The Sunshine State is understood for its lovely seashores and climate, and what higher strategy to get pleasure from these two issues than with a weekend getaway? You possibly can head to the theme parks in central Florida or drop all the way down to the Florida Keys in south Florida. Maybe you need scrumptious meals. Or possibly you want to sit on white sand seashores and admire swaying palm timber. No matter you’re craving, these Florida weekend getaways are the very best decisions – we’ll be sharing the very best of the finest locations to go to in Florida. Prepare for enjoyable details and inspiration galore; with these weekend getaways in Florida, you’re in for a deal with.
Finest Weekend Getaways in Florida
Are you able to take a more in-depth have a look at the very best weekend getaways in Florida? Whether or not you’re craving a romantic getaway or an amusement park break with your loved ones, these distinctive weekend getaways in Florida have heaps to spark your curiosity. For the sake of this information, we’ll assume that you simply’ve already visited Miami, and we’ll introduce you to some lesser-visited locations in addition to commonplace metropolis suggestions. The place do you have to keep for a weekend in Florida? Right here’s our sizzling take.
1. Fort Lauderdale
Who doesn’t love a little bit of Fort Lauderdale? And if you’re searching for high weekend getaways in Florida, it’s straightforward to see why this metropolis ranks among the many hottest choices each time. Town is dwelling to Fort Lauderdale Seashore and has a thriving arts and tradition scene. If you’d like a metropolis that has distinct ‘pocket’ neighborhoods to select from, Fort Lauderdale is sensible. You may head to the historic canal area, aka ‘Venice of America’, or get pleasure from Mission-style properties and reside music within the inland neighborhood of Sailboat Bend. You even have tons of seashores to decide on between – making Fort Lauderdale one of the thrilling locations to go to in Florida.
Fort Lauderdale is tremendous handy in order for you a getaway from Miami. Draw your self away from South Seashore and Miami Seashore, heading lower than an hour up the coast by automobile. You may also catch public transport from Miami to Fort Lauderdale in lower than two hours, and there’s an airport to make use of. Try the 15 Finest Seashores in Fort Lauderdale
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2. Amelia Island
Amelia Island is drop-dead beautiful with a seashore city enchantment. Distant, wistful feeling, and stuffed with alternatives to attach with nature, Amelia Island is without doubt one of the most original weekend getaways in Florida. Many would-be guests overlook this fabulous barrier island vacation spot, and its highlights are comparatively unsung. However those that can see previous the confinements of the ‘common vacationer path’ are rewarded with white sand seashores and among the best Florida weekend getaways. This island has all the things from luxurious resorts to golf programs and even shark enamel scattered alongside its seashores, left untouched because of the shortage of crowds. For a fantastic getaway, Amelia Island is good.
To get there, you’ll want a automobile. Amelia Island is situated on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, roughly a 45-minute drive from Jacksonville. When you arrive, you possibly can navigate the island primarily on a pedal bike to unplug from the skin world – driving included.
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3. Walt Disney World
Relating to enjoyable weekend getaways in Florida, a weekend journey to the Walt Disney World Resort in central Florida hits the spot. That is the theme park of all theme parks; one of many world’s most well-known locations to go to. Walt Disney World, in fact, sits within the sprawling metropolis of Orlando. And with a weekend, you’ll have greater than sufficient time to discover its 4 theme parks with dozens of various rides, reveals, and character meet-and-greets. Guests sometimes e book one of many on-site resorts for the ‘final’ expertise. Walt Disney World is without doubt one of the most basic choices for Florida getaways, and it’s unimaginable to not love the tacky but healthful ambiance. Try: 11 Finest Theme Parks in Florida To Go to
It’s an absolute breeze to get to Walt Disney World, with Orlando operating home and worldwide flights worldwide. You may also drive rapidly to Orlando from most locations in Florida or benefit from the state’s wonderful Greyhound community in case you desire public transport. Learn extra: Prime 10 Curler Coasters in Florida
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4. Honeymoon Island State Park
One other one of the distinctive weekend getaways in Florida is the gorgeous Honeymoon Island State Park – fittingly named with over 4 miles of white sand seashore. This gorgeous barrier island state park is dwelling to little greater than a nature heart and some cafes, which means you’ll have to remain close by and enterprise in throughout the day. This isn’t a problem, although, as there are many resort choices instantly after you exit the bridge onto the mainland. In case you fancy a getaway the place you possibly can keep instantly subsequent to one of the pristine Florida state parks, Honeymoon Island State Park is your best option.
