Winter is coming and it’s time to start thinking of booking those trips! Whether you’re looking to lean into the cold or run from it, there is really a trip out there for everyone. Traveling to the northern states in the winter can bring fewer crowds and lower prices, while the more southern states will bring the Vitamin D that your body is craving! No matter what you’re looking for, these are the best states to travel to in winter!
New York
My home state (so I might be a little biased), but of the best states to travel to in winter, NY is the top of my list! There is nowhere more magical than New York City during the holidays. The city bursts with décor and iconic fanfare. Catch a ticket to see the famous Radio City Rockettes, stroll Fifth Avenue and admire the store windows, go ice skating in Rockefeller Center beneath their iconic Christmas tree, or warm up with a dinner at Rolf’s (who has dubbed themselves as “The Most Festive Restaurant in NYC”). If you find yourself with a few days in NYC, spend one of the evenings in the Dyker Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. The houses here go all out with Christmas décor and attract thousands of visitors each night! There is no shortage of things to do in New York during the holidays!
Read More: 7 Ways to Save Money on Your Trip to NYC
Keep in mind that New York is so much more than just the city! Make your way upstate to the Adirondacks, which is a winter wonderland. Ski, snowboard, snowmobile, or set yourself up in a cozy mountain cabin by a fire. While Buffalo is certainly famous for their snowfalls, visiting in winter is all part of the experience! Explore Canalside by ice skating or riding in ice bumper cars, or plan your trip to catch a home Bills game (and of course, a pregame tailgate)! Sure, it’ll be cold, but it’s all part of the experience alongside 70,000+ other members of the Bills Mafia.
And don’t forget that only about 30 minutes north of Buffalo is Niagara Falls. Winter is low season at the falls, so you’ll get lots of space and more affordable prices. After a period of really low temps, the falls even sometimes freeze, which is a spectacular sight to see!
Read More: 101 Things to Do in Western New York
Minnesota
Another northern state where you can lean into the magic of the dead of winter! Minneapolis and St. Paul are the two largest cities in the state and would be a great home base for a few days. Enjoy all the benefits of a city with cozy restaurants and indoor shopping or visit their famous Ice Castles! You’ve probably seen these on Instagram, but they’re worth the hype for a reasonable cost! Feel like you’re plopped straight into the movie Frozen and get lost wandering around the ice caves.
For a real Minnesotan winter experience however, head way up north to the city of Duluth! Start your morning by renting a pair of snowshoes in town and visit the Hartley Nature Center for a morning walk. This was my first time snowshoeing and I really enjoyed it! After, one of the top reasons Minnesota is one of the best states to travel to in winter is for dogsledding! Visit Positive Energy Outdoors for a 3-hour Island Lake dogsledding tour! You’ll make your way through the woods, over open fields, and onto frozen lakes. My guide even let me drive for a few minutes! Round out your winter day in Duluth by taking in scenic viewpoints, grabbing a stick-to-your-ribs dinner, and exploring Canal Park!
Click here to read more posts on visiting Minnesota in the winter!
Alaska
You may think I’m nuts with this one, but I stand by Alaska as one of the best states to travel to in winter! Keep in mind that in winter the days are extra short this far north, so you’ll need to be strategic to maximize your days! Spend some time in and around the capital city of Anchorage. Catch the sunrise or sunset over at Earthquake Park for views over the Knik Arm and city skyline. Just keep an eye out for moose- they frequent this area at dawn and dusk!
Jump in the car and explore areas around the city such as Beluga Point (my favorite viewpoint!), the Alyeska Resort, and a hike out to Byron Glacier. North of Anchorage, make the short hikes out to Thunderbird Falls and Barbara Falls. Depending on when in the winter season you visit, they may be frozen over, which would be an unique experience in itself!
Click here for an ultimate 7-day Alaska itinerary, and here for more Alaska posts!
After covering Anchorage, make your way up even farther North by spending a couple nights in Fairbanks! Fairbanks is a much smaller town but is a real star in winter! In downtown Fairbanks, take a short walk down the river which will lead you to Griffin Park. Here, you can snap a picture with the famous Moose Antler Arch. About fifteen minutes north of Fairbanks is the Alaska Pipeline View Point where you can see the enormous pipeline up close.
However, no trip to Fairbanks is complete without a trip up to Chena Hot Springs. This resort is not only a hotel, but has a long list of experiences for visitors to enjoy. What makes Alaska one of the best states to travel to in winter, is of course, the Northern Lights! Chena Hot Springs offers the Aurora Viewing Tour that will take you up to the dome of the mountain and give you a clear open sky for viewing. Watching the sky light up shades of green, purple, and pink and dance around you is mesmerizing, and absolutely worth staying up late in the cold Alaskan winter for!
Read More: How to Spend 2 Days in Fairbanks, Alaska
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is another one of the best states to travel to in winter! Philadelphia is a great city year round to take in the charm and deep US history (and also hosts a fantastic Christmas Market during the holidays!). However, the real star of Pennsylvania in the winter is the historic town of Bethlehem!
