This stunning area is known for having a bio-diverse lagoon ecosystem, plenty of fishing opportunities, stunning beaches, and peaceful small towns.

It has everything we love in a destination: spectacular, diverse scenery; fun outdoor adventures; towns with charm and artistic vibes; slow-paced tempo suited to vibrant fun; endless opportunities for mouth-watering seafood and sunset cocktails – often paired with live music and laughter, and even great coffee shops!

And then of course, there are the PERFECT winter temperatures – 80s every day. Oh, my heaven.

If you’re not sure what things to do in Martin County on your next trip, then don’t worry, because in this guide I’ve listed all the top Martin County attractions, plus a few hidden gems.

Where is Martin County and the Treasure Coast?

Before our winter vacation to this part of the Treasure Coast with Visit Florida, I hadn’t heard of Martin County, Fl.

I’m certainly not going to forget it. In fact, we’re talking about returning here each year for our winter vacation!

When you visit Martin County, you can find sophistication and Old Florida charm as well as the all-embracing kick off your flip flops and slip on your Key West persona.

Martin County is made up of 10 closely-knitted communities. It starts at Lake Okeechobee, and includes the town of Stuart, and Jensen, as well as Hobe Sound, Hutchinson Island, Indiantown, Jupiter Island, Palm City, Port Salerno, Rio, Sewall’s Point, and Tequesta. 

The Treasure Coast is located on the South East Coast of Florida (Atlantic Coast), America, between Orlando and Miami and just north of Palm Beach.

The city of Stuart is charming with art galleries, boutique stores, and a beautiful riverfront. We can understand why it was named Coastal Living’s 2016 “Happiest Seaside Town” as well as several other acknowledgments for it being a beautiful USA town.

Jensen is the other major town in Martin County with a more laid-back party vibe. Both places have easy access to each other AND to the many beautiful beaches along nearby Hutchinson Island.

That’s the beauty of this Treasure Coast region – with the Intracoastal Waterway, St Lucie River, and the Atlantic Ocean, you are utterly spoiled for water attractions and activities.

You’ll also find smaller, historic towns and fishing villages located in the area, and out west is Indiantown, a cattle and citrus country with a rich Seminole culture and history.

We donate a percentage of our campaign fee to those local businesses and organizations that support the community, the environment, and humanitarian causes.

How to get to Martin County

If flying, you have a few options for airports. The closest is West Palm Beach (45 mins), but if that doesn’t work, Fort Lauderdale is also not too far away (1.5 hours).

We flew into Orlando, as the flight times were best. We could arrive early in the morning and fly direct from Raleigh.

It was only a two-hour drive to our accommodation, so it ended up being the fastest route for us, including the drive – and cheaper is a bargain!

See what we discovered on our next two destinations on this South Florida road trip: Sebring and Manasota Key.

Things to do in Martin County, Florida

If you’re like us, you don’t just want to lie around on a beach all day. We also love to balance the rest with adventurous activities like stand-up paddle boarding and horse riding.

In this guide to the best things to do in Martin County, we made sure to include activities about culture, history, and learning.

As you’ll discover, all of our Martin County things to do were outdoors, allowing us to stay at a safe distance in the fresh, healing air. We also choose activities and local businesses that promote or support environmental sustainability.

1. Play at Martin County Beaches

It’s winter.

You might think there are no opportunities left in Florida to experience uncrowded white sandy beaches. Well, you haven’t yet traveled to Martin County and its 22 miles of beaches (and over 100,000 acres of parks and conservation lands.)

The Florida Coral Reef tract starts here, and reaches down through the Florida Keys.

The Treasure Coast is named so due to the fleet of Spanish ships that lost their treasure here during the 1715 hurricane. People still find treasure here. Sometimes it washes up on the beach and handheld metal detectors can reveal gold, silver, and other artifacts.

Pick a beach along Hutchinson Island and enjoy a few hours of relaxing beach time. We found the water temperatures surprisingly pleasant, although slightly colder than the much warmer summer bath-like temperatures.

We swam at the guarded Stuart Beach but also visited Jensen Beach (also guarded and popular) and Tiger Shores, which is a more hidden beach the locals love. Other under-the-radar beaches are Chastain Beach and Virginia Forest Beach.

2. Eat Breakfast at Jan’s Place, Jensen, Fl

Ask any local where they recommend for breakfast in Martin County and they’ll say Jan’s Place. Known for its large servings of classic Southern breakfast and old-style hospitality and charm, it’s one of the most popular places to eat in Jensen.

