24 Best Weekend Getaways in Florida

The sun is setting over the Fort Lauderdale,

PHOTO:

SLOMOE/GETTY IMAGES

Few places call like the Sunshine State when it comes to fantastic and affordable weekend adventures, from beach breaks to urban escapes. Plan a stay in the bustling downtown of Tampa, head to Palm Beach for its golden sands and designer boutiques, or visit Amelia Island for a taste of relaxed Florida flair. Get inspired to plan your next trip to the Sunshine State by perusing our list of the top Florida weekend getaways.

Tampa

A city break close to some of the dreamiest white-sand beaches in the U.S. awaits when you spend the weekend in Tampa, Weekend Getaways a stone’s throw from the glorious Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s west coast. The Tampa Edition, the city’s first real five-star hotel, debuted in late 2022 in the restored Water Street Tampa neighborhood of downtown. Spend your time strolling the Tampa Riverwalk’s urban parks, museums, and restaurants, and detour to the city’s best food hall at Armature Works, a former street car warehouse reborn as a hip indoor-outdoor hangout along the Hillsborough River Best Weekend Getaways.

St. Petersburg

With hundreds of murals by renowned street artists enlivening its urban corridor, the new cutting-edge St. Pete Pier (complete with a rooftop tiki bar, on-site conservation center, and bay beach), and historic cotton candy-pink hotels like The Vinoy and The Don CeSar, downtown St. Pete makes for a cheerful weekend away. Best Weekend Getaways The largest collection of Salvador Dali’s artwork outside of his native Spain is kept in the Dali Museum. Nearby Central Avenue and Bayshore Drive are lined with cafes, boutiques, and breweries to explore.

Miami

Miami is one of the top weekend getaway destinations in the United States because of its cosmopolitan vibe, art, fashion, and the best food scene in Florida. Choose from chic lodging options on Miami Beach like the waterfront Faena or The Setai, or opt for a more metropolitan base in downtown Miami like EAST Miami or the Kimpton EPIC Hotel. Two of Florida’s most incredible national parks — Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park — Best Weekend Getaways can transport you into nature surprisingly close to the urban metropolis. .

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Fort Lauderdale

Yacht spotting, restaurant hopping, and biking, walking, and rollerblading along the beachfront promenade are just a few ways to spend a weekend getaway in Fort Lauderdale, where culture awaits within steps of the sand. Park your car for the weekend and explore the town on foot or aboard the Water Taxi, with stops near buzzing Las Olas Boulevard and Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale, as well as out at the beach.

Vero Beach

Vero Beach is a sophisticated beach town with a walkable and small pedestrian center that is conveniently located near Miami and Orlando on Florida’s east coast. It features an oceanfront restaurant that is only steps from the sand, a weekly farmers market, and beachy boutiques. There are hotels to suit every taste, including the quirky Driftwood Resort and the romantic Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa as well as the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa.

Amelia Island

Just south of the Georgia border, Amelia Island features golden beaches that stretch for miles at a time, marshy grasslands that stretch to the horizon, and local cuisine that includes shrimp and grits. Hire a bike to tour Fort Clinch State Park’s historic sites and undeveloped beaches, and pedal past the quaint cafes and stores in the downtown area of Fernandina.A magnificent section of coastline fronts the oceanfront Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.

Ocala

Florida’s horse country is in Ocala, north of Orlando. It is known for its distinctive rolling landscapes in an otherwise flat state, as well as farms and ranches that breed champion Arabian horses.With a beautiful heated pool, regular competitions held in the horse arenas, and a fantastic on-site spa, the Equestrian Hotel is the ideal place to stay. Visit Rainbow Springs State Park in the area to swim in the glistening spring-fed waters or to go canoeing down the river in search of wading birds, turtles, and possibly even alligators.

Naples

When you choose Naples for your weekend getaway, you can combine time spent on the stunning sands of the Gulf of Mexico with opulent shopping and mouthwatering cuisine. It’s difficult to top Edgewater Beach Hotel or LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort for a serene gulf-front vacation. Naples serves as a convenient starting point for day trips to the neighboring Everglades National Park, which you can explore via boat tours departing from Everglades City.

Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island, which is about an hour south of Tampa, has a charming Old Florida vibe with its long, powdery beaches, pastel-colored houses, and lack of chain restaurants or large resorts. Take a Surrey bike or golf cart rental to explore the island, and don’t miss the evening custom of locals congregating at the beachside SandBar restaurant to watch the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico.

Sarasota

Sarasota is the place to go if you want a Florida vacation that combines amazing beaches and world-class art in a small-town setting. Visit the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art to view its outstanding European collection. The museum is located in the center of the city on 66 tropical acres. Explore chic St. Armand’s Circle’s dining and drinking options before heading to the shores of neighboring Longboat Key, where oceanfront lodging options like Zota Beach Resort and The Resort at Longboat Key Club entice you to swim and lounge.

Orlando

There is something for every kind of traveler in Orlando, Central Florida, whether you come to enjoy the theme parks at Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando or would rather explore the city’s verdant downtown and neighboring Winter Park. The city’s culinary scene is flourishing, both within the parks and outside of them. Two Orlando restaurants, Capa and omakase star Seki, have recently been granted Michelin stars. Enjoy refreshing swims in freshwater springs while kayaking in locations such as Wekiwa Springs State Park, or experience unique wellness at the first Beer Spa in the state.

