Vrbo: where to go in January

Best Places to Visit in January 2025

Start the year off right with these top destinations

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If you're looking for a change of scenery to kick off the year, you're spoiled for choice with this list of the best places to visit in January. Make the most of the wintry weather in snow-dusted mountain destinations like Breckenridge and Vail in Colorado, or even the Italian Dolomites and ski, snowboard, or sled to your heart's content. Looking for warmer climes to escape the chill? Pack your sunglasses—holiday hotspots like Palm Beach, FL or Phoenix, AZ are some of the best warm places to visit in January. There, you can enjoy a few days of golden sunshine with pleasant temperatures that are perfect for getting out in the great outdoors. Turn up the heat even more with an island break to St. Kitts and Nevis or Turks and Caicos, for example: It's up to you whether you join in the islands' January festivals or just relax on the beach with a good book while soaking up the sun's rays. Start the year off right with a vacation to remember, no matter where you decide to jet off to.

Breckenridge

Breckenridge, Colorado

#1 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

If you love winter sports then you'll love Breckenridge. January usually brings 20+ inches of snow, transforming the town into a powder-dusted paradise for keen skiers and snowboarders looking to hit the slopes of Summit County. And once you've had your fill on the slopes, head to the Riverwalk Center to admire the entries in the International Snow Sculpture Championships, held every January. The 24/7 exhibition of these mammoth hand-made creations is a delight for adults and children alike, with previous sculptures including a dancing hippo and a recycling octopus

 

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Phoenix

Phoenix, Arizona

#2 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

Pleasantly sunny without being too hot, a trip to Phoenix is a wonderful way to soak up some winter sun in January, with temperatures ranging between 44 and 67°F. Make the most of the glorious sunshine with a hike through the Sonoran Desert, past the swaying palo verde trees while admiring the red sandstone formations that flank the trails. After you've explored the desert on foot, take to the skies: The dry January weather is the ideal time for a sightseeing hot air balloon trip over Phoenix and the surrounding countryside.

 

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Riverside County

Riverside County, California

#3 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

California dreams come true in Riverside County, even in the chillier winter months. With temperatures rarely falling below 56°F in January and rain merely a distant possibility, it's one of the best places to travel in January if you like to head outdoors and immerse yourself in nature. Wander around the University of California Riverside Botanic Gardens' 40-acre site, offering year-round horticultural delights. Alternatively, head to the California Citrus State Historic Park to learn about the region's second “gold rush”: The pleasant weather, a far cry from the scorching summer heat, is the ideal opportunity for strolling through the groves of orange trees.

 

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Vail

Vail, Colorado

#4 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

As a popular snow sports resort, Vail really comes into its own in the winter months. Snow is as good as guaranteed in January, and with just shy of 200 trails to choose from, skiers and snowboarders will be spoiled for choice when it comes to exploring the Colorado mountain landscape. Looking for something to do off the slopes? Take a tour of Vail's public art collection. With the Art in Public Places program encompassing more than 60 pieces of art covering everything from statues to murals, it turns a snowy wander through town into a cultural experience.

 

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San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

#5 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

With highs of around 63°F, temperatures in San Bernadino are crisp but manageable in January. Wander along the city's palm tree-lined downtown streets or hop behind the wheel and drive along the Rim of the World Scenic Byway for an out-of-this-world view of the surrounding mountains. If you're lucky, your visit to San Bernadino might coincide with the city's annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and Extravaganza, where vendors, food trucks, and other attractions honor Dr. King's legacy of equality and justice.

 

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West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach, Florida

#6 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

Roll up, roll up: Carnival charm awaits in West Palm Beach each January when the South Florida Fair swings into town. On a site spanning 100 acres, there's something for everyone, from traditional rollercoaster rides to indulgent fair foods, and even a livestock program showing off local agriculture. Had your fill of the fair? With mild weather and lows of a manageable 64°F, it's not too cold for a pleasant coastal stroll or, if you're feeling brave, a dip in the ocean to start the year in seaside style.

