Places to go in january in the us

Looking for the best places to visit in January in the USA? These are the places you want to travel to this month whether you’re looking for a winter wonderland, special events, or you’re running from the cold.

The holidays are over, but winter adventures are just getting started. Have you written out a travel bucket list? After being cooped up at home, I’m excited to see some new places. 

January is a great time to travel if you have the flexibility. In most cases, you get to avoid the large crowds from winter break, and you’ll get better hotel deals.

Places to go in january in the us
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Last Updated: November 8, 2022

  • Best Places to Visit in January in USA
    • Winter Activities
    • Warm Weather Destinations
    • Destinations with Special Events
  • Map of the Best Places to Visit in January in USA
  • Warmest Destinations in the US
  • More January Travel Destinations
  • What to Pack
  • More Resources

15 Best Places to Visit in January in USA

|| Winter Activities ||

1. Aspen, Colorado

590 N Mill St, Aspen, CO 81611, map

Weather Avg: 36° / 10° F

If you love snow, Aspen is one of the best places to visit in January in USA. You’ll find groomed runs or fresh powder. Since school break is over, it will be much less crowded, and hotel prices will be more reasonable. Plus, there are some notable events!

  • TO DO: Breathtaker Alpine Coaster, Tubing, Snowcat Dinners
  • EAT: White House Tavern, Meat & Cheese Restaurant, French Alpine Bistro
  • STAY: Limelight Hotel Aspen, Hotel Durant, Hearthstone House Aspen, Search all Aspen Hotels
  • EVENTS: Wintersköl, Gay Ski Week, X-Games

Local Tip: During the big events, like X-Games, it will be crowded and prices will be higher.

Places to go in january in the us
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2. Vail, Colorado

241 S Frontage Rd W #8150, Vail, CO 81657, map

Weather Avg: 29° / 6° F

Vail is another magical spot in January. The crowds have thinned, while the snow is still excellent. You’ll find better travel deals, and you can hit the slopes, go dog sledding, have a spa day, and more.

  • TO DO: Sleigh Rides, Snow Activities, Dog Sledding
  • EAT: The Little Diner, Annapurna Nepali and Indian Cuisine, Mountain Standard
  • STAY: Stizmark Lodge, Austria Haus Hotel, The Landmark, Search Vail Hotels
  • EVENTS: Annual Vail Winterfest

Places to go in january in the us
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3. Big Sky, Montana

88 Ousel Falls Rd Unit A1, Big Sky, MT 59716, map

Pro Tip: If you plan on visiting Yellowstone, be sure to check what closures there are or go on a guided visit.

Places to go in january in the us
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4. Breckenridge, Colorado

203 S Main St, Breckenridge, CO 80424, map

Local Tip: You don’t need a car. There are shuttles from Denver International Airport to breezily get to Breckenridge, and there is a free bus system throughout the town. Most hotels also offer free shuttles to and from town.

Places to go in january in the us
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532 N Cache St, Jackson, WY 83001, map

Weather Avg: 28° / 5° F

Jackson Hole is another beautiful destination for outdoor winter adventures, like skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating. You can also explore the town, take a dip in the hot springs, or sleigh rides at National Elk Refuge. Grand Teton National Park is right there too.

  • TO DO: Things to Do in Jackson Hole in the Winter
  • EAT: Persephone Bakery, Hand Fire Pizza, Gather
  • STAY: Mountain Modern, The Lexington at Jackson Hole, Inn on The Creek, Jackson Hole Hotel Deals

Places to go in january in the us
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Places to go in january in the us
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|| Warm Destinations ||

36.4617588,-116.8688057, map

Weather Avg: 67° / 40° F

Death Valley is of our favorite national parks because of the variety of landscapes. You can walk the dunes, check out the lowest point in North America, or hike along colorful hills. It’s unbearably hot during the summer, but you can comfortably spend all day outside in the winter. Just be sure to bring layers since the temperatures drop significantly when the sun goes down.

  • TO DO: Badwater Basin, Mesquite Dunes, Zabriskie Point
  • EAT: Last Kind Words Saloon, Happy Burro Chili & Beer, Smokin J’s Barbecue
  • STAY: The Ranch at Death Valley, The Inn at Death Valley, Death Valley Inn & RV Park, Hotels Near Death Valley

Local Tip: If you plan on visiting multiple National Parks, pick up an annual pass to save money.

