The 13 Best Places to Visit in the USA in the Winter

Looking for a winter getaway in the US? We have 13 amazing destinations for you, whether you’re looking for sunshine, snow, or indoor fun. Whether you’re looking to escape the winter chill or enjoy some winter sports, here are the best places to visit in the USA in the winter.

The 13 Best Places to Visit in the USA in the Winter

Would you rather soak up the winter vibes with snow sports and stunning scenery, or relax on a tropical beach with warm breezes? There’s something for everyone on our list of the 13 best places to visit in the USA in the winter, whether you’re looking for snowy slopes or sunny beaches.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

In the winter, Yellowstone National Park is transformed into a winter wonderland, with most park roads closed to regular traffic and only accessible by “oversnow” modes of transit such as cross-country skis, snowmobiles, or snowcoaches. This is your best chance to experience Yellowstone as it was before cars came along.

The winter months offer a more intimate experience of Yellowstone National Park, with fewer crowds and stunning scenery of frozen lakes, white-frosted forests, and steaming geysers. After a snowshoe trek or ranger-led nature program, head to nearby Jackson Hole for world-class skiing, a vibrant après-ski scene, and a variety of accommodations from cozy cabins to luxurious hotels.

Minneapolis

Minneapolis is a surprisingly underrated Midwestern city that gets very cold in the winter, but Minnesotans embrace the season with gusto. The city’s top cold-weather outdoor events have been combined into a 10-day festival called The Great Northern, which features family-friendly winter carnivals, ice sculptures, the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships, and the beloved City of Lakes Loppet Ski Festival.

The highlight of the Loppet is the magical Luminary Loppet, when cross-country skiers traverse a frozen Lake of the Isles illuminated by torches, lanterns, candles encased in blocks of ice, and the occasional fire dancer. Minneapolis also has a thriving arts and culinary scene, as well as the Skyway System, an 11-mile network of climate-controlled pedestrian bridges that connect dozens of buildings downtown.

In conclusion, Minneapolis is one of the best places to visit in the USA in the winter.

Magic Mountain Ski Area, Vermont

Opened in 1960, Bromley Mountain in Londonderry, Vermont, is a throwback to the old-school ski resorts of New England, on the list of the best places to visit in the USA in the winter. It has steep, winding slopes through wooded areas that can be challenging for beginners, but intermediate and advanced skiers will love the challenge.

The resort is also smaller and less crowded than many other ski resorts in the region, and it has lower lift ticket prices. Plus, it has a learning center for kids and beginners, and a tavern with live music and stunning views of the mountain.

Best Hotels in Vermont

St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

The smallest of the Caribbean’s three U.S. Virgin Islands is a hidden gem. With no airport or cruise ship pier, it is untouched by mass tourism. You can’t have a list of the best places to visit in the USA in the winter without including St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands!

Instead, visitors can enjoy the lush national park, turquoise waters, pristine beaches, and abundant wildlife. However, it is important to note that the Caribbean is in hurricane season during the winter, so it is best to check in advance if hotels and businesses have reopened before traveling to an area that has been affected by storms.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is a winter wonderland. The imposing, multicolored sandstone cliffs are transformed by snow and ice into an otherworldly landscape that resembles Elsa’s arctic castle in Frozen. Caves covered in icicles look like crystal ballrooms, and enormous frozen waterfalls and towers of ice attract ice climbers from all over the world.

Each February, the park hosts the Michigan Ice Fest, where visitors can watch or participate in ice climbing competitions and demonstrations. Whether you’re a spectator or an adventurer, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is a must-visit winter destination.

Fairbanks and Anchorage, Alaska

While the winters are long and cold, Alaska is a must-visit for fans of winter sports and snowy scenery. In Anchorage, you can go glacier hiking, dogsledding, or watch the Iditarod race. Take the Aurora Winter Train to Fairbanks, where you can visit the Museum of the North and see the Northern Lights.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a city that comes alive in the winter, with its annual Mardi Gras celebration being the highlight of the season. The day before Ash Wednesday, the city hosts a massive street party with parades, pageantry, krewes, and king cakes.

