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Northern Florida in One Week | Central Florida in One Week | South Florida in One Week
Northern Florida in One Week
As much as South Florida centers on the present and future, northern Florida is more about the past. From America’s oldest city—the circa 1565 St. Augustine—to the lost-in-time seaside communities along the 250-mile coastline of the Florida Panhandle, northern Florida embraces the architecture, simplicity, and pace of yesteryear. Beyond dedicated party towns, don’t expect much in terms of nightlife or glitz. Do expect stunning, wide expanses of white-sand beach, day-caught seafood served up in no-frills settings, regions rich in marine life, excellent fishing, a family-friendly atmosphere and plenty of fun-in-the-sun.
St. Augustine
1 or 2 days. Start your journey through northern Florida in the nation’s oldest city, which was founded by the Spanish in 1565. To explore the state’s Spanish past, visit Castillo de San Marcos (its colonial-era fortress), the Colonial Quarter (a 2-acre living history museum of Florida life in the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries), or stroll the streets of the Old City that grew up around the colonial quarter, giving you a chance to experience life in the past lane. A whole city block of historic houses built between 1790 and 1910 has been turned into the Dow Museum. But St. Augustine’s future isn’t all in the past. Peruse the many boutiques and indulge at the prolific restaurants that line the town center, stay in one of the many charming B&Bs, and discover why St. Augustine rivals Savannah and Charleston as one of America’s most charming cities. To the east is Anastasia Island, a state park with a stunning beach.
Amelia Island and Vicinity
2 days. Head northeast beyond Jacksonville to reach prestigious Amelia Island, home to world-class beach resorts and wide swathes of family-friendly beaches. By day simply enjoy some fun-in-the-sun or beachcomb nearby undeveloped beaches for sand dollars and seashells. At night, search for nesting sea turtles. You can stay in one of Amelia Island’s posh resorts, or for a similar experience that doesn’t require such deep pockets, enjoy the beach action slightly south along one of the four quieter communities of Jacksonville Beaches, specifically Atlantic Beach or Ponte Vedra Beach. Jacksonville itself is a underrated vacation destination full of charm with a lively arts scene that often turns up on lists of the best places to live in the U.S. Take a short detour into Jacksonville one day to visit the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville or the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, two of the area’s world-class attractions.
Tallahassee
1 day. Drive west toward the Panhandle to get a true taste of the Old South in Spanish moss-draped Tallahassee, visiting one or two of the region’s 71 plantations, such as Goodwood Museum and Gardens. Then get a dose of Old Florida at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, protected since the 1930s and famous as the jungle setting of the original Tarzan films, which today houses the largest and deepest freshwater spring in the world and plenty of manatees, alligators, and turtles, plus more than 180 species of birds.
Panama City Beach
1 or 2 days. Continue past the state capital to the 250-mile-plus belt known as Panhandle’s Emerald Coast, heralded for its powdery white-sand beaches and sparkling water. If you take the coastal route, U.S. 98, along the way you may want to plan a stop in Apalachicola, a friendly and charming fishing town that’s become a major regional tourist draw. Off the beach, this area feels more southern than South Florida. Sun-worship and indulge in gulf-to-table seafood in Panama City Beach, enjoying enhanced nightlife options that go beyond the typical spring break options. Take a boat tour out to St. Andrews State Park to tour protected Shell Island, one of the few places in the world where you can swim with dolphins in the wild.
Pensacola Beach
1 or 2 days. From Panama City Beach to Pensacola, take a relaxing drive along scenic Route 30A, passing nostalgia-inducing communities like WaterColor and Seaside, with an optional stop in glorious Grayton Beach, where kayaking ranks high on the agenda—or have lunch in the Panhandle’s poshest subcity, Sandestin. At Pensacola Beach—one of the longest barrier islands in the world—enjoy such pursuits as fishing, boating, water sports, or simply relaxing and soaking in the laid-back beach vibe. Time and interest permitting, take a half-day trip up to Florida Caverns State Park, one of the state’s lesser-known treasures, where rangers lead insightful cave tours.
