Places to Visit in January & Things to Do
These destinations offer everything from the sunshine and beaches of the Caribbean Islands to the adrenaline pumping slopes of the ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains.
January calls for something gentler. After the holidays, we’re ready to move, but not quickly. We’re looking for quiet places, off-season charm, and skies that give us more light than we’ve been getting. These January trips weren’t grand. They were grounding. Some gave us sun, others gave us snow, but all of them gave us room, to breathe, to wander, to ease into the year instead of racing into it. That’s exactly what we needed.
Best Places to Visit in January:
Wandering into warmth in the Florida Keys
I left behind gray skies and found myself somewhere sunlit and salt-kissed. The Florida Keys in January felt like a gentle rebellion against winter. I drove the Overseas Highway with windows down, turquoise water on both sides, and thought, “This is what fresh starts feel like.”
We departed from Miami on the Overseas Highway (about 160 miles, 3 hours without stops) and rolled across 42 bridges that stitch the islands together. Key West, the southernmost point in the U.S. (population 26,000), has a Caribbean vibe. We toured Ernest Hemingway’s Spanish Colonial home (admission $18), explored the pastel streets of Old Town, and joined the sunset crowd at Mallory Square. For the night, we stayed at the historic La Concha Hotel & Spa on Duval Street ($229).
What I Loved Most: Snorkeling in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, then watching the sun melt into the Gulf from a dock in Islamorada.
My highlights? A sunset dinner at Hogfish Bar & Grill on Stock Island, grilled hogfish with mango salsa and coconut rice. Locals at the next table, warm breeze, not a care in the world.
Plan your vacation:
- Why January Works: Dry season, sunny skies, fewer crowds post-holidays
- Top Experiences: Key West sunsets, snorkeling reefs, kayaking mangroves
- Weather: 70–80°F and breezy
- What to Pack: Linen, sandals, reef-safe sunscreen
- Getting There: Fly into Key West (EYW) or drive from Miami
Rainforest hush and ocean drama in Kauai
Kauai in January was all emerald and mist, cliffs and crashing surf. I stood at the edge of the Na Pali Coast, wind tugging at my jacket, and whispered, “This is the kind of wild that wakes you up.”
We flew from Austin to Lihue (about 8 hours with one connection, $450 round trip). Kauai, the “Garden Isle,” is the oldest of Hawaii’s main islands (over 5 million years) and the least developed (population 73,000). I explored Lihue’s Grove Farm Homestead, a preserved 19th-century sugar plantation ($20 admission). Lated we explored the grounds of Kilohana Plantation with its restored 1930s mansion. We capped the day with a sunset walk along Kalapaki Beach before checking into the Kauai Inn ($189).
What I Loved Most: Exploring Waimea Canyon, then ending the day with sea spray in my hair and sand between my toes at Hanalei Bay.
My highlights? A beachfront dinner at Bar Acuda in Hanalei, fresh ahi with ginger soy glaze, paired with grilled pineapple and sticky rice. Island flavors, locally loved, perfectly unhurried.
Plan your vacation:
- Why January Works: Lush scenery, whale-watching season, waterfall hikes in full flow
- Top Experiences: Na Pali Coast, Waimea Canyon, Hanalei Bay
- Weather: 65–80°F, with occasional showers
- What to Pack: Rain jacket, sandals, breathable clothes
- Getting There: Fly into Lihue Airport (LIH)
Sunny Days in Scottsdale in January
“It’s warm, but not demanding,” I thought as we stepped onto a dusty trail in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Scottsdale in January was sunlit and spacious, just right for hiking, wandering, and lingering outside without the crush of peak season.
We flew into Phoenix from Austin, rented a car (20 minutes, 12 miles to Scottsdale, $45/day rental), and set our sights on the Sonoran Desert. I hiked the Cholla Trail up Camelback Mountain (1.5 miles one way, 1,200 ft elevation gain, free access) for sunrise views, and capped the day with tacos and a local IPA downtown. That night we stayed at Andaz Scottsdale Resort ($279), where adobe casitas back right up to desert trails. Next time, I plan to bike along the 11-mile Arizona Canal Trail.
Later wandered through Old Town where adobe storefronts held turquoise jewelry and leather-bound journals, the scent of mesquite drifting through alleys. At Western Spirit, I felt time stretch out, past saddles and silver spurs, into stories I hadn’t known I was missing.
I stopped for lunch at Casino Arizona and soaked up the vibe.
What I Loved Most: Scottsdale gave me room to breathe, space to take in the desert, the history, and the quiet hum of something lasting.
Plan your Scottsdale trip:
- Drive Time from Phoenix: ~25 minutes northeast
- Vibe: Desert chic, Western pride, artsy with a historic edge
- Best For: Couples, art lovers, history seekers, warm-weather wanderers
- Lodging: Mid-century inns, desert spa resorts, Old Town boutique hotels
- Dining: Farm & Craft, The Mission, Diego Pops
- Activities: Western Spirit Museum, Old Town galleries, desert hiking trails, McDowell Sonoran Preserve
- Best Time to Visit: Late fall to early spring for mild temperatures and open-air afternoons
Lorton, Virginia: Trains, Trails & Winter Woods
“Even the quiet has texture here,” I thought, sipping hot tea beside the frozen banks of Pohick Bay.
We drove just 30 minutes south from Washington, D.C. (about 20 miles down I-95) to Lorton (population 20,000). History is woven into the area. A few more miles brought us to George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate (500 acres overlooking the Potomac, $28 admission). We spent the night at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Springfield ($178), only a 10-minute hop from Lorton.
Lorton was full of stillness and small joys. We walked through the Workhouse Arts Center (free entry, classes from $20) and rode bikes along the Mount Vernon Trail. Our son climbed many playgrounds that we passed.
