The Sunshine State has it all, but a fourth-generation Floridian says these are the top vacation spots in the state.
What's not to love about miles of beaches, year-round sunlight, and nearly as many palm palms as people? The entire globe vacations in Florida.
The hardest aspect of visiting Florida can be picking where to go, although the state lives, breathes, and eats tourism. Since Florida offers it all—theme parks for families, outdoor activities for nature lovers, and historical significance for the curious—any kind of traveler can enjoy a trip there.
There is truly no wrong answer to the subject of where the best spots to visit in Florida are, but as a fourth-generation Floridian, here is my opinion.
Beaches in Palm
Consider the Palm Beaches as a quick pass to Florida's top attractions. The area comprises places like West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Wellington, Delray Beach, Jupiter, and Boca Raton and is referred to as the cities of Palm Beach County as a whole.
Its strength is the sheer variety of activities offered at the Palm Beaches. You can go shopping, surfing, scuba diving, have brunch with your dog, watch an international polo match, unwind on 47 miles of shoreline, interact with sea turtles that are being rehabilitated, take a brief two-night cruise to the Bahamas, watch a Broadway musical at the Kravis Center, and catch a foul ball at a spring training baseball game. In the west, you may reserve airboat excursions of the Everglades or visit the 600-acre drive-through zoo Lion Country Safari to get up and personal with rhinos, giraffes, and zebras.
Palm Beach and Boca Raton are both great options if you want to stay at a posh resort. You'll be treated like royalty at The Breakers, but The Colony Hotel, Eau Palm Beach, and The Boca Raton are signs of a more contemporary Palm Beach.
West Palm Beach, which is over the bridge, provides a big-city vibe without the hassles of traffic and congestion. You can go to Grandview Public Market in the developing Warehouse District or take the free trolley between Clematis Street, The Square, and the riverfront.
The Ben West Palm and Canopy by Hilton West Palm Beach Downtown both feature rooftops with stunning views, while Hilton West Palm Beach is home to Galley, a restaurant serving delectable drinks, seafood, and gourmet pizzas.
Augustine, St.
St. Augustine has had plenty of time to perfect its craft since it is the oldest city in America. Some still-standing locations, such as the Fountain of Youth and Castillo de San Marcos, date back almost as far as the arrival of settlers in the mid-1500s. It's a charming town that can be explored on foot; rumors of the past float down each narrow cobblestone street.
Learning about the local history of St. Augustine is a given (ideally on a ghost tour after nightfall). However, there are also more recent additions made to appeal to the modern traveler, such as Ice Plant for cocktails and the Alligator Farm for a uniquely Floridan animal encounter. Go to St. Augustine during its yearly Nights of Lights celebration around Christmas to witness the city glitter under three million lights.
Visit the adults-only Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens, where you may tour the grounds with the property historian and meet for expertly prepared drinks at The Well Bar, for the ideal combination of history and a cozy breed of luxury. Built-in 1791, St. Francis Inn is a bed and breakfast that embodies the essence of the city and everything guests enjoy about cozy lodgings. It offers a sense of old-world grandeur. It is directly on St. George Street, the major thoroughfare in St. Augustine.
Once you've worked up an appetite, go to supper at a classic eatery in the center of the activity like O.C. White's, The Floridian, or Michael's Tasting Room. Alternately, for something a little more laid-back, go over to A1A Ale Works for what may be the best root beer of your life, served with a stunning view of the Bridge of Lions.
Miami Keys
Pick any Key along the way and you're guaranteed a tropical break without the need for a passport. The Florida Keys are a true paradise that stretches 113 miles from Key Largo to the southernmost tip of the mainland United States in hipster Key West. Include things like boating, diving, fishing, snorkeling coral reefs, feeding 10-foot tarpon at Robbie's, and generally taking advantage of one of the best vacation spots on earth for letting your hair down.
