20 Interesting Weekend Getaways In Florida

Are you looking for a list of the most interesting weekend getaways in Florida? This guide has all of the best Florida weekend getaways!

Since Florida is filled with so many amazing destinations, that means there are tons of awesome weekend getaways in Florida. Relax on a beach on a beautiful island, immerse yourself in the culture and history of a city, or escape into nature at a natural spring. Whichever options you choose, there are some great weekend getaways in Florida to enjoy.

20 Interesting Weekend Getaways In Florida

Explore Amelia Island

If you’re hoping to take a little trip to the north of the state, Amelia Island might be one of the best weekend getaways in Florida for you!

There are a few must-do things during your time on Amelia Island. First, go horseback riding on the beach – you’re not allowed to do so anywhere else in Florida. Second, spend some time scouring the shores for shark teeth. These black or white treasures can be hard to spot for beginners, but they’re well worth the effort! And finally, be sure to explore the fun-filled Fernandina Beach historic district.

Where To Stay On Amelia Island: The Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island has a flair for luxury, perfect for splurging on a Florida weekend getaway.

Enjoy The Nature Of Ocala National Forest

Ocala National Forest is perfect for those who are trying to escape the city and run into nature. Between the springs, trails, camping spots, and lakes, you’ll get to enjoy the best of what nature has to offer.

Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs are both located in Ocala National Forest. These two springs are perfect for kayaking, swimming, and scuba diving. If you’d prefer to stay dry, this national forest also has hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails.

Where To Stay Near Ocala National Forest: To remain close to this beautiful national forest, consider staying at the nearby Hampton Inn & Suites Ocala.

Seep In The History Of St. Augustine

Colonized by Spanish explorers over 200 years before the establishment of the United States, St. Augustine is a city with great historical significance. While there are, of course, modern elements in St. Augustine, many of the most interesting things to do and see in the city have a bit of history.

The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is the greatest example of this. This fortress was built to protect the Spanish-occupied city from other interested parties and is arguably one of the best things to see in Florida. In addition to the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, you can also check out the shops on George Street, soak up the sun at St. Augustine Beach, and find the secret to longevity at Ponce de Leon’s Fountain of Youth Archeological Park.

Where To Stay In St. Augustine: If you’ve come to St. Augustine for the history, that doesn’t have to end once you’re done perusing the town. You can spend the night at one of the many historic inns dotting the city, such as At Journey’s End Bed & Breakfast.

Relax At Ginnie Springs

Arguably one of the prettiest springs in Florida, Ginnie Springs is also one of the most affordable romantic getaways in Florida.

While there are hundreds of springs in Florida, there are a couple of features that set Ginnie Springs apart from the others. First, the seven springs that make up Ginnie Springs have some of the clearest waters found in any of Florida’s natural springs. Second, the limestone of these seven springs are built in such a way that there are tuns of underwater caves for divers to explore.

Where To Stay Near Ginnie Springs: While you can camp at Ginnie Springs, you can also stay at the nearby Holiday Inn Express & Suites Alachua – Gainsville Area.

Soak Up The Sun In Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach has long been known as one of the best beaches in Florida, if not THE best beach in the state. Consequently, it should be no surprise that Cocoa Beach is also one of the greatest weekend getaways in Florida.

While you can, of course, soak up the sun or enjoy a delicious happy hour, Cocoa Beach’s surf scene is really what has earned this beach town its fame. Wake up early to see locals shredding the waves – or maybe try catching a few waves yourself, if they’re not too big. You can also head to the Ron Jon Surf Shop, which is the largest surf shop in the world, and wander around the Florida Surf Museum.

Where To Stay In Cocoa Beach: Situated within minutes of the Cocoa Beach city center and the miles of sandy coastline, the Beach Place Guesthouses are an ideal place to stay in Cocoa Beach.

Sail Around The Florida Everglades National Park

The Everglades National Park is a huge protect swath of land filled with some of Florida’s most amazing – and dangerous – wildlife.

Most visitors to the Everglades National Park opt to take a wildlife tour by boat to have the best possible experience. By doing so, you’ll have a greater chance of seeing some of the coolest creatures in Florida, including alligators, manatees, and Florida panthers.

Where To Stay Near The Everglades National Park: If you’re hoping to stay as close to the Everglades as possible, consider staying at the Ivy House Bed & Breakfast in Everglades City. If you’re looking for a more luxurious accommodation, head to Marco Island, where you’ll find the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.

Explore The Hidden Gems Of Sarasota

Sarasota may be one of the most underrated weekend getaways in Florida. Situated on the Gulf Coast, Sarasota is home to beautiful beaches and fantastic weather.

