Top Family-Friendly Destinations in Florida for a Getaway
Florida is a popular vacation destination no matter how you look at it. Miles and miles of coastline, sandy beaches, and year-round sunny weather make Florida a top choice for relaxation and adventure. It also makes it a top destination for a family getaway, even beyond Disney World and Universal Studios. Let’s take a look at some of the fun and sun to be had on your family getaway in Florida outside of Orlando.
If you only have a few days to escape the hustle and bustle of life, your time away is precious and you want to make the most of it. When getting away with the kids, how you spend that time is even more important. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, Florida offers up a list of places, activities, and even a few hidden gems everyone in the family can enjoy. It’s how memories are made and family getaways in Florida are the perfect opportunity to make shared memories that can last a lifetime.
Top Destinations for Family Fun in Florida
Whether on Florida’s many rivers or lakes or along either the Atlantic or Gulf coasts, access to water and all it has to offer for activities and exploring can be found almost everywhere. Check out some of these top destinations that take advantage of water fun for your family getaway in Florida.
Fort Lauderdale
Once known as the spring break capital of the U.S., Fort Lauderdale has grown beyond that famous moniker to become one of the best destinations in Florida to relax with the family and also enjoy the offerings of a larger metropolitan area.
Fort Lauderdale’s Atlantic coastline boasts seven miles of sand beaches and is recognized as a Blue Wave beach by the Clean Beaches Coalition. This is an annual certification given by this international organization dedicated to clean, safe and eco-friendly beaches. The Blue Wave certification is given to beaches that are clean, responsibly managed, and are dedicated to protecting human health and the environment. For your family, this certification means the beach is litter free and handicap accessible with maintained public restroom facilities and swimmable waters. On top of that, from the South Beach Picnic Area to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, the beaches have staffed lifeguard towers averaging about every 300 yards, making it a safe choice too.
Hollywood Beach, about 20 miles south of Fort Lauderdale, is also a Blue Wave certified beach and it also has one of the best beach boardwalks in the United States. The brick promenade offers a great spot for the family to rent bikes and explore the 2.5-mile stretch. Enjoy an afternoon pedaling along the coastline and popping into shops, restaurants, and other relaxing attractions.
Tarpon Springs
Located on central Florida’s Gulf coast with a chance to swim, boat, and explore the area's unique history makes Tarpon Springs one of the top Florida family destinations. Tarpon Springs' unique flavor comes from being settled by Greek sponge divers at the turn of the last century. Its architecture and restaurants reflect its Greek heritage and its historical sponge docks are a distinctive experience. The sponges are still harvested today and visiting the docks, with its boats and divers, gives you a chance to get to know the town’s history. You can also take in authentic Greek cuisine at an affordable price at any number of Greek restaurants. The whole family will also enjoy a visit to Spongeroama Sponge Factory with its collection of sea sponges, Greek gift shops, boat tours, and a museum. Tarpon Spring is also an ideal location to rent a boat and head out for a day on the water, exploring the area's many waterways and beaches.
Punta Gorda
Another one of the best Florida getaway places for families is the hidden treasure of Punta Gorda, located on beautiful Charlotte Harbor in southwest Florida’s Gulf coast. Its location on the confluence of the Peace River and Charlotte Harbor makes it ideally situated for boating, swimming, beachcombing, and spotting wildlife, such as sea turtles, dolphins, and a wide-array of sea birds. The area is known for its laid-back and quiet, old-Florida charm coupled with its gorgeous scenery, making it an ideal place for the family to slow-down and take in the meandering sites.
Englewood beach in Punta Gorda has all the amenities for a family beach vacation, yet is still laid-back, quiet, and less crowded than other Florida beaches. The amenities available include picnic pavilions and a playground, water sport rentals and parasailing, and chair and umbrella rentals. There is also shopping and dining available nearby. It has all the ingredients for a memorable day at the beach on your family getaway in Florida.
