3 Cities to Visit This Winter

ice skating in washington dc
Ice Skating on Georgetown Waterfront, Washington DC

Looking for a great trip to take this winter? WalletHub comprised a list of best winter travel destinations.

Focusing on cost and convenience rather than scenic beauty, WalletHub compared nearly 70 of the largest U.S. metro areas grouped by warm and cold weather. Each destination was analyzed based on 36 key metrics, primarily the expense and hassle of traveling to each location but also on other indicators, such as weather forecasts, safety and variety of activities.

Here are Wallet Hub’s top 3 cold destinations for winter travel:

1Chicago

chicago in the winter

3 Things to Check out in Chicago

Outdoor Skating
Whether you’re a pro on skates or still just a little bit clumsy, the iconic skating rink in Millennium Park is a must-stop for a spin on the ice—not to mention breathtaking views of the downtown city skyline and the magical sight of all those holiday lights reflected on The Bean’s shimmering surface.

Admission is free. But here’s a tip: Each year more than 100,000 skaters visit the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink, so plan to go during off-times to avoid the big crowds and long lines for skate rentals.

Visit Walter Family Arctic Tundra at Lincoln Park Zoo
Meet Siku, the 1,000-lb polar bear who’s a resident of the Walter Family Arctic Tundra, one of several new habitats at Lincoln Park Zoo. Tip: Don’t miss the Regenstein Macaque Forest, home to the snow-loving monkeys native to Japan, and the Pritzker Penguin Cove, which features a heated deck and temperature-controlled pool for its colony of endangered African penguins.

Try Snowtrekking
Discover Northerly Island by snowshoe this winter with Snowtrekking.

Get a new perspective of Chicago’s natural area while exploring the Island for winter birds, native animals, or enjoy the incredible view of Chicago?s skyline. Participants can also enjoy a good old fashioned snowball fight, build a snowman or two and take a break from the cold weather by warming up inside the field house.

2Washington, DC

washington dc in the winter

3 Things to Check Out in DC

Washington D.C. Snowball Fight Association
If it snows when you visit D.C., follow the Washington D.C. Snowball Fight Association,who organizes epic snowball fights throughout the city on snow days!

Outdoor Skating
D.C. offers numerous outdoor skating opportunities. You can skate amid magnificent works of art and towering sculptures or among a fountain. Check out this list of outdoor skating rinks in D.C.

Smithsonian Museums
Collectively called the Smithsonian Institution, this world-renowned museum and research complex in the District consists of 17 museums, galleries and a zoo. Explore and learn about everything from the origins of man and the future of flight to the history of art across multiple continents with more than 150 million objects, works of art and specimens to discover. The Smithsonian’s collection of knowledge centers serve as a treasure chest for visitors and a guide to the most fascinating aspects of our world. And the best part? You won’t have to pay a penny to experience it as admission is free at every location.

3Atlanta, GA

atlanta

3 Things to Check Out in Atlanta

Martin Luther King, Jr National Historic Site
At Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site you will find the places where Dr. King was born, lived, worked, worshipped, and is buried.

World of Coca Cola
At the World of Coca-Cola, experience the fascinating story of the world’s most famous beverage brand in a dynamic, multimedia attraction. Get a behind-the- scenes look at the bottling process and view over 1,200 never-before-displayed artifacts ranging from vintage bottles to a 1939 Coca-Cola delivery truck from Argentina.

Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium features the largest single aquarium habitat in the world and more aquatic life than any other aquarium in North America. Georgia Aquarium offers shows, interactive animal interactions, animal encounters, Behind the Seas tours and more. Visit our 4D Funbelievable Theater and Sea Lions at Sun Trust Pier 225, then head to The AT&T Dolphin Coast to learn about dolphin behavior and the human connection.

Check out Wallet Hub’s other winter travel recommendations here.

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