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Is anyone starting to feel the winter chill creeping in? Fire up your favorite booking platform and find somewhere warm.
Thankfully for Americans, finding a warm and comfortable beach in the winter doesn’t have to mean an expensive trip abroad. There are many beaches here where you can relax in a pleasant climate.
But where is the best place to go? New data from vacation rental specialist HomeToGo could help with that.
We recently reported that 72% of U.S. travelers are planning a trip this winter and revealed the top three most searched U.S. destinations in our annual Fall/Winter Travel Forecast.
They may not be as exotic as Bali or Cancun, but these three beach towns within 130 miles of the Gulf of Mexico coastline are definitely winners when it comes to winter warmth.
Grab your swimsuit and check out the next trending beach destination.
gulf shores alabama
Alabama’s short Gulf coast makes up for its modest size with stunning beauty.
With white sand beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters, and average winter temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees from November to February, Gulf Shores has a lot to offer.
The town’s beautiful beaches along the coast have public access points, including several well-maintained promenades.
In addition to lounging on the beach, take a charter boat out to the Gulf, sample the vibrant local arts scene, or soak in history at nearby attractions like the Swift Coles Historic Home.
You may be surprised to learn that Gulf Shores has no shortage of lodging options and was recently ranked as one of the cheapest beach towns in the United States for vacation rentals.
Median nightly price from HomeToGo: $385.35
Destin, Florida
Dubbed “The Luckiest Fishing Village in the World,” Destin is also a magical place with white sand beaches and turquoise waters.
There’s a lot to do in this rather small town. Fishing is naturally a popular attraction, as is tackle on the Emerald Bay Golf Club course.
Like many spots in the Florida Panhandle, Destin is known for its high-quality seafood, which you can enjoy at one of the many beautiful waterfront restaurants.
Another major attraction in Destin is Crab Island, a shallow sandbar. It’s a popular place for boats to hang out and revelers to enjoy the warm waters on sunny afternoons.
It’s only accessible by boat, but there are many companies that rent boats if you’re just visiting.
If you want to float in a slightly more active way, renting a stand-up paddleboard is another great option for exploring the warm waters around Destin.
With so much to see and do packed into a small area, it’s a great city for solo travelers, couples, and families alike.
Median nightly price from HomeToGo: $287.66
Panama City Beach, Florida
From Destin, drive about 80 miles east along the coast to Panama City Beach.
The coastline between these two spots is part of the Emerald Coast and is considered one of the best places to vacation in the Florida Panhandle.
Panama City Beach was previously named one of the top three beaches in the United States by TripAdvisor, and it’s easy to see why.
There’s so much more to this town than just relaxing on pristine sandy beaches and soaking in the soothingly warm waters. It is surrounded by great shopping outlets including several impressive piers.
There’s no shortage of restaurants along the beach, but for a truly memorable experience, take a dinner cruise.
There are several boats that can sail along the coast here, where you can enjoy fine cuisine and see the abundant wildlife in the area, including dolphins and sea turtles.
Median nightly price from HomeToGo: $271.38
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