The Space Coast

"Observation tower overlooking the new Ares 1-X rocket on launch pad 39b at NASA Kennedy Space complex, Florida." — BRETTCHARLTON/GETTY IMAGES

Less than an hour’s drive east of Orlando are some of the closest beaches on Florida’s Space Coast, where rocket launches from Cape Canaveral are a regular sight and a visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is a must. Learn to surf on Melbourne Beach, which is close by, or Cocoa Beach, the birthplace of pro surfer Kelly Slater. Plan your trip during the summer months to have the opportunity to witness sea turtles laying their eggs while taking guided nighttime tours through the Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge and along the Canaveral National Seashore.

Islamorada

Islamorada, an oasis in the Upper Florida Keys with snorkeling on coral reefs and offshore game fishing, is only 90 minutes south of Miami and offers a taste of the Caribbean. Staying at Hawks Cay Resort on nearby Marathon allows you to stay in private vacation villas with all the comforts of home and launch excursions straight from the property’s docks.

Sebring

Visit the charming town of Sebring, located about two hours south of Orlando, for a historic Central Florida getaway. Enjoy a Florida wine tasting at Secret Gardens Winery, take an airboat ride at Arbuckle Creek, or stroll the stunning old-growth nature trails at Highlands Hammock State Park. You can even watch gators swimming in a pond.

Destin-Fort Walton Beach

Long stretch of Miramar Beach, in Destin, Florida and the emerald green waters of the Gulf of Mexico — RUTH PETERKIN/GETTY IMAGES

The Destin-Fort Walton Beach region is enticing for a few days away because of its glittering Gulf of Mexico waters, powdery sands, and numerous opportunities to explore nature off the beach. The Florida Panhandle Shipwreck Trail offers opportunities for snorkeling alongside man-made shipwrecks, while the 8.1-mile Blackwater Heritage State Trail offers cycling through habitats that offer exceptional birdwatching.

Panama City Beach

Although it is often associated with spring break, Panama City Beach is a charming vacation spot all year round. Its beaches are at their most beautiful in St. Andrews State Park, where you can go birdwatching, explore on a bike, or take a passenger boat to the nearby undeveloped barrier island known as Shell Island.

Cedar Key

Plan a weekend trip to the charming Gulf Coast hamlet of Cedar Key for some of the best seafood the state has to offer and a true Old Florida experience. Flip-flops are the most upscale footwear for resort wear on this group of islands that face the Gulf of Mexico. Commercial fishing is still a way of life here. Try the local seafood specialties, such as clam chowder, mullet dip, and Cedar Key oysters. There are a few charming vacation rentals perched on stilts at the water’s edge in addition to a few small hotels and inns.

The Palm Beaches

Palm Beach Worth Avenue clock tower Florida USA with seagulls — MARIAKRAY/GETTY IMAGES

Choose between the laid-back surf town scene of Delray Beach, the vibrant downtown of West Palm Beach (and an elegant stay at The Ben), or upscale accommodations at establishments like The Breakers and Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa. This region of Florida is highly regarded by art and culture enthusiasts due to its top-notch museums and gardens, such as the Moriokami Museum and Japanese Gardens and the Norton Museum of Art.The opulent offerings in the area will be enhanced in 2023 with the opening of Amrit Ocean Resort along the coast.

Jacksonville

Jacksonville offers a nice mix of beach and city attractions with its stunning beaches like Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach, and Neptune Beach as well as its vibrant downtown neighborhoods like San Marco, Avondale, and Riverside. Make sure to visit the fishing village of Mayport, Florida, to purchase fresh Florida shrimp directly from the boats.

St. Augustine

St. Augustine blends history and fun in the Florida sun with its small, walkable downtown, the 17th-century Castillo de San Marcos, and miles of golden beaches ideal for beginning surfers. Stay in the historic Casa Monica Resort & Spa in the heart of the town, or stay at The Ponte Vedra Inn and Club, which is situated about 30 miles north along the oceanfront, and spend a day trip to St. Augustine in between beach excursions.

Key West

When you arrange a weekend getaway to Key West, you won’t require a car rental to get around. Visit historic sites like The Hemingway Home & Museum and Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park, which has the best deep-water beach on the island, by bike, scooter, or trolley. See some cabaret in the Key West style at La Te Da, go on a bar crawl down Duval Street, or reserve a luxurious private island stay at Sunset Key Cottages, which can be accessed by a short private boat shuttle from the docks close to Mallory Square Weekend Getaways.

Mt. Dora

Palm Island Park scenic boardwalk winds through eight acres of natural preservation and is located next to Mount Dora, Florida, USA. — JILLIANCAIN/GETTY IMAGES

Nestled among stunning freshwater lakes, Lake County in Central Florida offers some of the state’s best birdwatching opportunities. During the orange and grapefruit seasons, base yourself in the historic lakefront town of Mt. Dora, Weekend Getaways which is located 30 miles northwest of Orlando. Here, you can spend your days going antique shopping, taking seaplane tours to observe the lakes from above, and picking juicy citrus from nearby farms.

Fort Pierce

Fort Pierce is a Florida surprise, with a marina full of charter fishing boats and one of the state’s best weekend farmers markets, held every Saturday morning directly along the Intracoastal Waterway. The Manatee Observation and Education Center, the A.E. Backus Gallery and Museum, Weekend Getaways which features art inspired by Florida, and the Sailfish Brewing Company, which brews beers using ingredients from the area, are located in the city’s small, historic downtown.

Hutchinson Island

Unbeknownst to the uninitiated, the Martin County coastline stretches along South Hutchinson Island and boasts some of Florida’s most picturesque, deserted beaches, which are favored by both kite surfers and sun worshippers. Locals prefer to keep certain places to themselves in towns like Stuart, Jensen Beach, Weekend Getaways and Hobe Sound. One such place is the unusual limestone beach at Blowing Rocks Preserve, where loggerhead and rare leatherback sea turtles lumber ashore to nest.

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