Contrary to popular belief, Florida is not all sun, sea, and sand. Here's a brief rundown of the state's regions to help you plan your itinerary.
Miami & Miami Beach—Sprawling across the southeastern corner of the state, metropolitan Miami is a city that prides itself on its no-passport-necessary international flair. Here you will hear a cacophony of Spanish and many other languages, not to mention accents, spoken all around you, for this area is a melting pot of immigrants from Latin America, the Caribbean, and, undeniably, the northeastern United States in particular. Cross the causeways and you'll come to the sands of Miami Beach, long a resort mecca and home to the now landmark South Beach, famous for its Art Deco architecture. Nightlife, and celebrity sightings are also in South Beach, though recently you’re more likely to spot a Kardashian, or find the hottest clubs in hipster outskirts skirting downtown.The Keys—From the southern tip of the Florida mainland, U.S. 1 travels through a 100-mile-long string of islands stretching from Key Largo to the famous, funky, and laid-back “Conch Republic” of Key West, only 90 miles from Cuba and the southernmost point in the United States (it’s always warm down here). While some of the islands are crammed with strip malls and tourist traps, most are dense with nature, including unusual species of tropical flora and fauna. The Keys don’t have the best beaches in Florida, but the waters here—all in a vast marine preserve—offer the state’s best scuba diving and snorkeling, and some of its best deep-sea fishing.
Everglades & Biscayne National Parks—This is not your B-movie swamp. In fact, no Hollywood studio could afford to replicate the stunning beauty found in this national landmark. Encompassing more than 2,000 square miles and 1.5 million acres, Everglades National Park covers the entire southern tip of Florida. The park, along with nearby Big Cypress National Preserve, protects a unique and fragile “River of Grass” ecosystem teeming with wildlife that is best seen by canoe, by boat, or on long or short hikes. To the east of the Everglades is Biscayne National Park, which preserves the northernmost living-coral reefs in the continental United States. Though climate change has also set its sights on the Everglades, there is still plenty to see.
The Gold Coast—North of Miami, the Gold Coast is aptly named. Here are booming Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale, retirement-haven Boca Raton, beachy keen Delray Beach, hipster haven West Palm Beach and billionaire’s playground Palm Beach—the sun-kissed, glitzy, glamorous, and sandy playgrounds of the rich and famous. Beyond its dozens of gorgeous beaches, the area offers fantastic shopping, entertainment, dining, boating, golfing, and tennis, and many places to relax in beautiful settings. With some of the country’s most famous golf courses and even more tennis—and pickleball—courts, this area also attracts big-name tournaments.
The Treasure Coast—Despite gaining unprecedented numbers of new residents in recent years, the beach communities running from Hobe Sound north to Sebastian Inlet have successfully managed to retain their small-town feel. In addition to a vast array of wildlife (not to be mistaken for nightlife, which is intentionally absent from these parts), the area has a rich and colorful history. Its name stems from a violent 1715 hurricane that sank an entire fleet of treasure-laden Spanish ships. The sea around Sebastian Inlet draws surfers to the largest swells in the state, and the area has some great fishing as well.
Southwest Florida—Ever since inventor Thomas Alva Edison built a home here in 1885, some of America’s wealthiest families have spent their winters along Florida’s southwest coast. They’re attracted by the area’s more laid-back, Midwestern-friendly, subtropical climate, shell-strewn beaches, and intricate waterways winding among 10,000-plus islands. Many charming remnants of Old Florida coexist with modern resorts in the sophisticated riverfront towns of Fort Myers and Naples, and on islands such as Gasparilla, Useppa, Sanibel, Captiva, and Marco. Thanks to some timely preservation, the area has many wildlife refuges, including the “back door” to Everglades National Park.
The Tampa Bay Area—Halfway down the west coast of Florida lies Tampa Bay, one of the state’s most densely populated areas and Travel & Leisure’s anointed Florida ‘it’ city in 2024. A busy seaport and commercial center, the city of Tampa is home to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, which is both a major theme park and one of the country’s largest zoos. But Tampa has evolved from being a theme park destination into a savvy, sophisticated city of modern hotels, restaurants, and more. It It’s not Miami, and that’s another reason some people prefer it here. It’s hip and happening without the hype—think low key luxe. Boasting a unique pier and fine museums, St. Petersburg’s waterfront downtown is one of Florida’s most picturesque. Most visitors elect to stay near the beaches skirting the narrow barrier islands that run some 25 miles between St. Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach. Across the bay to the south lies Sarasota, one of Florida’s prime performing-arts venues, the riverfront town of Bradenton, and another string of barrier islands with great beaches and resorts spanning every price range.
Walt Disney World & Orlando—Central Florida attracts some 74 million visits a year, a colossal number that exceeds many nations' populations. Walt and Roy Disney were the catalysts who helped transform a swampy Southern backwater into the undisputed vacation kingdom for families that include Walt Disney World's four theme parks, two water parks, shopping districts and dozens of hotels and restaurants; Universal Orlando's rapidly expanding empire comprising three theme parks, a water slide park, 11 hotels and an entertainment zone plus more room to grow; Legoland Florida's collection of attractions built for little ones; SeaWorld Orlando and its own growing arsenal of new roller coasters; and a wide landscape of campy, thrilling, and welcoming family attractions. To laugh and play in Orlando is to take a ride on the most fantastic elements of American culture and leisure.
Northeast Florida—The northeast section of the state contains the oldest permanent settlement in America—St. Augustine, where Spanish colonists settled more than 4 centuries ago. Today its history comes to life in a quaint historic district. St. Augustine is bordered to the north by Jacksonville, a still up-and-coming Sunbelt metropolis with miles of oceanfront beach and beautiful marine views along the St. Johns River. Up on the Georgia border, Amelia Island has two of Florida’s finest resorts and its own historic town of Fernandina Beach. To the south of St. Augustine is Daytona Beach, home of the Daytona International Speedway and a five ‘o clock somewhere vibe that has matured from the Spring Break madness of years past. Another brand of excitement is offered down at Cape Canaveral, where the Kennedy Space Center continues its exploration of space, the final frontier thanks to the modern marvels of technology.
Northwest Florida: The Panhandle—Historic roots run deep in Florida’s narrow northwest extremity, and Pensacola’s historic district, which blends Spanish, French, and British cultures, is a highlight of any visit to today’s Panhandle. Despite that, the accents here are decidedly Deep South. So, too, are the powdery, dazzlingly white beaches that stretch for more than 80 miles past the resorts of Pensacola Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Panama City Beach. Historic Highway 30A offers a swanky, Hamptons-esque oasis amidst the more rustic charms of Northwest Florida, a slew of beach communities that play host to celebrities, politicians, and posh-seekers from the south. The Gulf Islands National Seashore has preserved much of this beach and its wildlife, and inland are state parks that offer some of the state’s best canoeing adventures. All this makes the area a favorite summertime vacation destination for residents of neighboring Georgia and Alabama, with whom Northwest Floridians share many Deep South traditions. Sitting in a pine and oak forest just 30 miles from the Georgia line, the state capital of Tallahassee has a moss-draped, football-loving charm all its own.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
