20 Sunny Florida Vacation Spots You Need To Visit!

This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase. Read Disclosure.

Sunshine isn’t just Florida’s forecast, it’s in its DNA.

And where there is sun, there are smiling faces; that year round slice of Vitamin D makes the Sunshine State the perfect destination for a vacation no matter what time of year it is.

Whether you crave the slow sway of palm fronds or the thrill of roller coasters, there are so many amazing vacation spots in Florida, it can be a tough choice pinning down one place to visit.

Whether you’re seeking art deco architecture, moss-draped oaks, rocket launches or rollercoasters, oceans or everglades, the state never stops serving up a spectacle.

So when you’re ready to get sun-drenched, salt-licked, and ignite your sense of adventure: the following vacation spots in Florida are ready to shine on you.

1. Miami

It will probably come as no surprise to you that the hip and metropolitan city of Miami is at the top of this list.

Miami is a great place to start any trip to Florida as not only is it a cool city, but there’s an abundance of affordable flights to Miami (MIA).

Miami is one of Florida’s most iconic vacation destinations because it offers a mix of tropical beauty, vibrant culture, and endless entertainment.

Famous for its year-round sunshine and stunning beaches, Miami is perfect for both relaxation and adventure.

In particular, South Beach is a neighborhood in Miami Beach, which has the bluest water we have seen in the United States!

You can people-watch for hours in South Beach and never get bored. Some of the most flamboyant people and celebrities in the country frequent the bars and restaurants in and around South Beach.

In addition to the beautiful beaches in Miami, check out the signature white art deco architecture in the streets in and around South Beach.

Love street art? Then head to the Wynwood Walls Art District where you’ll find colorful street art from some of the most talented artists in the world.

For those who enjoy nature, Miami is not far from the Everglades, a unique ecosystem that’s one of only two in the world, which is best explored on an airboat ride.

For foodies, we would suggest heading to Little Havana.

Miami has a large Cuban community and boasts the best Cuban sandwich in the world. We learned that the Cuban sandwich is not actually Cuban but an American adaptation that originated in Miami!

Miami is a cool, but notoriously expensive place to travel. If you are going to pay big money to stay in Miami, you are going to want to stay somewhere unique!

2. Key West, The Florida Keys

If you prefer to spend your vacation in South Florida, one of our favorite spots in this region is the Florida Keys.

The Keys are essentially a string of tropical islands that span 120-miles between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

Nestled across the southernmost tip of Florida, this is a tropical vacation where you can enjoy laid-back charm, turquoise waters, and breathtaking sunsets.

Unlike the bustling energy of Miami, the Keys offer a slower pace, and are famous for offering world-class snorkeling and scuba diving at places like John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the only living coral barrier reef in the continental U.S.

Key West, the most famous island, is a hub of history, nightlife, and culture — home to Ernest Hemingway’s home, lively Duval Street, and the nightly Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square.

It’s also reportedly home to the signature Floridian dessert, Key lime pie (does the name give it away?). You can always tell a good Key Lime pie by its color, if it is green avoid it. The best Key Lime pies are actually yellow in color.

Duval Street is the most iconic and lively street in Key West where you will find interesting restaurants, cafes, and quirky bars with live music. The high energy and overall mood were one of our favorite parts of Key West.

The consistently highest rated activity in Key West is, however, the famous writer Ernest Hemingway’s home where he lived from 1931 to 1939.

Interestingly, Hemingway owned a rare form of cat with six toes due to a rare polydactyl gene. The descendants of his cat (all with 6 toes might I add) still live in the house to this day.

Don’t miss the free sunset celebration at Mallory Square where you will see some very interesting buskers and street performers as the sun sets over the Southernmost point of Florida.

There is also a great free aquarium in Key West called the Key West Eco Discovery Center which we immensely enjoyed!

While it’s not the oldest city in Florida, it certainly has a lot of history. For history buffs, you should check out the Key West Shipwreck Museum, the Key West Lighthouse and the West Martello Tower and Key West Garden Club to learn about Florida’s past.

Nearby you’ll find the iconic Mile Marker to commemorate your Keys’ trip. If you have time, you could even get a water taxi over to Dry Tortugas National Park for some relaxation.

This is one of the Florida destinations suitable to any type of traveler, whether you are looking for a family-friendly vacation in Florida or on a romantic getaway, as we were.

The best way to explore all the Florida Keys has to offer to is take a road trip from Miami to Key West. The drive is one of the most scenic coastlines drives you can make in the state.

The epic views you will experience as you drive along the iconic Overseas Highway will take your breath away.

