Every State’s Best Place to Travel in January
First Month Adventures
If one of your resolutions for the new year is to get out and do more traveling, then you’re in luck because January is full of great things to do and gorgeous places to go around the country. From snowy Northern ski resorts to sunny cities down South, you’re sure to find something on the list that will help get your travel year started right. Click on the slideshow to see each state’s best place to go this year.
Alabama: Birmingham
Birmingham is the cultural capital of the state and it will kick off 2022 in grand fashion. Head to the Birmingham Zoo through January 17th to experience Glow Wild, a festival of light-up animal lanterns. Later in the month, the Birmingham Boat Show celebrates its 50th anniversary (January 20-23) while the much-anticipated Alabama Dance Festival (January 14-23) will once again amaze all lovers of dance.
Alaska: Fairbanks
When the nights are long and dark, Fairbanks shines the brightest due to the fact that January is arguably the best time to see the Northern Lights dancing above. If they are playing shy when you visit, head to Ice Art Park any day of the month to take in their glittering Dancing Lights Show, which will feature a beautiful drive-through display of twinkling bulbs.
Arizona: Phoenix
Winter? What’s that? That’s pretty much the vibe in Phoenix and surrounds all month long as the social calendar keeps clipping along and the patios stay sun-drenched and full of revelers. Events wise, the month sees both the Arizona MusicFest and Arizona Art Expo continue their runs, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon (January 16th), Native Arts Festival (January 22-23) and Arizona Balloon Classic (January 28-30) take place.
Arkansas: Hot Springs
After the hectic nature of the holiday season, head to Hot Springs for a spell of rest and relaxation. A soak in the famed hot springs or one of the city’s new school spas is always a good idea, while the museums and attractions throughout the city will still be glowing after spending 2021 celebrating the 100th anniversary of Hot Springs National Park.
California: San Diego
The skies are usually blue and the temperatures are typically crisp and comfortable, making January the perfect month to see San Diego. Oh, there will still be some ice around, but only at the local outdoor rinks (both Viejas Outlet Center and Liberty Station will host rinks through the 9th, while Hotel Coronado will host a sheet by the sea until the 2nd). Other events include the Festival of Modern Music (January 6-8), Poway Winter Festival (January 10-12) and the San Diego Black Film Festival (January 26-30).
Colorado: Breckenridge
The powder should be perfect all month long in Breck’, but even when you’re finished taking to the slopes, snow is set to dominate the calendar as the long-awaited return of the International Snow Sculpture Championships will commence on January 24th.
Connecticut: Hartford
The state capital is set for another sensational year and will be your best bet for January dining and nightlife in the state. A trip to the city’s museums (the Mark Twain House continues to fascinate) and galleries are always a great time, too. After you’ve explored Hartford’s urban delights, make the drive a half-hour south to Lyman Orchards, who will be hosting the American Lantern Festival throughout the entire month.
Delaware: Wilmington
The state’s biggest city stays bubbly long after the leftover New Year’s champagne has gone flat. Scenic walks along the riverfront never go out of season and while the Winterthur Museum will be shuttered from January 3rd, it will still host a Director’s Garden Walk on January 8th, which will show off the beauty of the gardens in the depth of winter. Elsewhere, the Delaware Art Museum will host a fascinating display called Afro-American Images 1971: The Vision of Percy Ricks which will commemorate a much-heralded 1971 exhibition.
Florida: Tampa Bay
You can’t go wrong anywhere in the Sunshine State in January, but in Tampa Bay and surrounds the energy in the build-up to Gasparilla is palpable. Enjoy sunny and sandy days at the beach in between getting your best pirate outfit ready for the big boat parade and street festival on January 29th. Culturally, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts will host performances of Summer: The Donna Summer Musical and a modern take on Romeo & Juliet.
Georgia: Atlanta
The heat may have faded from “Hotlanta”, but it’s still the go-to city in the state to experience the widest range of cultural, culinary and entertaining attractions all month long. In addition, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site are the perfect places to visit in the lead-up to Martin Luther King Jr. Day on January 17th.
Hawai’i: Kauai
There’s no bad time to visit the islands of Hawai’i, but surely there can be no better way to kick off a calendar year than with a helicopter tour of Kauai’s Na Pali Coast. Here, you’ll gaze down upon an otherwordly scene, one that will set the bar high for the rest of your 2022 travels. Then, head to the interior of the island or North Coast to find your own little corner of bliss.