But that’s not all there is to do in Sarasota. One of the best things to do in this seaside city is pay a visit to The Ringling, the official state art museum of Florida and home to thousands of stunning pieces of artwork.

Another activity that is just as unique as The Ringling is Beer Can Island. Covered in fallen trees, this turquoise beach looks like a movie set! It’s perfect if you’re looking for something off-the-radar or for a cool photo shoot spot.

Where To Stay In Sarasota: The elegant Carlisle Inn Sarasota is a great pick for a weekend trip to this Florida city.

Take A Dip In The Water In The Palm Beaches

The Palm Beaches, also known as Palm Beach County, is home to many different oceanfront cities, including West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach. All of these cities make for fantastic weekend getaways in Florida.

While each of the cities in The Palm Beaches offers something a little different, all of them are known primarily for one thing: the beaches – and just about any water-based activity that you can imagine. Catch the sunrise at Delray Beach, get your adrenaline pumping at Rapids Water Park, and even dive for eels at Blue Heron Bridge!

Where To Stay In The Palm Beaches: It’s fairly well-known that The Breakers Palm Beach is the best place to stay in The Palm Beaches area. Why not choose this resort for your Florida weekend getaway?

Spend Some Quality Time On St. George Island

St. George’s Island may be one of the most romantic weekend getaways in Florida. As part of Florida’s “Forgotten Coast,” St. George Island is a wonderful, secluded place where you can get away to spend some quality time with your partner.

Your trip to St. George Island can be packed with activities or as relaxing as possible. You can stand up paddleboard through the water, dine on famous oysters, or stargaze under the unpolluted night sky.

Where To Stay On St. George Island: To get the most of the ocean during your time on St. George Island, why not stay at an oceanfront accommodation, such as the Gulf Getaway?

Relax At Lovers Key State Park And Fort Myers

Fort Myers is a vacationer’s paradise. With endless sunshine and fresh seafood restaurants, you’ll feel as if you’ve been transported to your dream tropical island! It also happens to be home to the Edison and Ford winter estates, a historic landmark once occupied by two of the greatest inventors in American history.

Situated right next to Fort Myers is Lovers Key State Park. With both saltwater and freshwater areas, this is where you want to go to catch a glimpse of Florida’s wildlife. Spot everything from manatees to shorebirds to dolphins!

Where To Stay In Lovers Key State Park And Fort Myers: Thanks to its ideal location and great service, the Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Myers – Colonial Boulevard is one of the most popular hotels in Fort Myers.

Head Out Into Nature At Rock Springs And Wekiwa Springs

If the trip to Ginnie Springs caught your eye, consider adding Rock Springs and Wekiwa Springs to your list of potential weekend trips in Florida. Situated next door to each other, these two springs are filled with brilliant blue waters and gorgeous green nature.

Both of these springs have very similar activities: swimming, hiking, fishing, and horseback riding. Rather than driving between these two springs, you can actually kayak between the two, which is quite a fun adventure.

Where To Stay Near Rock Springs And Wekiwa Springs: The friendly staff and elegant décor make the Sheraton Orlando North a great place to stay when visiting Rock Springs and Wekiwa Springs.

Do A Little Shelling On Sanibel And Captiva Islands

Sanibel Island and Captiva Island are two of the best islands in Florida and are often referred to as sister islands. Despite their many similarities, each of these islands has its own personality.

Sanibel Island is most well-known for its shelling. Its beaches are littered with shells from all sorts of sea creatures, including conches, scallops, and whelks. Do know that it is illegal to take shells if animals are still living inside!

Captiva Island is the quirkier of the two islands. While the shelling of Sanibel Island makes its mark through the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, there are gems that are unique to Captiva Island, including a Christmas-themed restaurant!

Where To Stay On Sanibel and Captiva Islands: The cute, oceanfront accommodation known as Tarpon Tale Inn is a wonderful place to stay on Sanibel Island.

Take In Everything Tampa Has To Offer

Tampa may be one of the most overlooked weekend getaways in Florida. This Gulf Coast city is filled with nature, culture, and even a touch of history, making it a great destination for just about everyone.

One of the things Tampa is known for is its beaches. With 361 days of sunshine per year, it’s no surprise that locals and visitors alike can be found lounging on Tampa’s best beaches. But beaches are far from all Tampa has to offer. Ride thrilling rollercoasters at Busch Gardens, take a stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk, or see your favorite wildcats at the Big Cat Rescue.

Where To Stay In Tampa: The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay is one of the most in-demand accommodations in Tampa.

Take A Road Trip Through The Florida Keys

After Orlando, the Florida Keys may be the most visited part of the Sunshine State. With about 1,700 islands making up this Floridian island chain, you’ll definitely have to pick and choose which ones are worth a stop. We recommend Key Largo, Islamorada, Dry Tortugas National Park, and Key West.