The Florida Keys made our best road trips in the USA and best scenic drives in the USA list.

3. Key Largo, The Florida Keys

Most people think of Key West when it comes to a Florida Keys trip but the town of Key Largo is a nice alternative choice for those who want to enjoy more of a relaxing vacation with near isolated beaches.

Key Largo is a beautiful, relaxed seaside town with 78 nautical square miles of coral reef.

We were amazed how many awesome things to do there in the area!

Two of the best beaches in the Florida Keys are located in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

This is one place your snorkel will come in handy as Cannon Beach (with real cannons located along the beach) and Far Beach have absolutely perfect conditions for snorkeling.

We did see warning signs at the beaches in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park of alligators but as far as I’m aware no one has ever died there. Generally alligators, unlike the Australian crocodile, are shy and stick to themselves.

For diving enthusiasts who like a little more adventure, there is a possibility to try scuba diving the Spiegel Grove Wreck while in Key Largo, one of the most popular dive sites in the United States.

4. Islamorada

A short drive from Key Largo you will find the small town of Islamorada, a small fishing town with a great vibe and an abundance of cool things to do.

Don’t miss your chance to hand feed giant tarpon at Robbie’s Tarpon in Islamorada, it was honestly one of the highlights of our Florida Keys trip.

Hot tip: It is more than likely the tarpon will swallow your whole hand while trying to eat the little fish you hang off the edge. Don’t worry, their “teeth” only have the consistency of sandpaper. Worst case you will only come out with a few grazes by feeding them – totally worth it if you ask me!

If you are traveling with small kids, they might be a little scared to hand feed the giant tarpon at first (the fish literally launch their whole body out of the water), but they will definitely enjoy watching you do it.

Aside from feeding giant tarpon, there are loads of other fun things to do in Islamorada including visiting the beautiful Anne’s Beach and the Florida Keys Brewing Company – one of the most popular drinking spots in the Florida Keys.

5. Everglades National Park

If you want the chance to see an alligator in its natural habitat, this is your chance.

The Everglades is a very large national park that covers 1.5 million acres over the southern point of Florida.

A large percentage of the Everglades is covered by swampland and water so one of the best ways to see the national park is by doing an Airboat tour.

If you are traveling the Everglades with children, make a stop at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. The kids will love all the exhibits at the center where they can learn more about the Everglades eco-system. There are even interactive exhibits at the center which are pretty cool.

For hiking the Everglades, the two best short walks to take are definitely the Anhinga Trail and the Gumbo Limbo Trail.

If you opt-out of taking an airboat tour, the Anhinga Trail is your best chance to see alligators in the wild in the Everglades with many lounging in and along the banks of the trail, sunning themselves.

During the springtime, you may be able to spot baby gators on the lily pads along the trail which is a pretty cute sight.

There is not a whole lot of wildlife on the Gumbo Limbo Trail but it is a fantastic reprieve during the hot midday sun which is particularly potent in the Everglades.

Bring sun protection as most of the trails are exposed and in full sunlight!

The final ‘must-do’ spot in the Everglades is the Shark Valley Trail, a 15-mile trail that can be accessed on foot, by bike or on a tram tour.

As the trail is long and ends with a worthwhile viewing platform it is best to tram or bike this trail.

6. Fort Lauderdale

Just a thirty-minute drive from West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America, since its historic riverwalk neighborhood is flanked by canals and historic buildings.

You can even take gondola rides here, it’s that much like Venice!

The iconic Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale is where it’s happening. This is the best place to be for shopping, dining, and entertainment. You’ll also find art galleries and plenty of boutique stores and antique shops here.

As well as being a quirky and unique place, Fort Lauderdale also has gorgeous beaches that suit any type of traveler.

Dania Beach is a great low-key beach to cast a line and do some fishing off the pier, whereas Las Olas Beach is more lively and lined with high-end hotels and beach bars.

Fort Lauderdale Beach is a great all-round beach, it’s not too busy and is connected to some great shops and restaurants. You can also take part in watersports here.

7. Sarasota

Welcome to the home of the #1 Beach in the USA, Siesta Beach.

Siesta Beach is picturesque powdery quartz-crystal, beautiful white sand beaches and other cool attractions in the area gives Sarasota bragging rights as one of the top family beach vacation spots.

If you would like to get a cute and colorful Instagram-worthy photo, Siesta Beach is the perfect place to go as adorable, colorful lifeguard stands are placed every few hundred meters along the beach.

If you find yourself on Siesta Beach one hour before sunset on a Sunday you may also get the chance to see the Community Drum Circle chant to another dimension. Sarasota is a very spiritual place. If you see the drum circle chant you will know what I mean!

