For those who love the ocean, salt, and sand as a lot as I do, you most likely wish to go to plenty of totally different seashores on your loved ones holidays. The southern state of Florida (often known as the Sunshine State), as a peninsula, gives so many various kinds of seashores – on the panhandle, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean.
Whereas I like the precise sand and surf of the seashores, I additionally actually benefit from the points of interest, eating places, and resorts of the Florida seaside cities – a few of that are small seaside cities. There are such a lot of issues to do in Florida.
These coastal cities in Florida supply so many various issues for households to discover, past the good seashores, together with museums, state parks, nature trails, aquariums, artwork galleries, eco-activities, and procuring. Whilst you could wish to have some seaside days throughout your trip, it’s possible you’ll wish to spend a while doing different issues – particularly if it’s raining or in case you’ve had too many days within the solar. Listed below are one of the best Florida seaside cities for families- together with coastal cities in Florida which are nice for household holidays.
We acquired complimentary journeys/stays at numerous Florida seaside cities and motels over time, and paid for different stays. All opinions are my very own.
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Coastal Cities in Florida: The Greatest Florida Seaside Cities
When planning a go to to one among these seaside cities in Florida, discover a centrally positioned lodge, trip residence rental, or resort. That can permit you the chance to do the entire totally different points of interest and actions in your trip itinerary.
Visits to a few of these cities may be mixed whereas others are fairly far aside., so contemplate geography when planning your Florida go to. You could possibly mix locations both with day journeys or a Florida coastal highway journey.
St. Augustine
This lovely historic metropolis on the East Coast of Florida is one among my favourite locations to go to and is without doubt one of the oldest cities. Whereas there are seashores and boat rides in St. Augustine, there are such a lot of different issues to do as a household. Well-liked actions embody the historic St. George Avenue, the place you’ll discover outlets and eating places, in addition to the Castillo de San Marcos NPS Nationwide Monument.
There’s a well-liked hop-on, hop-off bus tour, the place you’ll be able to discover the town and study extra in regards to the historical past and numerous points of interest which are out there.. Youthful youngsters will even benefit from the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, in addition to the St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum.
You may keep proper in St. Augustine, or go to as a part of a day journey from a close-by vacation spot. Throughout my journeys to St. Augustine, we sometimes stayed elsewhere and visited for the day. For those who do keep in St. Augustine, listed below are among the extra widespread motels.
Key Biscayne/South Seaside
The South Florida metropolis of Miami is an especially widespread worldwide vacation spot. It’s additionally very near Fort Lauderdale, so that you’ll be capable to go to each cities throughout your go to.
Each airports are additionally handy, so you should have choices when selecting flights. On some visits, I’ve flown into Miami and out of Fort Lauderdale as a result of I had higher flight instances and costs with that mixture.
Though the town has so many great locations to remain, Key Biscayne, a brief drive from Miami, is a superb spot for a household trip. This key’s residence to a beautiful Ritz-Carlton resort, and proper close to a coral reef. You’ll even be close to the Invoice Baggs Cape Florida State Park in addition to Crandon Park.
I’ve stayed on the Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne and liked it. This luxurious resort gives a waterfront location, household and grownup swimming pools, youngsters’ actions, and a splash pad. Learn extra critiques of The Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne right here.
For those who’d moderately be in a extra vibrant neighborhood, South Seaside is one other nice choice proper in Miami. Situated alongside Miami Seaside, this energetic neighborhood gives outlets, scrumptious eating places, and a shocking seaside.
We liked our keep on the Ritz Carlton South Seaside, which gives luxurious lodging alongside South Seaside. A extra inexpensive choice, the Marriott Trip Membership Pulse, South Seaside is positioned alongside Ocean Drive.
Vero Seaside
This small metropolis and barrier island on the Atlantic Coast is greatest recognized to Disney followers as the house of Disney’s Vero Seaside Resort. Vero Seaside just isn’t as crowded as different seaside cities and is positioned about two hours southeast of Walt Disney World in an space often known as the Atlantic Treasure Coast.
Along with the Atlantic seaside and the Disney resort, you’ll additionally discover cultural and pure actions in Vero Seaside. Some widespread points of interest embody the McKee Botanical Backyard, the Pelican Island Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, and the Vero Seaside Museum of Artwork. Nature lovers particularly will take pleasure in a go to to the wildlife refuge.
Walt Disney World friends who wish to mix their theme park go to with some seaside time ought to contemplate a highway journey to Vero Seaside. Disney’s Vero Seaside Resort gives a pirate-themed pool with a waterslide and play space, catch-and-release fishing, sea turtle packages, and miniature golf. You can too spend time on the seaside, and umbrella/chair leases can be found.
See different issues to do in Vero Seaside right here.
You may see critiques of Disney’s Vero Seaside Resort right here and different Vero Seaside resorts right here.
Amelia Island
I initially discovered about Amelia Island by means of a convention hosted there and instantly fell in love with this great spot for a household trip. This barrier island is positioned on the Florida Atlantic Coast, not too removed from Jacksonville. It’s about 13 miles lengthy and 4 miles extensive and consists of Fernandina Seaside, American Seaside, and Amelia Metropolis.
