10 Best Places to Visit in January

This post is about the best places to visit in January.

So, you want to start the new year off in a new place? There are tons of amazing destinations to visit in the wintery season of January. Whether you want to visit places in the US or go to a completely new foreign destination, there is bound to be a place on this list for everyone.

Let’s get into the 10 best places to visit in January!

US Destinations

Covington, Georgia

Calling all vampires! If you are a fan of Vampire Diaries, then this little town should definitely be on your bucket list. Welcome to Mystic Falls! I’m serious! Covington, Georgia is where they filmed the show! You can visit the main square, the Lockwood Mansion, tons of characters’ houses like Carolina Forbes and Elena Gilbert. You can even eat at the Mystic Grill!

There is so much here to discover. Whether you are a die-hard fan or casual viewer, this is a great day trip from Atlanta or weekend getaway. January is a perfect time to go as it’s out of the normal season for tourists, but everything is still open to the public. And of course, the weather is perfect without that Georgia summer sun beating down on you.

If you are interested in my own trip to Covington, Georgia, you should check out my blog post that outlines all of the fun things to see and do including where we stayed, what tour we took, and where we ate.

Florida – Most Popular Places to Visit in January

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. January 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. Lay out on the numerous beaches on the Atlantic or Gulf coast. 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!

Los Angeles

The City of Stars is calling your name this new year! There is so much to experience in Los Angeles! You can check out the dozens of beaches along the coast from Venice and Santa Monica to Malibu. You can hike the hundreds of paths in the Hollywood Hills. Or you can even tour the city looking for celebrities whether that’s on a tour bus or at a taping of your favorite talk show!

Of course, don’t forget the variety of foods you can try, movie locations you can visit, and theme parks you can explore! There is quite literally an endless supply of things to do in this glamourous city. If you are looking for more details on what to do in LA, go check out my favorite place in Malibu, the best places to eat in Grand Central Market, and of course planning a trip to the Last Bookstore!

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!

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 as one day is simply not enough.

US National Parks

Zion

One of my all-time favorite national parks, Zion has so much to offer in the off season! Visiting in January is the perfect way to ensure you beat the crowds! Just be sure to check the weather, so you don’t come during trail closures due to snowy weather.

Zion has so much to offer hikers or curious explorers. The hikes range from easy to difficult especially when looking at their most popular hike—Angel’s Landing. You can drive the scenic roads through the whole park for elevated overlooks and tons of wildlife encounters!

With all of these amazing National Park options, I highly recommend you look into purchasing the America the Beautiful pass which gives you free access to any National Park for an entire year!

Bryce Canyon

Another great national park to visit in January simply to see the famous overlooks dusted with snow. Bryce Canyon’s landscape is unlike anything you will see in the rest of the west. The hoodoo rock formations are what make this park so enticing to visitors.

Of course, there are plenty of hikes, and scenic drives you can take throughout the park, but I cannot recommend enough the importance of visiting either at sunrise or sunset to see the incredible colors! The hoodoos transform when touched by the sun no matter what month you visit, so why not ditch the crowds, and go in January?

Death Valley

I lied to all of you because I have one more California location, but I saved the best for last! 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 was. 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.

Abroad Destinations

Scotland

Oh, Scotland. This country has my heart for many reasons, but one the best things about this beautiful place is there is always a reason to come back. Although there are plenty of months perfect for visiting Scotland, January might be one of the best.

Ever heard of Hogmanay? How about Scottish New Years? Hogmanay is the Scottish celebration of the New Year! One of the best ways you will ever experience NYE and the days following is to celebrate with the Scottish. Hogmanay is a huge, traditional celebration with tons of parades and fun activities to take part in, most of them involving drinking of course.

Aside from drunken holidays, Scotland on an average day has so much to offer! There’s the beautiful cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Scottish Highlands, and the plentiful islands like Isle of Sky!

If you are interested in reading more about what Scotland has to offer, I have tons of posts about Edinburgh and Glasgow for you to check out!

Paris, France

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 January 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!