Other great beaches to check out in the Sarasota area include Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach, South Lido Key Beach, and Lido Key Beach.

Aside from beaches, the Ringling Museum of Art is absolutely an unmissable thing to do in Sarasota if you love beautiful gardens, art, and buildings. The museum even has free entry on a Monday!

Sarasota was once a circus city and the Ringling Museum of Art was the opulent home of John Ringling, the circus owner.

The famous unconditional surrender statue can also be found in Sarasota. If you are on a romantic getaway in Sarasota, it is the ideal place to get a romantic photograph taken emulating the victoriously returned sailor kissing a nurse at the end of WWII.

8. Marco Island

Marco Island is located on Florida’s Paradise Coast, and with a name like that, who can say no?

Forming part of the beautiful Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island has a very chilled ‘island-life’ vibe, stunning sunsets, boutique shopping, and a unique opportunity to find some of the most beautiful shells in the US.

Shelling is a popular hobby and even a sport for many of the local Marco Island residents who take immense pride in their shell findings, even submitting some of the best shells in the area to competitions and exhibits across the country!

These alien-like buildings, partially destroyed by hurricanes, are now all that is left of a former mansion constructed by a retired oil producer.

If you don’t believe in the effects of climate change, these dome houses might just change your mind as they are said to be sinking as a result climate change and rising water levels.

Hot tip: Don’t miss the opportunity to see the sinking Cape Romano Dome Houses while in Marco Island.

Other fun things to do in Marco Island for the whole family include:

9. Orlando and Surrounding Areas

I’m sure the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Orlando is theme parks!

It’s true, Orlando has some world-class theme parks making it one of the best places to visit in Florida for families.

Walt Disney World and Universal Studios are pretty much unmissable if you have kids or you are a big Harry Potter or Disney fan.

Aside from theme parks, there are plenty more fabulous things to do in Orlando within a short 30-minute drive to get back to nature on your theme park-free days.

Two of our favorite outdoor areas and springs near Orlando are Kelly Park and Blue Springs State Park.

Make sure you bring a tube with you as both of these recreational areas offer the ability to go tubing in some of Florida’s most beautiful springs.

You might also like to bring a snorkel with you as we overheard some children making some very interesting finds including shark teeth underwater at Kelly Park!

In winter, tubing finishes at Blue Springs State Park as Florida’s manatees migrate back to the warmth of the spring for winter.

Instead of tubing, you can kayak to get up close and personal with the gentle giants of the sea (outside of the manatee-protected area).

We tubed here during the summer, and a manatae popped up beside my head!!

If you love the great outdoors both Kelly Park and Blue Springs State Park are fabulous places to camp in Florida.

10. Fort Myers

Fort Myers is for those who love adventure!

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve was by far our favorite activity in Fort Myers. We were completely blown away by how beautiful the trails in the preserve were.

The 3,500 acre nature trails at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve are one of the best places to get up close and personal with nature as the boardwalk trails pass through tropical forest, wetlands, and a butterfly garden.

Along the trails, you have the chance to see native birds, alligators, and sea turtles.

If you are visiting Fort Myers in winter, we would highly recommend visiting Manatee Park to receive a unique opportunity to view manatees warming themselves by the warm water created by the power plant.

Don’t bother visiting the park if you make a Fort Myers trip in summer because even as late as October we did not see a single manatee swimming in the waters of Manatee Park.

If you are an international visitor to Florida, it is always fun to see an American sports game in action. In Fort Myers, take the opportunity to see an action-filled game of baseball at Hammond Stadium.

11. Sanibel Island

Off the coast of Fort Myers, you will find a wonderful destination for couples, Sanibel Island.

This island is definitely one of the most beautiful places in Florida for not only stunning beaches but also lush tropical rain forests and sunsets to die for.

The deserted, picturesque beaches on Sanibel including Blind Pass Beach, Lighthouse Beach, and Bowman’s Beach are the perfect place for a romantic holiday in the Sunshine State.

One of the most relaxing activities on Sanibel Island is to head to Gulfside City Park Beach with a beach chair and cooler to watch the incredible kite surfers dominate the waves.

Gulfside has the perfect conditions for kite-surfing and watching the pros tackle the waves certainly makes for an entertaining afternoon.

Sanibel Island rivals its neighbor Marco Island for the best shelling beaches in Florida. If you enjoy finding beautiful shells, you will be very satisfied on Sanibel Island.

Before you leave Sanibel, check out The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum which exhibits some of the most beautiful shells found on the island.

Be sure to also make a stop at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge while on Sanibel Island.

