12 Best Florida Vacation Spots You Have To See To Believe · Seasonal Cravings (2024)

When it comes to vacation destinations, Florida is hard to beat. With miles of coastline and the best theme parks in the country, there's something for everyone in the Sunshine State. So if you're looking for beautiful beaches, fantastic wildlife, or world-class fishing spots, these Florida vacation spots have you covered.

Panama City

Yes, Panama City Beach is a popular spring break destination. Still, Panama City and the surrounding area are also full of activities and attractions for visitors. With its beautiful beaches, spectacular sunsets, and outdoor activities, there is plenty to keep you busy on vacation.

One of the most popular attractions here is Gulf World Marine Park, which offers fun educational programs, marine life exhibits, and family-friendly shows. Shipwreck Island Waterpark is another top destination with waterslides and lazy rivers for those who prefer an active vacation.

If you're looking for sandy beaches and plenty of opportunities for fishing, swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, St. Andrews State Park is the perfect place to spend a day.

Finally, you can step away from the sand and surf at Pier Park and enjoy a relaxing evening. Visitors will have plenty of opportunities for shopping and dining, with many unique boutiques and restaurants lining the promenade.

Tampa Bay Area

Tampa Bay is a top vacation spot for people of all ages. This vibrant region offers everyone numerous family-friendly attractions, fun outdoor activities, and world-class entertainment options.

One of the top reasons to visit Tampa Bay is Busch Gardens, one of Florida's most popular theme parks. Busch Gardens Theme Park offers thrilling roller coasters and immersive interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. The park has exciting rides, like SheiKra and Congo River Rapids, or you can take a quiet stroll through Bird Gardens.

In addition to its fantastic theme park, Tampa Bay offers many other exciting opportunities for fun and recreation. Catch a Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game, spend an afternoon at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium feeding tropical fish, or lounge on the sunny beaches in nearby Clearwater Beach.

Another popular place in Tampa is the Salvador Dalí Museum in St Petersburg. The museum holds the largest collection of Dalí's works outside of Europe, and it is a truly unique experience. The last stop in Tampa has to be Glazer Children's Museum in downtown Tampa. If you have kiddos with you, they will have a blast.

Destin

Destin is one of the best vacation spots in Florida. This charming coastal town offers plenty of things to entertain kids and adults. Visitors can relax on the beautiful white sandy beaches, surf, kayak, and snorkel in the warm Gulf Coast waters.

In addition, Destin's beautiful white sand beaches are perfect for sunbathing and swimming, with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the views. Henderson Beach State Park is the ideal spot to soak up the sun.

Destin is home to Big Kahunas, an epic water park featuring all sorts of slides, pools, and rides for visitors looking for adventure. And if you're a fishing enthusiast, Destin is known as the "world's luckiest fishing village." So whether you take a fishing charter or rent your gear from one of the local shops, you will have a great time reeling in some big fish.

Orlando

Located in the heart of Central Florida, Orlando is a popular vacation destination thanks to its many exciting attractions. Whether you're looking for thrilling rides, family-friendly entertainment, or just a chance to relax and soak up some sunshine, this lively city has something for everyone.

Walt Disney World is the crown jewel of Orlando's many attractions. There's no shortage of excitement here with four distinct parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom. Disney World combines fun with fantasy for an unforgettable experience.

In addition to Disney World, Orlando also features another mega-theme park: Universal Studios. Featuring exciting rides and attractions like Jurassic Park, Fast And Furious, and Harry Potter, this park, has something for every visitor.

Key West

With its rich history and vibrant culture, Key West is perfect for anyone looking for a fun, relaxing Floridavacation. If you want to spend time in the sun, enjoy tasty food and drink options, or do outdoor activities, you can't beat the Florida Keys.

Key West is excellent for watersports with gorgeous sandy beaches and crystal-clear water. Fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding are all popular recreational activities. If you need to rent gear, kayak and paddle board rental companies have kayak trailers full of gear to make it easy for folks to get out on the water.

If you're looking to explore the local history, Key West has plenty to offer. First, walk down bustling Duval Street with its shops and bars. Then, visit iconic locations like Fort Zachary Taylor State Park or Dry Tortugas National Park - home to fabulous snorkeling and scuba diving experiences.

Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach is an iconic Florida vacation spot known for its wide sandy beaches and sunny weather. In addition to its natural beauty, Daytona has plenty of outdoor activities to keep visitors entertained.

For example, the Daytona International Speedway is a premier racing venue that draws people from all over the country to watch exciting races year-round. Those looking for a more relaxing afternoon can enjoy watersports like parasailing, surfing, and boating along Daytona's beautiful shoreline.

Fort Lauderdale

Located along Florida's southern coast, Fort Lauderdale is known as a popular vacation destination. This vibrant city offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and adventure, with miles of sparkling beaches and waterways to explore, as well as an array of parks and nature reserves.

So whether you are surfing, kayaking, or paddle boarding, there is something for everyone in beautiful Fort Lauderdale. If you want a relaxing day at the beach or an exciting day of adventure sports, this idyllic city is a great place to vacation.

Everglades National Park

If you are vacationing in the beautiful state of Florida, a trip to the Everglades National Park is a must. This incredible wildlife refuge is home to fascinating animals, including alligators, birds, and many fish species.

To truly experience all the Everglades offer, I highly recommend taking an airboat tour. This unique way of exploring the park will allow you to get up close and personal with its magnificent wildlife while also allowing you to cruise through the waters at high speeds.

I also suggest kayaking or canoeing through the picturesque waterways for those looking for a more relaxing adventure in the Everglades. Paddling allows you to explore at your own pace and puts you on level ground with some of the park's most captivating critters. Just be sure to watch out for alligators lurking below the surface!

West Palm Beach

West Palm Beach is a popular vacation spot located along the southeastern coast of Florida. Blessed with beautiful beaches and endless sunshine, West Palm Beach offers plenty of outdoor activities to keep visitors entertained and active.

Whether you're a fan of swimming, surfing, windsurfing, or sailing, there are plenty of opportunities to get out on the water. Additionally, those who prefer more land-based pursuits will find that West Palm Beach has more than its fair share of shopping and dining.

Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach is a great vacation spot in Florida, known for its extensive sandy beaches and warm weather year-round. Unlike many other Florida beach destinations, the beaches of Cocoa Beach are not overly crowded. Furthermore, the sand stretches for miles, giving you plenty of space to take long walks or just enjoy the beauty of the ocean.

In addition to its beautiful beaches, Cocoa Beach is home to exciting outdoor activities to keep visitors entertained. Whether you're interested in surfing or fishing, cycling or paddling, there's something for everyone here. And with the world-famous Kennedy Space Center just minutes from downtown Cocoa Beach, there's no shortage of things to do and see.

Miami

Miami is one of Florida's most unique vacation spots, with plenty of outdoor activities and beautiful beaches to explore.

For art lovers, the iconic art deco district is famous worldwide, with vibrant buildings painted in bright colors. Whether you are into art or not, art deco architecture is a treat. In addition, Miami’s South Beach is home to miles of white sand beaches and sparkling turquoise waters.

Perhaps the most famous destination in Miami is Miami Beach, a thriving community known for its beautiful beaches and colorful nightlife. Here you can enjoy swimming, sunbathing, or just soaking up the rays while admiring the ocean views.

Amelia Island

Amelia Island is one of Florida's best places for a family vacation. Located on the Atlantic Coast near Jacksonville, Amelia Island is blessed with miles of coastline and some of the best beaches in the state. If you want to go for a swim, build sandcastles with the kids, or relax under the warm sun, Amelia island offers endless opportunities for fun in the sun.

In addition, visitors can take a day trip south to Castillo de San Marcos National Monument to explore the oldest masonry fort in the United States.

If you enjoy a more active vacation, there are several golf courses and hiking trails throughout the island with amazing views. Amelia Island offers something for every traveler, making it an ideal vacation spot anytime.

The Best Vacation Spots in Florida

Florida is a popular destination for vacationers, with good reason. The Sunshine State has an incredible diversity of landscapes and activities, from world-famous theme parks to beautiful beaches and everything in between. No matter what your interests are, you will find something fun to do in Florida. So if you're looking for a great place to spend your next vacation, consider one of these fantastic Florida destinations.

This article originally appeared on Hello Sensible.