11 Best Places to Go in Winter in US

Ah, winter vacations. Summer vacations might get all the spotlight, but we truly believe that winter getaways are an entirely different experience. After all, winter vacations are the perfect antidote for the adrenaline crash that often arrives after the holidays. So, why not think about planning a trip to one of the best places to go in winter in US? Yes, we understand that everyone has a very different idea of what the perfect winter vacation looks like. After all, some of us want to ski, drink mulled wine and hot cocoa by the fireplace, and savor that crisp air while soaking in the mountains draped in all-white. Yet, there are others (like some of us) who want to avoid the cold and the snow at all costs, and simply enjoy somewhere warm, tropical, and preferably with lots of cocktails.

No matter what kind of a winter getaway you prefer, the idea is to escape from the daily grind, isn’t it? If you’re looking for inspiration, here are some of the best destinations to visit around the country during wintertime.

Monterey, California

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If you’re all about milder winters and the beaches, then the charming coastal town of Monterey in California is where you should be. Even though there’s no snow and it’s a sun-kissed destination, temperatures stayed between 7 and 15 degrees Celsius (44 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit). So, we could layer up in the mornings and evenings, and the afternoons would be nice and warm without being hot. The Monterey Bay is the star of the show, with unique, teeming marine life like gray whales, which you can enjoy on this thrilling Monterey Bay Whale-Watching Tour. You can also spot harbor seals, sea lions, otters, and more. If you want to do something laidback, warm up with a beverage or a hot cocktail at one of the many alfresco restaurants by the sea.

We stayed at the fantastic Portola Hotel & Spa, one of Monterey’s boutique hotels tucked just steps from the water. It not only has elegant and spacious sea-facing rooms and suites, but also an award-winning restaurant, a world-class spa, and a fabulous beachfront.

Mammoth Mountain, California

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If you’re a snowboarder, you have to head to Mammoth Mountain in California in winter. It’s truly the snow-swathed playground that snowboarders dream of, complete with a whopping 400 inches of snowfall and 300 days of sunshine annually. Sitting pretty at more than 11,0 ft above sea level, this winter wonderland has, true to its name, a mammoth snowboarding terrain of 3,500 acres, with its skiing season stretching into June (yes, June!). Even if you’re not a snowboarder, there’s so much to do here, snowy and non-snowy activities included, that you’ll never be bored. For instance, indulge in other winter fun like snowcat tours, gondola rides, and snowmobile rides. For non-snow fun, try indoor golf and bowling, which is fun for the whole family.

When it comes to staying, there’s no other spot we’d choose but the Westin Monache Resort is the best spot to stay, with close proximity to the mountain and the Village. A gondola ride from skiing at Mammoth Mountain, the resort also offers snowboard rentals and ski passes. What’s more, the suites and studios have fireplaces, kitchenettes, free Wi-Fi, and modern bathrooms. Rounding up the amenities are the heated outdoor pool, two hot tubs, a 24-hour fitness center, and multiple restautants.

Burlington, Vermont

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Some of the best things to do and places to see in Vermont are in the stunning town of Burlington, which sits on the shores of Lake Champlain. In fact, many popular and the best ski resorts In Vermont lie within an hour of the city, including Bolton Valley, Smugglers’ Notch, and Stowe. Not only do they offer superb downhill skiing opportunities, but also cross-country skiing, backcountry touring, and Nordic skiing. What’s more, there are also a whole lot of other activities, such as snowshoeing, fat biking, winter hiking, ice-skating, and snowmobiling. However, the region has more than just adventurous winter fun. For instance, we loved exploring the winter village postcard-like Downtown Burlington with the charming Church Street marketplace, live music venues, microbreweries, restaurants, and shops.

We were excited to check out the variety of cozy chic hotels and B&Bs that Vermont’s largest city had to offer. Blind Tiger Burlington happens to be one of the best B&Bs in Burlington, Vermont, sitting in a historic brick country mansion. Featuring 14 rooms and suites with fireplaces and seating nooks, the inn also has a fully stocked complimentary pantry, a complimentary artisanal toast and yogurt bar, and a huge breakfast spread.