The refuge offers some of the best bird watching in Florida and draws tourists from all over America to see the abundance of bird life in their natural habitat including American bald eagles, spoon-billed roseate, and heron.

You are also likely to catch a glimpse of a Florida gator while in the park.

12. Bonita Springs

The small beach-side town of Bonita Springs is often overlooked as a place to vacation in Florida.

It is, however, one of the best places in Florida for those who love relaxed beach towns with a whole lot of charm!

The town has a very long history which can be traced back to Native Indians who lived in the area as long as 8,000 years ago.

Due to the abundance of fun things to do in the area, it quickly became one of our favorite places to visit in Florida!

One of our favorite activities was to hunt for gopher turtles at Cullum’s Bonita Trail. Seeing multiple gopher turtles and rabbits freely running around the lush tropical trails was definitely one of our Florida highlights.

While in Bonita Springs don’t miss catching a stunning orange-red sunset at one of the incredible beaches along the coast.

The most popular place to watch the sunset is Bonita Beach Park but be forewarned the parking lot is packed and it is difficult to secure a park.

Our insider tip is to head to the lesser-known Little Hickory Beach Park where there’s plenty of parking and you get the same spectacular sunset!

13. Naples

Driving into Naples, Florida made me question whether I’d taken a wrong turn and somehow ended up across the country in Beverley Hills.

Deciding which Beverley Hills meets Hamptons’ style mansion to move into in Naples should be an activity in its own right – the houses are just that pretty.

Aside from the houses, people choose to vacation in Naples for its incredible white sandy beaches, shopping, and dining opportunities.

If you want to go fishing in Florida, this pier is one of the very few areas which does not require a license.

Just off Naples Beach on 12th avenue are some cool hipster bars and restaurants to enjoy after a dip at the beach.

Despite Naples Beach being the most popular beach in the Naples area, our favorite beach was actually Lowdermilk Beach Park as we were lucky enough to see dolphins swimming very close to the shore at the beach.

The dolphins weren’t shy either and interacted with a local fisherman who was out about waist-deep fishing!

Don’t miss the gorgeous Naples Beach and Naples Municipal Beach Pier where you can watch fisherman haul in some seriously impressive catches.

Being located just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Bonita Springs, you can also catch an incredible orange-red sunset in Naples.

14. Ocala National Forest

We never grow tired of visiting Ocala. This National Forest in Florida is a nature lover’s paradise.

Florida is home to over 700 natural springs and some of the most beautiful are located within the Ocala National Forest.

Two of the best springs in the National Forest include Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs.

If you only have time to visit one of the two, we would recommend Juniper Springs, which offers a great balance between swimming, nature trails, and beauty.

There is a nature trail at Juniper Springs that leads to a picturesque bridge with some of the most beautiful crystal-clear water we have ever seen!

Interestingly, Juniper Springs is one of the oldest recreation areas in Florida established by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

We loved seeing the old mill and waterwheel which was used to generate electricity for the campsite when the park first opened.

If you are up for a bit more adventure, you might like to try the kayak run at Juniper Springs.

If you are traveling with kids, the kayak run is probably not a good activity as it’s an advanced run with gators that lurk in the water. Kayakers have been known to capsize due to the narrow overgrown trail and small rapids!

15. Crystal River

Crystal River deserves its place in the list as one of the top Florida vacation spots as it is the only place in Florida where you have the opportunity to swim with Florida’s manatees year-round.

Crystal River is located on Kings Bay in western Florida and is fueled by some of Florida’s most picturesque springs including the lovely Three Sisters Springs.

There are about 3,000 – 5,000 manatees living in Florida with an estimated 1,000 of the population living in Crystal River alone, making it one of the best places to spot a manatee in Florida.

Top tip: Manage your expectations depending on the time of year you visit. In the winter months, you will be able to swim with a large population of manatees while in the summer months you will probably only swim with one or two. No matter the season, it is rare that you will find no manatees in Crystal River

During the summer, a large percentage of the population leave Florida and migrate north throughout the many waterways in the United States. They return in winter to warm their bodies in Crystal River, fed by the warm waters of the springs which remain at a constant 72°F.

We loved that swimming with manatees is done in a sustainable and ethical way in their natural habitat.

You are prohibited by Florida laws to harass the manatees in any way and you are required to stay at a safe distance while snorkeling with the gentle giants.

16. Ginnie Springs

Fancy floating down a lazy picturesque river with a cocktail or beer in hand? Then Ginnie Springs is your next destination!

As Ginnie Springs is one of the few springs in Florida that is privately owned, it is one of, if not the only, spring in Florida where you can consume alcoholic beverages.