3. Eat Lunch at Mulligan’s Beach House, Jensen

You’ll love the beach theme and laid-back style of Mulligan’s Beach House Bar & Grill in the Downtown area of Jensen, Florida, a perfect lunch break from the beach.

Our tip is to head upstairs to the large open-air deck with views over Jenson and the water. We visited it for brunch, complete with a delicious southwest bowl, tasty burger, and Blushing Mimosa.

4. Learn at the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center, Stuart

Time to ditch the science textbook and head for a real-life lesson on our ocean friends at the 57 acres Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center on Hutchinson Island.

Florida Oceanographic has the mission to “inspire environmental stewardship of Florida’s coastal ecosystems through education, research, and advocacy,” They offer educational programs and conduct research and restoration programs that lead to healthy coastal ecosystems.
 
They have a 750,000 gallon Game Fish Lagoon (with nurse sharks), a Sea Turtle Pavilion, and a Sea Star Touch Tank Pavilion where we learned of the powerful sterilizing and healing qualities of the horseshoe crab’s blue blood.

There are horseshoe crab blood banks set up to take the blood without harm for important medical purposes. The blood goes for at least $50K!

Don’t miss the stingray feeding session where you’ll learn about the different types of stingrays and their survival features.

You’ll then get a chance to feed the stingrays, putting a piece of fish between your fingers, laying your hand on the bottom of the tank like a dinner plate, and waiting for the nearest stingray to take a bit.

It feels like a puppy dog nuzzling at your hand. You’ll fall in love with them (if you don’t already love these ocean butterflies.)

A visit here is one of the best things to do in Stuart with kids!

6. Sunset Sail on Schooner Lily, Stuart

Time for your Florida vacation relaxation.

Board the historic Schooner Lily as you set sail on the St Lucie River for about 2 hours under the guidance of Captain Fred, owner of Treasure Coast Sailing Adventures.

There’s not much for you to do except watch as they hoist the sails, learn more about the biodiversity of the estuary (the most diverse in the Northern Hemisphere), soak up the scenery and sailboat silence, look for wildlife (if you’re lucky, you might see dolphins), and marvel at the bright orange sunset sky.

We were fortunate to sail during a full moon so on the way back were able to complete our sunset sail with a full moon rise. Martin County is something special.

As the Schooner Lily is a sailing tall ship, you’ll be happy to know your enjoyment of this beautiful area is not harming the environment. Also, sail capacity is currently reduced due to COVID, which meant you could easily maintain your space.

You can bring your own snacks and beverages.

7. Eat Dinner at Sneaki Tiki, Stuart

You’ll want to continue your feel-good sailing vibes with dinner at Sneaki Tiki. We went here after the line at Taco Shack was way too long! (local’s favorite for gourmet tacos though).

We were not disappointed. Sneaki Tiki is a hole-in-the-wall place with little tiki huts you can sit under. What you’ll love are the $6 margaritas ($4 during happy hour), the live music, and the affordable and delicious food on the menu. My brisket was as good as any you’d find in Texas.

9. Horseback Ride through the South Florida Wilderness, Palm City

Leave the noise and beach fun behind as you head for a quieter Martin county experience in the rural, equestrian community of Palm City.

Kathy McLaughlin owner of Greenridge Stables had me at her enthusiastic greeting, “I absolutely love my life.”

This is the kind of woman I want to follow (and celebrate this Women’s History Month). A lady determined to follow her passion and love for horses and help many people along the way grow into strong, responsible humans.

She and her husband have fostered many children and helped put them through college.

Her niece, Ryan guided us along the trail through the South Florida wilderness, and was filled with happy chatter. I also loved her friendliness and love for horses, nature trails, and living a kind, full life.

Melissa brought up the rear and was wonderful in helping the girls feel comfortable in the saddle.

Greenridge Stables run private horse-riding tours no matter how small your group is – and rides range in time depending on experience.

Beginners will be more than happy with the one-hour horseback ride which takes you on a loop through the nearby tranquil preserve, Hawk’s Hammock.

We were delighted for Ryan and Melissa to lead us into a short trot. Savannah now wants lessons to learn how to do it properly.

The horses were beautiful – very calm and steady with their own personalities. There is just something about being around horses. I highly recommend you do it often to improve your inner Zen.

Phone to book your horseback riding adventure. Greenridge is delightfully old school!  (772) 288-7234

10. Full Moon Sunset Paddle, Port Salerno

Our timing on our visit to Martin County was perfectly aligned with the full moon. This meant we had an opportunity to do something our family has not done before – a sunset full moon stand-up paddle board.

