Best Places to Visit in February in the US: Warmth, Snow, Mardi Gras

The best places to visit in February in the US are New Orleans for Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday is February 9, 2027), Maui for peak humpback whale season, the Florida Keys and Southwest deserts for warm, dry days, and Western ski towns for deep snow. Presidents’ Day weekend, February 13–15, 2027, is the month’s busiest and priciest stretch.

Where should you go in February?

The table compares the main February trips. Temperatures are approximate average highs except Death Valley, which is from the National Park Service.

When is Mardi Gras 2027, and is it worth going?

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, falls on February 9, 2027. Carnival season begins on January 6, and most of the big New Orleans parades roll in the 10 to 12 days before Fat Tuesday. Because Easter is early in 2027, on March 28, the season is short and the parade calendar is compressed.

• Book early: hotels inside the city fill and raise prices sharply for the final weekend; many visitors book months ahead.
• Pick your spot: the Uptown parade routes along St. Charles Avenue are the most family-friendly, while the French Quarter is crowded and adult-oriented, and most large parades do not enter it.
• Check schedules late: krewes and the city usually publish final parade times in January.

Mobile, Alabama, which claims the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the US, is a smaller and less expensive alternative on the same dates.

Where can you see whales in February?

Hawaii is the top choice. Humpback whales are present from about November to May, and the peak is January through March, which makes February one of the best months for boat tours and shore watching on Maui, the Big Island and Oahu. Federal rules require boats and people to stay at least 100 yards from humpbacks in Hawaiian waters. For a two-island plan, see our 7-day Hawaii itinerary.

On the West Coast, gray whales pass along California between about December and April on their migration, and they can be seen from headlands such as Point Reyes and Cabrillo National Monument in San Diego. Northern elephant seals give birth on central California beaches in winter; the viewing area at Piedras Blancas, north of San Simeon, is free and open year-round.

Is February good for skiing and winter parks?

February usually has one of the deepest snowpacks of the season in the Rockies and Sierra, with fewer holiday crowds than late December. The big exception is Presidents’ Day weekend and the school vacation week around it, when lift lines and lodging rates peak in many regions. For town-by-town details, see our guide to the best ski towns in the US.

• Yellowstone: guided snowcoach and snowmobile travel runs until mid-March 2027, per the Yellowstone park roads page.
• Bryce Canyon: the Bryce Canyon Winter Festival is held each Presidents’ Day weekend at Ruby’s Inn, just outside the park; it ran February 14–16 in 2026, and 2027 details are not yet posted. Inside the park, snowshoeing is allowed on all trails, as the NPS Bryce Canyon winter page explains.
• Yosemite: in mid- to late February, the setting sun can light up Horsetail Fall on El Capitan in clear years with enough snowmelt; the park has required reservations for some February weekends in recent years, so check its rules.

Our guide to national parks in winter lists which park roads close for the season.

Where is it warm and dry in February?

For sun without humidity, the deserts are the best value. Death Valley averages 73°F highs and 46°F lows in February at Furnace Creek, and Phoenix and Tucson are mild enough for long hikes in Saguaro National Park and the surrounding mountains. Major league spring training starts in Arizona and Florida in the second half of February, which pushes hotel rates up near the ballparks.

For beaches, the Florida Keys, Miami and Hawaii are reliable, but February is peak season in all three. In Florida, cold fronts can bring a few cool, windy days, especially north of Miami.

Which February dates cost the most?

1. Mardi Gras week in New Orleans and Mobile, ending February 9, 2027.
2. Presidents’ Day weekend, February 13–15, 2027, at ski resorts, national parks and warm-weather destinations.
3. Valentine’s Day weekend, which overlaps Presidents’ Day weekend in 2027 and raises demand for inns and resort towns.

The first week of February and the last week before March are usually better value, except near spring training sites late in the month.

Bottom line

February rewards picking one theme: Carnival in New Orleans, whales in Maui, snow in the Rockies or sun in the desert. Book Mardi Gras and Hawaii early, avoid Presidents’ Day weekend if you can, and choose the deserts if you want warm days at a lower price than the beach.

FAQ

What are the warmest places in the US in February?

Hawaii, the Florida Keys and Miami are the warmest, with highs from the mid-70s to about 80°F. The low deserts of California and Arizona are close behind, with highs around 70°F.

Is Mardi Gras family-friendly?

It can be. Families usually watch from the Uptown parade routes on St. Charles Avenue during the day, away from the French Quarter crowds.

When is the best time to see whales in Maui?

January through March is the peak, and February is often one of the best months. Whales are present from about November to May.

Is February a cheap month to travel?

Some of it is. Early February is often good value, but Mardi Gras, Presidents’ Day weekend and peak beach season make parts of the month expensive.