As we ease into a new year, travel offers endless opportunities to set the tone for the next twelve months and beyond. If your New Year’s resolutions include themes of wellness, finding balance or stepping out of your comfort zone, consider a destination that will effortlessly weave these into the day-to-day of your winter getaway. Just as many gyms offer New Year’s savings, hotels often create promotional packages featuring discounts and wellness inclusions like fitness classes, sound healing therapy, guided hikes and spa indulges—fun things to consider when thinking about the best places to visit in January.

If dabbling in new hobbies is your New Year’s goal, select a property with a robust and ever-changing daily schedule of workshops, experiences and classes. Travelers’ collective yearning for new and interesting experiences has shifted the travel industry in recent years, with many hotels now prioritizing a mix of cultural and wellness experiences for guests. It’s not uncommon for hotels, retreats and resorts to offer cooking classes, pottery workshops, painting and sketching lessons, and even wine, beer or spirits tastings. The sky’s the limit these days, so take full advantage—you never know, you might discover a new, lifelong hobby.

Of course, one of the common questions surrounding where to travel in January involves the winter season itself. Those living in snowy areas might need a respite from the cold; Orlando, Costa Rica and the San Francisco Peninsula check all the boxes.

Then again, others revel in the fresh powder and drive or jet off to ski the slopes and embrace the après ski lifestyle—hot toddies included, of course. Aspen—always a frontrunner—rarely disappoints, but a strong case can also be made for Austria’s idyllic slopes. Whether you want to cocoon yourself in a snowed-in cabin, chase Northern Lights, track elk or stargaze atop a volcanic landscape, here are the 14 best places to visit in January 2025.

Related: ‘I’ve Been Solo Adventuring For 3 Decades—This Is the One Destination I Recommend to Everyone’

The 14 Best Places To Visit in January—According to a Travel Expert with 30 Years of Experience

Courtesy Andaz Peninsula Papagayo

1. Andaz Peninsula Papagayo in Costa Rica

Wake up surrounded by lush, tropical growth and sip pour over coffee while overlooking Costa Rica’s Culebra Bay at Andaz Peninsula Papagayo.

January getaways don’t get much better than this—90-degree days frolicking in the ocean and unique tropical forest and 70-degree nights for the perfect seaside slumber. The intrepid traveler can explore the rainforest via guided hikes, farm tours or a heart-racing tubing adventure. From volcanoes and sound healing to jet skiing, off-roading, and bioluminescent wonders, Andaz Peninsula Papagayo is winter-proof.

Courtesy Visit Jackson Hole

2. Rusty Parrot Lodge in Jackson, Wyoming

Jackson, Wyoming, is known for its skiing and proximity to both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park, both of which offer winter excursions. It’s also home to the National Elk Refuge, where nearly 5,000 elk spend their winters. They offer sleigh rides through the refuge, and it’s as enchanting as it is educational.

The newly renovated Rusty Parrot Lodge and Spa features a Sleigh & Stay package with an intimate sleigh ride through Jackson’s elk refuge, a half-day winter wildlife tour and spa credit.

Related: The 11 Best Places To Visit in December, According to Getaway Guru Helene Sula

Courtesy The Dagny Boston

3. The Dagny Boston in Boston, Massachusetts

Boston’s New England charm and slow-cooked chowders warm the soul, but so does four days of live Celtic music. January brings the annual Boston Celtic Music Festival (BCMFest) with live shows, dinners and experiences. Between the Bruins and Celtics games, leave time for ice skating at the iconic Boston Common Frog Pond.

Visiting late-month? The Boston Wine and Food Festival kicks off, and The Dagny Boston is just around the corner. Known for cozy events like checkers and chocolate and casual library champagne and string music, The Dagny’s Winterfest package includes ice skating, hot chocolate and an Uber voucher.

Courtesy Natural Habitat Adventures

4. Natural Habitat Adventures in Manitoba, Canada

Jumpstart 2025 with exhilarating nature experiences, specifically Churchill Manitoba’s stellar Northern Lights-viewing location. Churchill’s ideal coordinates beneath the Van Allen Belt—a layer of charged particles—make for ideal viewing conditions.

Natural Habitat Adventure’s Northern Lights & Arctic Exploration trip takes it a step further by offering the ambiance and warmth of heated glass Aurora Pods with 360-degree views. In between chasing the light show, expect remote forest cabins, arctic snow coaches, and elusive winter wildlife like moose and wolves.

Courtesy Evermore Resort

5. Evermore Resort in Orlando, Florida

Oh, Florida! It’s a classic winter getaway destination for good reason. It’s comfortably warm, offers fresh seafood and is home to Walt Disney World.

Evermore Resort knows traveling with children sometimes requires an entertainment strategy, so be on the lookout for accommodations with indoor slides. Fill your days with waterslides, pool games and activities as wide-ranging as DIY kites and lightsaber fitness classes.

When it’s time to make Disney memories, take the free shuttle and be sure to explore Disney’s Festival of the Arts from January 17 to February 24.

Jamie Fletcher

6. The Little Nell in Aspen, Colorado

Aspen hosts the oldest annual, week-long LGBTQ+ ski event in the nation, Aspen Gay Ski Week. The slopeside agenda from January 12-19 is chock-full of parties, concerts, comedy, films, symposiums and dinners.

