Each winter, thousands of seasonal travelers migrate from up North searching for warm weather and white sand beaches.
Snowbirds, as they are affectionately called, start their stay when the weather gets colder, typically in October or November, and return to their home state in April or May.
Many snowbirds live in states or countries with harsh winter climates, such as Canada, New York, Illinois, and Michigan. Popular snowbird destinations include states that stay warm year-round, such as Florida, Arizona, Texas, the Gulf of Mexico, New Mexico, and Georgia.
Keep reading to learn about the ten best snowbird destinations in the United States.
What Is a Snowbird?
Snowbirds can be of any age and live in any state, although most will travel from cold climates to warm weather during the winter. Many snowbirds are retirees or people with the capability to live in another state throughout the winter.
Some snowbirds choose to temporarily rent a vacation home in their snowbird state for the winter, while others purchase real estate in their snowbird destination to come back to each year.
Snowbirds may stay for any length of time, typically approximately one to six months.
What Are the Benefits of Heading South for the Winter?
Instead of toughing out harsh winter weather for months, snowbirds can soak up the sun all winter long. Snowbirds skip out on snow, ice, frost, and freeze and can participate in outdoor activities such as swimming, golf, tennis, and pickleball.
There are various benefits of snowbirding, depending on which state you choose. For instance, Florida residents save on income tax, pay less on average for housing, and have the opportunity to make friends with other snowbirds in the community.
Snowbirds can also enjoy two different climates in their two separate states.
For instance, if you are someone who loves spring, summer, and fall in your home state but dread the winter, snowbirding will allow you to experience your favorite seasons but trade harsh winter weather for a warm climate and sunny skies.
What Are the Best Places To Snowbird?
Once you have decided to become a snowbird, it can seem daunting to determine the best location for you out of so many options.
We have rounded up our list of the best places to snowbird in the United States to make it easier for you to find the best state and location for your snowbird destination.
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, Florida, is a beloved snowbird destination for its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the abundance of warm weather and white sand beaches, and its plethora of activities.
West Palm Beach features expansive golf courses, decadent five-star restaurants, luxury stores, and beautiful nature preserves.
Active residents can hike nature trails, swim in the ocean, and enjoy popular seasonal events.
West Palm Beach is home to Christmas parades, tree lighting celebrations, holiday parties, and musical entertainment every winter. West Palm Beach also has several popular art galleries, farmer’s markets, and craft markets available to visitors year-round.
The climate in West Palm Beach tends to remain above 50°F, with colder temperatures in the morning and at night and warmer temperatures during the daytime.
Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a Florida city in Pinellas County that borders Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Clearwater is one of the most affordable cities in the United States to reside in and visit.
Clearwater is also home to various vibrant entertainment options, including bars, restaurants, nightclubs, shopping destinations, parks, and museums.
In Clearwater, visitors can boat, kayak, jet ski, or enjoy white sand beaches at Clearwater Beach. Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Honeymoon Island State Park, and Pier 60 are all popular tourist attractions in the area to explore.
Year-round, average temperatures in Clearwater remain between a high of 72°F and a low of 52°F.
Honolulu, Hawai’i
Honolulu, Hawai’i, is a city located on the island of Oahu's south shore. The city is home to famous white sand beaches, beautiful hiking spots, and cultural events that celebrate the area's rich history.
Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood is a popular destination for residents, visitors, and snowbirds.
Residents can partake in various activities, including surfing, swimming, snorkeling, paddleboarding, boating, and sports such as tennis, volleyball, and golf.
The city offers an endless list of new spots to visit, including shops, malls, restaurants, resorts, hotels, and nightclubs.
The tropical climate of Honolulu welcomes warm ocean breezes and temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to the high 80s at all times of the year. The winter season is less populated with tourists, making it the perfect time for a less-crowded snowbird stay.
Corpus Christie, Texas
Corpus Christie is a historic, beachside city in Texas that welcomes warm, sunny weather year-round. Corpus Christie is a popular snowbird destination for its beaches, museums, golf courses, and fishing spots.
The city is considered an affordable snowbird destination for its low property taxes and reduced average living and renting costs.
The area is next to Padre Island, located along the Gulf of Mexico. Visitors can also take a trip to the nearby King Ranch to tour the historical agricultural landmark and cattle farm.
