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Just the thought of December approaching makes me feel cold and ready for a sunny getaway.
While Mexico and the Caribbean are popular hotspots for Americans looking for winter sun, the good news is that you don’t have to go quite as far this winter if you’re looking for some sun.
According to a new report from WalletHubThese are the top five American destinations for a sunny getaway this winter.
5. Phoenix, Ariz
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 warm, but not too hot weather, it’s a great time of year to explore nature in this beautiful part of the world.
Phoenix has incredible hiking trails. Some of the best of these are 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 nature, 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 in Phoenix during the holidays, 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 full of lights and entertainment. Admission costs $41.95 per person.
4. Austin, Texas
If you visit Austin in the winter, you’ll encounter so much more than just warm weather. You will also find a warm welcome, a festive atmosphere and plenty to see and do.
Spending Christmas in the city? Then you can meet the locals at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar from December 14 to 23. This offers festive shopping, live music and other entertainment.
It may come as a surprise that there is live music at the Christmas Bazaar. 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 less sedate and a little more adventurous? Zipline through the Hill Country with Wimberley Zipline. There are 10 different cable cars to choose from, ranging from 50 meters to 900 meters in length. This costs $110 per person.
3. Dallas, Texas
Proving that winter really is better in Texas, Texas is the only state with two entries on this list!
Like Austin, Dallas is a great place to visit in winter, thanks to its wonderfully mild weather. Daily high temperatures are around 61°F and rarely dip below 40°F or above 79°F.
No matter what time of year you visit, Dallas has a rich culture and 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 art.
Although Dallas is a landlocked city, it is ironically home to one of the most prestigious aquariums in the world. The Dallas World Aquarium is seven stories high and has a display tank of no less than 400,000 liters.
It’s so big, there are even 3 restaurants inside! If you have any interest in marine life then this is the place to be. Entrance costs €29.95 per person.
2. San Diego, California
According to WalletHub, San Diego took second place because it not only had the 3rd most pleasant winter weather in the country, but it also has a host of attractions to enjoy.
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 flights to San Diego from major cities as low as $365.
One of the most fascinating reasons to visit San Diego during the winter months is that you can watch California gray whales migrating along the coastline from December to March. Book a whale watching tour to see this spectacle up close.
Whale watching in San Diego offers both day and sunset whale watching cruises, with prices from $56. These are 3 hours tours with indoor and outdoor seating available on the ships.
1. Las Vegas, Nevada
There are so many great reasons to visit Viva Las Vegas this year, especially during the winter months.
One reason Vegas topped the WalletHub list was how affordable the accommodation is in the winter months (with the exception of the holidays, of course, when prices are breathtaking everywhere!). A 3-star hotel room costs only $35 per night.
But you shouldn’t just choose a holiday destination, because the hotel rooms are cheap! Winter temperatures in Las Vegas range from 61°F to 57°F, and there is so much to see and do.
Explore the twinkling lights at the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens. This is a great way to enjoy the run-up to the holidays.
If your passion is sports or adventure, there are also plentiful outdoor activities, including golf courses, a variety 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 enjoy winter activities without the cold, the Cosmopolitan Hotel installs an ice skating rink on the roof during the winter months. You can slide over 4,200 square meters of real ice, for an entrance fee $30 for all day.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and 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 in the post.