During the celebration week, The Little Nell Aspen’s only five-star, five-diamond, ski-in/ski-out hotel is doubling down on its offerings with activations like Après-Barry’s, a ski riff on the popular Barry’s’s HIIT workout. Better yet, Little Nell’s Clicquot in the Snow channels the ultimate Aspen après ski vibes experience with an outdoor champagne snow garden.

Related: How To Sleep on a Plane: 3 Unexpected Tips, According to Getaway Gurus

Laszlo Szirtesi/Getty Images

7. Bahia del Duque in Tenerife, Spain

It feels like spring—all year long—on the island of Tenerife. Plus, it boasts incredible volcanic terrain, stargazing, and crystal-clear waters for snorkeling and whale watching.

Visit the Teide Observatory for a celestial bucket-list evening under the stars and hike through Teide National Park. When you’re done, rest your head at Bahia del Duque, which is celebrated for its gastronomy and spa, including wine and chocolate therapies. You’ll find local volcanic wines and restaurants like M.B.Tenerife’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant by chef Martín Berasategui.

Courtesy Heidi Kirn

8. Cape Arundel Inn & Resort in Kennebunkport, Maine

Ocean Ave in Kennebunkport, Maine, looks like a scene from a movie. On one side are the Atlantic Ocean’s rocky shores, where waves crash against the rocks. The other side of the road hosts breathtaking seaside homes and the incomparable Cape Arundel Inn & Resort.

Visiting in the off-season is like knowing the secret handshake that gives entrance to a near-magical landscape. Plus, January guests can indulge in a Romantic Fireside Experience or book a Winter Wellness Spa Package.

Getty Images

9. Basin Park Hotel in Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Fans of the show Ozark should consider the four-day Ozark Mountain Music Festival this January in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

At the heart of it all, The Basin Park Hotel hosts most performances and guests, adding to the community spirit of the popular event. Playlists feature American Roots and Modern Folk, and the festival offers 32 bands, like Armchair Boogie and Gasoline Lollipops, over four days. The hotel is within walking distance of plenty of restaurants, bars, and eclectic shops, making it easy to explore.

Need plans for New Year’s Eve? Eureka Springs goes larger than life with an epic water drop, carnival, JukeBoxx Party and more.

Related: ‘I’ve Been a Travel Expert for 30 Years—These Are the 12 Best Places To Visit in November’

Courtesy Fortsthofgut Nature Hotel

10. Forsthofgut Nature Hotel in Leogang, Austria

When you dream of where to travel in January, consider the postcard-perfect scene at Forsthofgut Nature Hotel. Blanketed in snow, the hotel provides ski-in/ski-out access to one of Austria’s largest Leogang Mountains ski areas—168 miles worth with 70 lifts.

In between snow swooshing, indulge at the property’s 61,000-square-foot spa, including saunas, steam baths, a microsalt cabin, an onsen-style pool, an infinity pool and more, all with views of the surrounding mountains. At the 1617 Restaurant, venison and pumpkin ravioli with oxtail-black currant ragout await.

Courtesy The Inns of Aurora

11. Inns of Aurora Resort and Spa in Aurora, New York

The Inns of Aurora total five uniquely decorated historic homes in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The inns, located in the heart of Cayuga County, span 350 acres, with two restaurants, a spa, and robust outdoor activities offerings curated by outdoorsmen Matt Stevenson and Mike Shaw.

Onsite at The Inns of Aurora, enjoy guided winter hikes, archery, coffee tastings, and art workshops, or hop on the shuttle to visit local wineries. Offsite, start the new year along the frozen shores of Lake Ontario with a First Day Hike at the Sterling Nature Center, hosted by Tour Cayuga in the Finger Lakes.

Courtesy The San Francisco Peninsula

12. Canyon Ranch Woodside in Woodside, California

Add The San Francisco Peninsula to your 2025 travel plans and prepare to be utterly wowed.

Nestled between the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, The San Francisco Peninsula is the ultimate winter retreat. Mild temperatures, over 70% open space preserve, 50 working farms, hiking, and a 350-mile cycling path. It’s certainly a far cry from the monotony of shoveling snow.

Those looking to delve into California’s thriving farm-to-table scene can expect countless options, including 20 Michelin-recognized restaurants. Slumber among the Redwoods at Canyon Ranch Woodside, which was named a 2024 Three Key Hotel by the MICHELIN Guide.

Related: The Surprising Tropical Travel Destination Everyone Should Visit at Least Once, According to Getaway Guru Darley Newman

Courtesy Rocco Forte House Milan

13. Rocco Forte House Milan in Milan, Italy

January in Milan offers travelers a chic locale and moderate temperatures in the 40s. Fashion here—evergreen and evocative—permeates much of the day-to-day, but January also brings Milan Men’s Fashion Week to the city from the 14—17. Not only will you get a glimpse of the best of Gucci and Fendi’s newest creations, but the posh stores often have deep winter discounts.

Rent a luxury apartment at Rocco Forte House Milan on the corner of the famed Via Spiga. Have a hot toddy next to the ornately carved fireplace and bask in La Dolce Vita.

Will Zimmerman

14. Lumen Nature Retreat in Woodstock, New Hampshire

With the December holidays behind us, it’s worth considering hunkering down in a Nordic cabin in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Designed with luxurious touches like a climate-controlled bathhouse with hot showers and premium toiletries, Lumen Nature Retreat makes winter camping easy. In other words, all you need is a good book and a mug of cocoa.

Pop outside now and again for a nature walk or to relax in one of the retreat’s two saunas. The HYGGE cabins also include eco-friendly, dome-shaped fireplaces.

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