Posted by: Richie Bernardo

When the mercury drops, some Americans welcome the chill while others follow the sun. But fewer travel options may be available to warm-weather fans this winter season — at least domestically — considering forecasts of lower temperatures, more rain throughout the U.S. and extra snow in some regions compared with the previous winter.

To help Americans plan their travels over the colder months, WalletHub’s analysts developed a ranking of the cheapest U.S. destinations that are also the easiest to reach. In total we analyzed more than 60 of the largest metro areas — grouped as “warm” or “cold” — based on 32 key metrics, including two weeks of flight data, safety indicators and weather predictions.

Compared with other rankings that focus on each destination’s scenic quality, this report focuses primarily on the cost and convenience of traveling to each location as well as its affordability. It also ensures that the number of attractions and variety of activities in each destination will keep everyone busy and entertained throughout the trip.

Read on to find out where to book your next winter escape and to learn how we ranked the destinations. Planning an excursion with the kids? Operating on a tight budget? Make sure to take in the sage advice from WalletHub’s travel experts in our Q&A below.

1. Top Cold-Weather Destinations
2. Top Warm-Weather Destinations
3. Ask the Experts: Tips for Saving on Winter Travel
4. Methodology

Top Cold-Weather Destinations

Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/7930/geochart-winter.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="http://ift.tt/2zkiVjn;  

Best Winter Holiday Destinations for Cold-Weather Lovers

Rank (1=Best)	Cold Destination (MSA)	Overall Score	‘Travel Costs & Hassles’ Rank	‘Local Costs’ Rank	‘Attractions’ Rank	‘Weather’ Rank	‘Cold-Weather Activities’ Rank	‘Safety’ Rank
1	Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI	77.30	1	23	2	23	2	17
2	Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	69.75	24	19	5	16	4	14
3	Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	68.86	3	29	6	5	11	2
4	Pittsburgh, PA	68.72	11	9	16	21	5	3
5	New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA	67.38	23	32	1	10	1	4
6	Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	66.87	25	25	3	15	3	26
7	Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	66.82	4	17	12	27	10	12
8	Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD	66.80	17	24	4	6	13	18
9	Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	66.72	13	30	7	12	6	10
10	Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO	66.61	6	16	9	9	9	21
11	Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA	66.50	2	20	8	2	8	24
12	St. Louis, MO-IL	64.47	12	13	15	7	12	22
13	Columbus, OH	63.87	15	3	24	17	19	15
14	Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN	63.39	16	6	22	14	17	11
15	Cleveland-Elyria, OH	62.11	14	18	13	29	14	16
16	Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN	61.30	7	7	17	19	15	29
17	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN	61.10	21	4	14	26	16	25
18	Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA	60.89	20	2	27	20	24	19
19	Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI	58.50	5	5	25	28	32	23
20	Salt Lake City, UT	58.39	28	8	18	18	7	31
21	Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	58.24	9	22	10	11	18	30
22	Kansas City, MO-KS	58.21	8	15	21	3	27	27
23	Grand Rapids-Wyoming, MI	58.07	22	11	28	30	26	5
24	Rochester, NY	57.63	31	12	23	31	21	7
25	Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, WI	57.11	18	10	19	25	25	28
26	Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY	57.06	27	14	20	32	20	20
27	Albuquerque, NM	54.95	19	1	11	1	22	32
28	Providence-Warwick, RI-MA	53.73	29	26	26	13	23	9
29	Worcester, MA-CT	53.70	10	28	31	21	29	13
30	Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	52.19	26	21	30	4	31	6
31	Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	50.37	30	27	29	24	28	8
32	Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT	41.98	32	31	32	8	30	1

 

Top Warm-Weather Destinations

Embed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/7930/geochart-winter2.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="http://ift.tt/2zkiVjn;  