While you’re there, you’ll be able to discover the historic district, with eating places and outlets. There may be additionally the Amelia Island State Park in addition to the Fort Clinch State Park.
Throughout my go to, I loved a complimentary keep on the Omni Amelia Island Resort. This family-friendly resort is positioned proper on the seaside and can be nice for a household trip. It gives luxurious rooms, golf, two swimming pools, a splash pad, Segway excursions, fishing, and a nature heart providing nature excursions and actions.
Along with the Omni, you’ll discover different locations to remain on the island. These embody a Ritz-Carlton, Hampton Inn, Vacation Inn, and extra. You may fly into the Jacksonville airport and it’s a fast drive over to Amelia Island.
See critiques of Amelia Island motels right here.
Marco Island
We first visited Marco Island on a household spring break trip a number of years in the past. I hadn’t heard a lot about it, however determined to take an opportunity a go to. We agreed that Marco Island is a hidden gem and the right place for a household seaside trip.
My household liked our enjoyable time on the seaside, and I’d suggest together with it in your Florida household trip bucket checklist. Marco Island is a quiet seaside vacation spot but additionally gives some enjoyable household actions if you’d like a while away from the seaside.
It’s positioned about 55 miles south of Fort Myers, in order that’s one of the best airport to fly into. It’s additionally positioned close to Naples, so you’ll be able to keep on Marco Island and head over the bridge to Naples for some actions. We loved a morning on the Naples Botanical Gardens, however we went early earlier than it obtained too sizzling.
While you’re on Marco Island, I’d suggest reserving the three-hour Dolphin Explorer Eco-Tour and Cruise, which normally runs twice per day. Throughout this cruise, we noticed many dolphins, osprey, and eagles.
Along with the boat captain, you’ll even have a naturalist on board who will speak about and lead the youngsters in figuring out the assorted dolphins. We additionally loved a cease at a small island the place we have been in a position to do some shell amassing.
One other widespread spot is the Ten Thousand Islands Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, positioned between Marco Island and Everglades Metropolis. In fact, you’ll wish to spend a while on the seashores. There are two public seashores, in addition to non-public seashores which are positioned on the resorts.
You may learn Marco Island lodge critiques right here.
Destin
Destin Florida, positioned on the Emerald Coast of Florida on the panhandle, is a well-liked household seaside vacation spot with Southerners. I had heard so many nice issues about it over time and was thrilled to remain there just a few years in the past with pals. The Florida panhandle seashores are particularly lovely, with beautiful white sand.
If flying to the world, the closest airport is the Destin-Fort Walton Seaside Airport, which is served by American, Delta, and United Airways. For my journey from Boston, I needed to join in Atlanta, so it’s possible you’ll not be capable to discover a direct flight. Take into account that this space of Florida is on Central Time, moderately than Japanese Time.
Inside Destin, you’ll discover giant resorts and many various trip residence leases. While you’re there, you’ll be able to discover the Destin Harbor Boardwalk, which gives plenty of enjoyable outlets and scrumptious eating places. There are additionally a number of malls and procuring areas, in addition to Henderson Seaside State Park.
The Emerald Coast is thought for its lovely white-sand seashores, and there are different locations past Destin to go to within the space. These embody Fort Walton Seaside, South Walton, and the small city of Seaside, Florida, which is the place the Truman Present was filmed.
Whereas there are some motels within the space, trip residence leases are highly regarded. You may see lodge critiques for Destin right here.
Clearwater Seaside
Clearwater Seaside is one among my favourite trip locations on the earth. This lovely seaside is frequently rated one of many prime seashores in america, and when you step into the white sugar sand, you’ll perceive why.
Past the seaside, the city of Clearwater Seaside is a quintessential seaside city with surf and memento outlets, recent seafood eating places, and fishing constitution firms lining the streets. Throughout spring break, the central Pier 60 hosts the well-known Sugar Sand competition, with wonderful sand sculptures all in a tent on the seaside. You can too go to the marina throughout the road to e-book a dolphin cruise the place you’ll be able to see dolphins and do some shell amassing.
Throughout the bridge resulting in the seaside, you’ll discover the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, from the Dolphin Story films. The aquarium focuses on rehabilitating animals and gives instructional packages and occasions which are nice for teenagers. It’s a must-visit if you’re within the space.
For those who and your loved ones love theme parks and thrill rides, you’ll additionally wish to take a fast day journey to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. This theme park gives animal reveals in addition to some actually thrilling thrill rides. My teenagers love visiting Busch Gardens, particularly due to the rides.
There are different seaside locations inside the Clearwater space, together with St. Pete Seaside.
You may see critiques of Clearwater Seaside motels right here.
Sanibel Island/Captiva Island
Situated on the Gulf Coast of Florida is the favored and delightful Sanibel Island. If you’re flying in for your loved ones trip, it’s greatest to fly into the Fort Myers Airport. You may entry the island by crossing the Sanibel Causeway by automotive.
