Best Year Round Warm Places to Travel without a Passport
Don’t let bitter winters or rainy weather stop you from enjoying your retirement. If you’ve been daydreaming about soaking up the sunlight in a beachy paradise, then it’s time to take a vacation. You don’t have to worry about pricey overseas flights or expired passports – you can travel to these warm places without a passport.
1. Hawaiian Islands
If beautiful beaches, breathtaking natural landmarks, and year-round sunshine sound like your idea of a good vacation, then Hawaii is perfect for you. Hawaii offers an exotic, sunny paradise you can travel to without a passport. From lounging on a black sand beach to touring an active volcano, the “Big Island” never disappoints.
There are five Hawaiian Islands that tourists also like to visit. Kauai, often called the “Garden Island,” is a great island to visit if you’re interested in sightseeing. Its dramatic rainforests, rivers, waterfalls, and mountain spires make for unforgettable hiking and kayaking trips. Oahu, the “Heart of Hawaii,” is ideal for people who love the city life, but there are also plenty of laid-back towns to visit. The island of Molokai is known for its expansive wilderness and historical sites. Its lack of commercial development gives tourists a chance to see the island’s natural beauty. Lanai is one of the smallest and most versatile islands, offering everything from luxury resorts to off-road adventures. The last major tourist island is Maui, which is known for its world-famous valleys and red- and black-sand beaches.
2. Scottsdale, AZ
If you aren’t too interested in the island life, Scottsdale, Arizona might be right for you. From hiking and rock climbing to fine art and cuisine, Scottsdale is the perfect balance between a nature-trail getaway and a taste of bustling downtown life. There’s always something to do, making Scottsdale a great warm place to travel without a passport!
Scottsdale is filled with outdoor activities. If you enjoy sightseeing and hiking, you can take a pleasant walk through the iconic McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This beautiful desert spans nearly 30,000 acres and is filled with a variety of wildlife. There are over 170 miles of trails, ranging from the pleasant 4.5-mile Lost Dog Wash Trailhead to the more rigorous Tom’s Thumb Trailhead. Bird watching, mountain biking, horseback riding, and wildflower viewing are just a few of the many activities the McDowell Sonoran Preserve has to offer. When you’re ready to head back home, you can enjoy the many museums, art galleries, bars, and restaurants that the area has to offer.
3. Key West, FL
If you’re looking for a quirky, one-of-a-kind vacation, look no further than Key West. Constant sunshine, pastel architecture, and incredible beaches make Key West a great winter escape. You can visit the former residence of Ernest Hemingway (which has now been turned into a beautiful museum), the rowdy Mallory Square plaza, the bar-and-restaurant-packed Duvall Street, or the iconic Key West Lighthouse.
And let’s not forget the beaches. Right off the southern tip of Florida, Key West has a gorgeous tropical climate with white sand beaches and deep blue-green waters. It’s one of the best warm places to travel without a passport!
4. San Diego, CA
If you are looking for a mix of a bustling city and outdoor adventure, San Diego has plenty of sunshine and activities for everyone. This iconic California city hits that perfect temperature sweet spot between 60 and 85 degrees throughout the year – this makes it a great warm place to travel without a passport. From beautiful beaches, vineyards, and hiking trails to the Legoland and SeaWorld resorts, San Diego has something for everybody.
One of the most popular attractions is Balboa Park. This sprawling botanical park has theaters, gardens, restaurants, hiking paths, and plenty of other great attractions like the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Natural History Museum. The San Diego Zoo is an especially popular spot to visit. It holds nearly 3,700 animals in impressive enclosures that have been crafted to resemble natural habitats. You’ll be able to see pandas, lions, hippos, monkeys, elephants, rhinos, and plenty of other types of animals up close! At the end of the day, you can relax at one of San Diego’s beautiful beaches and watch the sunset.