The best places to spend the winter in the U.S. depend on the weather you want. For warm weather, go to Miami, Fort Myers or Phoenix, where winter highs average 68 to 78°F. For a mild winter, pick Austin, San Antonio, Atlanta or Dallas. For snow and skiing, pick Denver or Salt Lake City.
If you’re comparing the best winter vacations in the U.S., the difference here is the stay: all 14 cities below have Landing furnished apartments, so you can stay for a month or the whole season.
Staying for the season, not a week? Compare these with our best snowbird destinations. Looking only at Florida? See 7 Florida cities to consider for the winter.
The 14 best places to spend the winter, at a glance
| City | Winter average high / low (°F) | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Miami, FL | 78 / 63 | Beaches and nightlife |
| Fort Myers, FL | 76 / 56 | Quiet Gulf beaches |
| Sarasota, FL | 74 / 54 | Beaches and the arts |
| Orlando, FL | 74 / 52 | Theme parks and lakes |
| Tampa Bay, FL | 73 / 55 (Tampa) | Beaches, food, museums |
| Phoenix, AZ | 68 / 47 | Hiking and sun |
| San Antonio, TX | 65 / 43 | History and the River Walk |
| Austin, TX | 64 / 40 | Music and food |
| Savannah, GA | 63 / 42 | Walkable historic squares |
| Las Vegas, NV | 59 / 41 | Shows and desert day trips |
| Dallas, TX | 58 / 38 | Museums and dining |
| Atlanta, GA | 56 / 38 | Gardens, food and the Beltline |
| Denver, CO | 45 / 19 | Skiing and mountain days |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 41 / 26 | Skiing close to downtown |
Temperatures are December through February averages from NOAA 30-year climate normals, measured at each city’s main airport.
Warmest places to spend the winter: Florida, Phoenix and Las Vegas
1. Miami, FL
Winter average: 78°F high / 63°F low · Best for: beaches and nightlife
Miami is the warmest city on this list, with winter highs averaging 78°F. Winter is also the dry season: Miami averages about 2 inches of rain a month from December to February, compared with about 10 inches in June and September. Walk the sand at South Beach, Surfside or Sunny Isles, then spend an evening in Wynwood or Little Havana. For a day away from the city, the Everglades are close. More to explore: the 16 best beaches in Miami and the best neighborhoods in Miami.
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2. Fort Myers, FL
Winter average: 76°F high / 56°F low · Best for: quiet Gulf beaches
Fort Myers is for a slower Florida winter. It averages 76°F in winter with little rain, and it is the base for Sanibel and Captiva. Visit the Edison & Ford Winter Estates and the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel for birdwatching and kayaking. The refuge’s visitor center reopened in October 2026 after hurricane repairs, and the Wildlife Drive is closed on Fridays. See our moving guide to Fort Myers for neighborhoods.
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3. Sarasota, FL
Winter average: 74°F high / 54°F low · Best for: beaches and the arts
Sarasota pairs Gulf beaches with a strong arts scene. Winter highs average 74°F. Spend a day at Siesta Key Beach or at the Ringling Museum, a museum and estate on the bay.
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4. Orlando, FL
Winter average: 74°F high / 52°F low · Best for: theme parks and lakes
Orlando is more than the parks. Winters average 74°F, which is comfortable for walking around Lake Eola in the evening or taking a boat tour in Winter Park. The theme parks run all winter, and a furnished apartment with a full kitchen helps on a longer family trip. See the best neighborhoods in Orlando to choose an area.
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5. Tampa Bay, FL
Winter average: 73°F high in Tampa / 55°F low · Best for: beaches, food, museums
Tampa and St. Petersburg share a bay, a lot of beaches and a good food scene. Tampa averages a 73°F high in winter. In Tampa, walk the Riverwalk and see our list of fun things to do in Tampa. In St. Petersburg, visit the Salvador Dalí Museum and the waterfront, and read our guide to downtown St. Pete.
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6. Phoenix, AZ
Winter average: 68°F high / 47°F low · Best for: hiking and sun
Phoenix is the winter city for people who want sun and dry weather: it averages under an inch of rain a month. Highs average 68°F and the lows are a cool 47°F, so this is the season for hiking Camelback Mountain and South Mountain Park and for visiting the Desert Botanical Garden. Late in the winter, Cactus League spring training baseball starts in the Valley. See 6 fun things to do in Phoenix and the best neighborhoods in Phoenix.
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7. Las Vegas, NV
Winter average: 59°F high / 41°F low · Best for: shows and desert day trips
Las Vegas is cooler in winter, with highs around 59°F and lows near 41°F, which makes the desert pleasant to explore. Come for the shows and restaurants, then take a day trip to Red Rock Canyon or Valley of Fire State Park. Read the pros and cons of living in Las Vegas for a feel for the neighborhoods.
