Holiday guide. February.
Where to go for Presidents' Day Weekend
The peak of the ski season and the Caribbean high season in the same week. Pick your warm or your snow early, or pick the week after.
The straight answer
The best Presidents' Day weekend trips are Hawaii and Los Cabos for peak whale season, Costa Rica and the Riviera Maya for dry-season beaches, the big Western ski resorts for deep snow, and New Orleans when Carnival falls close to the holiday.
The best Presidents' Day weekend trips are warm-weather escapes at the height of their dry seasons, Hawaii and Los Cabos in the peak of whale season, and New Orleans when Carnival parades roll close to the holiday. Skiers find the Western resorts at their deepest snow, and history-minded families can head to Washington DC and Mount Vernon for George Washington's birthday.
Presidents' week is one of the busiest travel weeks of the winter. In the Northeast, many schools take the whole week, so Vermont and New Hampshire ski resorts hit their peak, and flights to Florida, the Caribbean, and Mexico from New York and Boston climb toward Christmas levels. Orlando's parks are packed. Book early or accept peak pricing.
If you have flexibility, travel the week after Presidents' Day or in early March. Caribbean and Mexican weather is identical, whale season continues, and Western ski resorts often have even better snow. Homeschool families can take the first two weeks of February, when crowds are thin almost everywhere.
The world, ranked for Presidents' Day Weekend
Each pick opens its February page, with weather, crowds and what is on.
Book Los Cabos for Presidents' Day Weekend.
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- Hotels for February
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Los CabosOpens a hotel search for Los Cabos in February, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Los CabosWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Los CabosTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Los Cabos for February. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Closer to home
The US picks for this week, from a long weekend drive to a national park.
Hawaii
Hawaii
February is peak humpback whale season off Maui, with whales often visible from shore along the Kihei and Kaanapali coasts. Warm, highs near 80F (27C).
New Orleans
Louisiana
Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) falls between early February and early March, and the Carnival parades roll for about two weeks before it. In many years, Presidents' weekend lands in the parade season.
Washington, DC and Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon typically marks George Washington's birthday with events and a wreath-laying at his tomb, and the Smithsonian museums are quiet in February. Cold, highs near 47F (8C).
Utah ski country
Utah
Deep midwinter snowpack, several resorts under an hour from the Salt Lake City airport, and good snow reliability. Presidents' week is busy; ski early.
Colorado ski country
Colorado
February is often one of the best snow months. Book lodging and ski school early for Presidents' week.
Key West and the Florida Keys
Florida
Dry season, highs near 76F (24C), and the warmest weather in the continental US. Peak season rates.
Arizona desert
Arizona
Sedona, Scottsdale, and Tucson in sunny 65F to 70F (18C to 21C) weather. Spring training baseball camps usually open in the second half of February.
San Diego
California
Mild, highs near 66F (19C), and gray whales passing offshore. A calm, low-stress family weekend.
Skip this week
- New England ski resorts during Presidents' week. Many Northeast schools take the whole week off, so Vermont and New Hampshire resorts have their busiest days of the season.
- Orlando theme parks. Presidents' week is one of the busiest weeks of the winter at Walt Disney World and Universal.
- Europe's ski resorts during half-term. UK half-term and the staggered French and German school holidays fill the Alps in mid to late February.
- The Caribbean with a last-minute booking. February is peak season. By January, the best rooms are gone and the rest are expensive.
The booking playbook
- 01Book Presidents' Day flights and lodging by early fall, especially for ski towns and the Caribbean.
- 02If you are in the Northeast and your district takes the whole week, consider flying out on the Monday or Tuesday and returning the following Sunday.
- 03For Mardi Gras in New Orleans, check the date first. Fat Tuesday falls 47 days before Easter, so it moves between early February and early March.
- 04The week after Presidents' Day is one of the best-value weeks of the winter. Same weather, same snow, lower prices.
- 05Use a multi-resort ski pass bought in the fall for the biggest savings over window tickets.
With kids in tow
- Whale watching in Hawaii or Los Cabos is a highlight for kids, with whales often visible from shore.
- Mount Vernon and the Smithsonian make Presidents' Day a real history lesson.
- Homeschool families: the first two weeks of February are quiet almost everywhere, with the same weather as Presidents' week.
- For New Orleans Carnival with kids, stick to the Uptown parade route on St. Charles Avenue, where families set up with ladders and chairs.
Presidents' Day Weekend, quick answers
When is Presidents' Day?
Presidents' Day is the third Monday in February, so the holiday Monday falls between February 15 and February 21. Many Northeast schools take the whole week.
Where should I go for Presidents' Day weekend?
Hawaii and Los Cabos for whale season, Costa Rica and the Riviera Maya for dry-season beaches, Utah and Colorado for skiing, and New Orleans when Carnival falls close to the holiday.
Is Presidents' week busy for skiing?
Yes, one of the busiest weeks of the season, especially in New England. Western resorts are busy too.
Is Mardi Gras on Presidents' Day weekend?
Sometimes. Mardi Gras falls 47 days before Easter, between early February and early March, and in many years the parade season overlaps Presidents' Day weekend.
Where is warm in February?
Hawaii, Costa Rica, the Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, Puerto Rico, Key West, and the Arizona desert are all warm or mild in February.
Other holiday weeks
MLK Weekend
January
The first long weekend of the year lands in the dead of winter. Go chase sun, powder, or the history the holiday is named for.
Winter Break Ski Trips
December, January, February, March
Four holiday weeks, every family on the same lifts. Pick the resort by the snow and the calendar, not the brand name.
Spring Break
March, April
The week the whole country goes somewhere warm at the same time. Pick the right warm, or pick a different week.
Christmas Week
December
The most expensive, most crowded week of the travel year. Go somewhere Christmas is the whole point, or somewhere Christmas is not a thing at all.
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