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Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex

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  • December 3, 2018
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Preserving Artistic and Historical Treasures

Rotunda Exterior Image PA State Capitol Complex
At the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building complex, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the 272-foot, 52 million-pound capitol dome glistens with Vermont granite. It’s topped with a green-glazed terra cotta tile roof and inspired by Michelangelo’s design for St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Photo courtesy of Visit Hershey-Harrisburg
What makes the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building an architectural masterpiece?
You need to schedule a tour of Harrisburg and while you’re in town, add this National Historic Landmark to your itinerary.

Imagine you’re standing in front of the Pennsylvania State Capitol building around the time of its dedication on Oct. 4, 1906. Close your eyes and envision you’re looking skyward at what was considered to be the tallest structure between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The capitol building held that record for 80 years. That must have been quite a sight to behold.

Until my recent Harrisburg travel assignment, I only recall seeing this stately icon from a distance. That’s nothing to brag about considering I’m a life-long Pennsylvania resident. The day I visited couldn’t have been more beautiful as the sunbeam illuminated the dome.

As the traffic whizzed by me on one of Harrisburg’s busiest streets, I took a moment to admire the dome from the sidewalk in front of the complex before I made the climb up the exterior stairs to the entrance. I also realized I had no idea what entrance to use.

While rushing up and down two flights of exterior steps not once but twice on my way to my private tour appointment, I checked my watch and realized I was five minutes late before I entered the building. Blame it on the sprawling complex and multiple sets of doors that confused me.

Fortunately, a bystander pointed me in the right direction in the vicinity of the main entrance and a security guard mapped out my trek to the information desk in the lobby. Minutes later I met my guide who was surrounded by several large groups of visitors who were ready to embark on their tours.

Travel assignments offer many perks and Rick Dunlap, of the Visit Hershey and Harrisburg office, Harrisburg’s official tourism board, arranged my tour as part of a three-day media trip to Hershey and Harrisburg. I left Central Pennsylvania with a significantly greater understanding of why Harrisburg tours are so organized and effortless.

While Harrisburg has remained Pennsylvania’s capital since October 1812, my tour guide, Jill Fetter is a storyteller who in a comparatively short time, learned the full history and stories to keep you entertained throughout your tour. She knows the building inside and out. Jill is the Capitol Visitor Services director and The Pennsylvania Capitol Shop manager in the Main Rotunda and an expert in both the building’s history and design.

As we strolled through the first area, she began by pointing out many of the materials used throughout the complex. In case you didn’t know, Philadelphia architect Joseph Huston (1866-1940), designed the massive capital structure based on his vision of a “Palace of Art” and that’s exactly what you’ll find. The building and furnishings cost $13 billion.

Aside from its obvious grandeur and size, the exterior of the building is a gateway to the splendor you’ll find inside – classic American Renaissance style architecture that’s combined with artistic details that are unspeakably magnificent and illuminated by approximately 4,000 lights and 48 portholes in the dome.

Suffice to say, the building lives up to its reputation as the most beautiful capitol building in our nation. In fact, history has it that President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the capital as “the handsomest building” he ever saw when he attended the dedication of the building.

PA State Capitol Building Architecture Art
A visitor stops for a moment to gaze at the statues and ornamentation as he descended the grand staircase in the main building. Photo by Joan Mead-Matsui

The interior focal point is the grand staircase – an ideal vantage point for visitors to view eight large murals by Philadelphia artists, Edwin Austin Abbey, and the famous Barnard  Statues by George Grey Barnard, and 17-foot bronze doors that each weighs a ton. Keeping your eyes fixed on one element at a time might be difficult for even the most disciplined spectator as your tour guide describes each of the massive installations of stained glass, murals, and paintings crafted by the most talented artisans of that era.

Pennsylvania historical exhibits
Love art? The capitol building is as much a series of exhibits as it is a hub for lawmakers and lobbyists. Photo by Joan Mead-Matsui

Some of the largest rooms feature a European influence with distinctive Renaissance elements – Italian in the House Chamber, French in the Senate Chamber, and English in the Governor’s Reception Room. Add to that mix Greek, Roman and Victorian installations of exquisite art and ornamentation displayed throughout the building.

