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Escape the Cold: Discover the 10 Warmest U.S. States to Visit This Winter

If you like the holiday season but hate the cold weather during the winter months, I have a solution for you. You can visit some of the warmest US states in winter and enjoy your holidays modernly.

Arizona, California, Georgia, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, Hawaii—take your pick!

In this article, I will discuss the warmest states in the US for a warm winter getaway and share valuable tips for getting the most out of your winter holidays.

So, buckle up and enjoy the virtual ride through America’s warmest US states in winter.

10 Warmest US States in Winter

If winter makes you wish for sunny days, sandy beaches, and sunbathing, you’re at the right place. Let’s explore the warmest US states in winter for your next vacation.

1. Arizona

If you’re looking for a warm vacation spot for the winter, look no further than Tucson. Sometimes, Tucson’s temperatures go over 100 degrees during summer. However, the daily high temperatures between October and April stay about 65-85 degrees.

Tucson Cactus

Overall, Tucson has dry, sunny weather with only 12 inches of rain annually and around 85% sunny days.

Other advantages of visiting Arizona include tranquility, idyllic landscapes, endless blue skies, and scenic splendor. Therefore, you will enjoy Arizona if you like spending time in nature, bird watching, shopping, wine, etc.

saguaro park west sunset
saguaro park west sunset in December

Common places tourists visit include Sierra Vista, Tucson or Old Pueblo, and Yuma. Yuma will keep you busy with health fairs, banquets, seminars, antique shows, arts and crafts bazaars, home shows, etc.

In short, Arizona makes the perfect place for winter vacation. During winter months, daytime temperatures may average 70 degrees F, with night temperatures often falling to freezing or slightly below in the lower desert valleys.

Red Rock area in Sedona
Red Rock area in Sedona

You might enjoy reading my posts about the Sunny Places to Visit in the US, Warm Places to visit in January in the USA, Warm Winter Getaways in the USA, Most Shark Infested Beaches in the USA, World Heritage Sites in the US, Most Visited Places in the United States and tourist attractions on the drive from New York to Florida.

2. California

The central and south California coasts have enjoyable temperatures all year round. So, consider California if you’re searching for a location for your winter getaway.

You can choose San Diego, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Maria, or Santa Barbara, as they have pleasant average daily highs in the mid-60s throughout all year.

la jolla sunset san diego
la jolla sunset

It’s not too hot or too cold in the cities. They’re just perfect! Moreover, the temperatures stay under 85 degrees during summer, and there’s little rain (less than 20 inches yearly). Overall, California, especially Los Angeles, has sunshine about 70% of the time.

santa barbara california
Santa Barbara

If you choose California, you won’t lack entertainment either. This state has many tourist attractions, hot springs, resorts, mountainous forests, desert adventures, and swimming pools. If you appreciate a city with lively nightlife, consider Rancho Mirage for your next winter vacation. Rancho Mirage has many nightclubs, casinos, bars, etc.

Does your family play golf? If so, consider La Quinta. It’s a desert resort city in Riverside County with a warm and dry climate and a modern vibe. Lastly, you can catch the whale-watching season if you visit San Diego during April.

pfeiffer beach big sur california
pfeiffer beach big sur

The average winter temperature in California is between 50 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 15 Celsius), with the climate growing colder the farther north you go.

3. Georgia

Georgia has a better climate than most states, including Florida. Therefore, if you prefer pleasant weather during winter, consider Georgia.

You won’t experience too hot or too cold weather because most cities in Georgia, such as Augusta, Atlanta, Athens, Macon, Columbus, and Savannah, have cooler but still very pleasant temperatures than Florida throughout the year.

savannah georgia waterfront
Savannah Georgia

Savannah, the warmest city during winter in Georgia, has daily highs of 60 degrees. On the other hand, Atlanta and Athens have highs of 50 degrees. You will find the most sun in Macon because the city has over 60% sunshine and 45 inches of rain yearly.

Like California, Georgia has golf sites for passionate golfers, such as Augusta National Golf Club and Savannah Golf Club. So, if you’re into golf, you will see Georgia as a paradise.

augusta georgia
augusta georgia

If you select Georgia, you will enjoy art exhibits in Savannah and quaint shops, Victorian Inns, and antiques in Brunswick or Marys.

