Visiting the USA in January: Weather, Events & Travel Tips
January is one of the quieter months for US tourism, which means lower hotel rates, shorter queues at major attractions, and genuine off-peak pricing across most of the country. The catch is weather: much of the US is cold, and some regions are reliably wet. That said, the South and Southwest stay mild, Florida draws snowbirds from across the country, and ski resorts in Colorado and Utah are at their prime.
Weather by Region
| Region | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) | Avg High (°C) | Avg Low (°C) | Rainfall | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeast (NYC, Boston) | 38°F | 26°F | 3°C | -3°C | ~3.5 in | Snow likely; pack layers |
| South (Atlanta, New Orleans) | 55°F | 38°F | 13°C | 3°C | ~4 in | Mild days, cold nights |
| Midwest (Chicago, Detroit) | 32°F | 19°F | 0°C | -7°C | ~1.5 in snow | Bitterly cold; wind chill severe |
| Southwest (Phoenix, Las Vegas) | 65°F | 44°F | 18°C | 7°C | ~0.7 in | Sunny and dry; cool evenings |
| West Coast (LA, San Diego) | 68°F | 49°F | 20°C | 9°C | ~2.5 in | Mild; rainy season in California |
January in Phoenix and San Diego is arguably the most comfortable weather in the country — warm enough for shorts in the afternoon, cool enough to sleep without AC.
Major Events in January
Rose Bowl Game — Pasadena, California Held on or around January 1 at the Rose Bowl Stadium (1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena). One of the oldest college football bowl games in the country. Tickets typically run from around $80 for upper deck seats to $400+ for lower bowl. The attached Rose Parade along Colorado Boulevard draws over 700,000 spectators and is free to watch from the street.
New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day (Times Square, NYC) The Times Square ball drop on December 31 rolls into the early hours of January 1. Public viewing is free — arrive by mid-afternoon to secure a good position behind the barriers on Broadway between 43rd and 59th Streets. Hotel rates in Midtown Manhattan peak around December 31 and drop sharply from January 2 onward.
New Orleans King Cake Season Mardi Gras falls in late February or early March, but King Cake season officially begins on January 6 (Epiphany / Twelfth Night) and bakeries across New Orleans start selling the distinctive ring-shaped cake immediately. No ticket required — just show up at local institutions like Randazzo’s (3206 Williams Blvd, Kenner) or Dong Phuong Bakery (14207 Chef Menteur Hwy). Expect to pay around $25–45 for a standard-sized cake.
Sundance Film Festival — Park City, Utah Usually held across ten days in late January, centered on Park City Mountain Resort and venues throughout Park City. Individual screening tickets run approximately $25–$35. Rush tickets (day-of standby) are sometimes available for $5–$15. Accommodation in Park City books out months ahead — consider staying in Salt Lake City (45 minutes away) and driving up.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events The third Monday of January is a federal holiday. Atlanta — King’s birthplace — holds some of the most significant commemorations, including a march from Ebenezer Baptist Church (407 Auburn Ave NE) and events at the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park. Free admission.
Where to Stay
New York City: The Pod 51 Hotel (230 E 51st St) offers compact but well-designed rooms from around $120/night in January — low by NYC standards. For more space, the Arlo Midtown (351 W 38th St) typically runs $150–$200/night in January.
Phoenix / Scottsdale: The Saguaro Scottsdale (4000 N Drinkwater Blvd) is a colorful boutique hotel with a pool that’s genuinely warm enough to use in January. Rates typically $180–$250/night. Budget travelers do well at the Hyatt Place Old Town Scottsdale from around $130/night.
New Orleans: The Ace Hotel New Orleans (600 Carondelet St) sits in the Warehouse District with rooms from around $160/night in January. The cheaper end is served by the India House Hostel (124 S Lopez St) from around $30/night for a dorm bed.
Park City (Sundance): Don’t book in Park City during Sundance unless you’re committed early. The Marriott Park City (1895 Sidewinder Dr) runs $350–$600/night during the festival. Salt Lake City alternatives: the Kimpton Hotel Monaco SLC (15 W 200 S) from $140/night.
Sedona / Phoenix (Southwest): January is one of the best months to hike in the Sedona red rock country — temperatures sit in the mid-50s°F (around 13°C), trails are uncrowded, and the light in winter is exceptional. L’Auberge de Sedona (301 L’Auberge Ln) is the benchmark Sedona property, running approximately $400–$600/night, but the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock (90 Vista Del Lago Dr) offers comparable access to the trails at approximately $200–$320/night as of 2026. Phoenix serves as the logical base for day trips: the Desert Botanical Garden (1201 N Galvin Pkwy, Scottsdale) has its Luminaria event in early January, with tickets approximately $30–$40 per person.
Seattle / Portland (Pacific Northwest): January is the slowest tourist month in the Pacific Northwest, which means hotel rates drop sharply — approximately $120–$180/night for mid-range properties that cost 30–50% more in summer. The cultural case for visiting now is strong: the Seattle Art Museum (1300 First Ave) and the Portland Art Museum (1219 SW Park Ave) are both excellent, and restaurant tables that are impossible to book in summer are available on short notice. The Edgewater Hotel in Seattle (2411 Alaskan Way) — famously built over Puget Sound on piles — runs approximately $200–$280/night in January, down from summer peaks above $400.
Where to Eat
NYC: Joe’s Shanghai (9 Pell St, Chinatown) for soup dumplings around $12–$16 per order. Don’t skip the crab and pork variety. Expect a queue; they don’t take reservations.
Phoenix: Pizzeria Bianco (Heritage Square, 623 E Adams St) is worth the wait. Chris Bianco’s wood-fired pizzas run $18–$24. Arrive at opening (11am) to minimize the line.
New Orleans: Dooky Chase’s Restaurant (2301 Orleans Ave) for Creole classics. Lunch mains run around $20–$35. Leah Chase’s legacy runs deep here — this is serious cooking, not tourist food.
Park City: The Handle Bar (136 Heber Ave) is the best value in town during Sundance — burgers around $16, good beer list, and reliably less crowded than the festival bars.
January Packing List
- Insulated waterproof coat (essential for Northeast and Midwest)
- Thermal base layers (merino wool or synthetic — avoid cotton)
- Waterproof boots with grip for ice (Northeast, Midwest, mountain towns)
- Light jacket or fleece for Southwest evenings
- Scarf, gloves, and a warm hat (Northeast, Chicago non-negotiable)
- Sunscreen — desert sun in Phoenix and Las Vegas is deceptively strong in January
- Umbrella or packable rain jacket (California, Pacific Northwest)
- Layers that pack small — you’ll be moving between heated indoors and cold outdoors frequently
- Hand warmers if you’re attending outdoor events in northern cities
Practical Notes
Hotel rates in most US cities hit annual lows in January (excepting Sundance week in Park City and the first two days of January in NYC). Flights are similarly cheap from roughly January 7 through February. If cost is the priority, this is the best month to fly into most major US airports.
Car rental rates are also low in January — budget companies like Enterprise and National run frequent promotions. Phoenix, in particular, is a strong base for road-tripping to Sedona (2 hours), the Grand Canyon South Rim (3.5 hours), and Tucson (2 hours) in genuinely pleasant winter weather.
The Southwest and Florida are the clear picks for warmth-seekers. The Northeast and Midwest reward visitors who don’t mind the cold with uncrowded museums, empty restaurant tables, and prices that reflect the season honestly.