There are a lot of great places to visit in January. From enjoying a winter wonderland to getting in some well-needed beach time, there is a perfect spot for everyone to enjoy during the winter season.

Winter has the best months to enjoy a vacation or holiday! Below are 11 beautiful places to go in January!

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Best Places to Visit in January:

Whether you enjoy visiting National Parks, relaxing at sandy beaches or participating in winter sports, there are places to enjoy it all on every continent. You can go ice skating in Montreal, enjoy Maui’s beautiful beaches and go scuba diving in Aruba during a vacation in January.

Great Places to Visit in January in the USA:

Scottsdale, Arizona:

One of the best places to travel in January 2023 is Scottsdale, Arizona. Located in the Sonoran Desert, the city of Scottsdale is iconic for its world-renowned golf courses, 5-star luxury hotels, shopping and dining scene.

Some of the best things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona is to enjoy all the luxury amenities at the Omni Montelucia. The hotel has an award-winning spa called Joya Spa that offers incredible massages, facials, hair and nail services.

One of the best things to do in Scottsdale, Arizona is enjoy everything Old Town offers. Eat at The Mission, enjoy shopping in Fashion Square and the boutiques, and go wine tasting at one of the many tasting rooms.

Since Scottsdale is a desert city, you must learn more about it and discover the best collections of arid plants from different deserts around the world at Desert Botanical Garden. Located in the same area of Papago Park, Hole in the Rock is iconic for people of all ages and abilities to check out!

If you’re a hiker looking for a great trail, enjoy the Gateway Loop Trail in McDowell Sonoran Preserve and the Echo Canyon Trail or Cholla Trail at Camelback Mountain! Saguaro National Park near Tuscon is an excellent National Park to visit during a day trip from Scottsdale.

Key West, Florida:

For those looking for one of the best warm places to visit in January, you must visit Key West, Florida! From having fun on the lively Duval Street to enjoying a sunset cruise, there are plenty of great reasons why Key West is considered one of the best places to visit in January!

The best hotel to stay at in Key West is Oceans Edge Resort & Marina, which is located on the water. It has many pools to enjoy along with a restaurant and bar.

The top things to do in Key West, Florida, during February are to tour the Ernest Hemingway Home and then have lunch at Latitudes on Sunset Key, an island you must take a boat over to. Later in the evening, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Gulf of Mexico and then have dinner downtown. A great place to eat in Key West is Café Sole.

In addition to Key West, other great places to visit in January in Florida are 30A, on the Florida Panhandle, and the Florida Gulf Coast for Gasparilla – the famous pirate festival! Even though January is the coldest month in Florida, you can still enjoy mild temperatures on clear days!

Maui, Hawaii:

Another one of the best places to vacation in January in the United States is Maui, Hawaii! From the adventurous Road to Hana to the stunning beaches, there is a lot to love about the island of Maui!

The best time to visit Hawaii is in the winter because the weather is perfect for all types of activities, especially when it comes to water activities! The beaches in Maui are stunning, and almost every hotel, from Napili Kai Beach Resort in West Maui to Hana Maui Resort on the Road to Hana has pools to enjoy.

In addition to driving the Road to Hana and checking out the bamboo forest, lava tube and black sand beach, you must also visit Dragon’s Teeth, which are incredible rock formations. Wailea is also a beautiful area to enjoy a lovely beach day. The water at this beach is perfect for swimming and clear enough to spot sea turtles!

One of the most memorable things to do in Maui is snorkeling or diving at Molokini Crater. This crescent-shaped crater is where you can see fascinating sea life like the Hawaiian Humuhumunukunuku fish, jellyfish and sharks.

A trip to Maui isn’t complete without visiting Haleakala National Park, which includes the East Maui Volcano! You can hike the volcano, get epic photos and enjoy all the breathtaking views. This massive shield volcano takes up over 75% of Maui.

Zion National Park, Utah:

Zion in Utah is a great USA National Park and one of the best places to visit in January! Zion National Park is filled with natural wonders, plant life, fascinating animals and various adventures.

