The clocks have fallen backward, the dark nights have descended and there's a chill in the air. Yes, winter is right around the corner and with it comes the opportunity to explore some destinations that may have gotten overlooked earlier in the year. Whether you want to play in the snow or attend an event that can only be experienced at this time of year, it's time to embrace the best that the season has to offer.

Sure, the waterfalls of DeSoto State Park are divine in summer, but just wait until you see them surrounded by a sprinkling of snow. The highlands of Alabama get frostier than you may expect, which makes getting cozy in a local bed & breakfast even more fun. The region is also home to Cloudmont Ski & Golf Resort, which lays claim to being the country's southeasternmost ski resort.

You may be met with a perplexed look if you tell someone you are heading here in winter, but there are a ton of reasons to visit Alaska this time of year-and the most beautiful ones dance overhead at night. The northern lights are at their best when it's dark outside and Fairbanks is the finest base for the show. The town also hosts the magical World Ice Art Championships each winter, too.

The Grand Canyon never closes and to view this wonder blanketed with snow is to truly see it in a spectacular new light. Snowstorms are often followed by crisp, sunny days and you'll have extra elbow room in the national park during winter. Cap off your visit with a round of skiing at the Arizona Snowbowl in nearby Flagstaff.

There's no better way to come in from the cold than by soaking in one of Hot Springs' famous mineral baths. You're sure to feel rejuvenated afterward and you'll need the energy for exploring the shops, restaurants and historic sights of this grand town.

You can certainly appreciate the stunning natural splendor of Death Valley all year-round, but winter is the season when the weather is most welcoming. Expect pleasant, sunny days ideal for exploring on foot and cool, clear nights perfect for stargazing.

There aren't many places more associated with winter fun than Colorado. You can certainly play in powder and traverse snow-dusted backcountry all over the state, but the Vail Valley is home to two of the biggest and the best resorts: Vail and Beaver Creek.

Home to Yale University, New Haven is ideal for a snowy getaway in a gorgeous setting. Explore the campus and venture out to nearby small towns to pretend you're living as they do in winter on Gilmore Girls. New Haven is also an underrated foodie city full of diverse international delights to warm your taste buds.

Walk along the windswept and snow-covered sands of Cape Henlopen State Park before heading to the state's most fun holiday event: WonderFEST. Here, you can view a dazzling drive-through light display, visit a Christmas village and skate on an open-air ice rink.

Not all of the season's fun involves bundling up. Miami is at its best in winter as locals and tourists from all over the world flock to its beaches and hotel pools in droves-and no one is dressing in layers. And in February 2020, it's the home of the Super Bowl.

When the temperature drops in northeast Georgia, embrace the chill in the Bavarian-themed town of Helen. December is the perfect time to visit to take in the atmospheric Christmas market, while the rest of the winter is the ideal time to hole up in a cabin in the hills in front of a fireplace.

Winter is peak tourist season in Hawaii, so make for the island of Kauai in order to experience smaller crowds and bigger landscapes. The contours of Waimea Canyon and the jagged cliffs of Napali Coast never fail to disappoint or leave visitors breathless.

Sun Valley and its surrounds come alive in the wintertime, as people come from all over the country-and the world-arrive to experience its renowned powder. December also features a Winter Wonderland festival, which is ideal for families.

There's no denying that winter in the Windy City can chill your bones, but that doesn't mean it isn't a great place to visit. Around the holidays, the Christkindlmarket, one of the most authentic Christmas markets in the USA, breathes life into the city while Millenium Park is home to outdoor ice skating. The city's social and sports calendars don't slow down for a second, either.

Located on the fringes of Hoosier National Forest, this grand resort stays lively all winter. Explore the woods of the forest to see the best of winter landscapes before retreating to the stately West Baden Springs Hotel and its awe-inspiring domed ceiling and atrium. Then, head for the ski slopes of nearby Paoli Peaks.

This town on the Mississippi River makes for a great getaway all year-round, but in winter visitors get to rub feathers with magnificent bald eagles. Enjoy spotting these seasonal residents from the bluffs above the river at Bellevue State Park before crossing over into Illinois to do some skiing at Chestnut Mountain Resort.