It’s one of the most unique family adventures we’ve had, and one of the 8 wow moments from this Florida trip.

We started with a quick instruction on paddling, before heading out as a group across the channel to a nearby island. The wake was pumping, and we had to sprint paddle, timing our run in between boat cruises and catching their wake behind us.

Savannah was on the front of my board, as we soon realized it would be too extreme for her paddling experience and comfort level. I was impressed with my ability to keep us both on top of the board and paddle at a fast pace despite all the challenges.

I was even more impressed with Kalyra getting herself across okay with a huge grin.

The short paddle across to the island got us there in time to turn around and watch the tangerine sky created by the setting sun.

The island was just a short strip of white sand with some red mangroves. The island in the middle of the St Lucie River Inlet is sometimes known as Disappearing Island (amongst other names) for its vanishing trick during high tides.

We parked ourselves here for about an hour searching for animals in their natural habitats, from hermit crabs and jellyfish as well as the abundance of bird life soaring across the pink skies.

Then we sat down to watch the huge round orange orb of the full moon rise creating a staircase below it. It was by far one of the best moon rises I’ve ever seen.

After we’d had enough, Leisa handed out safety lights and we paddled back across as a group in darkness. This time there weren’t many boats to navigate around. It was spooky and thrilling at the same time.

Definitely put this on your list of things to do in Martin County. Leisa from Zeke’s Surf and Paddleboarding has been running these tours for 12 years. You will enjoy her relaxed, friendly leadership.

You can also go kayaking if stand-up paddleboarding isn’t for you.

11. Eat Dinner at Shrimpers Grill & Raw Bar

As you’re in the Port Salerno area, after your paddle tour stop at one of the many seafood restaurants along the Manatee Pocket Waterway.

Most popular is the Twisted Tuna with its live music and dancing patrons.

We dined across the small canal at the open-air deck of Shrimpers Grill & Raw Bar – and had the bonus of hearing the rock band.

Shrimpers were voted #1 Waterfront and Seafood Restaurant. You’re bound to find a seafood dish you’ll love pairing with a bowl of Bahamian conch chowder.

I enjoyed my blackened dolphin – otherwise known as Mahi Mahi. Phew! Not the porpoise kind (I did ask the waitress just to be sure!). And Craig his steak and calamari.

12. Take a Hobe Sound Mural Tour

We love to hear the stories of the locals when we travel, and what better way to do that than on an art mural tour with Nadia from Hobe Sound Murals.

Nadia Utto began her non-profit in 2009 after realizing the walls of buildings in the US weren’t utilized like they were in European countries.

There were no stories being told through the powerful mural medium. And so, she put her artistic skills to create a “sense of place” for this small, low-key artistic community.

There are over 20 murals created by over 40 regional artists and 100 residents and visitors.

We wandered a couple of blocks with Nadia learning about the murals and the stories they told from environmental messages to historical events and characters.

After our tour, Nadia gave us a quick intro to mural painting and then gave us a square on the wall in the Taste Casual Dining Restaurant. What a thrill for my girls (especially our budding artist, Savannah) to contribute to a mural.

Every mural in the Hobe Sound Community has a hidden feature for you to find from dog paws to African birds.

Can you see the hidden mural, I created? I think it should now be my signature mark being Australian!

While painting at Taste Casual, grab yourself some appetizers and a margarita – the muse of all muses.

13. Drive the Enchanting Bridge Road, Hobe Sound

After checking out the community murals, take a drive down Bridge Road to see the gnarled trunks of the banyan trees reaching over together to create a canopied tunnel.

In this region, you also have Hobe Sound Beach and Jonathan Dickinson State Park

Connect to Community: Festivals & Live Music

If you’re looking to connect to the community, then you’ll want to check out the local art festivals and outdoor live music. Martin County is big on community connection. Here are some things to do in Martin County for a community feel.

14. Jammin Jensen

Every Thursday is Jammin Day in Downtown Jensen. It’s a free weekly mini-outdoor festival with a streetside collection of local artisan stores, food, and live music.

It reminded me of the Asian night markets, wandering from store to store while the nearby bars belted out music.

Amongst the garden and art gallery cottage sections, we found a quieter trio playing some cool old 70s tunes.

15. Annual Downtown Stuart Art Festival

We were visiting the Treasure Coast during the annual Downtown Stuart Art Festival. Osceola Street transforms into rows of gallery style booths filled with every medium of art.

I was impressed with the unique quality of art on display. You can tell this community embraces artistic living.

