Surfside A Tranquil Space In Vibrant Miami
Everyone knows Miami as a bustling Florida vacation hotspot, but spend a day on the sands of Surfside and youll see an entirely different side of the city. Known as Miamis Uptown Beach Town, this narrow stretch attracts families looking for laidback serenity from sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean to sunset behind the skyline.
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Harding Avenues compact and walkable commercial district is lined with retro facades and fun boutiques. Rent bikes and pedal the flat one-mile loop, an easy toddler-friendly vacation activity for kids who have just ditched the training wheels.
Guests of local hotels may use the Surfside Community Center with its pool and waterslide. And when hunger strikes, Joshs Deli serves Jewish delicatessen classics like matzo ball soup and hearty pastrami sandwiches on chewy rye bread.
Best Florida Beaches To Visit In 202: Top 4 Sunshine State Vacation Spots According To Experts
White sandy beaches, pristine sea waters, warm sun and a gentle breeze: what more could you ask for? If youre looking for a beach getaway without leaving the east coast, look no further than Florida. With so many options available on where to go, it can be challenging to figure out which vacation spot in Florida is the best beach for you.
Even those who love luxury often prefer going to the beach to relax and soak in some sun. Some like to just frolic around in the sand and dip their feet in the warm water. After all, whats not to love about beaches? Florida is known for its beautiful white sandy beaches and with good reason! Whether you want a quiet spot to relax or a bustling beach with plenty of activities, there is something for everyone here.
These are probably why Florida welcomed about 122 million tourists in 2021, a growth of 54.1% from 2020. There are beaches all around Florida: in the panhandle or those protected in national parks those in western Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, known for their stunning sunsets and beaches along the Atlantic known for their surfable waves.
But no matter what type of beach you prefer, have fun. After all, its hard not to be happy when youre on the beach in Florida. Looking for a relaxing vacation to one of the best beaches in Florida? StudyFinds is here to help. We visited 13 expert websites that review Florida beaches and came away with the four most recommended vacation spots across their reports.
Florida Vacation Ideas For Everyone In The Family
From retro beach towns to the world’s most popular theme parks, here are the best places to visit in Florida with kids.
Florida is a vacation magnet for families. Miles of Atlantic and Gulf coastline, sun-kissed beaches, warm waters, and theme parks galore draw families year after year. Whether your family craves nothing more than relaxing at dreamy Florida beach resorts or kid-friendly Florida all-inclusive resorts, Florida family vacations have something to please everyone.
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Pink Shell Beach Resort And Marina
This beachside property with a marina on the Gulf of Mexico is a 7-minute walk from Bowditch Point Park and 2 miles from the 60-acre Matanzas Pass Preserve.
Airy rooms and luminous villas with Gulf views and modern furnishings include screened-in patios and kitchenettes with granite counters, as well as cable TV and Wi-Fi. Villas have kitchens, washers and dryers, and pull-out couches.
Enjoy direct access to the beach from the resort and rent water sports equipment or beach chairs. Additionally, stay outside and enjoy their kid-friendly pool and easy access Cantina on the property.
* Temporarily closed due to hurricane Ian
The Romance Of St Augustine
Those looking for a memorable, romantic getaway in Florida couldnt do better than visit historic St. Augustine. One of the most northerly cities on the east coast of the Sunshine State, St. Augustine is also one of the oldest. Less than an hours drive south of Jacksonville, this pretty walled city was founded in the mid-16th century by the Spanish and has managed to retain its European flare.
The historic district is also home to a number of delightful romantic hotels, inns, and guesthouses, and is especially pleasant to visit in the lead up to Christmas. During this festive season, the streets are lit up to charming effect so pleasant, in fact, that theyve helped cement St. Augustines reputation as the best Christmas town in Florida.
Its a delightful place to explore on foot , especially around the old Colonial Quarter. Preserved much as it would have been in the 17th and 18th centuries, this fascinating area paints a very vivid picture of life back in the day. There are numerous points of interest to see here, in particular the well-preserved fortress of Castillo de San Marcos. Here, you can enjoy historic military displays and exhibits of old trades, as well as explore the old forts walls.
But its not all about indoor, urban fun things to do in St. Augustine. The town is also well-known for its excellent beaches, including Ponte Vedra Beach, popular for its high-end oceanfront resorts.
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Flagler Beach A Proudly Low
Located in the Northeastern corner of the state along Floridas Palm Coast, Flagler Beach has a retro flavor and a delightfully slow pace. The most unusual aspect of the beach is its cinnamon colored sand, courtesy of crushed coquina shells. Its a popular surf spot with locals and tourists vying for the perfect break.
