When the mercury drops, some Americans welcome the chill while others follow the sun. This year, the winter promises to be a warmer one. The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts a temperate and uneventful winter across most of the U.S. Some regions will experience harsher weather, though, particularly in central and southern Appalachia, the western Ohio Valley, and the Rockies.
To help Americans plan their travels over the colder months, WalletHub developed a ranking of the cheapest U.S. destinations that are also the easiest to reach. In total we analyzed nearly 70 of the largest metro areas — grouped as “warm” or “cold” — based on 37 key metrics, including two weeks of flight data, safety indicators and weather predictions.
Compared with other rankings that focus on each destination’s scenic quality, this report focuses primarily on the cost and convenience of traveling to each location as well as its affordability. It also ensures that the number of attractions and variety of activities in each destination will keep everyone busy and entertained throughout the trip.
Top 5 Winter Holiday Destinations
Cold Weather
- Chicago, IL
- Atlanta, GA
- Washington, D.C.
- St. Louis, MO
- Cincinnati, OH
Warm Weather
- Las Vegas, NV
- San Diego, CA
- Austin, TX
- Dallas, TX
- Phoenix, AZ