Top 3 Best US Winter Sun Destinations in October
Are you trying to figure out your next winter sun destination and aren’t sure where to start? It’s understandable to struggle to decide because there are so many options, and what works for one person might not be ideal for the next. Lucky for you, you’ve stumbled onto the right page because I’ve rounded up the top 3 options for older people looking to escape the October cold without sacrificing fun.
These are the results from our survey where we asked our visitors for the top 3 best North American winter sun destinations in October.
The top 3 best US winter sun destinations in October are Orange Beach, Alabama, McAllen, Texas, and Hawaii. Each of these destinations offers a great mix of great weather, a wide range of accommodation options, and access to various fun activities.
The rest of this article will cover these three destinations in greater detail, explaining exactly why each makes the cut in today’s round-up post. Let’s dive right in.
Contents
1. Orange Beach, Alabama
Orange Beach is a coastal city located in Baldwin County. It’s the perfect winter sun destination for snowbirds looking to spend their October in a warmer, laid-back destination with breathtaking views.
I particularly enjoyed its beautiful white sandy beaches, but you’ll quickly discover there’s much more to it than what meets the eye when you head inland. There are endless opportunities for family fun, laid-back adventures, unique shopping experiences, and much more.
The best part is that the climate allows you to enjoy all these experiences even when other parts of the country are practically freezing. It’s almost impossible to find better winter weather without having to leave the continent.
Here’s why I think this is the best winter sun destination for most winter visitors, particularly snowbirds and those over 50:
The Weather
This is arguably Orange Beach’s biggest selling point. The temperatures range between 44°F and 90°F (7°C – 32°C) throughout the year, which isn’t too extreme compared to some parts of the country.
October temperatures are even better. A typical day is pleasantly warm, with temperatures lows of 67°F(20°C) and highs of 79°F (26°C). It’s never too windy, either. The average wind speed is 12.6mph (19.3km/h), which falls in the “Gentle Breeze” category on the Beaufort Wind Scale.
October is also the least humid month in Orange Beach—the average relative humidity is about 69%, which is moderately humid but still cool.
Dining Options
Orange Beach has all kinds of dining spots, from cozy romantic waterside eateries to bustling sports bars where you can stay updated on what’s going on with your favorite team as you enjoy delicious food and probably a couple of drinks. The menus are equally diverse, but seafood is almost a staple in the city’s best dining spots.
Orange Beach also has plenty of formal and casual dining options. So whether you like to dress up for a fancy dinner or prefer to dress casually as you down a couple of cold ones and a bucket of oysters or wings, you’ll have endless choices.
The best part of it all is that most dining spots in the city offer a senior discount. So not only do you get to dine where you want, how you want to, but you also get to do it cheaper than other people.
Fun Activities
Orange Beach has fun activities for everyone, from adrenaline junkies to people who prefer to have fun without raising their heartbeat too much. If you’re like me and most other Boomers and Gen Xs, you’re probably more interested in the latter kind of fun, so that’s all I’ll focus on.
Orange Beach’s weather in October allows for plenty of outdoor fun. Some of the fun outdoor activities you won’t want to miss out include:
Visiting the Beach
It almost feels criminal not to visit at least one beach because Orange Beach has some of the best beaches in the country. There are several options for every preference.
If you’d rather chill and enjoy the scenery without the crowds, I highly recommend checking out Romar Beach and Perdido Beach. Both are great options for sunbathing, swimming, or enjoying the scenery with a bit of seclusion. If you’re a social butterfly who likes to swim, sunbathe, and do a bit of fishing, Gulf State Park Beach is the place to be.
And if you’re taking letting your family and kids tag along, you’ll want to check out Cotton Bayou Beach. Its calm waters and soft sand make it a great spot for relaxing without having to worry about kids’ safety.
Going on an Adventure
Orange Beach has a lot to offer when it comes to adventure. Some of the adventures you won’t want to miss out include:
- Going on a dolphin cruise.
- Enjoying a bird’s eye view of the beauty of the city and its surroundings from a helicopter.
- Taking a sunset sail.
- Visiting various zoos and recreational parks.
- Nature walks and birdwatching.
- Visiting an arts center.
