Weekend Getaway Destinations in Florida

1. Amelia Island

Amelia Island attracts travelers looking for a quiet beach getaway in a laid-back atmosphere. The island sits at the southernmost part of the Sea Islands, an island chain just off the northeast coast of Florida. During a stay, tourists can soak in the sun on the island’s 13 miles of beaches or tee off at one of the island’s six golf courses. Amelia Island’s Fernandina Beach has a mobile phone guided walking tour through its historic sites. Visitors can explore the town’s welcoming community full of shops and restaurants. Here, guests can sip cocktails at Florida’s oldest continuously operating bar, The Palace Saloon, which first opened its doors in 1903.

102 Centre Street, Amelia Island, FL, Phone: 9044-277-0717

2. Sanibel Island

Situated 25 miles from Fort Meyers, Sanibel Island gives guests a chance to relax and unwind while enjoying island beaches, dining on seafood, or exploring the lush local ecosystem. Surfers and sailors tend to hang out at Sanibel’s most popular beach, Bowman’s. Meanwhile, visitors can collect shells and other natural treasures over at the more secluded Blind Pass Beach. The Darling National Wildlife Refuge houses hundreds of different wildlife species including crocodiles, giant manatees, and lots of birds. Tourists can also spend the morning kayaking and canoeing through the mangrove-lined waterways or rent bikes for the day to get around.

3. Apalachicola

Time slows down in this historic town situated in the northwest of the state in Florida Panhandle. During a stay, visitors can relax and unwind while enjoying the perfect romantic weekend getaway. Called “Apalach” by the locals, Apalachicola was first established in 1831. At the height of its day, it represented the third largest port in the Gulf of Mexico. The city’s seafaring history remains a big part of the culture, and during a visit, tourists can check out the Cape St. George Lighthouse or explore the Maritime Museum. Hundreds of historic buildings from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries give Apalachicola its charm especially during an evening stroll at sunset.

2540 West Executive Center #200, Tallahassee, FL, Phone: 850-488-5607

4. Sebring

Whether looking to live life in the fast lane or slow things down for the weekend, Sebring, Florida is a great place to visit. Speedsters can check out the Sebring International Raceway, the oldest racetrack in the United States. Sebring also houses the Pinecrest Golf Course which served as the location for the first televised PGA tournament. For a quieter weekend, tourists can relax at the spa, enjoy a nice meal, or browse the range of boutiques and art galleries. The nearby Lake Jackson has places for freshwater fishing. Visitors can also get their creative juices flowing at the Highlands Art League Inc to view exhibitions or take a class.

5. Brooksville

Brooksville is located just an hour north of Tampa. Weekenders looking for an escape can visit the local parks, historic hideaways, and museums in this charming town in the Sunshine State. Lovers of the great outdoors can spend time in Brookville’s Withlacoochee State Forest, a large park perfect for hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, and camping. Golfers can tee off at one of several courses including the 36-hole World Woods course. Meanwhile, the historic Hernando Heritage Museum showcases over 10,000 vintage medical devices, antiques, and artifacts including from the Civil War and Vietnam War, but may also house the ghost of Jessie May.

6. Cedar Key

Cedar Key harkens back to the days when Florida still remained a remote place filled with salt marshes and outposts. Stilted houses and cedar trees give this charming village a backwoods feel with laid-back vibes. The island preserves what Key West must have looked like back when Ernest Hemingway lived there. The charming village of Cedar Key offers a memorable weekend getaway. Guests can spend their mini vacation sipping wine washing down fresh seafood while watching candy colored sunsets. At night, the locals gather at L & M Bar to mingle over a few drinks. Visitors can also check out the Cedar Key Lighthouse, the oldest standing lighthouse on the west coast of Florida.

7. Christmas

Winter doesn’t have to be cold in Christmas. This sleepy Florida town between Orlando and Cape Canaveral has a little over 1,200 occupants making it ideal for a quiet warm weekend getaway in the wintertime. At the Fort Christmas Historical Park, visitors can explore a replica of the fort with demonstrations of pioneer life from when early settlers arrived in the area during the 1830s. The Orlando Wetlands Park showcases the beauty of the wetlands and its wildlife with places for hiking, biking, and walking. The quirky town of Christmas also houses the world’s largest alligator-shaped building. Tourists can spot a real gator during one of the many airport adventure tours.

8. Crystal River

There are many fun activities in Crystal River, situated along the coast in western Florida. There are ample opportunities to experience the outdoors and see the state’s famous manatees. During a visit, tourists can watch the gentle giants float by at Three Sisters Springs or the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Beach lovers can work on their tan at Hunter Springs Park featuring natural springs, cozy beaches, and places for kayaking. Meanwhile, Crystal River Archaeological State Park contains remnants of the country’s earliest human settlement including prehistoric burial grounds and ritual sites. State parks near Crystal River offer plenty of chances to go for long walks and see local birds, reptiles, and other animals.

9. Dade City

There are many fun activities in Dade City, including antique stores and historic architecture. Every year in late January, this Florida city near Tampa Bay hosts the Kumquat Festival where attendees can enjoy edibles like marmalades and pies made with the tart citrus fruit. Weekenders who can’t make the festival will have no shortage of places to dine in Dade City. The town has everything from local cuisines like soul and seafood to barbeque restaurants. Wildlife refuges like the Giraffe Ranch bring visitors up close and personal to baby tigers, monkeys, and other safari animals.

10. Destin

Destin offers the quintessential Florida weekend getaway with plenty of seafood, relaxing resorts, sandy beaches, and candy colored sunsets. Situated in northwest of Florida, Destin has no shortage of places to soak up the sun. The city has earned the nickname of the "world’s luckiest fishing village", and during a visit, guests can enjoy all varieties of fishing including deep sea and bay fishing. A trip to Destin wouldn’t be complete without a taste of the freshly caught fish while watching the sun go down. A weekend at this city will include lots of beach time with swimming and snorkeling in the emerald-hued waters of the Gulf of Mexico.