Taking the travel temperature
San Antonio warms up new list of hottest winter vacation destinations
If you’re hunting for a warm-weather destination this winter, you might just look in your own backyard.
San Antonio ranks sixth on a new WalletHub list of the best winter destinations for lovers of warm weather.
Obviously, the ranking excludes any mention of last winter’s crippling ice storm that ravaged all of Texas.
To determine the best winter destinations, WalletHub compared 69 of the most populated U.S. metros across six categories: travel costs and hassles, local costs, attractions, weather, activities, and safety.
The Alamo City performs well in the travel costs and hassles category (No. 6) and local costs (No. 8). It lands at No. 11 for both attractions and activities and No. 12 for weather, but ranks No. 28 for safety.
Texas heats up the list of top warm-weather destinations, with Austin at No. 1, Dallas-Fort Worth at No. 4, and Houston at No. 5. Behind Austin in the winter-weather ranking are No. 2 Las Vegas and No. 3 San Diego.
“The outlook for the winter travel season looks good. Drive-to destinations will still be preferred for most travelers,” Stacy Tomas, assistant professor of hospitality and tourism management at Oklahoma State University, tells WalletHub.
“Traveling within your region is a great way to have a fun and relaxing trip while also saving time and money,” she adds. “It is also a great way to spend money locally, with small businesses, which are the backbone of the travel industry.”
