The Sunshine State, as it is affectionately referred to, definitely lives up to its nickname. Every year, tens of thousands of visitors flock to Florida’s cities to take advantage of all the state has to offer. The greatest cities in Florida are bordered by stunning beaches and have noisy nightlife as well as vibrant cultural scenes, making them the ideal vacation destination for anybody looking for a fun-filled getaway.
Florida is the place to come for spring break, to visit Walt Disney World with your younger kids, or just to relax and soak up the sun. Experience great souvenir shops, great museums, art deco architecture, and plenty of things in a popular place from our list. Additionally, the surrounding area is buzzing with vibrant arts. So, if you plan to visit Florida, be sure to check out one of these best cities and best places.
Key West
Travel to this island that is located in the Florida Keys. Key West is known for its sunny beaches and quirky locals who believe in living in the present. It is a relaxing but surprising beachside trip that is worth seeing. Follow in the footsteps of the locals (known as Conchs) and explore where your adventurous spirit may lead you (possibly on a guided tour or a snorkeling trip in the Coral Reef).
Possibly you’ll find yourself at a Duval Street pub or a Mallory Square boutique, or you could even find yourself exploring Ernest Hemingway’s former house. In 1982, a pretend separatist campaign to establish “The Conch Republic” threatened to destabilize Key West, making it an excellent spot to abandon any plans for a formal itinerary.
Take a walk, drink a margarita, look for a six-toed cat, and enjoy the freedom to move at your own speed. While Hurricane Irma had an effect on the region in late 2017, Key West has fully recovered and is open for business.
Fort Lauderdale
Previously a popular spring break destination for college students, Fort Lauderdale today attracts a somewhat different kind of visitors who come to take advantage of the city’s jazz performances and cocktail bars. It’s a bustling city with a lot going on, and there are still some fantastic pubs and clubs for revelers to enjoy themselves in.
Wonderful beaches and calm meandering canals, as well as excellent restaurants, can be found in the city’s coastline area. The crowded port is continuously thronging with cruise ships transporting travelers to and from the Caribbean and other destinations.
Fort Myers
Fort Myers is a great destination for a calm, relaxing vacation. Manatee Park and the Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium are two of the city’s numerous nature preserves and parks, which are both located in the city.
Fishing is also a popular recreational activity in this area. However, Fort Myers has a lot more to offer than simply outdoor activities. In March, sports enthusiasts rush to the region to witness the Boston Red Sox and the Minnesota Twins baseball clubs perform spring training in the Boston, Massachusetts, area.
Furthermore, the city is home to the famous Edison and Ford Winter Estates, which were erected by American innovators Thomas Edison and Henry Ford in the late nineteenth century.
Miami Beach
Not exactly located in the largest city in Florida, but certainly located at the most popular one thanks to Downtown Miami. Located on the Atlantic Ocean. Miami Beach and Panama city beach are the places to be, especially in the season. Although many tourists to Miami believe that Miami Beach is a part of the city, it is really a separate municipality that is located on a barrier island across Biscayne Bay from the rest of the city.
Miami Beach, one of the most popular clearwater beach destinations in the United States, is a beautiful place to visit, with beautiful art-deco buildings and world-renowned beaches. South Beach is the most popular; at night, its bars, restaurants, and nightclubs are packed with people eager to have a good time in a lively environment.
The sun-drenched city of Miami Beach is a delight to visit, thanks to its thriving cultural scene. Certainly one of the best places you can visit in Florida. This and Ponte Vedra Beach are the main draws for tourists, and with Naples, the most beautiful and buzzing beaches in the Gulf of Mexico.
Daytona Beach
One of the more beautiful beaches on our Florida popular destination list. Located in Key Largo, The Daytona 500 is hosted in this city, which is where NASCAR got its start. As a consequence, every year, thousands of motorcyclists descend on the city in order to attend the several motorcycle events that take place across the city throughout the year.
Despite being predominantly recognized for its motor racing culture, Daytona Beach is steadily transitioning into a more family-friendly vacation destination, with its stunning white beach serving as the primary attraction for many visitors. It’s still pleasant to stroll down, even though the high-rise buildings distract a little from its aesthetic appeal.
On certain days, you may even observe sea turtles breeding in the vicinity.
Sanibel Island
This hidden Fort Myers branch is regarded more low-key, calm, and charming than its Gulf Coast cousin, which is saying a lot considering the proximity of the two communities. On Sanibel Island, casual is the dress code; a shabby chic feel pervades the galleries, restaurants, and boutiques along Periwinkle Way; and seashells adorn every sandy and linoleum surface.
In fact, the abundance of seashells on this island (and its smaller sister, Captiva) has made it a well-known tourist destination. On every long stretch of sand, you’ll discover a large number of beachcombers engaged in the “Sanibel Stoop,” as the locals refer to the activity of shelling.
Plan on spending at least one afternoon with them throughout your stay, if not more if the mood strikes you. The people of Sanibel Island, known for its laid-back attitude, wouldn’t have it any other way.
Everglades National Park
Not exactly Delray Beach or West Palm Beach, but certainly worth visiting. Florida is nearly as well-known for its alligators as it is for its beaches and amusement parks, and Everglades National Park is one of the greatest sites to observe them in their natural habitat. In addition to alligators, the park is also home to other distinctive Florida wildlife like manatees and panthers.
It is the biggest subtropical wilderness in the United States. The Everglades also provides a number of paths and guided excursions for visitors to navigate its huge 1.5 million-acre expanse. Visit during the park’s dry season, which runs from November to April, to enjoy cooler temperatures, fewer mosquitoes, and a greater chance of viewing animals.
You can check out the map of cities and the oldest city in Florida journal, unique Busch Gardens, and many more interesting and knowledge pack activities.
Destin
This location on the Emerald Coast of the Florida Panhandle in the deep south serves as a home away from home for thousands of summer travelers each year. Destin’s distinct, picture-perfect white sands created from Appalachian quartz, as well as its clear, vivid blue-green sea, set it apart from other Florida beaches in a positive way.
The small-town atmosphere, groomed golf courses, excellent fishing opportunities, and boardwalk lined with shops and restaurants all contribute to Destin’s continued popularity as a tourist destination year after year. If you are a fan of national parks be sure to check out the Dry Tortugas national park.
Cocoa Beach
Cocoa Beach attracts a diverse range of visitors, from space enthusiasts to sun worshippers and surfers. The neighboring Kennedy Space Center on Cape Canaveral provides visitors with an up-close view of NASA’s space shuttles and launch pads.
Visitors to Cocoa Beach will discover one of the top surfing spots in Florida, as well as Ron Jon Surf Store, which is the biggest surf shop in the world, in the northern portion of the city.
Additionally, vacationers may sign up for bioluminescent kayaking excursions of the area’s waterways or participate in beach volleyball matches close to the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier. If you are tired of beaches check out the Caladesi Island state park.
Clearwater
Clearwater, Florida, is a relatively dismal city that seems to be trapped in the past owing to its dilapidated downtown area. It is located in close proximity to Tampa, Florida. It is presently the location of the headquarters of the Church of Scientology.
Consequently, many people bypass the rest of the area and drive directly for Clearwater Beach, which is situated across a bay on an island barrier. There are several beautiful beaches and tranquil parks to enjoy, as well as a range of activities to participate in.
Clearwater, Florida, is not just the home of Hooters, but it is also a relatively popular spring break destination for college students.
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