Dubbed as “Christmas City USA”, this little town explodes with Christmas cheer and holiday spirit in the month of December. Just outside of town, SteelStacks hosts fun winter activities as well as Christkindlmarkt, a famous European-style market. Back in town, stroll Main Street (or ride in a horse-drawn carriage) and bop into the beautifully decorated shops and restaurants. Each night at 5:30 pm, you cannot miss their Live Advent Calendar outside of the Groundie House. Even if you can’t swing the high price tag during Christmas for an overnight stay, take some time to walk in and admire the Hotel Bethlehem. The hotel is so beautifully decorated and was one of my favorite places in town! At the end of the night, make your way to Payrow Plaza to view the famous Christmas tree, nativity scene, and see the “star of Bethlehem” across the river atop South Mountain.
Later in the winter (February 2, to be exact), traveling to Punxsutawney for Groundhog Day is a hilarious and fun experience! Head up to Gobbler’s Knob before the sunrise to see if Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow or not. Six more weeks of winter, or an early spring? Only Phil can tell! Or are you a fan of all things The Office? Consider adding on a pilgrimage to Scranton! (What? The Electric City!)
Florida
With no surprise to anyone, Florida is hands down one of the best states to travel to in winter if you’re looking to escape the cold! It’s the most southern state in the continental US and one of the most obvious winter travel destinations. Once December hits, hurricane season is over and the snowbirds start to flock to the state.
While there is so much to explore in Florida, obviously the farther South you go, the better the weather. I’d highly recommend a road trip down Highway 1 through the Florida Keys! It’s an ultimate road trip with so much to explore and experience. At the end of the keys is the famous city of Key West! Catch the sunrise at the Southernmost Point of the continental US, soak in the sun at Smathers Beach, stroll Duval Street, and then end the night with their famous Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square!
Read More: How to Spend One Day in Key West, FL
While in Key West, an absolute must is squeezing in a trip out to Dry Tortugas National Park! From Key West, you can take either a ferry or a seaplane out to the park (I break down both options here). Once on the island, you’ll feel like you’re in another world! There is so much to do, and truly something for everyone! History enthusiasts will love exploring Fort Jefferson, a former US military coastal fortress. Adventurists will enjoy walking the moat wall, exploring Bush Key, or snorkeling through the colorful reefs that surround the island. Or if you’re just looking to relax? The beaches here are pristine! Soft, white sand and crystal clear waters make for the ultimate beach day. Dry Tortugas also ranks high on my list of the best plus-size friendly National Parks!
Read more posts on visiting Dry Tortugas National Park here!
If you’re short on time, you could always do what I did and go to Florida just for a day! I did “Disney in a Day” which had me getting on an early morning flight to Orlando, jumping in an Uber to EPCOT, taking in the Disney magic, and then jumping on a flight back to Buffalo later that night. It was wild, but so worth it!
Hawaii
Another great destination to escape the cold, and one of the best states to travel to in winter! I’ve traveled to Hawaii multiple times, and even worked remotely from O’ahu for over a month during Covid! Hawaii has a tropical climate year-round and is the ultimate bucket-list destination. During the winter months, the famous North Shore on O’ahu brings large waves and surfing competitions to watch. Winter is also peak season for humpback whale watching throughout the islands!
Read More: 5 Things to Know Before Your Trip to Hawaii
On O’ahu, Honolulu the largest city in the state and is also home to the famous Waikiki Beach- which may be touristy but is actually one of my top beaches on O’ahu! If you’re looking for a relaxing beach day with minimal tourists, click here for my top (non-touristy) beaches! While on O’ahu, I’d recommend renting a car for a few days and covering as much of the island as possible! On the windward side, beautiful beaches are everywhere and you can enjoy the lush mountains and the famous Pali Highway. The leeward side has a more “country” feel, but is also home to beautiful resorts and beaches up in Ko Olina. And of course, no visit to O’ahu is complete without visiting Pearl Harbor National Memorial to pay your respects. With so much to do on O’ahu, I also compiled a list of things to consider skipping on your trip.
Click here for more O’ahu travel tips!
Island hopping is also incredibly easy in Hawaii, with hundreds of inter-island flights daily. Don’t miss out exploring Maui- one of my favorite islands! Rent an open-air Jeep and take in the famous sunrise at Haleakalā National Park. Afterwards, cruise down the Road to Hana (or if you’re adventurous, the “back road” to Hana offers a really unique experience!). Once you arrive in Hana, kick back on either a red or black sand beach or grab some famous huli huli chicken at a roadside stand! The island of Kauai will make you feel like you’ve stepped out into the country. Take a boat cruise out to the famous Nā Pali Coast, visit Wailua Falls, or Waimea Canyon (which is known as “The Grand Canyon of the Pacific”)! Don’t forget to keep an eye out for shave ice throughout the islands! This sweet treat is perfect on the hot Hawaiian days! The Big Island of Hawai’i is home to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park– another absolute must do!
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