Places to go in january in the us
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8102 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, map

Weather Avg: 72° / 51° F

January is one of the cooler months, perfect for spending all day at the parks (it’s historically the least busy time at Disney World), checking out the local festival and events, or exploring outdoor activities.

  • TO DO: Disney Parks, Stetson Mansion Holiday Tours, New Smyrna Beach
  • EAT: Chi-Kin, Hungry Pants, Delaney’s Tavern
  • STAY: Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, SPOT X, Wyndham Garden, Orlando Hotel Deals
  • EVENTS: Mecum Auction Collector Cars, Busch Gardens Mardi Gras, Epcot Festival of Arts

Local Tip : Weather can be unpredictable in January so it’s best to pack in layers and a rain jacket.

Places to go in january in the us
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2901 N Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262, map

Places to go in january in the us
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Places to go in january in the us
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Places to go in january in the us
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9. Miami, Florida

1701 Meridian Ave #403, Miami Beach, FL 33139, map

Weather Avg: 74° / 63° F

While the water temps aren’t ideal for swimming, you can still soak in the sun on the beaches, check out clubs, or explore other city attractions without crowds. You also get better hotel prices throughout the city.

  • TO DO: Boat Tour, Charter a Fishing Boat, Everglades National Park
  • EAT: CVI.CHE 105, The Salty Donut, KYU
  • STAY: The Guild Downtown, Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons, Miami Hotel Deals
  • EVENTS: South Beach Jazz Festival, Miami Festival of Laughs, Art Deco Weekend

Places to go in january in the us
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Places to go in january in the us
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281 Trumbo Rd, Key West, FL 33040, map

Weather Avg: 74° / 65° F

January is a beautiful time to visit Dry Tortugas National Park and the Florida Keys area to beat the crowds. However, the downside is that weather can be unpredictable, making it harder to get to Dry Tortugas. If you can’t make it out to the National Park, there’s a lot to see and do in Key West and the rest of the Keys.

  • TO DO: Fort Jefferson Tour, Snokel / Dive, Camping
  • EAT: Blue Heaven, Santiago’s Bodega, DJ’s Clam Shack
  • STAY: Perry Hotel, Douglas House, Hyatt Residence Club, Search Key West Hotels
  • EVENTS: Key West Artisan Market Market, Key West Kingfish Mayhem, Florida Keys Seafood Festival

Local Tip: Have back up plans in case the weather causes delays or cancellations of outdoor activities.

Places to go in january in the us
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996 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, map

Local Tip: It gets chillier at night and closer to the ocean, so pack layers.

Places to go in january in the us
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|| Special Events ||

422 English Village, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403, map

Weather Avg: 66° / 43° F

January is extra special because of the Annual Havasu Balloon Festival where hot air balloons fill the skies.

During the summers, Lake Havasu is a giant party and the lake if filled with boats. In the winter, it becomes more relaxing and laid back. You still get sunny days but cooler weather.

  • TO DO: Lighthouses, London Bridge, Sara’s Crack
  • EAT: La Vita Dolce Italian Bistro, Mudshark Brewery and Public House, Cha-Bones
  • STAY: Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Hampton Inn, Heat Hotel, Search Lake Havasu Hotels
  • EVENTS: Annual Havasu Balloon Festival, Polar Bear Day, Annual Festival of Lights

Places to go in january in the us
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Places to go in january in the us
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13. St Paul, Minnesota

175 W Kellogg Blvd #502, St Paul, MN 55102, map

Weather Avg: 23° / 6° F

Winter Carnival happening Jan 28 to Feb 6, 2022, is the main attraction of St Paul this month. It celebrates all things cold with an Ice Sculpture Park, Ice Fishing Tournament, parades, and more. And the best part is that a lot of the activities are free.