While Playa Largo is a great option for families or anyone looking for an action-packed vacation, Key Largo is home to the adults-only Bungalows Key Largo, the first all-inclusive in the Keys. There are pools, water sports like sailing, parasailing, and kayaking, as well as a hammock garden for reading.
The Fish House, a family-run institution in Key Largo, is the place to go for the best seafood (and Key lime pie) in the Keys. They're one of the few eateries that only use local fishermen, so the fish they serve is always as fresh as it can be.
Central Florida, including Orlando
With attractions like Walt Disney World and Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Universal Studios, Universal's Islands of Adventure, Animal Kingdom, Discovery Cove, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Gatorland, and more, it's no surprise that many tourists choose to spend their Florida vacations in Orlando. There is more to this Florida region, even if those places will always be well-liked by tourists and residents alike.
For instance, if you fly directly east from Orlando, you will arrive at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, where you can visit a building that is entirely devoted to space travel and even see rocket launches. Winter Park, which is quieter to the north, is referred to as central Florida's Palm Beach. There, you can stroll beneath the eaves of old oak trees and take in lakeside sunsets. Dine at Hillstone Restaurant for supper and breakfast, respectively.
Once you've left Orlando's tourist traps, there are also lots of opportunities to engage in outdoor activities and adventurous pursuits in Florida. The Blue Grotto, a 100-foot clearwater grotto that is popular with divers, and Rainbow Springs State Park, where you may peacefully float down Rainbow River on an inner tube, are both located outside of the Orlando area but in central Florida.
Clear River
On Florida's western coast, the peaceful, hidden community of Crystal River is a slower-paced, lesser-known resort. The most stunning natural splendor of Florida may be found in Crystal River, especially for people who enjoy being on the water. However, there are few dining and entertainment options in Crystal River.
Visitors to Crystal River in the winter have a decent chance of paddling alongside any of the hundreds of manatees that move into the springs each year if they take a clear kayak tour with Get Up and Go Kayaking. You might see dolphins, turtles, birds, and other wildlife as you explore Hunter Springs, Jurassic Springs, and Three Sisters Springs. On 232 acres on Kings Bay, the close-by Plantation on Crystal River offers straightforward, unpretentious riverfront lodging.
Visit one of the renowned live mermaid performances in Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, about an hour's drive south of Crystal River, for an even more enchanting Florida holiday activity.
Fort Lauderdale and Miami
Miami is one of Florida's top tourist destinations because it has the most energy of any area. It's a big metropolis with all the best restaurants, lodging, and nightlife options you could ask for. The kind of old-meets-new design that keeps Miami on the map can be found in South Beach's incredibly Instagrammable Art Deco District, and adjacent Wynwood Walls is home to an abundance of street art and tall murals.
As long as you enjoy luxurious five-star experiences, August is by far the greatest month to visit Miami if you're planning a trip. This month, Miami Spa Months, Miami Spice Restaurant Months, and Miami Hotel Months all come together to offer the ideal trifecta of citywide discounts. Visitors may take advantage of the specials to stay at hotels like the Mandarin Oriental in Miami, schedule opulent spa services, and dine at some of the city's greatest restaurants for a fraction of the regular cost.
Another beachfront city where you may spend action-packed days and nights is busy Fort Lauderdale, which is located a little further north of Miami. Work your way down the Ale Trail for craft brews and snacks, or take the Water Taxi for a new view of the city. The Water Taxi is like a trolley system on water, fitting for Fort Lauderdale, which some refer to as the "Venice of America" because of its many waterways. The city's best restaurants and shopping are located on Las Olas Boulevard, where you can exit the Water Taxi.
The Brightline, a brand-new, cutting-edge transportation option, travels in under an hour from Miami to Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach.
Area of Tampa Bay (Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater)
On Florida's Gulf Coast, Tampa and the areas around it make comprise the tri-city haven. Ride the roller coasters at Busch Gardens or visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium to get up close and personal with the slick Dolphin Tale movie stars.