One of the best places to stay in and around Zion National Park is Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort. It’s almost like staying at an adult camp, as there are outdoor activities for everyone to enjoy! You can go horseback riding, canyoneering, stargazing, hiking and more!

During January, you could experience fewer crowds at Zion National Park. Even though it’s located in Southern Utah, it does experience winter weather, so dress appropriately.

A fun thing to do at Zion National Park, year-round, is to hike The Narrows. You’ll want a dry suit in January since the water will be freezing! You can also rent waterproof shoes from Zion Guru in Springdale.

You can also enjoy hikes in Zion National Park during the winter months. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing snow on the red rocks! The best hikes in Zion National Park are Observation Point and Cable Mountain, which can be easily accessed from Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort.

The downtown of Springdale has a lot of great restaurants, breweries and shops to enjoy, so don’t miss out!

Best Places to Visit in January in the World:

Montreal, Quebec:

One of the best holiday destinations in January is Montreal, Quebec. Even though average temperatures in Montreal for January are in the highs of mid 20s° Fahrenheit to lows of the lower teens (Fahrenheit), there are many magical things to do!

The city of Montreal is stunning and holds much history! One of the top things to do is enjoy a historical walking tour in the Old Town called Vieux-Montreal. This breathtaking part of the city has stunning architecture and cobblestone streets dating to Montreal’s earliest days. You can also visit Montreal’s beautiful Basilique Notre-Dame, which has stained glass and depicts scenes of the city’s religious history.

Other memorable things to do during Montreal’s coldest month are to go ice skating, if the cold doesn’t bother you, enjoy a maple tasting, savor delicious poutine from La Banquise and do some retail therapy while strolling the Rue Ste Catherine. (Montreal also has an underground mall known as the Underground City.)

If you want to do an active outdoor activity, you must hike through Parc du Mont-Royal. At the top are gorgeous views of Montreal and you can even see the snowcapped Laurentian Mountains from a distance. Also close to Montreal is Mont Tremblant, where you can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and other great winter sports!

Aruba:

There is nothing like traveling somewhere that has warm weather and clear skies. Aruba is one of the top 11 great places to visit in January because it boasts some of the best beaches and activities that allow for a fantastic time!

If you’re looking for an all-inclusive that will allow you to enjoy the winter sun, it’s best to stay at Divi All Inclusive Aruba! This resort has a stunning beach and fun water activities, from kayaking to windsurfing.

Other great things to do in Aruba are horseback riding on the North Shore and visiting the flamingos at Renaissance Island. The Gold Mine Ranch takes travelers through Arikok National Park around Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins and Hidden Valley and Lagoon. You can see the beautiful pink flamingos at Flamingo Beach on Renaissance Island and feed them! While enjoying the beach, you can also swim, enjoy a tropical beverage and see the iguanas.

Even though Aruba is a popular destination for people to visit for a January vacation, it’s a destination with many direct flights from popular U.S. cities and Amsterdam.

Whistler, British Columbia:

Visiting ski resorts is always a good travel option during January! One of the best January holiday destinations is Whistler in British Columbia, Canada.

Even though winter is the peak season for Whistler, there are many great things to do, making it one of the best places to visit in January. From skiing and snowboarding to enjoying a spa day, there is fun for all to experience!

Skiers and snowboarders can enjoy the largest ski resort in North America, and there are also plenty of fun winter Olympic activities to do, like cross-country skiing and visiting complexes like the Whistler Sliding Centre.

In addition to winter activities, Whistler has a lot of fun après-ski events to attend. Après-ski is the party after a day on the slopes. People will gather at a bar to enjoy a good time partying with friends and family. At most après-ski events, you can enjoy great drinks, a bonfire, live music and more.

Another fun thing to do during a winter trip to Whistler is to visit Scandinave Spa, which includes Scandinavian baths, surrounded by an enchanting forest. It’s the perfect place to disconnect, as you cannot bring digital devices. You can also enjoy a sauna, steam room, cold pools and massage services.