I saw many pieces I want to buy from the artists when we finally buy a house, especially these vinyl record pieces of art for our home bar!

16. Eat Lunch at Stuart Boathouse, Stuart

While enjoying Downtown Stuart, grab a table on the outside deck of Stuart Boathouse where you’ll find a variety of seafood, steaks, and salads.

My Marinated grilled octopus over a white bean cassoulet with Andouille Sausage and topped with chimichurri was delicious and perfectly paired with the setting. And Craig enjoyed another burger which is popular here.

Their outdoor setting and views are a Stuart standout.

17. Dine at TideHouse Waterfront Restaurant

Across the St Lucie River is Stuart’s newest restaurant, the TideHouse Waterfront Restaurant with views from every table. It’s a quieter and more isolated Stuart dining experience.

They are known for their happy hours Mon-Fri from 3pm-6pm with live music.

We enjoyed lunch here with a delicious Tidehouse avocado chopped salad, a Mahi Mahi topped with pineapple salsa, and the Macadamia Crusted Fresh Catch.

20. Drink Coffee at The Roasted Record, Stuart

Our long-term followers know we’re always searching for good coffee. We found it in Martin County. I was impressed with the coffee scene.

You had me at vinyl and coffee. Browse through the collection of classics while you enjoy a delicious coconut milk latte.

Finding a delicious coconut milk latte is as challenging as digging up gold on the Treasure Coast Beaches. Stop looking, you found it.

Pair it with a carrot, apple, and walnut muffin. #TasteExplosion

The Roasted Record was inspired by nights spent on a porch smelling freshly home-roasted coffee and listening to vinyl music and drinking beers.

Isn’t that where all great ideas start?

So glad the owners followed through with it. And yes, they do sell beers here too!

21. Visit Bunkhouse Coffee Bar, Jensen

In this cute yellow bungalow in Downtown Jensen, you’ll find great coffee and OUTSTANDING smoothie bowls at the Bunkhouse Coffee Bar .

From the Bondi acai bowl to my favorite, the Pitaya Bowl loaded with liver cleansing goodness, you’ll be plant powering your way to the beach.

They also have a range of vegan and gluten free treats. Sit outside the pretty garden or on a stool at the bar to chat with, Kelly the friendly owner.

Interesting history: The Bunk House was used to house soldiers in WWII at what is now Jonathan Dickinson State Park. It was floated up the river in the 60s to this location.

22. Gilbert’s Coffee Bar, Stuart

For location, Gilbert’s Coffee Bar can’t be beaten. Its prime spot in Sunset Bay Marina & Anchorage overlooking the south fork of the St. Lucie River (watch for manatees) makes it a popular place to grab a coffee or avocado toast.

My first time trying a pistachio latte will go down as a memorable risk!

It’s also a popular place for sunset drinks (or daytime ones too!)

23. Stay on a Houseboat

We were all overly excited to be staying on a houseboat in Port St Lucie on the Treasure Coast. We’re talking open-air decks and a hot tub!

The houseboat was docked on a large piece of secluded property on the St Lucie River. Inside was spacious with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a large open-air kitchen and living space.

There are three outside decks at various places on the boat, and a section on the wooden pier with a grill. We enjoyed grill our breakfast here on our last morning.

Make sure you jump in the hot tub for sunrise views, sunset views, and nighttime star gazing.

You will also love the hammock on the back garden, and huge mango tree.

There are kayaks and paddle boards you can take out to explore the river and mangrove region across the river. Enjoy the views looking back over the houseboat, it looks like you are immersed in the jungle.

Solar Panels are about to be installed on the houseboat, making this a completely off-the-grid sustainable form of accommodation.

24. Take a Segway Tour of Stuart

One of the best ways to explore a town is to ride around it with a local. If you want to give your weary legs a break, consider embarking on a segway tour.

This is a fun and unique way to see all top attractions in Stuart, as well as enjoy the thrilling experience of riding on a segway.

Segway tours take around 2.5 hours and include training and safety equipment.

25. Visit the Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast

If you’re looking for things to do in Martin County with kids, then the Children’s Museum is a great idea. It’s designed to offer children and families somewhere to learn about the coast and the natural environment through hands-on activities.

The museum offers educational programs and cultural experiences, as well as a place where children can expand their curiosity.

It’s especially good if your children are really small and enjoy learning through play and sensory activities.

