9 Best Places to Visit in the U.S. in January

Planning a trip to a new or unique place to visit in the U.S. in January is enticing, especially if you live somewhere with cold winters. Warm holiday memories fade after the New Year, but a January vacation at one of these winter travel destinations—whether it’s a beach or a mountaintop—can make all the difference.

Experience moderate-weather fun in Phoenix, Arizona

The moderate weather of Phoenix in January makes this an ideal winter destination for golf, music festivals and perhaps even a dip in the hotel pool.

January may be the perfect time of year to visit Phoenix for a warm winter vacation: with upper temperatures in the low 70s, it's still warm enough to swim in the hotel pool while comfortable enough for a round of golf at one of Phoenix's 200-plus courses or a hike among the saguaros in the Sonoran Desert. Speaking of golf, January also is when the PGA's Phoenix Open tournament is held, and Arizona Coyotes hockey games are also in season. Car auctions, art festivals and music events like the annual Arizona Bach Festival in Phoenix and the Arizona Musicfest in Scottsdale provide the soundtrack to a January getaway in the Valley of the Sun.

Hotels near Phoenix, Arizona: 38

Take a walk on the sand in Clearwater, Florida

A January walk on the beach in Clearwater is never out of the question, and the nearly year-round sunset celebration at Pier 60 promises plenty of fun.

On a typical January day on the island stretches of Clearwater Beach, temperatures range from the mid 60s to low 70s. Delight in a peaceful walk before an open-air lunch at the award-winning Salty’s Island Bar & Grille. The avocado toast will not disappoint. Cap off your warm winter vacation day at the beach with a visit to the 364-day-a-year free sunset celebration at Pier 60, featuring arts, crafts and various street performers.

Hotels near Clearwater, Florida: 25

Shop along the waterfront in West Palm Beach, Florida

The mild weather and shops of West Palm Beach offer plenty of browsing and bargain-hunting fun for those looking for a winter escape.

Florida is one of America's favorite winter escapes, and West Palm Beach invites those seeking a warm winter vacation to enjoy pleasant Gulf waters, sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70s. There's also plenty to do on non-beach days, from bargain hunting at the Palm Beach Outlets to perusing the art galleries of Northwood Village. Mural-lined Clematis Street is the city's nightlife hub, full of sidewalk cafes and lively bars, but West Palm Beach also proves there's more to Florida than Disney for families. In January, the city hosts the South Florida Fair, with 17 days of midway rides, corn dogs and funnel cakes, and live entertainment. Kids will also love the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society and the South Florida Science Center and Aquarium.

Hotels near West Palm Beach, Florida: 4

Keep the party going in Nashville, Tennessee

Turn up the music for New Year’s in Nashville or visit the home of former U.S. President Andrew Jackson, who won the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815.

The beat never stops in America's Music City, and January is a great time of year to visit the Country Music Hall of Fame or take a crawl to the Honky Tonk bars on Broadway, even if you may have to dodge a few raindrops along the way. The Nashville Originals—an alliance of local restaurants including everything from soda shops and barbecue joints to German and Mexican eateries—holds its annual Restaurant Week in January, and other events include the Nashville Auto Fest and Nashville Boat Show. History buffs can visit The Hermitage, the home of President Andrew Jackson, to learn more about the January victory of “Old Hickory” in the Battle of New Orleans. And, if you’re in town for New Year’s Eve, kick the year off right during the Jack Daniel's Music City Midnight celebration.

Hotels near Nashville, Tennessee: 42

Take a tour of the evergreen oaks of Savannah, Georgia

Plan a trip to Southern cities like Savannah during the winter to avoid the typical humidity of low country summers.

You'll feel a nip of winter in Savannah in January, but long gone is the heat and humidity typical of low country summers, making this coastal city a great destination for your first trip of the new year. The live oaks lining the streets of Savannah stay green all winter, and January is a great time for a house tour or for snuggling under a blanket on a horse-drawn carriage tour of this historic city. Ice skating and running events are both part of Savannah's winter sports scene, which also includes events like the annual Enmarket Savannah Hockey Classic and the Critz Tybee Run Fest.

