Just the thought of December approaching makes me feel cold and ready for a sunny getaway.
While Mexico and the Caribbean are popular hot spots for Americans looking for winter sun, the good news is that you don’t have to go that far if you’re chasing the sun this winter.
According to a new report from WalletHub, these are the top five U.S. destinations for a sunny getaway this winter.
5. Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix boasts pleasant, mild temperatures and plenty of sunshine during the winter months, making it a great place to escape the cold and snow.
With the weather warm, but not too hot, this makes it a great time of year to explore the great outdoors in this beautiful part of the world.
Phoenix boasts incredible hiking trails. Some of the best of these include the trails in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve, the Hole-in-the Rock trail, and the Mormon Trailhead.
If you prefer traditional attractions to spending time in the great outdoors then the Children’s Museum of Phoenix and the Wildlife World Zoo are considered 2 of the most interesting attractions in the city.
If you’re going to be in Phoenix for the holidays then be prepared for all the fun of a traditional desert Christmas. From November 29 – December 30, Las Noches de Las Luminarias at the Desert Botanical Gardens is a beautiful walk of lights and entertainment. Admission costs $41.95 per person.
4. Austin, Texas
If you visit Austin in the winter you’ll find so much more than just warm weather. You’ll also find a warm welcome, festive atmosphere, and plenty to see and do.
Spending Christmas in the city? Then from December 14- December 23 you can mingle with the locals at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar. This offers festive shopping, live music, and other entertainment.
That the Christmas Bazaar features live music should come as a surprise. Austin is called the Live Music Capital of The World. If live music is your idea of a good time then some of the best venues to explore include The Continental Club, Antones, and Stubb’s BBQ.
Looking for something a little less sedate and a little more adventurous? Zipline through the Hill Country with Wimberley Zipline. There are 10 different ziplines to choose from ranging from 150 feet to 900 feet long. This costs $110 per person.
3. Dallas, Texas
Proving that winter really is better in Texas, Texas is the only state with two entries to appear on this list!
Just like Austin, Dallas is a great place to visit in winter, thanks to its wonderfully mild weather. Daily high temperatures are around 61°F, rarely falling below 40°F or exceeding 79°F.
No matter what time of year you visit, Dallas has a rich culture and a vibrant arts scene. Explore the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, and the AT&T Performing Arts Center if you have a keen interest in arts.
Although Dallas is a landlocked city, ironically, it is home to one of the most prestigious aquariums in the world. The Dallas World Aquarium is seven stories high and has a whopping 400,000-gallon display tank.
It’s so big, there are even 3 restaurants inside! If you have any interest at all in sea life, this is the place to be. Entry costs £29.95 per person.
2. San Diego, California
According to WalletHub, San Diego took second place because not only does it have the 3rd most pleasant winter weather conditions in the country, it also has a huge number of attractions to enjoy too.
Whether you’re looking for theme parks, relaxing bike rides, or affordable restaurants, you’ll find it all here. Flights are also reasonably priced, with WalletHub citing that flights to San Diego from major cities are as low as $365.
One of the most fascinating reasons to visit San Diego during the winter months is that From December to March, you can watch California gray whales migrate along the coastline here. Book a whale-watching tour to see this spectacle up close.
San Diego Whale Watching offers both daytime and sunset whale watching cruises, with prices starting from $56. These are 3-hour tours with indoor and outdoor seating available on the vessels.
1. Las Vegas, Nevada
There are so many great reasons to Viva Las Vegas this year, especially during the winter months.
One reason Vegas topped the WalletHub chart was how affordable the accommodation is in the winter months (excluding the holiday season, of course, when prices everywhere are eyewatering!). A 3-star hotel room costs just $35 per night.
But you shouldn’t just choose a vacation destination because the hotel rooms are cheap! Winter temperatures in Las Vegas range from 61°F to 57°F, and there’s so much to see and do.
Explore the twinkly lights at the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens. This is a great way to enjoy the build-up to the festive season.
If your passions are sports or adventure, there are abundant outdoor activities, too, including golf courses, a huge number of public basketball courts, or the SpeedVegas Driving Center. This is America’s Only Motorsports Theme Park, where you can drive supercars and go off-road. Prices start from $99.
If you want to embrace winter activities without the chill then the Cosmopolitan Hotel installs a rooftop ice rink during the winter months. You can glide across 4,200 square feet of real ice, with admission costing $30 for the whole day.
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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.