26. Visit the Stuart Heritage Museum

The Stuart Heritage Museum is a small and quirky museum dedicated to preserving the local history of Stuart.

it’s nestled in an old 2-story building that was built in 1901 by George W. Parks. The first floor used to be the Geo. W. Parks Grocery and General Merchandise Store and the second floor was where he lived.

The museum contains 10,000 objects and artifacts from the 1880s to the 1950s. If you have some time to spare, then this is one of the top attractions in Stuart to check out.

27. Check Out The Blowing Rocks Preserve on Jupiter Island

The Blowing Rocks Preserve is located on Jupiter Island and is known for housing the largest outcropping of Anastasia Limestone on the Atlantic coast.

Anastasia Limestone is almost always found underwater, but here on the coastline, you can see the stone on the shoreline.

The area is a place of outstanding natural beauty. It’s cared for by The Nature Conservancy and is a popular place to go hiking and explore the sea caves.

The Blowing Rocks Preserve got its name from the spectacle that takes place during high tide when strong winds and waves form geyser-like explosions against the rock.

28. Visit The House of Refuge Museum

For history buffs, you simply cannot miss a visit to the House of Refuge Museum in Gilbert’s Bar. The structure is the oldest building in Florida and is the only remaining House of Refuge.

The houses were built to be havens for shipwrecked sailors and travelers. They were operated by the United States Lifesaving Service and there were 10 houses built around Florida, but only this one remains standing.

The historic structure is now a museum dedicated to preserving the legacy of inventors and their inventions. You can see insightful exhibits about American inventors, including showing replicas of their inventions and copies of their patents.

Video: Martin County Highlights

You can watch our video of our time in Martin County. Subscribe to our YouTube channel here.

Before You Go

So there you have it, those are the best things to do and places to visit in Martin County. As you can see, there’s a lot to see and explore here that’s not just lying on a beach.

We hope you found this guide useful, and remember, Martin County is a popular winter destination because of that year-round sunshine. Avoid disappointment and book your accommodation early.

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From personal experience, down below we share the best places to vacation in Florida in all areas of the Sunshine State including South Florida, Central Florida, and the West and East Coasts.

While you may first think of Disney World and Universal Studios when it comes to Florida destinations, this state offers so much more than just theme parks and amusement parks, making it one of the best states to visit in the United States for a vacation filled with adventure!

From incredible palm beaches to the Art Deco buildings of Miami, to the stunning natural springs where you can even swim with manatees, there is literally something for every type of traveler in Florida.

The Best Florida Vacation Spots

Below you will find 21 of the best Florida destinations that we have personally visited and absolutely loved.

We would highly recommend you put these cities, springs, and beaches on your Florida bucket list for your East Coast road trip ideas to the Sunshine State!

1. Miami

It will probably come as no surprise to you that one of the best vacation spots in Florida includes the hip and metropolitan city of Miami.

Miami is a great place to begin your trip to Florida as not only is it a cool city but there’s an abundance of affordable flights to Miami (MIA).

Other affordable flight hubs include Orlando (MCO) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL).

Don’t miss South Beach in Miami Beach. This city beach has the bluest water we have seen in the United States!

You can people-watch for hours in South Beach and never get bored. Some of the most flamboyant people and celebrities in the country frequent the bars and restaurants in and around South Beach.

In addition to the beautiful beaches in Miami, check out the signature white art deco architecture in the streets in and around South Beach.

Love street art? Then head to the Wynwood Walls Art District where you’ll find colorful street art from some of the most talented artists in the world.

After admiring the street art, we would suggest heading to Little Havana in Miami.

Miami has a large Cuban community and boasts the best Cuban sandwich in the world. We learned that the Cuban sandwich is not actually Cuban but an American adaptation that originated in Miami!

Miami is a cool but notoriously expensive place to travel. If you are going to pay big money to stay in Miami, you are going to want to stay somewhere unique!

2. The Florida Keys

When it comes to South Florida vacation spots, one of our favorite things to do in Florida is to visit the Florida Keys.

Home to an iconic Beach Boys song, the Keys is one of the most picturesque places to vacation in Florida. They are essentially a string of tropical islands that span 120-miles between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico.

What we love about all the Florida Keys vacation spots is that there is seriously a tonne of fun activities to enjoy from swimming to snorkeling to feeding giant tarpon

This is one of the Florida destinations suitable to any type of traveler, whether you are looking for a family-friendly vacation in Florida or on a romantic getaway, as we were.

The best way to explore all the Florida Keys has to offer to is take a road trip from Miami to Key West. The drive is one of the most scenic coastlines drives you can make in the state.

The epic views you will experience as you drive along the iconic Overseas Highway will take your breath away.

