Washington, D.C., has landed among the country’s top winter travel destinations, according to a new study from WalletHub. The 2026 ranking placed the D.C. metropolitan area at No. 6 among the best cold-weather destinations in the U.S., evaluating everything from travel costs and attractions to weather and safety.
The results offer another reason for visitors to consider the nation’s capital for a winter getaway, particularly those looking for a destination with plenty to see and do throughout the colder months.
D.C. Ranks No. 6 Among The Best Winter Holiday Destinations
WalletHub’s 2026 Best Winter Holiday Destinations study ranked the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan area sixth among 32 cold-weather destinations, earning an overall score of 60.30 out of 100.
The ranking puts the D.C. area behind Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, New York City and Cincinnati. The study’s cold-weather category includes destinations with an average December temperature of 46 degrees Fahrenheit or lower, based on historical averages.
The study assessed nearly 70 U.S. metropolitan areas across two groups — warm- and cold-weather destinations — using 37 metrics across six categories: travel costs and hassles, local costs, attractions, weather, activities and safety.
Rather than focusing exclusively on a destination’s scenery or seasonal appeal, WalletHub’s analysis emphasizes the cost and convenience of visiting, along with the variety of attractions and activities available to travelers.
The D.C. Area Scored Highly For Attractions And Weather
One of the Washington region’s strongest results was its selection of attractions. The D.C. metro area ranked fourth among the 32 cold-weather destinations for attractions, placing it among the top cities in the category.
That result reflects the breadth of things visitors can experience in the region, from the Smithsonian museums and the National Gallery of Art to historic landmarks, cultural institutions and seasonal events. Winter visitors can also explore the capital’s holiday displays, festive markets and ice-skating opportunities, depending on event dates and operating schedules.
The region also ranked fifth for weather in the cold-weather category, another strong result in the study’s assessment of winter travel conditions.
Travel convenience was another relative strength: the D.C. area ranked seventh for travel costs and hassles. However, the results were less favorable in some other categories. The region placed 27th for local costs and 21st for safety among the 32 cold-weather destinations, showing that its overall ranking reflects a combination of strengths and weaknesses rather than a top score in every category.
Which Cities Ranked Ahead Of Washington, D.C.?
Atlanta claimed the top spot in WalletHub’s 2026 ranking of cold-weather winter holiday destinations, followed by Chicago and St. Louis.
New York City came in fourth, while Cincinnati rounded out the top five. Washington, D.C., followed in sixth place, ahead of Denver, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Boston, which completed the top 10.
The results are based on WalletHub’s weighted scoring system, which combines each destination’s performance across the six categories. The rankings are relative to other destinations in the same weather group, rather than a comparison of all warm- and cold-weather cities in a single list.
For travelers planning a winter trip, the findings suggest that the D.C. region stands out for its attractions and overall travel convenience, even as local expenses remain a potential consideration.
Read the full study on WalletHub’s website.
