February may be the shortest month of the year, but there’s still plenty of time to make an awesome getaway happen. When it comes to travel, it’s all about escapism. That means trading cold days and the doldrums that mid-afternoon sunsets cause for a trip to a dream-fulfilling destination.
For some travelers, that looks like jetting off to a sun-splashed Caribbean island to soak up some much-needed vitamin D. On the other hand, snow bunnies will likely want to frolic in the fresh powder in a fabulous ski town. Wanderlust-y types might take the opportunity to explore a far-flung destination that’s been at the top of the bucket list for a while. In need of some inspiration? Scroll on for the best places to travel this February, from the Maldives to Marrakesh.
Iceland
ASMR//Getty Images
February is one of the best months to see the northern lights in Iceland, thanks to long winter nights. For optimal viewing, book a tour with a guide and try to stay in one location for several days to maximize viewing opportunities (unexpected snowstorms can affect visibility). Other adventures include hiking, snowmobiling, helicopter tours, and more.
Tenerife, Canary Islands
Balate Dorin//Getty Images
Want to escape somewhere with mild, sunny weather this winter? The Canary Islands are situated off the northwest African coast and southwest of Spain. They offer temps in the high 60s and low 70s in February that are perfect for beach-going and outdoor exploring. Bonus: February is prime Carnival season (the main events happen in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria). Get ready to party!
New Orleans, Louisiana
Sean Pavone//Getty Images
New Orleans is always a good time, but February brings two major events this year: Super Bowl LIX (February 9) and Mardi Gras (which officially starts March 4, but always has parades and parties leading up to it). From eating beignets, crawfish, po boys, and jambalaya to grabbing a cocktail on Bourbon Street to listening to jazz in the garden district, there’s always plenty to do in the Big Easy.
Barbados
Patrick Rosyk / 500px//Getty Images
With temps in the 80s, it’s easy to see why snowbirds fly south to this Caribbean island each February. Barbados boasts beautiful beaches and ocean caves perfect for exploring, as well as delicious food and plenty of water sports for outdoor lovers.
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
Christian Adams//Getty Images
The end of February marks the beginning of Carnival, the biggest event of the Brazilian calendar. From samba dancing to colorful parades to street parties, there’s no shortage of fun to be had in Rio De Janeiro. With temps in the 80s, it’s the perfect time to visit the iconic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, the Christ the Redeemer statue, and beautiful museums.
The Maldives
levente bodo//Getty Images
Prized for its clear turquoise water and soft white sand, a trip to the Maldives epitomizes a privileged winter escape. The driest and sunniest month of the year, February is categorized by blue skies and consistent temperatures in the high 80s, so it’s prime time to jet off to this island paradise to swim, snorkel, and SCUBA dive with colorful reef fish in the Indian Ocean.
Keen to catch an up-close glimpse of whale sharks (don’t worry, they’re gentle) and nesting sea turtles laying eggs on the beautiful beaches? You’re also in luck on both those fronts. Watersports, fresh seafood, and relaxing spa rituals are also on the vacation docket.
Las Vegas, Nevada
RebeccaAng//Getty Images
Allegiant Stadium will host Super Bowl LVIII on February 11. Obviously, that comes with a lot of fanfare. Not a football fan? Las Vegas is a playground for adults with larger-than-life shows (hello, Adele and David Copperfield), chef-driven restaurants, pool parties with live DJs, glitzy casinos where you can win big on poker or slot machines, and designer shops. (Because hitting the jackpot means a perfectly acceptable excuse to splurge on an upmarket memento like a designer bag or a sparkling piece of jewelry.)
Las Vegas is even an unexpected destination for design and architecture lovers with iconic spots designed by Ken Fulk, Frank Gehry, Helmut Jahn and more.
Cape Town, South Africa
Barichivich//Getty Images
For standout Southern Hemisphere destinations like Cape Town, February falls smack dab in the middle of summer. Travelers can expect picture-perfect weather for the myriad outdoor attractions. Peep endemic plants at the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, swim with penguins at Boulders Beach, and climb Table Mountain (or take the cable car to the top).
