Few places are like the Sunshine State for fantastic and affordable weekend adventures, from beach breaks to urban escapes. Plan a stay in the bustling downtown of Tampa, where there are unique places, unique things to do, and the best resort; head to Palm Beach for its golden sands and designer boutiques, or visit Amelia Island for a relaxed Florida flair. Get inspired to plan your next trip to the Sunshine State by perusing our list of the best weekend getaways in Florida for families.
cheap weekend getaways florida
Miami
Miami’s cosmopolitan atmosphere, art, fashion, and the best cuisine scene in Florida make it one of the best places to stay for a weekend in the United States. Choose from chic lodging options on Miami Beach, such as the waterfront Faena or The Setai, or go for a more metropolitan base in downtown Miami, such as East Miami or the Kimpton Epic Hotel. Remarkably near to the city, Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park, two of Florida’s most amazing national parks, florida weekend getaways for couples getaway miami, can whisk you away to a more natural setting.
Naples
When Naples is your weekend getaway destination, you can combine time spent on the stunning dunes of the Gulf of Mexico with abundant shopping and mouthwatering cuisine. It is challenging to top Edgewater Beach Hotel or LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort for a serene gulf-front vacation. Naples is a convenient starting point for day visits to the neighboring Everglades National Park, which you may explore via boat cruises departing from Everglades City.
Petersburg
Downtown St. Pete is a happy place to spend a weekend away, with hundreds of murals by well-known street artists enlivening its urban corridor. The new, cutting-edge St. The largest collection of Salvador Dali’s artwork outside his native Spain is kept in the Dali Museum. Explore the shops, breweries, and cafes lining Bayshore Drive and Central Avenue, which are nearby. inexpensive weekend getaways florida.
Orlando
Orlando, a city in Central Florida, offers something for every kind of traveler, whether you want to visit the theme parks at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando or would rather explore the city’s verdant downtown and neighboring Winter Park. The romantic getaways orlando city’s culinary industry is flourishing, both within the parks and outside of them. Two Orlando restaurants, Capa and Omakase standout Soseki, have recently been granted Michelin stars. Enjoy refreshing swims in freshwater springs while kayaking in locations such as Wekiwa Springs State Park, or experience unconventional wellness in the first Beer Spa in the state.
Fort Lauderdale
There are many things to do in Fort Lauderdale during a weekend break, like dining at different restaurants, seeing yachts, biking, walking, and rollerblading along the waterfront promenade. For your weekend getaway, leave your car parked and explore the town on foot or by water taxi, which stops at the beach, close to the bustling Las Olas Boulevard and Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale.
Amelia Island
Just south of the Georgia line, Amelia Island features golden beaches running for miles at a time, marshy grasslands reaching the horizon, and local cuisine, including shrimp and grits. Hire a bike to see Fort Clinch State Park’s historic sites and undeveloped beaches, then peddle past the quaint cafes and stores in the Amelia Island, downtown area of Fernandina. A magnificent section of shoreline fronts the oceanfront Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.
Tampa
Spend the weekend in Tampa, Florida’s west coast metropolis, just a short distance from the magnificent Gulf of Mexico, for a city break near some of the country’s most idyllic white-sand beaches. The Tampa Edition, the city’s first real five-star hotel, debuted in late 2022 in the restored Water Street Tampa downtown neighborhood. Explore the restaurants, museums, and urban parks that line the Tampa Riverwalk. Don’t forget to stop by Armature Works, the city’s best food hall—a former street car warehouse transformed into a trendy indoor-outdoor hangout by the Hillsborough River.
Ocala
Florida’s horse country is Ocala, north of Orlando. It features distinctive undulating landscapes in an otherwise flat state, farms, and ranches where champion Arabians are raised. With a gorgeous heated pool, regular events in the Amelia Island horse arenas, and a fantastic on-site spa, the Equestrian Hotel is ideal. Visit Rainbow Springs State Park to swim in spring-fed, crystal-clear waters, paddle a canoe on the river, and see wading birds, turtles, and possibly even alligators.