Located in northern Florida above Ocala National Forest on the Santa Fe River, it is one of Florida’s prettiest natural springs.

Despite the name, Ginnie Springs is not just one lone spring but is made up of several springs including Devil’s Eye, Devil’s Ear, and Devil Spring.

There is an abundance of activities available including tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding making the springs a top vacation spot in Florida for couples and families alike.

Ginnie Springs is also home to one of the longest tube runs you can complete in Florida (1 hour from start to finish).

Bring your own tube – the bigger the better – as you float from one spring to another in the Santa Fe River.

It is totally acceptable to bring the biggest tube you can find. We saw a 10-man tube with a cooler in the middle floating along the river while we were there!

17. Daytona Beach

We returned to Daytona Beach in 2025, and it reminded us why we loved it the first time.

Daytona Beach was put on the map by the Daytona International Speedway, a world famous racetrack in Daytona, which has given it that adventure playground vibe.

It’s where the hard-packed beach turns into a track for four-wheel driving, where NASCAR races are in abundance, and where boardwalks pave the way for free summer concerts.

It’s also ideally located to other incredible places to explore like the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse (gorgeous views), New Smyrna Beach (our favorite Florida beach town) and Blue Spring State Park (hello manatees!)

We highly recommend staying at the Renaissance Daytona Beach Hotel (prime beachfront, lux affordable) and here’s our guide on things to do in the Daytona Beach area.

Other than cruising the beach, watching the sunset and enjoying a cocktail from the Daytona beach pier became somewhat of a daily ritual for us.

If you are open-minded and looking for something very unique to do in Daytona, we would recommend visiting Daytona’s drive-in church, open to tourists, atheists, and people of all religions.

The service is played over your car radio and you beep when you hear “Amen”. Afterward, they invite you to enjoy free Krispy Kreme donuts inside.

We went just to check it out as we were totally intrigued by the new concept! We had never heard of a drive in church before!

Daytona is part of Florida’s Space Coast.

If you are a big nerd at heart, visiting the Kennedy Space Center, just a one-hour drive from Daytona Beach. It was quite possibly Mike’s favorite activity in Florida!

18. Jacksonville

If it’s a city break you’re after, then you can’t go wrong with Jacksonville.

This sprawling metropolis may be a city, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way.

Jacksonville is known as the city of parks, probably because the city has 400 city parks including the largest urban park in the country, which is bigger than Manhatten!

Inside the city, you’ll find lots of galleries and museums, such as the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens which displays some lovely pieces of modern art.

You can also find lovely nature spots outside the city such as Fort Clinch State Park, which has great hiking and camping facilities, and the Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park which is great for surfing.

19. Panama City Beach

Located on the Florida panhandle, in the Northwest of the state, is the underrated city of Panama City Beach.

Known for its gorgeous white-sand Panama City Beach, which stretches for miles on the Gulf of Mexico.

The city is home to the protected nature preserve, St. Andrews State Park, which is great for hiking and fishing. Conservation Park is also a lovely wooded area that’s great for hiking.

The vibrant Pier Park is the place to be. It’s a great space to hang out and do some shopping.

You’ll also find lots of top-quality restaurants and live events happening here.

20. Tampa Bay Area

Another great city to explore in Florida is Tampa. It’s most well known for its stunning Gulf Coast beaches, top-of-the-league professional sports teams, and year-round hot weather.

You’ll also find some theme parks here such as Busch Gardens, but Tampa has so much more to offer.

For foodies, you’ll feel like you’ve gone to heaven. Much of the cuisine is inspired by its Spanish colonial routes, and you’ll have more than enough options for seafood dishes to try here.

If you’re not interested in visiting one of the many theme parks, then the American Victory Ship & Museum is a fascinating place! You get to explore a retired military warship, which saw battles in World War II and the Vietnam war.

Top tip! You can save money on multiple attractions by getting the Tampa Bay City Pass, which gets you up to 50% off top attractions in the city.

A great day trip from Tampa is to Clearwater Bay, another popular beach town in the Tampa Bay Area.

It’s known for some stunning beaches such as Clearwater Beach, and the iconic Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is dedicated to caring for sick marine animals.

Final thoughts

These Florida destinations are places we have personally visited and absolutely loved.

We would highly recommend you put these cities, springs, and beaches on your Florida bucket list.

Whether you’re traveling as a family like us, or if you’re with a group of mates, there’s something for every type of traveler in Florida.

We hope this guide helped you pick out some Florida vacation destinations, and who knows, maybe you’ve got ideas for more than one trip!

More Florida Travel Tips

Pin To Save It On Pinterest