PA Senate and House Chambers Tours
When the legislature is not in session, you’ll have a chance to gaze at the murals, gold embellishments, custom-crafted lighting fixtures, and exquisite woodwork in the chambers. Photo by Joan Mead-Matsui
Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex Tours
What will you learn during a tour of the PA State Capitol Complex? This massive structure is an ideal opportunity for students of all ages to learn local, state, and national histories, law and politics, and art and architecture. Photo by Joan Mead-Matsui

Historians, politicians, teachers, students, architects, travelers, and anyone with an appreciation for history and art and a fascination with politics and lawmaking, should visit the Pennsylvania State Capitol complex. Architectural students will want to study how Huston, the architect-of-record, incorporated motifs that embody Pennsylvania’s achievements in history, animals, industries, occupations, and modes of transportation into his design. Whether your glance is towards the dome, straight ahead, or under your feet, you’ll find examples of Huston’s affinity for art. One example is the Moravian tiles you’ll see intermingled on the lobby floor. They were designed and manufactured by Henry Chapman Mercer of Doylestown, PA as a way to illustrate and incorporate the talents and wares of local craftsman.

Henry Chapman Mercer Moravian Tiles
As many as 400 tile mosaics by Henry Chapman Mercer, a Doylestown, PA craftsman, are interspersed throughout the first floor of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building Rotunda and nearby corridors. Photo by Joan Mead-Matsui
William B. Van Ingen 24 Stained Glass windows
The “Militia” is one of 24 stained glass windows in the Senate and House Chambers crafted by Philadelphia native William B. Van Ingen. Photo by Joan Mead-Matsui

There’s so much to see and take in at the State Capitol Building. Before you go, download the PA Capitol Self-Guided Tour Mobile app to learn about the self-guided tour stops and how a bill becomes law in PA. You’ll find research additional information in five languages: English, Spanish, French, Italian, and German.

Tours are free and offered every half hour Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. or on weekends and most holidays at 9 and 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. You won’t be able to tour the capitol building on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas day but you’ll have plenty of other options before or after those holidays. I encourage you to register for a tour so won’t miss a detail along the way.

Fill your head with Pennsylvania history and architectural, artistic, and political highlights that will make this building’s incomparable beauty come alive for you. If you decide to wait to schedule your tour until you arrive in Harrisburg, be sure to check the schedule before arriving at the capitol complex.

PA State Capitol Complex Tour Guides
Allow Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex tour guides, Jill Fetter and her staff, to show you around one of Pennsylvania’s most extraordinary buildings.

For help planning your trip to Pennsylvania, visit www.VisitHersheyHarrisburg.org.

My trip was hosted and comped by Visit Hershey & Harrisburg but my opinions are my own and are based on my personal experiences. 

Looking for more Harrisburg articles, check out https://joanmatsuitravelwriter.com/wildwood-park-nature-abounds.

Planning content after a media trip can be daunting but you can simplify your life with the Content Creators Planner, a tool I use to organize my life.

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Central Pennsylvania Arts and Entertainment Central Pennsylvania Attractions Chocolate chocolate attractions Chocolate Manufacturer Custom trips and tours Events Exhibits Food Food and Travel history Holiday Travel Lifestyle Museums Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Attractions and Musuems

Chocolate Dreams Are Sweet

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  • November 12, 2018
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Chocolate Hershey Bar

Hershey Story Museum Tells a Sugary Tale

Melding Chocolate Culture with History

Milton S. Hershey School
The Milton Hershey School, a private, cost-free residential school was founded by Milton Hershey and his wife, Catherine, for children from lower-income families. The lobby mural brings to life the iconic entrepreneur and philanthropist, Milton S. Hershey.  Photo by Joan Mead-Matsui

Chocolate Dreams Are Sweet for visitors to Hershey, PA.  You’ll leave Chocolate Town with the aroma of chocolate embedded in your mind and senses.

Most of all, who doesn’t love a story with a happy ending?

We’ve all heard of extraordinarily successful entrepreneurs and we can’t help but wonder how they rose above the day-to-day challenges associated with running a business. Milton S. Hershey is an individual we can admire for his dream and vision but he wasn’t an instant success.

Where can you learn more about Milton S. Hershey and his legacy?

At the Hershey Story Museum, The Hershey Company’s most recent building endeavor.

The Hershey Story Museum
Learn how Milton S. Hershey rose from rags to riches. Plan a visit to the Hershey Story Museum. Photo by Joan Mead-Matsui

The Hershey museum opened in January 2009 in the heart of downtown Hershey, a magical town where the streetlights are modeled after Hershey Kisses and the aroma within each building is a reminder of why chocolate is a good as gold. More than 160,000 people visit the museum every year.

