12 Beautiful Cities for Winter Vacations in the US That Look Straight Out of a Snow Globe

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When the temperatures drop below freezing and the snow begins to set, it’s time to put those summer shorts away and put on your favorite fluffy socks. It’s also time to consider where you want to visit on vacation. Are you dreaming of a Christmas city break? A warm winter getaway? Or an outdoor holiday packed with adventure sports?

Either way, the United States has it all, from vast snow-capped slopes and mountain ranges to ski to big cities with festive attractions and sunny beaches capturing the winter sun. To learn more, here are 12 beautiful US cities offering winter vacations. These places offer many things to do and a wonderful seasonal experience.

New Orleans, Louisiana

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Winter is the best time to visit New Orleans for many reasons. For starters, the city’s vibrant streets are dressed in their festive garments, and the Christmas markets are open. Secondly, the city is quieter, so you can take advantage of more affordable hotel rooms, fewer crowds, and less busy restaurants.

However, the best thing about winter in New Orleans is the various events. When you’re not listening to live jazz music in a cozy bar, you’ll participate in Mardi Gras, watch a traditional bonfire, see out the New Year with a kiss, and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Not to mention, the city looks spectacular covered in snow.

Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., is an excellent place to visit in winter if you’re looking for a city break that offers big city attractions and outdoor activities. Better yet, this city is much quieter, so you won’t have to fight through the crowds to explore the most famous attractions, including the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument.

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Once you’ve explored the city’s best attractions, make the most of the seasonal activities, such as ice skating. Alternatively, leave the city and head to one of the nearby ski resorts. Liberty Mountain Resort is a solid choice. Another great thing about Washington, D.C., is that it has many indoor attractions for when the weather is terrible, including the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

Park City, Utah

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast seeking the ultimate winter adventure in the United States, look no further than Park City, Utah. Surrounded by Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort, this picturesque city east of Salt Lake City is famed for its impressive scenery, mountain trails, and activities, such as skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, and dog sledding.

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This former Olympic city also has many family-friendly attractions, such as a mountain coaster, ice skating, and snow tubing. If you’d prefer to take life slower in Park City, enjoy a stroll around the city, fine dining, and the festive Christmas market. Notable attractions include the Park City Museum, Main Street, and City Park.

Honolulu, Hawaii

Travelers who prefer sun, sea, and sand, as opposed to snow, dark skies, and freezing temperatures, are better suited to a trip to Honolulu, where you’ll still find toasty temperatures in winter. Even in December, Hawaii experiences highs of 82°F (28°C). So, what are you waiting for? Get those flights booked!

Like much of Hawaii, Honolulu is famed for its breathtaking scenery, beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, and epic surf. Popular things to do in the city include swimming, surfing, hiking, and relaxing. Keen shoppers and foodies will also be pleased to hear the city has many high-end fashion streets and fine-dining restaurants. Noteworthy points of interest include Waikiki Beach, Bishop Museum, and Iolani Palace.

Los Angeles, California

Another warm winter city in the United States is Los Angeles. Despite the increased rain, November through February in the City of Angels are still mild to warm, with daily highs of 68°F (20°C). While these temperatures are still warm, they are much cooler than the summer, making exploring the city much easier and more comfortable.

In Los Angeles, you’ll never struggle to find something to do. Movie buffs can explore Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers. Adrenaline junkies can catch their next thrill at Universal Studios Hollywood. Keen adventurers can hike to the Hollywood sign and the Griffith Observatory, and partygoers can dance the night away in one of many exclusive nightclubs. What’s not to like?

Fairbanks, Alaska

Okay, we spoke too soon when we said Park City is the best place to go for an ultimate winter adventure in the United States because Fairbanks takes some beating. This beautiful Alaskan city offers travelers beautiful lakes, stunning snow-capped mountains, and countless outdoor activities. The city also features festive markets and the aptly named Santa Claus House.

However, the biggest draw to the city is arguably the Northern Lights, officially called the Aurora Borealis. The long, cold nights provide visitors with a greater opportunity to spot the lights. A wide range of winter sports activities make Fairbanks a snowy paradise, including ice skating, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, curling, and dog mushing.

Charleston, South Carolina

In winter, Charleston, South Carolina, has temperatures of 50°F (10°C) to 60°F (16°C) that are much more comfortable for exploring, while in summer, the city’s temperatures can reach a staggering 100°F (38°C). While the city has much to offer, temperatures like that are often too hot to explore and make the most of what the city offers.

Furthermore, Charleston is quieter in the off season, so you won’t have to fight the crowds. Regarding things to do, this charming port city offers beautiful natural scenery, historic landmarks, fascinating museums, and more. Don’t miss Charleston Museum, Fort Sumter, Rainbow Row, and Waterfront Park.

Sante Fe, New Mexico

Sante Fe isn’t the first place people think of when planning a winter city break in the United States, but there’s much to like about the New Mexico city in that season. For starters, expect fewer crowds and cheaper prices. Secondly, there are plenty of cross-country skiing opportunities nearby.

Better still, the city hosts many events throughout the season, so you’ll never be short of things to do, like the Annual Winter Market, the Winter Glow Holiday Stroll, and the Winter Craft Fair. Sante Fe has also many things to see, such as Meow Wolf Santa Fe, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and Edition One Gallery.

Aspen, Colorado

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, rejuvenate the mind, and try something new, Aspen, Colorado, could be your perfect winter destination. Snow-capped mountains surround this small city in the Rocky Mountains. An outdoor enthusiast’s heaven, skiing, hiking, and other outdoor activities are popular here.

Around Christmas, the city turns into a winter wonderland, drawing travelers in with the promise of bright lights, festive spirit, and delicious food. You’ll never tire of wandering the vibrant streets and exploring the yearly Christmas market. Topping things off nicely, many hotels and resorts in the city have outdoor jacuzzis so you can take in the views as you unwind.

Portland, Maine

The penultimate city on our list is Portland, Maine. Portland makes our list because it ticks most boxes regarding a winter city break. Visitors can expect plenty of indoor and outdoor things to do, cultural attractions, beautiful scenery, and easy access to Acadia National Park, where you’ll find seasonal activities like skiing and snowshoeing.

In Portland, you’ll spend most of your time visiting the main sights, which include the Portland Museum of Art, Portland Observatory, and Portland Head Light. However, you should also allow plenty of time to explore the Old Port and sample local beer in one of the many breweries. Big drinkers might even want to head out on a beer brewery tour. We’ll see you there.

Orlando, Florida

Families looking for somewhere fun to spend their winter vacation should consider staying in Orlando, Florida. Florida is renowned for its pristine beaches, sunny climate, and warm weather. However, the main draw to Orlando is its theme parks, including the iconic Disney World, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios, and Universal Studios Florida.

There are over 15 different theme parks in Orlando, so you’ll never struggle to find somewhere to have fun. Better yet, many of the city’s theme parks run events and activities throughout the season. Besides theme parks, Orlando has other family-friendly attractions, such as the Escape Game London, Orlando Science Center, and the Orlando Eye.

New York City, New York

There is nowhere better to finish our list than with the Big Apple. New York is a fantastic place to visit year-round, but there’s something extra special about the city in winter, especially around Christmas.

New York comes to life with mesmerizing window displays, dazzling Christmas trees, and aromatic Christmas markets, luring visitors in with the promise of sweet treats and mulled wine. You can visit the main tourist attractions, such as the Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty. Still, you’ll likely spend most of your time ice skating in Central Park, admiring the Christmas Tree in the Rockefeller Center, and shopping in the House of Holiday.