As we’ve said many times, you have two choices this time of year: escape winter or head full-on into it. With that in mind, here are seven getaways that are perfect for February travel.
Breckenridge, Colorado
On our short-list of places we’re excited to go in 2024, and one of the places to lean into the winter weather, is Breckenridge. There’s the usual skiing and snowboarding galore, plus the “Breckebeiner” Triathlon Winter National Championships (which sees athletes run, bike and cross-country ski) is set for February 23-25. If you’re looking for a new place to stay, The Carlin just opened in summer 2023. It features four hotel suites on the top floor, an open-kitchen restaurant on the main floor and a subterranean tavern.
Charleston, South Carolina
Not sure if you’ve heard, but we’re big fans of museums. One of the best new ones is in Charleston, a city that’s great to visit in February. Less than a year old, the International African American Museum is located on Gadsden’s Wharf where more than 40% of enslaved peoples first entered the United States. This museum is an incredible resource to learn about the stories of African Americans in this country through exhibitions like “American Journeys,” “Gullah Geechee” and “South Carolina Connections.” Admission is $22 for adults and includes access to the subtropical African Ancestors Memorial Garden.
Miami
February is primetime in Miami. Of course, you could visit for a weekend, hit one of these beautiful hotels, and then head to the pool. The weather usually pushes high 70s and that alone is worth it if you’re from parts farther north. Planning done. But, there’s also TONS going on. Here are just some of the festivals and cruises in Miami this month: GroundUp Music Fest, Outlaw Cruise, Shiprocked, Jam Cruise, Emo’s Not Dead Cruise, We Belong Here and the South Beach Wine & Food fest. (You can still get tickets to many of these at the time of this writing.)
Las Vegas
Two fun facts about Vegas: The 12 largest hotels in the country are in Las Vegas, and the city hosts the Super Bowl on February 11. What that means is, even if you try to book a hotel room for that weekend right now (late January), you can probably still get a room (we just checked — there’s lots of vacancies) and prices aren’t through the roof, yet. Even if you’re not going to the game, watching it in a state-of-the-art sportsbook with a bunch of friends isn’t a bad weekend away.
San Francisco
SF’s weather baffles us. The weather is rarely too hot, rarely too cold; it just hovers in this middle area that is typically pretty pleasant. That’s good enough for us in February, but February is also when the city holds its beer week. Called home by many of the pivotal breweries in the craft beer scene, like Anchor Brewing Company and 21st Amendment Brewing, San Francisco has long been known to have a thriving craft beer culture. SF Beer Week is an extension of that and banner time to visit. Organized by the Bay Area Brewers Guild, the SFBW’s opening gala will take place next to the sea at Pier 35 with a view of the city’s skyline and be followed by a week of curated events held over multiple days and venues. All will celebrate craft beer, the west coast craft community and the Bay Area’s creative spirit.
Tempe, Arizona
Join roughly 40,000 other people in Tempe when three of our national pastimes collide — baseball, live music and enjoying fab weather.
Tampa, Florida
There’s the nice weather, Cuban sandwiches, pristine beaches and shuffleboarding. But, February is also Gasparilla season in Tampa, and the city hosts the Gasparilla Music Festival February 16-18. If you need added reason to book a trip to Tampa, this festival, which was voted “Best Festival in Tampa Bay,” is it.
