There are miles of beaches, year-round sunlight, and nearly as many palm trees as people. Everyone travels to Florida vacation spots for families.
Selecting a destination in Florida can be challenging, even though the state thrives on tourism. Florida has something for everyone on a trip: family-friendly theme parks, outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts, fascinating historical sites for those interested in unique places, water park resorts , family-friendly resorts with kids, and camping.
best family vacations in florida
Naples
The western coast of Florida is home to Naples, another treasure called the Paradise Coast for good reason. best things to do in naples is a sophisticated and elegant city that is well-known for its expansive golf courses, luxurious shopping centres, and stunning white sand beaches.
Go to Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South to make a dent in your credit limit if retail therapy is on the schedule—which it should be in Naples. If you like natural landmarks, visit the Naples Zoo, Clam Pass Park, or Botanical Garden. In addition, there’s much for art enthusiasts to appreciate at Artis — Naples, a multifunctional institution that houses the Naples Philharmonic and The Baker Museum, or at any of the striking art galleries scattered across the best family vacations in florida.
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a true paradise, 113 miles from Key Largo to eccentric Key West, the southernmost tip of the mainland United States. Pick any Key along the route, and you’re guaranteed a tropical escape without a passport. Plan your schedule to include sailing, diving, fishing, snorkelling coral reefs, feeding 10-foot tarpon at Robbie’s, and taking advantage of one of the world’s greatest holiday spots for unwinding.
Playa Largo is a good option for families or anyone who enjoys an action-packed getaway; there are pools, water sports like sailing, parasailing, Kayaking, and even a hammock garden for reading. Key Largo is home to the adults-only Bungalows Key Largo, the first all-inclusive in the Keys.
Make reservations at The Catch House, a family-run Key Largo landmark that stands out for being one of the few eateries that solely sources from nearby fishermen, meaning that your catch is as fresh as it gets, for the florida destinations greatest seafood (and Key lime pie) in the florida vacation spots.
Augustine
St. Augustine, being the oldest city in America, has had plenty of time to perfect its craft. The mid-1500s saw the arrival of settlers, and certain locations that are still in existence today, such as Castillo de San Marcos and the Fountain of Youth, go back almost that long. This is a charming town that is perfect for strolling; rumours of the past float through each cobblestone lane.
Reserve a room at the adults-only Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens for the ideal fusion of history and comfortable luxury. Here, you can have a guided walk of the house with the property historian and get together for perfectly made cocktails at The Well Bar. Built in 1791, St. Francis Inn is a bed & breakfast that embodies the essence of the city and all that makes cosy lodgings appealing for those seeking a hint of old-world elegance. It’s directly on St. George Street, the major thoroughfare of St. Augustine.
The Palm Beaches
Consider the Palm Beaches as a quick route to the best Florida offers. The region, which encompasses places like West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Wellington, Delray Beach, Jupiter, and Boca Raton, is the collective designation for the cities in Palm Beach County.
Its strength is in the various activities offered at the Palm Beaches. A quick two-night cruise to the Bahamas, a Broadway musical at the Kravis Center, brunch with your dog, shopping, surfing, scuba diving, watching an international polo match, lounging on 47 miles of shoreline, meeting rehabilitating sea turtles, and catching foul balls at spring training baseball games are just a few of the activities available. In the best places to visit in florida west, you may reserve airboat excursions of the Everglades or visit Lion Country Safari, a 600-acre drive-thru zoo where you can get up close and personal with giraffes, zebras, and rhinos.
Orlando and Central Florida
Walt Disney World and Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Universal Studios, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Animal Kingdom, Discovery Cove, The things to do near orlando florida, Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Gatorland, and more, Orlando is the go-to destination for many folks considering a Florida vacation, and for good reason. There is more to this Florida area, even if those locations will always be well-liked by both tourists and residents.
For instance, if you fly into NASA’s Kennedy Space Center from Orlando and head due east, you may explore a complex devoted to all things space travel and even witness rocket launches. Winter Park is quieter to the north and is called central Florida’s Palm Beach. You can stroll beneath the canopy of old oak trees and take in the sunsets beside the lake. Dine at Hillstone Restaurant for supper and Briarpatch for breakfast. Once you’ve avoided Orlando’s tourist traps, there are many opportunities to get outdoorsy and adventurous in Places to visit in florida.