It’s straightforward to see why folks love this Florida getaway. The mixture of white sand, mountaineering trails, and wildlife equivalent to manatees, eagles, and dolphins is mesmerizing. Additionally it is straightforward to achieve, simply 20 minutes from Clearwater by automobile, and situated on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
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5. Crystal River
Crystal River proves you don’t want scuba diving to get essentially the most out of a Florida getaway. This coastal metropolis is principally recognized for one factor: its West Indian manatee inhabitants. These lazy, loveable creatures are nicknamed ‘sea cows’ and drift peacefully by means of the waterways round Crystal River. Their primary risks are boat propellers, and their solely methodology of protection is to swim – albeit slowly – away. These lovable creatures have garnered superstar standing, and animal-loving guests flock to Crystal River, hoping to see them on boat excursions and snorkeling excursions. Crystal River is well among the best distinctive weekend getaways in Florida in order for you a wild animal encounter.
Crystal River is situated on Florida’s Gulf Coast, roughly a 5-hour drive from Miami and a 2-hour drive from Orlando. It’s a little out of the way in which, so we’d recommend hiring a automobile in case you don’t have one already. And to see the manatee, you’ll must e book an official tour.
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6. New Smyrna Seashore
New Smyrna Seashore may not even register as a possible weekend getaway if you have a look at a map of the Florida peninsula. But this tiny metropolis on Florida’s Atlantic Coast has a enormous persona. New Smyrna Seashore just isn’t solely a browsing hub for these trying to catch some waves for the weekend but in addition has tons of historic websites. Its Canal Road Historic District is a hive for the artistic, with galleries, unbiased outlets, and cafes. There’s additionally the New Smyrna Museum of Historical past and the Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum. In case you fancy a browsing vacation spot that packs a historic punch, New Smyrna Seashore is a fantastic, vigorous contender amongst the very best weekend getaways in Florida.
New Smyrna Seashore is finest accessed through automobile and is simply an hour’s drive from Orlando. It’s centrally situated alongside the Atlantic Coast. It offers wonderful day journey entry to the Kennedy Area Middle and Daytona Seashore. Learn extra: 10 Distinctive Issues to Do in Central Florida
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7. Marco Island
Marco Island is fairly darn glitzy. Assume golf programs, yachts in marinas, and towering resort resorts. It’s reduce off from the mainland, connected solely by bridges, for an remoted and unique ambiance. It balances that lovely line between resort luxurious and conservation surroundings for nature lovers. If you’d like resort comforts with pure views, it’s one in all Florida’s finest distinctive weekend getaways. Marco Island may not be as windswept or ‘wild’ feeling as Amelia Island or Honeymoon Island State Park. Nonetheless, it does present a snug base amidst barrier island surroundings. Florida getaways don’t get far more stress-free.
Reaching Marco Island is a 30-minute drive from central Naples, a serious metropolis alongside Florida’s Gulf of Mexico shoreline. You’ll want a automobile, and also you’ll be driving throughout scenic overwater highways to achieve your lodging on the island.
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8. Fort Myers
Fort Myers is way over only a gateway to weekend getaways in Florida. Most guests go straight by means of Fort Myers to go to Sanibel Island. And whereas we aren’t slating lovely Sanibel Island with all its fascinating seashells, those that need to problem the established order for Florida getaways ought to pause briefly in Fort Myers earlier than dashing onwards. Fort Myers is actually historic, with the gorgeous River District, iconic Edison & Ford Winter Estates, and close by Cape Coral Museum of Historical past. If you’d like a day on the seashore, Fort Myers Seashore is only a 30-minute drive away.
Fort Myers is only a 50-minute drive from Naples or a 2.5-hour drive from Miami. So, reaching this historic Gulf Coast metropolis will probably be straightforward. We like its underdog enchantment and the standard handful of points of interest in its metropolis heart. It’s the excellent compromise when you’ve got a half group wanting a seashore getaway and half wanting a metropolis break.
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9. Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is a large harbor and inland water space surrounded by the most important cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg, plus a handful of waterfront cities. Reasonably than separating out the totally different locations to remain round Tampa Bay, we’ll have a look at this area as an entire. The Tampa Bay area is sensible for seafood, is carefully situated close to manatee viewing alternatives, is improbable for fishing, and has the cities to present you that city getaway expertise.
