1. Explore exciting attractions in Tampa
As a beach lover, I've been writing about Florida for decades because the state is just packed with beautiful sandy destinations.
One of my favorite places to visit is Tampa because it offers so many choices on vacation. You can take the kids to Busch Gardens. You can paddle in a kayak through the lush, wild Little Manatee River. You can visit museums, waterfront restaurants and spend time on Tampa's lively downtown Riverwalk. If you don't feel like doing much at all, you can spend the day on one of Tampa's sandy beaches.
Planning a road trip? Tampa is about a 5-hour drive from Miami.
2. Relax on pristine beaches in Clearwater
You'll find Clearwater between the Gulf and Tampa Bay, northwest of St. Petersburg.
As soon as you get there, be sure to check out the 3-mile-long beach which is spectacular. You may decide to cancel your other plans and stay on the beach instead!
The beach is lined with fancy hotels, resorts, bars, and restaurants. Take the kids to see the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where injured dolphins and sea turtles are brought to recover and get rehabilitated.
Towards the end of the day stroll down Pier 60 to see the sunset and the street artists entertaining the crowds.
Planning a road trip? Fly into Orlando and enjoy a scenic 2.5-hour drive to Clearwater.
3. Walk along sandy shores in Daytona Beach
For a completely different vibe, head to Daytona Beach, located about 50 miles from Orlando on the Atlantic coast.
You'll find the there is more to Daytona than just the Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Catch a concert at the Daytona Beach Bandshell. Take the kids to Daytona Lagoon water park, with waterslides, go-karts, and laser tag.
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon fishing at Sunglow Pier. If your kids are in the moon to learn, take them to the fascinating Museum of Arts and Sciences.
You can also fly to Jacksonville and plan a fun family day trip to Daytona Beach, 1.5 hours away.
4. Swim and sunbathe in Destin
Head to Destin, a city in northwest Florida on the Florida Panhandle, on a peninsula that separates the Gulf and Choctawhatchee Bay.
Explore Destin's beaches with powder-fine white sand, play golf, and book a fishing trip.
Get the feel of the city by strolling along the Destin Harbor Boardwalk. Visit Henderson Beach State Park to see the giant dunes and to enjoy a hike along the coast surrounded by oak and pine trees.
Kids will love the variety of slides, pools, and waterfalls in the huge Big Kahuna’s water park. Visit the Destin History & Fishing Museum to learn about the importance of fishing for Destin.
Destin is about 5 hours by car from Jacksonville, FL if you are looking for road trip ideas:
Romantic Places to Visit in Florida:
5. Stroll down charming streets in Delray Beach
Catch a small city vibe in Delray Beach known for its lovely sandy beaches but also for the lively art community in its eclectic downtown.
Stroll through the Pineapple Grove Arts District which is full of amazing public art and art galleries.
Keep an eye on the calendar because a range of art festivals run all year round.
The First Friday Art Walks are a great way to explore the city’s art scene, see a show, or catch a concert. And there are, of course, great restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy fresh food and enjoy some people watching.
6. Visit historic forts in Pensacola
Explore Pensacola, a charming, old coastal Florida city, the westernmost city on the Florida Panhandle, with lovely Santa Rosa Island separating it from the Gulf and creating quiet, safe sandy beaches, perfect for the kids.
One of the oldest European settlements in America, I'm sure you will agree with me once you visit that Pensacola is full of historic charm.
Start your exploration at the Historic Pensacola Village, where 19 well-preserved 19th-century buildings create a living museum.
Take the steep spiral staircase to climb to the top of the Pensacola Lighthouse, built in 1859; the view is worth the climb.
7. Snorkel in the Florida Keys
A drive to the Florida Keys is worth it just for the incredible snorkeling you'll find there!
Stretching almost 120 miles from the southern tip of Florida between the Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean is a string of tropical islands called the Florida Keys.
This coral archipelago starts about 15 miles from Miami and ends in Dry Tortugas National Park, which is uninhabited.
The last inhabited key is Key West.
Anywhere on the Keys you can charter a boat and go fishing, snorkeling or diving, rent a kayak and explore the mysterious mangroves, sample unique local cuisine, stroll along quaint, colorful streets, and sit in one of many rustic beach bars to soak up the spirit of the Keys.
Family-Friendly Places to Visit in Florida:
8. Visit the museums in Fort Lauderdale
You can combine a trip to Miami with a trip to Fort Lauderdale which lies 28 miles north of Miami. I really enjoy the picturesque boating canals there!
The best place to start your exploration is at the Strip, a long, wide promenade that runs along the ocean and is lined with posh outdoor restaurants, lively bars, fancy boutiques, and luxury hotels.
9. Relax on sunny beaches in Fort Myers
Did you know that Fort Myers was a fort built on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River to protect the settlers from the Seminole Indians?
Today’s Fort Myers is a modern commercial center, a gateway to sunny southwest Florida and a place that will make you fall in love wiht its lovely beaches.
There is a lot to do in Fort Myers besides swimming, kayaking, snorkeling, and relaxing on the sand. Take the kids to the Lakes Regional Park to ride a miniature train, or let them unleash their imagination at the Imaginarium Science Center, an aquarium and hands-on science museum.
10. See the natural attractions in Gainesville
Visit Gainesville to enjoy hiking, birdwatching and to see the alligators. Explore this lively college town with the huge campus of the University of Florida. It is the largest city in north-central Florida, and about a 90-minute drive from Jacksonville and Orlando if you have time for a day trip.
Floating down the cool, spring-fed river at the lush Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a city tradition. Visit the Florida Quilt Museum, Quilt Trail, and Quilt Festival. Stroll through the spectacular Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, with its waterfalls, bridges, and small lakes.
If you need more ideas, check out some of my favorite day trips in Florida.
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