Winter high temperatures in Georgia average in the mid 50s to lower 60s. Lows in Georgia average in the mid 30s.

athens georgia
athens georgia

4. Florida

Florida is another excellent vacation spot for people who hate cold weather. With warm winters, especially in Gainsville, Daytona Beach, Vero Beach, Tampa, Orlando, and Key West, Florida makes a great choice for a winter holiday.

historic seaport key west
historic seaport key west

In Florida, the average high temperatures during the winter months range from 62°F to 76°F (17-25°C). And these cities have between 45 and 50 inches of rain annually. Therefore, if you don’t like the rain and cold temperatures, you should consider Florida for your next winter vacation.

Additionally, Florida has some of the best-looking and most diverse scenery. If you visit Florida, you can partake in different outdoor activities, such as camping, surfing, or lying on the beach and absorbing vitamin D.

Icon Park Orlando
Icon Park Orlando

Statistics say that about 550,000 people visit Florida for the holidays yearly. So, join the many snowbirds in Florida this year and enjoy the beauties of Lakeland.

Lakeland has many places where you can spend quality time with your family, including walking trails, lakefront parks for picnics, neighborhoods for shopping, like Boca Raton, and boatyards and marinas for water sports enthusiasts.

destin florida beach chairs on beach things to do in destin florida

In Florida, the average high temperatures during the winter months range from 62°F to 76°F (17-25°C).

5. Nevada

If you’re interested in history, fishing, cheap meals, motorsports, hiking, gambling, and entertainment, consider Nevada for your next winter vacation.

Nevada has hot and wet summers and short and cold but still pleasant winters. It’s also partly cloudy all year round in Nevada. The summer season lasts for 3.5 months, while the cold season lasts for almost 3 months.

las_vegas_valley-of-fire warmest us states in winter
Valley of fire

Also, Nevada has average highs of 90 degrees and lows of about 70 degrees in summer. In winter, you can expect average highs of over 40 degrees and lows of about 27 degrees.

It makes a great place for winter vacations because it’s warm, sunny, and fun. If you like gambling, you should visit the Entertainment Capital of the World, Las Vegas. Las Vegas has many resorts, casinos, shopping centers, exciting nightlife, and more. If you like to have fun on your winter getaway, this is the perfect place.

things to do in vegas besides gamble
Mini welcome to Las Vegas sign on the LINQ promenade

However, if you prefer a more relaxed vacation, consider Primm. Some prefer Primm over Las Vegas because of the rollercoasters. This city has one of the tallest rollercoasters in the USA.

non touristy things to do in vegas
A fabulous old Vegas sign

6. New Mexico

If you’re into Mexican food, volcanoes, ancient lava flows, ice caves, archeological and fossil sites, and museums, consider New Mexico for your next winter vacation.

New Mexico has strong Native American and Hispanic influences, so it’s rich in different forests, rivers, lakes, and canyons. You will also enjoy the mild weather, quiet environment, and friendly locals there.

Santa Fe New Mexico.
Santa Fe

The sunny weather makes many snowbirds who don’t love the cold visit New Mexico for the holidays for a warm vacation and lots of activities. If you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine, I suggest visiting Las Cruces, where you can find the hottest Mexican meals.

shiprock new mexico
shiprock new mexico

If you or your loved ones like fishing and dinosaurs, you can see Tucumcari. You can explore Mesalands Community College Dinosaur Museum and see the world’s biggest collection of full-scale dinosaur skeletons. You can also visit the Conchas Lake State Parks or Ute Lake for fishing.

The average temperatures in winter in Nevada can differ depending on the location, but generally, winter is quite cold at around 40°F.

rivebend hot springs new mexico
rivebend hot springs new mexico

7. South Carolina

The charming South Carolina, also known as the Golf Capitol of the South, has a lot to offer during the winter holidays. Charleston, one of the biggest cities in South Carolina, has lovely weather year-round, with highs of 57 degrees during winter and about 89 degrees throughout summer.

greenville south carolina
greenville south carolina

The sun shines 63% of the time in Charleston, whereas the yearly rainfall totals only 46 inches. The residents of South Carolina celebrate the holiday season with style and engage in a wide range of outdoor and indoor activities.

