It’s open 365 days of the year but on November 29, The Grove in Los Angeles transforms into a shopper’s paradise with over 40 stores offering some of the year's biggest discounts for Black Friday. Situated in the well-heeled neighbourhood of Melrose, the outdoor marketplace is home to stores such as Charlotte Tilbury, Nike, Gucci, and Coach and is the ideal place to kick off your holiday season shopping. The Grove’s Caruso Concierge service even has porters on hand to hang onto your shopping bags or help carry them to your car. Need a break? Why not take a ride on the double-decker trolley or indulge in a sugar hit at The Cheesecake Factory.

With the park’s crowds at their lowest during winter, Yellowstone becomes a playground of a very different kind. You’ll have ample space to take in the majestic mountain peaks, icy waterfalls and Old Faithful geyser. Our tip? A thrilling snowmobiling tour departing from West Yellowstone, Montana, available between mid-December until February, where you’ll weave amongst the park’s plethora of natural wonders as the cold wind whips against your snowsuit.

From November to April, herds of herbivorous manatee flock to the warm waters of Three Sisters Springs, a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Orlando – with the population of marine mammals swelling to its largest between December and February. The boardwalk that circles the hectare-large springs site is the best place to observe these gentle giants and other wildlife attracted to the lush wetlands. From November to March, you can even take a guided tour led by volunteers from the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.

Between December and April, Hawaii's warm waters become a sanctuary for migrating humpbacks to mate and give birth in, making it the ideal time to embark on a whale-watching adventure. A 40-minute drive from Honolulu in Wai’anae, Sail Hawaii and its 10-metre catamaran head out into the water with certified naturalists and wildlife biologists on-board. Skim the shores of Oahu while experts offer insights into these majestic creatures, as well as the sea turtles and rare seabirds you might be lucky enough to spot on the way.

Not all pastimes in the Colorado area are snow-centred. After a day on the nearby slopes of Vail, Aspen and Breckenridge, there’s no better way to do apres-ski than to relax in a hot spring. An hour’s drive west of Aspen, Iron Mountain Hot Springs has no less than 16 geothermal pools of varying temperatures to sink into, all connected by heated walkways. Further north is Strawberry Park Hot Springs, which offers rustic accommodation, heated changing cabins and stunning snowy backdrops to their muscle-soothing pools. 

The clear, cool air of the winter season provides near perfect conditions for hot air ballooning and there’s no better place to try it than Albuquerque, New Mexico. The calm air results in enhanced balloon stability, so you can focus all your attention on the mighty, snaking Rio Grande river, the puckered peaks of the Sandia Mountains and the area’s extensive and otherworldly volcanic landscapes. Rainbow Ryders, just 15 minutes from Albuquerque International Sunport Airport, offers seasonal sunset rides from November to January, with each ride treated to a celebratory toast on ascent. 

Start the New Year with a chilly splash at the annual Polar Bear Plunge on Coney Island, Brooklyn, about an hour's subway trip from Manhattan. Held on January 1, this tradition invites participants to dive into the chilly Atlantic Ocean, where temperatures hover around four degrees Celsius. Join members of the Coney Island Polar Bear Club in the dive, which not only symbolically washes away the previous year but also supports various local charities. Dress in festive costumes and embrace the winter chill for a good cause.

Less than an hour north of Nashville in Bowling Green, Kentucky sits The Reindeer Farm, a family friendly wonderland for travellers with little ones in tow. Explore the farm in your own time, stopping for encounters with mini cows, pigs, alpacas and rabbits and, of course, reindeer along the way. Then, the main event: Santa himself is on hand for meet-and-greets and the choice is yours between having him as a guest for breakfast or simply writing him a letter over hot chocolate instead. 

Mountain biking, kayaking, horse riding: Wyoming’s Jackson Hole is the premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts no matter the season. From late November to April, its mountainous terrain lends itself to incredible skiing opportunities, as well as activities from ice skating to snowmobiling to thrilling sleigh rides; all achievable with a season pass. Complete the experience by booking a stay at Hotel Terra for slopeside lodging complete with oversized windows to capture those gorgeous mountain vistas, as well as the all-important rooftop spa. 

Explore the landscapes of Death Valley with a winter hike on the Golden Canyon and Gower Gulch Loop, a two hours drive from Las Vegas. With milder winter temperatures averaging around 20°C, it’s the ideal time to enjoy the park’s beauty without the summer heat. This popular trail offers stunning views of golden hills, narrow canyons and unique rock formations. The 12.6-kilometre circuit can be completed in a 4.5-hour round trip, or you can opt for the shorter 6.9-kilometre Gower Gulch Loop, which takes about 2.5 hours. If you need a place to recover, check in to country-style The Inn at Death Valley for the night.