Are you trying to decide on a destination in Florida in 2024 With the warm weather to enjoy and many conspicuous attractions to visit, ranging from the white sand beaches with emerald waters that transcend over the horizon to reptile-infested swampy National Parks, the Sunshine State has offers for everyone.
Here are some of the most exciting points to consider but in no particular order.
Also Read: 12 Best Places To Visit In The U.S. In February 2024
Places to Visit in FLORIDA in February
For Beach Time
Treasure Coast
The Treasure Coast is situated just above Miami’s more popular beaches. The cities making up the Treasure Coast include West Palm and Palm Beach, famous for their upscale dining establishments, discotheques, and premium shopping opportunities.
The top beach recommendations include the West Palm, Delray, Pompano, Palm, and Boca Raton beaches, characterized by pristine white sands, warm waters, and fewer tourists.
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys is a series of tropical islands stretching about 120 miles between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. Traversing through the keys allows for a scenic view of the coastline and renowned landmarks.
The spring season brings out the ideal conditions for enjoying the warm waters, natural landscapes, immaculate coral reefs, and sporting activities such as fishing and boating. The Florida Keys offers beaches on Key West, Key Largo, and the Marathon.
Gold Coast
Situated on the southeastern side of Florida, the Gold Coast mainly binds the Miami and Fort Lauderdale areas on the Atlantic Oceanside. A wide range of entertainment and cultural activities awaits tourists, an epicenter of fun given the diversity of language and cultures.
The ideal beaches along the Gold Coast include Miami Beach, South Beach, and Fort Lauderdale Beach. This destination is a very popular escapade from cold conditions. Therefore, you will probably find many areas fairly crowded.
Check out the full post: Best Beaches in Florida to Visit
For Family Fun
Orlando
Alternatively, the world’s theme park capital, Orlando, is a popular family vacation destination. Orlando acquires its alias from being the home of multiple theme parks such as the famous Universal Orlando Resort, Sea World Park, Disney World, and Discovery Cove. The Kennedy Space Centre is also situated here, allowing real-time interaction with astronauts.
Orlando’s rather central location within Florida adds to its merits. It allows access to other cities and attractions without much traveling time. The city also boasts a vibrant art scene and diverse eateries with authentic international cuisines.
Additionally, several festivals exist in Orlando, including the Epcot Flower Festival, which brags about stunning flower displays, real-time concerts, and outdoor kitchens. The Orlando International Fringe Theater Festival accommodates all ages through theatre, music, dance, and artistic activities.
Destin
Destin is also known as “The Emerald Coast” because of its lovely beach waters. The local State Park is an iconic beach haven, and a stroll along its boardwalk is attractive to adults and children.
The Big Kahuna’s Water Park is a famous destination in Destin for its clear waters and friendly marine life. Dolphin watching is a major engagement in the park affording interests from both adults and children and is simply a suitable family escapade point.
For Entertainment
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is a sophisticated cultural center with an emerging social scene. Nicknamed the “Venice of America” because of its extensive canal network, this Atlantic Ocean city is located about 23 miles (37 km) north of Miami Beach.
There are numerous hotels, golf courses, marinas and museums in the city, which has an exceptional tourist infrastructure. With mega-ships departing daily for the Caribbean, Mexico and other destinations, the city’s Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ship ports in the world.
The most famous part of the city’s beach is “The Strip,” lined with restaurants and bars on the landward side of the beach road.
Miami
Miami is a popular entertainment hotspot, with the bright city lights providing a decent ambiance for a good time.
The city is set apart from others in Florida by its rather large count of rooftop bars, fine dining, and luxurious residences ideal for holding parties and other entertainment gigs. Furthermore, the various cultures in Miami offer a wide range of forms of entertainment concerning foods and music.
The Ultra Music Festival, an annual electronic music festival in Miami, unifies various performers and fans with an ultimate party experience. Downtown Miami is indeed the epitome of enjoyment.
Tampa Bay
Tampa is also viewed as the ideal destination to enjoy a variety of foods and drinks in the Sunshine State. The existence of local breweries such as Cigar City and Coppertail offers tourists an opportunity to enjoy a few beers to cool off from the tropical conditions in Florida.
For sports enthusiasts, Tampa provides the delight of spectating live sporting events and games from the resident hockey, football and baseball teams. The Hard Rock Casino supplements the trill for those willing to buck the odds.
Also, being the home of the Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, a celebrated theme park that incorporates a zoo, proves that Tampa Bay is indeed an ideal destination to satisfy your amusement needs.
Exploration and Art
St. Augustine
St. Augustine, America’s earliest city, has existed for over five centuries. Naturally, it has developed into a renowned attraction site for people enthusiastic about history. It gives a perspective of how architecture has evolved over the years as there are still visible ancient shelters.
St. Augustine bonds visiting tourists with historical events when visiting the privately-owned Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park along Hospital Creek. A tour of the Castillo de San Marcos, a fort from colonial times, is also a highlight of St. Augustine.
Besides, cannon firing, the Colonial Quarter, and ascending the 142-year-old ancient lighthouse are other popular engagements at St. Augustine.
Mount Dora
Mount Dora is among the most iconic small towns in Florida but offers great exploration opportunities to tourists.
It is greatly associated with antiquing as several antique exhibitions and spring festivals are present over time. Besides that, the shelters are typically vintage clapboard houses with old-school accommodation set up among antique outlets and pleasant cafes.
