11 Best Places to Travel in February

We’re well into the winter sports season, and if you haven’t planned a snowy getaway, we have a few suggestions. And while you may not think of a trip to Europe in February, it’s actually a great time to go — as long as you pack warm clothes and plan some indoor activities. Paris and London are romantic Valentine’s Day destinations, especially without summer crowds. 

Meanwhile, if your February goal is to escape the cold, there’s sunshine and warm weather in the Caribbean, Arizona, Florida, and Mauritius. Consider a trip to Sedona or Hilton Head for a bit of self-care and pampering after a day of hiking in moderate outdoor temperatures. Communities throughout the country recognize Black History Month, and St. Augustine celebrates with commemorative events and a music festival. 

These are 11 of the best places to travel in February in the United States and around the world.

Mauritius

This island country is located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa, about 500 miles east of Madagascar. Surrounded by coral reefs, the volcanic island enjoys moderate weather year round, with February temperatures in the mid-80s. Stay at the ultra-luxury One&Only Le Saint Géran, set on a private peninsula with a sheltered lagoon and mile-long beach. Michelin-starred chef Anne-Sophie Pic will helm a culinary pop-up at the resort’s signature restaurant until early March. The plush Shangri-La Le Touessrok offers a variety of accommodations and two championship golf courses.

Steamboat Springs, Colorado

This popular ski area, located near the Wyoming border about three hours northwest of Denver, is in the midst of a $200 million transformation, featuring a new gondola servicing a beginner area, a food and drink hall, and an ice skating rink. Skiing and snowboarding are the main attractions, but there’s also fat-tire biking, snowmobiling, horseback riding, snow tubing, and scenic gondola rides. From Feb. 8-12, the 110th Steamboat Springs Winter Carnival will bring a parade, fireworks, racing, ski jumping, and more. Steps from the Steamboat Gondola, Gravity Haus is expanding membership offerings, with additional improvement plans for next season.

Mammoth Mountain, California

When an early snowstorm gave this popular ski area a head start on the season, skiers and snowboarders rejoiced. The fun continues, with snowcat tours, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tubing, terrain parks, and snowmobiling. Places to stay include cabins, condos, hotels, and luxury homes. Sierra Nevada Resort, an Outbound Hotel, recently opened with 179 accommodations minutes from downtown and the Mammoth Ski area. Dining is part of the adventure with slopeside options and the new modern Italian-American Vulcania, set to open in January 2023 in The Village. James Beard finalist Bryan Voltaggio and Michelin-starred Michael Voltaggio drew inspiration from the MS Vulcania that brought the Voltaggio family from Italy to America.

Hilton Head, South Carolina

Mostly viewed as a summer destination and golfers’ paradise, Hilton Head is mild in winter, an ideal time for being outdoors. There’s plenty to do with bike trails, hiking, Gullah Heritage Tours, beach walks, and dining on oysters and Lowcountry specialties. Make the oceanfront Beach House Hilton Head Island your home base for exploring. If your New Year’s resolutions include a focus on self-care, consider a visit to Hilton Head Health, an all-inclusive health and wellness resort. Daily beach walks, yoga, stress management, and life balance sessions are offered in customized programs. Add spa services, delicious meals, and individualized experiences for a great start to the new year.

Sedona, Arizona

The weather is in the 50s, the scenery is gorgeous, and the rates are reasonable. Sedona is lovely year round, and you can enjoy uncrowded hiking trails, restaurants, and resorts in February. Winter is also a great time to pamper yourself, and you can be one of the first to experience the Mii amo destination spa when it reopens on Feb. 2 after a $40 million renovation and expansion. Stay in a fully renovated Casita or one of three new Casita buildings, all with fireplaces, private outdoor spaces, and heated bathroom floors. Guests can also stay on the property at Enchantment Resort, set among the red rocks of Boynton Canyon.

Reno Tahoe, Nevada

Winter sports fans know about Reno Tahoe, home of the internationally renowned ski resort, Palisades Tahoe, former host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, with 34 lifts, 6,000 skiable acres, and a new Base to Base Gondola bridging The Village at Palisades Tahoe and the Alpine Lodge. Palisades Tahoe will host the men’s slalom and giant slalom events from Feb. 24-26 on the Audi FIS Ski World Cup Tour. Away from the slopes, visitors can enjoy the vibrant town with hundreds of murals, Burning Man sculptures, and Liberty Food & Wine Exchange. Stay in the heart of downtown at Whitney Peak Hotel with views of the snowy Sierra Nevadas.

St. Augustine, Florida

The nation’s oldest city, located on Florida’s northeast historic coast, highlights its role in Black history with an annual event at Fort Mose, the site of the first legally sanctioned free African settlement in what is now the United States. The Flight to Freedom event takes visitors back to the early 18th century to commemorate the beginnings of the Underground Railroad. The Fort Mose Jazz & Blues Series welcomes outstanding performers from Feb. 10-19, “honoring history and community through music.”

Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao

Called the ABC Islands, these destinations in the South Caribbean are known for warm weather year round, gorgeous beaches, clear turquoise seas, and Caribbean culture. In Aruba, Carnival season goes from early January until Ash Wednesday on Feb. 22, celebrated with parades and festivities. Stay at Divi & Tamarijn Aruba, Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino, or Ritz-Carlton Aruba. Untouched beaches, wildlife, and natural beauty are found on Bonaire, a favorite with divers. Curaçao, the largest of the three islands, features a lively downtown with shopping, art, museums, and nightlife. February’s Carnival is an exciting time with events throughout the month. Stay at the luxury all-inclusive Sandals Royal Curaçao, set within a 3,000-acre private estate and conveniently located near Willemstad, where most of the Carnival events take place. Or choose Sunscape Curaçao Resort, Spa & Casino, near one of the world’s most-praised diving sites.

Phoenix, Arizona

February will be a sports-filled month in Arizona with the Super Bowl, Major League Baseball spring training, and the 2023 Waste Management Open, one of the PGA Tour’s liveliest events. Sunny weather in the low 70s makes February a perfect time to visit the area for golf, hiking, or enjoying the desert weather in Phoenix or Scottsdale. A wide range of places to stay includes the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, Mountain Shadows Resort Scottsdale, and Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, a Gurney’s Resort & Spa, just to name a few.

Paris, France

There may be a chill in the air, but that just means you'll have to bundle up and stroll to a cozy café for a romantic Valentine’s Day visit. A cruise on the Seine, a visit to a museum, and a fabulous dinner are a few ways to enjoy the uncrowded winter season in the City of Lights. Be among the first to stay at the new Hôtel Dame Des Arts, opening in February on the Left Bank, ten minutes from Notre Dame Cathedral and Luxembourg Gardens. Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris, historic and luxurious, is within walking distance from Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysées. Once an elegant 1880 mansion, Hotel de Sers is now an elegant retreat.

London, England

February is a great time to enjoy the quiet atmosphere in wintry, romantic London because there’s plenty to do indoors. Many museums are open in the evenings for an artsy date night, and an after-dark cruise on the Thames combines romance and sightseeing. Take a weekend behind-the-scenes tour of the beautiful Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, which starred  as Buckingham Palace in The Crown. The Dorchester, a beloved London hotel, will debut its major renovations in January. The Lanesborough, plush and pet-friendly, is located on Hyde Park Corner. Watch for The Peninsula London, set to open in early 2023 in the heart of Belgravia overlooking the Wellington Arch and Hyde Park Corner.