While many people associate winter with the perfect time to overeat, stay at home, and meet old-time friends and far-off relatives on the side, we beg to differ. We came up with our top 5 places to visit in the United States this winter. These destinations will surely bring you a whole new meaning to what it's really like to celebrate this wonderful holiday season. Surely, by next year you'll want to have a follow-up visit to these places once you've already seen their beauty this winter time.

5. Go see the Lone Star state, Houston. If you want to awaken the foodie in you, then Houston is the best pick this winter. You'll never run out of restaurants to visit in this state. Aside from the wide array of indulgent eating realms, Houston is also home to a lavish string of hotspots in its Downtown Historic District. And while enjoying your stay and delighting over the beautiful sceneries you might also want to spend some time in enjoying the Museum District, the newly opened Asia Society Texas Center and the Houston Museum of African American Culture.

4. San Diego California will warm you up this winter. If you want to enjoy a relatively warm winter season, then San Diego, California is the place to be. The first thing you want to check out in this destination is the festive boat parades of the city. After delighting over the wonderful views of the boats, you might want to enjoy the culinary resurgence in the city, with its signature trendy tapas bars, gastropubs, and pop-ups all over the place. Whale-watching is also one of San Diego, California's best attractions from November through April as the gentle whales usually make their yearly migration round to Baja California within the said months.

3. If you intend to spend the holidays joining Mardi Gras festivities, we recommend you take some of your time to visit New Orleans. Although there is a significant difference in visiting the Big Easy during summertime when crowds of people fill the streets, New Orleans is still a place where everyone drinks and eats and be merry even when the cold winter seeps into the air. You'll love the Reveillon dinners in New Orleans. You'll also enjoy a night out on Frenchman Street because of its jazz bars and restaurants that incessantly serve all the best drinks and foods for tourists and visitors.

2. Skiing is definitely one thing that travelers want to enjoy this winter season and Jackson Hole, Wyoming is about to serve it to you if you are one of these ski enthusiasts. Jackson Hole takes pride on its Jackson Hole Mountain Resort which has all of the perfect elements for a top destination for skiing elites. Indulge into the city's famous classic cowboy bars and restaurants or come visit the newcomers The Rose and Local that meld glamour with après-ski and fine dining. As for non-skiers, they will also enjoy their time in Jackson Hole, Wyoming with its Grand Teton National Park and the Yellowstone, which is perfect for snowmobiling.

1. Santa Fe, New Mexico has snagged the top spot for this top 5 list. If you are the type who wants to enjoy a unique winter experience and if you haven't been to New Mexico, then this is the best place to start with. You'll love the famous restaurants in Santa Fe such as the Kakawa Chocolate House and the Clafoutis French Bakery & Restaurant. You might also want to try joining some of the Santa Fe's Christmas offerings this year such as the Christmas at the Palace event and the Las Posadas. If you want to indulge into an artistic exploit, Santa Fe, New Mexico also features the Santa Fe Opera House, the Museum of International Folk Art, and the Nedra Matteucci Galleries.