Looking for your next winter travel assignment? Whether you want to escape the cold or embrace the snowy season, there’s a perfect winter assignment for everyone. Between holiday travel and seasonal respiratory illnesses, healthcare travelers are in high demand during the winter season.
Here are the twelve best travel nurse locations for winter, including everything from sunny beaches to Christmas villages.
California
California winter weather:
- Average temperature of 37 to 60 degrees in December
Top cities in California for travelers:
- San Diego
- Sacramento
- Palm Springs
Things to do in California in the winter:
- Watch the annual Parade of Lights in San Diego’s Bay with around 80 holiday decorated boats.
- Take in two and a half miles of views of the cliffs of Chino Canyon from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
- Stroll through RoboLights in Palm Springs, the largest private residential holiday lights display in the USA, with more than eight million lights and unique sculptures.
- Be a spectator to balloons, floats, marching bands, and celebrity appearances at the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
- Experience the holiday season at Disneyland Resort, complete with holiday displays and events like A Christmas Fantasy Parade, Disney Festival of Holidays, and more.
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Florida
Florida winter weather:
- Average temperature of 40 to 65 degrees in December
Top cities in Florida for travelers:
Things to do in Florida in the winter:
- Swim next to manatees who flock to Crystal River seeking warm water at Three Sisters Springs.
- Visit St. Augustine's historic district for millions of tiny white lights scattered throughout the city, honoring the traditional Spanish practice of displaying a white candle in windows during the holidays, and the annual festival, Night of Lights, with trolley tours, a tour of homes, and scenic cruise tours.
- Cheer on the sidelines at Daytona 500, a February NASCAR event that can’t be missed.
- Attend Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, A Frozen Holiday Wish, Once Upon A Christmastime Parade, and other holiday events at Walt Disney World Resort.
- Encounter sloths, capybaras, kangaroos, lemurs, giant tortoises, and more at Jungle Island in Miami.
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Texas
Texas winter weather:
- Average temperature of 31 to 72 degrees in December
Top cities in Texas for travelers:
- Austin
- Dallas
- San Antonio
Things to do in Texas in the winter:
- Wander the San Antonio River Walk, a 15-mile urban waterway in the heart of the city with restaurants, shops, and seasonal attractions.
- Immerse yourself into the works of Charles Dickens at Dickens on the Strand, an event in Galveston, also known as the "Winter Wonder Island of Texas," with costumed characters, reenactments, and activities like Victorian Bed Races.
- Explore the Austin Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, a car-free light display with festivities like live music, food vendors, and over four million lights.
- Observe fish, sharks, flamingos, ocelots, penguins, and more through seven different exhibits at the Dallas World Aquarium.
- Fish, ride ATVs on sand dunes, witness diverse wildlife, and lounge on warm beaches at Padre Island National Seashore.
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Arizona
Arizona winter weather:
- Average temperature of 17 to 68 degrees in December
Top cities in Arizona for travelers:
Things to do in Arizona in the winter:
- Ride The Grand Canyon Railway, a train from Williams to the South Rim, which turns into the Polar Express every December with Christmas decorations and Santa roaming the aisles.
- Compete in events like bull riding and barrel racing and attend a drag race and dance party at the Arizona Gay Rodeo at Corona Ranch.
- Stargaze and attend a series of lectures and activities at the I Heart Pluto Festival hosted at the Lowell Observatory to celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of Pluto with planetary scientists and astronauts.
- Take yourself out to the ballgame for the Cactus League’s MLB Spring Training in February.
- Rock out to a two-day concert that’s featured iconic performers like the Foo Fighters, Tame Impala, and Sheryl Crow at the Innings Festivals in February.
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Massachusetts
Massachusetts winter weather:
- Average temperature of 17 to 45 degrees in December
Top cities in Massachusetts for travelers:
- Boston
- Newburyport
- Nantucket
Things to do in Massachusetts in the winter:
- Do your holiday shopping at Yankee Candle Village, a Yankee Candle store transformed into an elaborate Christmas village and filled with over 400,000 candles.
- Walk through gardens and sub-tropical conservatory greenhouses with year-round blooms of flowers and greenery at the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston.
- Take a snowshoe tour through the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, a landscape of more than 60 modern and contemporary sculptures and installations, as well as rotating exhibits.
- Ski down Wachusett Mountain, the highest mountain in eastern Massachusetts and only an hour drive from Boston with 25 trails, eight lifts, and a 2,006-foot summit.
- Ice skate at the the Boston Common Frog Pond, a U.S. National Historic Landmark established in 1634.
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New York
New York winter weather:
- Average temperature of 15 to 45 degrees in December
Top cities in New York for travelers:
Things to do in New York in the winter:
- Behold the annual lighting of The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, a New York City attraction and holiday beacon for over eight decades.
- Snowmobile in the Adirondacks’ Tug Hill Region with hundreds of miles of heavily forested trails, meandering rivers, scenic hills and valleys, and trailside restaurants and hotels.
