Destination
Florida, Family-Friendly Adventures
Florida is one of those states where you could take multiple family vacations and still barely scratch the surface [like us]. From world-famous theme parks and sunny beaches to coastal road trips, the Florida Keys, and vibrant cities, there's always another adventure waiting around the corner.
Whether you are planning a Florida family vacation, a beach getaway, an Orlando trip, a Florida Keys road trip, or a Gulf Coast adventure with your kids, the Sunshine State offers an incredible variety of experiences.
This page is where I am collecting our favorite Florida destinations, attractions, scenic stops, photo spots and family-friendly adventures, with more added as we keep exploring.
Destinations
The Map
Tap a pin to jump to that stop. Pink marks the places we have been; teal is still on our list. The Tampa Bay beaches sit almost on top of each other, so those pins step out to the side of their true spots. Florida has no mountains — the raised ground you see is the Lake Wales Ridge and a couple of low sand ridges, which is as close as the state gets.
Best Time to Visit
Florida runs on two seasons rather than four. November through April is the dry season — warm, sunny, low humidity, and the reason half the country shows up. It is the most comfortable time to visit and the most expensive, with January through March the peak.
May through October is the wet season: hot, humid, and famous for afternoon thunderstorms that roll in around three o'clock and are usually gone within the hour. Plan mornings outside and build the storm into the day rather than around it. Prices drop noticeably, and the Gulf water is at its warmest.
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, with the real activity from mid-August into October. It rarely disrupts a trip, but it is a good reason to book refundable lodging or travel insurance for a late-summer week on either coast.
Two notes for the places still on our list. The Everglades are a dry-season park — December through April is when the wildlife concentrates around the remaining water and the mosquitoes are bearable; in summer they are genuinely difficult. And Dry Tortugas sits 70 miles west of Key West and is reachable only by boat or seaplane, so it takes a dedicated day and a ferry seat booked well ahead.
What to Expect
Florida has two time zones. The western panhandle — Pensacola and Destin — is on Central time while the rest of the state is Eastern. Easy to miss when you are booking something on that side.
Getting there: Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Fort Lauderdale are the big airports. Key West has its own, which is what makes the Keys tip in the Marathon section work so well. Destin and the panhandle are served from Fort Walton Beach.
Distances: Florida is much bigger than it looks. Orlando to Miami is about three and a half hours, Tampa to Miami around four, and Miami to Key West another three and a half to four on the Overseas Highway. Pensacola to Key West is a twelve-hour day — the panhandle is really a separate trip.
The Overseas Highway is 113 miles of road across 42 bridges, including the Seven Mile Bridge. Give it far longer than the mileage suggests, because you will want to stop.
Getting around: a car everywhere except Key West, where walking and bikes are genuinely better than driving.
Sun and bugs: the sun is stronger than it feels with a sea breeze, and mosquitoes and no-see-ums come out near dusk anywhere near water. Rash guards and repellent earn their place in the bag.
Budget: the seasonal swing is real. The same beach condo can cost half as much in September as it does in March.
Things to Do in Florida With Kids
Theme parks, two very different coastlines, a road trip that runs out into the ocean, and a city at each end. Here is what I am covering so far, with full guides on the way.
Daytona Beach
The Atlantic coastDaytona Beach is a classic Florida beach destination with plenty of family-friendly ways to enjoy the Atlantic coast.
Beyond spending the day on the beach, families can explore the area's attractions, waterfront, restaurants, and famous motorsports history. Daytona also makes a convenient stop when exploring Florida's Atlantic Coast by road.
Florida Family Travel Guide: Coming soon!
Orlando
Central FloridaOrlando is one of the biggest family vacation destinations in the country — and there's far more to the area than theme parks.
From world-famous attractions and water parks to family-friendly entertainment, restaurants, resorts, and outdoor experiences, Orlando offers enough to keep families busy for days.
Whether Orlando is your entire vacation or one stop on a larger Florida road trip, it's a destination worth planning carefully.
Florida Family Travel Guide: Coming soon!
Tampa
The Gulf sideTampa combines city attractions, outdoor adventures, waterfront experiences, and easy access to some of Florida's best Gulf Coast beaches.
Families can use Tampa as a destination on its own or as a home base for exploring the surrounding Gulf Coast. It's also a great place to include when planning a Florida road trip.
Florida Family Travel Guide: Coming soon!
Key West
End of the Overseas HighwayKey West is the southernmost destination in the Florida Keys and one of the most memorable places to experience Florida with kids.
Getting there is part of the adventure. The Overseas Highway turns the journey through the Keys into a road trip filled with ocean views, islands, bridges, and plenty of opportunities to stop and explore.
Once you reach Key West, families can enjoy the island's colorful streets, waterfront scenery, historic attractions, and laid-back atmosphere.
Florida Family Travel Guide: Coming soon!
Marathon
The middle KeysLocated in the heart of the Florida Keys, Marathon makes a fantastic family-friendly stop between the mainland and Key West.
With beautiful water, outdoor activities, wildlife experiences, and easy access to other Keys destinations, Marathon can be a great place to slow down and enjoy the tropical side of Florida.
Pro tip: book your flight into Key West, and pre-book a rental car from the Key West airport. Get a Jeep Wrangler. Before you even leave the airport parking garage, take the top off. Drive up the Overseas Highway over the Seven Mile Bridge and soak up the sun!
Florida Family Travel Guide: Coming soon!
Miami
South FloridaMiami brings an entirely different energy to a Florida family vacation.
From beaches and waterfront areas to colorful neighborhoods, cultural attractions, incredible food, and nearby outdoor adventures, Miami offers plenty to explore beyond its famous nightlife scene.
It's also an important starting point for a South Florida and Florida Keys road trip.
Florida Family Travel Guide: Coming soon!
The Gulf Coast
The west sideFlorida's Gulf Coast is home to some of the state's most beautiful beaches and makes an incredible destination for a family beach vacation.
The Gulf side of Florida offers warm water, beautiful sunsets, sandy beaches, and a wide variety of coastal towns to explore. It's perfect for families looking for a more relaxed alternative to some of Florida's busier tourist destinations.
Florida Family Travel Guide: Coming soon!
Madeira Beach
Near St. PetersburgMadeira Beach is a laid-back Gulf Coast destination known for its beautiful beach and easy access to the surrounding Tampa Bay area.
It's a great option for families who want a beach-focused vacation while still being close enough to explore other attractions around the Gulf Coast. Plus, the sunsets here are absolutely stunning!
Florida Family Travel Guide: Coming soon!
Clearwater Beach
North of MadeiraClearwater Beach is one of Florida's best-known Gulf Coast beach destinations and an easy choice for a family getaway.
With beautiful sandy beaches, clear Gulf waters, waterfront attractions, and plenty of family-friendly things to do nearby, Clearwater can easily fill several days of a Florida vacation. We had a blast playing all around this town with cheer friends; Dave & Buster's is always a hit!
Florida Family Travel Guide: Coming soon!
Florida Family Travel Guide — Coming Soon
