weather cities, or warm beach escapes where you can relax with a drink in your hand, there are incredible places to visit across the country in winter.

I’ve wintered all over the U.S. with my dog, Elgie, as a digital nomad, and we’ve stayed everywhere from sunny coastal towns to true winter wonderlands, so no matter what kind of winter getaway you’re looking for, we’ve probably lived it. Here are the best winter destinations in the U.S.

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Trying to choose the right winter getaway? Start here:

If you want	Go here
Warm beaches	Key West, Miami, San Diego
Snowy scenery	Colorado, Minneapolis, NYC
Mild winter cities	Charleston, Austin, New Orleans

What's Inside This Post

Best Warm Winter Destinations in the US

Ahh, the classic “escape the cold” destinations. Is there anything better? Here are my top picks:

Key West ocean sunset in Mallory Square with 3 sailboats

Key West, Florida

I love Key West pretty much any time of the year, but if you’re dying to leave the parka behind for a few days, visiting Key West in winter is something you need to do! You might just be able to walk around in a swimsuit–I know I wore my swimsuit top with shorts for dog walks in the Florida Keys in December.

Bonus: take a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park.

People enjoy a sunny day at the beach, with the sun low in the sky, casting long shadows on the sand while others swim and play in the ocean. The sea reflects the sunlight, creating a bright path on the water.

Los Angeles, California

Hello, sunshine, bye-bye seasonal depression! Los Angeles in the winter is warm and sunny–it rarely rains there. I was there in February and early March, and I lay on the beach and got in the ocean. The beach and ocean may be a little too cool for some folks’ taste, though, but having come from Minnesota, I was all about it.

A serene sunset over calm ocean water, with colorful pink and orange clouds in the sky. Power lines stretch across the water, and a distant bridge is visible on the horizon. Birds fly near the lines.

Islamorada, Florida

Don’t sleep on Islamorada! Key West may get most of the attention when it comes to the Keys, but Islamorada has the same temperatures as Key West, plus there’s a cool sandbar, and it’s generally more laid-back with fewer tourists. I lived there for a month in November-December, and it was fabulous.

Miami, Florida

Want to party with good-looking tan people? Here you go. I visited there on my Florida trip, and though I didn’t live there, I could see why it would be a great winter destination!

A flock of birds gathers on a sandy beach near the shoreline, with waves crashing onto the rocks and the blue ocean extending to the horizon under a clear sky. Dry, brown vegetation is visible in the foreground.

San Diego, California

Not too far from L.A. is beautiful San Diego! I was there in the winter, and it was warm enough to snorkel.

Best Snowy Destinations in the U.S.

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Here are some winter wonderlands for you!

A cluster of tall, thick icicles illuminated from behind, creating a glowing, layered ice formation against a dark background. Snow blankets the ground beneath the frozen structures.

Ice Castles in Minneapolis

Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota

I lived there for 12 years, and we never missed a white Christmas. If you want a winter wonderland, Minneapolis/St. Paul will deliver every time. Check out the St. Paul Winter Carnival for cool ice sculptures and fun!

Central Park Mall in the Snow. Rhockens, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

NYC

New York would be amazing in the wintertime. Central Park covered in snow? Yes please.

Bonus: If you’re introverted like me, New York might actually be perfect in the winter time because it’s generally a slower travel season. There are plenty of quiet things to do there.

A large wooden water wheel stands next to a rocky hillside with a frozen waterfall, surrounded by snow and evergreen trees.

Colorado

If you’re into skiing, tubing, or admiring snowy mountains, take a trip to Colorado! There are plenty of cute mountain towns to choose from, including Idaho Springs, Telluride, and Ouray to name a few.

Into winter hiking? Wow you’re brave, but Colorado has some incredible snowy alpine trails if conditions are right. Here are some of my favorites.

St. Mary’s Glacier/James Peak
Sky Pond
Lake Haiyaha

Best Mild Winter Destinations in the U.S.

Get your light jackets ready, and let’s check out some mild winter destinations! A benefit of going to a mild destination is that they’re usually busier during their warmer seasons, so you’ll get a more low-key experience. You may not be able to soak up the sun on the beach, but you can have plenty of fun (and save some cash!) at a mild-weather destination in the off-season.

A woman wearing sunglasses and casual clothes stands on a cobblestone street holding a leash attached to a small black and white dog sitting beside her. Trees and buildings line the street in the background.

Charleston, South Carolina

Average highs in the winter are 50s to 60s, and snow is rare. Walk the cobblestone streets and enjoy one of the U.S.’s most charming, historical towns.

A large, brightly lit Christmas tree stands on a waterfront at night—one of the best things to do alone in Myrtle Beach—with its red and white lights reflecting vividly in the calm water below, surrounded by decorated buildings and festive lights.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

With similar temperatures to Charleston, you won’t be lying on the beach, but Myrtle Beach is quiet and calm in winter with much fewer tourists around. Plus, they deck it all out for Christmas!

A black and white dog lies on a sandy beach near a towel at sunset along Alabama's Gulf Coast, with calm ocean waves and an orange-yellow sky in the background—a perfect moment for solo travel serenity.

Gulf Shores, Alabama

Alabama has surprisingly great beaches, and though the weather isn’t quite as warm as Florida, you can enjoy fewer crowds and walks along the beach (wearing a jacket, of course!)

Woman crossing the street. Famous pink building with decorated balcony on Royal Street is in the background. One of many things to do alone in New Orleans

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans has mild winter weather, aside from some freak snows, one of which occurred in early 2025. People were skiing down Bourbon Street!

However, that is super rare, and most winter days are mild to warm. Walking the French Quarter streets is especially pleasant in winter when temperatures are cooler and crowds are lighter.

New Orleans is affordable as well, with plenty of free things to do and cheap, delicious eats.

Mardi Gras, the city’s biggest celebration, begins in January and ends in either February or March each year, and I seem to always be able to wear shorts at least part of that time. I even got a wicked sunburn once from standing around in a strappy dress in the middle of February. Who would have thought?

a mural that says "Love from Austin" inside the shape of Texas

Austin, Texas

Austin occasionally gets snow – I actually had a few days of winter wonderland there in January! But generally speaking, winters are mild. I spent most of my days there in short sleeves and put on a jacket at night. Some folks swim in Barton Springs year-round. I didn’t, but it’s an option!

Planning your next trip after winter? Check out my guide to the best U.S. destinations to visit in the spring.

13 Best Winter Destinations in the U.S.: Warm, Mild, and Snowy Getaways