The Best Family Beach Vacations In Florida
Are you looking for the best family beach vacations in Florida?
The Sunshine State is home to 663 miles of beaches and the all-year-round warm weather makes it the perfect destination for a family trip.
And whilst many families choose to hit the hustle and bustle of Orlandos theme parks or stay in one of the states many waterpark resorts, others prefer to base themselves by one of Floridas family friendly beaches.
Sandpearl Resort Clearwater Beach Florida
On Clearwater Beach, the sand is as soft as sifted flour and as white as fresh snow. The warm Gulf waters are a shade of blue thats fit for a jewelry box. Add a pier and the palm tree-lined Beach Walk Promenade, and youve got a seaside dream.
BRING THE KIDS:Why Sarasota Might Be the Perfect Florida Vacation Spot for Families
The Sandpearl Resort is located on a 700-foot stretch of beach. Floridas first Silver LEED-certified beach resort, it was built with the goal of contributing to the environment in a positive manner without sacrificing one ounce of creature comforts. The welcoming staff makes guests feel at home from the moment they enter the luxurious lobby. Guest rooms and suites are decorated in soothing earth tones that mimic the natural hues of the seascape, with stunning ocean views.
The beach hotels family-friendly amenities include a gigantic lagoon-style swimming pool, Camp Ridley kids club, outdoor movies by the pool, and nightly smores served on the beach.
Florida Vacation Spots: Naples
Best known for its fantastic golf and high end shopping, Naples, located in southwest Florida on the Gulf of Mexico, is a perfect family vacation destination. The city has miles of powder-fine golden sand beaches and many wonderful parks where kids can spend hours building sand castles, swimming, or playing ball. This area is home to some of the best Florida beaches.
Take a free tram through the lush mangroves to the Clam Pass Park, go for a stroll along historic Naples Pier built in 1888 to watch the playful dolphins or try your hand at fishing, visit lovely old downtown with all the galleries and shops, or pick a colorful bayside café for a bite to eat. Kids would love an airboat ride through the Florida Everglades with so many birds and the occasional elusive alligator. Next browse: Family Resorts in Florida, Things to Do in Naples
Recommended Reading: Vacation Rentals Lake Of The Ozarks
Splash Around At The St Pete Pier
Just a short drive from the beach communities, downtown St. Petes biggest and newest outdoor attraction, the St. Pete Pier, offers hours of waterfront fun. Kids will have a blast cooling off at the splash pad. Theyll find entertaining ways to learn about sea creatures and the environment at the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center. Kids can try their luck at the fishing deck . The Glazer Family Playground is a wonderful spot to use up some extra energy. Plus: youll find plenty of kid-friendly food options.
Portofino Island Resort Pensacola Beach Fl
Portofino Island Resort has a great exotic feel while still managing to show you the best of what Florida beaches have to offer.
The Portofino Resort is best visited during the quieter months if you dont want to be overwhelmed by tourists.
Parents will love the pools, hot tubs, spacious rooms and selection of restaurants at the resort, while kids can take advantage of any number of the activities found on the island that includes scavenger hunts, fishing and more.
Great amenities are available here to compliment your stay, including the option of fishing equipment and bike hire if youd like to enjoy the area.
You May Like: Costa Rica All Inclusive Vacations
Stay Right By One Of Floridas Beautiful Beaches
With some of the US best family beaches situated in the state, its this is no surprise and Floridas Gulf Coast and Atlantic Coast offer stunning options for all ages, with everything from luxury resorts and to family-friendly hotels on offer.
To inspire your next memorable family vacation in Florida with kids, weve rounded up our recommendations of the best beach resorts to hit up as a family.
Here are our top choices, including where to stay, where to eat, what to do, and where to fly into for each of these fantastic spots.
Little Palm Island Resort And Spa Little Torch Key Florida
A true Florida Keys island oasis, Little Palm Island Resort and Spa is a luxury retreat perfect for adult families. The recently renovated resorts beachfront bungalows are inspired by a British West Indies aesthetic, and modern amenities likes indoor/outdoor spa treatments and world-class outdoor dining add an extra dose of relaxation. The luxury bungalows are also ADA-compliant.
ATLANTIC COAST:8 Best East Coast Vacations for Families
What really sets this Florida Keys resort apart, though, are its many unique excursion opportunities. From back country fishing and reef diving to aerial sightseeing and sky diving, Little Palm is a perfect base for once-in-a-lifetime activities, Florida-style.
Book the Culinary Paradise or Backyard Adventure packages, which feature daily breakfasts, three-course lunches, and four-course dinners, plus other amenities, for an all-inclusive Florida resort experience.
Read Also: Caribbean Vacation Rentals For Large Groups
La Costa Resort And Spa Carlsbad California
The La Costa Resort comes with a children’s program and water-play area. It’s a great choice for families who want to split their time between the beach and Legolandboth a short drive away.
You won’t be bored with the hands-on activities available for the whole family from hoola-hoop competitions to s’mores and “dive in” movies there is plenty to do to keep everyone entertained and relaxed. The Kidtopia club for kids offers child care services, day camps, and a full range of games and activities for kids ages 6 months to 12 years.
