The 20 Best Places to Visit in February in the U.S.
February is one of those months where people typically feel like there isn’t much going on. Christmas is over, New Year’s has come and gone and for the most part, everyone is just waiting for Spring to start. However, February can be a great month if you know how to make the most of it. Below are 20 different places you can enjoy throughout the United States during the month of February. Before you know it, you’ll probably have a whole new outlook on this month as you think of all the places you can see.
20. Milwaukee, Wisconsin
You might not think that Milwaukee is a good place to visit in February, as it can be quite cold. However, there are actually a lot of fun things to do. The best part is, you don’t have to worry about summertime tourists getting in your way. If you’re looking for unique things to do, you won’t have any trouble finding them. Take a stroll through the Milwaukee Public Market. It might be hard to believe that it’s actually open this time of year, but it is and it gives you a chance to get all kinds of unique items at a genuine value. You also have Pabst Mansion and the Milwaukee Art Museum. If you’re looking for something with local flair, there are loads of pubs that have trivia nights throughout February, along with the number of specials.
19. San Diego, California
San Diego is one of those cities where you can enjoy winter activities like ice skating and still take a nice stroll along the beach without feeling like your blood is about to freeze. There is never a shortage of things to do in the city. Enjoy famous Balboa Park, where you can go to various museums that cater to all kinds of interests. Round out your day with a wine tasting experience. If you’re more in tune with nature, there are plenty of places to hike. You can also enjoy sunsets over the water and spend an ample amount of time outdoors without it being too cold.
18. Yellowstone National Park
This park sees countless numbers of people flocking to it on an annual basis. The overwhelming majority of them choose to go during the summer months, when the park is at its warmest. As a matter of fact, many people specifically opt not to go in February because the entirety of the park is usually covered in snow. However, that gives you the chance to enjoy it without being so crowded and it takes on something of a magical quality as well. They also have special activities that you can participate in such as hiking and snowmobiling. If that’s not your style, you can go snowshoeing. They even have cross country skiing available.
17. Table Rock State Park, South Carolina
South Carolina often enjoys a climate that’s warm enough to enjoy outdoor activities, even during the month of February. The great thing about going to Table Rock State Park during that month is that you don’t really have to deal with tourists because almost everyone wants to go during the summer. This gives you roughly 3,000 acres of space to enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities like hiking and yes, even swimming. If you’re lucky enough to visit the park on an especially warm day you can indeed go swimming, even in February.
16. Big Sky, Montana
This literally becomes a skier’s paradise during the month of February. There are ski resorts all over the area, so there is usually a place to stay even with the dramatic increase in tourists. When you’re done skiing for the day, you might decide to take a trip into town where they have all kinds of eclectic shops and places to eat delicious food. The town even tends to leave their holiday lights up for an extended period of time, meaning that they’re usually still up in February. It gives the whole place some magical, otherworldly feel.
15. Lake Tahoe, California
Lake Tahoe is a beautiful place any time of the year. That being said, it takes on a special beauty during the winter months and February is certainly no exception. There is snow all over the place and the waters of the lake are more pristine than ever. There are outdoor activities such as skiing and hiking. The area also has a rich resort area that you can enjoy year round. One of the best things about visiting the area is that the resorts also tend to charge a lot less than during the peak months.
14. Austin, Texas
The city always has plenty of things going for it, even in February. Enjoy one of their many music festivals held practically every weekend or see a movie at one of the few drive-in movie theaters still in existence, The Starlight Drive-In. You can also visit Zilker Park. There are all kinds of things to do there and you won’t have to contend with the atrocious summer heat. Oddly enough, the temperatures are far more friendly and you won’t have to contend with as many sightseers, as the majority of them still prefer to show up during the hottest months of the year.
13. New Orleans, Louisiana
Have you always wanted to take a trip to Louisiana? If you have, February is definitely the time to visit New Orleans. It just so happens to be the time that they celebrate Mardi Gras as well. That always makes for an entire week of some of the most spectacular parties that you’ll ever experience, the kind that spill out and go on for blocks. As a matter of fact, it’s as if the entire city is having one big party. February is also home to special Valentine’s Day celebrations, a very active Black History Month the Vietnamese New Year. Enjoy local food and traditional celebrations all month long.
12. Mendocino, California
Mendocino is a great place for anyone who just wants to get away from it all and enjoy some quiet time for themselves for a while. They have some of the most picturesque coastlines in the entire country and they typically enjoy mild temperatures, even during February. In fact, those temperatures usually hover somewhere between 40 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. That means that you might be able to put on shorts and a pair of flip-flops and enjoy the shoreline mid-afternoon. Of course, there’s also plenty to visit. Consider taking some time to see the Mendocino Art Center, Russian Gulch State Park and the Point Cabrillo light station, which was built in 1909.
