10 Best U.S. Cities for Winter Travel

Winter travel offers a much-needed escape–whether from holiday stress, short drab days, or two long years to flatten the curve.  If you’re ready for a get-away, the personal-finance site WalletHub last month released its report of Best Winter Holiday Destinations, divided into warm- and cold-weather cities.  The top destinations are:

Warm Cities

1) Austin, Texas

I spent time in this friendly city when I was seeing the editor of a Texas news site.  Interesting things to do include:

• tour the state capitol
• visit the LBJ Presidential Library
• take in the works at the Blanton Museum of Art

2) Las Vegas, Nevada

The bright lights of the Vegas strip lure millions of visitors every year, but America’s playground offers much more than casino games and all-you-can-eat buffets.  Fun things to do include:

• visit the Mob Museum
• ride the High Roller
• take in the Fremont Street Experience

3) San Diego, California

With its near-perfect weather, San Diego is a picturesque place to soak up the sun.  Popular things to do include:

• visit the San Diego Zoo
• tour the USS Midway Museum
• ride the attractions at Belmont Park

4) Dallas, Texas

Historic Texas meets modern luxury in this cosmopolitan city with lots of restaurants and shopping.  Interesting things to do include:

• explore the Dallas Museum of Art
• learn history at the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
• take a day trip to Southfork Ranch

5) Houston, Texas

The largest city in Texas offers everything from world-class dining to space history.  Popular things to do include:

• visit the Space Center
• explore the Museum of Fine Arts
• take a day trip to Galveston

 

Cold Cities

1) Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia’s multi-faceted capital has the most cold-weather activities, according to WalletHub; it’s also full of Southern charm.  Interesting things to do include:

• visit the Georgia Aquarium
• stroll the Atlanta Botanical Garden
• tour the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library & Museum

2) Washington, D.C.

Our nation’s capital offers a glimpse of why America has always been great.  Popular things to do include:

• pay respects at the monuments
• visit the Smithsonian Museums
• learn history at the International Spy Museum

3) New York, New York

The Big Apple has the most attractions, according to WalletHub.  Fun things to do include:

• visit the Statue of Liberty
• ride through Central Park
• explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art

4) St. Louis, Missouri

The Gateway to the West sits on the bank of the Mississippi River.  Popular things to do include:

• ride up the Gateway Arch
• visit the St. Louis Art Museum
• stroll the Missouri Botanical Garden

5) Albuquerque, New Mexico

New Mexico’s largest city is a historic mix of Spanish and native cultures.  Interesting things to do include:

• explore Old Town
• visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
• see the Petroglyph National Monument

Whether you like sun or snow or both, I hope you have a fabulous winter vacation.  Bon voyage!