Don’t forget your snorkel as the Florida Keys has some of the best underwater marine life in Florida.

3. Key Largo

The first town you will reach from Miami is Key Largo, a beautiful, relaxed seaside town with 78 nautical square miles of coral reef.

Most people think of Key West when it comes to a Florida Keys trip but the town of Key Largo is a nice alternative choice for those who want to enjoy more of a relaxing vacation with near isolated beaches.

We were amazed how many awesome things to do there in the area!

Two of the best beaches in the Florida Keys are located in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park.

This is one place your snorkel will come in handy as Cannon Beach (with real cannons located along the beach) and Far Beach have absolutely perfect conditions for snorkeling.

We did see warning signs at the beaches in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park of alligators but as far as I’m aware no one has ever died there. Generally alligators, unlike the Australian crocodile, are shy and stick to themselves.

For diving enthusiasts who like a little more adventure, there is a possibility to try scuba diving the Spiegel Grove Wreck while in Key Largo, one of the most popular dive sites in the United States.

Don’t miss the best Key Lime Pie in the Florida Keys at Mrs Mac’s Kitchen. It’s mouthwatering and delicious!

You can always tell a good Key Lime pie by its color, if it is green avoid it. The best Key Lime pies are actually yellow in color.

4. Islamorada

A short drive from Key Largo you will find the small town of Islamorada.

It’s one of the best places to go in Florida if you’re looking for a small fishing town with a great vibe and an abundance of cool things to do.

Don’t miss your chance to hand feed giant tarpon at Robbie’s Tarpon in Islamorada, it was honestly one of the highlights of our Florida Keys road trip.

If you are traveling with small kids, they might be a little scared to hand feed the giant tarpon at first (the fish literally launch their whole body out of the water) but they will definitely enjoy watching you do it.

Aside from feeding giant tarpon, there are loads of other fun things to do in Islamorada including visiting the beautiful Anne’s Beach and the Florida Keys Brewing Company – one of the most popular drinking spots for couples in the Florida Keys.

5. Key West

Key West is one of the most iconic Florida vacation spots.

Despite the mass tourism brought in by cruise ships to the area, it is still a very worthwhile place to vacation in Florida due to the quirky atmosphere, quaint architecture, and abundance of interesting things to do.

Duval Street is the most iconic and lively street in Key West where you will find interesting restaurants, cafes, and quirky bars with live music.

You can’t visit Key West without going for a walk along Duval Street. The high energy and overall mood were one of our favorite parts of Key West.

The consistently highest rated activity in Key West is, however, not in fact Duval Street but famous writer Ernest Hemingway’s home where he lived from 1931 to 1939.

Interestingly, Hemingway owned a rare form of cat with six toes due to a rare polydactyl gene. The descendants of his cat (all with 6 toes might I add) still live in the house to this day.

Like South Beach in Miami, Key West is a notoriously expensive place to travel. We would suggest breaking up the paid attractions with some of the best free things to do in the Key West area.

For example, don’t miss the free sunset celebration at Mallory Square where you will see some very interesting buskers and street performers as the sun sets over the Southernmost point of Florida.

There is also a great free aquarium in Key West called the Key West Eco Discovery Center which we immensely enjoyed!

Talking about the Southernmost point of Florida, while in Key West, don’t miss your chance to have your picture taken with the Southernmost point of Continental USA sign.

While it’s not the oldest city in Florida, it certainly has a lot of history. For history buffs, you should check out the Key West Shipwreck Museum, the Key West Lighthouse and the West Martello Tower and Key West Garden Club to learn about Florida’s past.

Nearby you’ll find the iconic Mile Marker to commemorate your Keys’ trip. If you have time, you could even get a water taxi over to Dry Tortugas National Park for some relaxation.

6. Everglades National Park

Put this on your list of best places to visit in Florida for wildlife. If you want the chance to see an alligator in its natural habitat, this is your chance.

The Everglades is a very large national park that covers 1.5 million acres over the southern point of Florida.

A large percentage of the Everglades is covered by swampland and water so one of the best ways to see the national park is by doing an Airboat tour.

If you are traveling the Everglades with children, make a stop at the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center. The kids will love all the exhibits at the center where they can learn more about the Everglades eco-system. There are even interactive exhibits at the center which are pretty cool.

For hiking the Everglades, the two best short walks to take are definitely the Anhinga Trail and the Gumbo Limbo Trail.

If you opt-out of taking an airboat tour, the Anhinga Trail is your best chance to see alligators in the wild in the Everglades with many lounging in and along the banks of the trail, sunning themselves.

