The 5 Best Southeast Travel Destinations for Winter

Searching for the perfect Southeast travel destinations for the winter? Then look no further!

Here are the 5 best places to vacation in the Southeastern US this winter.

Whether you are looking for a winter weekend getaway, or a family vacation spot, these are some amazing Southern destinations to visit any time, really, but especially in the winter!

I love vacationing in the Southeast during the winter because the weather is mild, the crowds are low, and the destinations are affordable.

On this list, you’ll find locations for any kind of vacation you want to have – a mountain retreat, a week at the beach, an urban getaway, and more!

Whether you live in the South, or are just looking for another corner of the United States to visit, here are 5 amazing Southeast destinations to explore in your winter travels.

#1 | Charleston, South Carolina

I’m a major fan of Charleston’s history, art, and Southern charm. You could truly enjoy this city any time of the year.

Still, winter is a great season to visit Charleston! There’s plenty of indoor activities to do, and you’ll find this famous Southeast destination is much less crowded in the colder months.

Charleston’s weather is still very agreeable in the winter, even reaching 70 degrees on some days. Typically, you’re looking at 50s-60s. This makes for the perfect walking weather to browse Charleston’s shops on King Street, or the vendors at Charleston City Market.

And, January is Charleston’s Museum Mile Month, where you can pay only $35 to access 13 different museums and historical sites. This pass will last you for the entire month of January, so you can spread out your visits if you’d like!

South Carolina’s Restaurant Week also takes place for a couple weeks in January, so you can get some great winter deals at amazing Charleston restaurants, like 82 Queen, Fleet Landing, Hyman’s Seafood, and Poogan’s Porch. (For more restaurant suggestions, check out my Charleston Restaurant Guide here.)

Then, Charleston’s Wine + Food Festival typically occurs at the end of February or the very beginning of March. Tons of events across the city allow you to enjoy the talents of chefs and winemakers from all over the world!

#2 | St. Augustine, Florida

While there are so many amazing winter travel destinations to visit in Florida, I love St. Augustine for the beach AND the loads of history. Oh, and don’t forget the delicious Latin and Spanish-inspired restaurants.

Winter is a great time to visit St. Augustine, as crowds are smaller and the weather is perfectly mild.

If you’re looking for a beach getaway, then you should definitely check out the cozy oceanfront town of St. Augustine Beach, or the more secluded Anastasia State Park. Both of these beachfront areas are just a short drive from downtown St. Augustine!

And, if you’re searching for some more adventure on your vacation, you can check out St. Augustine’s various historical sites. As the United States’ first settlement, there’s tons of places to visit. You might spend an afternoon at the Castillo de San Marcos Fort or the Fountain of Youth!

In the winter, I highly recommend taking a stroll down St. George Street. There’s some amazing shops, art galleries, and yummy restaurants for you to explore.

For the best view of St. Augustine, head to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse, where you can enjoy 360-degree views of the surrounding Florida region.

#3 | Helen, Georgia

If you’re looking for Southeast travel destinations for winter in the North Georgia mountains, then you’ve got to check out Helen!

The entire town is an instagram-worthy replica of a Bavarian Alpine Village. You’re sure to enjoy trying all the German eats and strolling through the specialty shops.

Helen is a great place to visit in the winter because of its proximity to the nearby Georgia mountains. You might even rent a beautiful cabin up in the Blue Ridge hills – maybe you’ll even catch some snowfall.

If it’s too cold for a hike or horseback ride, there are plenty of scenic drives you can enjoy. Check out the George Mountain Parkway or the Russell B. Richard Highway. On these roads, you can find waterfalls, lakes, mountains, and birds eye views of Helen! You don’t even have to get out of your car.

On your scenic drive, you might enjoy a pit stop by one of Helen’s nearby wineries. The Cottage Vineyard and Yonah Mountain Vineyard are both great picks, with beautiful mountain views and affordable tastings.

#4 | Greenville, South Carolina

Greenville is a bustling, up-and-coming city in the upstate of South Carolina, which makes it a perfect Southeast travel destination for the winter.

If you’re spending your winter weekend here, I highly recommend staying downtown, where you can enjoy all the amazing shopping and specialty stores on Main Street.

My favorite spots are the M. Judson Bookstore and Oil & Vinegar. There’s also a beef jerky store that’s a fun stop, and some amazing clothing boutiques and home goods stores. Mast General Store is quite the hit with everyone that comes to town. Here, you’ll enjoy every famous brand of outdoor apparel, quirky kitchen items, and delicious specialty foods.

One of the most amazing things about Greenville is its insane food scene. Greenville was named one of The South’s Tastiest Towns by Southern Living, and boy does it earn that title.

Again, Restaurant Week hits South Carolina in January. So, this is the perfect month to make the most of all the delicious Greenville restaurants. If you’re looking for some yummy Southern comfort food, I highly recommend stopping by Soby’s, or for brunch, Biscuithead.

If you’re looking for some delicious Asian eats, check out Sushi Murasaki on Main. And, for an upscale, new-age Italian dining experience, look no further than Jianna. Just try to make a reservation ahead of time.

There are plenty of winter activities to do in the surrounding area of Greenville as well. Check out a Broadway touring show at The Peace Center, or enjoy some free art exhibits at the Greenville County Museum of Art. And, if the weather is mild, as it often is, you might spend an afternoon at the Greenville Zoo. Or, take the short drive to Paris Mountain State Park, where you can enjoy hiking, biking, kayaking, and stunning mountain views!

#5 | Maggie Valley, North Carolina

Last but certainly not least on our Southeast winter travel destinations list is Maggie Valley, NC.

If you’re looking for a mountain town adventure, this is the place to be! Maggie Valley is typically a summer destination. But, with lower prices and smaller crowds, I find that winter is a great time of year to visit.

And, you might catch some good snowfall while you’re there, which is just magical if you’re a Southerner like me. 

There’s tons of winter hiking trails you can take to enjoy the snow, and with no foliage, the mountain views are spectacular! The area’s bustling waterfalls will often turn frozen this time of year, which makes for a beautiful photo op.

I’m also a huge fan of Tube World, where you can book a 1hour and 45min snow tubing session. You simply ride their moving carpet lift to the top of the hill, and then tube your way down the snowy slopes. It’s amazing fun for any age – you’ll be surprised how fast the time goes by!

If you are even more adventurous, then you might head over to the Cataloochee Ski Area to enjoy their various ski and snowboarding slopes and trails. They also offer group and private lessons for beginners, as well as equipment rentals! There’s plenty of nearby lodging options if you want to enjoy a whole weekend of skiing.

Finally, there are tons of yummy places to eat and funky shops to check out in the town of Maggie Valley. You might also enjoy Elevated Mountain Distilling, who offers affordable tours and tastings of their whiskeys and spirits.

That’s all for my list of the 5 best Southeast travel destinations for winter!

What Southern destination would you add to this list?

You can let us all know in the comments below!

Happy Travels,

Danielle xx