How to Plan A Vacation to Florida – Best Tips for 2024

Do you need help to Plan a Vacation to Florida? I’ve got the best sites for you.

The Sunshine State has a lot to offer, and unless you have a specific destination, it can be a bit overwhelming. How to plan a trip to Florida everyone will love?

Are you doing theme parks or beaches? Looking for wild Florida or cultural city escapes? What about Florida’s rich history (Oldest city in the US, anyone?) Florida has it all. Plus, the weather makes it a fantastic year-round destination.

Plan a trip to Florida for some much needed sun and fun! From the beaches of Miami to the swamps of the Everglades, Florida offers something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway or an action-packed adventure, Florida will not disappoint.

I’ve lived in Florida for over 20 years and also co-host the Florida Travel Podcast. And I still use a lot of these sites to plan a vacation to Florida parts of the state I haven’t visited.

Start off by visiting the following sites to start planning your Florida vacation.

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Areas of Florida

Before you start planning a vacation to Florida, you may need to know where to go in Florida. Florida is a big state, covering 2 time zones, hundreds of miles of interstate, and dozens of islands.

Florida Panhandle

The northern Florid area, known as the panhandle because of how it connects to the mainland, consists of popular towns such as Pensacola, Panama city Beach, and Tallahassee. I-10 is your go-to interstate here.

This area is great for Spring break, with sandy beaches and generally a similar southern atmosphere that y ou mind find in Alabama and Georgia.

North Florida

Jacksonville and St. Augustine are both important historical cities but have a lot of fun things to do. These are some of my favorite Florida vacation ideas.

Central Florida

Your theme park capital is Central Florida, home to the Disney Parks, but also Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, Daytona Beach, and Cocoa Beach areas. This is certainly the area for family fun and often the first place people think of when seeking out a trip to Florida.

South Florida

As you head south in Florida, you’re getting into more tropical weather and attitudes. Changes in latitude bring Miami Beach, the Florida Keys, even more beautiful beaches and culture.

Fort Myers on the Gulf Coast to Fort Lauderdale on the Atlantic span great wildlife wonders such as those you can find in Everglades National Park.

Best Sites for Florida Trip Planning

There are a number of my go to sites for planning a trip to Florida. Even though I’ve lived here a while, I haven’t been everywhere and these sites give me both Florida trip ideas, and even some Florida Travel Tips I may not know myself.

Visit Florida

Visit Florida – My number one favorite website for all things Florida. This is the best way to get started with how to plan a Florida vacation.

The Visit Florida website is a great place to start your family vacation planning. From beaches like Fort Lauderdale, cities, things to do and deals, it’s an all in one-stop-shop for your Florida vacation.

Visit Florida also has its own hashtag you can use for research, #LoveFL. Just watch the amazing feed of Instagram photos at the bottom of their site.

Theme Parks

Of course, the number one reason families plan a Florida vacation is the theme parks. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld all in one location.

Disney

Walt Disney World – The main site, of course, has all the information you’ll ever need.

WDW Radio – The WDW Radio show is one of my favorite podcasts to listen to. I recommend subscribing to get your Disney fix, as well as searching the 10-year archive to find information specific to what you want to know.

WDW Info – This unbiased information site lists articles, news, discounts, and how-tos. It is a comprehensive site. Check out the forums for other travelers’ experiences, questions, and trip reports.

My Disney Experience App – The up to date official app in the parks. Download and review maps, park hours, wait times, and more. Use this app even if you’ve booked with a travel agent above.

Touring Plans –  This neat website is a paid service, but well worth the $15 you’ll spend. Get custom touring plans that tell you how to attack the parks, what to see when, how to navigate, and more. They use an extensive time-tested tracking process that tells you when the best wait times are. It is also downloadable as an app. Use their recommended plans, or create a custom one of your must-see rides and attractions.

Undercover Tourist – This site is both a Florida vacation planner and ticket seller all in one. They are an official ticket seller, but also offer first-time tips and travel planning.  **Bonus** – check out their Crowd Calendar to plan the best times to visit.

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando website – The main site will also give you information on events, showtimes,  and on-site hotels.

Undercover Tourist – While all-inclusive about all the theme parks in the area, Undercover Tourist excels at Universal related information. **Bonus** – check out their Crowd Calendar to plan the best times to visit. (see above for Disney too!)

Sea World

Sea World Website – Sea World Orlando has 3 theme parks, the main Sea World, Discovery Cove where you can swim with dolphins, and their water park, Aquatica.