The story goes that around the turn of the century, chocolate was a booming business and Milton Hershey was so inspired, he sold his caramel business and broke ground for a new chocolate factory in nearby Derry Township, his hometown. For as long as I can remember, the Hershey bar has been a symbol of chocolatey sweetness and the iconic chocolate-colored wrapper that has evolved over the years is also a reminder of days gone by. But it’s more than the chocolate that’s represented in the museum. It’s Milton Hershey’s rag to riches’ story. Walk into a grocery store or anywhere that food is sold and you’ll likely find a product manufactured by the Hershey Company. More than a century after Hershey built his factory, Hershey products are manufactured and savored around the world.

Milton S. Hershey legacy
Buttons. dials and story-board exhibits teach children about Milton S. Hershey and his legacy. Photo by Joan Mead-Matsui

My recent media trip to Hershey was a fascinating mix of chocolate culture. The Hershey Story Museum, 63 West Chocolate Ave., Hershey, Pennsylvania, helps to tie together the entire Hershey experience with a mix of exhibits and archives that will ignite your curiosity about the art of chocolate making and demystify the man who started the company from scratch. Where are the ingredients sourced? Where does Hershey find such large quantities of cocoa beans to mass produce chocolate? Where do the sugar and dairy that are key ingredients in many of products originate? The exhibits answer those questions through visuals and hands-on experimentation that every child and adult should experience at least once.

The Hershey Museum Cuba Exhibit
What was Milton Hershey’s relationship with Cuba? Find out at the exhibit happening at The Hershey Story Museum, Hershey, PA. Photo by Joan Mead-Matsui

Milton S. Hershey Cuba Award
Discover why Milton S. Hershey’s was awarded
the “Grand Cross of the National Order of Carlos Manuel de Céspedes” by Cuba’s president in 1933. Image courtesy of The Hershey Story Museum.

The “Failures to Fortunes” exhibit is one that particularly illustrates how determination can result in ultimate success. Milton S. Hershey found success while at the Lancaster Caramel Company and grew his company from there into a booming chocolate business. Each piece in the exhibits is presented so they appeal to adults and children. 

Don’t leave the museum without stopping at The Pantry Cafe for coffee, sweets and confections, a smoothie, breakfast and lunch sandwiches and salads and other treats to round out your museum experience.

Come to the museum as a family or plan a school field or scout trip to the museum. Winter can be long and boring. Check out the calendar of events here and beat the January and February blues at The Hershey Story Museum.

Chocolate World
What do you love most about chocolate? The taste, smooth texture, or the creaminess that melts in your mouth, or all of the above? I’d love to know your answer. Please leave a comment on the form below and share your thoughts on Instagram at #ChocolateWorld.

Hershey Chocolate World

The Hershey Story Museum is only a few Hershey Kiss miles away (nine minutes) from Hershey’s Chocolate World, another extraordinarily popular attraction. This one is free. You can board the chocolate making tour and find and smell the outrageous chocolate aroma throughout your tour.  Hershey’s famous characters tell the story of chocolate making that begins with cocoa beans and ends with the wrapping process.

Chocolate Hershey Bar
The M.S. Hershey timeline helps keep the evolution of Milton Hershey’s cherished business in perspective. Photo by Joan Mead-Matsui

chocolate tours
Hershey’s famous characters greet you around each bend and help describe the chocolate-making process. Photo by Joan Mead-Matsui

Find your seat on the indoor tour tram. Tours run continuously throughout the day every 30 minutes (during business hours) and it’s WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE. After you’ve learned everything you should know about chocolate making, head to the 3D Chocolate Mystery Show and by that time, oh, you’ll be ready to create your own candy bar. The fun continues with the Hershey Trolley Tour, a seasonal way to view the incredible array of attractions Hershey offers its visitors. Book your tickets in advance online for the Holly Jolly Trolley that’ll delight your children. Or stop at the Central Ticketing office to purchase tickets. Caroling, stories, and a visit from a special guest will keep you entertained and set you in a holiday mode.

I visited Hershey in late summer and early fall and arrived to find flowers in bloom and meticulously manicured grounds and a flurry of activity.  Each season brings something new in this old-fashioned town. Put down your electronic devices so you can appreciate the farmlands and rolling hills that lead to Hershey. Play a game about what you see, or count the number of cows along the way to prepare your family for the attractions that will greet them at Hershey.

For more information about Hershey and Harrisburg attractions, and other Chocolate Dreams are Sweet examples of Milton S. Hershey’s legacy. Visit www.VisitHersheyHarrisburg.org for a complete list of Hershey attractions.

