In the colder months when everyone else is snuggling up under their heated blankets and binge watching television shows, you could be seeing the US in some of its best months. I have found traveling in the winter to be almost better than summer travel because you’re not sweating bullets, the crowds are fairly good and except around the holidays it’s usually cheaper. Here are a few of my favorite places to travel in the US during the colder months.

Charleston, SC

This southern town has almost perfect weather year round. Although it can get pretty hot in the summer, the winters are pretty mild making it a great winter destination. Charleston is known for its colorful tree-lined streets, its fantastic restaurants and its overall southern charm.

The Southwest

While snow and chilly weather are still very common in the winter, the southwest has some of the warmer temperatures in the country. During my Arizona road trip which happened in late December, I experienced 60 degree weather! You can’t get much better than that. Plus beautiful sites and cities in the southwest like the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley and Santa Fe are freed up from many tourists.

Washington, DC

Washington is the perfect place to travel around the holidays. The city basically shuts down and the traffic dies down, but all the museums, monuments and restaurants stay open. The winter time is a great time to get a more relaxed view of the city where you can really take in all the history and sites.

New Orleans

You don’t have to come for Mardi Gras when the party lasts all year. Head on down to the bayou to experience the great combination of moderate weather and lively jazz music… and maybe the town’s infamous hurricane drink that can be enjoyed walking down the street.

Disney World

Okay, so maybe don’t venture down to visit the mouse around the holidays. But for the rest of the winter Disney tends to have less visitors than it does during the rest of the year. In January especially you can find shorter lines for the rides and the humidity is in control so your hair won’t make it look like you time traveled from the 80s.


Where else do you like to travel in the chillier months?