You can ice skate in Greenville, explore the beauties of Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden in Bishopville or stroll Myrtle Beach with your loved ones. Other activities include visiting the Old City Jail in Charleston, touring the Harbour Town Lighthouse Museum on Hilton Head Island, etc.

charleston south carolina waterfront

Other fun activities include visiting the UFO Welcome Center in Bowman or having a beer at some of the best breweries and pubs.

Coastal areas of South Carolina have very mild winters with high temperatures averaging about 60F and overnight lows close to 38F. Further inland in the Piedmont area, temperatures average between 50F during the day and 32F at night.

hilton head island south carolina
hilton head island south carolina

8. Texas

Texas, also known as the Lone Star State, makes a perfect choice for people who enjoy the RV lifestyle because it’s rich in RV parks. Texas has small and large RV parks, so you can quickly find something that meets your needs and helps you plan a lovely winter vacation.

big bend national park
Big Bend National Park

Many outdoorsy travelers prefer Texas over other states because of the short and fairly mild winters. If you’re not a camper, you can still visit Texas because it’s a state with pleasant winters and overnight lows seldom drop below freezing. And you will save money because hotels and attractions cost less than in other states.

Galveston
Galveston

Things you can do in Texas during winter include visiting Marble Falls, exploring wildlife in Rockport, enjoying the ocean and lively downtown area of Galveston, walking the trail of lights in Austin, soaking up the beauties of Big Bend National Park, etc.

Temperatures in Texas climb to highs of 16°C during the day, which is mild for the winter months. You’ll enjoy ten hours of bright sunshine each day with an average humidity of 67%. Ten mph winds bring cooling breezes at night, lowering temperatures to below 10°C in the evening. 

The Governor's Mansion in Austin landmarks in texas
The Governor’s Mansion in Austin PC Flickr

9. Delaware

Although it’s smaller and cooler than most states above, Delaware is still worth your visit during the winter holidays. The small state makes a great choice for winter vacations, as it’s near major cities, such as Baltimore, Philly, NYC, etc.

Wilmington Delaware
Wilmington Delaware

You only need less than 2 hours to drive from north to south. So, you can cover much ground in just a couple of days. Many people choose Delaware as their next winter destination because of the relatively mild winters (lows of 30 degrees and highs of 50 degrees) and the variety of indoor and outdoor activities they can enjoy.

This small but gorgeous state offers fresh air, hiking trails, state and national parks, and nature preserves you can explore during any season, including winter.

Things you can do in Delaware include attending any of the many Delaware Christmas events, exploring the historic sites and participating in some of the Christmas events in Wilmington, visiting Harrington and Dover, etc.

delaware

Other exciting activities include enjoying the sunny beach towns, Bethany Beach and Rehoboth Beach, or the Christmas parade in Lewes, among many other things.

January is Delaware’s coldest winter month, with an average of 27 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it is common for temperatures to drop as low as around 20 degrees or go as high as roughly 35 degrees.22 Nov 2021

delaware beach.

10. Hawaii

Many people visit Hawaii during winter because it’s a tropical paradise. You can celebrate this festive season in Hawaii if you dislike the cold and experience a great adventure with your loved ones.

In winter, Hawaii has temperatures remaining in the low 80s. You will feel chilly at night because the temperatures usually drop into the upper 60s.

oahu
Oahu

Keep in mind that Hawaii has the most rain during December. Still, December is a great month to visit Hawaii because the rain lasts only 10-15 minutes and usually tends to fall at night. If you’re worried about the rain, consider booking your vacation on drier islands, such as Maui, Big Island, etc.

December is also ideal for watersports enthusiasts and people who want to feel the ocean underfoot when walking down the beach.

Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai

Lastly, remember that planning a last-minute trip to Hawaii for the holiday season won’t work because this state gets the highest number of tourists during the last two weeks of December. So, make sure you book your stay before the season starts.

Kauai, Hawaii volcano

Which of these Warm States is your Pick?

No matter which vacation destination you choose, you won’t go wrong because all of these states will offer some respite from the cold of winter during the peak months. So get your swimsuit from the back of the closet and start packing for some winter sun.

I covered all of the costs involved in the writing of this post on warmest us states in winter. However, this post includes affiliate links. That means if you click through and end up making a purchase I will receive a small commission. I wanted to make sure you were aware of this.

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