For more exploration, the Ocala National Forest to view the Silver Glen Springs and Jupiter springs is ideal.
Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island, dubbed the Sea Shell capital of the world, is a great destination for explorers. The beaches at Sanibel are explored for unique fragments of fortunes that have washed up shoreward.
Characterized by minimal retail chains and fancy restaurants, Sanibel strives to preserve its natural heritage while still growing in popularity.
Among the popular engagements available at Sanibel, there is biking through the JN Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Lovers Key State Park, and scouting the nearby Captiva Island.
Romantic getaways
Apalachicola
Apalachicola is a serene destination for people seeking seclusion and involving themselves with untouched nature. Tourists can interact with Old Florida experiences away from the fuss of cities.
Located on the Apalachicola River, this coastal town attracts tourists with magnificent ocean sceneries and warm hospitality from the locals. Besides the exciting aquatic activities available, the Apalachicola Chamber grants maps to tourists and allows them to survey the historical listings of the town.
Partners visiting Apalachicola get to survey local shops and eateries while absorbing the beautiful sceneries within the town square.
Sarasota
Sarasota, the residence of the top-rated beach in the nation, is a favored tourist site in Florida. Its beach is iconic for its crisp quartz sand and can enhance your beach experience.
Famous circus king, John Ringling’s mansion, exists in Sarasota, and tourists acquire an opportunity to interact with the massive art collection preserved there.
Furthermore, the Sarasota Jazz Festival is quite an attraction to add to your visit with live performances by established performers. Sarasota strives at preserving jazz culture, and this atmosphere blended with the exquisite local eateries provides the ultimate travel experience.
Siesta Key
Siesta Key is a must-see island paradise known for its white quartz beaches, turquoise waters and numerous beach amenities. Siesta Key has something to offer everyone. Siesta Key is a romantic getaway for lovers, a place for family fun and an outdoor adventure playground.
The fall season is one of the best times to visit Siesta Key. With pleasant, mild temperatures and silky white quartz sand, you can spend your afternoon lazing on the beach soaking up the cool Gulf breezes or participating in exciting water sports.
Shopping destinations
Miami South Beach
Miami South Beach is quite the epicenter of luxuries. From being able to purchase items from various cultures to the more notable extravagant luxury brands, Miami South Beach is indeed the ultimate shopping destination.
The Lincoln Road Mall in Miami South Beach is crowded with trendy boutiques and exorbitant designers. Plenty of themed bars and retailers dealing with summer accessories are also present to add to the shopping experience.
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is another shopping hub in Florida with The Galleria shopping mall as no.1 in the city!
Established in 1980, stands as a prominent example of Florida’s indoor shopping scene, skillfully blending luxury and practicality. Rebuilt from the former Sunrise Center shops, this mall features major department stores like Dillard’s, Macy’s, and Neiman Marcus.
It also houses a variety of specialty stores offering everything from high-end fashion brands to sports and fitness goods, catering to a diverse range of shopping needs and preferences.
Jacksonville
Despite being a half-hour away from Georgia, Jacksonville is still recognized as a popular tourist destination in Florida. Concerning other cities in Florida, Jacksonville is quite the focal point of economic activities.
Given its identity as a business center, plenty of shopping outlets range from cultural to more premium goods. Tourists on a shopping spree are recommended to visit the iconic Five Points neighborhood and roam through the many antique shops available.
For the Nature
Ocala
Located in north central Florida in a region known as “horse country,” Ocala offers visitors winding community trails lined with oak trees and dangling trellises of Spanish moss and the opportunity to explore miles of unspoiled nature.
In Ocala, there are fewer tourist crowds and plenty of natural beauty in the fall. The city’s crown jewel is the stunning 360,000-acre Ocala National Forest, considered one of the best hiking areas in Florida.
Over 100 miles of natural habitats showcase the magnificent pine forests, eucalypt swamps and cypress trees. It’s an ideal time to take advantage of the recreational opportunities in the area. You can also paddle on Juniper Run and go swimming at Silver Glen Springs.
Biscayne National Park
One of the most interesting destinations in Florida is Biscayne National Park. It consists of a few small islands or keys and a huge expanse of water. Off the coast of South Florida, February is the ideal month to travel there. The end of the hurricane season also means the end of the hot summer. The water is warm enough to spend all day swimming and snorkeling, and temperatures are quite comfortable.
Visitors have many options for activities. The most popular activity in the national park is snorkeling. There are a number of cruises that depart from a location near the Dante Fascell Visitor Center and take visitors to the islands.
For Camping
Boyd’s Key West Campground
Boyd’s Key West Campground, situated in the idyllic setting of Key West, Florida, offers a tropical camping experience perfect for families. This destination is acclaimed as one of Florida’s top campgrounds, providing options for both tent and RV camping. Guests at Boyd’s can enjoy the serene beauty of the oceanfront, whether they’re staying in a tent or an RV, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing getaway.
Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina
Sunshine Key RV Resort and Marina, nestled near Big Pine Key in the lower Florida Keys, blends the charm of an RV resort with the convenience of a nearby marina. This delightful destination opens up a world of aquatic adventures. Here, you can bask in the sun on beautiful beaches, kayak through serene waters, and even fish right from your kayak. The resort also boasts a splendid 90-degree pool for a refreshing swim, alongside opportunities for diving and snorkeling. It’s a place where a variety of water activities await, offering something exciting for everyone!
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