Central Florida in One Week
Theme parks, nature, and beaches—oh my! Central Florida lures in the masses with the prospect of thrilling rides, handshakes with Mickey Mouse, overall Disney magic, and simply basking in the frivolity of childhood, though its appeal spans far beyond man-made attractions. In fact, Central Florida also stakes claim to the state’s most exceptional natural riches, including some of the country’s superlative beaches (with accolades to prove it) and unparalleled nature encounters, such as swimming with manatees in the wild and bird-watching at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge.
Orlando
2 or 3 days. You could easily spend a week at Walt Disney World alone. But unless you’re a die-hard theme park devotee, a few days is sufficient. Spend a few days park-hopping at Walt Disney World between The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Smaller kids may enjoy a quieter time at nearby Legoland, some 50 miles from Orlando. For more intense thrills, allow a day or two for movie magic at Universal Studios or heart-pumping rides at Islands of Adventure, where Harry Potter now reigns and draws crowds by the millions. If you are theme parked–out after two days (or never really liked them to begin with), survey the collection of modern paintings at the Orlando Museum of Art, stroll through the 50-acre Harry P. Leu Gardens, or visit Orlando’s serene sister city, Winter Park. Boaters can take advantage of the area’s numerous lakes, and golfers can link up on courses designed by the sport’s biggest stars.
Cape Canaveral
1 day. Head east from Orlando to discover one of Florida’s best central coast treasures. Spend the day bird-watching at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, have an out-of-this-world- experience at the Kennedy Space Center (and enjoy the interactive Space Shuttle Challenger exhibit), catch a wave like local surfing legend Kelly Slater in Cocoa Beach, or blissfully hit the beach at Canaveral National Seashore—a 24-mile undeveloped preserve where you lounge in the shelter of dunes, not the shadow of high-rises. Adrenaline junkies may want to reset their GPS for Daytona Beach. Its International Speedway, which has hosted NASCAR’s Daytona 500 every February since 1959, is a must-see for stock-car enthusiasts (and the plain ‘ole race-car curious).
Tampa
1 day. If you crave more theme park fun, scream through the hair-raising rides at Busch Gardens and admire the 2,000-animal zoo, intricately woven throughout the park. The more sports-minded, may want to catch one of Tampa Bay’s myriad sporting events (the city has professional baseball, football, and hockey teams). Beach-lovers who didn’t get enough sand and surf in Cape Canaveral may want to head over to Clearwater Beach to find some of central Florida’s best sandy shores. At night, dine and imbibe in the Spanish-inflected Ybor City entertainment district.
St. Petersburg
2 days. Indulge in the culture and beaches of this sophisticated city, home to the riveting, world-class Salvador Dalí Museum, multiple art galleries, and a quaint, historic downtown. Hit the beach at Caladesi Island State Park to the west of the city or Fort De Soto Park at the mouth of Tampa Bay, both winners of the national “America’s Best Beach” competition. Or explore the colorful waterfront community of Gulfport and its Art Village, which is full of locally owned boutiques, galleries, and eclectic eateries. Beer-lovers will want to set aside time to explore the city’s burgeoning craft beer scene.
Sarasota
1 day. Drive south to Sarasota to appreciate Florida’s thriving arts scene and stay overnight on one of the western barrier islands, namely Longboat Key or Siesta Key, the latter home to the finest quartz sand in the world and one of America’s best beaches. In Sarasota, visit the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art to learn all about the history of the Ringling circus and enjoy John Ringling’s mindblowingly expansive art collection. The museum encompasses the entire Ringling estate and offers something for guests of all ages and interests.
Crystal River
1/2 day. As a half-day trip, nature lovers should proceed north to Crystal River, less than two hours north of St. Petersburg, where you can snorkel with the manatees that congregate in the warm waters from November through March. It’s one of the few places on the planet where you can legally interact with them in natural waters. In off-season months, get your nature fix with a dolphin-watching cruise through the Florida Aquarium, back in Tampa.
