A new study has named two destinations in the Tampa Bay region as the top spots for U.S. travelers seeking to escape the winter chill, often referred to as “snowbirds.”

Englewood and Wauchula have been ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in HomeToGo’s 2025 Snowbird Escapes Report. These locations were selected based on their winter average high temperatures (75°F for Englewood and 77°F for Wauchula) and their affordable median vacation home nightly prices per person ($64 for Englewood and $76 for Wauchula).

“When winter bites, Englewood offers a sun-soaked escape with temperatures that can reach the low 70s,” analysts noted in the report. “The Gulf Coast’s calm, clear waters, and soft beaches make it a perfect retreat from the cold.”

Englewood’s Lemon Bay is highlighted for its opportunities to paddle through mangroves, spot dolphins, walk along the shore, and search for seashells.

Wauchula, described as a “sunlit haven where the beauty of Florida’s heartland takes center stage,” offers a peaceful retreat from winter days. “Nestled in central Florida, just a short drive from Tampa and Sarasota, Wauchula invites visitors to wander landscapes characterized by oak trees and orange groves, or hunt for fossils along the Peace River,” analysts said.

These Florida locations surpassed third-place Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as Silver Sands Beach, Florida, and Honokaa, Hawaii.

As snowbird season begins, potential visitors should be aware that many communities across the Sunshine State are still recovering from the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

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(Image credit: Mark Lotterhand/stock.adobe.com)