 

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Boone

Boone, North Carolina

#7 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

The festive spirit needn't disappear as soon as January 1st rolls around—at least, not in Boone. The Festival of Lights, held at Chetola Lake every year in January, promises captivating, illuminated holiday scenes to delight the whole family. And with chilly temperatures peaking at 56°F and plenty of snow on the surrounding mountains, it's one of the best destinations to go to in January for winter sports fans. Alongside the traditional cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the Elk Knob Trails, why not try snow tubing? Bouncing down the slope on an inflated rubber ring is a fantastically fun activity for the entire family.

 

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Lake Tahoe

Lake Tahoe, USA

#8 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

January is one of the most beautiful months to visit Lake Tahoe: The mountains are carpeted in thick white snow and the region takes on an air of magical serenity. It goes without saying that skiing and snowboarding are on offer, but the best way to see the area is by snowshoeing along the shore, tramping through the deep snow with the lake on one side and the mountains on the other. And when night falls, go stargazing: The clear winter skies give you the ideal opportunity to spot twinkling constellations.

 

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Pocono Mountains

Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

#9 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

Nestled in northeastern Pennsylvania, the Pocono Mountains promise year-round adventure, whatever the weather. January is the chilliest month in the Poconos, with average lows of 18°F, so bundle up warm and see the mountains from a fresh perspective on a dog-sledding tour, courtesy of a team of fluffy Siberian Huskies. Still feeling festive? Head to Stroudsburg Borough to track down the life-size Snowmen of Stroudsburg decorating the area's streets. Adults and children alike will be charmed by their quaint hand-painted designs and enjoy discovering the town along the way.

 

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Clearwater

Clearwater, Florida

#10 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

January is the coldest month of the year in Clearwater, with daily temperatures of around 69°F. While locals might not feel like braving the chilly ocean waves, visitors from colder climes find them positively balmy. Sun-seekers are in short supply in winter, so the beaches tend to be deserted, offering an exclusive experience for anyone bold enough to go for a paddle or even a full-on swimming session. Once you've dried off, hop on your bike for a great way to see the area during the dry January days. If you're feeling active, you could even cycle all the way from Clearwater to Tampa and enjoy the stunning views along the 9.5-mile route.

 

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St. Kitts & Nevis

St. Kitts & Nevis, Caribbean

#11 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

St. Kitts and Nevis' National Carnival—known as “Sugar Mas” to locals—is held in winter every year and culminates in a public holiday on January 2nd. Originating in the 1970s, it's a colorful, exuberant festival with Latin flair, vibrant costumes, and toe-tapping calypso beats. Be sure to catch the National Carnival Parade on January 1st where you can admire all the participants' regalia up close. Once you've partied your heart out, sit back, relax, and bask in the islands' weather—with an average high of 77°F, winter is a perfect time to soak up some sunshine on the white-sand beaches or even hike up Mount Liamuiga.

 

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Zermatt

Zermatt, Switzerland

#12 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

In the chillier months, Zermatt is a picture-postcard winter wonderland with up to 20 inches of snowfall at the start of the year, making it one of the best places to travel to in January. In keeping with the weather, this month sees the town host the Horu Trophy, one of Europe's largest open-air curling tournaments. But if that's not quite cold enough for you, book an ice bathing session: Immerse yourself in the frigid waters overlooked by the majestic Matterhorn for a truly invigorating experience. Warm up with a traditional Swiss fondue afterwards and let the rich melted cheese warm you from the inside out.

 

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British Virgin Islands

British Virgin Islands, Caribbean

#13 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

With an average high temperature of 84°F in January and near-endless sunshine, the British Virgin Islands are the ideal destination for catching some winter rays. The sea temperature hovers around 68°F, so strap on your snorkeling mask and check out some of the local coral reefs. And while these temperatures are positively tropical, January is nevertheless cooler than the roasting summer months. Make the most of the pleasant climate by strolling around the islands' capital, Road Town, stopping by the North Shore Shell Museum to admire the crafts on display.

 

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Costa Rica

Costa Rica

#14 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

Party lovers unite: Costa Rica hosts not 1, but 2 stunning celebrations in January. Starting from the second Thursday of the year, the Costa Rican city of Palmares hosts a spectacular 2-week festival, the aptly named Fiestas de Palmares. Join a million other revelers to watch the traditional horse parade (the “tope”), athletic competitions, a stunning fireworks display, and enjoy local food. Want to keep the celebrations going? Another event, Santa Cruz's Fiesta Patronal de Santo Cristo, involves folk dancing, street festivities, and even a parade of oxcarts in homage to Santo Cristo de Esquipulas. With January being the peak of Costa Rica's dry season, you don't need to worry about rain putting a dampener on things, either.