My trip was hosted and comped by Visit Hershey & Harrisburg but my opinions are my own and are based on my personal experiences. 

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best warm weather beaches Fishing Destinations FlightNetwork Holiday Travel Lifestyle The World's 50 Best Beaches Travel Agencies list of 50 best beaches Travel and Leisure

Plan the Perfect Beach Vacation

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  • November 29, 2017
Plan the Perfect Beach Vacation at one of the World's 50 Best Beaches.
We all need to unwind from time to time. Plan the Perfect Beach Vacation at one of the World’s 50 Best Beaches.

Get Your Slice of Beach Paradise 

The World’s 50 Best Beaches List 

What’s the best beach you’ve visited? I’d love to know your opinion. Email me with your choice and I’ll publish the name of your favorite beach here at joanmatsuitravelwriter.com. 

After a very long year of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, you’re probably ready for a getaway. If you’re yearning for the ultimate relaxing beach vacation, set your sights on this list and know that FlightNetwork weighed in with more than 600 of the world’s best travel journalists, editors, bloggers, and agencies to get you the answers. Surely, you’ll find paradise and ditch your stress and worries. 

Most of us yearn for the relaxation that comes with a beach getaway. I was thrilled when I was asked to weigh in with my choices for “The World’s 50 Best Beaches.” Follow this link to the website where “The World’s 50 Best Beaches” article is published and learn more about each of these heavenly destinations.

This is by far, the most definitive list of beaches ever assembled and a truly diverse collection of beach paradise around the globe, according to FlightNetwork, a Canadian-based company that provides global travelers with competitive airfares, hotels, vacation packages, and car rentals.

 

The company is sure this list will inspire you to book a getaway to one of these incredible beaches where you can sink your toes in the sand and get your beach fix. 

Whether you yearn for powder-white beaches, swaying palm trees, turquoise waters, volcanic coastlines, or snow-capped mountain peaks, FlightNetwork’s list, along with vibrant photos, is probably all you’ll need to visualize what could be your reprieve from snow and cold weather.

Is your curiosity piqued? What makes these beaches rank among the 50 Best Beaches? You’ll get the answers and travel planning advice from this list. 

Name of Beach Rank Region/City/Island Country
Grace Bay 1 Providenciales Turks & Caicos
Whitehaven Beach 2 Whitsunday Islands Australia
Anse Lazio 3 Praslin Seychelles
Pink Sands Beach 4 Harbour Island Bahamas
Navagio Beach 5 Zakynthos Greece
Baia Dos Porcos 6 Fernando de Noronha Brazil
Playa Paraiso 7 Tulum Mexico
Hyams Beach 8 Jervis Bay Australia
Hidden Beach 9 Marietas Islands Mexico
Trunk Bay 10 St. John US Virgin Islands
Maya Bay 11 Koh Phi Phi Ley Thailand
Pig Beach 12 Big Major Cay Bahamas
Blue Lagoon 13 Yasawa Islands Fiji
El Nido 14 Palawan Phillipines
Muri Beach 15 Rarotonga Cook Islands
Saltwhistle Bay 16 Mayreau St. Vincent & Grenadines
Half Moon Bay 17 Antigua Antigua
Lucky Bay 18 Western Australia Australia
Flamenco Beach 19 Culebra Puerto Rico
Reynisfjara Beach 20 Iceland Iceland
Ile Aux Cerfs 21 Mauritius Phillipines
Fulhadhoo Beach 22 Fulhadhoo Island Maldives
Vaeroy 23 Lofoten Norway
Cayo Coco 24 Cayo Coco Cuba
Seven Mile Beach 25 Grand Cayman Cayman Islands
Anse Source d’Argent 26 La Digue Seychelles
Horseshoe Bay 27 Bermuda Bermuda
Honokalani Beach 28 Hawaii USA
Turquoise Bay 29 Western Australia Australia
Elafonissi Beach 30 Crete Greece
Champagne Beach 31 Espiritu Santo Vanuata
Tunnels Beach 32 Kauai USA
Kaputas Beach 33 Turkey Turkey
Dhigurah Island 34 Dhigurah Island Maldives
Ile aux Nattes 35 Dhigurah Island Madagascar
Cala Goloroitze 36 Sardinia Italy
Los Roques 37 Los Roques Venezuela
Long Beach 38 Vancouver Island Canada
Grand Anse Beach 39 Grenada Grenada
Boulders Beach 40 Cape Peninsula South Africa
Lanikai Beach 41 Hawaii USA
Cala Mitjana 42 Menorca Spain
Shoal Bay Beach 43 Anguilla Anguilla
One Foot Island 44 Aitutaki Cook Islands
Ao Nang Beach 45 Krabi Thailand
Radhanagar Beach 46 Havelock Island India
Eagle Beach 47 Aruba Aruba
Agiba Beach 48 Egypt Egypt
Diani Beach 49 Kenya Kenya
Cannon Beach 50 Oregon USA
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Downhill Sking Food and Travel Holiday Travel Lifestyle Ski Resorts Ski Vermont Snowmaking in Vermont Travel and Leisure Vermont Alpine Resort Links Vermont Resorts Vermont Ski Vermont Ski Resorts Open Early World-class snowmaking

