Best Western's Travel Blog - You Must Be Trippin'

As the Snowbirds Fly

January 19 2009 by Claudia Kunkel

Well, they're not flying in a V formation - but this is the time of year that snowbirds flock to sunny locales; searching for endless sunshine, balmy beaches or a place that offers a little fun in the sun mixed in with a few wintertime activities.

When sitting down to write this blog, I contemplated what criteria are needed to make the perfect winter escape from shoveling driveways and navigating treacherous icy highways. Having lived through a few frigid winters in the Midwest to living where the sun almost always shines, I feel I can offer a fairly good prospective on what would make a good winter escape when that day comes for my husband and me to kick back and relax.

I tried blindfolding myself and throwing a dart at a map of the United States in order to give equal opportunity to every state, but I found out that I'm a lousy dart thrower and my family got tired of dodging the darts. So, I had to resort to good old fashioned research and what follows are my three top choices based on my in-laws advice that sunshine, shopping, restaurants and good medical facilities are the basics to finding the perfect winter escape.

Phoenix, Arizona - It's hard to argue with over 300 days of sunshine and temperatures that range from the mid- 40's to mid-70's through the winter months. Phoenix and the surrounding metro area offer numerous cultural events, top-notch golf courses such as the Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale; numerous sports teams to follow - Arizona Cardinals, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Coyotes and Arizona Diamondbacks, to name a few. I would be remiss if I didn't mention one of the biggest draws to Phoenix, Spring Training with over a dozen baseball teams coming to the Valley of the Sun to get ready for their regular season. If casinos are your thing, there are plenty around to satisfy the occasional gambler as well as being within a half day's drive to Laughlin and Las Vegas. No winter stay in Phoenix would be complete without experiencing the vastness and beauty of the Grand Canyon and the tranquility of the red rocks of Sedona.

South Padre Island, Texas - If sub-tropical weather, sandy beaches and fishing is your thing, then wintering in South Padre Island is where you should be headed. The temperature rarely drops below 65 degrees in the winter and there are warm, tropical breezes that gently sway the palm trees, making this a popular destination for the snowbirds. The Padre Island National Seashore is a 70 mile stretch of protected beaches with sand dunes, grasslands and tidal flats. For the avid bird watcher, this seashore is home to over 380 different species of birds - that would actually be well over 380 species if you count all the snowbirds! If bird watching or walking on the beaches isn't your thing, you might try your hand at some of the best fishing in the country. Red snapper, red or black drum and spotted sea trout are some of the most common types of fish caught either in the gulf or bay. And rounding out the list of activities, there is a challenging round of golf waiting for you at the South Padre Island Golf Club. This par 72 course is home to the Texas Senior Open and is located 10 minutes from South Padre Island.

Denver, Colorado - I wanted to throw in at least one destination that isn't on the obvious snowbird radar. Having lived in Denver for ten years, I know firsthand how mild the winters can be with the occasional heavy snowfall thrown in for good measure. Denver has all the amenities of a big city: professional sports teams, one of the best zoos in the country - The Denver Zoo with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science next door. Larimer Square offers trendy shopping with an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars - perfect for people watching. Saving the best for last (in my opinion only) is the close proximity to the best skiing in the world. Copper Mountain is Summit County's largest ski resort located only 75 miles from Denver and offers discounted tickets for the "senior" crowd. The new generation of snowbirds is an active bunch and hitting the slopes is on their list of things to do in the winter months.

Well, that wraps up my three destinations for snowbirds this winter. I'd love to hear your choices - drop me a line!

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