Best Beaches In Florida: Hollywood
Hollywood is an enchanting Florida beach town between Miami and Fort Lauderdale famous for its colorful oceanfront promenade. This popular road called the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk is two and a half miles long and brick-paved, and it is always packed with those who want to see and be seen: roller-bladers, joggers, bikers, walkers, and skateboarders. The rest of the world sits in one of the sidewalk cafes or bars watching the scene unfold.
Two beach parks on the other side of the road are designed for kids who are not amused by the show on the Broadwalk and prefer to play paddleball or splash in the fun dolphin fountain.
Things to do near me today: Dunedin Beaches, Russian River, Lake Huron
Also Check: Private Jet Vacation Around The World
Encore Resort At Reunion Kissimmee Florida
If Central Floridas famous theme parks are on your itinerary, make Encore Resort at Reunion your home base. Rather staying in a typical hotel room or condo, guests at this Florida all-inclusive family resort can choose from vacation rental homes ranging from four to 13 bedrooms. Each home has a full kitchen, living and dining areas, yard, and a private pool and hot tub.
Complimentary theme park transportation, water park access, fitness center and sport court access, and daily activities for families are all included with your rental. A Kids Club for children ages five to 13 is available for an additional fee.
MAKE MEMORIES:20 Best Family Vacation Spots in the U.S.
There are three restaurants on property, as well as a small grab-n-go store with fresh fruit, smoothies, and snacks. If you really dont feel like cooking, the resort has convenient restaurant and grocery delivery, as well as private chefs who will cook a meal in your kitchen. Guests can choose from an assortment of special packages, such as one that includes a credit toward theme park tickets and discounts for longer stays.
Kissimmee is an especially good spring break idea for families on a budget because its close to theme parks and other things to do in Orlando without the same hefty price tag.
The Jw Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort Marco Island Fl
The JW Marriott has some wonderful hotels and resorts located all over the country, and their is the perfect location to stay on the beach in Florida.
Theres an incredible amount of things to do for kids, teens, toddlers and families as a group, including jet skiing, camping for kids up to 12, music festivals.
Theres also a huge water park at the resort to enjoy.
The rooms are all comfortable, large enough for an entire family and all stick to the beach-theme throughout with added wi-fi and a smart TV in the room so nobody has to feel stranded during their stay.
Other amenities on offer at the JW Marriott includes supervised walks, and if you want to take a stroll outside of the resort, there are plenty of excellent restaurants located in and around the beach.
Recommended Reading: Orlando Luxury Vacation Rentals Near Disney
Key West Fantastic Florida Beach For Families Who Love Snorkeling
Key West is one of the best-known places in Florida, famous for fantastic snorkeling and diving opportunities but it is also a great Florida beach destination for families with kids!
For a day on the ocean, you can choose between several great family-friendly beaches such as the beautiful Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, South Beach and Higgs beach.
Blessed with clear waters, pretty palm trees and beachfront restaurants, they are perfect for parents and kids alike.
Away from the beach, there is also plenty to do in Key West for kids.
The Key West Aquarium is fun, the overseas highway is sure to get a wow from everyone in the family and the Butterfly and Nature Conservatory center is supposed to be great for kids although Ill admit having a terrible phobia for butterflies, this one is not for me!
Top tip: equip your kids with water shoes to avoid unpleasant foot injuries. Find our favorite swimming and water shoes for kids here.
Club Med Sandpiper Port St Lucie Florida
Club Med’s only U.S. location, situated between Miami and Orlando, offers the same fabulous Circus School and Baby Welcome program as Punta Canaand you don’t need a passport to get there. Learn how to fly high on a trapeze, how to walk a tightrope, juggle, clown around and more for some amazing family bonding time.
Don’t Miss: Orlando Vacation Packages All Inclusive
Orlando The Theme Park Capital Of The World
Many of the best Florida family vacations begin and end with Orlando. Home to four Disney theme parks , two Disney water parks, the magical Harry Potter theme park areas at Universal Studios, and a host of ocean-themed parks , Orlando is truly the theme park capital of the world.
ULTIMATE GUIDE: Everything You Need to Know About Disney Genie and Genie+
But there are so many more things to do with kids in Orlando than just the theme parks. If you need a break from Mickey and Minnie, Crayola Experience at the Florida Mall brings the magic of color to children with dozens of hands-on attractions, including the newest, Meltdown, where kids can paint with melted wax. The Orlando Science Center is another fine option. The KidsTown exhibit presents seven interactive zones, where kids can experiment with cause and effect and learn how oranges travel from tree branch to breakfast table.
For an immersion in nature, visit the Tibet-Butler Preserve and hike, picnic, and watch the colorful winged creatures in the butterfly garden.
Best For Sightseeing: Loews Miami Beach
-
Kids area on the beach
-
Street outside can get loud at night
Though Miami is known for late-night partying, its also a culturally rich city with lots for families to do. Loews Miami Beach offers a great place to retreat to after exploring Miamis nearby shops, museums, and outdoor attractions.