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If youd like to take a lesson, Flagler Surf Lessons offers expert instruction. The beaches near the pier are dog friendly, so pack the pooch. For a more solitary experience, turn down any road with beach access. All you need is sunscreen, sand toys, and your usual beach essentials, as all beaches here are public with no fee to park.
Explore Stilt Houses In Naples Or Macro Island
The Cape Romano Dome House is an abandoned house consisting of six dome-shaped modules on stilts. It is one of the most unique sites in Florida, so of course we are adding it to our best places to visit in Florida list.
These dome homes are located about 300 feet offshore from Cape Romano Island, just south of Marco Island. Once a home to a millionaire seeking the serene beach life, these domes now provide shelter for birds and aquatic life off the Gulf.
Years of erosion have slowly engulfed this structure and submerged portions of it. The remaining domes are now part of a wildlife preserve and are now only accessible by boat. It is a hidden gem, and super unique! So make sure to see how this home has been full reclaimed by the sea. It truly is one of the best places to visit in Florida, and when youre done, check out other things to do in Marco Island!
Where to Stay: The Boathouse
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Best Places To Visit In Florida: Jacksonville
A major seaport city in northeastern Florida, at the point where St. Johns River joins the Atlantic Ocean, Jacksonville is a large, modern city and a regional business hub. The nearby barrier island and its wonderful beaches are a perfect place for swimming, snorkeling, and surfing, with the most popular being Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach. One of the most famous championship golf courses is Ponte Vedra Beachs TPC Sawgrass, which is also a headquarters of the PGA Tour. Visit the Kingsley Plantation on Fort George Island to see how the slaves, and slave owners, lived. Take the kids to the lush, tropical Jacksonville Zoo to see elephants close up. Visit the 16th-century Forth Caroline National Memorial to learn about the times when the French ruled this part of Florida. Things to Do in Jacksonville
Best Places To Visit In Florida For A Picturesque Vacation
Are you looking for the best places to visit in Florida for your next vacation or weekend getaways? There are so many wonderful destinations to explore in the sunshine state.
From countless beach getaways to theme-parks and nature reserves, to luxurious hotels and top rated restaurants, youre sure to find Florida vacation spots that suit your style and this guide is going to help you!
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Palm Beach County A Gem For Animal Lovers
Palm Beachs reputation as a preppy playground is justified, though thats just a sliver of whats offered here for Florida family vacations. The county is actually Floridas largest, with a whopping 47 miles of Atlantic surf and an array of activities on land and sea.
Families who love animals will be right at home at the Palm Beach Zoo and its Malayan tigers, Mexican spider monkeys, and prowling jaguars. The zoos compact size makes it one of the more manageable Florida attractions for families with very young children.
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May through October is turtle nesting season in Palm Beach County. Loggerhead, Leatherback, and Green sea turtles loyally return to the same location each year to deposit their precious eggs. The Loggerhead Marinelife Center in is a nonprofit conservation center and turtle rehabilitation hospital that organizes guided walks, sea turtle sleepovers, and summer camps, where you can get better acquainted with these gentle creatures.
Situated on a wispy barrier island, John D. MacArthur Beach State Park has a nature center with interpretive exhibits that help kids learn about the estuary eco-system. Kayak rentals and a playground are welcome perks.
Caladesi Island State Park
Sitting pretty in the Gulf of Mexico, Caladesi Island State Park is one of the most cleaen and pristine places in Florida. You can only get there by boat and once you get there, your only staying options are cabins or boat camping. Found by the Spanish in the 17th century, this Gulf of Mexico island still holds an old magic that has not been marred by the hands of time.
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Explore The Florida Keys
Stretching for about 120 miles off the south coast, the Florida Keys are a tropical delight. The sunsets here are legendary especially so with a cocktail in hand.. and perhaps even a Key Lime pie in the other.
When youre in the area, you have to head down to the beach, go snorkelling or perhaps even scuba diving and if youre into it, get a boat and head out fishing.
Key West is easily the best-known area of the Keys, with plenty of things to see and do. Ernest Hemingways home is located here, including a museum about it, and the citys famous Duval Street is popular for its bars and shops.
We did the drive here straight from Miami and arrived just in time to catch the sunset before finally heading out into town and its such a fantastic place to visit.
Heads up though, it is a lot warmer and a lot more humid than most places in Florida, something which caught us all by surprise) so come prepared.
Its easily one of the best places in Florida thats just of the mainland itself.
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Pirate & Treasure Museum
EQRoy / Shutterstock
Ever had some pirate-themed vacation ideas you wanted to try out?
Florida is perfect for this goal, thanks to the St. Augustines Pirate and Treasure Museum.
Founded by Pat Croce, this museum features 48 different exhibits and one of the largest collections of authentic pirate artifacts in the world.