Idaho: McCall
Located right on the shores of pretty Payette Lake, Mccall always makes for a great escape from reality. Things will be especially fun in January as the cherished McCall Winter Carnival makes its triumphant return on January 28th. Expect snow sculptures, fun runs, concerts, snowshoe golf and scores of other activities that help celebrate the season.
Illinois: Grafton
Located along the Mississippi River in the western section of the state, Grafton is the winter home of bald eagles and January presents the best chance to see them with fewer of the crowds that arrive later in the season.
Indiana: Indianapolis
We could reel off a list of events taking place and eateries serving up delicious dishes that would keep you warm all through January. It’s all happening, but it’s just icing on the cake of what will go down on January 10th: The BCS Championship Game. The lead-up to the college football championship at Lucas Oil Stadium will also feature numerous fun fan experiences and concerts from the likes of Twenty One Pilots, Ava Max, Doja Cat and AJR.
Iowa: Dubuque
You’ll feel warm and cozy inside one of this riverside town’s many quality cafes, but it will be especially soothing if you spent the previous day skiing at nearby Sundown Mountain. Here, you will be able to take on two terrain parks, scenic trails, two mountaintop lodges and over 450 feet of vertical drops.
Kansas: Wichita
The Ice Pond at the Plazzio will be offering up ice skating all the way until the middle of the month while the Sedgwick County Zoo will continue its popular Winter Wednesdays discounted admissions through February. In addition, Brian McKnight will perform on January 8th, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra will play against the dramatic backdrop of a photo exhibition on the universe on January 22nd & 23rd and the beloved Wichita Wings indoor soccer team will play all month long, too.
Kentucky: Mammoth Cave National Park
No matter how frightful the weather gets outside, the temperatures will be delightful underground at Mammoth Cave. Explore the world’s largest known cave system before taking to the wilds of the park for some wintry outdoor recreation and retreating to a lovely local bed and breakfast.
Louisiana: New Orleans
While the rest of the country puts a cap on the feasting and celebrating during January, NOLA kicks off Carnival season on January 6th. There will be four parades and plenty of King Cakes consumed during this “mini-festival” that begins the official build-up to Mardi Gras. Other highlights of the month include the Danny Barker Banjo & Guitar Festival (January 12-15) and performances of the Tony-nominated play Choir Boy (January 14-30).
Maine: Portland
The best way to spend January in Portland? Well, you could stay indoors and get to know the town’s characterful restaurants, coffee shops and craft breweries on a first-name basis. Or, you could head out with the locals on snowy days to do some cross-country skiing. Regardless of which turns out to be your favorite way to experience Portland, you’ll have a blast doing the research.
Maryland: Baltimore
Charm City’s roster of rock star restaurants, crab houses, cafes and bars will all be going strong despite the chill outside and the locals will surely be rooting for the Ravens during their two January home games. Elsewhere, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra kicks off the year with a bang with their Sinatra & Friends performance (January 13-16) Beethoven Symphony No. 7 (January 6-8) and Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony (January 21-22).
Massachusetts: Boston
The L Street Brownies will kick off 2022 in Boston with their annual Polar Plunge into the frigid waters off Carson Beach in South Boston. Not interested in a cold dip to start your year? Well, then you’re in luck because the rest of January in Boston features events that will keep you warm and dry like an excellent variety of musicals (Pretty Woman is among one of the best), concerts and the renowned Boston Food & Wine Festival, which will pop the cork on another year on January 21st.
Michigan: Frankenmuth
Head to Michigan’s beloved Bavarian heaven to keep the festive vibes going through January, a month which is capped by the most fun you can have in the Michigan snow: Zehnder’s Snowfest (January 26-30). Here, you can take in out-of-this-world ice and snow sculptures all against a dramatic winter backdrop.
Minnesota: The Twin Cities
Residents of the Twin Cities are pros at making the “dog days” of winter merry and bright and this year will be no exception. Start the month out by heading to some of the local cross country ski trails or just bouncing between coffee shops and eateries via their toasty Skyway system—a system of climate-controlled walkways that connect dozens of downtown buildings. Towards the end of the month, the St. Paul Winter Carnival (January 28-February 6) will return to breathe warmth into the night and the last days of the month (January 21-30) will also see the US Pond Hockey Championships return to Minneapolis.
