Here Are The 15 Absolute Best Places To Visit In February Across The United States

Ah, February. You know what’s on our minds the most in the month of love… the Super Bowl, or wait we suppose Valentine’s Day could be too. Or, the first taste of spring in some of our warmer states. Art shows, music festivals, food and wine tours, there is so much going on in February all across the US that your options for travel are limitless. Don’t get overwhelmed, just pick one (or more) of these incredible destinations. Get ready for the best places to visit in the U.S. in February. We’re pretty excited, are you?

This article is part our Best Places to Visit in the USA series. If you’re looking for the top places to visit around the country in each month of the year then look no further, our guides will give you all the seasonal travel inspiration you need to find the perfect location for your next getaway:

Best Places to Visit in The USA In February

If you are wondering where to visit in February in the USA we have some ideas we think you’ll really enjoy. From some obvious dream vacations to a few hidden gems you may not have even considered. Here are some of the best places to travel in the US for the month of February.

Miami, FL, USA

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• Location: Miami, FL
• Why Visit In February: Visiting Miami, Florida in February is pretty popular with snowbirds. It just so happens to be Miami Health and Wellness Month so you can jump out of a snowbank and into a hot tub with spa treatments.
• Where To Stay Nearby: The only way to go when visiting Miami is to book this luxury apartment suite in a swanky hotel. This spacious suite on the eighth floor gives you incredible views of South Beach and can accommodate up to five guests.

Miami, Florida is one of the most popular winter destinations for those who desperately need a break from colder northern temperatures. Miami in February will treat you to temps in the 70s, which are perfect for day-to-day activities. Hit up the GroundUp Music Festival, take a Valentine's Day cruise on Biscayne Bay, spend a day shopping at the Coconut Grove Arts Festival, or delight your tummy with the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival. All of these events and many more are waiting for you when you come to visit Miami in February.

Palm Springs, CA, USA

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• Location: Palm Springs, CA
• Why Visit In February: Visiting Palm Springs, California in February is just in time for one of its signature events - Modernism Week. If you geek out over modern architecture, art, fashion, and culture, this is the event for you. Tour incredible homes during the day and attend exclusive parties at night!
• Where To Stay Nearby: If you are coming to Palm Springs for any of its exclusive events, you just have to stay at this incredible home that was featured in Dwell Magazine. With room for 12, you can make it a multi-family getaway, a girl's away weekend, or a Super Bowl party crash pad.

Palm Springs is another warm-weather destination for those looking to warm their toes and hearts with beautiful California weather as the winter comes to an end. With plenty of activities, festivals, and events going on this month, you will never be left wondering what to do. Rev your engines at Mccormick's Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction, take in any number of art walks, food, and wine festivals, or even a taco tour. Of course, Palm Springs is a pretty romantic city to treat yourselves to a romantic getaway with the wonderfully walkable downtown filled with unique restaurants, shops, and entertainment opportunities.

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Maui, Hawaii, USA

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• Location: Maui, HI
• Why Visit In February: Visiting Maui, Hawaii in February is the prime time for whale watching! The Great Whale Count, part of the Maui Whale Festival, happens toward the end of February. So, pack your binoculars and warm up your counting fingers for a fun event.
• Where To Stay Nearby: When you travel all the way to Hawaii, you really need the panoramic views of the ocean you'll find in this beautiful villa. With a short walk to a secluded beach and an elevated perch for whale watching right from your lanai, this spacious two-bedroom villa is just about perfect.

Could there be a more romantic spot to travel in February than Hawaii? It really is hard to beat. With its laid-back vibe, warm weather, lush waterfalls, pristine beaches, and fresh tropical food, oh wait, getting a bit carried away there. Maui is pretty special with the twisty-turvy Hana Highway, authentic luaus, the surprising bamboo forest along the Pipiwai Trail, oh, and Mama's Fish House with flaky melt-in-your-mouth grilled fish. Say aloha for us!

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Best Attractions To Visit In The USA In February To Avoid Crowds

The whole point of a vacation is to get away and enjoy some relaxation – it is much easier to do that if you aren’t picking the overcrowded destinations everyone else is choosing. If you’d like a little help in that department, try these next few wonderful destinations.

Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

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• Location: Willamette Valley, OR
• Why Visit In February: Visiting Willamette Valley, Oregon in February is prime truffle hunting time! These exquisite fungi can be found underground in the rich soil beneath Douglas fir trees. Plan a truffle hunt and wine-tasting day for an unforgettable experience.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Enjoy Newberg's Truffle Month in February by staying at this lovely Chehalem Mountain Wine Cottage, only minutes from several wineries.

Most people yearn for the rich green landscape of Oregon's Willamette Valley in the late spring or summer, but February can be extra special too. As a dense morning fog sits over the vineyards and the warmth of the sun begins to break through its heavy curtain, the landscape takes on a surreal quality you just can't find any other time of the year. Most wineries offer winter tasting events, too, so you can enjoy a wine lovers weekend getaway at a time when you practically have the vineyard all to yourselves.

New York, NY, USA

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• Location: New York, NY
• Why Visit In February: Visiting New York, New York in February is the perfect time for the frugally minded. Since tourists pretty much stay away in the winter, you'll enjoy lower-priced lodging and short wait times at New York's historic and iconic attractions.
• Where To Stay Nearby: If you are spending time in New York City in late winter, you may as well treat yourself to a little luxury. This beautifully spacious four-bedroom suite in the Upper West Side is a little oasis away from the hustle and bustle of New York.

Why would anyone in their right mind want to visit New York in February when any second you could get buried in a few feet of snow or drenched in a layer of sloppy slush just standing on the sidewalk? If you look past the negatives, you'll realize New York in late winter is pretty magical. With ice skating, or even ice bumper cars, in Bryant Park at the foot of the Empire State Building, followed by a hot coffee or mug of cocoa (and a shopping spree on Fifth Avenue to really warm you up) to a delicious treat at a little shop in Little Italy - New York has more than enough magic to go around. In the month of February, romance is in the air, and there is plenty of it to be found in New York City.

Portland, OR, USA

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• Location: Portland, OR
• Why Visit In February: When visiting Portland, Oregon in February, make sure you plan for the Portland Jazz Festival in mid to late February. This festival pays tribute to the iconic jazz greats you know and love in honor of Black History Month.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Enjoy everything Portland has to offer in this beautiful midcentury-modern home only steps from Restaurant Row and Mississippi Street.

Portland might not be the first place you think about for a February vacation, but there are plenty of activities to make the cooler temps worth it. Warm up with a Portland Madi Gras festival in the third week of February, share a craft brew at Zwickelmania, an annual brewery festival, or ooh and aah at the Winter Light Festival in early February, where you can enjoy live music, incredible light shows, and the festive Portland vibe.

Best Places To Visit In The US In February For Outdoor Adventure

From hidden gem ski resorts to epic hiking trails in the mountains, there is no shortage of outdoor adventures to be had in February. Here are a couple of destinations we think are pretty special.

Breckenridge, CO 80424, USA

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• Location: Breckenridge, CO
• Why Visit In February: Visiting Breckenridge, Colorado in February will quickly make you realize why this charming small town is always included in the "best of" lists.
• Where To Stay Nearby: You can get pretty crazy with extravagant lodging in Breckenridge (and it is definitely worth it to splurge now and then), but this beautiful mountain home in the heart of town only steps to the slopes will treat you well at a very affordable price.

Do you need one last ski vacation before spring melts your favorite slopes? Breckenridge, Colorado will dazzle you with mountain views and thick fluffy powdery snow so deep you'll think you've fallen into a cloud. This delightful ski town has plenty of surprises if you are in the mood for a little February romance too. Pack your parka, grab your coziest boots, and the hand of a loved one as you hike through the sun-bathed forests around Carter Park, or take a sled dog tour through the Swan River Valley with the sunrise twinkling in that special someone's eyes - you won't be able to help falling deeper in love.

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Gatlinburg, TN 37738, USA

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• Location: Gatlinburg, TN
• Why Visit In February: When you are neck deep in snow and ice, the best way to warm up when Visiting Gatlinburg, Tennessee in February is to hit up as many moonshine distilleries as you can. If you have never considered yourself a moonshine enthusiast, you might change your mind after trying the Appalachian Apple Pie Shine at the Sugarlands Distilling Company.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Treat yourself to an amazing stay at the High Haven Cabin, a luxurious two-story log cabin surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains.

