Miami

Winter has always been the high season in Miami, largely because that’s when Northeasterners need to shed their parkas and thaw out. As a result, “it’s when all the new restaurants, bars, and shops open up in one go,” says travel writer Mark Ellwood, author of the Rough Guide to Miami. But in early December it’s also the locus of the international art world, when Art Basel Miami Beach (ABMB; in 2008, December 4 through 7) and dozens of satellite art fairs spring up all around town.

Average Temperature: 62 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.

Where to Stay: The Townhouse Hotel (doubles from $210 a night, $405 a night during ABMB, www.townhousehotel.com) may not have a pool, but it makes up for that with a chic rooftop deck, minimalist rooms, and a prime location about 50 yards from the beach. “It’s astonishingly cheap for what it has to offer,” says Ellwood, who recommends chilling out on the roof deck’s crimson water beds.

What to Do: Even if you can’t afford what’s on display at ABMB, it’s worth dropping by to take the creative pulse of the contemporary art scene. But for something a little more offbeat, Ellwood likes to play miniature golf at Back 9, a new course with holes designed by local artists. What started out as a temporary art installation is now a year-round fixture. “It’s campy and a cool neighborhood place to visit,” says Ellwood, who also enjoys the owner’s Thursday-night outdoor movie screenings. For more information: Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, www.gmcvb.com.