Some of the incredible things on display in this museum include the likes of Blackbeards blunderbuss and some of the original gold pieces retrieved from his ship.
The museum also has informative exhibits about the life of various buccaneers and the treasures and weapons they had collected during their life while raiding the coast of Florida.
The museum is also home to a treasure hunt that will certainly keep your kids entertained from room to room though if youd like, you can tap into your inner child and try hunting down said treasure yourself too!
Address: 12 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States
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Dry Tortugas National Park
One of the best places to go in Florida is certainly Dry Tortugas National Park, located about 70 miles outside of Key West, and only reachable by boat. You can find a 19th century fort and snorkeling here at the park, along with a variety of different birds.
The boat ride to the park is about two hours, so plan on spending the day here exploring the coral reefs and taking in the great views.
What Is The Prettiest Place In Florida
When planning a trip to Florida, finding the prettiest destinations is always critical. There are so many options to consider. Some of the most beautiful places to visit in Florida include the following locations.
- Key West Botanical Gardens: Offers a wide selection of flowers, birds, and butterflies
- The Florida Everglades: Offers one of the most scenic views in all of Florida
- Molasses Reef: One of the most iconic views of Florida
- Fort Wallace Beach: One of the most beautiful, white-sand beaches in Florida
- Vero Beach: Another scenic, white sand beach in Florida
- Key Largo: One of the prettiest cities in Florida
- Cocoa Beach Piers: Offers a scenic view of the sandy shores of Cocoa Beach
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Florida Vacation Spots To Visit In 2022
With so many beautiful places to visit in the Sunshine State, it can be hard to narrow down Florida vacation ideas. There is a lot to choose from between Florida beach vacations, theme parks and historical destinations. I love to help people plan trips around here and one of the first questions I usually get is asking which of the Florida vacation spots to visit? To help answer that question, I created this guide!
No matter your budget or your demographic, I believe anyone can have a fun Florida vacation in any city on this list. However, this blog post will share some of the most popular options I have seen, as well as some hidden gems. I have broken it up into Florida vacation spots for couples, families, beach time and a limited budget. Hopefully this blog post will inspire you to plan your next Florida vacation!
Book An Airboat Tour In The Everglades
The Everglades is a 1.5 million acre wetland that is located in southern Florida. It is too unique to not mention in the best places to visit in Florida! This swamp is comprised of mangroves, sawgrass marshes, and is home to many animals like birds and gators.
People love to take an airboat tour of the Everglades as a way to get a great view of areas that are typically inaccessible. There are so many options when it comes to this: you can book a private tour, a small group tour, a moonlight tour and more.
But no matter what you decide to do, or where you are coming from , there are options for you! You wont want to miss this. The Everglades are truly one of the best places to visit in Florida, and an airboat tour to explore them is a once in a life time opportunity. Looking for help deciding what tour to take? Check out our 11 Best Everglades Airboat Tours too!
Where to Stay: Everglades Adventures Hotel Suites by Ivey House
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Walt Disney World Resort Orlando
Best Florida vacations for kids? Walt Disney World Resort Orlando is famous all across the globe as one of the best family vacation spots. This much-loved theme park is not just for young children and families, as there are plenty of serious rides for the thrill-seekers among us.
Walt Disney World Resort Orlando brings a touch of magic to Florida and offers everything from water parks and theme parks to endless entertainment and delicious dining.
These Cruise Lines Offer Trips From Florida To Sunny Destinations In The Caribbean And Beyond
Courtesy of Seabourn Cruise Line
Floridas coastlines on the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico are home to cruise ports in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Jacksonville, and Port Canaveral. Cruises from Florida take travelers to exciting destinations around the world, ranging from Caribbean islands to European countries. And because so many cruise lines offer itineraries leaving from Florida, you can find a wide variety of cruises to fit any budget or travel style including fantastic family cruises and luxury cruises perfect for couples.
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Take In The Dry Tortugas
The Dry Tortugas are a group of islands located in the Gulf of Mexico, home to a national park that covers 100 square miles on these seven small islands. It is truly tropical paradise, which is why we are mentioning it as one of the best places to visit in Florida!
The waters surrounding these islands house the tales of pirates and hidden treasures which may be true. In 1985 over $450 million was found salvaged from this area in the form of silver and gold.
But better yet, the remoteness of this park keeps it intimate. The lack of crowds really allows you to visit the only tropical reef in the US. This is home to the third-largest tropical reef in the world, so why would you want to miss this? It is one of the best Florida destinations. And for more intro check out our articles on the Dry Tortugas or the Islands of Florida!
Where to Stay: Courtneys Place Historic Cottage & Inns