Winter Vacation Escapes

Nigel Maynard wrote about the top 5 snowbird vacation destinations in his article published by At Home Magazine. The term "snowbird" refers to residents from cold states who annually migrate south for the winter. Often times, retirees with second homes in warmer places or people with easily transportable businesses fit this description. Some without second homes choose to travel in their RV. Interestingly, when snowbirds go south, they also ramp up their quality of life. But where exactly do these people go?

No 1: The Florida Panhandle. Nearly 1 million people migrate to Florida every winter. The Sunshine State is noted for its beaches, fishing, and golfing.

No. 2: Galveston, Texas. South Texas is a great option for snowbirds. Galveston is a costal area, while Austin offers a vibrate music scene and outdoor recreation.

No. 3: Joshua Tree, California. Southern California also has a lot to offer. The Coachella Valley (Near Joshua Tree National Park) and desert resort cities are popular among snowbirds. For great weather and world-class golf, go to Palm Springs, Palm Desert, or Indian Wells.

No. 4: Yuma, Arizona. The state's average day time temperature of 70 degrees often draws people to Western Arizona. Yuma offers casino and RV parks, while Quartzsite provides low cost or free public camping areas.

No. 5: Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque sees over 300 sunny days each year. New Mexico appeals to snowbirds because it offers the best of both worlds: someone can spend a warm day in the lowlands then head over to a nearby ski resort!