- Escape the cold weather at the Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark, New York’s largest indoor waterpark with rides and slides like The Krakken, Jiggerty-Jaggerty slide race, and a jungle-themed lazy river in the Catskills.
- Spend the day viewing galleries of marine life, cultural artifacts, natural history, animal habitats, planetarium, and more all housed in a Spanish-Revival mansion that is the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium in Long Island.
- Look out for wildlife that spend their winters on Goat Island in Niagara Falls.
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Connecticut
Connecticut winter weather:
- Average temperature of 20-44 degrees in December
Top cities in Connecticut for travelers:
- New Haven
- Hartford
- Bridgeport
Things to do in Connecticut in the winter:
- Rent a snowbike to ride through Powder Ridge Park or go to the Mountainside Holiday Market with concerts and goods sold by artisans, craftsmen, and small businesses.
- Hike to Valley Falls, a waterfall in Rockville that’s stunning when frozen over in the wintertime.
- Dash through the snow in a horse-drawn sleigh and participate in other traditional New England activity at Allegra Farm in East Haddam.
- Join the community of Mystic for their Lighted Boat Parade, a unique parade of holiday-decorated boats sailing down the Mystic River.
- Tour the 1874 Mark Twain House and Museum in Hartford where the author lived for 17 years and wrote some of his most famous works including The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
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Oregon
Oregon winter weather:
- Average temperature of 35 to 46 degrees in December
Top cities in Oregon for travelers:
- Portland
- Coos Bay
- Grants Pass
Things to do in Oregon in the winter:
- Venture to Mount Hood, the tallest mountain in Oregon, for a variety of winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding
- Explore the Cooper Spur Mountain Resort for a winter getaway with activities such as skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing
- Embark on a fossil hunting adventure and discover Oregon's rich geological history
- Visit the Klamath Wildlife Refuge to observe Oregon's diverse wildlife in their winter habitat
- Experience the enchanting atmosphere of downtown Portland during winter with its vibrant food scene and cultural attractions
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Virginia
Virginia winter weather:
- Average temperature of 36 to 49 degrees in December
Top cities in Virginia for travelers:
- Charlottesville
- Richmond
- Salem
Things to do in Virginia in the winter:
- Immerse yourself in the winter beauty with a hike at Shenandoah National Park, a shimmering jewel of Virginia's natural wonders
- Experience the thrill of ice skating at the Pentagon City Ice Skating Rink, a popular winter attraction in the heart of Virginia
- Discover the joy of snow tubing at Massanutten Resort, an exciting way to embrace the frosty weather
- Indulge in some retail therapy with some winter shopping in Virginia Beach, a city known for its unique boutiques and shopping centers
- Take part in the cultural scene by attending a show in Northern Virginia, an area known for its vibrant arts and entertainment
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New Jersey
New Jersey winter weather:
- Average temperature of 38 to 47 degrees in December
Top cities in New Jersey for travelers:
- New Brunswick
- Jersey City
- Belleville
Things to do in New Jersey in the winter:
- Embrace the tranquility of a winter hike in the Watchung Reservation, a beautiful location that offers stunning views and a peaceful retreat
- Discover the wonders of science at The Liberty Science Center, an interactive museum that offers engaging exhibits
- Experience the thrill of ice skating, a classic winter activity that brings joy and fun to people of all ages
- Explore the trails of Kittatinny Valley State Park, a beautiful location that allows you to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of New Jersey
- Engage in a snowshoeing adventure, a unique winter activity that allows you to explore the snowy landscapes of New Jersey while getting a great workout
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Vermont
Vermont winter weather:
- Average temperature of 27 to 31 degrees in December
Top cities in Vermont for travelers:
- Burlington
- Middlebury
- Springfield
Things to do in Vermont in the winter:
- Go downhill skiing and snowboarding down the magnificent, snow-covered slopes of Vermont's mountains
- Visit Church Street Marketplace in Burlington and experience the magic of winter at this bustling marketplace with its festive atmosphere, unique shops, and delicious food
- Immerse yourself in a thrilling winter adventure by participating in a dog sledding activity where you’ll enjoy the stunning winter scenery while being pulled through the snow by a team of dogs
- Embrace your creative side by taking a pottery class at Farmhouse Pottery — an indoor activity that provides a cozy retreat from the cold winter weather
- Experience the serene beauty of winter by going ice fishing on Lake Champlain. This activity offers a unique way to enjoy the outdoors during the colder months
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Ohio
Ohio winter weather:
- Average temperature of 37 to 46 degrees in December
Top cities in Ohio for travelers:
- Cleveland
- Chillicothe
- Columbus
Things to do in Ohio in the winter:
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Found some inspiration for your next winter placement? Use Marketplace to browse thousands of winter travel nursing assignments. Our platform allows you to filter jobs to fit your needs, so you can quickly find and apply to your dream winter assignment, no matter what you're looking for.
Weather information gathered from Weather U.S.