Discovering a new winter wonderland just got easier.
The state of Maine was ranked the best winter travel destination in the United States, renowned for its heavy snowfall and cold weather activities. The rankings, which were released by online tarot reading site Tarotoo and shared with Travel + Leisure, recognized the Northeast state’s snow globe-like setting, large number of holiday markets (there are 26), and impressive 19 different ski resorts.
“Beyond skiing, Maine’s frozen lakes, snow-dusted forests, and rugged coastline make it a haven for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and cozy cabin getaways, a quintessential New England winter,” the company wrote in its report.
Fans of the winter season should consider heading to Freeport, Maine, which is home to the headquarters of L.L. Bean. Each winter, the retailer hosts a series of “Northern Lights” events complete with festive photo opportunities with Santa Claus, crafts, and more.
Travelers to Maine can also visit its largest city of Portland, which hosts festive activities like special trips aboard The Polar Express or the Holiday on the Rocks, which has over 100,000 holiday lights, a holiday market, and ice sculpting demonstrations.
Maine can also be a haven for anyone hoping to see a White Christmas. Last year, several counties across the state received over eight inches of snow on Christmas Eve, according to WMTW.
“More places in Maine are staying open-year round, to become more accessible and affordable for travelers,” Maine resident and hospitality publicist Carla Tracy said in an interview. “The same renowned culinary experiences travelers come for in the summer are available year round.”
The region is also home to amazing hotels, like The Norumbega in Camden, which was recently recognized as the best inn within the continental U.S. by T+L readers.
After Maine, the state of Michigan came in second on the list. That was aided by the state’s more than 59 inches of snow each year and 43 ski resorts, and complimented by cities like Detroit and Grand Rapids, which offer a “festive urban flair.”
New Hampshire took the third spot, boasting 14 different Christmas markets, according to the study, along with “cozy small-town charm, particularly in places like Portsmouth.”
The states of Vermont and Alaska rounded out the top five best winter destinations. For its part, Alaska is famously home to the city of North Pole, which keeps the Christmas spirit alive all year long and features Santa Claus House “where it’s Christmas every day.”