11. San Antonio, Texas
There is never a shortage of things to do in San Antonio. The city’s location, in South Central Texas, means that the weather is typically good enough for you to enjoy all of the activities the city has to offer on a year-round basis. Enjoy the Riverwalk, visiting the Alamo or getting a bird’s eye view at Heritage Tower. There are endless numbers of specialty shops and restaurants to enjoy and you can do all of it without having to combat the brutal heat or the endless numbers of tourists that you would commonly run into during the summer months.
10. Death Valley, California
Maybe you’ve always had a desire to visit Death Valley, but you obviously don’t want to do that during the summer months (unless you plan on figuring out what it feels like firsthand to be baked in an oven). During February, you can enjoy much cooler temperatures, often as cool as 23 degrees Fahrenheit. You also don’t have to contend with some of the more aggressive wildlife in the area (such as snakes and scorpions) as much as you would during the hotter months of the year.
9. Palm Springs, California
People love to go to Palm Springs because it is virtually the definition of luxury. There is one luxury hotel after another dotted across the landscape, all of them trying to outdo the other. The thing is, you’ll pay a high price for all this luxury if you go during the summer months because it’s so hot and humid that it’s almost unbearable. Despite that fact, people tend to flock to the location in droves during the summer, largely because that’s when most people have time off. Go during February and you’ll enjoy highs that average 80 degrees and for the most part, you can have those luxury facilities all to yourself.
8. Vail, Colorado
This is another one of those places that you’ll definitely want to come to if you love to ski. February is a great month for skiers in this particular area. There is fresh powder on the ground virtually every day and the powder that’s already there tends to remain in good condition. Unlike some other locations where warming temperatures start to make things a bit touch and go, this is a location that’s still operating in its prime throughout the month of February. That’s largely why it has become the ski lovers’ go-to destination over the last several decades.
7. The Florida Keys
Maybe you’re just not into skiing. In fact, maybe you’re not into doing any type of cold-weather activities. If that’s the case, you might be better off heading to the Florida Keys for February. The weather there is such that you can enjoy doing virtually every type of outdoor water sport that you would do during summer months. That includes snorkeling, kayaking and swimming.
6. Hot Springs, North Carolina
There’s a reason this town got its name. It’s actually named for the hot springs that are located in the area and they definitely live up to their name. In fact, the outside air temperature is typically hovering around about 10 degrees during the month of February, but the Springs themselves are at 102 degrees. As you can see, it suddenly becomes a very tantalizing prospect to enjoy those hot springs during some of the coldest months of the year.
5. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
This is a state park that offers more than 40,000 acres for you to explore. In many of those places, the natural rock formations are at least 2,000 years old. It makes it a great place for photographers, nature enthusiasts and history buffs alike. When you go during February, you have the overwhelming majority of the park to yourself. You also have the opportunity to enjoy outdoor hikes at much more agreeable temperatures.
4. Big Sur, California
Most people definitely think of Big Sur as a summer destination. The truth is, it’s just as majestic in February as it is during any other time of the year (https://vacationidea.com/vacation-ideas/best-places-to-travel-in-february.html). The truth is, you can do virtually anything you want to do for an outdoor activity in February because the temperatures are warm enough to allow you to enjoy it. That makes it a great place for hiking, camping and of course, surfing. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that a town known so well for its remarkable surfing opportunities has some of the best surfing during this particular month of the year. Better still, the water is typically less crowded.
3. Dallas, Texas
This is a town that’s always busy, no matter what time of year it is. Texas also experiences a climate that allows you to get outside during most days throughout the month of February, meaning that you can take in a lot of the outdoor attractions offered in the city. Regardless of where your interests might reside, there is always something to do here. Enjoy great food, see some of the most highly regarded art at the Dallas Museum of Art or take your time outdoors with a stroll through the Botanical Gardens. Of course, the city also plays host to the Dallas Aquarium, one of the foremost facilities of its type in the world.
2. Honolulu, Hawaii
Who doesn’t love the idea of going to Hawaii? Honolulu in February is just as magical as any other time of the year. Enjoy the never-ending shopping and nightlife offered by the city or eating some local cuisine. If you love the outdoors, go ahead and take a trip to the Diamond Crater. It’s definitely a trip that you won’t forget. In fact, you’ll probably dream about coming back again and again.
1. Orlando, Florida
When you visit Orlando, you have the opportunity to visit not only the natural attractions offered by the city, but also more than a dozen different theme parks. Obviously, the one that probably comes to mind most readily is Walt Disney World. This is a destination that people love to enjoy but you should be aware that Florida is very busy during the month of February. The weather allows for a lot of outdoor activities. As such, you need to book your trip early because you will be contending with several other tourists, unlike so many of the other destinations that have been named on this list.