When the mercury drops, some Americans welcome the chill while others follow the sun. This year, the winter promises to be an intense one. The Old Farmer’s Almanac forecasts below-normal temperatures in many regions, along with strong storms bringing heavy rain, sleet and snow.
To help Americans plan their travels over the colder months, WalletHub developed a ranking of the cheapest U.S. destinations that are also the easiest to reach. In total we analyzed nearly 70 of the largest metro areas — grouped as “warm” or “cold” — based on 37 key metrics, including two weeks of flight data, safety indicators and weather predictions.
Compared with other rankings that focus on each destination’s scenic quality, this report focuses primarily on the cost and convenience of traveling to each location as well as its affordability. It also ensures that the number of attractions and variety of activities in each destination will keep everyone busy and entertained throughout the trip.
Read on to find out where to book your next winter escape and to learn how we ranked the destinations. Planning an excursion with the kids? Operating on a tight budget? Make sure to take in the advice from WalletHub’s travel experts in our Q&A below.