Let’s rapidly have a look at the place you need to base your self across the bay. To summarize, Tampa is the place to remain for Cuban and Spanish influences in historic neighborhoods and lots of cultural and museum-style points of interest. St Petersburg is the place to remain for extra laidback sightseeing with artwork galleries, {golfing}, and fishing excursions. And the opposite small cities alongside the bay’s south shore are the place to remain for a quiet neighborhood really feel. As you possibly can see, Tampa Bay has tons of selection. It’s wonderful for anybody wanting a deeper immersion in Florida’s tradition. It’s simply reached by automobile or home flights.
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10. Wekiwa Springs State Park
If you’d like a Florida getaway the place you will get again to fundamentals with tenting and exquisite kayaking excursions, Wekiwa Springs State Park is without doubt one of the finest weekend getaways in Florida. This gorgeous space of pure magnificence is ready round a spring the place you possibly can paddle up near turtles, alligators, manatees, and extra. Wekiwa Springs is nearly aggressively inexperienced and a much-needed assault on the senses. You’ll be canoeing or kayaking by means of green-hued waters beneath thick inexperienced undergrowth and low-hanging timber. And you may end off your water actions with a campfire within the night.
For a tenting getaway in Florida, Wekiwa Springs will get our high vote. The state park is well accessible from Orlando and is only a 30-minute drive from the town heart. The park is situated in central Florida, and when you’ll nonetheless want a automobile, it is without doubt one of the most ‘city’ areas of pure magnificence and tenting alternatives – situated within the Orlando outer suburbs.
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11. De Leon Springs State Park
De Leon Springs State Park has lived a number of totally different lives in its time. First, the park was dwelling to native Mayaca. It grew to become a winter park, and now, it’s protected as a state park and a preferred place for water actions. It is without doubt one of the nice weekend getaways in Florida, particularly in order for you an inland vacation spot to get pleasure from swimming. The park has over 6,000 years of historical past, and its unique Mayaca residents stated that the springs have therapeutic waters. De Leon Springs State Park is an excellent place to notice for a cultural, historic, and refreshing getaway in Florida.
To get to De Leon Springs, drive an hour northeast of Orlando. It’s a easy getaway to achieve from central and northern Florida. Whilst you’ll want a automobile, it’s fully walkable when you arrive.
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12. Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park
Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park is an icon of pure magnificence and, merely put, an amazing weekend getaway for any adventurous vacationers in Florida. The extremely distant nationwide park consists of seven islands, one in all which contains a Nineteenth-century fort and all dwelling to gorgeous wildlife. The distinction between the white sand, shiny blue waters, and orange terracotta of the remaining buildings is gorgeous. And Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park is very like a Caribbean vacation spot. We vote for uncooked magnificence and lingering historic impression as one of the distinctive weekend getaways in Florida.
So, how on Earth do you truly get right here? Dry Tortugas Nationwide Park is just reachable by boat or seaplane. It isn’t like the usual barrier islands in Florida, that are most accessible by overwater highways. These are actual islands, remoted within the Gulf of Mexico and about 70 miles west of Key West – the endpoint of the Florida Keys. You may take a 2-hour 15-minute ferry experience from Key West to Dry Tortugas or organize a seaplane flight. It’s undoubtedly tougher to achieve, nevertheless it reaps rewards in bounds from the additional effort. Learn extra: 36 Finest Issues to Do in Key West, Florida
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13. Anna Maria Island
Anna Maria Island is an actual neighborhood hub in a fantastic barrier island setting. And relating to household getaways in Florida, these qualities make Anna Maria Island a high contender. The island has pristine white sand seashores and lots of sensible actions, together with dolphin watching, parasailing, and shallow swimming areas. Get pleasure from a 1911-built wood pier and lots of unbiased cafes and outlets. For households, this can be a combine from heaven. Anna Maria Island presents a rounded and picturesque weekend getaway expertise. It’s so family-friendly in ambiance and actions that we simply had so as to add it to this listing.
Anna Maria Island is situated simply outdoors Tampa Bay, on the ultimate row of barrier islands dealing with Mexico’s Gulf Coast. It’s a simple one-hour drive from Tampa over the putting Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It’s best to journey to Anna Maria Island by automobile.
