Rolling out of bed, half-frozen, to scrape the ice off your car? Or perhaps you don’t mind the heat but thrive in it! Regardless of who you are, I am sure we can all agree that warm winter getaways are some of the best getaways, and we have plenty of them in the United States!
We’ve covered some of the best warm places in the United States to escape the harsh winter that will make all of your friends jealous!
Honeymoon Island State Park, Florida
Honeymoon Island State Park is a great option for winter getaways if you’re looking for a warm US destination to visit. The island has four miles of beautiful beaches to explore, as well as a three-mile hiking trail through one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests.
Honeymoon Island is an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts because it provides numerous activities such as sunbathing, swimming, fishing, kayaking, hiking, and biking.
Consider taking the ferry across the channel to Caladesi State Park as well. This island has beautiful beaches and turquoise water. Caladesi State Park may be less crowded and rocky than Honeymoon Island’s beaches.
Honeymoon Island is a great place to visit all year, but if you go in the winter, you’ll have a better chance of seeing birds like eagles, osprey, and great horned owls, as well as ground animals like gopher tortoises, raccoons, and armadillos.
Also, because of the temperate climate and temperatures ranging from 59 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter, it is easiest to spot manatees and dolphins close to shore.
The Park is open 365 days a year, from 8 a.m. to sunset. The entrance fee to the park is $8 per vehicle. Honeymoon Island State Park is located on Florida’s west coast, about 25 minutes north of Clearwater Beach.
Honeymoon Island has two cafes where you can buy food and beverages, or you can bring your own for a nice picnic on the island.
There are no accommodations available on Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands. However, it is only a short drive from Clearwater or Dunedin, where you can find a variety of lodging options.
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is another great place to escape winter in the United States, with its rich history, charming streets, and pleasant weather. Some of the best things to do in Savannah, Georgia
include exploring one of the original 22 Squares, walking along the live oak trees dripping in Spanish moss, and more!
You must, of course, visit some of Savannah’s most photogenic locations, such as Wormsloe Historic Site and the famous Forsyth Park!
Savannah is also known as one of the most haunted cities in the United States, so if you’re interested in ghosts and the paranormal, this is the place to be. The Mercer House, Bonaventure Cemetery, Colonial Park Cemetery, and the Pirate House are all haunted places in Savannah.
New Orleans, Louisiana
Jazz on the streets, live concerts in every bar and restaurant, extraordinary vibrant energy, excellent cocktail selection, and, of course, delicious food All of this is set against a backdrop of stylishly inspired French and Spanish architecture and a rich history. New Orleans, Louisiana, is ideal for those looking for warm winter getaways in the United States.
The best time to visit NOLA is during the famous Mardi Gras Carnival, which takes place in January and February. Mardi Gras officially begins on January 6th and lasts until Fat Tuesday.
The majority of the events, colourful marches, and concerts take place in the two weeks leading up to Fat Tuesday. How to prepare for Mardi Gras, where to watch parades, and how to spend your time can all be found in this Mardi Gras New Orleans guide.
The best NOLA attractions for couples to visit during Winter Gateway are Louis Armstrong Park, Voodoo Museum, St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, French Bazaar, and Jazz Museum.
Dinner on the Mississippi River on the Jazz Boat Cruise is a perfect idea for a unique romantic evening in New Orleans. Another fun winter activity is to go on a plantation tour or the Louisiana swamps tour from NOLA.
In addition, New Orleans is well-known for its cuisine and excellent cocktails. So it’s worth trying Louisiana Creole cuisine, which includes dishes like gumbo, jambalaya, and seafood. Muriel’s Jackson Square serves delectable cajun cuisine such as oysters, shrimp, crab cake, and gumbo.
In addition, enjoy the exceptional Hurricane cocktails available in every bar on Bourbon Street.
The famous “French Quarter” has the best selection of hotels and apartments for any budget. This is by far the best neighbourhood in New Orleans to experience the city’s energy while remaining close to all of the attractions.
Maui, Hawaii
Maui is likely one of the most popular Hawaiian Islands because it gives you a mix of Kauai and Oahu. You can find busy towns and shopping areas (Lahania) like in Oahu, while still being able to get that remote tropical vibe that Kauai gives you.
One of Maui’s best attractions is driving the road to Hana! The twisting winding road of Hana is full of endless waterfalls, lava landscapes, a black sand beach, bamboo forests, and just overall stunning views! I highly recommend driving it!
You can also witness the sunrise on Mt. Haleakala, which was by far the most beautiful sunrise I have ever seen!
Let’s not forget about relaxing on beautiful beaches, swimming with sea turtles, whale watching, snorkelling at Molokini Island, surfing, and luaus!