The average temperatures in Corpus Christie remain at approximately 69°F, with the lowest average winter temperature at 52°F and the highest at 82°F.
The Bahamas
The Bahamas is an archipelago of 700 coral islands, approximately 30 of which are populated. The Bahamas is located off the West Atlantic Ocean, between Florida and Cuba, bordering the Gulf of Mexico.
The Bahamas feature beautiful land, expansive ocean views, gorgeous tropical weather, and white sand beaches.
The most popular Bahamas islands for visitors and snowbird stays include New Province, Andros Island, Grand Bahama, and San Salvador Island.
Typical temperatures for winter in the Bahamas remain between 72°F and 82°F.
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida, has been a popular snowbird destination for decades. The area draws in residents, visitors, and snowbirds with its beautiful, historic homes and popular entertainment district, Downtown Fort Myers.
The area is famous for its oceanfront views and capacity for boating and kayaking. Snowbirds love the location for its large variety of 55+ communities, tax benefits, and low cost of living.
Fort Myers gets a plentiful amount of sunshine and remains warm throughout the winter. On average, temperatures stay between 54°F and 75°F.
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is a historic suburb of Charleston County with beautiful creeks, waterfalls, and lush hiking spots. The area has many famous historical landmarks to explore, including Fort Sumter, Patriots Point, and Mount Pleasant Waterfront Memorial Park.
There are countless shops and restaurants to visit and an abundance of decadent local food to try. The winter weather in Mount Pleasant ranges from an average of approximately 41°F to 62°F with sunny skies.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a popular snowbird destination and is currently one of the largest cities in South Florida. The coast-side city has something for everyone: bars, restaurants, nightclubs, retirement communities, and shopping destinations.
The Museum of Discovery and Science, Butterfly World botanical garden, and the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale are just a few of the many exciting attractions in the area.
Visitors can also take a walk or drive down North Fort Lauderdale Boulevard to enjoy splendid views and shopping.
The area is rich in hiking trails, beaches, and nature preserves for nature lovers. The perennially-warm weather draws in visitors, residents, tourists, and snowbirds each year, with winter temperatures ranging from 67°F to 83°F.
Daytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach, Florida, is well-known for its historic speedway, stunning beaches, museums, shopping, golf courses, and cultural events.
The area is home to many snowbird and retirement communities, including Margaritaville Resort and the Lakewood Ranch community.
Daytona Beach has a lower cost of living than other areas of Florida, and residents can receive tax benefits on any properties they own in the state.
The weather in winter can range from 53°F to 71°F, with primarily warm, sunny skies. Florida hurricane season is in the summer, so snowbirds can skip out on the rain and heavy tourism by coming in the winter months.
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne, Florida, is a historic beachside town southeast of Orlando with many beaches to visit.
The area houses many art museums and galleries and is home to the Brevard Zoo, Rossetter House Museum & Gardens, and the popular campground and preserve, Wickham Park.
Downtown Melbourne features shops, restaurants, bars, and boutiques, alongside stunning ocean views.
The weather in Melbourne remains between 51°F to 75°F throughout the winter.
The Bottom Line
Swapping out cold winters for warm, sunny skies has never been easier with the help of a vehicle transportation provider, such as Carvaygo.
Driving cross-country can increase the amount of wear and tear on your vehicle, up your car’s mileage, add the cost of hotel stays, and can raise the likelihood of getting in an accident.
Instead of dealing with the hassle, snowbirds turn to us to get their vehicles from points A to B with the care they can trust.
Are you interested in car-hauling services? Get in touch with us today.
Sources:
The 25 Most Affordable Places to Snowbird This Winter | 55 Places
Snowbird Pros and Cons | Law Office of Angela Siegel
Spend your fall, winter, or spring in Palm Beach, Florida | Winter Sun Expert
Spend your fall, winter, or spring in Clearwater, Florida | Winter Sun Expert
Spend your fall, winter, or spring in The Bahamas | Winter Sun Expert
Spend your fall, winter, or spring in Fort Myers, Florida | Winter Sun Expert
Why Go To Honolulu | Oahu Travel Guide
Corpus Christi Texas | Snowbird Destinations
City of Melbourne | The Harbor City
Attractions & Activities in Charleston | Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
