Places to Go in Florida
Living in Miami is fantastic because of being able to explore the "The Sunshine State" and its whopping 825 miles of beaches. Most people expect sandy beaches (and you'll definitely find them, whether you are on the Gulf coast, near Tallahassee, near Orlando, in Jacksonville, or in Cape Coral), but what they don't realize is that Florida is also home to great natural springs and historical sites to visit.
Here are my absolute favorite places (and things to do there), organized into three main road trips (one along the Atlantic Coast starting from Miami, the second along the Gulf coast starting from Tampa, and an inland road trip starting in Orlando). I hope these vacation ideas help you plan your perfect Florida vacation.
Where to Go in the Florida Keys
For me, the Florida Keys are easily the most unique and exciting place in all of the U.S. You can plan your dream Florida vacation in the Keys which is why I'm staring my article here.
Key West
Now, first things first, this Florida Keys city is one of my absolute favorite Florida getaways. Yes, it's actually a tropical island. Every time we visit, I’m amazed at how much fun this little island packs in! Don’t worry though, I will show you how to have the best time.
Where you go will depend a lot on how much time you have to spend on vacation. You can fly directly to Key West International Airport and base yourself in Key West of a relaxing 3-day weekend.
Once you reach Key West, I love that I can go snorkeling in the morning, have a casual lunch at a cafe, then relax on the beach. Then head back to the hotel to get a spa treatment. And finally, strolling through Old Town’s streets is always fun, before ending the day with fresh seafood!
Last month, we caught the Key West Express ferry from Fort Myers (about 3.5 hours, $95–$125 one way cost of this journey). The ferry takes you right into Old Town’s lively streets.
After dropping off the bags, we were hungry. Luckily, one of the coolest things about Key West is the food scene. I have to share two of my favorite spots that completely won me over. The Stoned Crab is an awesome waterfront restaurant where I indulged in the freshest seafood. Go for crab claws, oysters, and fish caught that morning.
We spent the rest of the day just relaxing on the beach, sunset included! Next day, breakfast was at La Crêperie French Café, which quickly became my go-to for breakfast and brunch. It’s a hidden gem, and the crêpes are honestly some of the best I’ve ever had...anywhere.
After breakfast, I spent an hour at Books & Books at The Studios of Key West, another highlight for me! Then we headed to Duval Street (about 10-15 mins on foot from the bookshop) and just enjoyed strolling around for a while. We stopped at the Hemingway Home (of course!) just around the corner for a pinch of history and I loved it (Tours start every 15 minutes, $19 for Adults, no reservations needed!).
I wanted to mention that I timed my visit last month during Fantasy Fest, which was a great idea. It lasts 10-days with costumes and lots of fun.
We checked into 2-star Ibis Bay Beach Resort, a cool place with 600 feet of white beach and hammocks for everyone!
What I loved best:
Mallory Square at sunset is always my personal highlight because there's great people watching and each sunset is unique. But you should know that it can get more crowded than you'd expect. I have to warn you that the crowds can be tough for little kids as we found out with our son!
Best Places in Florida on the Atlantic Coast
Next are my favorite places to visit along the Atlantic Coast, organized South to North.
Miami
We absolutely love Miami. Now, first things first, this is one of the most dynamic coastal destinations in the whole world! There are heaps of things to do here so expect to see a lot, plus there are heaps of cool day trips from Miami and weekend getaways if you need even more to do! Perhaps you'll get a chance to live here like us but either way, I recommend staying a few days at least.
To get you up to speed, basically, Miami is made up of several distinct neighborhoods. I think that’s a big part of what makes Miami so special. But I have to warn you if this is your first vacation to Miami, the city is spread out with heaps of things to do. So I highly recommend joining a tour with a local guide to get yourselves up to speed fast. Luckily there are lots of great tours to choose from in Miami.
Art lovers definitely need to check out the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Don't miss the hanging gardens overlooking Biscayne Bay.
Right after, my personal highlight was amazing Enchiladas at Mayami Wynwood where are refueled with brunch.
After yummy food, we checked out Wynwood for murals, cafés, and indie shops. In the afternoon, we checked out an innovative exhibition at Laundromat Art Space, a cool artist-led organization. I have to warn you, though, that parking can be a challenge! No, there's no getting around it. You'll just have to be patient... or use public transportation A LOT.