Islamorada
Islamorada, an oasis in the Upper Florida Keys with snorkeling on coral reefs and offshore game fishing, is only 90 minutes south of Miami and offers a taste of the Caribbean. Staying at Hawks Cay Resort on nearby Marathon allows you to stay in private holiday villas with all the conveniences of home and launch excursions straight from the property’s docks.
Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island, about an hour south of Tampa, offers a charming Old Florida vibe with its long, powdery beaches, pastel-colored buildings, and lack of commercial restaurants or large resorts. Take a Surrey bike or golf cart rental to explore the island and take advantage of the nightly custom of locals congregating at the SandBar restaurant.
Sarasota
If you want a vacation in Florida that combines amazing beaches and world-class art in a small-town setting, Sarasota is the place to go. See the spectacular European collection at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in the city’s center on 66 tropical acres. After dining and drinking in chic St. Armand’s Circle, head to the shores of neighboring Longboat Key, where oceanfront properties like The Resort at Longboat Key Club and Zota Beach Resort entice you to swim and sunbathe.
The Space Coast
Less than an hour’s drive east of Orlando is Florida’s Space Coast, home to some of the closest beaches to the city. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a must-see, and rocket launches from Cape Canaveral are a regular sight. Learn to surf on Melbourne Beach, close by, or Cocoa Beach, the birthplace of great surfer Kelly Slater. Plan your trip during the summer months to have the opportunity to witness sea turtles depositing their eggs while taking guided nighttime excursions through Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge and Canaveral National Seashore.
Sebring
Visit the charming town of Sebring, located about two hours south of Orlando, for a historic Central Florida retreat. Enjoy a Florida wine tasting at Secret Gardens Winery, take an airboat ride at Arbuckle Creek, or stroll the stunning old-growth nature paths at Highlands Hammock State Park. You can even witness gators swimming in a pond.
Destin-Fort Walton Beach
The Destin-Fort Walton Beach region is enticing for a few days away because of its glittering Gulf of Mexico waters, powdery sands, and several opportunities to explore wildlife off the beach. The Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail offers opportunities for snorkeling beside artificial shipwrecks, while the 8.1-mile paved Blackwater Heritage State Trail offers cycling through ecosystems great for birdwatching.
Panama City Beach
Although it is often associated with spring break, Panama City Beach is a charming vacation spot all year round. Its beaches are most beautiful in St. Andrews State Park, where you may go birdwatching, explore on a bike, or take a passenger boat to the nearby undeveloped barrier island, Shell Island.
Cedar Key
Plan a weekend trip to the charming Gulf Coast town of Cedar Key for some of the state’s greatest seafood and a true Old Florida experience. Flip-flops are the most upscale footwear for resort wear on this island group facing the Gulf of Mexico. Commercial fishing is still a way of life here. Try the weekend getaways in florida for families local seafood specialties, such as clam soup, mullet dip, and Cedar Key oysters. A few charming vacation cottages, tiny hotels, and inns are set on stilts at the water’s edge.
Key West
When you arrange a weekend getaway to Key West, you won’t require a car rental to get about. Visit historic locations, including The Hemingway House & Museum and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, which has the best deep-water beach on the island, by bike, scooter, or trolley. Experience the cabaret styled after Key West at La Te Da, partake in the Duval Street bar crawl, or reserve a luxurious private island stay at Sunset Key Cottages, accessed by a short private boat shuttle from the docks near Mallory Square.
Fort Pierce
Fort Pierce is a Florida surprise, with a harbor full of charter fishing boats and one of the state’s best weekend farmers markets, hosted every Saturday morning directly along the Intracoastal Waterway. which features art inspired by Florida, and the Sailfish Brewing Company, which brews beers using materials from the weekend getaways in florida for families area, are located in the city’s small, historic downtown.
Mount Dora
Nestled among stunning freshwater lakes, Lake County in Central Florida offers some of the state’s best birdwatching opportunities. Set up shop in the historic lakefront town of Mt. Dora, 30 miles northwest of Orlando, and spend your days browsing antique stores, taking seaplane flights to get a bird’s-eye view of the lakes, and harvesting luscious oranges and grapefruits from nearby fields throughout the season best weekend getaways in florida for families.
