These Florida family vacation ideas prove there's something for everyone
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The Bucket List Family gives five tips for traveling with kids
The Bucket List Family sold everything to travel around the world. Here are their tips for traveling with children.
It's not hard to see why Florida is one of the most popular family vacation spots in the country. Miles of Atlantic and Gulf coastline, world-class beaches, theme parks galore, incredible natural sights – with so much to do, it's no wonder families return to the Sunshine State year after year. I've made Florida my home for 20 years and I still haven't experienced it all, but it has given me the chance to explore beyond the beaches and theme parks when it comes to family vacations.
Don't get me wrong: The beaches and theme parks are great. But the truth is that whether you want a Florida beach vacation, a theme park trip, an equestrian escape, a quick city detour before a cruise, or something entirely different, you can find it in Florida. Here are the top 10 destinations I recommend for memorable family vacations for different ages and interests.
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1. Anna Maria Island
My blood pressure immediately drops whenever I drive onto Anna Maria Island. If you want a Florida beach vacation with a bit of a throwback vibe, this place delivers. The Gulf Coast barrier island took a bit of a beating during the 2024 hurricane season, but its resilient spirit got it on the road to recovery quickly, and it's visitor-ready.
Expect to log lots of hours at the beach here, and you can make that time even more relaxing with a setup from AMI Cabanas, which donates a portion of every reservation toward manatee conservation efforts. There are lots of ways to get out on the water, from fishing charters to kayaking tours. And when you're hungry, family-friendly eats can be found all over the island, from all-you-can-eat pancakes at Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe and burgers at Skinny's Place to the made-to-order goodies at The Donut Experiment.
▶ Where to stay: Book one of the two-bedroom suites at Waterline Villas & Marina, Autograph Collection for plenty of room to spread out and a central island location. Or stay steps from the sand at retro-cool Mello on the Beach, which offers one- to three-bedroom rentals with kitchens.
2. St. Augustine
Dubbed 'the nation's oldest city,' St. Augustine is a great getaway spot no matter the time of year. During the holidays it's aglow with millions of lights, but it's just as picturesque in other seasons. That's thanks to the Spanish Colonial architecture found throughout the historic downtown, including along Aviles Street, the oldest street in the country. A visit to Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is a must, where you can tour the oldest masonry fortification in the continental U.S.
Kids will enjoy learning about the residents of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, sipping from the Fountain of Youth, and climbing the 219 steps to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse. (They must be over 44 inches and able to climb the tower on their own.) If they like spooky stuff, one of the many ghost tours of the Northeast Florida city will be right up their alley. (My teenager still talks about one she took.) And eating lunch at one of the grass huts perched over the water at the Conch House Restaurant is a Florida vacation experience the whole family will remember.
▶ Where to stay: Book a family suite with bunk beds at Embassy Suites by Hilton St. Augustine Beach Oceanfront Resort, and you can easily add some beach time to your experience. Or stay at Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront, which puts you right in the center of the historic downtown.
3. Naples
Naples may be known as something of a swanky spot for retirees, but it's also a great place for a family vacation. This Southwest Florida city is home to attractions like the Golisano Children's Museum of Naples (CMON), Shy Wolf Sanctuary, and Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, which are perfect for kid-friendly outings.
There are lots of ways to enjoy and explore the outdoors here, which starts with the area's many picture-perfect Gulf beaches. But make time to experience places like Audubon's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary and Big Cypress National Preserve, which play a part in the ecosystem of the Everglades. The Nature Center at the Conservancy of Southwest Florida has a touch tank and play zone that's great for little kids, and there are all kinds of boat and paddling tours to get the family out on the water.
▶ Where to stay: LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort offers a prime beachfront location and a regular schedule of family activities like pool games and weekend 'kids' s'mores hour.' Or go all out with a stay at the recently refreshed Ritz-Carlton, Naples, where the Ritz Kids program features nature-focused activities created in partnership with the Conservancy of Southwest Florida.
4. Gainesville
Gainesville is home to the University of Florida, but it's much more than just Florida Gator Country and a hotbed for college sports. The area has a number of parks and preserves that are definitely worth a visit, like Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park, where you can descend into a sinkhole, and Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, where you might spot wild-roaming bison and horses if you're lucky.
The Cade Museum for Creativity & Invention will inspire future inventors and tinkerers, while Kanapaha Botanical Gardens includes a children's garden and the state's largest public display of bamboo. You can see everything from bald eagles to white-throated capuchin monkeys at the Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo (the only zoo on a college campus accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums) and learn about the area's agricultural past at Dudley Farm Historic State Park and Morningside Nature Center.
▶ Where to stay: Gainesville is home to many well-reviewed chain hotels with suite-style accommodations ideal for families, like SpringHill Suites Gainesville, Drury Inn & Suites Gainesville, and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Gainesville.
5. Miami
For big-city vibes to go along with your beach time, head to Miami. There's always a lot going on in this vibrant Southeast Florida metropolis, from sporting events to musical performances. There's also lots of family fun to be found here at spots like Miami Children's Museum and the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, which has both a planetarium and an aquarium.
At the Shark Valley entrance to Everglades National Park, you can climb the observation tower for amazing views or walk, bike, or take a tram tour to spot wildlife along a 15-mile loop road. Or you can have wild encounters of a different kind at Zoo Miami or Jungle Island, where you can book visits with lemurs, capybaras, and other creatures. There's almost too much to do in the Miami area, which means the kids should never be bored.
