5 Warm-weather Travel Nursing Destinations to Consider This Winter

Shorter days and chilly temperatures are just around the corner, meaning it’s time to lock down your winter travel nursing assignment. Some travel nurses prefer the winter weather and choose destinations like Lake Tahoe or Salt Lake City for the cold winter months. Typically, travel nurses pick these destinations to spend the winter holidays and winter season participating in winter sports. 

On the other hand, many travelers choose to take their next travel nurse assignment in a warmer climate—hopefully somewhere away from the ice and snow. In this article, we review some of the best warm travel nursing destinations to visit during your winter travel assignment.

Like Warm Winters? Try These Travel Nursing Destinations

These top spots not only experience warmer weather in the winter, but also have lots of fun things for you to experience during your off time. Let’s detail some of the interesting cities and fun activities they offer below.

GEORGIA

Georgia usually had mild weather during the winter months. Outdoor temperatures are around the 30s to 50s, with occasional cold weather days. Snow days are rare in Georgia, but can happen on occasion. 

The Peach State provides the ideal blend of exciting city delights, charming small towns, and even islands with picture-perfect beaches that can be enjoyed in a much more tranquil environment during the wintertime. In Atlanta, you can taste your way through a thriving foodie scene and many events offer an array of food trucks. Atlanta also offers many attractions for you to visit, like the world-renowned Georgia Aquarium, the World of Coca-Cola, and the College Football Hall of Fame. 

In the southern part of Georgia, you can take a horse-drawn carriage ride along the cobblestone streets through moss-draped ancient oak trees and gaze up at the magnificent antebellum homes in the historic city of Savannah. Or take the short drive to Tybee Island to dip your toes in those beautiful stretches of soft sands.

VIRGINIA

Virginia has many hot spots to offer for your travel nurse assignment. Even in December, the average high temperature in cities like Richmond is a relatively mild 51 degrees Fahrenheit, dipping just a few degrees in January before quickly rising back to 51 in February. However, some cities in Virginia still can receive snowy and icy weather.

You’re unlikely to need those winter boots and gloves while exploring Richmond’s many sights, including the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. It’s a magnificent spectacle around the holidays with a half-million sparkling lights and handcrafted botanical décor as well as providing opportunities to gather around the warmth of a fire with hot chocolate and s’mores. Virginia’s capital city offers lots for history buffs too, indoors and out, from Monument Avenue with its grand Gilded Age mansions to world-class museums and battlefields to explore.

If you’re more interested in checking out the museum and national monument scene, then check out Washington, D.C. As the capital of the United States, there are many historical museums and monuments, like the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, and White House, to check out.

Alexandria, which is a short 20-minute drive from Washington, D.C., has much to do as well. This city hosts many sporting events and is home to many of the Smithsonian museums and the National Mall.

ARIZONA

Sun, sun, and more sun is what you’ll experience in Arizona. Arizona offers great weather, with places like Yuma averaging 313 days of sunshine every year. Winter is the best time to enjoy those cactus-filled desert landscapes, including hikes through the Kofa National Wildlife Reserve, home to many native plant and animal species, including kangaroo rats, foxes and badgers. This season also brings the Yuma Medjool Date Festival to Main Street, where you can taste the delicious fruits that are grown in the desert southwest along with all sorts of other food, drink and live music.

If you like to play golf, Scottsdale has plenty of golf courses to choose from. Or if you’re more of an outdoor adventurer, there are several national parks and monuments located within the state. Some of these include the Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest, and Monument Valley, which are just a short overnight trip away. Arizona also borders Mexico, making a day trip across the border possible, too.

CALIFORNIA

Some travelers always choose California for their winter travel nursing job. California is famous for its year-round sunny skies and national parks. And there’s no exception in cities like Bakersfield and Fresno, which are located more near southern California. The former is home to the Kern County Raceway Park, where you can enjoy the heart-pounding thrills of racing, as well as the high-rated California Living Museum, which features many of the state’s native animals like desert bighorn sheep, bobcats, mountain lions and black bears. The latter boasts a wonderful downtown filled with historical buildings like the Bank of Italy Building and the Fresno Water Tower, as well as impressive public art spread throughout that makes it ideal for a walk in between shifts.

With Yosemite National Park only around just an hour (75 minutes) drive away, you can look forward to taking in its iconic sights like Half Dome and Yosemite Falls without the crowds. However, you will have to plan accordingly because sometimes park road closures occur due to inclement weather conditions. In the winter months, Yosemite does get snowy weather.

If you prefer more of the big city scene, then the San Francisco Bay area may be better suited for you. This area has plenty of restaurants, shops, and attractions to offer. You can check out Alcatraz, the Golden Gate Bridge, or many other destinations this city has to offer.

FLORIDA

You’re not likely to see snow in any areas of the Sunshine State. Florida boasts many golf courses and beautiful beaches that you can visit any time of the year due to the great weather. Florida also has many healthcare facilities throughout the state, so it will be easier to find a travel assignment. 

In Miami, temperatures are idyllic, hovering around the mid-70s—perfect for dining on outdoor patios and lounging on soft sandy beaches, as well as marveling at the world’s largest collection of 1930s Art Deco buildings. 

Located on the Treasure Coast, Fort Pierce is another fabulous spot to consider, experiencing those pleasant mid-70s temps, over 20 miles of unspoiled, uncrowded beaches, and a wide range of entertainment like Friday Fest, a Farmers’ Market and the Jazz Market.

If you’re up for a theme park adventure visit Walt Disney World or Universal studios, in Orlando. Orlando is located in the central part of Florida, making it a few hour drive from many areas around the state and an easy overnight trip. Orlando has many family-friendly activities, so it’s the perfect spot if your friends or family are coming into town for a visit.

Book the Best Travel Nurse Locations for Winter

Whether you are looking for a snowy or warmer climate for your winter travel assignment, HCTN has many options to offer. Reach out to the experienced travel nurse recruiters at Health Carousel Travel Nursing today. We know where you want to go this winter!