An Ultimate Guide to the Best Places to Travel in January

If you haven’t already tried it out before, January has to be one of the best months for travelers who enjoy visiting quieter destinations outside of peak-time tourism. Whether you’re after some winter sunshine to warm you up or a snowy escapade to get the heart pumping, the US is blessed with a host of amazing January travel destinations.

However, if you’re stuck for inspiration, here is our hand-picked shortlist of the best places to travel in January, complete with all the local highlights and the best things to do while you’re there.

Fly to the Tropical Beach Paradise of Honolulu, Hawaii, this January

Undoubtedly, one of the best places to vacation in January across the US has to be Honolulu on the stunning island of Oahu, Hawaii. Famous for its turquoise seas and warm winter temperatures, with average highs in the 80s and constant sunny skies, travelers to Honolulu get to experience the stunning volcanic scenery, rich Native Hawaiian culture, and heavenly island cuisine while everyone back at home is hitting rush-hour during the seasonal arctic blast.

While on Oahu, our first recommendation is to head to Waikiki Beach and sign up at Sparky’s Surf School for a personalized lesson with the surfing legend Sparky himself, so you can tell everyone at home you’ve surfed the Hawaiian swells. Following a morning’s surf, we also highly recommend joining the crew at Ocean Adventures Hawaii for an exceptional small-group whale-watching tour aboard the Kona Star to see the impressive migrating whale populations that pass through the Hawaiian Islands at this time of year.

In addition to the numerous adventures to be had in Honolulu, January also coincides with the dry-season weather and calmer ocean conditions during this off-peak tourist period. You can also top off the perfect trip to Oahu by booking your stay at the Best Western The Plaza Hotel Honolulu Airport, which comes with its own outdoor pool, as well as easy access to Honolulu’s beaches, and historical landmarks, including Pearl Harbor.

Enjoy a January Sunshine Getaway to Palm Springs, California

Sticking to the theme of sunnier winter vacation escapes, the warm desert weather and scenic mountain views make Palm Springs, California, another top contender among the best places to travel in January. Here, you can enjoy outdoor dining, countless art festivals, and nature excursions during the quieter tourist season and without the intense summer heat, making Palm Springs a top pick for those seeking a warm place to visit in January.

Certainly, one of the highlights of any trip to Palm Springs has to be to venture over to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which invites guests to soar above the Chino Canyon in its rotating tram car, which showcases the awe-inspiring landscapes below. Then, to cap off a brilliant day of scenic sightseeing, we highly recommend stopping off at the La Quinta Brewing Co.’s Palm Springs Taproom to enjoy the lively atmosphere as you try their award-winning craft beers, which are all inspired by the desert lifestyle of Palm Springs.

You’ll love visiting Palm Springs at this time of year as January brings with it crisp but sunny desert weather, which makes it ideal for outdoor adventures, pool days, and exploring the vibrant downtown area at a comfortable pace. Furthermore, if you’re looking to enhance your Californian vacation, be sure to book your stay at the Best Western Plus Las Brisas Hotel in the heart of Palm Springs, complete with its very own poolside mountain views.

Escape the Crowds to Discover Snowy Grand Marais in Minnesota This January

For those of you who embrace the cold weather, our next tip on the best places to travel to in January sees us heading to the snowy forests and frozen waterfalls of the beautiful shores of Lake Superior, in Grand Marais, Minnesota. Stretching out along the incredible shoreline, the town of Grand Marais offers a quiet and cozy winter vacation getaway packed with outdoor recreation and spectacular star-filled night skies.

If you enjoy the great outdoors during the winter season, then we definitely recommend heading to the splendid team at Sawtooth Outfitters, where you can rent cross-country skiing and snowshoeing gear to explore the region’s legendary backcountry throughout the Sugarbush Trail System, which features over 70km of groomed trails. Following a day out building up an appetite, our next recommendation is to head to The Fisherman’s Daughter restaurant at Dockside Fish Market in Grand Marais to sample the seasonal comfort foods and their hearty dock-to-table cuisine.

Outside of the busy peak seasons, January is prime time for cross-country skiing, northern lights viewing, and investigating the stunning frozen landscapes that encompass life in Grand Marais. With direct access to the lake, make the most of your trip to this winter wonderland by getting a great night’s sleep at the Best Western Plus Superior Inn.

Winter Thrills in Vail & Eagle Valley, Colorado

Our final destination on our shortlist of the best places to travel in January is the postcard-perfect scenery of Vail and the surrounding Eagle Valley in the heart of Colorado. As a hotspot for fans of winter sports, the powdery slopes, cozy lounges with roaring fireplaces, and lively apres-ski scene, Vail is the ultimate skiing vacation for mountain lovers.

You can bring your own ski gear or head to the outstanding team at Vail Ski Rentals to hire skis and snowboards just yards from Gondola One, which offers direct access to the top of Vail Mountain. In addition to the fantastic alpine ski and snowboard runs, if you’re keen for some alternative forms of fun in the snow, why not try your hand at fat-biking around Vail’s countless groomed trails to venture through the region’s serene valleys and forested paths.

Benefiting from reliable snowfall every year, Vail, Colorado, features some of the best skiing conditions in the country, particularly given its accessibility to Vail Mountain. Whether you’re slaloming downhill or exploring the surrounding trails on a fat-bike, be sure to book your spacious rooms at the Best Western Plus Eagle/Vail Airport Hotel, with superb access to all of Vail’s, as well as Beaver Creek and Eagle Valley’s main attractions.