Hotels near Savannah, Georgia: 29

Ring in the Mardi Gras season in Shreveport, Louisiana

Shreveport’s annual Twelfth Night celebration takes place the first week of January and presents the perfect opportunity to plan a winter vacation in Louisiana.

Mardi Gras isn't just a New Orleans tradition—it's celebrated throughout the Acadiana region of Louisiana, and the party begins in Shreveport with the Twelfth Night holiday during the first week of January, making for one of the best winter vacation spots. Parades and balls are held throughout the season leading up to Fat Tuesday itself. You also can enjoy Mardi Gras treats like king cakes made at Lilah's Bakery, or feast on gumbo, boiled crawfish, and etoufee at restaurants like Orlandeaux’s Café and Herby K’s. For Mardi Gras masks in this festive winter destination, stop by the Enchanted Garden, or extend your shopping day at the Louisiana Boardwalk Outlets, the East Bank District and the Line Avenue Shopping District. At night, the gaming action heats up at the six casinos in Shreveport and Bossier City. For more fun, check out the Top 9 Things to Do in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Hotels near Shreveport, Louisiana: 10

Experience the Colonial atmosphere in Frederick, Maryland

With its Colonial architecture and importance to early-American history, downtown Frederick is one of the most beautiful places to visit in January—especially during the snow.

With its fine brick buildings and Colonial homes, historic downtown Frederick is another one of the best places to visit in the U.S. in January, especially when the snow is falling and the hushed streets transport visitors back to earlier times. Getting snowed in presents a fine opportunity to sample beer, wine and spirits from the city's dozens of tasting rooms. You can continue your tour back through time with a visit to the Museum of Civil War Medicine, where you can learn more about Frederick’s role as a home to military hospitals during the war’s infamous Battle of Antietam. Finish off your evening with a walk past the lighted boats of Carroll Creek Park, or enjoy some late-night shopping on First Saturdays throughout the month of January.

Hotels near Frederick, Maryland: 22

Explore the art of the American West in Tulsa, Oklahoma

Make Tulsa’s “first food hall,” Mother Road Market on Route 66, one of your stops before checking out the numerous arts and culture offerings of this city in January.

Tulsa might not seem like your first choice for one of the best places to visit in the U.S. in January, but the midwinter temperatures here (high upper 40s/low upper 20s) are milder than you might expect, and Oklahoma's second-largest city offers a variety of indoor activities all month long. The Tulsa Performing Arts Center hosts touring Broadway shows near the city's historic Deco District, and the Woody Guthrie Center gives visitors a virtual-reality experience of the Dust Bowl. Make a pitstop for lunch at the Mother Road Market on Route 66 before viewing a Picasso or a Wyeth at the Philbrook Museum of Art—or touring the Gilcrease Museum, which houses a vast collection of art on the American West.

Hotels near Tulsa, Oklahoma: 18

Choose from a wide selection of winter sports in Madison, Wisconsin

If you’re looking for cold-weather fun, try skiing, sledding, skating or ice fishing in Madison in January. To get out of the cold, try touring one of Madison’s many free museums.

This hardy Midwestern city embraces some of the best skiing in January, as well as sledding and skating in places like Elver Park and Cascade Mountain. Ice fishing is also popular at local lakes and can be enjoyed by visitors during the annual free fishing weekend. Sip a hot toddy or some winter squash soup during Winter Restaurant Week before hitting the slopes, or better yet, embrace your inner cheesehead at the Isthmus Beer and Cheese Fest. Many of Madison's best museums are free, including the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, the Chazen Museum of Art and the Wisconsin Historical Museum. Hot music options for cold winter nights include shows at The Sylvee, the Majestic and Orpheum theaters, and the High Noon Saloon.

Hotels near Madison, Wisconsin: 16

It’s time to start planning your next winter travel destination! Whether you’re seeking warm weather or cool slopes, we know this list of the best places to visit in the U.S. in January will help seal the deal.