US Virgin Islands

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Taking a break from all the snow, let’s head to somewhere warm. Let’s say you had the chance to leave the continental US, and you still wouldn’t need a visa, then would you go? We certainly would! Welcome to the warm winter Caribbean getaway that are the US Virgin Islands, sitting pretty in the heart of the Caribbean. They comprise three islands: St. Croix, the largest, with historical towns and scuba diving, the laidback St. John, where the Virgin Islands National Park rules the roost, and the bustling St. Thomas, home to the capital city Charlotte Amalie. With beaches, coral reefs, exquisite marine life, and a throng of over and underwater adventures, we couldn’t ask for a better warm winter vacation. What’s more, island hopping is very easy, thanks to, well, island hoppers and ferries. The best bit? US citizens can visit without a passport.

Do the US Virgin Islands right and stay at the The Buccaneer Beach & Golf Resort in Christiansted, St. Croix. This 1947-opened sprawling beachfront resort boasts shopping boutiques, restaurants, three beaches, swimming pools, a full-service spa, an 18-hole golf course and swanky rooms and suites with spectacular sea views from their private balconies.

Lake Tahoe, California/Nevada

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If you’re looking for epic winter activities but a versatile and diverse landscape, then head straight to Lake Tahoe. Firstly, it’s home to some top-tier ski resorts like Northstar and Heavenly, which are a veritable paradise for snowboarding and skiing enthusiasts. However, that’s not all. This region is known for tubing, especially since it receives so much snowfall. Northstar’s slopes, especially near mid-mountain near the express lift, are perfect for tubing. In fact, there’s a 600-ft-long (183 m) J-shaped tub slide, complete with 3 big whoops. Even Heavenly has an epic 500 ft long (152 m) tubing area with a whopping 65 ft (20 m) vertical drop. At the same time, the lake’s tranquil beauty, with the snow-covered mountains in the distance, make for the ideal setting to lay back and relax, maybe even in a cozy cabin.

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While there are many amazing places to stay around the lake, including Incline Village hotels, we chose to stay at South Lake Tahoe, right on the lake. Welcome to Edgewood Lake Tahoe, one of the best Lake Tahoe hotels on the water. A sanctuary-like spa, a pool facing the lake, a lakefront golf course, three restaurants, and lakeside rooms, suites, and villas with soaking tubs and fireplaces — what could be better?

Asheville, North Carolina

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“The Paris of the South,” which is the Asheville in North Carolina, also happens to be one of the best mountain cities in USA. Tucked in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the city has tons of outdoor adventures on offer during wintertime. Firstly, hiking trails are open throughout the season, so we layered up and trekked all across the mountains. What’s more, there are skiing slopes nearby with all sorts of winter sports. However, since winter is milder here, one of the best things to do is explore the city itself, including its restaurants, some of the country’s best, museums, galleries, and more. Don’t miss the dollop of history here; the 1.7-mi-long (2.7 km) Asheville Urban Trail has bronze sculptures that depict events and figures from its past. Or you could tour the sprawling Vanderbilt estate and mansion Biltmore, whose guided tours gave us a glimpse of Asheville’s Gilded Age.

“Being a mountain city, Asheville had everything we needed for a tranquil wintertime getaway.”

WOW Travel

Since this is a town known for its inns, B&Bs, and boutique hotels, we highly recommend staying at Albermarle Inn. The award-winning inn, sitting in a 1909 Greek Revival mansion, has 11 elegantly designed rooms and suites, decadent breakfasts on the sun porch, verandahs, and gardens, making for the quintessential Southern staying experience. No surprises; it’s one of the best places to go in winter in US.

Park City, Utah

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Park City in Utah happens to be the ski capital of the country. It’s not surprising, considering Park City Mountain is not just one of the region’s best ski resorts, but also the country’s largest ski resort. This winter paradise, aside from being home to the iconic Sundance festival, also has other amazing world-class ski resorts, like Deer and Heber Valleys. However, it offers more than just skiing and snowboarding activities. Other exciting outdoor adventures include riding the Olympic bobsled track and cozy snowshoeing excursions. For something laidback, you can explore the village’s festive holiday charm and décor. Try not to miss Snowfest, with New Year’s Eve fireworks, torchlight parades, and Santa arriving by ski lift! No wonder Utah calls this the “Greatest Snow on Earth!”

We had the choicest of chic and comfy digs, and we ended up choosing the St. Regis Deer Valley. This swanky, fairytale of a resort has direct ski-in/ski-out access with a private ski valet, five restaurants, and gorgeously modern rooms and suites with spectacular mountain views.