A relaxed community, Clearwater Beach routinely has some of Florida's top beaches. For the kind of seaside art event that can only be held in Florida, go to the Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival to witness the enormous sand sculptures. Stay at Opal Sands, which has 230 guest rooms and is a half-mile beach walk from the festival. Each of its guest rooms has a view of the water. Along with St. Petersburg, the region is a kind of underground center for art and culture, complete with murals and the visually striking Dali museum, among other museums.
Panhandle
Pensacola, Panama City Beach, Destin, and Tallahassee, the state capital of Florida, make up the Florida Panhandle. The Panhandle is a well-liked spring break destination that strongly depends on tourism.
Although the Panhandle's pristine sand beaches and calm Gulf waters are a big lure, there are plenty of other options for beach days: St. Andrews State Park offers visitors the opportunity to go on hikes, bike rides, or canoe excursions. Visitors may also start happy hour early at Panama City Beach landmarks like the hilariously outrageous Pineapple Willy's (don't leave without getting a po' boy with your ice drink). The entire family will be entertained at Big Kahuna's Water & Adventure Park in Destin.
American Samoa
Amelia Island is well-liked by tourists who like a charming beachfront destination without any crowds in sight. Additionally, the geology of the location adds interest because it features rolling dunes and marshes rather than merely flat, sandy beaches. There are beaches, of course, but those who appreciate nature should also visit Fort Clinch State Park and Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, which contain the 19th-century Fort Clinch as well as nature trails, camping areas, and wildlife.
The oldest lighthouse in Florida, proudly standing 67 feet tall, is another Amelia Island feature. Amelia Island is lined with quaint beachside cottages and inns, so guests can choose from a variety of charming lodging options. The Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, an annual festival honoring a common love of shrimp, is held in the island's historic downtown Fernandina Beach.
Cedrick Key
Cedar Key is a charming small rural island city with pastel-colored houses. Visitors can anticipate remote beaches, lush botanical gardens, and close-by natural springs for swimming and paddling. Cedar Key is a good place for anyone looking for a vacation that is a little bit quieter than the state's more occurring hot areas, but it is a simple town so it slips under the Florida tourism radar.
A day excursion to the nearby Manatee Springs State Park for an up-close animal encounter, particularly in the cooler months, or biking, kayaking, and hiking are some enjoyable activities in and around Cedar Key. If you wish to learn more about the region, there is also the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, Cedar Key Museum State Park, and the Cedar Key Historical Society & Museum. Enjoy a sunset at Cedar Key Airport Beach to cap off your restful days.
Naples
On Florida's western coast, Naples is still another treasure; the region is known as the Paradise Coast for a reason. A "sister city" of sorts to Palm Beach, which is situated just across the state on Florida's eastern coast, Naples is a romantic and opulent destination famed for its stunning white-sand beaches, expansive golf courses, fine dining establishments, and luxury shopping.
Go to Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South to make a dent in your credit limit if retail therapy is on the plan (which it should be in Naples). Or visit the Naples Botanical Garden, Clam Pass Park, or the Naples Zoo if natural attractions are more your style. Art enthusiasts will also find enough to appreciate Artis — Naples, a multifunctional organization that is home to The Baker Museum and the Naples Philharmonic, or at any of the magnificent art galleries that dot the city.
Park Everglades National
Even though visiting a national park might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Florida, the Sunshine State is rife with unique locations (expect alligators and palm trees rather than bison and geysers), and Everglades National Park is its crowning achievement.
The Everglades, a 1.5 million acre area of protected wetlands on the southern point of Florida's peninsula, is a slow-moving "river of grass" that contains rare species including coastal mangroves, sawgrass marshes, pine Flatwoods, and more. Alligators, snakes, fish, more than 360 species of birds, and even threatened species like the Florida panther, American crocodile, and West Indian manatee abound in this nature lover's dream.
The main gates are in Shark Valley, Florida City next to Homestead, and Everglades City on the Gulf Coast; there are trails and guided excursions available for those anxious to explore. Visit the park between November and April when it's dry for lower temperatures, more active fauna, and less mosquito activity.