Mississippi: Jackson
JXN will start the new year with a bang as Indie Music Week (January 9-16) will showcase just some of the unbelievable talent that calls central Mississippi home. Everything from EDM to Blues will be showcased during the festival and you’re sure to make a discovery or two that you listen to the rest of the year.
Missouri: Kansas City
The famous holiday lights at the Plaza will stay on until January 9th this year, so spend the first week or so of 2022 dining and shopping there before the city’s excellent Restaurant Week gets started. This fantastic Midwest food fest (January 8-17) is set to feature hundreds of the city’s finest establishments offering up tantalizing multi-course menus.
Montana: Bozeman
The craft beer bars and cool restaurants stay lively through the dead of winter in “Bozone”, but if the frosty temperatures outside end up wearing you down, this hip Western town has just the thing: Bozeman Hot Springs. Head here in January to luxuriate in one of their four outdoor pools while the flakes fall all around. The town is also a great base for a range of winter sports.
Nebraska: Omaha
The Cornhusker State’s biggest city will keep the festive spirit going into January, with the festive light displays of Lauritzen Gardens and the Old Market district scheduled to keep twinkling until January 3rd. The fun igloos in the Capitol District will be sticking around all month long and you’ll be able to take in From the Globe to Our Home: Holidays at the General Crook House Museum exhibit until January 14th.
Nevada: Las Vegas
The Strip is the place to be on New Year’s Eve for fireworks and revelry, but don’t be surprised at all if the party spills over into the first few days of the new year. After that, the shows that are scheduled to take place are hot: Usher plays New Year’s Night at Ceasers Palace, Adele kicks off her residency at Caesars Palace on January 21st and after starting her Resorts World residency on December 29th, Katy Perry will be playing through the 15th of the month.
New Hampshire: The White Mountains
Each winter, the White Mountains turn into the Granite State’s best place to be seen in the snow. In January, the ski slopes truly come into their own while the snow-packed backcountry trails of the White Mountains National Forest round into their finest form too. A trip on the Mount Washington Cog Railway is a great first item to tick off your 2022 bucket list, too.
New Jersey: Mountain Creek
When Old Man Winter is barrelling down on the Garden State, there’s only one place to go where you can fully embrace the season: Mountain Creek. This resort features over 150 skiable acres and over 1,000 vertical feet of drops while the surrounding region around the resort is home to a wildlife refuge and even a section of the Appalachian Trail.
New Mexico: Taos
Taos is the ultimate winter destination in the Southwest as this culturally-rich town also is home to some of the finest skiing in the region. Whether it’s the slopes or the scintillating artwork that catches your eye, there isn’t a better place in the state to start your year.
New York: Niagara Falls
The Empire State enjoys some of the most enthralling natural scenery on the East Coast but nothing takes on as special of a sheen in January as Niagara Falls. Snow on the falls is almost guaranteed, and when the light display hits them you are in for a true delight. To warm up, head next door to Buffalo to sample some hot wings in their hometown.
North Carolina: Charlotte
After throwing a great New Year’s Eve Bash, the Queen City keeps the good times rolling through January. Head to the U.S. National Whitewater Center to do some ice skating (now through February 15), celebrate legendary jazz musician Charlie Parker at the Harvey B. Gantt Center of African-American Arts + Culture on January 13 and stick around for NASCAR Hall of Fame Weekend (January 20-22).
North Dakota: Fargo
Just when you thought the fun times have come to an end with the closing of the holiday season, Fargo goes and rolls out the Frostival. This six-week event that embraces the chilly temperatures kicks off January 15th and will once again feature concerts, lively outdoor activities and family-friendly events. Highlights include a chili cook-off, winter birding, cardboard sled races and S’mores by the icerink.
Ohio: Hocking Hills State Park
You could make a case that this gorgeous place is the best place to visit in Ohio during every turn of the calendar, but it’s extra special in the hearty of winter. Tramp through the trails covered in snow while admiring icicles all over the rocks before getting cozy by the fire at a local bed and breakfast.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City
The state’s biggest city is always bustling, and there’s nowhere else you’d want to be during the cold heart of winter. As far as cultural offerings, you’ll only have until January 2nd to experience the riveting New Beginnings: An American Story of Romantics and Modernists in the West at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum but their fascinating exhibit on the Santa Fe Trail will be there all month long.