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14. West Palm Seashore
West Palm Seashore is glitz and glam – recognized for its effective eating, Broadway-style reveals, and fierce nightlife. It’s equal components a retail remedy and get together vacation spot, and in order for you a spot the place you possibly can don your fanciest outfits, West Palm Seashore is without doubt one of the finest weekend getaways in Florida. The downtown space is tremendous walkable. Price Avenue is an paradoxically named and sensible procuring space that may be loved on foot. West Palm Seashore is a vacation spot you instantly have at the back of your thoughts if you consider a procuring getaway. We couldn’t not add it to this information.
To achieve West Palm Seashore from Fort Lauderdale, it’s simply an hour away by automobile or 45 minutes by rail. It’s a sensible place to get to by public transport and a improbable steadiness between a seashore and a metropolis break. West Palm Seashore is situated on the Atlantic Coast, round 70 miles north of Miami.
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15. Vero Seashore
Vero Seashore is a wonderful weekend getaway for water sports activities and nature. The small metropolis has an excellent handy location proper subsequent to the Indian River Lagoon, and absurdly, it is without doubt one of the lesser-known weekend getaways in Florida. Vero Seashore is the type of getaway Florida locals know and love however that vacationers and normal passers-by are likely to overlook. This makes it an excellent selection no matter season. You may get pleasure from fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and even scuba diving. You may’t beat it relating to water actions and proximity to lovely seashores.
Vero Seashore is situated in central Florida, roughly 1 hour and 40 minutes by automobile, southeast of Orlando. You’ll want a automobile to achieve this little coastal metropolis, however it’s price the additional effort. There are a number of lesser-visited state parks close by, too, together with Avalon State Park and Fort Pierce Inlet State Park. The truth that it’s so off the standard overwhelmed path when it comes to tourism actually caught our eye, and its water sports activities are spectacular.
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16. Biscayne Nationwide Park
Biscayne Nationwide Park is a surprising a part of Florida’s west coast. It’s simply one of the lovely Florida weekend getaways. It’s all white sand seashores and luxurious palm timber – with some significantly picturesque mountaineering trails because the cherry on high. However its actual draw comes from its underwater points of interest, issues chances are you’ll not discover instantly. Biscayne Nationwide Park has a few of Florida’s most unimaginable and infrequently tragic shipwrecks. There are over 10,000 years of human historical past right here, and a large half comes from its shipwreck stays. The wrecks aren’t simply traditionally vital both; many have fashioned synthetic reefs and now assist total marine life ecosystems. In case you love scuba diving or snorkeling, Biscayne Nationwide Park is without doubt one of the most original weekend getaways in Florida.
Attending to Biscayne Nationwide Park is an absolute breeze from Miami. You may drive to the Biscayne Nationwide Park Customer Middle in lower than an hour, situated on the mainland. From there, you possibly can discover the island part of the nationwide park by a guided boat tour.
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17. Key West
The Florida Keys are among the best weekend getaways in Florida, and Key West is a historic city proper on the tip of the Keys. Key West is the southernmost level within the US, with an enormous maritime tradition and sense of id for such a small city. As a weekend getaway, it’s the excellent selection. Key West is dwelling to the Truman Little White Home, the Hemingway House and Museum, and deep sea fishing alternatives. There are various wonderful issues to do in Key West.
Key West is actually scenic as a weekend getaway. To achieve Key West from Miami, it’s a 3.5-hour drive – the furthest one of many Florida Keys from the mainland. You may also e book switch companies and day journeys from Miami, although, and Key West is actually walkable, so don’t fear an excessive amount of in case you don’t drive. In case you drive to Key West, cease on the different Florida Keys alongside the way in which. Many points of interest are on the way in which, just like the Historical past of Diving Museum and John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.
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18. Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is most famed for seashells. Not simply any seashells, although, a vivid number of all the things from conch to sand greenback shells. The truth is, it has earned the nickname of the seashell capital of the world. For a weekend of ‘shelling’ and seashore days, Sanibel Island is without doubt one of the most original weekend getaways in Florida. Except for its shells, it’s a lush vacation spot stuffed with greenery, palm timber, and coastal undergrowth. We needed to listing on the high of this information to Florida getaways, as it’s such a spot of pure magnificence and promotes a reference to nature.
