February settles over Washington, D.C. with a certain quiet authority. The crowds thin, air is sharp, and monuments stand just a little taller against the winter sky. It is a season when the city reveals itself without performance or pretense — when visitors can walk the National Mall unhurried, step inside world-class museums without lines, and experience the capital as it truly is.
A new Yahoo Travel report reveals Washington as one of the six best places in the United States to visit in February — and it is only the beginning.
“Washington, D.C. in winter invites reflection,” the researchers noted. “Without crowds or congestion, the city’s museums, monuments, and history feel more personal and more accessible.”
In winter, the city’s greatest strengths come forward.
People can witness the grandeur of monuments honoring the likes of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Abraham Lincoln.
The Smithsonian museums remain free and open, offering warmth, history, and perspective. Among them, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) stands as one of the most powerful experiences in the country— its exhibitions trace centuries of resilience, creativity, and struggle that continue to shape the nation.
“When I lived in D.C.,” social media user Jenni Button wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “snow days were my favorite days to go out and about exploring museums that were still open.”
February’s slower pace allows visitors the time such a space demands: to read, to reflect, to understand. Combined with lower hotel rates and fewer tourists, Washington becomes not just a destination, but an invitation.
From the capital, Yahoo Travel’s list moves west, where Sedona, Arizona, offers a different kind of stillness. February brings mild temperatures ideal for hiking through towering red rock formations, scenic drives, and quiet mornings shaped by desert light.
The region’s reputation for spiritual retreats and outdoor renewal is well-suited to winter travelers seeking clarity rather than crowds, with nearby access to the Grand Canyon adding scale to the experience.
In contrast, Stowe, Vermont, leans fully into winter. Snow defines the landscape, and February is the prime season for skiing on Mount Mansfield. The town’s historic inns, covered bridges, and village shops create a classic New England setting, one where winter is not endured but celebrated. It is a destination for travelers who see cold weather not as an obstacle, but as a tradition.
Austin, Texas, offers another alternative. February brings comfortable temperatures and an energetic cultural scene without the intense heat of summer. Food trucks line the streets, parks remain accessible, and live music—long the city’s signature—fills venues large and small. Visiting before major spring festivals allows travelers to experience Austin’s creativity at a manageable pace.
For those looking to leave winter entirely behind, Hawaii Island delivers warmth and variety. February is an excellent time for snorkeling, whale watching, and exploring landscapes shaped by volcanic forces. The island’s scale allows visitors to move between beaches, rainforests, and higher elevations in a single day, offering one of the most diverse travel experiences in the country.
Rounding out the list is Nashville, Tennessee, a city known for music but increasingly recognized for its broader appeal. February’s lighter crowds make it easier to explore cultural sites, museums, and family-friendly attractions. Indoor venues and large resort spaces provide flexibility, while the city’s musical heritage remains front and center.
What unites these destinations, according to Yahoo Travel, is timing. February strips travel down to their essentials — fewer distractions, better access, and a chance to see places as they are rather than how they are marketed.
Whether standing beneath the winter sky on the National Mall, reflecting inside NMAAHC, or watching sunlight move across desert stone in Arizona, the season rewards those willing to travel when others wait.
“February gives travelers something that’s increasingly rare: space,” Yahoo Travel noted. “Cities breathe differently, and visitors get a truer sense of place without the noise of peak season.”