While the hotel offers luxurious guest rooms and suites with sleek marble bathrooms and high-end furnishings, its also one of the most family-friendly hotels in South Beach. Its SOBE Kids Club offers full- and half-day programs filled with scavenger hunts, treasure dives, and themed cooking classes for kids ages 4 to 12. The resort also provides kayaks, paddleboards, and banana boat rides. Families should be sure to take advantage of the complimentary professional resort photo shoot to capture some vacation memories.
Don’t Miss: Kars For Kids Vacation Voucher Reviews
Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge
Homer, Alaska
Rate per night: Starts at $3000 per person for two nights .
With just five cabins and a max of 10 to 12 guests , the family-owned Kachemak Bay Wilderness Lodge offers an intimate Alaska experience within the wilds Kachemak Bay State Park, in the southern Kenai Peninsula. It doesnt come cheap, but a typical day here is unforgettable and might see you hiking on a glacier, sea kayaking to a sea bird rookery or hooking a salmon from the beach before settling in for a five-course spread of Alaskan seafood and organic vegetables grown onsite.
Best Family Vacations In Florida: St Augustine
A little over an hours drive from Jacksonville or Daytona Beach, St. Augustine is Americas oldest town with a very young spirit. Old cobblestoned streets are lined with galleries, restaurants and shops, and the magnificent beach surrounded by timeless dunes that is a mecca for sun-worshippers the city has attractions for any age or interest.
If you are trying to keep the kids happy, start your explorations at the Alligator Farm, where you can get close to the beasts or watch them from the zip-line high above the trees. Check out the Pirate Museum, where Treasure Hunt is a sure hit with the kids. The Castillo de San Marcos is like a trip to the past with soldiers dressed in period costumes and original cannons booming from time to time. If you are looking for active Florida beach vacations, there is so much to do and see in St. Augustine, you will just have to come back.
Read Also: Is Jersey Shore: Family Vacation Season 3 On Paramount Plus
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort Florida
Two hours from the hustle and bustle of the Orlando theme parks, Disney offers a family experience that’s easier on your feet and your wallet. Although Vero Beach is part of the Disney Vacation Club line, you don’t need to buy into a time-share to stay there a one-bedroom with a full kitchen and washer-dryer runs a couple hundred per night for nonmembers.
Family activitiesincluding catching a glimpse of loggerhead sea turtles in their nesting sites, miles of unspoiled beaches and nature preserves, golf, games & movies, and more for everyone in the family.
A Mickey Mouse-shaped swimming pool plus a splash area for preschoolers round out the funand, yes, life jackets and pool toys are free.
Clearwater Beach A Retro Florida Beach Spot With Small
Old-fashioned Clearwater captivates with impeccable beaches. The Jolley Trolley is a fun way to ride around town and fits Clearwaters retro vibe like a glove, and the Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is a multi-use paved urban rail trail linking parks, coastal landscapes, and residential areas. The 37-mile trail spans from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs and goes right through Clearwater. It attracts thousands of bikers, skateboarders, joggers, and walkers each month, so youll have plenty of company.
WHAT TO KNOW:The Complete Guide to Disney Vacation Club
The wonderful Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a working marine hospital that rehabilitates rescued animals from sickness or injury with the goal of releasing them back into their natural habitat when theyre healed. Animals who cannot be viably released remain there. Its a worthy place to spend a morning or afternoon on your Florida vacation.
Bring the family to Pier 60, where street performers and local artisans gather every day at sunset. The kids can burn off some energy at the adjacent playground.
Also Check: Vacation Rental In Big Bear
Lummus Park Beach Miami Beach
If you’re searching for next-level people-watching, look no further. A truly urban beach, this spot regularly sees toned locals playing volleyball or getting bronzed under the ever-shining sun. And thanks to an ’80s redesign, you can choose between sitting in the sand or posting up in the park’s shaded grassy area. When you start feeling antsy, walk along the promenade that separates the grass from the beach and keep an eye out for movie stars or film crews.
Acqualina Resort And Residences On The Beach Sunny Isles Beach Florida
If youre looking for a seaside haven just minutes from both Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Acqualina Resort and Residences on the Beach is perfection. Its set on over four acres with its own stunning beach for guests. Families love the oceanfront soccer field, dual basketball hoop, and marine biology-inspired activities. And with four swimming pools, including one at the spa and one reserved for adults, there are plenty of ways to stay cool. The Beach Club pool is surrounded by comfy lounge chairs and private cabanas while the Recreational Pool is the epicenter of games and activities led by the friendly staff.
EXPLORE MORE: 20 Best Family Vacation Spots in the U.S.
Guest rooms and suites are richly appointed with classic furnishings, private terraces, and bathrooms with marble floors. Tech-savvy teens will enjoy large format plasma flat screen TVs and up-to-date multimedia perks. Many suites have full kitchens, while the multiple on-site dining options should satisfy everyones appetite.
Don’t Miss: My Vacation Haven Destin Fl