11 Top Best Places to Visit in February for Everyone
February may seem like a fly-by month, but it is also a perfect time of year to visit a new place! This list of the best places to visit in February includes destinations that showcase the wintery month or help you escape the chill. And then of course there’s the Valentine’s Day! It’s the perfect excuse to fly away on your next adventure!
You may have seen me rave about some of these places in my previous blog posts, but I only bring them up again because they deserve to be added to your bucket list! Without further ado, let’s get into the best places to visit in February!
Best Places to Visit in February to Escape the Cold
New Orleans
Planning a trip to the Crescent City? New Orleans is full of culture, food, and adventure. Whether you come for the history, the atmosphere, or the festivities, you will find everything and more in this bustling city.
My sister and I traveled to New Orleans for her twenty first birthday, but we didn’t only come to party on Bourbon Street. We spent four days experiencing every part of New Orleans we could fit into our limited time. And we probably didn’t even scratch the surface.
Of course, what would February be without Mardi Gras? New Orleans is known for its extravagant celebrations for Mardi Gras, so what better way to celebrate than to join the party?
If you’re looking for more information on what to add to your New Orleans itinerary, go check out my blog posts listed here!
Florida
Home of the best amusement parks, multi coastal beaches, and incredible wildlife, Florida is an amazing place to visit no matter what month you are looking for an escape. February is a perfect time to avoid that sweltering summer heat but still enjoy some rays.
Take a trip to Disney World or Universal for some theme park magic. Layout on the numerous beaches on the Atlantic or Gulf side. Visit state and national parks to spot wildlife like manatees, alligators, and tons of different birds. Ride an airboat, swim in freshwater springs, camp in one of the darkest places in the US to stargaze. The opportunities are endless!
Death Valley
Welcome to Death Valley! I promise you will be in awe of this magical place no matter what time of year you visit, but I highly recommend visiting in the winter months to avoid the desert heat.
There’s mountains and valleys and landscapes that will make you feel as if you have left Earth behind. Death Valley is unique in many ways but one of them being the trails that take you below sea level! And don’t forget the colors! I never imagined a desert being as colorful as this national park. MIND BLOWN!
The only advice I give in warning to you is to make sure you have a map, enough gas, and a car that loves dirt roads. The majority of the roads here are not great, so 4WD is highly preferred. I went with my 2WD car and was able to do most of the roads except for the ones that specifically stated 4WD vehicles only.
There are also very limited places to get gas inside the park, and the prices are jacked very high to reflect that. Make sure you fill up before going in. And lastly, there is zero phone service in the park. So, google maps will not work unless you download the maps beforehand. I also recommend grabbing a paper map to guide you. I used solely the paper map and was totally fine.
San Diego
Lastly, for my California destinations is San Diego! Just a short road trip from Los Angeles, San Diego is a great little city to explore in January! I took full advantage of the epic cliffsides on the coast and of course the food! If you are looking for authentic Latin American cuisine, then San Diego is the place to go.
Not only is the food incredible, but there are tons of places to explore! There’s Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, Old Town, the Cabrillo National Monument, Sunset Cliff, and so much more! Visit the beaches and the museums. You can even go whale watching! I will definitely be coming back to this city.
Savannah, Georgia
This city is pure magic! Savannah is a place that I always find myself wishing to revisit, so I’m sure I’ll get back there soon. It has the southern charm that takes you back in time while also being the perfect place for all ages.
Whether you’re on a family trip with kids or celebrating a drunken bachelorette party, this city has plenty to satisfy everyone. There’s Tybee Island nearby that holds history and lovely beaches. There’s architecture and history in every building you walk by.
And of course, there’s River Street. Much like New Orleans’s Bourbon Street, River Street is home to dozens of bars offering the perfect atmosphere for bar crawling. There are also haunted experiences, river cruises, and walking tours that all depart nearby this popular hangout spot.
New Mexico / Arizona / Colorado
Did someone say desert? How about mountains? Oh, you want both? Well, these states collectively make up some of the most beautiful places in the entire United States. New Mexico and Arizona have deserts just waiting to be discovered. I highly recommend taking the roads less traveled when driving through here because you will be amazed at the landscapes you pass by. Honestly, I had to stop pulling off the road or else I would’ve never made it to my destination!