Port Richey
Another destination in Florida for families is Port Richey, located on Central Florida’s Gulf Coast on the mouth of the Pithlachascotee River and a part of the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater metropolitan area. Port Richey has many public parks for family fun. Waterfront Park, Brasher Park, Oelsner Park, and Nick’s Park all offer inexpensive family-friendly activities, including playgrounds, walking trails, kayaking, canoeing and with Nick’s Park, a motorboat launch. Parks also provide restrooms and picnic areas for a well-rounded relaxing experience for families.
Hidden Gems for your Family Getaway in Florida
There’s nothing like finding a place to enjoy with your family that is unlike any other you’ve experienced. These hidden gems are not to be missed on your family getaway in Florida.
Don Pedro Island State Park
Don Pedro Island State Park, reached by boat, kayak, or ferry from Punta Gorda, shows why family weekend getaways in Florida can have off-the-beaten path appeal. It offers an unspoiled beach while also providing restrooms, picnic pavilions, and other amenities. It offers a perfect day outing for your family to explore snorkeling, hiking, and beachcombing. On its sandy shore can be found fossilized sharks’ teeth while along its sandy trails can be found native vegetation and wildlife, including manatees, tortoises, dolphins, and eagles. You can rent a boat in Punta Gorda to reach this hidden gem. Boat rental places, like Your Boat Club, will allow you to take advantage of all that is waiting for you to make family memories.
Fred Howard Park
This hidden gem is located near Tarpon Springs and is a favorite of photographers and movie makers when they want that perfect picturesque beach shot. The 155-acre park boasts a white sandy beach ideal for swimming and exploring. Wildlife, such as eagles, gopher tortoises, and fox squirrels all make this park home. The park also has two playgrounds, picnic pavilions, a wind-surfing area, a ball field, a canoe and kayak launching area, and fishing. There are also restrooms and a beach shower available. All and all everything you need for a day filled with family fun.
Robert K. Rees Memorial Park
Located on the Gulf of Mexico in New Port Richey, Robert K. Rees Memorial Park is a free access, 45-acre community park offering up swimming, exploring, and water activities. The beach and swimming area include a winding boardwalk through mangroves and wetlands for your family to take in Florida’s natural habitat. You can even view dolphins and sea cranes from the Park’s observation tower. There’s also picnic tables, grills, a playground, a fishing area, and canoeing and kayaking access. All conveniently located and easily accessible.
Tips for Planning your Family Getaway in Florida
Florida vacations for family fun can be made less so without some planning ahead. Here are a few tips to make your family getaway in Florida everything it’s supposed to be and none of what it’s not.
Sun protection - plan to be in the sun and make sure to bring your sunscreen, sun hats, sunglasses, and UV protective clothing. This is especially true with kids. No one wants to ruin their fun with a sunburn.
Pack for the beach - you are going to be spending time near, on, or in the water. Pack extra swimsuits along with towels and a beach bag that can hold snacks, water bottles, and maybe even a few sand toys.
Book ahead - If you plan to rent a boat, book ahead of time to ensure you have the boat you want when you want it. Also plan ahead so you can follow and fulfill boating rules and regulations. If you find you want to be more spontaneous though, some booking apps, like with Your Boat Club, have spontaneous reservations that will show what boats are available in real time.
Make reservations - picnic pavilions and shelters at some area parks can fill up, if that is something you want to do, make a reservation. Most parks and recreation areas have apps to make reservations online ahead of time.
Your Family Getaway in Florida: Final Thoughts
When it comes to family fun, Florida is a place for making memories together. Florida vacation ideas abound. Take your pick of a day at the beach swimming, snorkeling, or sunning, beachcombing for unusual shells or even shark teeth fossils, hiking through nature, spotting wildlife, a boat outing, water sports, or biking a boardwalk. There is no shortage to activities that can bring a unique flavor to either weekend getaways or full-fledged family vacations in Florida.