Ticket Sales

If you’re ready to buy for any of the theme parks for your Florida vacation and want to do it on your own, Viator offers discounts on ticket packages, shows, and attractions. Some of their current best offers:

• Universal Orlando – 5 Days for the Price of 2 Days!
• SeaWorld – Pay for a Day, get the Year for free
• Orlando Flex Pass – 20+ attractions starting at $65.

Additional Florida Travel Ideas

Florida is of course so much more than the theme parks. With its incredible beaches, vibrant nightlife and world-class cuisine, it is a destination that appeals to all ages. There are plenty of outdoor activities to explore too – from deep sea fishing and snorkelling to kayaking and bird watching. Plus, there’s always the option of a laid back beach day just soaking up the sun or enjoying an ice cream

Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center, located in Florida, is a premiere destination for space exploration enthusiasts. It was originally developed as a launch facility in the late 1950s and was the starting point of numerous historic launches throughout the 60s and 70s. It has since become a popular tourist attraction where visitors can explore the history of US space exploration.

Visitors to the Kennedy Space Center have many options for experiencing its unique history.

Guests can explore the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where they can view both an authentic Saturn V moon rocket and Apollo spacecraft.

The Shuttle Launch Experience allows visitors to experience what it’s like to launch into space aboard one of NASA’s iconic shuttles, while IMAX movies provide an up close look at some of humanity’s greatest space endeavors.

For visitors who want to delve even deeper into the science behind space exploration, there are several interactive exhibits that teach about various aspects of astronaut training and life in zero gravity environments.

No trip to Kennedy Space Center would be complete without a stop at Space Shuttle Atlantis! This interactive exhibit takes guests on a journey through more than 30 years of American manned space flight.

Book your Kennedy Space Center Experience here

Beaches

Florida has some of the best beaches in America. In fact, Siesta Key is frequently rated #1 by Dr. Beach. Or you might choose things to do in Anna Maria Island, another popular destination in Florida.

Other popular beaches in Florida include:

• West Palm Beach
• For Myers Beach
• Panama City Beach
• South Beach

All of these are in different regions of Florida.

I can’t even begin to tell you how many beaches there are in Florida. From the Panhandle to the Keys back up to Jacksonville, NOAA rates Florida with 8,436 miles of coastline. That’s over 13,000 KM for you metric folks!

My favorite way to find a beach is by using Visit Florida’s Beach Finder. Use the sliders to choose between Adventurous or Laid back, Family Friendly or Romantic, Action-Packed or Secluded and Manicured or Au Naturel.

If you’re looking for a specific area, select the Choose Region in the upper right-hand corner to further narrow your results. When you hover over each beach photo, it gives you a percentage match for your designations.

Everglades National Park

The Everglades National Park in Florida is a must-see for any visitor to the Sunshine State.

This unique wetland ecosystem provides a stunning array of wildlife, from alligators to rare birds, and even the occasional panther. You can explore its vast wilderness via boat or take a stroll along its boardwalks.

But Everglades isn’t the only national park in Florida; there are also the Biscayne National Park near Miami, Dry Tortugas National Park in the Gulf of Mexico, and Canaveral National Seashore on the Space Coast.

All offer breathtaking adventures for travelers looking to soak up some sun and explore nature’s beauty. So if you’re looking for a fun and exciting day trip while vacationing in Florida, check out one of these amazing national parks!

Book a Florida Everglades Guided boating and walking tour here

Florida Keys and Key West

The Florida Keys, paradise islands extending from the tip of mainland Florida, is a great spot to explore for any traveler. The Keys stretch over 100 miles in length, from Key Largo to Key West. If you’re coming from Miami, you can reach Key West within 3 hours via car.

Key West is known as the southernmost point of the continental United States and is home to picturesque sunsets, unique architecture, and a vibrant nightlife. You can explore historical sites such as Ernest Hemingway’s home or take part in fantastic outdoor activities like snorkeling with turtles or fishing with local guides. Plus, don’t forget about all the excellent restaurants and bars that make Key West one of Florida’s most popular destinations!

Read more things to do in Key West here.

Florida Springs

Florida’s springs are some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the state. With the crystal clear blue waters, they make for a perfect place to cool down and relax. The average temperature of Florida’s springs is around 72°F (22°C).

