Do you want to skip the snow and ice storms and escape the cold this winter? If you’d rather chase the summer sun than have to deal with the winter blues, you can escape to one of these six warm winter travel destinations for some much-needed sun and relaxation.
The best part? There’s no need to scramble to renew your passport or spend thousands on airfare in order to get that break from the cold you’re yearning oh-so-hard for. Luckily, there are plenty of warm winter travel destinations right in the United States only a quick plane ride away. In this post I will cover my favorite winter travel destinations in the US to escape the cold and touch up that tan!
Warm Winter Travel Destinations in the USA
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Temperature High: 82 degrees | Temperature Low: 69 degrees
A Caribbean warm winter vacation without leaving the country? Yes, please! St. John is the most untouched of the U.S. Virgin Islands, so it makes for a perfect combo of a relaxing warm winter vacation with an outdoorsy adventure vibe added into the mix.
Get this: Its national park takes up more space than the resort area does, so you’ll be able to find pristine beaches so clear you can go snorkeling and see a ton of marine life right from the shores.
If you are after even more adventure, you can put your hiking shoes on and explore the endless amount of jungle trails, hiking, boating, snorkeling, and eco tours which will give you the chance to check out the lush landscapes that line the island and see wildlife galore.
St. John’s is great for singles, couples, or the entire family! The island is very laid back and casual so no fancy attire is needed for your warm winter vacation. My favorite part is that St. John’s is definitely a destination for foodies! They offer everything from farm-to-table food to private chefs. Check out Spoonful of Flavor for a run down of the great foodie finds in the Virgin Islands.
Interested in planning your trip? Check out Fueled by Wanderlust for a St. John’s Travel Guide to start your winter travel vacation planning.
Palm Springs, California
Temperature High: 75 degrees | Temperature Low: 45 degrees
Dubbed the heart of the California Desert, Palm Springs is a quaint town close to Los Angeles where you’re guaranteed temperate weather paired with trendy cafés, artsy shops, boutique hotels, and a retro-chic vibe you won’t be able to get enough of! From museums to flowing waterfalls you will find lots of fun activities in Palm Springs as the perfect winter travel destination.
If you want to add a bit of adventure into the mix on this warm winter vacation, make sure you spend a couple of days exploring the nearby Joshua Tree National Park. This is a great bucket list item where you can spend your days hiking in the desert, driving the most scenic routes, or simply taking in the desert magic that is this area of California.
At night, you can go stargazing from the comfort of a bubble tent, rough it up by camping under the stars, or experience what luxury in the desert is like by staying at the various boutique hotels that line this area — Sacred Sands comes highly recommended for a visit!
And of course Palm Springs is also a great foodie destination! From food and drink festivals to cooking classes Palm Springs runs the gambit. Check out the Food Fun Travel Blog for the run down of fun foodie finds in Palm Springs. The Infatuation has a great guide of Palm Spring Restaurants to check out.
Kauai, Hawaii
Temperature High: 72 degrees | Temperature Low: 54 degrees
One of the vibiest islands in Hawaii, Kauai sees pleasant temperatures year-round. Despite winter being the rainy season on the island, the weather remains perfect for activities like trekking through the jungle in search of waterfalls or driving the ever-alluring Na Pali Coast.
Plus, Kauai is host to migrating humpback whales, which means you’ll get to experience a once-in-a-lifetime encounter back dropped by the lush emerald mountains and jagged cliffs that make the island the dreamy natural paradise it is!
Hawaii as a whole is a great foodie travel destination with a lot of yummy options. From fine dining to food trucks you will have lots of options to dabble in. Check out Cultural Foodies for a sneak peak of some Food Truck options that will make your mouth water.
Word of advice: Winter is a favorite for a lot of west coast visitors, so make sure you book airfare and accommodation as early as possible for this warm winter travel destination!
Miami, Florida
Temperature High: 75 degrees | Temperature Low: 63 degrees
Miami is the place to be if what you’re after is a mix of exciting nightlife, an unbeatable art scene, and fun beach escapades you won’t soon forget.
If you want to add a little nature into the mix, Miami is also close to some of the most alluring national parks on the East Coast like:
- The Everglades for the ultimate hiking and wildlife adventure (about 41 miles)
- Biscayne National Park for some serious underwater adventures (about 39 miles)
- Dry Tortugas if you’d rather get away from it all for a few days (located on an island off of Florida)
While exploring Miami, make sure not to miss out on enjoying the nightlife South Beach has to offer, wander around the Art Deco District, and eat everything at Little Havana! Eater Miami has a great run down of some restaurants to put on your foodie bucket list.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Temperature High: 72 degrees | Temperature Low: 36 degrees
Looking for that Southwestern flair? Scottsdale sees sunny skies pretty much year-round which makes it a great pick for one of the winter travel destinations to add to your bucket list. Daily temperatures during the winter months hover around the 70s, which makes the winter months the perfect time of the year to explore this quaint little town in the heart of the Sonoran Desert. If you want to explore the great outdoors visit Experience Scottsdale for some insider tips on some hiking trails worth the sweat.
While here, make sure you get your foodie on and explore the town through its vibrant food scene, join in on the nightlife, and visit all the charming boutique shops and cafés that line the streets.
Check out the Food for Two Blog for some unique foodie finds in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Pro Tip: If you visit during December, make sure you don’t miss out on the annual Scottsdazzle, an annual month-long festival where you’ll be able to enjoy seasonal decor, live music and entertainment, incredible food, and fun events you don’t want to miss out on!
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Temperature High: 81 degrees | Temperature Low: 74 degrees
Nature, beach, history, and a downtown that’s not afraid of color combinations? If you’re up for a vacation of a lifetime in the Caribbean, San Juan in Puerto Rico is sure to scratch your itch for a warm winter destination in the USA.
San Juan is a kaleidoscope of colors and life, where you can spend your days walking around its vibrant downtown, taking in the music and history, or simply lounging in style at the many palm-fringed beaches in and around the city.
If you’d like to add a splash of nature and jungle into your trip, San Juan is the perfect base to hop around and take a walk on the wild side. A few go-to places for the most incredible hiking trails and scenery are:
- Condado: Surrounded by trees and ocean, everything is within walking distance, including beautiful beaches, beach side restaurants, or paddle boarding in the lagoon (link)
- El Yunque National Forest: The only tropical rain forest in the national forest system with breathtaking scenery, clear mountain rivers, and outdoor recreation year round (link)
- Toro Negro State Forest: Features about 11 miles of hiking trails, pristine ponds, and an observation tower atop the Cerro Doña Juan (link)
- Guajataca Forest: Located in the northwest region of Puerto Rico Guajataca State Forest has many hiking trails to explore. Check out the AllTrails app to map your adventure (link)
- Guánica Dry Forest: Is one of the most extensive tropical dry coastal forests in the world, totaling around 9,000 acres of land. It’s located about 2 hours from San Juan for a nice day trip (link)
San Juan is of course also a foodie destination! Discovery Puerto Rico has the inside scoop on all of the best foodie spots.
Ready to Pack for a Winter Travel Destination?
What are some other incredible warm winter travel destinations in the USA to escape the cold chilly months? If you know any cool spots to catch that winter sun this year, make sure you share them in the comments section down below! We should get packing!
Resources
Historical Weather: https://www.weather.gov/help-past-weather
Almanac Weather History: https://www.almanac.com/weather/history