South Florida in One Week
Beautiful beaches and even more beautiful people, pulsing nightlife, striking architecture, fancy yachts, old money, new money, exotic wildlife, and stunning marine life—South Florida’s got it all. One week is hardly enough to explore the region in detail, but it’s enough for a sampler platter of this wildly popular vacation destination.
Fort Lauderdale
1 day. Whether you fly into Miami or right into Fort Lauderdale, make the Yachting Capital of the World and the Venice of America your first stop; it’s only an hour from the Miami airport. Known for its expansive beaches, show-stopping resort hotels, exploding food scene, and burgeoning cultural scene, Fort Lauderdale has a lot to like, it may be hard to get your fill in a single day. Take to the waterways to appreciate this coastal beauty. Stroll picture-perfect Las Olas Boulevard, browsing the boutiques and enjoying the eclectic eateries lining Fort Lauderdale’s principal thoroughfare.
Palm Beaches
1 day. Less than two hours north of Fort Lauderdale, the opulent mansions of Palm Beach’s Ocean Boulevard give you a glimpse of how the richer half lives. For exclusive boutique shopping, art gallery browsing, and glittery sightseeing, sybarites should wander down “The Avenue” (that’s Worth Avenue to non–Palm Beachers). The sporty set will find dozens of places to tee up in the Palm Beaches (hardly surprising given that the PGA is based here), along with tennis courts, polo clubs, even a croquet center. While there’s also a less expensive side to Palm Beach, the area’s famous hotels are significantly cheaper after Easter weekend, when the high season ends and the city feels like a different place entirely.
Treasure Coast
1 day. To balance the highbrow with the low-key, head northward for a tour of the Treasure Coast, from Stuart to Sebastian. The region is notable for its outdoor activities and Old Florida ambience. This region was named for the booty spilled by a fleet of Spanish galleons shipwrecked here in 1715 though these days you’re more likely to discover manatees and golden surfing opportunities than actual gold. You can also look for the sea turtles that lay their own little treasures in the sands March through October. As you drive north, you may want to stop in Jupiter, especially if you’re a dog lover, to see one of the state’s most dog-friendly beaches.
Miami
2 or 3 days. Greater Miami lays claim to the country’s most celebrated strand—South Beach—and lingering there tops most tourist itineraries. Once you’ve checked out the candy-color art deco architecture, take time off to ogle the parade of stylish people along Lincoln Road Mall, Ocean Drive, or at the bars, restaurants, and sleek swimming pools within the ever-growing number of trendy hotels in both South Beach and Mid-Beach. Do some credit card damage up in the posh beachfront city of Bal Harbour or inland in the see-and-be-seen Design District. Later, merengue over to Calle Ocho, the center of Miami’s Cuban community, and pay a visit to bohemian Coconut Grove or the Wynwood Arts District for some more culture.
The Everglades
1/2 day. Miami is the only U.S. city with two national parks and a national preserve in its backyard, deeming it a convenient base for eco-excursions. Especially if you stay three days, keep your car long enough to take a day trip to the Everglades. The easiest access point is Shark Valley, where you can bike along a trail teeming with alligators and herons. Alternatively, get a spectacular view of Florida’s coral reefs from a glass-bottom boat in Biscayne National Park; and then spot some rare wood storks in Big Cypress Swamp, which is best explored via Alligator Alley (Interstate 75).
The Keys
2 or 3 days. Head south from the Florida mainland to the über-relaxing island chain, planning a pit stop at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo (which offers unparalleled snorkeling and scuba diving) or at Bahia Honda State Park farther south (it has ranger-led activities plus the Keys’ best beach). Then plant yourself at the most famous key of all, Key West, where a come-as-you-are, do-as-you-please vibe rules. The Old Town has a funky, laid-back feel, with prolific nods to Ernest Hemingway. If you haven’t imbibed too much at one of the renowned watering holes, rent a moped to tour the rest of the island. Clear waters and abundant marine life make underwater activities another must.