The great Sunshine state of Florida is one of the United States’ top vacation destinations. Regardless of whether you’re looking to enjoy a nice relaxing weekend getaway, a lively summertime beach adventure, or simply trying to escape the winter cold, Florida is a place that caters to travelers from all walks of life, interests, and passions.
Florida has an enormous variety of cities and attractions for visitors to choose from. It really doesn’t even matter what kind of budget you’re working with or what you’re tastes are, because the state’s got you covered across virtually all bases.
From the magic of Disney World to the pristine beaches of Destin to the city lights and delectable Cuban cuisine of Miami, Florida is bursting at the seams with fantastic attractions, both natural and man-made.
Join Viewcation as we take a look at the Best Vacation Spots In Florida.
Miami
Located at the south of the state in Dade country, just about 150 miles north of Key West, Miami is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. Visitors come from all over the planet to experience the city’s bustling South Beach district with it’s pristine, white sandy beaches, emerald blue waters, and brightly colored architecture.
During the day, we recommend strolling through the many art galleries, shops, boutiques, and marketplaces that the city is home to. Come nightfall, you can put on your dancing shoes and dance the night away at one of the city’s many nightlife hot spots.
The city is also close to the Everglades, so if you’ve ever wanted to see an alligator in person, you’re in luck. We also recommend grabbing a Cuban coffee or sandwich before exploring one of the many museums and botanical gardens that call Miami home.
Orlando
Orlando is famous for being the home to many family-friendly amusement parks, including Disney World, Legoland, Universal Studios, and Sea World. Your family can stay entertained for days just exploring the parks, but the city is also home to many other top attractions, such as the Central Florida Zoo, several alligator parks, and loads of shopping centers. There are also countless top-notch restaurants to satisfy just about any of your cravings as well as a vast array of nightclubs and theaters to keep you entertained come nightfall.
The Keys
As far as South Florida vacation spots go, one of our favorites is the Florida Keys. The keys are not only home to an iconic Beach Boys tune, but they are also one of the most picturesque places to visit in the country. Essentially, the keys are a string of tropical islands that span 120 miles between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.
There is a ton of fun for everyone in your family to enjoy in the keys. From snorkeling to swimming to feeding giant tarpon, the nature here is downright glorious. Be sure to be on the lookout for the tiny Key Deer, a native species that can only be found in this one isolated locale.
The best way to explore the keys has to be be by taking a road trip from Miami all the way down to the southernmost locale in the United States, Key West. The drive, in our opinion, is one of the most scenic we’ve ever taken.
The first town that you’ll reach when traveling down U.S. 1 aka the Overseas Highway, is Key Largo. This beautiful, laid-back island town features 78 nautical sq. miles of coral reef. While most people think of Key West when it comes to the Keys, Key Largo is a marvelous alternative for those that are in search of more secluded and isolated beaches.
Islamorada
Just down the Overseas Highway, a short drive from Key Largo, is the small little seaside town of Islamorada. This is one of the best places in Florida to go if you’re an avid fisher. You wont want to miss your opportunity to hand feed enormous tarpon over at Robbie’s Tarpon. It will no doubt be one of the highlights of anyone’s Florida Keys road trip.
If feeding giant fish doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, there are many other fun and exciting things to do Islamorada including paying a visit to Anne’s Beach or the Florida Keys Brewing Company – one of the most popular taprooms in the island chain.
St. Augustine
This city happens to be the oldest one in America. Because of this, it’s a wonderful vacation spot for history buffs. The Spanish-style architecture alone is enough to warrant a visit, but there are several other worthy attractions to see when in town.
Since many different people have lived and passed through this area in the last 400+, there are plenty of centuries-old buildings and structures to see, from castles to military forts to historic lighthouses to opulent hotels.
You can tour the city easily on foot, but you can also take the train, trolley, or even a boat to check out noteworthy attractions such as the Medieval Torture Museum, the Living Museum, and the Colonial Quarter.
Foodies likewise will find plenty to write home about as the city is home to some of the best restaurants, cafes, breweries, and confectioneries in Florida.
Key West
Key West is a vacation destination like none other. It’s just about the closest you can get to taking an exotic island vacation without having to leave the mainland US. The city itself is jam-packed full of attractions. In fact, it almost feels like the Key West as a whole is one big island theme park.
