These are the top cold- and warm-weather destinations around the United States.
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A winter vacation is a great cure for the letdown that often comes after the holidays and the "winter blahs" that start as the season stretches on. Yet everyone has a different idea of what a perfect winter vacation entails. Some want to ski or at least savor all that goes with a snowy environment — think cozy fireplaces, hot cocoa, mulled wine, crisp air, and mountains draped in white. Others want to avoid the cold at all costs, lounge in the sun, and swim in warm tropical waters.
To help you decide what kind of trip is right for you, here's a look at our top 13 winter vacation ideas for destinations around the United States. These are our favorite places to go in the winter, whether you're looking for the perfect winter wonderland or prefer sandy beaches to snowy mountains.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
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With an average of 458 inches of snowfall each year, the ski resorts here — the two most popular being Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Snow King Mountain — attract lovers of the sport. You'll also find other winter-weather activities like snow tubing, snowshoeing, ice skating, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and backcountry skiing. Snowcoach tours to nearby Yellowstone National Park make it possible to explore the area in a comfortable and warm vehicle, offering access to Old Faithful, bubbling mud pots, and wildlife. For another exciting winter adventure, snowmobile tours are offered in both Yellowstone and the even closer Grand Teton National Park.
St. Louis, Missouri
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With daytime temperatures often hovering in the 40s, winter in St. Louis might seem downright mild to some residents of chillier cities. If it feels too cold to be outside, though, there's still plenty to do indoors. The palatial St. Louis Art Museum, founded in 1879 and moved to its current home during the 1904 World's Fair, is one of the country's premier museums. Visitors can also ride a tram to the top of the Gateway Arch, the tallest manmade monument in the United States at 630 feet, for a spectacular view of the city.
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St. George, Utah
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A four-hour scenic drive from Salt Lake City (or a two-hour drive from Las Vegas), St. George offers an appealingly mild desert climate. Though nights can be chilly, daytime temperatures here typically reach into the 50s or even low 60s during the winter months. The historic downtown features a number of interesting museums, galleries, restaurants, and cafes. About an hour away, spectacular Zion National Park is open all year, with hiking and mountain biking trails. Just 15 minutes from St. George, Snow Canyon State Park — with red rock mountains, horseback riding, and gorgeous scenery — seldom sees snow, despite its name.
Louisville, Kentucky
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Known for the Kentucky Derby, the Bourbon Trail, the Louisville Slugger baseball bat, and great food, Louisville offers a bevy of indoor attractions and lots of bourbon to keep you warm. Set on the Ohio River along the Indiana border, the city rarely sees snow or freezing temperatures — but if its highs in the 40s and 50s are too chilly for you, you'll still find plenty to do. The Kentucky Derby Museum explores the history of the annual thoroughbred horse race, while the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory will appeal to baseball fans. Bourbon lovers, meanwhile, will want to check out all the nearby distilleries.
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Palm Springs, California
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About a two-hour drive east of Los Angeles, this charming desert city enjoys warm winter temperatures and is home to golf courses, spas, casinos, and nearby hot springs. Trendy restaurants, boutique hotels, resorts, and elegant shops offer something for everyone — and there are options if you prefer outdoor pursuits, too. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway provides spectacular views en route to the snow-capped peaks of the San Jacinto Mountains, while Joshua Tree National Park (located about an hour away) boasts extraordinary rock formations, cacti, and starry night skies.
Key West, Florida
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As the southernmost point in the continental U.S., Key West is a perfect destination for travelers in search of winter sun. Winter temperatures in the 70s, centuries of history, and world-class water sports all attract tourists here, as does the chance to take one of America's most scenic road trips — the 3.5-hour drive across 42 bridges connecting Key West and Miami. Diving and snorkeling among the coral reefs are popular activities during the day, while in the evening, lively Duval Street offers a Caribbean-style ambiance and a host of great restaurants and bars. Historic architecture, the Key West City Cemetery, and the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum are among the most-visited attractions in this quirky city.
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Burlington, Vermont
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Located in northwestern Vermont on the shore of Lake Champlain, Burlington is one of the best places to go in the winter if you like snow. Several popular ski resorts llie within an hour of the city, including Stowe, Smugglers' Notch, and Bolton Valley. Downtown Burlington, meanwhile, boasts shops, restaurants, micro-breweries, live music venues, and the charming Church Street Marketplace. When you're ready to turn in for the night, Vermont's largest city offers a variety of cozy B&Bs and chic hotels.
Sun Valley, Idaho
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If your perfect winter involves snow and outdoor fun, Sun Valley is the place for you. Nonstop flights from major western cities make the area accessible, and skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, snow biking, Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, and sleigh rides all await once you land. Called the birthplace of destination skiing, Sun Valley Resort offers 2,400 skiable acres spread across two mountains, plus a popular snow sports school. In town, visitors can enjoy a range of dining spots, live music venues, and coffee shops.
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Travelers who like to spend their winters enjoying indoor attractions will find much to enjoy in Pittsburgh. Art lovers can take in The Andy Warhol Museum (the artist was born and raised in Pittsburgh) and the Carnegie Museum of Art, founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1895. The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, meanwhile, boasts exhibits that both entertain and educate. Pittsburgh's dining scene is growing, with dozens of restaurants, cafes, breweries, and new food halls to enjoy. Local favorites like pierogies, kielbasa, and a sandwich from Primanti Bros. should definitely be on your food agenda.
Sarasota, Florida
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Thousands of snowbirds flock to Sarasota every winter, and with temperatures in the 70s, white sand beaches, and countless restaurants and cultural events, it's easy to see why. Travelers of any age will relish the chance to gather seashells or splash in the warm Gulf waters off of Sarasota's coast, while, in town, a bevy of shops and galleries offer hours of browsing. Other highlights include the Ringling complex, which boasts an impressive art museum and a museum of circus history, and the city's extensive collection of mid-century modern architecture.
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South Padre Island, Texas
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With temperatures in the 60s, winter is a pleasant season on this small barrier island off the southern Texas coast. The area is a haven for nature lovers, with outdoor attractions like the Laguna Madre Nature Trail and the South Padre Island Birding, Nature Center & Alligator Sanctuary, which includes a five-story viewing tower. The Original Dolphin Watch and Breakaway Cruises offer dolphin tours, while Sea Turtle Inc. rescues and rehabilitates sea turtles. Boating, fishing, and kiteboarding are popular activities, and you'll find plenty of fresh local seafood, including oysters, red snapper, and flounder.
Asheville, North Carolina
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Winters are mild in this city in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. Ski slopes are nearby for those seeking winter sports, and hiking trails are accessible throughout the season. Asheville offers quirky galleries, museums, and some of the country's best restaurants, and winter is an ideal time to explore them all with minimal crowds. There's no shortage of history here, either. The 1.7-mile Asheville Urban Trail features bronze sculptures depicting figures and events from the city's past, while the Biltmore Estate — George Vanderbilt's glorious 250-room chateau — offers guided tours that give visitors a glimpse into the Asheville of the Gilded Age.
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Honolulu, Hawaii
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Sunshine, beautiful beaches, warm temperatures, brilliant sunsets, and graceful palm trees beckon travelers to Hawaii during the chilly months. Oahu in particular is one of the best places to go in the winter, thanks to temperatures that hover around 80 degrees and attractions that range from snorkeling and big-wave surfing to luxury shopping in the boutiques of Honolulu. Visit 'Iolani Palace to explore the only royal castle in the U.S., and learn all about Hawaiian history at the Bishop Museum or the Polynesian Cultural Center, which is located an hour outside the city on Oahu's scenic North Shore.