No products in the cart.
Travel Guide
These Are The Top 5 U.S. Destinations To Visit This Winter According To TripAdvisor
02
Dec
Dec
Last Updated
With all this talk of Cancun, Punta Cana, Paris and whatnot, you may be feeling a little left out if you didn’t make plans to go abroad this winter, but in all honesty, why should you?
Have you ever taken some time to actually appreciate how huge and diverse the United States is?
Traveling internationally is fun, and we all love collecting entry stamps from different countries, but at the end of the day, you definitely don’t need to fly to a faraway country to experience a different culture, chase natural wonders, or relax by a tropical beach.
In that spirit, here are the top 5 U.S. destinations to visit right now, as listed by TripAdvisor based on their popularity among Americans flying domestically this winter:
Key West, Florida
The mainland extension of the paradisiacal Florida Keys archipelago, Key West is both the Sunshine State’s southernmost point and a lively coastal town known for both its coral-fringed sandy beaches, which are great for snorkeling, and numerous historical sites:
Think the Ernest Hemingway house, where the renowned author lived, a picture-perfect Duval Street, lined with shops and storied buildings, including a striking-white St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and Fort Zachary, a national monument dating back to the Civil War.
Other than soaking up the culture, you can bask in the 75°F Floridian sun at Smathers Beach, a beautiful strip of white sand straddling clear waters, or sample the Red Shoe Island Bistro‘s famous sea scallops, a favorite among locals.
Honolulu, Hawaii
Can’t get enough of the winter sun? Next up on the list is Honolulu, both the largest conurbation on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, and the capital of the archipelagic state as a whole: needless to point out, the city’s biggest appeal is its proximity to nature.
One of the most famous hikes in Hawaii is right here, at the Diamond Head State Monument, as is condominium-dotted Waikiki Beach and its gorgeous sandy shoreline, not to mention Hanauma, a sheltered bay teeming with marine life.
Having recovered from a devastating hurricane, Honolulu is ready to host visitors from the mainland again this winter, and if you’re looking for a beachfront stay that won’t hurt your wallet––at least not too much––check out the Aston Waikiki Circle Hotel.
Orlando, Florida
Back over in Florida, Orlando ranks three for top domestic winter destination for Americans this year, and with all the recreational areas, buzzing shopping scene, and of course, the big choice of theme parks, it’s not hard to see why.
It is the home of Walt Disney World and Universal Studio Florida, as well as the Kennedy Space Center, or how we like to call it, Disneyland for astrophiles––if you’re heading to Disney this season, gear up for the new, wilder version of the Rock’n’Roller coaster.
Away from the parks, you can find peace amidst the urban sprawl in Lake Eola, in the heart of Downtown Orlando, with its Chinese pagodas and scenic walks, browse the shops at the iconic Florida Mall, and eat some incredible tacos at the Border Grill Fresh-Mex.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the second-most-popular U.S. destination this winter, owing to its gambling scene, theatrical venues, and a plethora of theme resorts––from Paris Las Vegas to The Venetian to Luxor, you can travel the whole world without ever leaving the Strip.
Though prices will vary depending on date and availability, some of the best deals in Vegas this winter include overnights at Park MGM starting at a surprisingly-economical $71 in mid-January, Palm Casino Resort ($108), and the world-famous Bellagio ($379).
When it comes to entertainment, don’t miss live renditions by Italian powerhouse Andrea Bocelli at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Garth Brook’s new Caesars Palace residency, and Janet Jackson at the Resorts World Las Vegas, running from December 30 through February 15.
New York City, New York
Unsurprisingly, New York continues to take the lead as the number one pick for tourists in all of the United States, regardless of how cold it gets: come rain or come shine (or snowstorm), the Big Apple is all the rage this winter!
Other than visiting a neon-lit Times Square, other activities that should be on your list include ice skating at Rockefeller Center, exploring Central Park under the snow, walking the High Lane, an elevated greenway offering views of the cityscape, and spending time indoors:
Be it at the MoMA, or at a Broadway (or Off-Broadway) show, the list of inside attractions is truly quite extensive––by the way, if you’re a theater geek, you can get 2-for-1 deals during Broadway Week from January 21 to February 9.
↓ Elevate Your Travel↓
Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!
✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
