Not everyone flees the cold when winter comes. In fact, some travelers embrace the cold weather, actively seeking out destinations that excel in wintery adventures.
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Typically, the best winter vacation destinations revolve around nature, like the snowy slopes of Aspen, Colorado, or the colorful aurora borealis in Norway and Sweden. Others instead revolve around Christmas markets and holiday cheer, putting up temporary shops before packing up at the turn of the new year.
Large cities, although they aren’t usually associated with winter joy, can also make for a great winter trip. So long as there’s a balance between travel costs, local costs, winter attractions, and similar factors, you can nail a winter vacation without shipping off to Great White North or Scandinavia.
According to one new study from WalletHub, these are the best winter vacation destinations across the United States.
The best winter vacation destinations for those who enjoy cold-weather trips
To finalize rankings for the best winter vacation destinations in the United States, WalletHub looked at metrics like costs, winter attractions, other activities, safety, and travel hassles. They compared this data from 69 of the largest US metropolitan areas.
The best winter vacation destinations offer a balance of affordability, winter-themed attractions, and other general activities. You should be able to visit without overspending or dealing with complicated flight routes, and you should have plenty to do when you arrive—from Christmas markets to free art museums that get you out of the cold.
Think you know which cities come out ahead? Before you make your list, keep in mind that not all destinations are known for being freezing cold—WalletHub also counted cities that have more temperate winters compared to New England and the Upper Peninsula.
Best winter vacation destinations for those who don’t mind cold weather:
- Atlanta, Georgia
- Chicago, Illinois
- Saint Louis, Missouri
- New York, New York (includes Jersey City)
- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Washington DC
- Denver, Colorado
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Boston, Massachusetts