Discover the best winter destinations in the USA, enjoy with family, children or even alone. You will have guaranteed fun with snow or with sun and heat!
San Antonio – Texas
San Antonio, Texas is not only one of the best places to visit in the state, but also one of the most touristy cities in the state.
Its moderate southern climate and charming atmosphere make it a great destination for a winter getaway in the US.
Located halfway between the oil town of Houston and the cool city of Austin, San Antonio preserves a unique vacation vibe unlike the megacities just a few hours away.
It also holds an interesting piece of history, as it is the first chartered civilian settlement in Texas, and as such, there are countless things to do in the city.
The Alamo, the Riverwalk, the five historic missions and the Cathedral of San Fernando are just some of the attractions of this incredible place.
Beaver Creek – Colorado
Just steps west of Vail is the postcard mountain village of Beaver Creek.
Home to the famous Beaver Creek Resort, it draws hundreds of athletes and spectators each December for one of the world's premier ski events.
With no less than 1,800 acres of terrain ranging from gentle slopes to steep bumps to thrill skiers of all abilities, this picturesque village offers so much more than snow-related activities.
The performing arts centre, children's museum and numerous walking trails on the outskirts of the village ensure there is something for everyone.
An abundance of cafes and restaurants offer a wide range of mouth-watering sensations to suit all tastes and budgets.
If all of that isn't enough for you, the unbelievable views of the Rocky Mountains from virtually every point in Beaver Creek are something you won't forget for a while.
Yosemite National Park – California
This national treasure is famous for its year-round breathtaking scenery of granite monoliths, spectacular waterfalls, lakes and deep valleys with towering ancient redwood trees decorating this stunning landscape.
With the first snowfall, Yosemite National Park transforms into a fairytale winter land, making it one of the best places to visit in the winter season.
No matter where you are, spectacular views of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range are in every direction.
Among the must-see sights are El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Lake Tenaya, Tunnel View and Glacier Point. Catching the Firefall at sunset from Horsetail Falls can easily be the highlight for photographers.
Key West – Florida
If you're looking for a winter getaway in the USA that doesn't involve the cold, snow or rain, there's no better place than the southernmost point of the country – Key West, Florida!
This tiny island can even be reached by car from the mainland via the Overseas Highway that runs through the Florida Keys.
Undoubtedly, this island paradise has everything for those who love sandy beaches and the sea.
Fort Zachary Taylor Park, Higgs Beach and the Dry Tortugas offer excellent snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, sailing and fishing, cruising aboard a glass bottom boat or just lounging in the sun.
Kings Canyon National Park – California
If you've been scratching your head for winter vacation ideas, look no further than the other national treasure that is Kings Canyon National Park.
This park easily rivals Yosemite for natural splendor, but an entrance fee also gets you into the adjacent and equally majestic Sequoia National Park.
It's spectacular scenery in the form of towering granite cliffs, deep valleys carved by glaciers, the roar of the Kings River and dense forests of colossal redwood trees to take your breath away.
Hike or ride a horse through Grant Grove and see the General Grant, also known as the Nation's Christmas Tree, the second largest tree in the world!
More dramatic scenery can be seen in Cedar Grove at the bottom of the canyon.
At the same time, Zumwalt Meadow, the massive stalagmites and stalactites of the marble cave at Boyden Cavern and the 2,000-foot high marble walls of Kings Gate and Windy Cliffs will leave you in awe.
Mount Hood – Oregon
This dormant volcano, just a 90-minute drive from Portland, is a major year-round tourist attraction. Still, it's the snow that turns this magnificent mountain landscape into a magical winter playground.
Numerous family ski resorts, woodland cabins and basic camping facilities, all nearby, offer a variety of accommodation styles, winter activities and breathtaking scenery.
Skiing, tubing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, hiking, snow games or leisurely strolls through this magical landscape during the winter is something you wouldn't forget for a while.
Bryce Canyon National Park – Utah
Bryce Canyon is one of the most breathtaking national parks you will find anywhere!
And in winter it is even more beautiful. But be careful; at an altitude of over 8,000 feet, the air is thin and it gets pretty cold. But it will be the canyon amphitheater itself that will take your breath away.
A panoramic walk through the park will take you to several viewpoints to appreciate one of the true wonders of nature.
The Bryce Amphitheater is huge. It is 12 miles long, 3 miles wide and 800 feet deep. Millions of years of frontal erosion carved this canyon, carving cliffs and thousands of multicolored vertical spirals up to 60 meters high, each with its own district shape.
San Diego – California
Well, where do we start? First, the sunny beaches along San Diego's 100-mile coastline will draw you in like a candle to a moth.
Among the countless stunning beaches, Pacific Beach, La Jolla Beach and Coronado Beach are among the best in the world.
Surfing, swimming (though the water can be a little chilly), kayaking, snorkeling, or just lounging in the sun are what people come here to do.
Entertainment here is endless. Harbor cruises, speedboat and sailing adventures, and whale watching thrill locals and visitors year-round.
For culture vultures, museums for all tastes, art galleries, theme parks, gardens will leave you in awe. The USS Midway and Air and Space Museums are truly once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
The hop-on hop-off bus tour is a great way to see all the must-see sights, while the Ghost and Graveyard Tour will scare you.
The Brothels, Bite and Booze Tour lets you sample the area's culinary delights as it takes you through San Diego's questionable but intriguing past.
Boston – Massachusetts
Founded in 1630, Boston is an amazing city full of history, beautiful neighborhoods and great food.
The city has many fascinating attractions including the Freedom Trail, Boston Common, Fenway Park and Newbury Street. Still, there are plenty of romantic things to do in Boston, too.
In addition, the city is also home to the world-renowned Ivy League Harvard University, and an afternoon in vibrant Harvard Square is not to be missed.
With the arrival of winter on the East Coast and Boston covered in a blanket of snow, the city is a real treat to visit, and there's still so much to see and do.
Boat rides are replaced by ice skating on the Boston Common Frog Pond, and the Skywalk Observatory perfectly showcases the beauty of the city from above.
A cold craft beer is the perfect excuse to stay warm, Harpoon Brewery is our favorite, and an indoor shopping spot at Faneuil Hall Marketplace will provide shelter from the winter weather!
Boston is famous for its museums, and they make a cozy winter retreat.
Page – Arizona
Most people have no idea what or where Page is, and it's no surprise why.
Antelope Canyon is the highlight in the area, and most people don't give Page a second look with the natural wonders just beyond the town…
But there is some good news and some bad news about the area…
Bad news first: It gets incredibly busy in Upper and Lower Antelope Canyon.
The good news: you'll visit in the winter when it's still ridiculously beautiful, but the crowds are cut in half.
Even more good news? There's more to Antelope Canyon than Upper and Lower! There are other slot canyons just as beautiful with even less people visiting!
We visited in the winter, and there was literally just us in the canyons!
Salt Lake City – Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah is the perfect ski destination. They have four world-class ski resorts within city limits, so you're never more than forty minutes away from Salt Lake's famous powder snow.
Skiing is “steep and deep” in Salt Lake, which means you'll find more snow than any other North American ski destination, and the terrain offers challenging slopes.
Each of the four resorts caters to a different clientele, so there's something for everyone in Salt Lake. Solitude is good for those who like wide slopes and open spaces.
Brighton is great for snowboarders. Snowbird has steep terrain best for upper intermediates and experts. Alta (my favorite) is a no-frills resort that gets the most snow of any resort in Utah.
But there's more to Salt Lake than just skiing. City Creek Canyon has hiking trails that are open year-round.
Best winter destinations in the USA
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