Between these islands, there is so much to do. Wind your way through John Pennekamp Coral State Park on Key Largo. Take in the wide array of fish swimming around Islamorada. Choose between a calm ferry or an exciting sea plane to make your way to Dry Tortugas. And visit the southernmost point in the continental U.S. on Key West.

Where To Stay In The Florida Keys: Between all of the islands of the Florida Keys, there are tons of places to stay with a bunch of different environments. If you’d like to stay on the most popular island of Key West, consider Courtney’s Place Historic Cottages & Inns.

Explore Key Biscayne 

Despite what its name may imply, Key Biscayne is not part of the Florida Keys. Rather this amazing Florida weekend getaway is just 15 minutes outside of Miami!

While on Key Biscayne, be sure to visit Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park for a little slice of untouched nature. If you’re a golfer, consider heading to the amazing Crandon Golf Course. And if you’re hoping for a bit of adventure, take a boat tour of Stiltsville, a set of abandoned homes and businesses built of the coast of Key Biscayne.

Where To Stay On Key Biscayne: Why not splurge during your stay on Key Biscayne by staying at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne, Miami?

Visit Manatees In Homosassa

Homosassa, Florida may be the unofficial manatee capital of Florida. Nearly all of the best things to do in this Florida city revolve around this gentle sea creature.

Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is home to an underwater manatee observatory. Since it can sometimes be difficult to get a good glimpse of a manatee from above, this underwater observatory is perfect! And just outside of Homosassa, there is the Three Sisters Spring in Crystal River. While there, you can actually swim with the manatees, which you are not allowed to do at most Florida springs.

Where To Stay In Homosassa: As a relatively small area, Homosassa isn’t home to many hotels, resorts, and accommodations. That said, the Riverfront Treetop Bungalow is the highest rated place to stay in Homosassa.

Immerse Yourself In the Culture Of Miami 

Miami is truly a one-of-a-kind Floridian city. There’s so much to do in this fun-filled destination, making a weekend in Miami a wonderful idea. The two main highlights of Miami are the beaches and the culture, and you’ll have to experience both during your weekend getaway.

To experience Miami’s beach scene, head to South Beach. This well-known Miami beach has established a name for itself through its teal waters and never-ending fun. Combine your time in South Beach with a stroll along Espanola Way, where you can listen to wonderful music and dine on delicious food.

To experience Miami’s cultural scene, there’s both Little Havana and Miami’s Art District. In Little Havana, you can experience a little taste of Cuba through food, drink, games, and music. And in the Wynwood Art District, you can peruse both street art as you walk and fine art in the many galleries.

Where To Stay In Miami: South Beach is the most famous part of Miami, so why not stay there at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach?

Discover What Marco Island Has To Offer

Marco Island is nicely situated between two other amazing weekend getaways in Florida: Naples and the Florida Everglades National Park.

This island is filled with things to do. Walk along the breathtaking stretch of sand known as South Marco Island Beach. Enjoy a boat tour from the Isles of Capri Marina. Or maybe take some time to visit the Marco Island Historical Museum.

If you really would like to find an under-the-radar attraction, head to the abandoned Florida domes, one of the hidden gems of Florida. These domes were actually once part of a millionaire’s home, but, since they have been abandoned, they have become a resting place for many of the state’s sea birds.

Where To Stay In Marco Island: If you have a taste for luxury and want to stay close to everything that Marco Island has to offer, consider staying at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.

Shop Your Way Through Naples

Naples, Florida is the posh counterpart to many of Florida’s cities. Full of boutique shopping and golfing, Naples offers something a little bit different.

As one of the main highlights, the shopping in Naples is abundant. Head to Third Street South or Fifth Avenue South to find all of the latest fashion trends. As for the golfing, the Tiburon Golf Club/Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort is the most popular option.

Where To Stay In Naples: Just as the city of Naples, Florida shares the name with an Italian town, the elegant Bellasera Resort draws inspiration from the Tuscan region of Italy.

Find Your Perfect Activity In Pensacola Beach

Situated along Florida’s panhandle, Pensacola Beach is often overlooked. But this city makes for one of the most amazing weekend getaways in Florida.

Pensacola Beach is one of those cities that has a little something for everyone. If you’re a history buff, check out Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas. If you’d prefer to take to the skies, pay a visit to the National Naval Aviation Museum. Or if you’d prefer to spend some time on Florida’s famed beaches, head to the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

Where To Stay In Pensacola Beach: If you want your accommodation in Pensacola Beach to be just as exciting as the activities you have planned, consider staying at Margaritaville Beach Hotel.