Whereas there are some family-friendly resorts on and round this widespread vacation spot, trip rental houses are additionally out there. A lot of the motels and resorts on Sanibel Island are unbiased and there aren’t many chains on this charming island.
Sanibel Island is thought for its improbable shelling, so be sure to get your shell-hunting expertise prepared. However there are different issues to do as properly, past the seashores. Actions embody the Sanibel Island Lighthouse, the JN “Ding” Darling Nationwide Wildlife Refuge, and the Bailey-Matthews Nationwide Shell Museum.
You could find Sanibel Island resort critiques right here.
Northwest of Sanibel Island is Captiva Island. This quaint barrier island gives lovely seashores with water sports activities like kayaking and parasailing, in addition to fishing charters and eco-tours. Like Sanibel, it gives each motels and trip residence leases.
Learn Captiva Island lodge critiques right here.
Sarasota
The city of Sarasota is very easy to entry from many US cities and gives a gateway into a number of lovely seaside communities. Inside the metropolis of Sarasota, you’ll discover the Ringling, which is a set of museums on one property. This consists of the Circus Museum, the Museum of Artwork, and Ca’ d’Zan (the house of the Ringlings).
Relying on the ages of your youngsters, you’ll wish to go to the Circus Museum. We liked strolling by means of it, and loved seeing the massive mini circus mannequin. In case your youngsters take pleasure in artwork, you can too contemplate strolling by means of the artwork galleries on the lovely on-site artwork museum.
The fundamental tickets for the Ringling embody the Museum of Artwork, Circus Museum, and Bayfront Gardens in an effort to stroll by means of as a lot of the artwork museum as you (and your youngsters) would really like. For a further payment, you’ll be able to add on a self-guided first-floor tour of Ca’d’Zan.
Sarasota can be proper close to some lovely barrier island communities together with Siesta Key, Lido Key, and Longboat Key. Anna Maria Island can be about 20 miles away. On the keys, you’ll discover seashores, nature actions, water actions, and delightful resorts.
See Sarasota lodge critiques right here.
Daytona Seaside
If you’re searching for one of many closest seashores to Orlando, contemplate Daytona Seaside. This Atlantic Ocean coast metropolis gives a 23-mile seaside and is positioned about an hour from Orlando. Along with swimming and sunning, you can too discover indoor and outside actions in Daytona Seaside.
The world-famous Daytona Worldwide Speedway is residence to the Daytona 500 and the Coke Zero Sugar 400 Nascar races. For those who aren’t visiting throughout a race weekend, or wish to see the speedway with out attending an occasion, there are additionally excursions supplied. The Daytona Worldwide Speedway additionally gives the Motorsports Corridor of Fame of America.
As an avid shopper, one among my favourite issues to do in Daytona Seaside is to go to the Daytona Flea and Farmers Market. It’s open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and takes place over round 40 acres. It’s tough to even discover the entire thing throughout one go to – we normally visited twice throughout one go to.
On the precise seaside, you’ll discover the Daytona Boardwalk and Pier, with amusements, outlets, rides, and extra. See Daytona Seaside lodge critiques right here.
St. George Island
Searching for a low-key trip in a ravishing location? St. George Island, a 28-mile barrier island, is positioned on the Gulf Coast of North Florida on the Florida panhandle. The closest airport, Tallahassee Regional Airport, is positioned about 75 miles away.
St. George Island is a quiet trip vacation spot, and friends principally keep in trip leases and cottages. There are additionally two motels positioned on the island.
Friends can benefit from the St. George Island State Park. There’s additionally a lighthouse in addition to quaint outlets and eating places.
Learn critiques of the St. George Island motels right here.
Key West
I had heard so many great issues in regards to the laid-back, enjoyable vibe of Key West, so I used to be completely satisfied to have the ability to go to there as a port on the Disney Magic. Key West is an island accessible by bridge that’s the southernmost metropolis within the continental United States. It’s surrounded by each the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf Of Mexico.
Friends arrive on the Florida Keys by means of the cruise ports and the airport. Nonetheless, in case you don’t have a flight choice proper into the Key West airport, Miami is a couple of 3 ½ hour drive. Whereas I solely was in a position to spend a day there, I believe you possibly can spend extra time if doable.
There may be a lot to do. Stroll down Duval Avenue, the place you’ll discover eating places, bars, reside music, and outlets in a celebration ambiance. We opted to take the Conch Prepare, which runs constantly and gives 4 stops alongside the 90-minute tour. You can too select to lease a golf cart for the day.
You’ll additionally wish to cease on the Southernmost Level marker, which is without doubt one of the hottest photograph stops. Arrive early and wait in line on your alternative to get an image in entrance of the marker.
There’s additionally the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum. Whereas youngsters could not know a lot in regards to the writer Ernest Hemingway, they’re prone to love seeing the 40-50 six-toed cats that decision the museum their residence. Guided excursions can be found, or you are able to do a self-tour.
See Key West lodge critiques right here.
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