Vermont Resorts Open Early

  • By
  • November 16, 2017

Wax Your Skis and Head to Vermont

 

Resorts in the Green Mountain state boast an early, strong opening

 

Earliest Opening in Five Years

 

Information Courtesy of /PRNewswire-PRWeb: MONTPELIER, Vt., Nov. 16, 2017

When Mother Nature hands out cold weather, Vermonters make snow with it, and November’s chilly temperatures coupled with the Green Mountain State’s world-class snowmaking power allowed for Vermont’s resorts to open early and open strong for the 2017-18 season.

Killington Resort stayed true to their legacy by being the first Eastern resort to open on November 8 and Mount Snow Resort took home a new accolade by opening on November 11 with the most open terrain East of the Rockies with 108 acres. Okemo Mountain Resort also began spinning their lifts on November 11. “This was our earliest opening in five years,” said Okemo Vice President and General Manager Bruce Schmidt. Come Thanksgiving weekend, skiers and snowboarders will have access to over half of Vermont’s mountains, with most major resorts opening by Friday, November 24.

Thanks to a successful 2016-17 season, skiers and snowboarders are eager to return to the slopes of Vermont’s alpine resorts this winter. “We’re seeing really strong demand from both the U.S. and Canadian markets,” said Jay Peak Resort’s Director of Communications JJ Toland. “The Toronto ski show posted a record amount of bookings and revenue, virtually selling out the 10-day Ontario break in March. The Boston Snowsports Expo experienced that type of compression with December and February timeframes selling out and on the season pass front, Jay Peak is pacing 22% ahead in unit sales against the 2016-17 season.”

Thanksgiving in Vermont will once again go down in history as the world’s fastest female ski racers prepare for their return to Killington Resort for the Audi FIS Ski World Cup. Last year, a record-breaking 30,000 fans descended upon the Killington Village as Vermonters and visitors alike cheered in unison for the event’s return to the East Coast and Vermont.  “When it comes to snowmaking and grooming, we have some of the best team members and tools in the industry to prepare Killington for the winter season and World Cup on Thanksgiving weekend,” said Mike Solimano, President and General Manager of Killington Resort. The free event will take place Thanksgiving weekend, November 24-26.

As one season ends, another begins, and Vermont’s resorts spend each season bettering themselves to the next. New this season, snowmaking upgrades have been made across the state. Investments like Mount Snow Resort’s $30 million-dollar West Lake Water Project, Bolton Valley’s expanded line of guns and hoses, Burke Mountain’s installation of 13,400 feet. of new snowmaking pipe, and Stratton Mountain Resort’s switch to electric compressors, which resulted in a 40% decrease in diesel use, all continue to prove that Vermont’s resorts truly are at the forefront of sustainable and efficient resort practices.

While the snowmaking upgrades get skiers and snowboarders on the slopes faster, new RFID gates at Sugarbush Resort and Smugglers’ Notch Resort will get visitors out of the lift line and back on the hill quicker than before. Magic Mountain’s two new lifts, the 170’ Magic Carpet and the base to mid-mountain, Green Chair Lift, will open up novice and intermediate terrain to skiers and snowboarders, allowing for a better learning experience and more time spent going down the hill rather than up.

Off-slope renovations at resorts span from the family-friendly Adventure Center at Stowe Mountain Resort to the Fun Zone 2.0 at Smugglers’ Notch Resort and Jay Peak Resort’s new Clip and Reel indoor movie theater and rock wall facility.  Skiers and riders can après at Suicide Six Ski Area in Perley’s Pourhouse bar with their new 6-tap system or relax on Bromley Mountain Resort’s completely refurbished sun deck, complete with cozy fire pits.