While there can defintely be some cold breezes blowing across the Plains, Wichita stays hot in the wintertime. The Illuminations at Botanica Wichita are a great place to start, as this impressive Christmas light display features over two million bulbs strung across an enchanted set of gardens. When the holiday season ends, the good times keep rolling in the Old Town and Delano districts, home to scores of bars and restaurants.

Yes, Louisville will forever be linked with the first weekend of May and the Kentucky Derby, but there's plenty of fun to be had when there's snow on the racetrack. Get an early start on Spring Training at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and then settle in for a warming bourbon-after all, they do call this place Bourbon City. The best event of the winter? That's the Bourbon Classic in February, a must-visit for all those who love Kentucky's most famous export.

There's never a bad time to visit New Orleans, but the ability to potentially dine al fresco on a December day is definitely a benefit of visiting in winter. The Big Easy wears bows for Christmas, celebrates New Year's with a bang and then soon after starts the countdown for Mardi Gras, which is arguably the best winter festival in the entire world.

The season kicks off in Kennebunkport with the Christmas Prelude, a festival that features two weeks of pre-holiday fun. Things quiet down a bit after New Year's, but then the town becomes the perfect place to get away for a romantic break before the summer crowds return.

While the sails have been furled and the boats covered for winter, Maryland's capital remains more than vibrant. December is full of holiday fun-shopping until midnight, waterside light displays and a chocolate festival-while March sees the Annapolis Restaurant Week, Annapolis Film Festival and Maryland Day celebrations.

There's no better place in the country to cozy up beside the fireplace while the snow falls outside. Watch it blanket the landscape from the comfort of your inn before setting off the next day to ski the fresh powder. When it's time to take a break from the slopes, the region is home to many fascinating museums and galleries.

Michigan is a winter paradise, with miles-upon-miles of trails for snowmobiling and snowshoeing in addition to scores of ski runs and lakes perfect for ice fishing spread throughout the state. But there's only place you can see majestic sand dunes covered in wild and wonderful wisps of snow: Sleeping Bear Dunes.

The citizens of Minneapolis and St. Paul embrace winter with zeal and visitors are more than invited to join in on the fun. Holidazzle is a cheery Christmas-themed event that takes place in November and December while the St. Paul Winter Carnival lights up the winter night in late January. There's even an outdoor beer festival in late February.

Not only does Biloxi remain relatively mild through the winter months, but it is also home to one of the largest Mardi Gras celebrations outside of New Orleans. Learn all about the festival's roots in the region at the new Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum before sinking your teeth into some delicious local seafood at the city's many restaurants and casinos.

The Kansas City metropolitan area straddles the Missouri/Kansas state line, but the Show-Me State portion is home to the world-famous Country Club Plaza lights, one of the best winter traditions in the Midwest. Shop under the twinkling bulbs and beside the fetching Spanish-inspired architecture or visit the city's wealth of museums before settling in for some of the city's famous barbecue.

Ice fishing. Ice climbing. Snowshoeing and backcountry skiing. You can pretty much do any frozen water-based activity here, but it's the natural landscape of Glacier National Park that takes on a special atmosphere in winter. Whitefish is an ideal base for exploring the splendor of the park (in addition to having its very own ski resort) and is home to many warm and welcoming hotels and restaurants.

The home of the 'Huskers is picking up more and more steam as a top travel destination and it doesn't lose any momentum come wintertime. Plays, musicals and exhibits dominate the arts calendar while the nightlife in the Haymarket District stays hot.

Tahoe offers year-round recreation, but when the snow begins to fall, the ski runs turn into the place to be seen. Heavenly Resort straddles the Nevada/California state line and is well known for stunning views of the surrounding landscape and many well-groomed runs.

Even if North Conway wasn't surrounded by ski resorts, its small-town charm and cozy atmosphere would make it a dreamy winter destination. But as luck should have it, it is located within driving distance of several resorts, including Bretton Woods.

There are over 150 skiable acres and over 1,000 vertical feet at Mountain Creek and one trip here in winter is destined to reshape your image of the Garden State.

Winter in this magical mountain town starts with Yuletide in Taos, the name given to the city's roster of uniquely New Mexican holiday traditions (think carols, torchlight processions and atmospheric paper lanterns). After New Year's, the focus returns to the surrounding ski slopes and the town's myriad of museums and galleries.

