Summer is one of the best seasons in Florida. It’s the season that reveals why the state is known as the sunshine state. During this season, the sun is blazing all day long, revealing every detail of the natural and man-made attractions that can be found across its territory. Since the indoors will be smoking hot, outdoors are the best places to be during this season, especially around the beaches.
Beyond Florida's best beaches, though, there are several theme parks, nature parks, world-class resorts, and islands that offer incredible summer vacations in Florida. Without further ado, here are some of the best destinations in Florida for a summer vacation.
10 Dry Tortuga National Park
Off the coast of Key West is the iconic Dry Tortuga National Park, which features 7 islands and is only accessible by plane or boat. Dry Tortugas is worth visiting, especially in the summer; it's one of the most beautiful places in Florida that leaves visitors stunned due to its abundant sea creatures, bird diversity, elegant coral reefs, and shipwrecks.
Garden Key is the main island of this park, and it houses the park’s amenities as well as Fort Jefferson - the park's center of attention. Activities visitors can enjoy in the park include - scuba diving, birdwatching, camping, fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling.
9 Orlando
Summer is vibrant and exciting in Orlando, thanks to the many themed parks and resorts that attract millions of tourists. The city offers all the fun and attractions travelers seek beyond the elegant beaches and watersports activities that Florida is known for. The famed Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove Universal's Island of Adventure, and Epcot World Showcase are all in Orlando, so it’s fun galore.
The city is also filled with Several shopping malls in case travelers decide to give themselves some spoiling. Overall, thanks to the theme parks and abundance of kid-friendly attractions, Orlando is one of the best places in Florida for a family vacation.
8 Clearwater Beach
Florida's beaches are attractive in summer, and Clearwater Beach is perhaps the most beautiful of them all. Clearwater Beach is famous for many things, but in particular, it's known for being named after its crystal-clear picturesque waters that are great for parasailing, jet-skiing, paddle boarding, and other watersports in summer.
The beach also has a white sandy shore, which is great for barefoot strolling with family, friends, and spouses on a summer vacation.
7 St. Augustine
Founded in 1565 by the Spaniards, St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States and a hotspot for tourists who love history in summer. The city is marked by impressive architecture built by the Spanish explorers, dotting the shores of the sea and endearing every visitor to them.
The city is home to several monuments and pristine beaches that are pleasant to visit on a warm sunny day. This makes St. Augustine a place to enjoy relaxation and learn about the origins of America.
6 Naples
Located on the Gulf of Mexico is the elegant city of Naples, Florida, a prime destination for year-round fun and recreation. Summer is the time to explore the city’s abundant sand beaches, upscale restaurants, arts and cultural galleries, and golf courses. Some of the city’s must-see attractions include;
- The Naples Pier - a great spot for sighting dolphins and fishing;
- Naples Botanical Garden - a great place to see beautiful plants and flowers; and
- Clam Pass Park - a beach that’s great for relaxation and water sports.
Naples is also an amazing place for shopping as it is home to world-class shopping spots like Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South.
5 Miami
Miami is one of the best cities in Florida to visit in summer, especially. It's renowned for its vibrant outdoor culture and boasts some of the best beaches in North America. A summer vacation in Miami is unforgettable, courtesy of its tropical weather, charming beaches, and over 80 parks and gardens spread out across the city.
Opportunities for a wide range of activities, from sailing to canoeing, scuba diving, snorkeling, touring museums, and visiting islands, are available in Miami, and summer is the best time to enjoy all that excitement.
Many people think this city is expensive. However, Miami offers plenty of affordable summer vacation spots for a budget-friendly trip to Florida.
4 Tampa
The city of Tampa offers lots to do year-round, but it becomes a melting pot of even more amazing experiences in summer. This is because of the city’s attractive scenery and the abundance of in-season things to see and do. The city is home to exciting watersports, which are best experienced in summer, and it also has several amazing parks like the Adventure Island Water Park and Tampa Zoo, which offer amazing experiences for families with kids.
3 St. Petersburg
With schools on holiday and many people on summer vacation leaves, St. Petersburg becomes incredibly exciting. Year-round, St. Petersburg offers many things to do. However, all the city's attractions are in full operation during summer, from the numerous waterfront spots to the Museum of Fine Art, which exhibits stunning contemporary art. Plus, the city is home to some of the best Florida museums that shed more light on the history of the state and the US in general.
Some of the top attractions in St Petersburg, Florida, include:
- Sunken Gardens - a 100-year-old botanical museum that hosts incredibly old tropical plants;
- Fort Desoto Beach & Park - a park that has beautiful beaches, nature trails, campgrounds; and
- St. Petersburg Pier - A pier that extends into Tampa Bay and is filled with restaurants, the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, and shops.
All these make St. Petersburg a great alternative to the nearby Tampa.
2 Cocoa Beach
The proximity of Cocoa Beach to the Kennedy Space Center makes it inviting for tourists and space enthusiasts who love to marvel at NASA's launch pads and iconic space artifacts. But besides that, this city is also endowed with amazing attractions, from beautiful beaches with incredible surf breaks to the vibrant Cocoa Beach Pier, which is filled with shops, restaurants, and boutiques.
1 Siesta Key
Siesta Key is an enchanting barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, famed for its gorgeous beaches, which are great for relaxation and exciting water activities. The island also has other exciting ways to keep visitors entertained throughout their Florida summer vacation itinerary; it has amazing shopping, a trolley that takes visitors on exciting road trips, and opportunities for cruising, e-biking on the beach sand, and kiteboarding.
All in all, this is one of the best summer vacation destinations in Florida if one seeks a quiet, tropical vacation with a bit of fun in-water action thrown in.