Winter has arrived in the Green Mountain State and Vermont’s resorts are ready and eager to welcome in new faces and old friends for the holidays and beyond. Stay up to date with all winter happenings by receiving Ski Vermont’s daily snow reports.

Winter is Here: Early Season Updates at Vermont Resorts

Vermont’s Resorts are the Place to Call “Home” this Holiday Season: https://skivermont.com/vermonts-resorts-are-the-place-to-call-home-this-holiday-season

World Class Snowmaking in the Green Mountains: https://skivermont.com/skivt-blog/2151/2017/09/25/world-class-snowmaking-in-the-green-mountains/

2017-18 Ski Vermont Opening Dates: https://skivermont.com/2017-18-ski-vermont-opening-dates-11-07-17

Vermont Ski Resorts Rally Support for the World Cup at Killington Resort with $50,000 Sponsorship: https://skivermont.com/vermont-ski-resorts-rally-support-for-the-world-cup-at-killington-resort-with-50000-sponsorship

What’s New for the 2017-18 Ski and Snowboard Season in Vermont: https://skivermont.com/skivt-blog/2106/2017/08/31/whats-new-for-the-2017-18-ski-and-snowboard-season-in-vermont/

Turning Up the Effort and Off the Lights: Sustainable Practices at Vermont Resorts: https://skivermont.com/skivt-blog/2147/2017/09/25/turning-up-the-effort-and-off-the-lights-sustainable-practices-at-vermont-resorts/

Ski Vermont Snow Report: https://skivermont.com/conditions

 

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Best Cold and Warm Weather Holiday Destinations Holiday Travel

2017’s Best Winter Holiday Destinations

  • By
  • October 31, 2017
2017 Best Winter Holiday Destinations

 

Do you have a hankering to travel?

The Best Cold and Warm Winter Holiday Destinations 

 

WalletHub, the personal finance website, released its 2017’s Best Winter Holiday Destinations report today.

The study is a supplement to its money-saving selection of the Best Travel Credit Cards. 

Information provided courtesy of WalletHub.

Washington (October 31, 2017)
Focusing on cost and convenience rather than scenic beauty, WalletHub’s analysts compared more than 60 of the largest U.S. metro areas grouped by warm and cold weather. Each destination was analyzed based on 32 key metrics, primarily the expense and hassle of traveling to each location but also on other indicators, such as weather forecasts, safety and variety of activities.

Here’s a quick glimpse at some of the report’s most interesting findings:

 

Best Cold Destinations for Winter Travel Best Warm Destinations for Winter Travel
1 Chicago, IL 1 Orlando, FL
2 Portland, OR 2 Las Vegas, NV
3 Washington, DC 3 San Diego, CA
4 Pittsburgh, PA 4 Austin, TX
5 New York, NY 5 Los Angeles, CA
6 Seattle, WA 6 Houston, TX
7 Minneapolis, MN 7 San Antonio, TX
8 Philadelphia, PA 8 San Francisco, CA
9 Boston, MA 9 Tucson, AZ
10 Denver, CO 10 New Orleans, LA

 

Best vs. Worst

 

  • The average flight to a popular cold winter destination costs $277.61, lasts 3 hours and 49 minutes, and has 0.38 connections. In comparison, the average flight to a popular warm winter destination costs $407.43, lasts 5 hours and 59 minutes, and has 0.59 connections.

 

  • Among cold destinations, Albuquerque, New Mexico, has the lowest price for a three-star hotel room, $37, which is 2.6 times lower than in New York, the city with the highest at $98.

 

  • Among cold destinations, New York has the most restaurants (per square root of the population), 10.52, which is 10.1 times more than in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the city with the fewest at 1.04.

 

  • Among warm destinations, Orlando, Florida, has the most restaurants (per square root of the population), 6.06, which is 22.4 times more than in Deltona, Florida, the city with the fewest at 0.27.

 

Cold Weather Destinations Map:

Source: WalletHub

Warm Weather Destinations Map:

Source: WalletHub

To view the full report and your metro area’s rank, please visit:

https://wallethub.com/edu/best-winter-holiday-destinations/7930/

 

 About WalletHub:

WalletHub is a personal finance website that empowers consumers to make smarter financial decisions — from getting the best credit card and car insurance policy to identifying the best city to live and start a career. WalletHub does so by providing consumer-friendly tools that leverage big data and user reviews.

 

 

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