Migrating from cold northern climates to somewhere warmer for the season isn't just for the birds. It’s a great way for seniors and their families to escape dreary winter weather as well.
When you’re looking for a senior-friendly winter destination, it's important to consider more than the weather. Snowbirds need accessible recreation, quality healthcare, and a location that fits the right budget. If it’s a family affair, you’ll want to consider amenities for all ages so the trip is enjoyable for everyone.
To help you find the right travel spot for your winter escape, we’ve compiled 10 of the best senior-friendly winter destinations and organized them by cost so you can find the right fit for your lifestyle and your wallet.
- Budget-Friendly Snowbird Destinations
- Mid-Priced Snowbird Destinations
- Luxury Snowbird Destinations
- Tips for Planning Your Snowbird Getaway
Budget-Friendly Snowbird Destinations
You don’t need to drain your retirement fund to experience warmer weather. Whether you're looking for sweet Southern charm or the conveniences of a larger city, there are plenty of places to escape to. These senior-friendly U.S. cities offer plenty of opportunities for fun, sun, and adventure all while keeping spending reasonable.
Corpus Christi and North Padre Island, TX
Affordable Gulf Coast communities where you can discover history and connect with nature
- Weather: Average daytime temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s during the winter
- Highlights: North Padre Island nature walks, Texas State Aquarium, USS Lexington tours
Corpus Christi is called “the sparkling city by the sea” with a vibrant urban scene as well as a Gulf Coast beach lifestyle. Nearby North Padre Island offers a quiet, nature-focused retreat. In both, you’ll find all kinds of laid-back outdoor activities, including birding, fishing, boating, and golfing. Plan family-fun days at Malaquite Beach, the botanical gardens, the science and industry museum, or the Pearl Harbor exhibit and flight simulator at the USS Lexington Museum. Senior centers in both locations regularly offer fitness, arts, and social activities. The area features two major hospital systems and several clinics for your healthcare needs.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL
Easygoing beach towns with fresh seafood, miles of flat walking trails, and family-friendly excursions
- Weather: Average daytime winter temperatures in the mid-60s
- Highlights: Gulf State Park’s flat walking trails, dolphin-watching cruises, fresh seafood
Like many beach towns, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach have something for everyone in a multigenerational family, including shopping, dining, nature and wildlife parks, dolphin cruises, or just relaxing in the sand. You can also spend time at historic Fort Morgan and the Coastal Arts Center. Golfers may want to try Craft Farms, which features two courses designed by Arnold Palmer. The Gulf Shores Recreation Department organizes road trips for seniors to explore the area and hosts other community programs. Nearby Foley, AL, and Pensacola, FL, offer hospital and healthcare options if medical needs arise.
Tucson, AZ
A desert destination for food, nature, and affordable senior living
- Weather: Average daytime winter temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s (but nights can get chilly)
- Highlights: Saguaro National Park, scenic drives, historic downtown strolls, open-air markets
Tucson offers art, entertainment, and cultural activities as well as a robust restaurant scene. Families can spend the day at museums dedicated to the desert, space, science, model trains, history, and art or go exploring in Kartchner Caverns and Colossal Cave. The city boasts many accessible attractions, both indoors and outdoors, including the research facility Biosphere 2 and a tram to Sabino Canyon. Several area senior centers regularly offer activities and social events. Tucson is also home to the University of Arizona’s geriatric health programs and has several medical centers for a variety of healthcare needs.
Mid-Priced Snowbird Destinations
Perhaps you're not looking to cut costs at every corner, but you also don’t want to spend an arm and a leg on vacation rental costs. These destinations are a good middle ground, with slightly higher costs, but plenty of senior-friendly fun to make up for it.
Charleston, SC
A walkable coastal city dishing up history and excellent cuisine
- Weather: Average daytime winter temperatures in the mid-50s, with occasional dips into the 30s at night
- Highlights: Historic home tours, waterfront parks, golf, world-class restaurants
Charleston’s walkable downtown makes it easy for seniors to take in the city’s culture, from museums to brewery tours to a city market. A variety of activities means families can have fun together, from visiting the state aquarium and historic Fort Sumter to strolling along beaches and exploring the piers. Art and history lovers may enjoy the Gibbes Museum of Art and Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum. Seniors can attend numerous social activities and classes at the Bees Landing and Daniel Island recreation centers. For healthcare, you’ll have access to facilities such as the top-ranked Medical University of South Carolina Health University Medical Center.
Orlando, FL
A Central Florida city with endless activities for everyone
- Weather: Average winter temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s
- Highlights: Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Studios Florida for family visits, Harry P. Leu Gardens, golf, natural springs
Orlando is an ideal destination for seniors, particularly if you have children and grandchildren. In addition to the well-known theme parks and the Kennedy Space Center, families can visit nearby natural springs, nature preserves, and state parks. There are art and science museums to explore as well as a steady stream of live theater, live music, and outdoor movie events. For seniors, the L. Claudia Allen Senior Center offers ongoing activities and classes to try. You’ll have plenty of access to healthcare options, including the top-rated VA Orlando Healthcare Center.
Scottsdale, AZ
A desert retreat with golf, hiking, arts, food, butterflies, and excellent health care
- Weather: Average daytime winter temperatures in the high 60s (but nights can get chilly)
- Highlights: Golf courses, Sonoran Desert hikes, spa resorts
Scottsdale is a global golf destination, with around 250 golf courses in the area. It also features dozens of resorts and property rentals with a variety of price ranges. Other outdoor activities include exploring the Desert Botanical Garden and the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, or you can stroll around the Old Town area’s shops, restaurants, and galleries. Families can spend the day touring historic sites, the contemporary art museum, the butterfly conservatory, or the railroad park—or even take a sunrise hot air balloon ride. The Granite Reef and Via Linda senior centers offer a long list of daily activities and services. Top-rated healthcare facilities in the area include HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center and the Mayo Clinic-Arizona.