Twice host of the Winter Olympics, this town in the Adirondacks has it all. Take to the cross-country trails (or just cross Mirror Lake), toboggan runs or ice rinks before taking on the slopes at Whiteface Mountain ski resort.

While the winters may be mild in Asheville, the locals still make an art form out of getting warm by the fire or feeling toasty at the city's bevy of craft beer bars. Many local hikes can still be done throughout the winter months and you'll be pleasantly surprised that you will have large sections of the landscape to yourself.

Spend a weekend in Grand Forks during winter and you'll probably leave feeling like you've been let in on one big travel secret. Embrace the weather like the locals do by snowmobiling, ice fishing or cross country skiing by day and rooting for the University of North Dakota men's hockey team at night.

You haven't truly experienced the beauty of Hocking Hills until you've seen it coated with snow and laden with icicles. Spend a long weekend at a local bed & breakfast to get the full experience.

Tulsa rolls out the red carpet for winter in the form of a 9,000 square foot outdoor ice rink. It's the centerpiece of Winterfest, which also includes a visit from Santa Claus. After New Year's, the town's many cultural attractions step up to fill the void.

Crater Lake may be a household name in the Pacific Northwest, but in wintertime, you will be surprised at how much of this national park you will have to yourself. The experience is a special one, and it's the perfect place to cross country ski or snowshoe, as the main road that runs around the lake is turned into one big trail.

The Poconos are a winter playground, with rolling hills blanketed with snow at every turn. Spend your days on the slopes of Blue Mountain Ski Resort and your nights holed up in an atmospheric cottage.

Sure, Newport's reputation is built upon its prowess as a summer retreat, but that doesn't mean there isn't lots of fun to be had in the winter. Christmas in Newport is a month-long celebration of holiday traditions with carol concerts, Christmas light displays and garland-festooned grand houses being just a few of the highlights.

It may be a little too chilly to go swimming, but you'll love your "sweatshirt and shorts" sunset stroll on the beach. Hilton Head certainly knows how to do Christmas right, with lights and fun events throughout the town, but it's the late-winter food festivals that are the highlight of the season.

Mount Rushmore looks even more dramatic in the snow as do the saloons and old hotels of Deadwood. The town of Spearfish makes for a great base for snowmobiling and other backcountry Dakota adventures.

Christmas sees millions of holiday lights take over the city while "Music City Midnight" rings in the new year with a bang. And this being Nashville, the music and nightlife scenes stay sizzling no matter the temperature outside.

All the quirky coolness that has made this city so special is on display throughout the season. Christmas is welcomed with millions of lights, festive theater productions and gift bazaars while late winter sees the return of the world-famous South by Southwest festival.

This ski mecca is a short hop from Salt Lake City and its Park City Mountain Resort is now the largest in the USA. It's not all about the slopes though, as this city is also the backdrop for the acclaimed Sundance Film Festival every January.

Take a postcard-perfect New England town and surround it with majestic mountains and one of the finest ski resorts in the East and you have a recipe for a winter wonderland. The town is also renowned as a foodie capital, too.

The remarkable fall foliage inside this stunning national park may have faded, but Shenandoah is still the best place to see breathtaking scenery in the state. Spend your days relishing the lack of crowds on the scenic drives and hiking trails and your nights staying warm inside a cute local B&B.

The Bavarian-inspired town of Leavenworth throws one of the best Thanksgiving Weekend parties in the Pacific Northwest in the form of their annual Christkindlmarkt. It pays homage to the traditions of the great Christmas markets of Germany and kicks off a season of fun on the slopes of the nearby ski resorts.

Visit Harper's Ferry to dive into a fascinating chapter in American Civil War-era history and to walk a bit on the Appalachian Trail. The town marks the halfway point of the trail between Georgia and Maine and you'll have more of it to yourself in winter.

Somehow, the stunning Apostle Islands manage to be even more bewitching in the dead of winter. If you catch them in just the right conditions, you may even be able to bear witness to the mystical ice cave phenomenon.

Come to Yellowstone in the winter and you'll be able to appreciate its natural splendor in relative solitude. Plus, you'll quickly discover what's so special about seeing the park's hot springs and geysers shrouded in steam and viewing the park's remarkable wildlife walk against a backdrop of snow.