Kauai, Hawaii

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We take yet another break from all the snow and head somewhere warm again, this time to one of the best US winter vacation spots of Kauai, Hawaii. This tropical destination might see some rainstorms, but they only add to its offbeat winter vibe. One of the best things about visiting Kauai in winter is that surfing season is at its peak, with larger waves swelling from offshore storms. What’s more, even whale-watching season peaks around January, with the humpback whales heading back home from the cold Alaska waters to give birth in the tropical waters here. If you don’t mind extending your vacation, hop a flight or a boat to Maui to indulge in the Ma’alaea Harbor: Whale Watching Catamaran Cruise.

One of the best newly opened resorts on the island, and also one of its best, is the 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay. This North shore resort made for the perfect mid-winter retreat, with extensive wellness offerings, top-notch dining options, and even an adults-only pool. With just 51 suites and mesmerizing views of the mountains and Hanalei Bay, it’s also one of the most romantic hotels in Kauai.

Vail, Colorado

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The snowy wonderland of Vail — widely regarded as one of the top ski destinations in the US — also happens to be one of best places to visit in Colorado. With excellently groomed and powdery trails, it’s the perfect snowy paradise for snowboarding and skiing lovers. In fact, the Vail Mountain Resort happens to be one of Colorado’s best ski resorts. However, what makes it such an all-around destination is that its village boasts a charming alpine village vibe, with tons to do for families with kids. Think everything ranging from tubing lanes, ski bikes and a kids’ snowmobile track to bright lit decorations, an ice-skating rink, and more. That, along with the cozy lodges and beautifully decorated streets even make it perfect for après-ski after a long day of staying out on the slopes.

Since we wanted to combine adventures with luxurious comfort, we decided to stay at the Four Seasons Resort Vail. It’s no surprise that it’s one of the best hotels in Vail, CO. Not only is there a heated outdoor pool, three onsite restaurants, and a decadent spa, but also the most luxurious rooms with sleek bathrooms, fireplaces, and mountain views.

Sun Valley, Idaho

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Do you want to ski like Hollywood royalty this winter? Head straight to Sun Valley in Idaho, a 1936-opened ski resort often hailed as the very first destination ski resort in the United States. That’s probably why Sun Valley attracted so many major celebs of the time, including Clint Eastwood, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, and even Ernest Hemingway. Even today, it’s an idyllic destination, especially for us intermediate skiers who had a lot of diverse terrain to explore, from well-maintained enticing glades to groomed cruisers. Even today, there are 2,400 skiable acres spread across 2 mountains, as well as a popular snow sports school. Meanwhile, non-skiers have a lot they can do too, with a long roster of winter activities. Think sleigh rides, snowmobiling, snow biking, ice skating and more. Or, you could also visit the town, which boasts a range of coffee shops, live music venues,and dining spots.

Since it had fewer crowds than some of the other major resorts, we certainly thought that this was a very underrated winter destination. The ski resort became famous partly due to the the Sun Valley Lodge/Resort, with its luxurious digs, heated outdoor swimming pools, and unique X-shaped layout. Today, it also has a 20,000 sq. ft. spa!

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

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The Teton-ringed Jackson Hole in Wyoming is truly a winter wonderland, receiving nearly 458 inches of snowfall annually. In fact, the best ski resorts in Jackson Hole, WY, are popular for not just skiing but a whole lot of other wintertime activities. These include backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, snow tubing, ice-skating, and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Skiing, of course, is the most popular, with 3,000 acres of both challenging vertical slopes and accessible backcountry terrain. If you don’t want to hit the powder, there are trips to local hot springs and a ton of other après-ski diversions in the town of Jackson and Teton Village. Did we mention that there are even snow coach tours to Yellowstone National Park and snowmobile tours to Grand Teton National Park? Yes!

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Our recommendation for staying? One of the best luxury hotels in Jackson Hole, Amangani, which lies around 25 minutes from the town of Jackson Hole. Its million-dollar views of Snake River and the Grand Tetons are its selling point, but it also has a fantastic heated outdoor pool, an upscale restaurant, and a decadent spa. The kicker? All its digs have large terraces and balconies with deep-soaking tubs right up against the floor-to-ceiling windows. 

Where is the best snowy place to go in winter in the USA?

Jackson Hole in Wyoming is one the best snowiest destinations you can head to for snowy and non-snowy winter fun.

Which is a great warm place to go to in the US?

If you want to stay within the continental US, then try the Pacific Coast. If you don’t mind a bit of travel (sans the headache of passport and visa, of course), then head to Hawaii or the US Virgin Islands.

Which is the most beautiful winter town in the US?

While many fit this description, we’d say that Jackson Hole and Asheville from this list are the most fitting.