If you’re thinking about getting away this winter, you don’t necessarily have to spend a fortune — and the best destination may not be the one you expect.
WalletHub just released its 2026 ranking of the best winter holiday destinations, comparing 69 of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas based on 37 metrics. The study considered everything from travel costs and hotel prices to attractions, weather, activities and safety.
The destinations were divided into two groups: cold-weather cities for travelers who actually want a winter experience and warm-weather destinations for those looking to escape the cold.
Atlanta Is the Best Cold-Weather Winter Destination
Atlanta took the No. 1 spot among cold-weather destinations, followed by Chicago, St. Louis, New York and Cincinnati.
That may be a surprising result considering Atlanta isn’t exactly known for brutal winter weather. But WalletHub says the city scored particularly well for its attractions, restaurants, shopping centers, spas and food festivals.
It also ranked first among the 32 cold-weather destinations for cold-weather activities and had the lowest travel costs and hassles in the category. WalletHub found that flights to Atlanta from major U.S. cities could cost as little as $245 and require very few connections.
Chicago came in second, thanks in part to its huge number of attractions and winter-friendly activities, while St. Louis ranked third. New York and Cincinnati rounded out the top five.
Las Vegas Takes the Top Spot for Warm Weather
For travelers who would rather skip the snow altogether, Las Vegas was WalletHub’s No. 1 warm-weather winter destination.
San Diego ranked second, followed by Dallas, Austin and Phoenix.
Las Vegas earned its top spot in part because of its enormous number of attractions and warm-weather activities. WalletHub also found that the city can be surprisingly affordable during the winter, with three-star hotel rooms costing as little as $62 per night.
San Diego was the runner-up, scoring particularly well for weather, attractions and warm-weather activities.
How WalletHub Ranked the Cities
WalletHub’s ranking isn’t simply a list of cities based on how much travelers might enjoy visiting them. The company weighted six major categories: travel costs and hassles, local costs, attractions, weather, activities and safety.
The analysis also looked at flight data collected for a Dec. 24 departure and Jan. 2 return, reflecting a typical holiday travel period.
For travelers looking for a winter getaway this year, that makes the list particularly useful because it considers both the fun factor and how much effort and money it takes to actually get there.
And depending on whether you’re hoping for snow or trying desperately to escape it, WalletHub has a clear winner either way: Atlanta for a cold-weather trip and Las Vegas for a warm-weather getaway.