The The Betsy South Beach is a luxury place to stay right on the beach. Plus the raw bar for dinner at LT Steak & Seafood at The Betsy is amazing.
Delray Beach
You can reach Delray Beach in less than an hour from Miami (just head straight up the coast). First thing you'll notice is that compared to Miami, Delray Beach has a walkable "small-town" feel which we love. There is a great beach here which I especially enjoy at sunrise (Florida's Atlantic coast faces east so you get amazing sunrises here!).
Close to the beach, my favorite food experience was the Grilled Chicken Club ($20) at Deck 84 right on the water.
Next, we headed to Wakodahatchee Wetlands for boardwalk wildlife viewing.
After, we loved exploring the tranquil Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens just a short drive away.
For dinner, don’t miss having a romantic night at Burt & Max’s in West Delray serving elevated comfort food.
Cocoa Beach
Continue even further north from Delray Beach for about two hours and 20 minutes to reach Cocoa Beach, This town is one of my favorite Florida day trips when I'm in the mood for a nostalgic vibe. It also has sunny beaches (of course!), and that classic surf-town feel.
We headed to the iconic Cocoa Beach Pier first. At the pier you'll find the most restaurants, and surf shops. Lori Wilson Park was our second stop for its nature trails where our son loved running around.
After lunch, The Florida Surf Museum (adult $5 donation) was a highlight for me personally, because it's so authentic and rooted in local culture (plus it reminded me of the years we lived in Hawaii).
If you've never surfed, this is the perfect time for a beginner surf lesson. Your can head to the Ron Jon Surf Shop and they'll take care of you. You can also rent paddleboards, or fish off the pier.
Next day, families shouldn’t miss the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex just up the road. Nature lovers can spot manatees and dolphins on a kayaking tour through the Thousand Islands mangrove area.
What I loved best:
For me, Cocoa Beach has been one of the best places to visit in Florida because catching a rocket launch from the beach with my husband and son was an unforgettable sight.
A downside? Parking near the pier can be tricky on weekends, and the crowds sometimes felt overwhelming. I recommend arriving early
Daytona Beach
Even further north along the Atlantic coast about an hour and 30 minutes from Cocoa Beach is Daytona Beach. This city of about 92,000 people is famous for its motorsports but you'll also find old-school Florida which I love.
Last time I timed our visit for the start of sea turtle nesting season and the colorful Halifax Art Festival.
You can also visit the Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS). The must-see planetarium is my son's favorite. The lush Tuscawilla Preserve was also a highlight.
What I loved best:
Delicious Rasta Chicken Quesadillas with a view at Ocean Deck Restaurant & Beach Bar was my personal highlight.
Best Florida Places to Visit on the Gulf Coast
If you prefer the beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast, I don't blame you. I love them too because you get the best sunset photos here. Here are all my favorite Florida Gulf Coast stops, approximately ordered from north to south.
Tampa
I already wrote a lot about Destin in my article about Florida's Gulf coast beaches so I will focus on describing the places further south.
A really great place to start your road trip down the Golf coast is Tampa. You can fly here, spend a few days in the city and then drive south as I describe below.
But first things first, this incredible city is one of my favorite places to visit in Florida. Tampa offers heaps of things to see and do, but also plenty of coastal relaxation. I love that it boasts great public transportation so we don't have to worry about parking all the time.
First, enjoy walking along the Tampa Riverwalk because as far as riverwalks go, it's one of the top in the world. Then I recommend exploring the colorful streets of Ybor City because it's easy to find a yummy lunch stop here.
Visiting Big Cat Rescue was unlike anything else on my Tampa itinerary and I absolutely loved it! It’s not a flashy zoo, instead, it’s a sanctuary for incredible animals.
Ready for a flavorful afternoon out next? Check out Tampa Bay Food Tours, a real standout. The food was delicious and the guides added context that turned a simple meal into a mini-adventure through the region’s culture.
On our last day day, my son and I visited the Tampa Museum of Art, and Florida Aquarium, but he was most excited by Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (he loved the roller coasters and animal encounters).
