8 Best Weekend Getaways in Florida

How Does A Weekend Getaway In The Sunshine State Sound?

Lots of things can be said about the Sunshine State. Still, there’s no denying its pull as a year-round destination for a weekend getaway or something even longer if you can possibly swing it.

There are more than 1,300 miles of magnificent coastline to visit, from the Panhandle to the Florida Keys, not to mention your neverending choice of big cities or laid-back beach towns for a base.

Promising weather, affordability, and appeal as a multi-generational vacation spot are just a few factors that make the state so attractive to visit as our country emerges from a long season’s slumber. If you’re stumped on where to start, we’ve got you covered on the best weekend getaways across Florida.

Whether you choose a relaxing coastal destination at a posh resort or a stay inland to explore the state’s interior, Florida’s varying landscapes offer vacation options for all types of travelers. So, pick your destination and head for your next weekend getaway to Florida today!

Sunny Isles Beach

Acqualina Resort & Spa on the Beach is a true escape away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This luxurious beachfront resort is situated on the white sands of Sunny Isles Beach. It’s located just north of Miami Beach, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

The property’s 98 rooms and suites feature five-star amenities and views of the stunning Intracoastal Waterway or ocean. While on your weekend getaway, you can unwind with a signature spa treatment at Acqualina Spa by ESPA or relax outdoors at one of the property’s palm tree-lined pools.

Then, enjoy a few cocktails at the stylish AQ Bar before having your dinner at the Italian Il Mulino New York or Costa Grill, the latter of which even allows you to eat your meal on the beach.

Panama City

You can leave the spring break havoc on Panama City Beach and visit neighboring Panama City. It’s home to an Oyster Trail with a dozen restaurants offering the fruits of the local Gulf and a flourishing Mural Trail.

Its convenience is perfect because it’s less than a five-hour drive away from many cities like Atlanta, Birmingham, New Orleans, and Jacksonville.

This weekend getaway, with its historic downtown and easy access to the nearby sugar sand beaches of Panama City Beach, might actually pleasantly surprise you. We recommend visiting the History Class Brewing Company downtown.

The gastropub pays homage to the city’s history with old-time artifacts in its design and mango and guava-infused wheat beer on tap. Also, don’t miss a visit to nearby Historic St. Andrews, which is ten minutes away.

It’s a funky fishing village with streets lined with oyster shells, a few decent waterfront restaurants for a seafood meal, and pretty Oaks by the Bay Park, with its ancient oak tree, “Old Sentry,” thought to be more than 250 years old!

Jacksonville Beaches

The first major beach resort area you hit heading south when traveling along I-95 into Florida is the Jacksonville Beaches, which are made up of a string of a few laid-back communities.

Atlantic Beach is home to the oceanfront One Ocean resort and miles of dunes backed with stately oceanfront homes and the friendly little surf community of Neptune Beach. They attract visitors with their untrampled-by-the-masses appeal.

Suppose you’re on this weekend getaway the third Thursday of the month. In that case, the monthly Art Walk in Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach is a perfect outdoor outing before grabbing a meal at nearby restaurants, like Hawkers, where the menu of south Asian street food conjures up Bangkok and Mumbai.

And if that isn’t enough, drive an easy 33-miles south for the day to visit St. Augustine, which claims to be the oldest city in the US and is home to some beautiful historic sites and preserved buildings, such as the 17th century Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, a Spanish fortress with a commanding waterfront location.

…To end your day, grab a few sunset cocktails at The Reef.

Apalachicola

Located in Northwest Florida, this perfect weekend getaway is nestled in the Panhandle in an area known as Florida’s Forgotten Coast. This charming town offers a laid-back getaway with many fishing and boating opportunities.

Visitors can stroll through the beautiful historic district to explore its unique art galleries, adorable boutiques, and lively music venues.

The town is also home to many delicious restaurants serving fresh local seafood, including oysters locally sourced from Apalachicola Bay. We recommend you reserve one of the four suites at the riverfront Consulate for lodging.

These luxury accommodations are located within the Grady Building in the Historic Riverfront District, and they overlook the river. The property has been beautifully restored and features original heart pine floors, 11ft tin-plated ceilings and antique art.

Fort Myers 

These gorgeous weekend getaways are famous for incredible shell collecting on white-sand beaches, so pristine you may pinch yourself to be sure they’re real. Wildlife preserves and state parks abound along this part of Florida’s coast.

The J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge is a favorite with nature lovers for its Wildlife Drive, which you can explore in a car on foot or by bike. But be sure to grab your sunscreen.

Stay the night in neighboring Captiva Island in one of the pastel-colored homes or historic seaside cottages at Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa. And spend your day paddle boarding or biking more than 25 miles of trails around the islands.

Downtown Fort Myers will be a delight to explore, with its pedestrian-friendly River District crawling along the Caloosahatchee River. Right on the river, the Luminary Hotel & Co. set a new standard for a waterfront stay in the city.

Nearby, inside the old city pier building, Oxbow Bar & Grill is the latest hot spot for slurping oysters with beautiful views. Sounds like the perfect weekend getaway to us!

Jupiter

Jupiter is part of The Palm Beaches community in the southern part of the sunshine state. It’s a chic yet laid-back seaside town that boasts beautiful beaches and attractive amenities, including excellent dining, boating, and live entertainment.

Just perfect for a weekend getaway! While visiting, we suggest you stay at the Wyndham Grand Jupiter at Harbourside Place, located on the Intracoastal Waterway.

The property is conveniently located next to many boutiques, restaurants, a riverwalk, and an incredible amphitheater. Be sure to climb the top of Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum for some unforgettable coastal views.

You might even be inclined to take a dip in DuBois or Jupiter Beach Park, where you can swim and snorkel in vibrant colored lagoons. Afterward, lay back with a refreshing drink and catch a spectacular sunset from the hotel’s rooftop pool bar.

Vero Beach

If you’ve got the kiddies with you, you’ll probably want to go to Orlando. But less than two hours south of Universal Studios And Disney World, you’ll be greeted by a different kind of weekend getaway!

Vero Beach is the point along Florida’s Atlantic Coast where things start turning to the sub-tropical vibe. You’ll notice it in the emerald tangles of palms and sea grapes and the sapphire hues of the water lapping near the coast.

Make time to check out nearby Sebastian Inlet on your weekend getaway, popular with surfers and anglers, and plan to take a kayak into the Indian River Lagoon with a rental from the Environmental Learning Center, where you’ll also find boardwalks, and marine life exhibits you can explore.

If you’re feeling lucky, rent a metal detector from the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum and try your hand at treasure hunting at Wabasso Beach.

After all, this is the Treasure Coast, and people still regularly find lots of loot from the 1715 fleet of Spanish treasure ships that were wrecked in a hurricane just offshore.

Grayton Beach

You’ll find this weekend getaway in a quiet village that sits along the Gulf of Mexico in the northwest part of Florida between Panama City and Pensacola. Most of the town is nestled within the almost 2,000-acre Grayton Beach State Park.

While we have no doubt that you’ll be spending lots of time at the beach, be sure to also check out the park’s exceptional coastal dune lakes and coastal forest, where the salty Gulf winds have intricately twisted the scrub oaks and magnolias.

This rare natural phenomenon can be viewed along a stroll of 4 miles of scenic walking trails. As for your accommodations, the park holds 30 cabins for overnight stays.

We recommend you pack your bags IMMEDIATELY and head off for that much-needed down time…Just be sure to drop us a comment when you get back from your weekend getaway and let us know which of these locations were your favorite!

For some even more great weekend getaway tips, we suggest reading: 8 Magical Midwest Locations That Look Like They’re in Europe