These Are the Best Winter Travel Destinations This Year — And Many Are Surprisingly Affordable
A new study compared airfare, hotel costs, safety, and winter activities across nearly 70 U.S. cities.
Winter travel means different things to different people. Some travelers are happy bundling up for museums, food scenes, and snowy city breaks, while others are looking for sunshine and outdoor activities without peak-season prices.
To figure out the best winter travel destinations this year, WalletHub analyzed nearly 70 of the largest U.S. metro areas, ranking them based on travel costs, ease of getting there, affordability, safety, weather, and the number of things to do once you arrive. The study grouped destinations into cold-weather and warm-weather cities to help travelers decide whether to embrace winter or escape it.
Rather than focusing on scenery alone, the rankings prioritize practical factors that actually affect a winter trip, including flight prices and connections, hotel and food costs, seasonal activities, and safety indicators. The result is a list of winter destinations that are not only appealing but also surprisingly affordable and easy to reach.
Best Cold-Weather Winter Destinations
1. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago takes the top spot among cold-weather cities thanks to cheap, direct flights (some as low as $205 round-trip), a massive lineup of winter attractions, and one of the lowest property crime rates among cities studied.
Between ice skating rinks, museums, live music, spas, and an endless restaurant scene, Chicago manages to feel lively even in the depths of winter.
2. Atlanta, Georgia
While milder than most cold-weather destinations, Atlanta ranks second overall due to its abundance of attractions, strong safety metrics, and easy flight access. Many flights require no connections, with fares starting around $310.
Atlanta also stands out for shopping, food festivals, and entertainment — without the sticker shock of bigger coastal cities.
3. Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. lands third, combining excellent travel convenience with world-class attractions. Free museums, historic landmarks, and winter-friendly cultural experiences help offset higher local costs compared to Midwestern cities.
Top 5 Cold-Weather Destinations Overall
- Chicago, IL
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, D.C.
- St. Louis, MO
- Cincinnati, OH
Best Warm-Weather Winter Destinations
1. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the top warm-weather winter destination for this year — and not just because of the Strip.
Winter hotel rates can dip as low as $64 per night, and the city ranks first for attractions overall. Between shopping, shows, dining, and outdoor recreation nearby, Vegas offers strong value even if flights are slightly pricier than average.
2. San Diego, California
San Diego earns second place thanks to some of the best winter weather in the country, plus a huge number of attractions, restaurants, and outdoor activities.
Flights can be direct and reasonably priced, and the city also scores well for safety — including low rates of vehicle fatalities and drunk-driving incidents compared to other warm destinations.
3. Austin, Texas
Austin rounds out the top three, offering affordable flights, strong attraction scores, and mild winter weather that makes outdoor activities possible year-round. It also ranks well for local costs compared to coastal warm-weather cities.
Top 5 Warm-Weather Destinations Overall
- Las Vegas, NV
- San Diego, CA
- Austin, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
If flight prices are a major factor in your winter travel plans, it’s also worth looking at which destinations are expected to be the least expensive to reach in the coming year. A separate analysis breaks down the U.S. cities with the cheapest airfare, highlighting where travelers are likely to find the best flight deals heading into 2026.