Be sure to carve out ample time to meander around colorful Bo Kemp, stroll the V&A Waterfront, and hop on a boat to Robben Island. Shop the local stores along Bree Street. To savor the superb culinary scene, snag a table at one of the many acclaimed restaurants and head to the weekend Oranjezicht City Farm Market.
Amagansett, New York
robertcicchetti//Getty Images
What some might call boring, we’d describe as utterly peaceful. The ideal antidote to the busyness of the holiday season and the mad dash that happens in January when everyone tries to get everything done to start the year off with a bang, Amagansett is blissfully sleepy in February.
You could wander the sandy beach for hours without running into another soul. Truly, it’s a level of solitude and peacefulness few will ever know. And while most hotels and restaurants remain closed for the off-season, Doubles serves flavorful, Caribbean-influenced fare like roti stuffed with curried potato and The Roundtree, Amagansett welcomes travelers with contemporary, farmhouse-chic accommodations.
Bali, Indonesia
tawatchaiprakobkit//Getty Images
People flock to Bali for a multitude of reasons, from seeking spirituality to world-class surfing. While February is the rainy season, even tropical downpours won’t put a damper on the magic of the Island of the Gods. Plus, all the precipitation makes everything so lush and beautiful.
If you’re still on that New Year wellness kick, the spate of yoga shalas, surf camps, vegan eats, and wellness retreats will certainly appeal. It’s also encouraged to trek to the famous terraced rice fields, visit an organic farm, and bop around to a few of the zen temples.
Marrakesh, Morocco
Balate Dorin//Getty Images
Vibrant, dynamic, and dizzying all at once, Marrakesh is an irresistible feast for the senses. Fragrant spices waft out of the stalls of the souks (which also sell everything from Berber rugs and chandeliers to slippers and henna) and the lids of tagine pots at local restaurants. Performers entertain visitors at Jemaa el-Fnaa, the buzzing landmark central square.
Jardin Majorelle, Bahia Palace, and the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque are also highlights for many travelers. For a respite from the hustle and bustle of the maze-like medina, pop into a cafe for Moroccan mint tea and sweets. Spa lovers will surely want to experience an authentic hammam.
Galapagos Islands
Guenterguni//Getty Images
The ultimate bucket-list trip for budding anthropologists, animal lovers, photographers, and jetsetters alike, the Galápagos Islands—aka the place that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution—is home to a vast diversity of rare flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world.
February is the perfect time to jet off to the remote, volcanic archipelago 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador because of the sunny, equatorial weather and the chance for extraordinary wildlife encounters with the start of breeding and mating season for sea lions, marine iguanas, giant tortoises and flamingos.
Jackson, Wyoming
nycshooter//Getty Images
A nature-steeped Wyoming town that transforms into a winter wonderland when the flakes fall, Jackson shines brightest in all its frosted glory in February. Snow sports enthusiasts can ski and board down groomed runs at the four nearby resorts, go cross-country skiing at Game Creek, navigate white-washed trails on a snowmobiling tour of Granite Hot Springs, and wildlife enthusiasts peep elk, bison, wolves, and bald eagles at the National Elk Refuge.
It’s also within driving distance of both Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. The downtown area brims with western-fringed shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants.
Da Nang, Vietnam
Wirestock//Getty Images
Often overlooked by U.S. travelers, Da Nang is a culinary standout in Vietnam that’s perched on the country’s central coast. It’s home to an international airport—so after the long-haul flight, you don’t have to deal with a lengthy car or train ride. That translates to getting to the famous night markets to feast on all the seafood—steamed clams, sugarcane prawns, and grilled lime fish—plus turmeric noodles and lemongrass pork skewers a whole lot faster. Don’t forget to check out the Dragon Bridge, the Hải Vân Pass, and the Marble Mountains.
Credit: veranda