5 Amazing Places Around the World to Visit in February

  Ski slopes in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Updated December 19, 2024

If you're sticking to rodent-based weather forecasts, February 2 is a crucial day to plan a trip this month: That's when the groundhog in the U.S. will let us know whether it's time to pack our gear for spring or embrace the cold for a few more weeks. Luckily, February is a great time of year for all kinds of vacations, whether it's skiing without the crowds, chasing the northern lights in one of the world's most remote cities, or finding sun on a culturally rich Caribbean island. Here are 12 destinations where we're having a blast this winter.

1.  Lima, Peru

For adventurers and gourmets

Average temperature: 20°C - 27°C

Ceviche from Kjolle restaurant in Lima, Peru.

In February, Lima residents take advantage of the warm weather to head to nearby beach resorts, leaving the city a little emptier than usual. That’s handy when you’re trying to book a table at one of the city’s top restaurants, three of which recently made the World’s 50 Best list: Maita (#41), where the tasting menu includes alpaca and paiche, a giant Amazonian fish; Kjolle (#16), led by Pia Leon, voted the best chef in the world; and Maido (#5), which specializes in Nikkei cuisine , a fusion of Peruvian and Japanese influences.

And be sure to check out Central , which topped last year’s list (it’s not ranked this year because previous winners aren’t included in the Best of the Best list). The multi-course menu is divided by altitude, with ingredients sourced from the Pacific Coast to the Andes. Enjoy a treat at one of the city’s incredible museums, like the Museo de Arte de Lima or the Museo Larco , housed in an 18th-century mansion.

2.  Washington 

Suitable for history buffs

Average temperature: -2.7 °C — +8 °C

Martin Luther King Memorial (left); interior of Frederick Douglass House and National Historic Landmark (right)

You could spend all of February in D.C. , but even that wouldn’t be enough time to take in all the Black History Month events. The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial is an obvious first stop, then head to neighborhoods like Shaw (where the U Street corridor is known as Black Broadway) and Anacostia, home to the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site . Check out black-owned bookstores like Mahogany Books (dedicated to books for, by, and about people of the African diaspora) and Loyalty Bookstores (founded by queer African American bookseller Hannah Oliver Depp), as well as cafes, boutiques, and restaurants, from classics like 67-year-old Ben’s Chili Bowl to newer Trinidadian spots like Cane .

Also worth checking out is everything happening at the Smithsonian museums, including the Basquiat exhibit at the Hirshorn Museum and Sculpture Garden and the Black Women Activists exhibit at the National Museum of African American History and Culture . No matter what your itinerary, make sure to stay at the Salamander Washington DC, owned by BET founder Sheila K. Johnson, America’s first black female billionaire, which recently opened a new restaurant led by top Nigerian-American chef Kwame Onwuachi.

3.  Schweitzer, Idaho

Ski lovers without the crowds

Average temperature: -7.7 °C — -1.5 °C

   Schweitzer Ski Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Idaho's Valley of the Sun has a well-earned reputation as one of America's top ski destinations —and the crowds, as they are now. For incredible liftless terrain, head north to the Idaho Panhandle at the state's largest ski resort, Schweitzer , which, despite its impressive 2,900 acres, remains underrated . (Though considered family-friendly, be warned that the terrain is challenging.) The area offers panoramic views of Montana, Washington, and even Canada.

February also brings the Winter Carnival to Sandpoint, giving travelers and locals alike the chance to enjoy tubing, twilight skiing, sleigh rides, and the Parade of Lights or the K9 Keg Pull. Stay at the 31-room Humbird Alpine Lodge with ski-in/ski-out access, decorated with vintage photographs from the Bonner County History Museum .

4.  Phillip Island, Australia

For lovers of wild nature

Average temperature: 14.5 °C - 23.5 °C

   Nobby Beach Promenade, Phillip Island.

February is a summer month in Australia, but the hot weather is no obstacle to interacting with penguins. Phillip Island , located 90 minutes from Melbourne , is home to the world's largest colony of little penguins (yes, that's the official name). They are about 30 cm tall. Every evening at sunset, you can watch an amazing spectacle, which locals affectionately call the penguin parade : thousands of birds returning to their nests. Helpful tip: Pay extra for a place in the underground viewing platform and watch them move right at eye level.

Summer is also a great time to visit the Koala Sanctuary , with plenty of treetop walkways to spot wildlife. When it’s time to relax, settle in at Glen Isla House , a cosy B&B with a private garden and direct access to the beach.

5.  Palm Springs, California

For lovers of mid-century architecture

Average temperature: 9 °C - 23 °C

  Gardens at Sunnylands Center in Palm Springs

With temperatures finally out of the sweltering triple-digit territory, it’s time to lounge by the pool and explore all this resort town has to offer, especially its mid-century modern architecture. Every February, Palm Springs hosts Modernism Week, an 11-day event featuring walking, biking, and double-decker bus tours of famous homes and gardens, including the Annenberg Estate in Sunnyland . A midweek day out is a great way to avoid the crowds. But Palm Springs is such a beautiful place that you don’t need to take a formal tour to appreciate the architecture. You’ll see icons of modernism everywhere, from City Hall to the visitor center , housed in a 1960s gas station designed by Albert Frey.

Sleek, futuristic style can be appreciated from the comfort of your hotel room at the Parker Palm Springs , which opened in 1959 as California's first holiday inn, or the Ace Hotel & Swim Club , converted from a 1965 Howard Johnson motor lodge.