Top 10 Places to Escape Winters in the USA

Las Vegas is fun any time of the year, but in the winter months temperatures are in the 50s to 60s, so it's perfect for getting away from the truly cold places during the wintery months. There are hundreds of casinos, shows, tasty buffets, and the theme hotels have some great rates, along with some fun things unique to each of them. Plus, if you want to save even more, you can stay in a hotel off the main strip. In addition, it's the off season so flights to Las Vegas are often pretty cheap, so have some fun, remember, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!"

Puerto Rico is a fantastic tropical adventure that can brighten those dark winter nights and warm you up through cheap prices on hotels, sandy beaches, and a lively nightlife. Best of all, Puerto Rico is a US territory so you won't need a passport to get there and you can shop and pay for everything with US dollars. There is lots to do like visit the rainforest, check out the museums, and enjoy the great local food.

If sunning yourself beside a pool at a great hotel with a cool drink in your hand sounds like heaven when you look at the window at home and see all that snow and ice, then come to Palm Springs! Some of the top attractions include the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in Chino Canyon, or the Soak City Water Park with its two seven story high speed slides, and its 800,000 gallon Wave Pool, and more. Or head to the Palm Springs Air Museum if you like WWII artifacts and other aviation treasures, or if you like zoos and botanical gardens, don't miss the Living Desert, a 250 acre are with a nature preserve and animals like wolves, mountain lions, cheetahs, giraffes and more.

Winter is the best time to get out of town and go to Key West to lie out on a warm beach and enjoy the sunshine. Other great things to do in Key West include checking out the aquarium, touring the home of writer Ernest Hemmingway, heading to the famous Duval street to have a beer, and more. There's also great local seafood, and the temperatures are in the 70s! Come and have some fun in the sun.

New Orleans is a fascinating city any time of the year, but in the winter it's a great getaway. You can listen to some southern music, eat some world renowned meals, learn about voodoo, and tour some great old mansions. Plus, by winter the threat of hurricane season is over so there's none to mess up your vacation. The nightlife is unsurpassed, plus there is lots of shopping venues, a great aquarium, and plenty of souvenir places in a 10 block strip on Canal Street. Or if you prefer, there are art museums, jazz fests, parks, and more!

If you love amusement parks, then come to Orlando for a great adventure this winter! The temperatures are lower in the winter, and hover in the 70s and flights are often cheaper too. There are fun places like Sea World, Disney World, Islands of Adventure and more fun places for the whole family. Sports lovers can play golf or adventure lovers can take a hot air balloon ride. For shoppers there are plenty of malls and other outlets, and at night you can go to a comedy club or have a great meal at one of the local restaurants.

Los Angeles is a great winter getaway because it's warm, there's plenty of beaches to lie out in the sun or swim, and there are places to see like the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or go shopping on the famous Melrose Avenue. Amusement parks like Disneyland or Knott's Berry Farms or Universal Studies beckon to families, or just stroll through the Getty Museum or visit one of the many parks and recreation areas.

Bahamas is great in the winter because the hotel rates are about a third off! Enjoy a dip in the ocean or getting a suntan on the beach or just lounge by the hotel pool. Winter temperatures range from 60s to 70s, so you can be comfortable and not get too hot. Have fun swimming with dolphins on Grand Bahama Island, or go hiking in the Lucayan National Park, or go shopping at the Port Lucaya Marketplace. There's lots to see or do while you stay warm and comfortable instead of freezing the winter away in the cold.

There's lots to do in the winter in Tucson as well, especially since it has on average almost 300 sunny days all year round. That means plenty of good weather to do things like hiking, biking, golfing, or jogging. Some of the best attractions are the Sabino Canyon where you can do things in the great outdoors, or go to the Old Tucson Studios to learn about old westerns and see some live shootouts. You can take in a basketball game or theater performance at the University of Arizona or take a guided tour in the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum or the Tucson Botanical Gardens.

Charleston also has some great things to do in the winter for visitors who want to beat the winter cold and snow. In January you can go to the annual Boat Show at the Convention Center and see all the latest in marine gear, boats and equipment. Or, if you love to shop head to the Citadel Mall with more than a hundred stores to choose from. If you like watching fish, go see the aquarium, or if you'd rather eat fish, then have a meal at one of the local seafood restaurants. For the more adventurous, take a haunted jail tour of the Provost Dungeon or the Old Jail of Charleston.