Hello New Year! These are the Best Cities to Travel to in January. So the Family Reunions and Turkey Dinners have done you over and you’re looking for an escape. Where to Travel in January? Our favorite cities for January cover the Northeast, the South, and the California Coast… a value-friendly city for this month might be in your neck of the woods.
Your Anaheim Getaway
Weather Forecast: High 75°F ~ Low 46°F
If you’re looking for a Vitamin C and D boost, sunny Orange County is what our trivago data scientists are prescribing this month. With no shortage of sunny days in the monthly blue sky outlook, don’t forget to pack your shades — or why not treat yourself to a new pair from the factory outlets around the County.
As one of the slower months for visitors in Anaheim, expect shorter line-ups at the attractions and price reductions on hotel rooms online. trivago hotel data shows average hotel room prices in the affordable ballpark of $160 per night in January.
Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance ★★★
Photos via trivago
As the top-rated 3-star Anaheim hotel on trivago, our compilation of guest reviews rave about the Courtyard’s walking distance proximity to Disneyland, top-notch cleanliness and spaces designed with family travel in mind. Be sure to pack swimsuits for the entire flock to feel the chill of the 400-gallon tipping bucket or the thrill of the 30-foot water slide. We suggest adding some magic to your stay by requesting a room with a view of the Disney fireworks.
Anaheim Camelot Inn ★★★
Photos via trivago
Kids caught in the magic of their day at Disneyland can continue on their own enchanting fairy tale with a stay at the Alpine-inspired Anaheim Camelot Inn. For families of all sizes, the suites at this storybook property can sleep up to six with the addition of sought-after amenities like microwaves, fridges and free WiFi.
Doubletree Anaheim Orange ★★★★
Photos via trivago
Chocolate chip cookies at check-in? You betcha! This Doubletree by Hilton property goes the extra mile to make all of its guests feel at home — whether a family of six, travelers with mobility needs or four-legged visitors. For little, tired feet and parents without a rental car, the Doubletree’s complimentary shuttle connects the hotel to Disneyland in under 15 mins, while The Outlets at Orange can be reached by foot.
What to do in Anaheim in January?
Though many would not think to visit Anaheim in January, temperatures are perfect for exploring the attractions. Visit Anaheim helped guide us to three January activities in particular where you’ll be reaching out for a hockey stick, lightsaber or a pint of beer!
Cheer on the Mighty Ducks
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Anaheim is seemingly forever inextricably linked to Disneyland and the “Mighty” Ducks hockey team. Millennials and general ’90s enthusiasts likely have vivid memories of cheering on the likes of Goldberg and Charlie Conway under the helm of the one and only Coach Gordon Bombay. While the similarities between the film franchise and the NHL team begin and end with the name, it’s impossible to pass up an opportunity to see the Ducks live in the heart of hockey season.
Luckily there’s a chance to catch the Ducks on their home ice at the Honda Center every week in January. “Recently, the Ducks were honored as being the top-ranked team in Los Angeles for fan experience according to a J.D. Power Study,” says Erin Ramsauer with Visit Anaheim. Sold!
Come a Padawan, Leave a Jedi Master
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Then change gears with a trip to the Disneyland Resort where guests can get a taste of “a galaxy far, far away” with the park’s Star Wars Bay or on a Stars Tours 3D journey.
Sample Anaheim’s latest Microbrews
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New legislative measures at the municipal level have brought a new age of small-batch brewing to Anaheim. With a dozen new establishments around town, sample the likes of Anaheim Brewery, Bottle Logic Brewery, Bruery Terreux, Hoparazzi Brewing Co., Noble Ale Works and with more sure to open in the near future.
How Much to Budget
Once you’ve made it to Orange County plan to set aside roughly $608 (before theme park tickets) over 48 hours for two in Anaheim…
Cappuccino: $3.71
Disneyland Express from LAX: $33 roundtrip
SuperShuttle from LAX: $16 roundtrip
One night in a 3-star Hotel – January: $167
Anaheim Ducks vs. Dallas Stars (Jan. 10th) 400-series : $54
Find January deals in Anaheim
Your Myrtle Beach Getaway
Weather Forecast: High 63°F ~ Low 40°F
A January getaway doesn’t need to be an expensive one, and if you’re in the Southeast — why not experience Myrtle Beach at this time of year? While it may be on the cold side for a dip in the ocean, many of the city’s attractions are still open and a peaceful afternoon stroll on the beach cannot be missed.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly trip after the Holidays, Myrtle Beach could be your match. Hotel room prices go into a chilly dip around winter with an average of $116 per night in January. We’ve scanned trivago to find three properties that are big on value and chosen to pair perfectly with each traveler’s needs while in Myrtle Beach.
Marina Inn at Grande Dunes ★★★★
Photos via trivago
Spacious and well-appointed, the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes has long been a go-to hotel for visitors hitting the links in Myrtle Beach. Being close to world-class golf courses means conversely that the luxury property is removed from the bustle of the Boardwalk. Hone in on this tranquility with an afternoon treatment at the Spa or a taste of farm-to-table dining at Waterscapes.
Hampton Inn Myrtle Beach Northwood ★★★
Photos via trivago
Beloved by those who have experienced this Hampton Inn for themselves, the 75th Avenue location has all of the standard amenities included in the rate, namely a hot breakfast every morning and access to the fitness center and pool. The big-on-value stay’s location is suitable for walking to restaurants nearby and just three blocks from the water. Hello Weekend!
Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center ★★★★
Photos via trivago
With a full-service approach, guests at the Sheraton Myrtle Beach Convention Center can have practically all of their needs taken care of: comfortable spaces with free Wifi, bottled water and mini fridges. Upgrade to the Club Floor for the added benefits of all-day snacks and beverages, early check-in and a deluxe continental breakfast ready first thing in the morning.
What to do in Myrtle Beach in January?
Tour Hobcaw Barony
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Winter in South Carolina isn’t quite like the North, so nobody would blame you for escaping to Myrtle Beach for some fresh air along their 60 miles of coastline. Temperature highs hover around 60 degrees in January, so it’s a great time to check out Hobcaw Barony, a former rice plantation that now offers a variety of tours focused on history and ecology. Go on January 13th for a special event focused on oyster reefs or on January 27th for a Native America shell middens walk — both free.
Tune into your Burning Love for the South
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Head inland to Conway to see what farm life was like in the early to mid-1900s at L.W. Paul Living History Farm. Smokehouse Day is in January with demonstrations on smoking and salting meat, cooking on a wood stove, grinding grits and more.
How Much to Budget
Once you’re in the Grand Strand area, plan to set aside roughly $450 over 48 hours as a couple in Myrtle Beach.
Cappuccino: $3.85
Taxi from the airport: $32 to Grande Dunes
One night in a 3-star Hotel – January: $106
Two tickets to Elvis Lives (Section A): $116
Find January deals in Myrtle Beach
trivago Browsing Tip: Compare hotels head-to-head on trivago. Having trouble making up your mind? In ‘My Hotel Lists’, select the Bar Graph icon to compare your favorite hotels and their photos, ratings, and features side-by-side. With all the information in your hand, choosing a hotel has never been easier
Your Atlantic City Getaway
Weather Forecast: High 44°F ~ Low 23°F
For those feeling lucky this month, score big (on a hotel deal, at the very least) in Atlantic City! Local attractions, namely the casinos, malls and concert halls, are still open throughout the winter to keep visitors entertained during these colder months.
Though the Boardwalk is in semi-hibernation with some businesses closed until Spring, why not use this as an excuse to try staying in some of the smaller towns around the Jersey Shore? A look at trivago hotel data for Atlantic City shows an overall average of $141 per night this January, one of the cheapest cities in the Northeast of the U.S.
Biscayne Suites ★★★
Photos via trivago
For visitors who have seen all of the Atlantic City Boardwalk, why not set your sights across the Great Egg Harbor Inlet to the family resort town of Ocean City? The Biscayne Suites come equipped with all of the vacation apartment amenities you can need: kitchenettes, daily housekeeping, and enclosed bedrooms. Take breakfast around the corner at the OC Surf Cafe which mix and matches breakfast favorites in combinations like the Caulfield (eggs, cheese and breakfast meat sandwiched between their famous French Toast) and Tony the Tiger (corn flake speckled French Toast).
The Colonial Inn at Historic Smithville ★★★
Photos via trivago
A Bed & Breakfast on your Atlantic City weekend? Not quite, because of The Colonial’s Inn location 13 miles away in Historic Smithville. This complex of over 50 independent boutiques is home to The Colonial Inn along with its sister properties: The Barn and the recently-restored The Jonathan Pitney House. Take your pick from their individually-decorated rooms, many of which are outfitted with double soaking tubs and steam showers.
The Inn at Sugar Hill ★★★
Photos courtesy of The Inn at Sugar Hill and via trivago
Cozy up in a room at The Inn at Sugar Hill in Mays Landing, complete with a fire crackling away at the foot of your bed. Found on the icy Great Egg Harbor River, the Inn’s Victorian era furnishings are perfect for couples seeking a quiet slow travel weekend. Inn guests and locals in the know reserve their dinner at the time of booking. Candlelit dining with a spread of lamb lollipops, crabcakes and Sugar Hill cannolis — who could pass up on that?
What to do in Atlantic City in January?
Winds off the ocean shouldn’t turn any visitor off Atlantic City in January– after all, a majority of the city’s fun is found indoors. Big casino like the Borgata, Caesars and Harrah’s are large enough to entertain you all day and night. If you’ve got leftover Christmas money to spend (however unlikely that is), Playground, the Tanger Outlet and Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing are your best shopping bets. Keep an eye on the DO AC website for their highlights for visitors coming in January.
Catch a Show
Atlantic City being Atlantic City, you’re never without an entertainment option. January alone is filled with visits from former Weekend Update and Saturday Night Live star, Norm MacDonald. Musical acts range from Rob Thomas and Melissa Etheridge to the Bay Atlantic Symphony and an All-Stars of Hip Hop show featuring Ludacris and Busta Rhymes.
Hit the Ice
Embrace winter in its fullest during Public Skate hours at the Flyers Skate Zone in Atlantic City. Associated with the boys in Philly, work on your skating technique on this regulation size indoor rink. Public skate times are being updated soon over on the rink’s website. In true Philadelphia style, throw those calories back on with a post-skate Cheesesteak over at the snack bar.
How Much to Budget
For an off-peak visit to the Jersey Shore in January, plan to set aside roughly $544 over 48 hours as a couple in Atlantic City.
Cappuccino: $3.75
Taxi from the Airport: $35
One night in a 3-star Hotel – January: $132
Two seats at Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy (Upper 2 Section): $90
Find January deals in Atlantic City
Learn more in our Travel Advice Calendars
If you can’t make it to our “Where to Travel in January” destinations this month, try them out later this year with the help of our Travel Advice Calendar or subscribe to our “Where to Travel” mailer to be the first to learn of our destination picks.