 

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Seville

Anguilla, Caribbean

#15 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

If you're looking to kick off the new year in style, Anguilla is one of the best places to visit in January. Celebrations on “Old Year's Night,” as New Year's Eve is known in these parts, are when locals really let loose—and the revelry continues for much of the first week of January. Once the festivities have died down, you'll have the island almost to yourself and stable temperatures in the low 80s to enjoy. So, enjoy strolling through The Valley's quiet streets, snorkeling off Meads Bay, and taking a glorious seaside walk along Shoal Bay East without another human in sight.

 

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Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island, Florida

#16 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

Love crafts? Love pirates? If so, the AMI Privateers “Thieves Market,” an annual flea market with a pirate twist, is for you. Held each January on Anna Maria Island, it's the ideal opportunity to pick up some souvenirs for your loved ones back home. Temperatures in January on Anna Maria Island are comfortable and pleasant in the mid-70s. Much cooler than the blisteringly hot summer weather, it's the perfect chance to meander around Anna Maria Bayfront Park, enjoy the sunsets over Tampa Bay, or even hop onboard a clear kayak for a nighttime paddle.

 

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Turks & Caicos

Turks & Caicos, Caribbean

#17 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

January is one of the most temperate months in Turks and Caicos, with average temperatures of 79°F. Rain is a rare occurrence, so this is your chance to indulge in the watersports on offer. The combination of glorious sunshine and above-average wind speeds is the perfect opportunity to turn your hand to kiteboarding, for instance. If you're lucky, your visit might even coincide with An Evening of Art, an annual art exhibition and auction of works by local artists. Pick up a decoration or twofor your home or just enjoy the live entertainment and local cuisine.

 

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Whitefish

Whitefish, Montana

#18 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

With average temperatures rarely breaking 40°F, pack warm for your trip to Whitefish in January. The gateway to Montana's Glacier National Park, it's hardly surprising that the area revolves around all things snow in the winter months. Sign up for a guided cross-country skiing tour to experience the park through a local's eyes and get some exercise in the bargain. Prefer to admire the landscape in a more sedate fashion? While most roads in the park are closed in winter, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is plowed and open year-round so you can crank the heat up and enjoy the stunning views of Lake MacDonald from the comfort of your vehicle.

 

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The Dolomites

The Dolomites, Italy

#19 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

With snowfall practically guaranteed in January, it's no surprise that the craggy peaks of the Dolomites are a beloved destination for snow sports fans in the winter. But if you don't feel like taking to the slopes yourself, grab tickets for the Cortina Ski World Cup to see how the pros do it. Held in mid-January, this event is dedicated to speed disciplines: It's your chance to see some of the world's top skiers whizz by at a breathtaking pace. Want something a little more laid back? Head to the mountain village of Castelrotto for the “Peasant Wedding,” an annual historical reenactment of a 19th-century rural wedding, complete with costumes, a parade, and all the pomp and circumstance you'd expect.

 

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Baja California

Baja California, Mexico

#20 in Best Places to Visit in January 2025

Positioned along the Gulf of California, Mexico's Baja California promises sun, sea, and sand galore, even in the winter months. In fact, January is when the area has some of the best weather, with air temperatures in the 70s. That's perfect for outdoor excursions to some of the region's many vineyards to learn the local winemakers' craft. And if you happen to be around on January 6th, you're in luck. Epiphany, or Dia de Reyes, as the locals call it, is a major celebration here. Join the party by keeping an eye out for the traditional “Rosca De Reyes” sweet bread, a delicacy made with orange peel and candied fruits.

 

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Methodology

We have curated these lists of top destinations by month by combining real booking data and expert insights. Some destinations were chosen based on actual booking data, reflecting popular choices for trips during a particular month. Additionally, our travel editors used their expertise to select other destinations, ensuring a well-rounded and inspiring list. This ranking is designed to provide helpful ideas and guidance for planning your trip in a particular month, offering a mix of trending spots and expert recommendations.

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