12 Best Places to Visit in Florida for a Picturesque Vacation

Are you looking for the best places to visit in Florida for your next vacation or weekend getaway? There are so many wonderful destinations to explore in the Sunshine State.

From countless beach getaways, theme parks, and nature reserves to luxurious hotels and top-rated restaurants, you’re sure to find Florida vacation spots that suit your style. This guide is going to help you narrow it all down!

This guide to the best places to go in Florida includes both coastal cities and inland destinations; it is perfect for planning vacations as couples, groups, and even a solo getaway.

If you were wondering what were the best cities to visit in Florida so you can DIY your own Florida road trip, this list has it mapped out for you!

1. St Augustine

Is Spanish architecture something you’d love to see on vacation? Then you must check out St. Augustine on your next trip to Florida.

St. Augustine is the oldest European settlement in the United States. And that nearly 500-year history certainly makes its mark on this charming city.

With so many tours and sites, you can pop by the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, explore the Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, and take a carriage ride through the historic town.

2. Orlando

For theme park fanatics, there’s no better place to visit in Florida than Orlando. There are over a dozen theme parks within the greater Orlando area. 

Hop from Walt Disney World Resort’s Magic Kingdom to Universal Studios’ The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (here are park-to-park tickets for Universal Studios).

And if you need a break from the theme parks, visit the swans at Lake Eola, do a little shopping at Disney Springs, and take a peek at some alligators at Lake Kissimmee State Park.

3. The Florida Keys

Hundreds of islands make up the Florida Keys. If you drive from Key Largo to Key West, you’ll pass through a whopping 44 of them.

The first noteworthy island in the Florida Keys is Key Largo. The best stop there is John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, which is bursting with colorful coral, friendly fish, and other marine life — a great stop on a Florida Keys road trip.

About midway through your 133-mile drive, you’ll hit Marathon. This gorgeous island is primarily known as the start of the Seven Mile Bridge, a drive that showcases the Florida Keys’ picturesque turquoise waters.

But arguably the most popular island in the Florida Keys is Key West. Visit the Southernmost Point buoy, eat a slice of key lime pie, and watch the sunset in Mallory Square.

4. Tampa

Tampa is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Florida. This bustling city has something for everyone! Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to the Big Cat Rescue.

Adrenaline seekers will love a day at Busch Gardens (here’s a ticket deal for that). And art lovers won’t want to miss out on the Tampa Museum of Art.

Last but not least, I certainly can’t forget to mention Tampa’s many wonderful hotels. The Epicurean Hotel Tampa and Le Méridien Tampa are just the start.

5. Fort Lauderdale

About half an hour from Miami is Fort Lauderdale. The most popular fun things to do in this amazing Florida city are going to the beach or paddleboarding along the canals. And with Fort Lauderdale Beach, Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, and Las Olas Isles all nearby, there are loads of spots to choose from.

Sunny shorelines aren’t all that Fort Lauderdale has to offer. You can also visit the Museum of Discovery and Science or the Flamingo Gardens, shop at The Galleria, and pop by the beautiful Butterfly World.

6. Everglades National Park

When most people think of Florida, one of three things cross their mind: theme parks, beaches, and alligators. Everglades National Park is known for the latter.

There are thousands of alligators in this national park, and you can get an up-close look at a few while on an airboat tour. For the best time to visit the Everglades, I recommend sometime between December and April to avoid the heat and bugs.

7. Sarasota

Sarasota is definitely one of the best places to visit in Florida, even though significantly fewer visitors make it there — compared to Miami and Orlando, for instance.

First, Sarasota is home to the beautiful Siesta Key Beach, a small strip of shoreline that’s often voted the best beach in the United States.

As if that weren’t enough, there’s also the famous John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, which is home to some of the most beautiful art in Florida. And right next door, there’s the architectural wonder known as Ca’ D’Zan – which was once John and Mable Ringling’s home.

8. Miami

If you’re looking for culture and sunshine, look no further than Miami! For the cultural side, head to Little Havana for Cuban coffee, salsa dancing, and dominos. And for the sunshine and sand, you won’t find a better spot than the famous South Beach.

While the culture and Miami Beach are the two main draws of this South Florida city, there are even more places to visit in Miami.

It also happens to be a fabulous spot to enjoy the art and wellness. Visit the Carillon Miami Wellness Resort and the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort for the ultimate wellcation. Read my guide on the best neighborhoods and hotels to stay at in Miami.

9. Palm Beach

As its name implies, Palm Beach is known for, well, its beaches. If you’d like, you could spend your entire getaway beach hopping.

Delray Beach, Palm Beach, Gulfstream Park, and Peanut Island are all great spots for a Florida beach vacation. Simply put, you can swim and sunbathe to your heart’s content.

Once you’re ready for a break from the sun and sand, you can bike the Lake Trail, shop along Worth Avenue, or have a fun night out at Cucina. For the touring type, consider going inland for a downtown food tour of West Palm Beach, just 10 minutes away.

10. Naples

Naples, Florida is one of the fanciest spots in the Sunshine State. From the moment you enter the heart of town, you’ll feel the lavishness.

Shop at the cute boutiques on 5th Avenue South, golf at the Tiburon Golf Club, and pop by the Naples Botanical Garden. 

When not indulging at one of their many high-end restaurants, you can make a day trip to nearby Marco Island for a boat tour, kayaking, or dolphin watching.

11. Kennedy Space Center

One of the best places to visit in Florida for astronomy lovers is definitely the Kennedy Space Center. As the most well-known NASA base, the Kennedy Space Center is packed with fun space-related activities. 

Learn about the Hubble Space Telescope, stroll through the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and get a glimpse of an astronaut’s job on the shuttle launch experience ride. If you’re extra lucky, you may even get to watch a real-life launch!

If you’re staying in Orlando (a common starting point, here’s how to get admission tickets + transportation bundle to Kennedy Space Center)

12. St. Petersburg

Ask any local where’s the best place to visit in Florida, and there’s a pretty good chance that they’ll say St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach. This town is trendy, laid back and welcoming, and just all-around fun!

Located just 1 hour from Sarasota and 30 minutes from Tampa, St. Petersburg – locally known as St. Pete’s – has something for everyone to enjoy.

Nature lovers could spend hours at the Sunken Gardens. Art aficionados will love a visit to the Salvador Dali Museum, which is the largest collection of Salvador Dali artwork in the world! And sports fans definitely won’t want to miss out on an MLB game at Tropicana Field.

Don’t miss taking a photo opp at this gorgeous pink hotel on St. Pete Beach, too! It’s called the Don CeSar — stay there and experience the glam firsthand or just peruse for the day.

How to Decide on the Best Places to Visit in Florida

Of course, this list of top Florida cities for vacation is just the start of all of the best places to go in Florida. You can also visit under-the-radar Melbourne, bustling Jacksonville and nearby romantic Amelia Island, picture-perfect Clearwater, and one of many cities to watch baseball spring training. 

If you can’t decide which Florida destinations to visit first from the above, I recommend choosing by flight deals instead. I find Tampa, Orlando, and Miami/Fort Lauderdale to often have the best fare prices from major cities; then you can rent a car and adventure on from there.

With so many fantastic destinations for you to explore, the real question is: which Florida city will you choose first?

Enjoy!

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