During the springtime, you may be able to spot baby gators on the lily pads along the trail which is a pretty cute sight.

There is not a whole lot of wildlife on the Gumbo Limbo Trail but it is a fantastic reprieve during the hot midday sun which is particularly potent in the Everglades.

Bring sun protection as most of the trails are exposed and in full sunlight!

The final ‘must-do’ spot in the Everglades is the Shark Valley Trail, a 15-mile trail that can be accessed on foot, by bike or on a tram tour.

As the trail is long and ends with a worthwhile viewing platform it is best to tram or bike this trail.

7. Sarasota

Looking for the best beach vacation spots in Florida? Welcome to the home of the #1 Beach in the USA, Siesta Beach.

Siesta Beach’s are picturesque powdery quartz-crystal, white sand beaches and other cool attractions in the area gives Sarasota bragging rights as one of the top vacation spots in Florida.

If you would like to get a cute and colorful Instagram-worthy photo, Siesta Beach is the perfect place to go as adorable, colorful lifeguard stands are placed every few hundred meters along the beach.

If you find yourself on Siesta Beach one hour before sunset on a Sunday you may also get the chance to see the Community Drum Circle chant to another dimension. Sarasota is a very spiritual place. If you see the drum circle chant you will know what I mean!

Other great beaches to check out in the Sarasota area include Crescent Beach, Turtle Beach, South Lido Key Beach, and Lido Key Beach.

Aside from the great Florida beaches here, the Ringling Museum of Art is absolutely an unmissable thing to do in Sarasota if you love beautiful gardens, art, and buildings. The museum even has free entry on a Monday!

Sarasota was once a circus city and the Ringling Museum of Art was the opulent home of John Ringling, the circus owner.

The famous unconditional surrender statue can also be found in Sarasota. If you are on a romantic getaway in Sarasota, it is the ideal place to get a romantic photograph taken emulating the victoriously returned sailor kissing a nurse at the end of WWII.

8. Marco Island

Looking for a hidden gem in Florida waiting to be discovered? Then Marco Island is one of the best places in Florida to visit for you!

Located on Florida’s Paradise Coast, this new travel destination is one of the best places to vacation in Florida as it really has something for everyone!

Forming part of the beautiful Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island has a very chilled ‘island-life’ vibe, stunning sunsets, boutique shopping, and a unique opportunity to find some of the most beautiful shells in the US.

The activity of shelling is a popular hobby and even a sport for many of the local Marco Island residents who take immense pride in their shell findings, even submitting some of the best shells in the area to competitions and exhibits across the country!

These alien-like buildings, partially destroyed by hurricanes, are now all that is left of a former mansion constructed by a retired oil producer.

If you don’t believe in the effects of climate change, these dome houses might just change your mind as they are said to be sinking as a result climate change and rising water levels.

Other fun things to do in Marco Island for the whole family include:

• The Otter Mound Preserve
• Keewaydin Island
• Caxambass Pass Park
• Tigertail Beach
• Dolphin Spotting Boat Tours
• and South Beach.

9. Orlando and Surrounding Areas

I’m sure the first thing that springs to mind when you think of Orlando is theme parks!

It’s true, Orlando has some world-class theme parks making it one of the best family vacation spots in Florida.

There are Walt Disney World and Universal Studios which are pretty much unmissable if you have kids or you are a big Harry Potter or Disney fan.

Aside from theme parks, there are plenty more fabulous things to do in Orlando within a short 30-minute drive to get back to nature on your theme park-free days.

Two of our favorite outdoor areas and springs near Orlando are Kelly Park and Blue Springs State Park.

Make sure you bring a tube with you as both of these recreational areas offer the ability to go tubing in some of Florida’s most beautiful springs.

You might also like to bring a snorkel with you as we overheard some children making some very interesting finds including shark teeth underwater at Kelly Park!

In winter, tubing finishes at Blue Springs State Park as Florida’s manatees migrate back to the warmth of the spring for winter. Instead of tubing, you can kayak to get up close and personal with the gentle giants of the sea (outside of the manatee-protected area).

If you love the great outdoors both Kelly Park and Blue Springs State Park are fabulous places to camp in Florida.

10. Fort Myers

Fort Myers is one of the best Florida vacation spots for those who love adventure!

Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve was by far our favorite activity in Fort Myers. We were completely blown away by how beautiful the trails in the preserve were.

