As a travel nurse or therapist, you may be searching for a great location to satisfy your love of a winter wonderland. Perhaps you’re attempting to find a temporary home to soak up the sun during the winter months. Either way, we have the top spots that can become your home for the holidays as you make your way across the U.S. as a travel healthcare professional.
Southern California - Palm SpringsIf you are looking for the best travel nursing jobs and want to avoid the freezing temperatures and ice-covered mornings, Palm Springs, California is the city for you! Winter months bring temperatures ranging from 40 to 60 degrees, which will allow for plenty of exploration throughout the metropolitan. Enjoy the reinvented cultural scene by visiting Coachella Valley, or peek at eye-catching art with their signature Modernism Week. During this annual two-week event, midcentury architecture, design, art, fashion, and culture is honored through tours, films, and lectures.
The outdoor destinations are sure to meet the expectations of any adventurous travel RN or travel PT. The Indian Canyons’ miles of hiking to vistas and oases and the Palm Springs Tramway rocketing you 8,500 feet up Mount San Jacinto are must-dos. On your day off, you can spend the morning in a local courtyard, then take your evening out to one of Palm Springs’ iconic dive bars like Restaurant Bakery and Bar or Billy Reed’s. This revitalized city has tons of excitement to offer travelers.
Florida – Key West
Start your winter travel therapy contract enjoying sunny days and the ocean breeze in Key West, Florida. Although there won’t be any snowfall, this city has prepared festivities for the holiday season in their own unique way. Board the Conch Tour Train and travel around the island with bright holiday lights and detailed decorations. In Key West fashion, take a trip to the harbor and take in the sights of their lighted boat parade. Ring in the New Year with the Conch Shell Drop celebration and dance party on Duval Street!
If you’re looking for the perks of living in Florida, there is plenty of opportunities to enjoy clean beaches, boat tours, including sailing, kayaking, and snorkeling, and sunset cruises. Key West’s new music festival, Mile 0 Fest, is considered a “must-see” event during the winter months, with main stages and sporadic acoustics shows all along Duval Street.
Texas – South Padre Island
The natural aesthetics of South Padre Island make for a popular winter getaway spot and the perfect place to call your next home. The average tourism volume is low during this time and will allow for adventuring without the hassle! Get in touch with nature while taking a walk along the Laguna Madre Nature Trail, viewing various bird and butterfly species in addition to other wildlife. Take an afternoon to stroll down the beachside of Isla Blanca Park in these mild temperatures of 50 to 60 degrees, with several lodges available to stop and dine along the beachfront.
Join the festive spirit during the Holiday Sandcastle Village event with your favorite holiday characters molded from sand while also taking in the sounds of their lighted musical performance. For the daring travel allied health professional, keep the celebration going at Clayton’s Annual Polar Bear Dip on New Year’s Day. From nature walks to celebrating the holiday season, SPI has a little bit of everything!
New York – New York City
If you’re looking for a beautiful, snow-covered winter wonderland, New York City has picture-perfect views to please the senses! Don’t let the cold winter temperatures impact your decisions; there are so many holiday activities to enjoy in the big city. Winter markets are a popular shopping destination with fun holiday window displays and pre-holiday pop-ups providing gifts of all sorts.
Home to one of the country’s biggest holiday celebrations, New York offers attractions that will dazzle like the Rockefeller Center’s massive Christmas tree or famous ice-skating rink, and the Times Square Ball. While you’ll still get the hustle and bustle “feel” of NYC, you will also benefit from smaller crowds during the winter months, making it easier to attend restaurants and get theater tickets. There are tons of places to experience a food-lovers’ dream, like Chinatown or Little Italy, while being submersed into the city’s cultural diversity. Pack your most stylish winter boots, all the cozy layers for bundling up, and get ready to experience the magic in New York!
Arizona – Phoenix
Do canyons, mountains, and peaks spark your interest? If so, Arizona may be the best place for your winter travel contract! Tons of hiking and exploring opportunities are at your fingertips in this unique landscape. Phoenix provides excellent weather for outdoor activities with high 60-degree temperatures. Take a trip to the Superstition Mountains where luscious, green scenery meets red-orange rock formations on the horizon. For a less physically demanding scenic excursion, Verde Canyon Railroad is the way to go.
There is no lack of holiday spirit in Arizona when you visit ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo to view sparkling light displays. Sedona, located just north of Phoenix, brings more adventure with picturesque red rocks, Jeep tours, and sunset views on Airport Mesa. Ride on the famous coast-to-coast highway, Route 66, into Flagstaff, and when you’re done with the warmer temps, enjoy downhill skiing at Arizona Snowbowl.
Utah – Park City
Calling all winter-lovers! Utah is your source for the winter experiences you are searching for. In addition to the well-known skiing opportunities, there are seasonal activities to try both on and off the slopes. Channel your inner Olympian at Olympic Park while bobsledding, appease your need for speed with tubing, or tour the canyons and mountains of Utah on a snowmobile trail. Take advantage of public ice skating hours at the Utah Olympic Oval, a massive ice rink designed for Olympic speed skaters.
Utah knows how to do cold, but they also know how to do hot with their local coffee shops serving an array of hot chocolate. Providing winter fun with a side of culture and art, Utah also offers a blend of interests with the Sundance Film Festival and musical performances at the Utah Opera or Hale Center Theatre.
The sky is the limit when it comes to exciting (and relaxing) travel locations in the winter months. From winter in the city to the low-key vibes of the island life, there is something for everyone’s tastes. As a travel nursing or allied health professional, isn’t it time you experience the holiday season in a new and exciting place?
If you’re not sure where to begin, we’re happy to connect you with a CoreMedical recruiter who can help you find the best position – and location – to meet your needs.