Brightly colored buildings, swaying palms, and lively music can be found at the ever-popular Duval Street. Here you’ll also find many restaurants and bars, including the oldest drinking establishment in the state.
But make sure you don’t spend all of your time in town, because the emerald waters will be beckoning you to go scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, or sailing. The city is also famous for being where Ernest Hemingway wrote many of his greatest novels.
Tampa
This city is located along Florida’s Gulf Coast. It’s home to some of the most diverse attractions in the states. Besides it’s beautiful; beaches, Tampa is a fabulous family vacation spot because of the long laundry list of things to and see. For one, you’ve got the marvelous Florida Aquarium. Then there’s Busch Gardens, Zoo Tampa, The Glazer Children’s Museums, and Ybor City – the latter of which has one of the most happening nightlife scenes in the state.
Tampa is a great place to go if you want to do things like spending the day at the spa, getting out in the sun and hitting the links, or sampling craft beers at one of the many Breweries that are peppered across the city. If you’re an outdoorsy type, there are endless opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and biking. You could even spend a few hows getting your adrenaline fix ziplining high up in the trees if that’s your kind of thing.
Destin
This seaside town can be found along the coast of the Florida Panhandle. It’s one of the most popular summertime destinations in the state, so it can get a bit crowded at times, but even so, it’s well worth a visit.
The city has a fantastic boardwalk lined with numerous world-class seafood restaurants. Around town, you can find golf courses, fishing docks, and loads of shops to explore. Some of the best attractions in Destin include the Destin History and Fishing Museum, Henderson Beach State Park, and Big Kahuna’s Waterpark.
To tap into Destin’s nightlife, check out Baytowne Wharf. During the day, Destin Harbor is a great spot to go to grab a bite to eat or shop for souvenirs. When you’re in town, be sure to try the local favorite catch, Amberjack.
Crystal River
While lacking in a culinary or nightlife scene to speak of, Crystal River, located on Florida’s western coast, is home to some of the most strikingly beautiful natural sights in the state – especially for those fond of marine life.
The best way in our opinion to explore the stammeringly gorgeous springs of Crystal River is by booking a clear kayak tour. As you tour Three Sisters Springs, Hunter Springs and Jurassic Springs, you’ll spot animals like manatees, dolphins, turtles, and birds.
Sanibel Island
Following the recent devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian, Sanibel and the nearby island of Captiva need a little time to recover. That being said, Ian wasn’t the first nor will it be the last storm to wreak havoc on Sanibel. When it’s not in rebuild and recover mode, Sanibel is one of the best and most affordable low-key beach vacation destinations in Florida. It’s located not far from Fort Meyers in the Gulf. The destination is known for seldom being crowded. It’s casual, laid back, and, best of all, majestically beautiful. Sanibel has long been a favorite honeymoon destination for newlyweds, but it’s also perfect for families traveling with children.
From early May to late October, Sanibel is the location where thousands of sea turtles migrate for their nesting season. Because of this, there are several special guidelines in place to help protect this delicate native species. If you’re planning a visit, be sure to consult Sanibel’s website to know what to expect so that you can treat the turtles with the care and dignity that they deserve. Sanibel is also pretty lovely place to vacation during the winter months as the daytime temps tend to hover between 70 and 80 every day and the skies are almost always clear – that is, when there isn’t a hurricane thundering through the region.
Naples
Naples is known for being a prime spot for couples to spend some one-on-one time together. It’s a romantic town filled with upscale restaurants, shops, spas, and boutiques. People frequently come here to treat themselves to a dose of luxury. That being said, it’s not exactly the cheapest place to vacation, so be prepared to shell out a little extra for accommodations and meals.
As far as attractions go, make sure you check out the Naples zoo, botanical gardens, and the Baker Museum. There are also many galleries to visit as well. The nearby wildlife refuges, such as Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, are also well worth visiting.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to head on down to America’s most-visited state? Florida, as we mentioned in the intro, Florida has a little something for everyone. It’s one of the best places we can think of to work on your tan while spending the day at the beach. And if you’re traveling with kids, they’ll never forget a visit to one of the many theme parks that call the Sunshine state their home.
What are a few of your favorite Florida vacation spots? If you’ve never been, what are you most excited to see on your upcoming trip? Let us know in the comments section down below. And as always, happy travels!