Maui provides all of the above and more, making it the ideal warm winter vacation destination.
The best way to see Maui is to rent a car. If renting a car isn’t an option, there are numerous tours available to help you explore Maui!
We had a fantastic time at the Sheraton Resort at Black Rock Cliff. It feels like total paradise with views of both the mountains and the ocean from the same window! I especially enjoyed staying here because we saw Green Sea Turtles on the beach every day. The Sheraton is also very close to town, where there are numerous excellent restaurants.
Oahu, Hawaii
If you’re looking for sun, sand, and glorious warm weather getaways this winter, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Hawaii.
Oahu, the most well-known of the collection of islands off the coast of the United States, is ideal for planning a jam-packed itinerary to suit just about any traveller!
February is an ideal time to visit, with average temperatures ranging from 62 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit and low average rainfall.
As one would expect from an island paradise, there are numerous water activities to choose from. Dive with sharks, snorkel in a nature reserve, go parasailing, or walk on the ocean floor. You can’t go wrong whether you choose to relax on the beach or head to the North Shore to surf and watch the sunset!
Visit Kualoa Ranch, Hollywood’s Hawaii set, to see filming locations from blockbusters such as Jurassic Park, Jurassic World, Jumanji, and Godzilla, while Pearl Harbor is a sombre but unmissable experience.
A hike to the top of the Diamond Head crater will also get your heart rate up and reward you with spectacular views of Waikiki from the top. There are plenty of lodging options in Waikiki’s tourist district, as well as plenty of delicious food. Dukes serves a delicious buffet breakfast, and Bills Waikiki serves the best Australian grade coffee in town.
Bargain hunters should not miss a day of shopping at the Waikele outlets, which are also well-known on Oahu.
Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai, also known as the Garden Island, is another ideal US warm weather winter getaway to add to your list! Who wouldn’t want to spend the holidays on a tropical island with temperatures in the 70s?
Kauai, Hawaii has it all: lush green jungles, beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and adventure! The famous Napali Coast, Waimea Canyon (known as Hawaii’s Grand Canyon), seeing Wailua Falls, and venturing out to Secret Falls are just a few of the best things to see in Kauai!
Los Angeles, California
Dreaming of California? With beautiful coastlines, great hiking, city vibes, and great non-humid temperatures, Los Angeles easily tops the list of perfect warm winter getaways.
Hiking to the famous Hollywood sign, watching the sunset at Griffith Observatory, walking down Santa Monica Pier, going on whale watching Los Angeles in Newport Bay, riding bikes down Venice, or looking for your favourite stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame are just a few of the activities available in Los Angeles.
If you want to take a day trip to Malibu, Palm Springs, or Santa Barbara, Los Angeles is perfectly located.
Even if you’re planning a road trip around California, make sure to spend at least three days in Los Angeles to take in some of the best that the city has to offer!
Hollywood (attractions), Beverly Hills (luxury), and Santa Monica are the three most popular areas to stay in Los Angeles (more beachy vibes).
Puerto Rico, USA
Do you want to go on a warm Caribbean vacation in the United States? Consider the island of Puerto Rico! This island truly has a lot to offer.
Enjoy the charming streets of Old San Juan, explore waterfalls in the El Yunque Rainforest, experience the Pink Salt Lakes in Cabo Rojo, and beautiful beaches are among some of the best things to do in Puerto Rico.
Key West, Florida
If you are looking for a warm winter destination in the US, Key West will be perfect for you!
Located at the very end of the beautiful Florida Keys, Key West is known for its unique atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and ghost stories!
You can fly directly to Key West from pretty much anywhere in the United States. However, if you can, going on a road trip from Miami to Key West is well worth your time!
There is so much to do in the Florida Keys and there is something magical about driving the 7-mile bridge.
Make your way to Mallory Square in the evening for the sunset celebration. It can get quite crowded, so get there early to secure a good spot. You are allowed to walk around with drinks, so if you were in one of the Duval Street bars, don’t feel rushed to leave; simply take your glass with you!
After that, you can go to the bars and enjoy the nightlife in Key West. Alternatively, you can go on a spooky ghost tour! It’s a lot of fun!
In terms of lodging, choose a condo near Duval Street for convenience. If you want to stay near the beach, you can also book one of the lovely beachfront rentals in the area.
Wrap up
As you can see, there are a plethora of fantastic warm US getaways that are ideal for escaping the winter! From the East to the West Coast, and even to the Islands, I wish you the best warm winter vacation! What exactly are you waiting for? Pack your bags and prepare for a winter getaway away from the cold. Concerned about hotel reservations and travel? You have nothing to worry about when you have Viator.com on your side. And for more such blogs, you can visit Tech Shady.