What I loved best:
Great Cuban sandwiches at Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, oysters at Ulele on the Riverwalk, and small plates at Rooster & the Till in Seminole Heights, all my favorite highlights!
Venice
This is one of my favorite places to visit on the Gulf Coast because of turquoise Gulf waters and soft sand. We also love the peaceful nature preserves in Venice, Florida. You'll find it in Southwest Florida, situated in Sarasota County, about an hour and 15 minutes south of Tampa.
We headed to the beach first, walked on the sand and admired shells along Venice Beach (which is 14 miles long). You can start and end at the Venice Municipal Beach which is quite a lively spot. I especially recommend the wide pier at sunset!
I recommend Spiced Seafood Nachos ($24) at Sharky’s on the Pier because you get to have a yummy meal of the view.
Bonita Springs
Traveling south for about an hour and a half (past Fort Myers), you will reach one of the most naturally stunning places in Florida: Bonita Springs.
Now, first things first, we enjoyed floating in the calm water at Bonita Beach, then had lunch. Next, we walked along the boardwalk trails at Barefoot Beach Preserve where we caught a great sunset.
Dining in Bonita Springs meant heaps of fresh seafood. For a toes-in-the-sand meal, Doc’s Beach House is the best. For a romantic dinner you want to get dressed for (like a birthday or anniversary dinner), head to C Level Bistro & Wine Bar.
I also recommend my article about Gulf coast beaches which has many more must-visit stops.
Other Amazing Day Trips in Florida
From south to north (so that you can land in Orlando!), these are my favorite places to visit inland in Florida. I love it here because of diverse landscapes and special features like lakes and natural springs... I hope that you will check them out on your own day trip or weekend getaway in Florida.
Orlando
Even if you are not into theme parks, don't skip Orlando. Heads up, Orlando itself has no ocean beaches, but you can find great beaches near Orlando if you have a car.
Start at Lake Eola Park first, which quickly became our favorite place to visit in this area. You can enjoy walking along the loop around the lake. The swan boats glide by.
After, Winter Park completely won me over with its Park Avenue cafes and shops. I thought that evenings were where Orlando truly shined. Yes, the food scene is yummy. You can get both casual to elevated global cuisine without going far!
What I loved best:
Live jazz at the Bösendorfer Lounge was my personal highlight.
Mount Dora
We accidentally stumbled upon this under-the-radar town on one of our trips years ago. I instantly added it to my list of best places to visit in Florida because of its lake views, history and a walkable downtown. It's definitely grown over the years, but I still see it as my secret corner of Central Florida.
Moreover, I think it's a perfect day trip from Orlando to escape the crowds, just 40 minutes northwest. Mount Dora actually has hilly streets which is a rarity in Florida! You can stroll through the Historic Downtown District first to get your bearings.
Next, we stopped at The Highland Street Cafe, then made our way to the Mount Dora Lighthouse and Palm Island Park Boardwalk, and trust me, the views were absolutely beautiful! We marveled at the serenity of the sunset over Lake Dora which feels worlds away from Orlando.
Gainesville
Next we drove about 1 hour and 45 minutes northwest from Mount Dora to Gainesville, and stayed for two days.
We started exploring near the University of Florida campus, had lunch, then spent the afternoon outdoors. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park (entrance fee is $6 per vehicle, camping from $18 per night) felt more like the American West than Florida. You can even see roaming bison and horses.
Next day we started by visiting the Cade Museum ($15 Adult admission, $10 for kids, free under 4 years old), picked up snacks at a weekend market.
What I loved best:
For me, Gainesville is one of the best places to visit in Florida. We cooled off in a spring just outside of town in the afternoon, and relaxed with live music to end the day.
DeLand
Just a quick 35 minute day trip west of Daytona Beach, this was such cool underrated Central Florida stop for me personally. It instantly became one of my favorite places in Florida to visit!
First thing we did in the morning was spent time exploring Downtown DeLand and sitting outside with a latte. Next, we checked out Stetson University which has a beautiful campus.
Later we went to Blue Spring State Park which was pure magic. You can see manatees drifting through the clear water. Nature truly was where DeLand really stole my heart.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