Oregon: Bend
When it comes to winter fun, Bend really does have it all. Spend your days in the surrounding mountains at Mt. Bachelor Ski Resort and your nights sampling the warming craft beers at the city’s myriad of top-notch breweries.
Pennsylvania: Pittsburgh
Head to state’s second-biggest city for one of the Keystone State’s most tempting foodie events: Pittsburgh Restaurant Week (January 10-16). This year, the participating restaurants will be serving up their mouthwatering contributions all over the city and you’re destined to discover a new foodie favorite.
Rhode Island: Newport
While the sunny and warm days and jazz-filled nights of summer are long gone, Newport’s excellent restaurants and cultural venues keep going strong through January. The much-loved Gurney’s Ice Skating Rink will still be open all month long, too.
South Carolina: Charleston
Start the year out on a historic note by viewing the Emancipation Proclamation parade on New Year’s Day, a celebration that is considered the country’s oldest parade commemorating the historic, freedom-granting document. Other things to do in Charleston in January include the Charleston Marathon and an enjoyable oyster tasting event called Oysters on the Point.
South Dakota: Sioux Falls
Falls Park will host its impressive Winter Wonderland light and tree display all the way through January 9th and the city hosts Frosty Frolics—a celebration of all sorts of winter fun—the second weekend of the month (January 7-9). And as an added bonus, you haven’t seen the city’s signature falls until you’ve seen him surrounded by snow and ice.
Tennessee: Gatlinburg
The Smokies are the perfect place to get cozy by the fire in a cabin and relax after all the obligations of the holiday season. Just make sure to spend at least one of your days at Ober Gatlinburg doing some skiing or snowboarding.
Texas: Laredo
It will probably come as a surprise to you that the largest celebration of George Washington’s birthday does not take place in one of the numerous towns named after him or in the state of Washington. Nope, Laredo throws the largest bash, a series of special events that lasts an entire month (scheduled to begin January 20th). In the lead-up to the parades and events, the city will be basking in its near-perfect January weather, so why not head down early and enjoy those crisp and sunny days with the locals.
Utah: Park City
Oh, the slopes will be sensational all month long, but it’s the Sundance Film Festival (scheduled January 20-30) that puts Park City atop the list. The nation’s largest independent film festival is the must-attend event of the winter offering the chance to be moved by the silver screen and indulge in a lively nightlife scene.
Vermont: Stowe
While we still await word on the potential return of Stowe’s Winter Carnival in January 2022, this charming small town is set to stay a wonderland all through January. The skiing is divine this time of year, as is dog sledding, fat biking, and if you’re still in the mood from Christmas: sleigh riding.
Virginia: Richmod
Disregard what the red mark on the thermometer says, Richmond remains red hot in January. Through January 9th, the Latin Ballet will be performing its 20th-anniversary edition of Legend of the Poinsettia—a heartwarming holiday tale—while Richmond’s headline-grabbing collection of lively restaurants, cafes and cultural hotspots will simmer all month long.
Washington: Seattle
Seattle always stays lively through the winter, but the laid-back days of January are also perfect for lazing days away at local coffee shops and meandering through the city’s many museums. At night, head out for some world-class dining before heading to Climate Pledge Arena to see the Seattle Kraken—the newest members of the NHL—take the ice.
West Virginia: Harpers Ferry
Though the lights have dimmed from December’s beloved Old Tyme Christmas, Harpers Ferry’s heritage shines bright through January. Explore the historic district and its related Civil War-related sights before admiring the wintry view of this riverside town from above, it’s sure to take your breath away.
Wisconsin: Apostle Island National Seashore
Sure, it’s frosty up here on the shores of Lake Superior in January, but if things fall into place and you’re able to spot the unique Apostle Islands ice caves, then you’re in for the greatest winter attractions on the Great Lakes. If not, the region’s endless outdoor opportunities will still captivate you.
Wyoming: Yellowstone National Park
During wintertime, the splendor of our most revered national park gets a blanket of snow while the stream of visitors turns into a trickle. You’ll have to enter via snowmobile or “snowcoach”, but the extra effort will be well worth it when you’re enjoying the Mammoth Hot Springs area and its magical landscapes. As one of two lodges open during winter, the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins is a great base as guided tours of the park begin at the recently renovated resort.