Best Winter Holiday Destinations for Warm-Weather Lovers

Rank (1=Best)	Warm Destination (MSA)	Overall Score	‘Travel Costs & Hassles’ Rank	‘Local Costs’ Rank	‘Attractions’ Rank	‘Weather’ Rank	‘Warm-Weather Activities’ Rank	‘Safety’ Rank
1	Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL	73.81	8	12	5	12	1	26
2	Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV	70.82	5	14	3	4	4	35
3	San Diego-Carlsbad, CA	69.86	13	29	4	8	2	3
4	Austin-Round Rock, TX	69.40	3	22	9	33	10	9
5	Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	68.68	14	30	2	2	6	19
6	Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX	68.09	1	15	11	31	8	31
7	San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX	65.86	4	1	12	37	13	34
8	San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA	64.57	18	33	1	16	3	29
9	Tucson, AZ	64.51	16	5	6	5	11	33
10	New Orleans-Metairie, LA	63.16	6	25	7	34	15	30
11	Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	63.14	2	17	20	24	12	11
12	Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL	61.51	10	27	15	13	9	8
13	Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, AZ	61.14	7	24	13	3	17	23
14	Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL	59.73	10	7	24	21	23	7
15	Jacksonville, FL	58.69	17	13	16	36	16	25
16	Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL	57.70	15	35	8	27	5	28
17	Charleston-North Charleston, SC	57.23	9	28	14	18	20	21
18	Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL	56.35	25	6	18	30	19	20
19	Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL	54.30	20	16	26	11	24	2
20	Baton Rouge, LA	52.78	21	21	21	32	14	32
21	San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	52.33	12	34	17	6	18	4
22	Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX	52.22	24	2	30	10	26	27
23	Killeen-Temple, TX	52.01	23	3	36	23	33	12
24	McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX	51.92	26	4	32	19	30	10
25	Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC	50.85	28	10	25	17	28	18
26	Mobile, AL	50.83	19	11	22	29	25	37
27	Brownsville-Harlingen, TX	47.92	31	9	31	25	35	16
28	Lafayette, LA	47.87	27	23	23	26	27	22
29	Corpus Christi, TX	47.36	22	18	19	35	22	36
30	North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL	47.32	33	20	35	13	29	5
31	Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL	46.70	29	8	37	9	37	17
32	Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	45.05	32	26	27	1	21	14
33	Urban Honolulu, HI	44.00	36	36	10	28	7	15
34	Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL	43.17	35	19	34	22	34	24
35	Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	42.11	30	31	29	7	31	1
36	Salinas, CA	35.70	34	37	28	20	32	13
37	Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	30.24	37	32	33	15	36	6

 

Ask the Experts: Tips for Saving on Winter Travel

Many Americans travel far during winter either to escape or enjoy the cold, which can be a costly ordeal depending on multiple factors. With budget-conscious and group travelers in mind, we asked a panel of experts to provide guidance on planning cost-effective trips without sacrificing pleasure. Click on the experts’ profiles below to read their bios and thoughts on the following key questions:

1. What is the outlook for the upcoming winter travel season?
2. What are the best travel options for families?
3. What are the best ways for travelers to save money?
4. What are some logistical do’s and don’ts for winter travel?
5. In evaluating the best cities for winter holiday travel, what are the top five indicators?

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• Brian J. Tyrrell Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies in the School of Business at Stockton University
• Gail Vida Hamburg Professor of Hospitality & Tourism Management in the Heller School of Business at Roosevelt University
• Robert Warren Instructor in the Department of Marketing at the University of North Dakota
• Karen Xie Assistant Professor of Hospitality Management and Director of Research of West Federation CHRIE in the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver

Brian J. Tyrrell Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management Studies in the School of Business at Stockton University What is the outlook for the winter travel season? Every year we conduct a round table discussion at the university on the upcoming local summer season, entitled affectionately the “Jersey Shorecast.” Inevitably, someone will mention that weather will be an important consideration. Of course, the weather experts have their own challenges in forecasting meteorology, but that doesn’t mean they don’t try. NOAA is calling for a warmer winter than usual because of predicted formation of a La Nina, with early projections suggesting that it will be warmer in ski destinations to include New England, Colorado, Utah and Northern California. Not good news if you fancy strapping on the skis or snowboards. I’m sure hoping that is not the case. Still, this could be good news for those that want to escape the cold for familiar beaches and amusement parks in the South. Meanwhile, international travel to the U.S. was down in 2016 and thus far through 2017, and many blame the political climate. Though the mid- to long-range forecasts for international travel are still positive, concerns of international travelers, coupled with recent unfavorable exchange rates with Canada in particular, present a challenge to the industry. While the Canadian dollar has been making a bit of a rally of late, much of the international travel is scheduled well in advance, so past performance is relevant. A silver lining perhaps is that those that do come will find they can purchase more than expected with their monies, should the current rebound continue. What are the best travel options for families? Activities for the children are often what families are looking for. Searching for packages that include some combination of transportation, lodging, as well as recreational activities is likely the best place for families to stretch their often limited discretionary income. The Internet has democratized this for travel, and folks should look early and often. What are the best ways for travelers to save money? A long-term trend that has been seen for several years has been a move away from longer, extended vacations, say two weeks, and towards long weekends instead. Two working parents are increasingly the norm, so I don’t see this changing anytime soon. Fortunately, the industry has reacted by offering these families, who are often more conscious of costs than those without children, the ability to find affordable options for those extended weekends. Further, if folks are flexible with their dates, several of these options can be had at the last minute. In evaluating the best cities for winter holiday travel, what are the top five indicators? Shopping is a major attractor for those wishing to travel in the early months of winter. One need only look at folks flying into Minneapolis/St. Paul prior to the holidays to see this up close and personal. I recall visiting the Mall of America while at a travel conference and talking with visitors that flew in solely to shop. The emphasis that many destinations place on attracting retail certainly help their cause. Still, online shopping is not going away, and the news for the retail industry has not been the brightest. To the extent that cities can take advantage of those wishing to have holiday shopping be a part of their strategy for attracting visitors this time of year, perhaps they can weather the storm (pun intended). Now, I’m off to New York City myself this weekend to bring my youngest daughters to the American Girl doll store. Gail Vida Hamburg Professor of Hospitality & Tourism Management in the Heller School of Business at Roosevelt University What is the outlook for the winter travel season? There has been a decline of as much as 16 percent in international tourism to the U.S. for two reasons, the travel ban, the Trump presidency, and incidents of mistreatment of tourists at U.S. airports by airport security; and the global economic downturn. Los Angeles, San Diego, and Florida are seeing declines in international tourism. This bodes well for Americans, who wish to travel to sunshine states in winter. What are the best travel options for families?

• Houston, rising from the Hurricane, is expected to be eager to jumpstart its tourism with deals for tourists.

• Egypt's tourism is in dire straits and offers good value. Boatmen on the Nile have reported zero earnings for multiple months, thus it is a good time to see Cairo and the Great Pyramids.

• Cuba is an affordable destination, if Americans can adhere to new restrictions placed by the Trump presidency on such travel, including avoiding tourism transactions with Cuban government entities, doing only people-to-people transactions such as Airbnb, and traveling with sanctioned groups.

• Puerto Rico’s tourism will be promoting heavily in coming months, to stem the anticipated loss of 700,000 hotel reservations and 1.5 million air passengers in the last quarter of 2017. Properties in the Hilton, Hyatt, and International Hospitality Enterprises portfolio are committed to offering full services to guests and accepting reservations. Those interested in helping rebuild Puerto Rico while on holiday may be interested in voluntourism, volunteering in Puerto Rico to provide relief while on vacation.

Robert Warren Instructor in the Department of Marketing at the University of North Dakota What is the outlook for the winter travel season? The outlook for this winter travel season is strong. We are seeing airlines like Southwest and Allegiant adding new travel destinations in such states as Texas, Hawaii and Florida, that are preferred destinations for people from northern states. The National Weather Service’s long-range winter forecast also bodes well, as it’s calling for below-normal temperatures and above-average snowfall amounts for many northern states. The two things that will ramp up the bookings are a major cold wave or snowstorm. Prices are also being held in check due to stable fuel prices and deals being offered by major parks, like Disney. The recent hurricanes in the Caribbean basin will also offer winter travelers opportunities, as the islands seek to attract tourists to help build their economies. What are the best travel options for families? For families, the new Disney rates make visiting the park less expensive at $96 a day per person, and this is staying at a property onsite. Combine this with reasonable airfares on both chartered and scheduled air carriers and it makes the trip affordable. Cruises are also a popular family option, especially on lines that offer separate programming for children. Once again, low fuel prices combined with the need of many islands in the Caribbean will combine to keep prices low and make deals available. What are the best ways for travelers to save money? Being a good shopper will save you money as a traveler. For example, flying a low-cost carrier that flies to a secondary airport in the region like Sanford, Florida (Orlando) or Mesa, Arizona (Phoenix) can save you hundreds on airfare. Similarly, booking a hotel that is a couple of blocks away from the beach or property you wish to visit, or selecting an on-property room that doesn’t face the beach or major attraction can save hundreds of dollars over a stay. Look for online and advance-purchase deals on the attractions you intend to visit, as these are often offered at a discount to the standard price as a way to build traffic and ensure the best use of the property. Finally, avoid places like Palm Springs, California or Austin, Texas when major events are on, like South by Southwest, as hotel rates and airfares always rise during these periods. What are some logistical do’s and don’t’s for winter travel? Do’s of winter travel:

• If driving, be sure to check the weather before departure and have a survival kit in your vehicle containing food, water and means to keep warm.