Whistler also includes a lot of great ski resorts, from the Four Seasons to the Pan Pacific. There is also a downtown area where you can shop, visit a bookstore and warm up in a charming café!

Luxembourg City, Luxembourg:

Luxembourg is a small country in Central Europe and is one of the best places to visit in January in Europe!

What is nice about visiting Luxembourg in January is that their magical Christmas markets are still happening through the first week of the month. After that, you can enjoy the country’s famous landmarks without large crowds.

Enjoy the views of beautiful Luxembourg City from the Pfaffenthal Lift, visit the best wine and tapas bars like Pas Sage and explore the Pétrusse Casemates, a series of underground tunnels used for numerous purposes.

In addition to getting lost in the Grund, which is the charming Old Town of Luxembourg City, visiting a museum is also fun during a January trip to this lovely country.

Cape Town, South Africa:

If you’re looking to escape the Northern Hemisphere to enjoy the summer months down south, you must visit Cape Town, South Africa! This beautiful city at the southern tip of Africa is a great place to escape for nature lovers and wine connoisseurs.

Two of the best beaches to visit in Cape Town are Clifton Beach and Camps Bay. Additionally, you can say hi to the penguins at Boulders Beach in the nearby Simon’s Town! The penguins at Boulder’s Beach are South African penguins and they’re the cutest creatures.

Since Cape Town is located outside South Africa’s famous winelands, you must do a wine tour during your January vacation. The wine towns of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch boast breathtaking wineries offering 5-star wine and food options. The best wineries and vineyards to visit in the South African winelands are Anthonij Rupert Winery, Tokara Wine Estate, Boschendal, Peter Falke Wines and Waterford Wine Estate.

Another reason why Cape Town, South Africa is one of the best places to go in January is because there is excellent hiking! You can find hiking trails for all levels and abilities, from Table Mountain to Lion’s Head.

Lastly, you can also go sandboarding in Cape Town! Plow down the hills at Atlantis Dunes and have a blast.

Cat Ba Island, Vietnam:

Recognized as Vietnam’s largest island, Cat Ba Island is a must-visit during January. It’s on the southeastern edge of Lan Ha Bay in Northern Vietnam, leading out to the famous Ha Long Bay.

The best things to do on Cat Ba Island are to relax at the beach and enjoy delicious food! The beaches to enjoy along Cat Ba Island are Cat Co Beach 1 and Cat Co Beach 2. These beaches offer beautiful white sand and crystal blue water to swim in.

One of the most popular experiences when visiting Cat Ba Island is to enjoy a cruise or boat tour around Ha Long Bay. Some popular activities to enjoy on a cruise like this are visiting private islands and beaches, going cave exploring, doing tai chi, taking a cooking class, and fishing or biking excursions.

Cat Ba Island also has a National Park where you can go hiking. In Cat Ba Island National Park, you can do the 2-hour hike to Ngu Lam Peak. It’s a moderate hike that leads to an overlook where you can admire the cone-shaped mountain peaks. It’s breathtaking!

Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica:

One of the top luxury destinations to visit during January is the Peninsula Papagayo area of Costa Rica. Located on the Pacific Coast, Peninsula Papagayo boasts a lot of luxury, 5-star hotels and resorts like the Four Seasons.

If you’re looking for warm and dry weather, plus sun, January is the ideal time to visit this area. Relax at the beach, go kayaking, try stand-up paddle boarding and enjoy a day on the water on a catamaran. Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica is also a great place to go snorkeling.

Peninsula Papagayo also has a jungle where you can enjoy biking adventures, trekking excursions, nature safaris, zip lining, canyon tours and more through Papagayo Explorers. If you stay at Four Seasons Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, you can do a beer class, paddleboard tour, rum and chocolate tasting as well as a cooking class.

Looking for other great places to visit in December? Check out the below:

Anguilla

Vancouver, British Columbia

Colorado Road Trip

I hope you all enjoyed learning about the 11 great places to visit in January. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.

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