You can go one of two major routes when thinking about the best places to visit in January: either escape the dark winter doldrums by heading somewhere sunny and beachy, or lean into the chill and hit the slopes of somewhere snowy and festive. To help you get to the best places to visit in January, we’re including tips on how to plan your travel, where to stay, and additional intel like what to pack. Ring in 2026 in any one of these awesome places to travel, and the year will be a happy one indeed.