• If flying, make photocopies of all important documents like your passport, driver’s license and credit cards, so you can easily cancel and replace them if lost.

• If flying outside the U.S., be sure to get the necessary vaccines for things like Hepatitis and tetanus.

• Have fun.

Don’t’s:

• Leave your valuables unattended or flash around large quantities of cash.

• If visiting locations outside the U.S., don’t eat street food or fruits/vegetables cleaned with the local tap water.

• If visiting a salon, be sure they are properly cleaning the room and instruments between visitors.

• Take things too seriously. You are on vacation, relax and enjoy.

In evaluating the best cities for winter holiday travel, what are the top five indicators? The top five indicators of selecting a city to visit, in no particular order, are:

• Attractions -- are there enough things to do in the city and surrounding area to keep you and your family occupied for the vacations? Also, take a look at Yelp and other ratings, to see how other similar travelers have rated the attraction.

• Crime rate -- take a look at the crimes against tourists in the area and how well the local police force is dealing with them.

• Cost -- all in, what is the total cost of the airfare, hotel, meal, entertainment and meal costs of the city you intend to visit? You should pick the city that gives you the best return for your money. It might sound great to visit an exotic location, but the cost might not be worth it. Save up and go another year.

• Weather -- take a look at things like average temperature and normal precipitation amounts during your planned visit. A winter vacation is miserable if the city you intend to visit gets a lot of rain during the time, or can experience low temperatures.

• Fun factor -- look for things that are unique to the city you are visiting and that you can attend for limited or no cost. These often are the most memorable parts of the trip because they provide unexpected benefits.

Karen Xie Assistant Professor of Hospitality Management and Director of Research of West Federation CHRIE in the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver What is the outlook for the winter travel season? As the economy continues to grow strong, the winter travel in the U.S. will likely hit another record high. However, the climate change and natural disasters that come along with it would definitely create some uncertainty in the travel season. What are the best travel options for families? Warm places have been the all-time favorite for winter travel. The versatile attractions in California (e.g., theme parks, beach, hiking) meet different needs of the family members, including adults and kids. California also gives tourists a peace of mind thanks to its safety and security environment. So, it is a most recommended place to check out for winter travel. A package tour on a cruise is also a good option for winter travels. Because of the all-inclusive services provide by the cruise, families can enjoy a stress-free vacation on the sea. Popular cruise destinations include the Caribbean, Bermuda and Mexico. What are the best ways for travelers to save money?

• Book earlier -- time plays an important role in pricing;

• Quote multiple service providers and choose one that offers the best value;

• Specific to hotel booking -- make a reservation early and make sure you can cancel the hotel reservation if your plan changes;

• Specific to flight booking -- use Google Flights because it aggregates all the other booking channels’ information for you in one portal. It is nice and handy.

What are some logistical do’s and don’t’s for winter travel? Do’s:

• Check the weather days before you travel;

• Fly non-stop flights whenever possible;

• Keep yourself hydrated all the time, as winter is dry and cold;

• Buy travel insurance in case plans change due to the weather.

Don’t’s:

• Forget to check the weather forecast;

• Dress up during the travel -- instead, dress as comfortably as you can;

• Save money by not buying travel insurance -- it is worth your money to have a peace of mind;

• Bring seven outfits for every activity/event on the travel agenda -- pack wisely and keep lean.

In evaluating the best cities for winter holiday travel, what are the top five indicators?

• Safety and security;

• Easy to navigate;

• Weather;

• Affordability;

• Attractions that meet your family’s needs.

Methodology

In order to determine the best winter holiday destinations, WalletHub’s analysts compared 130 of the most populated U.S. metropolitan statistical areas, or MSAs, across six key dimensions: 1) Travel Costs & Hassles, 2) Costs in Destination, 3) Attractions, 4) Weather, 5) Activities and 6) Safety.

We evaluated those dimensions using 32 relevant metrics, which are listed below with their corresponding weights. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most ideal winter travel conditions. For metrics marked with an asterisk (*), we calculated the population size using the square root of the population in order to avoid overcompensating for minor differences across cities.