Just look at that view of the Great Smoky Mountains! One look, and we were hooked. If you are looking for outdoor adventures, this is one of the best places to go in February in the USA. And it probably wasn't even on your radar. Besides the typical winter activities of skiing, skating, snow tubing, and snowshoeing, you will be treated to some of the most magical winter hikes to Chimney Tops and along the Alum Cave Trail. The sense of peaceful solitude is aww-inspiring when you stand alone (or with your loved ones) surrounded by the natural beauty of the Smokies.

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Best Places To Visit In February For Events

Considering February in much of the US is a time to hole up and hope for spring, there are a surprising number of fun events going on in cold-weather regions just as much as there are in warm-weather regions. Here are a few fun destinations with late-winter festivals and events that we think you’ll love.

Salt Lake City, UT, USA

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• Location: Salt Lake City, UT
• Why Visit In February: If you've never been to the ice castles in Utah, it is a must-see attraction and one of the most popular things to see when visiting Salt Lake City, Utah in February. Ice slides, tunnels, and caverns to crawl through, beautiful ice sculptures, and sleigh rides - it is petty stunning to see in person.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Set up your home base in the heart of Salt Lake City with this beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home with room for six guests. It is only a five-minute walk to Memory Grove and City Creek Canyon.

Sure, it can get a bit slushy and sloppy in February, but up in the mountains, it is absolutely beautiful after fresh snow. There are seven mountain ranges surrounding Salt Lake City, from the Wasatch Mountains to the north and east and the Oquirrh Mountains to the west. If you love winter sports, a trip to Salt Lake City should be on your bucket list. If you are just itching to get another tattoo of a snowboarding polar bear on your back, make sure you hit up the SLC Tattoo Convention in February too.

New Orleans, LA, USA

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• Location: New Orleans, LA
• Why Visit In February: Why should you be visiting New Orleans, Louisiana in February? Mardi Gras! This quintessential Louisiana celebration draws crowds from far and wide to celebrate the coming of spring (and fertility) from a more ancient traditional perspective or one last day to party before fasting begins for the Christian tradition of Lent - no matter which camp you lean toward it is one heck of a celebration.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Enjoy the vibrance of New Orleans when you stay at this authentic Creole cottage Bed and Breakfast just a few blocks from the Historic French Quarter.

New Orleans is one of the best cities to visit in February in the USA - or any time for that matter. With such a rich unique culture and creative vibe, it is hard not to find something interesting to see and do during your stay. Come satisfy your craving for gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp creole, and shrimp étouffée in one of the most festive Cajun and Creole towns in the South. With a vibrant nightlife, New Orleans is one wild ride in February.

Best Hidden Gems to Visit in the US in February

Many of the previous destinations you have probably heard about and have either been to or have been dreaming of going to. But sometimes, it’s fun to pick somewhere you aren’t as familiar with. Here are a few destinations that are equally enjoyable but may not have made it on your bucket list – yet.

Annapolis, MD, USA

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• Location: Annapolis, MD
• Why Visit In February: Visiting Annapolis, Maryland in February is a surprising time to enjoy multiple events and festivals. If you enjoy a craft beer or two, you'll love FeBREWary - a month-long celebration of Maryland's time-honored tradition of excelling at beer making.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Stay in the heart of Annapolis in this lovely historic home that has been wonderfully renovated into a welcoming, light-filled space perfect for up to six guests.

You may not be aware of it yet, but Maryland will delight you with one of the best February vacations in the US. Annapolis, in particular, is a charming town on the gorgeous Chesapeake Bay. It is a town filled with history and culture. (And some of the best brewpubs on the East Coast) In February, the weather is usually above freezing during the day, so you can enjoy ice skating at the Annapolis Town Center without worrying too much about frozen toes. Or, if you are feeling especially furry - you can attempt the Polar Bear Plunge - an annual event at Sandy Point State Park. If you are a bit hungry after all of your fun outings, swing by the First Sunday Farmers Market for amazing food trucks and live music.

Boone, NC, USA

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• Location: Boone, NC
• Why Visit In February: When visiting Boone, North Carolina in February, make sure you make the trek to the Mile-High Swinging Bridge on Grandfather Mountain. When the February fog blankets the area, it is like walking on the clouds.
• Where To Stay Nearby: Enjoy amazing views of the Appalachian Mountains in this cozy (but spacious) log cabin near Boone.