Of course, all these states have their state and national parks that are stunning, but you honestly can see so many mind-blowing things without stepping foot into a protected park. Colorado specifically is an amazing place to discover both the desert and the snowy mountain tops! You can hike and ski in two separate climates in one day!
And don’t even get me started about the amazing cities like Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix! They are great places to base yourself as you travel through the surrounding landscapes.
Any of these states would be a perfect choice for a little February adventure!
Best Places to Visit in February to Embrace the Cold
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What better city to spend Valentine’s Day in than in the city of brotherly love? Philly has a special place in my heart as it was literally in my backyard growing up.
The history of the US covers the whole city in statues, buildings, and artifacts. There are museums and tours that will fill your brain with so much knowledge and pride for this country.
But of course, Philly has plenty more to give than just history. There’s South Street, Reading Terminal Market, Mural Mile, and of course the “Rocky Steps”! And don’t forget to try a famed Philly Cheesesteak while you wander through the city.
This is another city that I am dying to write more about, so stay tuned for a post on all things Philadelphia.
Lake Tahoe
I will never stop raving about Lake Tahoe. You literally can’t make me! Having spent two months in this beautiful collection of towns, I can say Lake Tahoe is easily one of my favorite places in the US.
If you are a snow bunny, Lake Tahoe in the winter is your dream vacation! Lake Tahoe is known for its skiing and snowboarding trails especially in South Lake Tahoe. But there is so much more to discover! You can drive around the entire lake visiting the dozens of state parks and lookout points. You can gamble right on the border of California and Nevada. And of course, you can enjoy the warmth of a fireplace with a cup on hot chocolate.
If you are curious what I got up to while I was staying here, check out the best tour of Lake Tahoe in winter!
Best Places to Visit in February in Europe
Tuscany, Italy
The province of fine wine, rolling hills, hill towns, and amazing food. Tuscany is on everyone’s bucket list no matter who you are. You can winery hop through the towns drinking all the Chianti you can hold. You can bike the old Roman roads and view some of the most stunning scenery you will ever see. You can lounge around in your own Tuscan villa and overlook the vineyards.
The opportunities are endless! Tuscany is a bit of a difficult place to see without a car, but you can easily base yourself in beautiful Florence and take day trips out into the countryside. Trust me, you will not be disappointed by this Italian crowned jewel.
Salzburg, Austria
I spent 24 hours in this beautiful city, and it simply wasn’t enough! Salzburg is a place full of history and beauty that you could get lost for days trying to uncover every hidden secret.
There is plenty to do especially in the colder months! Just make sure you bundle up to explore this Eastern European city in wintertime. My favorite things to do were cozy up with some Austrian soup or wander along the river that divides the city. Don’t miss the views to from the fortress! It’s a bit of a walk, but it’s totally worth it!
Paris, France – best places to visit in February for couples
What could possibly be better than being bundled up with a loved one in the city of love? Paris is one of my favorite cities in the whole world, so I may be bias when saying you could visit this city any time of year.
What I love most about Paris in February though is the colder weather gives you the perfect excuse to do the most Parisian things! You can wander through the museums and not feel guilty about missing out on the sunshine. You can wear all your fancy winter coats and boots. And of course, you have the perfect excuse to sit in all the adorable Parisian cafes drinking expressos and hot chocolate!
Places to Visit in February
And that’s all she wrote! Some of my favorite places in the world are on this list, so I could not recommend them enough! February can feel like a month to throw away because of the weather and the lack of daytime, but some of these destinations have so much more magic when you visit in the off seasons.
Let me know what places you’ve been and what places are on your bucket list!
Looking for more information on places to visit by month? Here are my other posts related to destinations and what month to visit linked below!
25 Useful and Thoughtful Best Travel Gifts for Women that They’ll Love!
8 Best Places to Travel in December for the Holidays
47 Insanely Unique Travel Goals to Add to Your Bucket List