Of the 130 MSAs in our initial sample, we eliminated those for which data limitations existed. We then classified each of the remaining MSAs as either a “cold” or “warm” destination according to the following temperature guidelines:

• Cold: ≤ 46 degrees F (50-year average December temperature)
• Warm: ≥ 57 degrees F (50-year average December temperature)

Next, we eliminated the MSAs with average winter temperatures of 47 to 56 degrees F, a range we designated as a “dead zone,” with the exception of the top 10 MSAs, which were assigned to the climate group with the nearest average winter temperature if they fell within this dead zone. We chose to include the top 10 MSAs on account of their popularity as travel destinations regardless of the season. In total, 69 MSAs were included in our final sample.

For the flight analysis, we collected data on Oct. 3 and used Dec. 24 as the departure date and Jan. 2 as the return date based on the following assumptions inspired by the findings of an American Express travel survey:

• December is the most popular month for winter-holiday travel; and
• The average American considers 10 days the ideal length for a vacation.

Finally, we determined each MSA’s weighted average across all metrics to calculate its total score and used the resulting scores to rank-order our sample.

Travel Costs & Hassles - Total Points = 20

• Cost of Cheapest Flight: 30%
• Duration of Cheapest Flight: 10%
• Number of Connections on Cheapest Flight: 5%
• Cost of Shortest Flight: 30%
• Duration of Shortest Flight: 10%
• Number of Connections on Shortest Flight: 5%
• Share of Delayed Flights: 10%

Note: For simplicity, we recorded only the longest leg of each flight. Given the often stark disparities in flight costs and travel times, we also chose the best deals for each metric within a $30 range or one-hour window.

For example, if the cheapest round-trip flight between Washington and Los Angeles would cost $700 but only $25 more for the second-cheapest fight and would reduce the total travel time by two hours, we chose the latter.

Similarly, if the shortest round-trip flight between Washington and Los Angeles would take six hours each way but only 25 minutes longer for the second-shortest and would save the traveler $200, we again chose the latter.

Local Costs - Total Points = 18

• Cost of Three-Star Hotel Room: 33.33%
• Average Price for Two-Person Meal: 33.33%
• Cost of Living: 33.33%

Attractions - Total Points = 18

• Number of Attractions: 60%
• Diversity of Attractions: 40%Note: This metric was calculated using the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index, a commonly accepted measure of market concentration that also serves effectively as a general-purpose measure of diversity.

Weather - Total Points = 20

Note: The metrics below are based on WalletHub’s “Cities with the Best & Worst Weather” ranking.

1. Winter Weather: Total points 18
2. Warm Weather: Total points 18

Activities - Total Points = 18

1. Cold-Weather Activities
   • Proximity of Ski Slopes: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Ice-Skating Rinks per Capita: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Music Venues per Capita: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Food Festivals per Capita: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Restaurants per Capita: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Availability of Affordable, High-Quality Restaurants: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)Note: “High Quality” refers to a star rating of at least 4.5.
   • Wellness Centers & Spas per Capita*: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)
   • Shopping Centers per Capita*: 11.11% (~2.00 Points)

    

2. Warm-Weather Activities
   • Restaurants per Capita: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Availability of Affordable, High-Quality Restaurants: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)Note: “High Quality” refers to a star rating of at least 4.5.
   • Amusement Parks per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Presence on TripAdvisor’s “Top 25 Amusement Parks” List: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Wellness Centers & Spas per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Shopping Centers per Capita*: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Music Venues per Capita: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Coffee & Tea Shops per Capita: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt Shops per Capita: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Tennis Courts per Capita: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Public Golf Courses per Capita: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Baseball Diamonds per Capita: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Basketball Hoops per Capita: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Bike-Rental Facilities per Capita: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Food Festivals per Capita: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)
   • Quality of Parks: 6.25% (~1.13 Points)Note: This metric is based on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst Cities for Recreation” ranking.

Safety - Total Points: 10

• Violent-Crime Rate: 50% (~5.00 Points)
• Property-Crime Rate: 50% (~5.00 Points)

 Sources: Data used to create this ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Numbeo, White Book of Ski Areas, Golf.com, Council for Community and Economic Research, Kayak.com, TripAdvisor, The Trust for Public Land, Yelp and WalletHub research.

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