If you haven't heard about Boone, NC you are missing out on one of North Carolina's cutest little gems. It is surrounded by beautiful views of the Blue Ridge Mountains with easy access to the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Not only will you fall in love with the views of Grandfather Mountain, but you'll also get goosebumps at how quaint the downtown Main Street area is, with microbreweries, shops, and restaurants all within easy walking distance.

Tucson, AZ, USA

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• Location: Tucson, AZ
• Why Visit In February: Visiting Tucson, Arizona in February is just in time for one of the most celebrated events in Tucson - the Fiesta de Los Vaqueros. It is a celebration of the cowboy culture that is strong in Arizona'; past and present. It is so iconic to the region that kids get a day off of school for it!
• Where To Stay Nearby: Enjoy amazing views of the Sonoran Desert in this unique home filled with windows. It is one of the most romantic places to stay if you are looking for the ultimate Valentine's Day getaway in Tucson.

Tucson is one of the best places to travel in February in the USA to enjoy a nice weather warm-up. With temps in the 70s, it is a nice break if your usual morning routine involves digging your car out of a snow bank. And what better way to have some fun in the sun than a good 'ole Arizona rodeo? The vibrant downtown surrounded by mountain views isn't too bad either. February is also when the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show shines brightly in town. Since we mentioned shining brightly, all you need to do to enjoy a brilliant light show is to look up. Tucson's Oracle State Park is one of the very few places on Earth designated as a Dark Sky Park.

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Big Sky, MT, USA

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• Location: Big Sky, MT
• Why Visit In February: When visiting Big Sky, Montana in February you might just want to take in some skijoring. What in the world is that? It is a major event that happens every February where one person rides a horse that is pulling a skier or snowboarder through a 900-foot course with jumps and gates while spectators go wild.
• Where To Stay Nearby: When in Big Sky, you'll want to stay at this mountain chalet near Moonlight Lodge in the Alpine Meadows area. It is the perfect spot to ski in and ski out right from your front door.

Big Sky, Montana is a quiet winter sports oasis miles away from any big city, so you can enjoy all your favorite winter activities without big crowds. With 5,800 skiable acres, it is a mecca for alpine to cross-country skiers of all skill levels. Of course, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling are also popular, with epic mountain views and tons of powder snow. If you are out in the wilds of Beehive Basin, you are bound to see abundant wildlife, including elk, moose, antelope, bald eagles, mountain goats, big horn sheep, and many more small and large mammals. With the haunting call of a wolf pack not out of the question.

Flint Hills, Manhattan, KS, USA

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• Location: Manhattan, KS
• Why Visit In February: Visiting the Flint Hills in Kansas in February is an especially good time to visit Tuttle Creek State Park because you will feel like you have it all to yourself. The temps in February are in the 40s, so warm enough not to freeze but cold enough so that you'll want to bundle up. It is still a fantastic time to explore the beautiful Flint Hills hiking trails.
• Where To Stay Nearby: A really unique place to stay near Manhattan, Kansas is this converted schoolhouse. From the outside, it looks like a historic schoolhouse built in 1916 - when you step inside, you will be amazed at what you find.

In the warmer months, the Flint Hills are a unique tall grass prairie that runs from Kansas to Oklahoma (it is known as the Osage Hills in OK). It is an incredibly wide open area that has an unexpected silent beauty. In late spring, you can witness the annual burning of the prairie so that the native grasses can rejuvenate and continue to thrive. So why would you venture out into this seemingly barren land in February? Cross-country skiing! With so much land with nothing to see for miles other than rolling snow-covered hills and groups of cattle huddling together against the cold, you have an incredible opportunity to whisper across the land in a peaceful zen-like state as you explore the Flint Hills Nature Trails.

Whether you are treating your sweetie to a romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day, getting away from the cold, or rushing with skis blazing toward it, February can be a fun and exciting time to travel. We hope you’ve discovered some new destinations that weren’t on your travel list. If you have some favorites that weren’t mentioned, please share them with a comment so we can continue to grow our best places to visit in the U.S. in February list.

It isn’t too soon to start planning your summer vacations either – how about picking one from our list of the best places to travel in June?