With 77% of Americans planning to travel this winter, personal finance website WalletHub released its report on the best winter vacation destinations in 2024, along with expert commentary.
Focusing on cost and convenience rather than scenic beauty, WalletHub compared nearly 70 of the largest U.S. metro areas grouped by hot and cold weather. Each destination was analyzed based on 37 key indicators, primarily the expense and hassle of traveling to each location, but also factors such as weather forecasts, safety and variety of activities.
Best Cold Weather Destinations
Atlanta, Georgia leads the way, taking the top spot on the list of cold weather destinations, followed by New York, New York, at number two. Third was Washington, DC, followed by Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Ohio; St. Louis, Missouri; Denver, Colo.; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Boston, Mass.; and, rounding out the top 10, Kansas, Missouri.
Best Warm Weather Destinations
Las Vegas, Nevada, is the favorite warm-weather destination in the survey, followed by San Diego, California, in second place. Next it was Dallas, Texas; followed by Austin, Texas; Phoenix, Arizona; Houston, TX; San Francisco, California; Tampa, Florida; Charleston, South Carolina; and at number 10, Miami, Florida.
The best against the worst
The average flight to a popular cold winter destination costs $285, takes 4 hours and 8 minutes, and has 0.4 connections. In comparison, the average flight to a warm, popular winter destination costs $364, takes 5 hours and 9 minutes, and has 0.61 connections.
Among cold destinations, Washington, DC, has the lowest price for a three-star hotel room, 3.3 times cheaper than Bridgeport, Connecticut, the city with the highest price.
Among warm destinations, Las Vegas, Nevada, has the lowest price for a three-star hotel room, 4.9 times lower than Honolulu, the city with the highest price.
Among cold destinations, Chicago has the most restaurants (per square root of population), 6.6 times more than Bridgeport, Connecticut, the city with the fewest.
Among cozy destinations, Miami has the most restaurants (per square root of population), 25.5 times more than Deltona, Florida, the city with the fewest.
“Whether you like to relax during the winter season or prefer to escape to a sunny location, top travel destinations can cost as little as $200 to $300 to reach by plane from major U.S. cities, without a connection. In addition to being affordable, big cities also have an abundance of attractions suited to their weather conditions, as well as high-quality restaurants and relatively low crime rates,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. “The top cold-weather travel destination in 2024 is metro Atlanta, with New York City coming in second. The top warm-weather travel destination in winter 2024 is the Las Vegas metro area, with San Diego in second place.
To view the full report, visit: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-winter-holiday-destinations/7930
Expert commentary
What are the prospects for the winter tourist season?
“The outlook for winter travel looks promising, especially as people are eager to make up for trips missed in previous seasons. However, travelers will need to be mindful of inflation and fluctuating costs. Destinations that balance affordability and seasonal attractions will likely be the most attractive. National parks, outdoor recreation areas and less crowded places will also attract visitors looking to combine adventure with a little winter solitude.
Jesse Jones, Ph.D. – Outdoor Adventure Leadership; Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Utah State University
“The outlook for the upcoming winter tourism season is promising, with continued growth in domestic and international travel. Travelers are looking for either wonderful winter experiences or warm-weather getaways, and many are interested in authentic cultural experiences. Smaller, less popular and off-the-beaten-path destinations are becoming increasingly attractive to environmentally conscious travelers. Wellness retreats, nature-focused travel and eco-friendly accommodations are also growing in popularity. However, travelers are aware of inflation and rising costs of transportation, accommodation and dining. As a result, many are looking for cost-effective options, such as traveling shorter distances or reducing travel times. Winter conditions, as always, remain unpredictable and travelers should prepare for potential disruptions, such as flight delays or cancellations caused by snowstorms or other extreme conditions.
Yawei Wang, Ph.D. – Associate Professor, Montclair State University
What are the best ways for travelers to save money?
“Be on the lookout for savings. Sign up for weekly airline eblasts. When they have places available, they want to get rid of them… and, often, at a low price! Also be open to expanding your flight radius. For example, less than 30 miles south of Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) is Wilmington Airport (ILG) which offers great savings to more than a dozen destinations, including Puerto Rico and several destinations in Florida with the ultra-low-cost airline Avelo.
Michael F. Sheridan, ed.D. – Visiting Associate Professor, Temple University Japan
“Booking early and being flexible on dates are proven methods to save money. For outdoor destinations, consider lesser-known state parks or national parks, which may offer lower costs than popular destinations. Look to small, family-friendly ski resorts like Cherry Peak in Richmond, UT, The Beaver Mountain Ski Resort in Logan Canyon, or similar independent resorts this winter for a truly magical ski experience. Additionally, renting equipment like skis or snowshoes in advance is often cheaper than paying resort prices. Travelers can also consider bundled packages that include accommodation and activities.
Jesse Jones, Ph.D. – Outdoor Adventure Leadership; Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Utah State University
How will inflation impact Americans' winter vacation travel?
“The good news is that gasoline should be cheaper than last year and airfares should be about the same as last year. Restaurants have raised prices in recent years due to rising labor and food costs. This could cause some budget-conscious travelers to change their selection of restaurants or menu items. Rental car prices skyrocketed after the pandemic due to supply chain issues that drove up car prices. They remain high today, so some travelers will choose to use public transportation and rideshares such as Uber and Lyft to their destination rather than rent a car. High rental car prices could also lead some travelers to choose to drive rather than fly.
John T. Bowen – Professor Emeritus, University of Houston
“Inflation will likely make travelers more cost-conscious. We'll see people looking for deals and prioritizing value. Some may opt for closer regional trips to reduce transportation costs, while others may choose vacation rentals or homestays over more expensive hotels. People are still eager to travel, but they will likely look for ways to stretch their budget without compromising the experience.
Jesse Jones, Ph.D. – Outdoor Adventure Leadership; Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Utah State University