Luxury Snowbird Destinations
If you don't mind splurging, these destinations offer a luxurious winter. They may have higher costs for vacation homes, but they also have a wide range of recreation activities for the whole family to enjoy. They're also close to many other popular locations, making them ideal launchpads for day trips and weekend getaways.
Hilton Head Island, SC
An island retreat with bike trails, golf, and dolphin cruises that the whole family can enjoy
- Weather: Average daytime winter temperatures in the low 60s
- Highlights: Scenic bike trails, golf, dolphin-watching excursions
Hilton Head’s laid-back atmosphere, accessible walking paths, and an abundance of senior-friendly home-rental options make it appealing to retirees. It features luxurious spas, pristine beaches, and championship-level golf courses. For those who love fishing, you can try your luck on shore, from a pier, or on a chartered boat. Families can visit the Coastal Discovery Museum, spend the day in nearby historic Bluffton, or go on pirate or mermaid-themed cruise tours. There are several active retirement communities, and the Hilton Head Senior Center offers a wide range of fitness classes and social opportunities. Several clinics and a hospital are in the area for any healthcare needs.
Palm Springs, CA
A desert shrine to Mid-Century Modern architecture with spas, museums, and golf
- Weather: Average daytime winter temperatures in the low 70s, but nights can get chilly.
- Highlights: Architecture tours, mineral spas, Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Palm Springs is famous for its wellness amenities and outdoor activities for all ages—especially golf. The city also features gourmet restaurants, live music, and enriching activities like the Palm Springs Art and Air museums, Moorten Botanical Garden, and Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. Seniors and kids alike enjoy taking the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of the San Jacinto Mountains and exploring nearby Indian Canyons and Big Bear Lake. The area’s Desert Recreation District regularly organizes social activities and classes for seniors at local community centers. Palm Springs is home to two major hospital systems for any healthcare needs.
Sarasota, FL
A Gulf Coast favorite for affluent retirees who enjoy beaches, arts, and culture
- Weather: Average daytime winter temperatures in the low 70s
- Highlights: Siesta Key Beach, The Ringling Museum, Selby Gardens
Sarasota’s beautiful beaches and culture—such as art museums, the Sarasota Opera House, and the historic Oslo Theatre—have attracted a large retiree population. Families can spend time exploring the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium and the Big Cat Habitat. Plus, Sarasota Friendship Centers offer senior-focused social activities and classes as well as caregiver resources and support. For healthcare needs, Sarasota has several hospitals, urgent care centers, and clinics.
San Diego, CA
A Pacific Coast city with mild weather, top-tier healthcare, and plenty of opportunities for active seniors
- Weather: Average daytime winter temperatures in the mid-60s to low 70s (but nights can be chilly)
- Highlights: Balboa Park, La Jolla Cove, San Diego Zoo
With its senior recreation programs, walkable neighborhoods, and year-round activities, San Diego is considered one of the most veteran-friendly cities. The “birthplace of California” offers a lot for family fun, including the museums and gardens at Balboa Park, the USS Midway aircraft, the Old Town Trolley, scenic coastal parks, and whale and dolphin-watching cruises. The Casa del Prado at Balboa Park is popularly known as a senior lounge for gathering and relaxing, and seniors can find many social activities and classes to try at San Diego’s senior centers. There’s a VA healthcare facility in the area, and the city’s medical services are ranked among the best in the country.
Tips for Planning Your Snowbird Getaway
A little preparation will make your warm-weather retreat smoother and more enjoyable. This not only helps you avoid travel hiccups and settle in comfortably, but it can also ensure that coming home after a long hiatus is peaceful rather than stressful.
Consider Your Budget
Compare the cost of living in the cities you are considering and weigh the benefits of renting versus buying. Florida and Texas have no income tax, which may help stretch retirement dollars, depending on how long you plan to stay.
Ensure Your Main Residence Is Cared For
Double-check that your security system works and set up mail-forwarding services. Consider hiring a local housesitter or asking a trusted neighbor to check in periodically.
Be Prepared for Natural Disasters
Coastal states can have hurricanes and flooding, although not usually in the winter months. Western states are at a higher risk of wildfires, and that can mean poor air quality. Homeowners and renters may want to check insurance policy exclusions and deductibles before settling in.
Ensure Healthcare Access
Confirm nearby hospitals, urgent care centers, and specialists in the city you select. Be prepared by creating a list of your preferred medical locations, then stick it on the fridge when you get to your destination. Be sure to research whether the local facilities and providers are in your insurance network and, if they aren’t, how much your insurer will cover for necessary visits.
Decide How You Will Get Around
Look for senior-friendly public transit, walkability, or shuttle services. Cities like Sarasota, San Diego, and Scottsdale offer such options.
Pack Wisely
Double-check that you have all medications and medical devices. Pack plenty of sun protection, including sunscreen and hats. Bring appropriate clothes and shoes for the activities you have planned, such as hiking, golf, long walks, and dressy occasions. Bring layers so you’re ready for changing temperatures, especially if you’re venturing into the desert.
BrightStar Care® Can Help Support Your Snowbird Lifestyle
Whether you’re traveling south for the winter or caring for a loved one who is, BrightStar Care® can help ensure comfort and peace of mind.
Supported by nurse-led care plans, BrightStar Care caregivers can help you make sure you and your loved one get the care they need. Whether you're looking for in-home care services or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online, or call (866) 618-7827 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.
Weather information comes from The Weather Channel and tourism websites.