Vacations in Florida

Florida vacations often revolve around either beaches or theme parks, but there’s more to the Sunshine State than just Miami and Disney World. The top 10 places to go in Florida cover a wide range of locations in the state, from Panama City in the panhandle to Marathon in Key West, Miami Beach on the east coast to Tampa Bay on the west coast, and of course, central Florida, home to Mickey Mouse and the world’s most popular resort.

Depending on what type of trip you’re looking for, you’ll find that some of the best vacations in Florida are on the state’s Atlantic Coast, while others are in the Everglades, and still others explore the quieter parts of the Panhandle, along the Gulf of Mexico. If you’re planning spending time in the water, a popular area that’s consider the best vacation spot in Florida for snorkeling is in the crystal-clear waters of the Dry Tortugas, near Key West, though the barrier islands near Sarasota are also renowned for their snorkeling and scuba diving.

Spring Break vacations are a popular reason to travel to Florida, and the South Beach area in Miami is easily one of the top 10 places to go in Florida both for nightlife and to see and be seen. Heading north from Miami, another favorite place for spring vacations in Florida is Daytona Beach, with its miles of beaches and its fun boardwalk. In addition, plenty of students also make their way to Fort Lauderdale, which is often touted as the best vacation spot in Florida for spring break.

Orlando is one of the best places to visit in the Sunshine State at any time of year, and Walt Disney World is easily its biggest draw, though Universal Studios and Sea World also pull in their own share of visitors. These spectacular theme parks are one of the things that make the area great for family vacations, as attractions such as Disney World take care to have plenty of things to do for both kids and adults. And after all, who doesn’t love a Disney vacation?

If you’re seeking theme parks on the west coast of Florida, Tampa is home to world-famous Busch Gardens and its sister site, Adventure Island Water Park. This city is also popular for its events as well, as during the fall and winter months, Tampa hosts the annual Gasparilla pirate invasion and parade, the Florida State Fair, the Guavaween festival in Ybor City, and the annual Strawberry Festival in nearby Plant City.

For science enthusiasts, the Kennedy Space Center is a popular destination, and though Cape Canaveral itself isn’t a huge tourist draw, it’s located within an easy driving distance of Orlando, Miami, and Daytona Beach, among other Florida destinations. The center offers tours, exhibits, IMAX films, and interactive exhibits at the impressive facility, which is open year-round.

It’s the beaches that draw many people to Florida, however, and there are plenty of amazing options. Caladesi Island, consistently named as one of the top 10 beaches in the U.S., and Fort DeSoto Park, which has been named as America’s top beach, are popular destinations and either of these could be considered the best vacation spot in Florida for surf, sun, and sandy beaches. Siesta Key, Sarasota, Pensacola, and the Keys are also home to terrific beaches.

It’s not just about the sand, however; Florida has a diverse environment that also includes marshes and swampland with an equally diverse wildlife population, including hundreds of bird species, manatees, and Florida panthers. Examples of the state’s unique flora and fauna are found in its many national and state parks that provide interesting outdoor vacations in Florida with tours, hiking, camping, bird watching, and airboat rides.

The Everglades are usually where people start, but it’s also worth looking into Ocala National Forest, Apalachicola National Forest, and Osceola National Forest in northern Florida, J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge near Sarasota, and the Dry Tortugas National Park near Key West. Any of these could easily rank among the top 10 places to go in Florida.