Back to the full Top 10
#9 on this list
Florida Keys
Florida
Peak season warmth while the mainland freezes; paddling and snorkeling.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#10 on this list
Olympic National Park
Washington
Hurricane Ridge snow sports and storm-watching on the coast.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Florida Keys | Olympic National Park |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Monroe County, Florida | Clallam and Jefferson counties, Washington |
| January Temperatures | Average high 75°F, average low 65°F | 30°F to 45°F on coast; 20°F to 35°F alpine |
| Water Temperature | 71°F to 74°F across Atlantic and Gulf | — |
| Primary Waterway | Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary | — |
| Land Management | USFWS Refuges, Florida State Parks, NOAA | — |
| Main Route | US Highway 1 (Overseas Highway) | — |
| Primary Gateways | — | Port Angeles and Forks, Washington |
| Tire Chain Rule | — | Mandatory to carry inside vehicles on Ridge Road |
| Park Acreage | — | 922,650 acres |
| Primary Winter Draw | — | Coastal storm watching and alpine snow sports |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Florida Keys
- Reliable mid-70s winter warmth with the lowest humidity levels of the year
- World-class shallow-water kayak and paddleboard trails through protected mangroves
- Accessible barrier reef snorkeling and diving right off the island chain
- Abundant winter wildlife sightings including manatees, sea turtles, and coastal raptors
- Peak-season pricing causes high lodging rates and booked-out campgrounds
- Winter cold fronts bring wind that can blow out reef visibility for days
- Overseas Highway traffic is prone to severe bottlenecks from a single mishap
Olympic National Park
- Minimal crowds along famous coastal beaches and rainforest trails
- Spectacular high-surf storm watching along rugged Pacific bluffs
- Accessible alpine snowshoeing and backcountry touring via Hurricane Ridge
- Majestic Roosevelt elk herds gather in easily accessible lowland valleys
- Hurricane Ridge Road access is limited to weekends and strictly weather-dependent
- Persistent heavy rain and coastal wind test water-resistant outerwear severely
- Lethal coastal hazards include rolling drift logs and unpredictable sneaker waves
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.