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Best places for a mild winter: Texas and Georgia
8. San Antonio, TX
Winter average: 65°F high / 43°F low · Best for: history and the River Walk
San Antonio has mild winters (highs near 65°F) and a lot of history. Walk the River Walk, visit the Alamo, and bike the Mission Trail to the four other Spanish colonial missions, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with the Alamo.
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9. Austin, TX
Winter average: 64°F high / 40°F low · Best for: music and food
Austin’s winters are mild, with highs near 64°F and lows around 40°F. It is a good time for the things Austin is known for: tacos on a heated patio, live music and a brewery crawl. Barton Springs is quieter in winter than in summer. For more, see what Austin is known for and the best breweries in Austin.
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10. Savannah, GA
Winter average: 63°F high / 42°F low · Best for: walkable historic squares
Savannah’s historic squares, Forsyth Park and River Street are easy to walk in winter, with highs near 63°F. Tybee Island is a short drive for a beach walk without the summer crowds. Savannah is also one of the stops in our slow travel guide.
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11. Dallas, TX
Winter average: 58°F high / 38°F low · Best for: museums and dining
Dallas winters are cool and short, with highs near 58°F and lows near 38°F. It is a museum city: the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza and the Dallas Arboretum are all good indoor-outdoor options. Start with the downtown Dallas neighborhood guide.
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12. Atlanta, GA
Winter average: 56°F high / 38°F low · Best for: gardens, food and the Beltline
Atlanta is mild but not warm, with highs near 56°F and lows near 38°F. It has gardens, food and the Atlanta Beltline for walking. See the Atlanta Botanical Garden, hike at Stone Mountain Park and use the neighborhood guide to pick a base.
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Best winter cities for snow and skiing: Denver and Salt Lake City
13. Denver, CO
Winter average: 45°F high / 19°F low · Best for: skiing and mountain days
Denver is one of the best cities to spend the winter if you want to ski without living in a ski town. It has highs near 45°F and lows near 19°F. Day trips reach Breckenridge, Vail and Winter Park, and the city has the Denver Art Museum, the Clyfford Still Museum and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science for the days you stay in. See our guide to the top 8 ski resorts close to Denver and the up-and-coming neighborhoods in Denver.
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14. Salt Lake City, UT
Winter average: 41°F high / 26°F low · Best for: skiing close to downtown
Salt Lake City is the other big-city option for skiers. The average winter high is 41°F and the low is 26°F, and the ski resorts in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are less than an hour’s drive from downtown. Read the best neighborhoods in Salt Lake City and the pros and cons of living there.
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How to choose the best place to go in winter
- Pick the weather first. If you want shorts, choose from the first seven cities. If a light jacket is fine, choose a Texas or Georgia city. If you want to ski, choose Denver or Salt Lake City. If you want good weather all year, not only in winter, see our 10 cities with the best weather in the U.S.
- Pick the length. A month is enough to settle into a neighborhood and see a region. For the whole season, see our snowbird guide.
- Check the holidays. If you will be in town for December, see where to go for Christmas.
- Book for the dates you need. Availability changes by building, so check the city page for your exact dates.
Land somewhere great for the winter
Landing offers fully furnished apartments in 250+ U.S. cities with flexible lease terms, a full kitchen, fast Wi-Fi and 24/7 support. Browse furnished apartments by city or contact us to learn more about how Landing works.
Winter travel FAQ
Where is the best place to spend the winter in the U.S.?
It depends on the weather you want. For warm weather, Miami (78°F average winter high), Fort Myers (76°F) and Phoenix (68°F) are the best bets. For mild weather in a big city, choose Austin, San Antonio, Atlanta or Dallas. For snow and skiing, choose Denver or Salt Lake City.
What are the warmest cities in the U.S. in winter?
Of the cities in this guide, Miami averages a winter high of 78°F and a low of 63°F, Fort Myers 76°F and 56°F, and Sarasota and Orlando 74°F. These are December–February averages from NOAA 30-year normals.
What are the best U.S. cities to spend the winter if I like snow?
Denver and Salt Lake City. Both have large ski resorts within a day trip, and both have winter highs in the 40s (45°F in Denver, 41°F in Salt Lake City). Salt Lake City’s Cottonwood Canyon resorts are less than an hour’s drive from downtown.
How long should I stay for the winter?
A month is enough to settle into a neighborhood and see a region. If you plan to stay the whole season, compare these cities with our best snowbird destinations, which is written for longer stays.
Can I rent a furnished apartment for the winter?
Yes. Landing has furnished apartments in all 14 cities. Each has a full kitchen and fast Wi-Fi, and lease lengths are flexible. Availability changes by building and date, so check the city page for your dates.
Is this the same as your Florida winter guide?
No. This guide covers 14 cities across the country, from Florida to Phoenix to Denver. For a deeper look at Florida alone, see 7 Florida cities to consider for the winter.
