This winter’s forecast: plenty of snow, and even more travelers fleeing it.
That’s the message, at least, in this year’s America’s Favorite Cities survey. Every year, Travel + Leisure readers vote on dozens of qualities in 35 U.S. cities—from the best microbrews and museums to the most pet-friendly vacations.
Last year, Salt Lake City took the gold medal in the winter category, but this year, the snowy Utah city—along with Denver—skidded down the mountain of readers’ affections, while warmer cities took their places, literally, in the sun. Compounding the situation, The Farmers’ Almanac is predicting another big-snow winter for parts of the U.S., especially in the Northeast.
“More people appear to be flocking to warmer climates,” confirms Suffolk County, NY, travel agent Tim Joseph, who is seeing an uptick in snowbird-style bookings for this winter. “But I suspect it has as much to do with the weather as the economy.” Caribbean destinations, he points out, offer many affordable all-inclusive resorts —and that’s one reason he loves Puerto Rico’s San Juan, a top 5 city in the survey. “It’s also a real foodie city, and it’s still relatively low on the list for many travelers, so it’s not too crowded.”
San Juan may be getting a little more crowded this year, along with classic snowbird destinations such as Miami, Honolulu, and Phoenix, which all landed in the top 10. Winter-frigid Anchorage, Minneapolis, and Chicago occupied the bottom slots out of the 35.
Yet it’s worth noting that plenty of top 20 cities aren’t beachy paradises. Instead, they have mild winters, seasonal events, and often the best prices of the year. Take Houston—which barreled into the top 10 this year—where cooler temps, along with the world’s biggest rodeo championship, make the city come alive.
In other top 20 cities, winter just means having the city to yourself. You’ll find shorter lines at theme parks in Orlando and San Diego, and you’ll have an easier time getting tables at hot restaurants in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
“I’m not looking for 90-degree beach weather,” says publicist Sue Jean Chun, who regularly goes to New Orleans during winter—though not for Mardi Gras. “I just want a city where food and music are the focus.”
The Connecticut resident also enjoys another simple winter pleasure in the Crescent City: “being able to walk out the door in jeans and a light sweater,” she says, “rather than a puffy jacket and beat-up boots.”
No. 35 Chicago
Voters took the whole “Windy City” notion pretty literally this year, sending Chicago from last year’s No. 28 to last place. While it may not sound that enticing to stroll outside and admire the top-ranked architecture during winter, it’s hard to argue with that soul-warming pizza, a night of theater, or a cozy evening in a bar —for which Chicago ranked in the top 3. To embrace the weather, go to one of the Polar Adventure Days on the city’s Northerly Island, featuring ice sculptures, snowshoeing, and meet-and-greets with Siberian huskies.