These are just a few examples. There are tons of other adventures you can enjoy in Orange Beach. Just make sure you choose a reputable company for things like helicopter tours and ocean cruises.
Golf
Orange Beach has world-class golf courses of all kinds, from beachside courses that let you tee up a few yards from the white sand to courses tucked away in the beautiful live oaks and Spanish moss.
There are up to fourteen courses in and around the city. Some have courses designed by the legendary Earl Stone, Jerry Pate, and Arnold Palmer, so be sure to ask around if teeing up in one of these is on your bucket list.
Sublime Accommodation
Orange Beach has accommodation options for every budget and taste, from pocket-friendly motels and hotels to high-end vacation rentals and resorts.
If your budget allows it, I highly recommend getting a beachfront condo. These give you access to the city’s beaches and provide stunning views of the sunrise and sunset.
Here are my top three recommendations:
- Phoenix West II. This luxury beachfront property has some of the best three-and-four-bedroom units in the city. It offers stunning views of the Gulf, along with beachfront pools, a lazy river, hot tubs, a sauna, and a fully stocked fitness center.
- Caribe Resort. Caribe Resort also offers a lazy river, along with multiple pools, a marina, and breathtaking views of Perdido Bay and the Gulf.
- Turquoise Place. Turquoise Place offers similar amenities to the other two properties above, as well as direct access to the beach and balcony hot tubs.
McAllen, Texas
Since Orange Beach errs on the expensive side of things, it’s only right that I include an affordable winter sun destination for those who don’t want to make too big of a dent in their retirement savings. McAllen fits the bill on this and several other merits.
Texas offers several snowbird locations, including Brownsville, Corpus Christi, South Padre Island, Rockport, and San Antonio. However, none of these locations is as affordable as McAllen.
McAllen isn’t just cheaper than other destinations in Texas.
According to Payscale.com, its overall cost of living is generally cheaper than the national average. Housing, groceries, and transportation are 45%, 17%, and 13% cheaper than the national average, respectively. The only exception is utilities, which are 6% more expensive compared to the national average.
The fact that McAllen is affordable doesn’t mean it doesn’t have much to offer snowbirds aged 50 and above. Here’s a rundown of other factors that make it a great snowbird location for that specific age group:
Great Weather
For starters, the city has great weather in October. A typical day is pleasantly warm with highs of 90°F (32°C) and lows of 68°F (20°C) and a gentle breeze of no more than 14.0 mph (22.5km/h).
It’s not too humid, either. The average relative humidity throughout the month is about 67%, which falls in the “moderately humid but cool” category. And considering that the city sees about 11.6 hours of daylight, you can rest assured that you’ll be comfortable in a T-shirt (or even a sleeveless one) for the better part of the day.
Cultural and Natural Attractions
Some of the cultural and historical attractions you won’t want to miss out on include:
- The International Museum of Art and Science.
- The McAllen Heritage Center.
- The Quinta Mazatlan.
The city is also home to numerous parks and nature reserves, such as the Word Birding Center and the McAllen Nature Center. These are perfect for birdwatching and nature walks.
Hawaii
Hawaii doesn’t need much introduction; it’s one of the most popular tropical paradises and a top pick for many snowbirds. Its tropical climate keeps temperatures pleasantly warm even in the coldest months of the year, allowing visitors to enjoy all the outdoor fun and beautiful beaches the state has to offer.
Hawaii also hosts all kinds of festivals throughout the year. Some of the most famous annual festivals to look forward to include, the Hawaiʻi International Film Festival and the Eō E ʻEmalani I Alaka‘i Festival. Both festivals are held in October and are a great way to experience the local culture in its most authentic form.
If festivals aren’t your thing, you can always explore the mesmerizing natural beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. My advice would be to book a helicopter tour so you can enjoy all the stunning views without breaking a sweat. Even if you don’t mind a bit of trekking, you won’t cover as much ground as you would with a helicopter.
How this Top 3 list was made
The top 3 list was derived from a survey where we asked about their top destination for a particular month and region. From these results, we made each month a top 3 for North America, the Caribbean, Middle/South America, Europe, and Asia (including the Middle East). Sometimes, we have combined several individual destinations from a single country into the country itself.
