50 Places to Visit in Florida – Florida Family Vacation Ideas

When is comes to choosing the best places to visit in Florida, it sure isn’t easy. With so many beautiful Florida vacation destinations to choose from, here are a few to consider:

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Also, Check out these Vacation Homes for Rent in Florida!

Miami

Miami – A vibrant city with a mix of culture, beautiful beaches, and an exciting nightlife.

Key West

Key West – A charming island at the southernmost part of the US with colorful architecture, stunning sunsets, and a laid-back vibe.

Orlando

Orlando – Home to some of the world’s most popular theme parks, including Disney World and Universal Studios and several water parks and the Orlando Science Center.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine – The oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States, featuring historic landmarks and a charming shop and restaurant-filled downtown area.

Naples Florida

Naples – A luxurious beach town with high-end shopping, dining, and golf courses.

Ca D’Zan Mansion Museum- Sarasota

Sarasota – Known for its white sand beaches (Siesta Key, Lido Key and Longboat Key) and thriving arts and culture scene, including the Ringling Museum of Art, Opera, Theaters and Ballet.

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale – A popular spring break destination with beautiful beaches, water activities, and a bustling nightlife.

Tampa

Tampa – A city with a rich history and diverse culture, featuring the Tampa Riverwalk and the Florida Aquarium, and history Ybor city with Cuban and Latin American eateries.

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater – Home to one of the best beaches in the United States, Clearwater Beach (near Tampa), has crystal clear waters and soft, white sand and many hotels.

Palm Beach, FL

Palm Beach – A luxurious destination known for its high-end shopping, dining, and stunning architecture as well as it’s beaches.

Destin, FL

Destin – A beach town in the Florida Panhandle with crystal-clear waters and white sand beaches, and known for its fishing and water activities.

Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach – A popular spring break destination in the panhandle with beautiful beaches and plenty of bars and nightlife.

St. Pete Beach – Don Ce Sar Hotel

St. Pete Beach – A popular vacation spot near Tampa with calm waters, soft sand, and a laid-back atmosphere.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville – A coastal city with a rich history and a thriving arts and culture scene, including the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.

Amelia Island

Amelia Island – A tranquil island north of Jacksonville with picturesque beaches, rich history, and Victorian architecture.

Pensacola FL Beach

Pensacola – A city with a strong military history, featuring the National Naval Aviation Museum and Pensacola Lighthouse.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach – A popular surf town with consistent waves and a lively atmosphere about 1 hour from Orlando and near the Kennedy Space Center.

Marco Island Bridge

Marco Island – A relaxed island near Naples with stunning beaches, water activities, and a variety of dining options.

Vero Beach Pier

Vero Beach – A charming beach town with a thriving arts and culture scene, including the Vero Beach Museum of Art.

Fort Myers

Fort Myers – A city with a rich history, featuring the Edison and Ford Winter Estates and the Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium. Many beaches are also nearby.

Crystal River

Crystal River – A unique destination known for its manatee encounters and crystal-clear cool waters.

Fort Pierce

Fort Pierce – A historic city on the east coast north of Miami with a thriving arts and culture scene, including the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery.

Coral Gables

Coral Gables – A city near Miami with stunning Mediterranean architecture, high-end shopping, and a variety of dining options.

Siesta Key

Siesta Key – A small island with some of the most beautiful beaches in Florida, featuring powdery soft, white sand and crystal-clear waters.

New Smyrna Beach

New Smyrna Beach – A popular surfing destination with consistent waves and a laid-back atmosphere. Check out their downtown’s palm tree-lined Historic District with its many art galleries, shops and restaurants.

Boca Raton FL

Boca Raton – A luxurious beach town with high-end shopping, dining, and beautiful architecture.

Hollywood FL

Hollywood – A city near Miami with a lively boardwalk and beautiful beaches, and a mix of cultures from around the world.

Homestead FL

Homestead – A town near Miami and the gateway to the Florida Keys, featuring the Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park.

Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee – The largest freshwater lake in Florida, offering fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities. Located about 1 hour from the West Palm Beach area.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida – This remote national park is located 70 miles west of Key West and can only be reached by boat or seaplane. The park features pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a 19th-century fort that can be toured.

Cedar Key FL

Cedar Key – A quiet fishing town located along many tiny keys known for their clams on the Gulf Coast an hour from Gainesville with charming shops, restaurants, and nature trails.

Mount Dora – Courtesy Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0

Mount Dora – A charming small town in central Florida near Orlando with a historic downtown area, antique shops, and annual festivals.

Apalachicola

Apalachicola – A small coastal town in the Florida Panhandle 1.5 hours from Panama City Beach and Tallahassee known for its oysters, historic homes, and quaint shops.

Sanibel Island FL

Sanibel Island – A barrier island on the Gulf Coast near Fort Myers known for its seashell-lined beaches and wildlife refuges.

Dunedin FL

Dunedin – A small coastal town on the Gulf Coast near Tampa with a walkable downtown area and access to the Pinellas Trail.

Manatee in Wakulla Springs

Wakulla Springs – A state park in North Florida with crystal-clear springs, a historic lodge, and wildlife viewing opportunities.

Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island – A small island on the Gulf Coast near Bradenton with beautiful beaches, art galleries, and seafood restaurants.

Seaside, FL

Seaside – A planned community on the Gulf Coast known for its pastel-colored houses, beautiful beach, farmers market, shops, and outdoor concerts.

Sea Sponges found Diving at Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs – A small town 45 minutes from Tampa on the Gulf Coast with a strong Greek heritage, an aquarium, and sponge diving history.

Matlacha Florida

Matlacha – A small artsy fishing village on a barrier island in Southwest Florida with colorful shops and galleries. Famous for their abundance of fish, here you can catch redfish, mangrove snapper, trout, sheepshead, sharks, and snook.

Juniper Springs in Ocala National Forest

Ocala National Forest – A vast forest in North Central Florida with natural springs, hiking trails, and camping opportunities.  Here you will find Juniper Springs, Alexander Springs and Salt Springs recreation areas which have natural spring pools where you can paddle, swim, and see wildlife. 

Micanopy FL

Micanopy – An incredibly charming small town in North Central Florida near Gainesville known for its antique shops, cafes, and historic homes.

Bok Tower in Lake Wales

Lake Wales – Get a glimpse of old small town Florida in Central Florida in Lake Wales with a historic downtown area, botanical gardens, and the famous Bok Tower.

Homosassa Springs

Homosassa Springs – A small town on the Gulf Coast with a wildlife park and natural springs. Besides being a great place to see Manatees, the park is also home to alligators, black bears, red wolves, Key deer, flamingos, and whooping cranes.

Gulf Islands National Seashore

Gulf Islands National Seashore – A stretch of pristine emerald blue beaches with white sand and barrier islands along the Florida Panhandle and Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Cape San Blas

Cape San Blas – A quiet beach town on the Gulf Coast with secluded beaches and nature trails 59 miles southeast of Panama City.

Honeymoon Island State Park

Honeymoon Island State Park – A state park on the Gulf Coast with beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and a nature center. Honeymoon Island, with over four miles of beach also has a three-mile trail through one of the last virgin slash pine forests in the world.

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