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge and the Potomac River are perfect for nature lovers. It was peaceful in a way that let you hear yourself think again.
Apalachicola, Florida: Oysters & River Breezes
“This town feels like a secret too good to keep,” I thought, watching shrimp boats drift into the harbor.
We drove just under an hour east from Port St. Joe (23 miles along US-98’s coastal route) to Apalachicola (population 2,400). This little Gulf town was once one of the busiest cotton ports in the South, and the 900-building Historic District still shows it. I stepped inside the Raney House Museum (built 1838, $2 donation), browsed the old brick warehouses turned boutiques, and admired the Greek Revival façades. We spent the night at the Coombs Inn & Suites ($169), a Victorian B&B with antique-filled rooms.
Apalachicola was slow in the best way. We saw seafood shacks with picnic tables, shops with handwritten signs, and a lovely river.
My highlight? I had a dozen oysters straight from the bay, served with lemon, hot sauce, and views of the working waterfront.
We strolled on the old brick sidewalks and watched our son chase seagulls with bare feet.
The Cons: Unfortunately the oyster industry’s collapse has left scars among the locals. You feel that economic fragility in quiet storefronts and empty docks.
Tyler, Texas: Gardens & East Texas Calm
“This feels like winter giving us a gentle nudge instead of a shove,” I thought, standing among the camellias in the Tyler Rose Garden.
From Dallas, the drive to Tyler (100 miles, under 2 hours) made it easy to spend a day outside. Tyler State Park (985 acres, $6 entry) has a spring-fed lake perfect for canoeing and swimming, plus 13 miles of shaded trails. We hiked on the Whispering Pines Trail, and picnicked under towering pines. For dinner, we sampled East Texas barbecue before checking into the Courtyard by Marriott Tyler ($169), comfortable and close to town.
January in Tyler meant green grass, blooming hedges, and walks through parks that didn’t need coats. We wandered into antique shops, and stopped for kolaches whenever we saw them.
Guntersville, Alabama: Lake Fog & Mountain Light
We drove just about an hour southeast from Huntsville (50 miles along US-431) to Guntersville (population 8,600), a lakeside town on the Tennessee River.
Downtown still has its old-South storefronts. I stopped into the Guntersville Museum (free, housed in a 1930s armory) to learn about the area’s Native American and Civil War history.
A walk along Sunset Drive by the water capped the day. We didn't spend the night but Lake Guntersville Bed & Breakfast ($165), a Victorian home perched above the lake, seemed like a nice place for couples wanting a romantic weekend away.
“It’s easy to believe time moves slower here,” I thought, watching early fog lift off Lake Guntersville. The mountains framed the water perfectly, and the cold felt purposeful, sharp in the morning, softened by afternoon sun. We skipped rocks, hiked short trails, and ended each day wrapped in blankets with nothing scheduled but sleep.
Vestal, New York: Frosted Fields & Fireside Stops
We drove just under an hour south from Ithaca (47 miles, about 50 minutes) to Vestal (population 29,000), a small town along the Susquehanna River. Vestal’s story is tied to railroads and early settlement. I stopped by the Vestal Museum (free admission, inside a restored 1881 train depot) and walked along the nearby historic rail trail.
“This is what winter is supposed to look like,” I thought as we drove past snowy hills and frozen creeks. Vestal gave us just enough snow to play, but not enough to trap us. Our son made snow angels in the yard behind the inn, and we spent hours exploring bookstores and coffee shops with windows fogged over from the inside.
Ocala, Florida: Moss, Horses & Unexpected Peace
We drove just under an hour south from Gainesville (40 miles on I-75) to Ocala (population 65,000), known as the “Horse Capital of the World.”
Downtown Ocala’s historic square is lined with Victorian buildings and old theaters. I stopped into the Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology ($8).
A short drive took us to Silver Springs State Park, where glass-bottom boats have been running since the 1870s ($12 for a half-hour ride).
“There’s something elegant in how simple this feels,” I thought, watching horses trot past rows of moss-draped oaks. Ocala in January was green and mild, with rolling fields and sun that never overstayed its welcome. We visited state parks, watched manatees from a boardwalk, and let our son climb trees in an empty downtown square that felt built just for us that day.
Anderson, South Carolina: Mill Town Mornings & Small-Town Stillness
We drove about 45 minutes southwest from Greenville (40 miles on I-85) to Anderson (population 29,000), nicknamed the “Electric City” for being one of the first in the Southeast powered by long-distance hydroelectric lines.
Downtown’s historic district still shows off that turn-of-the-century charm, with brick storefronts and a restored courthouse square. I popped into the Anderson County Museum (free admission, 12,000 sq. ft. of exhibits), then walked Carolina Wren Park with its fountains and murals.
We stayed at the Bleckley Inn ($169), a boutique hotel in a converted textile warehouse.
“It’s easy to feel known here,” I thought, chatting with the barista while our son lined up toy cars along the windowsill of the coffee shop. Anderson had just enough bustle to feel alive and just enough space to exhale. We walked the lakefront, visited the downtown farmers market, and stayed in a historic inn where creaky floors felt like part of the charm.
My highlight? Pimento cheese and tomato sandwiches, served hot on sourdough, with sweet tea so cold it made the windows sweat.
January’s Quiet Gift
January didn’t need fireworks. It gave us slow mornings, unhurried drives, and the reminder that travel doesn’t have to be far or flashy to be meaningful. Each place gave us something small and lasting, a good meal, a walk we didn’t expect, a laugh that carried further than it should’ve. And that was enough. More than enough. We didn’t need big plans to begin the year, just the right kind of pause.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