If you’re looking for beads and booze, Bourbon Street is the place to be. But there’s more to Mardi Gras than that. The weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday are also full of festivities, so there’s something for everyone. Hotels are booked solid during the long weekend before Mardi Gras, so it’s important to book your accommodations well in advance.

If you can’t make it during Mardi Gras, January and February are also good times to visit New Orleans. The weather is pleasant and the streets are less crowded. And of course, the good times roll year-round in the Big Easy.

Key West, Florida

Key West, Florida is a great place to escape the cold winter weather in the northern United States. The average high temperature in January is 74 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can enjoy the beautiful beaches and the laid-back lifestyle of the Keys. Key West is also a great place to party, with lively Duval Street and the nightly Sunset Celebration in Mallory Square.

If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, you can dine on fresh seafood, visit the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, or simply relax on the beach.

Crystal River, Florida

Every winter, hundreds of manatees migrate to the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in Florida to take refuge in the area’s perpetually 72-degree springs. The refuge is the only place in the United States dedicated to protecting manatees, and it is a great place to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

You can swim with manatees on tours, or you can watch them from the boardwalk at Three Sisters Springs. The refuge also has marshes, tidal creeks, and the remains of a prehistoric human settlement, which are all worth exploring.

Death Valley National Park, California and Nevada

Death Valley National Park in California and Nevada is often described as a post-apocalyptic wasteland, with scorching temperatures, dangerous hikes, and landmarks with ominous names like Coffin Peak and Devil’s Golf Course.

However, in the winter months, the temperatures drop to a much more pleasant range, making it a great time to visit the park. Hiking and camping are no longer life-threatening, and you can enjoy the stunning scenery without being constantly worried about heatstroke.

The park has something for everyone, from the expansive salt flats of Badwater Basin (the lowest point in North America) to the towering peaks of Telescope Peak.

Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a dreamy city in New Mexico that is just as enchanting in the winter as it is in the rest of the year. The historic adobe buildings are dusted with snow, the kiva fireplaces glow, and the scent of cedar wafts through the air. It’s no wonder that so many artists have been drawn to Santa Fe, and their work can be seen in galleries along Canyon Road, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and the Taos art colony.

The city is also home to a rich Native American culture, and visitors can learn about the traditions and cuisine at the many museums and restaurants. In the winter, you can head to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains for skiing and snowshoeing, or relax at one of the many spas.

Big Sky, Montana

Big Sky, Montana is a ski resort with a big emphasis on the word “big.” With 5,800 skiable acres spread across four enormous mountains in the Northern Rockies, it is one of the largest ski areas in North America.

Visitors can enjoy dramatic views of snow-covered 11,000-foot peaks, zippy trips down steep slopes, and gentler runs for kids. There are also plenty of activities for non-skiers, such as zipline tours, sleigh rides, and ice skating. And if you’re looking for even more winter fun, Yellowstone National Park is just an hour away by car.

Upper Mississippi River Towns, Illinois and Iowa

The Upper Mississippi River Towns in Illinois and Iowa are a great place to see bald eagles in January and February. The birds migrate south by the thousands during this time and can be seen feeding on fish and roosting in the surrounding bluffs. There are many special events held in the river towns during this time, such as Bald Eagle Days in Rock Island, Illinois, and Iowa’s Dubuque Bald Eagle Watch.

Visitors can also take birding tours, attend informational sessions, watch Native American demonstrations, and look at photo exhibits. The Quad Cities, a quartet of Iowa and Illinois municipalities straddling the Upper Mississippi, is a great base for exploring the area.

There are many outdoor activities to enjoy in the Quad Cities, such as snow tubing and cross-country skiing, as well as cultural offerings such as the Figge Art Museum.

Things to Consider: Best Places to Visit in the USA in the Winter

Now that you have a list of the 13 best places to visit in the USA in the winter, here are a few more things to consider as you finalize your travel plans.

The FAQs from fellow travelers below may have the answers to your questions about the best places to visit in the USA in the winter.