To get to Sanibel Island, you merely drive throughout the overwater freeway that retains it linked to the mainland. It’s situated on the Gulf Coast of Florida, simply an hour and 20 minutes away from the numerous metropolis of Fort Myers. You’ll want a automobile to achieve the island, however when you get there, you’ll spend most of your time on foot having fun with miles of gorgeous seashores and mountaineering trails.
Sanibel Island remains to be recovering from the hurricane and a few seashores are nonetheless closed. For updated info go to the Hurricane Restoration FAQs on the Chamber of Commerce.
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19. Everglades Nationwide Park
Everglades Nationwide Park is without doubt one of the most basic weekend getaways in Florida. The park is a tropical wetland and an absolute haven for iconic Florida wildlife, from chicken life to crocs and gators. It’s well-known for its boat excursions and crocodile and alligator encounters. To tick off these wildlife encounter experiences, a weekend getaway to the Everglades is a should. Aside from the boat excursions, you can even get pleasure from boardwalk hikes, kayaking, and the Shark Valley Customer Middle. Let’s be sincere: it catches everybody’s eye when visiting Florida.
To achieve the Everglades Nationwide Park, it’s an hour’s drive from Miami or 50 minutes by automobile from Naples. Situated proper on the backside of southern Florida, the one place additional south than the Everglades Nationwide Park is the Florida Keys. Your finest strategy to go to is by flying into one of many main close by cities and renting a automobile to journey to the Everglades. Alternatively, you possibly can e book guided excursions with transfers included.
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20. Panama Metropolis Seashore
Panama Metropolis Seashore is your best option for seashore lovers eager to enterprise from South Seashore and in direction of the unsung great thing about northwest Florida. Panama Metropolis Seashore has over 27 miles of white sand seashores and a raging seafood restaurant scene. It ticks each field in order for you coastal weekend getaways in Florida, and it will get bonus factors for introducing you to a unique facet of Florida. Most individuals follow southern or central Florida, so why not shake issues up and take a look at a fantastic seashore vacation spot?
The simplest strategy to attain Panama Metropolis Seashore is by flying to Destin; from there, you solely must drive for simply over an hour. Even the drive is scenic, and also you’ll be slicing by means of Level Washington State Forest. Panama Metropolis Seashore is surrounded by lovely state parks and forests, and opening straight out onto the Gulf of Mexico, it’s onerous to not love.
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Weekend Getaways in Florida: FAQs
Now that you realize all concerning the distinctive weekend getaways in Florida, you have to be extra sensible. These are essentially the most generally requested FAQs and bits of beneficial info that may assist form your Florida getaways for the higher. Try these fast, top-four FAQs. Consider them as an final abstract of all you’ve simply learn.
Are there fast journeys in Florida?
Sure, there are many fast journeys in Florida. Everglades Nationwide Park and Key West are two nice examples of fast journeys, with just some bucket-list-worthy issues to tick off that make them excellent to go to for a fast weekend getaway. You gained’t miss out on something by visiting for simply two days.
The place is finest to go for a weekend break?
The very best locations to go for a weekend break in Florida are Amelia Island, Crystal River, Orlando, Key West, and the Everglades Nationwide Park.
How do I plan a weekend journey on a finances?
One of the best ways to maintain your Florida weekend journey to a finances is thru reserving in off or shoulder seasons. This manner, you get the most cost effective resorts and excursions – plus the advantage of fewer crowds. You also needs to contemplate self-catered choices and analysis locations with loads of free actions.
Is Florida the very best state for trip?
Florida is by far among the best states for holidays. Its miles of shoreline make it the right candidate for a few wonderful days in a seashore city. Moreover, it has scrumptious meals and loads of theme parks, historic websites, and pure magnificence, which ticks off each traveler’s pursuits.
To Conclude
You have to be properly and actually able to press ‘e book’ on one in all these high weekend getaways in Florida. It’s possible you’ll need to arrange a fishing constitution from Key West, go to a small city with historic websites, or go to a theme park with adjoining luxurious resorts. Whichever you select, you’ll have a beautiful time; Florida actually is the capital state of the getaway phenomenon. And if these theme parks sounded good, take a look at our in-depth information on the highest 10 rollercoasters in Florida. Florida has a lot to supply, and also you want no less than a number of weekend getaways to really scratch the floor.