  • TO DO: Winter Carvinal, Sledding, Ice Skate
  • EAT: Casper’s and Runyon’s Nook, Red Cow, The Buttered Tin
  • STAY: The Saint Paul Hotel, Drury Plaza Hotel, Canopy by Hilton, More Hotels in St Paul
  • EVENTS: Ice Fishing Tournament, NHL Winter Classic, Winter Carnival

Places to go in january in the us
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14. McCall, Idaho

44.9161982,-116.1128458, map

Weather Avg: 30° / 12° F

Another Winter Carnival happens in McCall, Idaho, throughout most of January. You’ll find snow sculpture events, dog sled challenges, special dinners, concerts, and more.

  • TO DO: Skit / Snowboard, Annual Ice Sculpture Contest, McCall Hot Springs
  • EAT: My Father’s Place, Hometown Pizza, Steamers Steak & Seafood
  • STAY: WorldMark, Rustic Inn, Best Western Plus, Hotel Deals in McCall
  • EVENTS: Winter Carnival, Snow Sculpture Contest, Dog Sled Challenge

Local Tip / Pro Tip / Note: dsfsdfsd

Places to go in january in the us
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15. Park City, Utah

1794 Olympic Pkwy, Park City, UT 84098, map

Weather Avg: 35° / 14° F

Park City has world-class skiing and snowboarding. We went snowboarding here a while back, but we’re due for a trip soon. If you aren’t into either, there are plenty of other winter activities like ice skating, sleigh rides, dog sledding, and more.

At the end of January, filmmakers, actors, and fans gather here for the largest independent film festival in the US.

  • TO DO: Snowmobile, Ski / Snowboard, Sleigh Rides
  • EAT: High West Saloon, Freshies Lobster, Five5eeds
  • STAY: The Chateaux Deer Valley, Hyatt Place, Silver King, Park City Hotel Deals
  • EVENTS: Sundance Film Festival, Last Friday Gallery Stroll

Local Tip: Prices are significantly higher during the festival, so book early.

Places to go in january in the us
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Map of the Best Places to Visit in January in the USA

Warmest Destinations in the US

The warmest states in the winter are Hawaii, Florida, California, Arizona, Texas, Georgia, and Louisiana.

The warmest cities based on average highs are:

  • 82°F – Kailua Kona, Hawaii Big Island || Lahaina, Maui
  • 81°F – Kahului, Maui || Everglades National Park, Florida
  • 80°F – Honolulu, Oahu
  • 79°F – Hilo, Hawaii Big Island
  • 76°F – Miami, Florida
  • 74°F – Key West, Florida
  • 71°F – Orlando, Florida || Anaheim, California || Palm Springs, California
  • 70°F – Yuma, Arizona
  • 69°F – Anza Borrego, California || Phoenix, Arizona || Big Bend National Park, Texas
  • 68°F – Daytona Beach, Florida || Los Angeles, California 

More Travel Destinations in January

  • ALASKA: Fairbanks
  • ARIZONA: Santa Fe, Scottsdale, Sedona, Tucson, Flagstaff
  • CALIFORNIA: LA / Santa Monica, Lake Tahoe, SF, Yosemite
  • FLORIDA: Fort Lauderdale
  • GEORGIA: Atlanta, Brunswick + Golden Isles, Jekyll Island, Savannah
  • HAWAII: Big Island, Kona, Kaui, Lanai, Maui
  • ILLINOIS: Chicago
  • LOUISIANA: New Orleans
  • MASSACHUSETTS: Boston, Moosehead Lake
  • NEVADA: Las Vegas
  • NEW MEXICO: Taos, White Sands
  • NEW YORK: New York
  • PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia
  • SOUTH CAROLINA: Hunting Island State Park, Palmetto Bluff 
  • TENNESSEE: Nashville
  • TEXAS: Austin, Dallas, South Padre Island + Port Isabel
  • UTAH: Alta, Snowbird, SLC, Zion
  • WASHINGTON: Mt Baker, Seattle
  • WISCONSIN: Milwaukee

More Resources

  • USA Travel Guide
  • Rand McNally Road Atlas
  • 50 Best Road Trips in the USA
  • Scenic Highways and Byways in the US
  • National Parks Travel Guide
  • Annual National Park Pass

Is there anything we missed on our list of best places to visit in January in USA?

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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust

Places to go in january in the us
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Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, which is one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

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