One of the most popular springs in Florida is Rainbow Springs near Dunnellon, where visitors can snorkel or swim in its warm water and explore the luscious vegetation that surrounds it.

Another popular spot is Ichetucknee Springs State Park near Fort White, where visitors can take a leisurely tube ride down its stunningly clear waterways.

Silver Springs State Park in the Ocala area is another popular springs with glass bottom boats. It is the home to a large variety of wildlife, including fish, birds and turtles. The park offers a range of outdoor activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and swimming in the springs. Boaters may also enjoy a peaceful ride on the Silver River from Silver Springs State Park to an area known as “The End” located at the end of the river

There are many other natural springs scattered throughout the state as well, perfect for an afternoon dip on a hot summer day.

Plan a Vacation to Florida for History

If you crave a little history when planning a Florida vacation, look no further than the Nation’s Oldest City, St. Augustine. The Old City website gives you a complete breakdown of what to see and do, as well as the historic sites to see.

St. Augustine isn’t the only historic place in Florida, however.

Two of my favorite resources are books rather than websites. The Historical Traveler’s Guide to Florida, available on Amazon & Kindle provides historical sites by area, with details, hours and websites. If you’re looking specifically to visit an era, the appendix has that guide too.

Time Traveler’s Guide to Florida, also on Amazon, is a great resource for over 140 historical style events in Florida. Think reenactments and fairs, the book is organized by time period, as well as a calendar of events in the appendix. If you’re visiting St. Augustine, this is a great companion book as I’ve found there seems to be an event nearly every weekend.

Hotels – Where to Stay in Florida

When you vacation in Florida, you need a place to stay. Choosing a hotel room can be just as daunting as figuring out where to go in Florida. You can stay in a name brand hotel, or decide if you want something more unique in a hotel room. Click on How to Choose a Unique Hotel for more info.

Booking.com is my go to resource for booking hotels as one of the most trusted booking sites around.

When it comes to choosing a hotel in Florida, you’ll want to consider the location and amenities of the hotel.

You’ll want to check for reviews online from past guests to ensure your stay is as pleasant as possible.

Once you have settled on a hotel, make sure you explore different parts of the state. From the natural beauty of its many beaches and parks to its vibrant city life, there are plenty of attractions for visitors. Enjoy all that Florida has to offer and don’t forget your sunscreen! You’ll also want to be aware of any local advisories if visiting during hurricane season so that you can plan accordingly.

Home and Florida Vacation Rentals

If you’re looking to go the home rental route for your Florida Vacation, there are several sites to use. Home rentals can be great for large, multi-family use, or simply for a closer more authentic type of family vacation.

A few links to use:

• Airbnb
• VRBO – Vacation Rental by Owner
• Top Villas Vacation Rentals

Check out some of my favorite Top Villas Vacation Rentals here.

Renting a car in Florida?

Renting a car while visiting Florida is an easy way to get around and explore all the Sunshine State has to offer.

With so many rental car agencies in Florida, it’s easy to find one that fits your needs. Depending on where you’re traveling from, there may be different rates and special offers available.

Plus, many rental car companies have convenient locations at airports and other travel hubs. Next time you’re planning a trip to Florida, consider renting a car and seeing what adventure awaits!

Read more on what you need to know for renting a car in Florida.

Food & Visitors’ Bureau

Finally, the last site to use once you’ve narrowed down an area (unless you’re just hitting the theme parks) it’s time to figure out where to eat. For this, I turn to the Convention and Visitors’ Bureaus, also known as CVBs. These little-known sites are as great as the Visit Florida site, just pared down to the city.

To find them, search City Name + CVB. 

For example, Miami’s official site is Miami and Beaches. Jacksonville is Visit Jacksonville.

What does this have to do with food? These sites not only list the different types of restaurants in the area, they often group them by type. Some, such as Visit St Pete Clearwater, will blog about different styles of food such as where to get the best grouper or beer.

Final Thoughts: Florida Trip Planner

From where to go, what to do, where to stay, and what to eat, this should be everything you need for planning a Florida trip vacation. Whether you’re looking for a beachside getaway or an exciting city adventure, Florida has something to offer everyone.

When it comes to planning your Florida vacation, the best advice is to do your research and start the planning process early. With enough preparation and organization, you’ll be ready for a vacation you won’t soon forget! Just remember to keep an open mind, leave yourself some flexibility in the plans you make, and most of all have fun!

What sites are your favorites to use? Any that I missed? Please comment and let me know.