Florida Weekend Ideas
- Gulf Beach sunsets are world-famous.Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
Florida's Gulf Coast beaches are known for their white sand and colorful sunsets. For a romantic weekend, book a beach cottage on Longboat Key, a secluded barrier island near Sarasota, or a resort room on Lover's Key near Fort Myers. If you prefer more populated beaches, book a hotel room on Siesta Key, another barrier island with miles of wide, bustling beach. Don't miss the Sunday sundown drum circle on Siesta Key Beach. - Florida swamps offer ample wildlife viewing opportunities.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Florida is famous for its swamps and exotic animals, making wildlife exploration a popular activity for weekend visitors. Book a weekend at The Redland Hotel (redlandhotel.com) in Homestead by night and hike the Everglades by day. Stop by the Big Cypress Reservation for swamp activities offered by the Seminole Native American Tribe (semtribe.com). Don't miss the chance to go on an airboat ride, which will give you the chance to see baby and adult alligators up close. - The culture of some Florida cities is that of a party that never stops. Fly or drive to Miami for the weekend, and dance the night away at bars that stay open all day and night. For great people watching, stop by South Beach. Key West is another party destination, with a variety of hot spots on the main drag, Duval Street. Grab a beer at The Hog's Breath Saloon (hogsbreath.com), or a Bahama Mama at Caroline's (carolineskeywest.com).
- The greater Tampa-Orlando area has a wide variety of theme parks, making it an ideal weekend destination for families. Walt Disney World in Orlando (disneyworld.disney.go.com) is a must-see, offering both water and adventure parks. Once you finish at Disney World, head over to Sea World (seaworld.com) where you can watch dolphins and whales interact with world-class trainers. Finally, just a short ride away in Tampa is Busch Gardens (buschgardens.com), a theme park with world-famous roller coasters.
