These 4 Vibrant U.S. Cities Should Be Your Next Winter Getaway, According To Delta

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After summer beach getaways and colorful fall splendor, not everyone has enough PTO to cash in.

That said, Delta is banking on easily accessible cities suitable for both short stints or weeklong vacays, even in the throes of winter.

Ranging from America’s most renowned icons, a trendy, vibrant capital, and the Pacific Northwest’s most notable urban playground, there’s no shortage of amazing cities to explore once the holiday season comes to a close.

In fact, January is one of the most underrated times of the year to visit the following 4 cities as crowds have all but dispersed and rates tend to plummet, saving you some serious cash!

New York City: Visit After New Year’s Shenanigans

Why visit a place where grown-ups gather in freezing crowds, commonly wearing diapers like it’s totally normal? Sounds real fun…

New York City is pure madness during the holidays, where the famous Rockefeller Tree becomes a human traffic jam, and even more famous Times Square transforms into a holding pen as bundled-up tourists wait for a ball to drop, cuing false promises of finally getting a gym membership.

January may be cold, but it’s arguably one of the best times to enjoy the ‘City That Never Sleeps’.

Whether it’s snow-dusted walks through Central Park, end-of-year sales at renowned shopping districts, or NYC’s epic restaurants where you can actually score a reservation, don’t sleep on the “Big Apple” as your next winter adventure, no matter if you’re in and out or plan to stay a while.

Seattle: Rain, Rain, Go Away…

On the downside, mid-winter is when Seattle’s notorious moody weather is a factor for tourists who may want to around for sunshine before visiting.

However, one could argue that packing a light coat and umbrella is worth the trip, as you won’t find a crowd in sight.

You can easily score a seat at one of many Seattle beloved restaurants, or be first in line for the famous fish toss at Pike Place Market.

Seattle may be stunningly beautiful and wonderful to explore the outdoors, but January shifts toward Seattle’s impressive museums, sensational food scene, and cozy cafe culture (almost as if you’re in Europe).

There’s no shortage of luxury hotels on a budget, too. The 4-star Edgewater Hotel is only $160 per night in January, perched right along the waterfront for scenic views without getting soaked.

Austin: BBQ, Live Music and The Great Outdoors Are Calling

We at Travel Off Path almost included Austin on our list of Memphis alternatives, but the truth is, the vibrant Texas Capital is too unique for comparison.

Proudly a ‘weird’ city with the only fair competition being Portland, Austin stands alone as a genre of its own, despite not quite having the small-town feel it used to, given exponential growth in recent years.

Delta recommends a 3-day trip this winter, where you can treat yourself to mouthwatering brisket, among other smoked goodies, never-ending live music shows across the city, and even fun outdoor adventures in mostly mild weather.

Austin is known for having ‘300 days of sunshine’, but when it changes its mind, it can be even moodier than Seattle (check the weather report).

Whether you love nature, indulging in local arts and food, or simply want to see if world-famous 6th Street lives up to the hype, Austin makes for an unforgettable winter getaway.

Los Angeles: Experience An Icon With No Crowds

There’s no right or wrong way to experience LA. It’s such a massive city, it’s impossible to tackle it all in one trip whether you’re going full tourist down Hollywood Boulevard, hobnobbing with celebs in Beverly Hills, pigging out in one of many cultural district like Koreatown, or visiting underrated waterfronts such as Marina Del Rey, all we can say is good luck with traffic!

That said, there are many facets of LA that live up to the hype — most beaches here truly have that quintessential SoCal vibe you see in the movies.

Delta again recommends a 3-day trip, which is plenty of time to cover the main attractions and kick back beachside in a city known for year-round sun, especially with no crowds this time of year.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.