▶ Where to stay: Loews Miami Beach Hotel caters to families with amenities like a kid-sized breakfast buffet and a super-cool kids club featuring activities curated in partnership with the Miami Children's Museum and the Frost Museum of Science. JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa features a seriously fun water park with seven waterslides, a lazy river, and the first-ever FlowRider Triple in the nation.
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6. Amelia Island
One of my favorite Florida vacation spots, Amelia Island, makes for a relaxed beach vacation with a little bit of Southern charm. Located about 30 minutes from Jacksonville in Northeast Florida, the island's got something for beach lovers, history buffs, and fans of the outdoors. You can stay along the Atlantic Ocean or in downtown Fernandina Beach, and either option is a winner.
I recommend a boat tour along the local waterways (which also gives you a peek at Georgia's Cumberland Island), a visit to Fort Clinch State Park overlooking the St. Mary's River, strolling and shopping in downtown Fernandina Beach, and burgers at Tasty's. The interactive 'pirate ship' at the Amelia Island Museum of History was a big hit with my daughter when she was young, as were the mini-golf courses in the area.
▶ Where to stay: Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa has all the ingredients for a great family vacation, from a setting right on the Atlantic Ocean to amenities like a family pool and splash pad, an on-site nature center and mini-golf course, and multiple kid-friendly restaurants.
7. Orlando
No list of Florida vacation ideas is complete without Orlando, the theme park capital of the world. And there will be new thrills to experience when Universal Orlando Resort's Epic Universe opens in May 2025. New things are coming to Walt Disney World Resort and SeaWorld Orlando in 2025, too, to go along with all the old favorites.
There's more to Orlando than just theme parks, of course. Pedal a swan boat at Lake Eola Park, get hands-on at Orlando Science Center, or stroll amid the plants and trees at Harry P. Leu Gardens. The city also has lots of cool neighborhoods to explore, like Thornton Park with its historic homes and tree-lined streets and the Mills 50 District that's known for its street art and fabulous food scene.
▶ Where to stay: With close to 500 hotels and resorts in the Orlando area, you have lots of choices. The best bet is to pick a hotel close to where you'll be spending the bulk of your time that fits your budgets and needs. Do you want a hotel with a cool pool area, a budget-friendly option near the theme parks, a hotel with great food, or a property offering residential-style lodging?
8. South Walton
Many of the 16 beach neighborhoods in South Walton look right out of a movie. In fact, one was the setting for "The Truman Show." Any of them would make a great home base for a family vacation in this scenic Northwest Florida locale.
There are 26 miles of white sand beaches and turquoise water to explore in South Walton, along with four state parks, a state forest, and four snorkel reefs. You'll also want to plan a paddle in the rare coastal dune lakes found here, the only ones outside of New Zealand, Australia, Madagascar, and the Pacific Northwest. The kids will love doing a donut tour of the area, and you can take your beach time to the next level with sandcastle lessons or a custom beach bonfire.
▶ Where to stay: The WaterColor Inn & Resort in Santa Rosa Beach borders one of the area's dune lakes and has a stretch of private beach, a beach club with three pools, and the Camp WaterColor recreational amenity with two more pools, waterslides, and a lazy river.
RIGHT ON THE WATER: 10 Florida beach resorts that are all about family fun
9. Florida's Space Coast
Just about an hour from Orlando, Florida's Space Coast is a stellar family vacation spot. Literally: It's the home of America's manned space program, and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex provides awe-inspiring ways to learn all about it. If there's a launch taking place during your visit, you'll likely be able to see it from your hotel or other spots around the area. And for more high-flying fun, a visit to the Valiant Air Command Warbird Air Museum delivers.
Of course, there's plenty of action on the ground in this region along the Atlantic Ocean on Florida's east coast, which includes places like Cocoa Beach, Melbourne, and cruise ship departure spot Port Canaveral. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge – one of the last places on Earth astronauts see when they launch into space – offers great bird watching, and the Cocoa Beach Pier is a legendary surf spot. Boat and kayak tours are another way to get out on the water, and you can even kayak through the Brevard Zoo.
▶ Where to stay: Hampton Inn & Suites Cape Canaveral Cruise Port offers free breakfast and a good location for exploring the Space Coast. Best Western Cocoa Beach Hotel & Suites provides easy access to the beach and family suites with kitchenettes.
10. Sebring
There was already a lot to like about Sebring, a lakeside locale in Central Florida's Highlands County. 'The City on the Circle' exudes a Stars Hollow type of charm, with a local soda shop and annual soda festival and restaurants like Faded Bistro & Beer Garden, where you can dine under the stars. It's also home to Highlands Hammock State Park, one of the oldest state parks in Florida, where many rare and endemic species can be observed.
Sebring International Raceway draws fans of fast cars to the world-famous 12 Hours of Sebring event every year, and Lake Istokpoga is a great place for fishing and airboat rides. And the city recently got a glow-up as the star of season three of HGTV's Home Town Takeover, which debuts in March 2025 and will likely showcase even more reasons to put Sebring on your vacation radar.
▶ Where to stay: Seven Sebring Raceway Hotel offers suites with views of the track's famous hairpin turn, plus amenities like an outdoor pool. Budget-friendly Tru by Hilton Sebring is well-situated for exploring the area and includes free breakfast with your stay.
From beaches to theme parks, the best Florida family vacations prove there's something for everyone originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com.
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The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY. FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. Using the FamilyVacationist travel recommendation methodology, we review and select family vacation ideas, family vacation spots, all-inclusive family resorts, and classic family vacations for all ages. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators, tour operator reviews, tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations. If you buy an item through a link in our content, we may earn a commission.
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