Everglades National Park
While visiting a national park might not immediately spring to mind when considering Florida, the state is full of unique locations (think alligators and palm trees rather than bison and geysers), with Everglades National Park serving as its crown gem.
Situated on the southernmost point of the Florida peninsula, the 1.5 million acres of conserved wetlands known as the Everglades are a slow-moving “river of grass,” with a variety of distinct habitats, including sawgrass marshes, coastal mangroves, pine flatwoods, and more.
Shark Valley, Florida City in Homestead, and Everglades City on the Gulf Coast are the primary entrances; trails and guided tours are available for the more adventurous. Go between November and April, when the park is dry, to enjoy cooler temperatures, more active wildlife, and fewer bugs.
Crystal River
The tranquil, hidden Crystal River is a slower-paced, less well-known resort on Florida’s western coast. Although there isn’t much to eat or do in Crystal River, it is home to some of places to see in florida most breathtaking natural scenery, which is especially appealing to water lovers.
Discover the stunning Crystal River springs with a clear kayak tour from Get Up and Go Kayaking. Winter visitors have a decent chance of seeing any of the hundreds of manatees that come to the springs every year. Situated on 232 acres on Kings Bay, the nearby Plantation on Crystal River provides straightforward, uncomplicated waterfront accommodations.
Head to one of the renowned live mermaid presentations at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, approximately an hour’s drive south of Crystal River, for an even more pleasantly Florida holiday experience.
Miami and Fort Lauderdale
Miami is the most interesting destination in places to go in florida regarding tourist attractions. It’s a worldwide metropolis with all the fantastic restaurants, lodging options, and party spots you could want. Vibrant imagination and the kind of classic meets modern design that puts Miami on the map can be seen in the uber-Instagrammable Art Deco District in South Beach, and neighbouring Wynwood Walls is home to an abundance of street art and enormous murals.
Assuming you’re looking for opulent five-star experiences, August is the ideal month to visit Miami if you’re planning a trip. Miami Spa Months, Miami Spice Restaurant Months, and Miami Hotel Months are the perfect trio of citywide promotions that come together throughout this month.
Tampa Bay Area (Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater)
On Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa and the neighborhoods that surround it constitute a tri-city paradise. Visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium to meet the slick stars of the Dolphin Tale films, or ride the roller coasters at Busch Gardens.
The relaxed town of Clearwater Beach is regularly ranked among Florida’s top beaches. See enormous sand sculptures at the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival, a beachside art festival exclusive to Florida. Opal Sands has 230 guestrooms, all of which are waterfront and a half-mile from the event. Along with St. Petersburg, the region is an underappreciated art and culture mecca, home to museums like the striking Dalí Museum and murals.
Panhandle
Pensacola, Panama City Beach, Destin, and Florida’s capital city of Tallahassee make up the Florida Panhandle. Tourism plays a major role in the Panhandle, a popular destination for spring break.
The Panhandle’s white-sand beaches and serene Gulf waters are its main draws. Still, there are plenty of other options for beach days: St. Andrews State Park offers visitors hiking, biking, and canoeing opportunities. Additionally, Panama City Beach establishments like Pineapple Willy’s, which serves delightfully over-the-top frozen drinks, provide early happy hour. Remember to order a po’ boy to go with your drink. The whole family will be occupied at Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park in Destin.
Amelia Island
Peaceful little Amelia Island is well-liked by tourists looking for a quaint beach town without congestion. Naturally, there are beaches, but those who enjoy the outdoors should also visit Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve and Fort Clinch State Park, which has animals, hiking trails,
Visit the island’s historic downtown Fernandina Beach to shop or eat at the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, which honours a mutual love of shrimp.
Cedar Key
Cedar Key is a charming tiny island community with pastel-coloured cottages. Expect to explore quiet beaches and beautiful gardens and swim and paddle in neighbouring natural springs. Though it’s a little-known destination that escapes the best vacation spots in florida travellers, Cedar Key is a pleasant getaway choice for those looking for something a little more sedate than the state’s more popular destinations.
In addition to biking, Kayaking, and hiking, exciting things to do in and around Cedar Key include taking a day excursion to the neighbouring Manatee Springs State Park. If you want to learn more about the area, there’s the Cedar Key Historical Society & Museum, Cedar Key Museum State Park, and Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge. Enjoy a sunset at Cedar Key Airport Beach to round off your leisurely days.