The 3,500 acre nature trails at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve are one of the best places to get up close and personal with nature as the boardwalk trails pass through tropical forest, wetlands, and a butterfly garden.

Along the trails, you have the chance to see native birds, alligators, and sea turtles.

If you are visiting Fort Myers in winter, we would highly recommend visiting Manatee Park to receive a unique opportunity to view manatees warming themselves by the warm water created by the power plant.

Don’t bother visiting the park if you make a Fort Myers trip in summer because even as late as October we did not see a single manatee swimming in the waters of Manatee Park.

If you are an international visitor to Florida, it is always fun to see an American sports game in action. In Fort Myers, take the opportunity to see an action-filled game of baseball at Hammond Stadium.

11. Sanibel Island

Off the coast of Fort Myers, you will find one of the best vacation spots in Florida for couples – Sanibel Island.

This island is definitely one of the most beautiful places in Florida for not only stunning beaches but also lush tropical rain forests and sunsets to die for.

The deserted, picturesque beaches on Sanibel including Blind Pass Beach, Lighthouse Beach, and Bowman’s Beach are the perfect place for a romantic holiday in the Sunshine State.

One of the most relaxing activities on Sanibel Island is to head to Gulfside City Park Beach with a beach chair and cooler to watch the incredible kite surfers dominate the waves.

Gulfside has the perfect conditions for kite-surfing and watching the pros tackle the waves certainly makes for an entertaining afternoon.

Sanibel Island rivals its neighbor Marco Island for the best shelling beaches in Florida. If you enjoy finding beautiful shells, you will be very satisfied on Sanibel Island.

Before you leave Sanibel, check out The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum which exhibits some of the most beautiful shells found on the island.

Be sure to also make a stop at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge while on Sanibel Island.

The refuge offers some of the best bird watching in Florida and draws tourists from all over America to see the abundance of bird life in their natural habitat including American bald eagles, spoon-billed roseate, and heron.

You are also likely to catch a glimpse of a Florida gator while in the park.

12. Bonita Springs

Looking for undiscovered destinations in Florida?

The small beach-side town of Bonita Springs is often overlooked as a place to vacation in Florida.

It is, however, one of the best places in Florida for those who love relaxed beach towns with a whole lot of charm!

The town has a very long history which can be traced back to Native Indians who lived in the area as long as 8,000 years ago.

Due to the abundance of fun things to do in the area, it quickly became one of our favorite places to visit in Florida!

One of our favorite activities was to hunt for gopher turtles at Cullum’s Bonita Trail. Seeing multiple gopher turtles and rabbits freely running around the lush tropical trails was definitely one of our Florida highlights.

While in Bonita Springs don’t miss catching a stunning orange-red sunset at one of the incredible beaches along the coast.

The most popular place to watch the sunset is Bonita Beach Park but be forewarned the parking lot is packed and it is difficult to secure a park.

Our insider tip is to head to the lesser-known Little Hickory Beach Park where there’s plenty of parking and you get the same spectacular sunset!

13. Naples

Driving into Naples, Florida made me question whether I’d taken a wrong turn and somehow ended up across the country in Beverley Hills.

Deciding which Beverley Hills meets Hamptons’ style mansion to move into in Naples should be an activity in its own right – the houses are just that pretty.

Aside from the houses, people choose to vacation in Naples Florida for its incredible white sandy beaches, shopping, and dining opportunities.

If you want to go fishing in Florida, this pier is one of the very few areas which does not require a license.

Just off Naples Beach on 12th avenue are some cool hipster bars and restaurants to enjoy after a dip at the beach.

Despite Naples Beach being the most popular beach in the Naples area, our favorite beach was actually Lowdermilk Beach Park as we were lucky enough to see dolphins swimming very close to the shore at the beach.

The dolphins weren’t shy either and interacted with a local fisherman who was out about waist-deep fishing!

Don’t miss the gorgeous Naples Beach and Naples Municipal Beach Pier where you can watch fisherman haul in some seriously impressive catches.

Being located just a hop, skip, and a jump away from Bonita Springs, you can also catch an incredible orange-red sunset in Naples.

Other fun activities to do in Naples Florida include:

• Naples Botanical Garden
• Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
• Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park
• Vanderbilt Beach
• and Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

14. Ocala National Forest

We never grow tired of visiting Ocala. This National Forest in Florida is a nature lover’s paradise.

Florida is home to over 700 natural springs and some of the most beautiful are located within the Ocala National Forest.

Two of the best springs in the National Forest include Juniper Springs and Alexander Springs.

If you only have time to visit one of the two, we would recommend Juniper Springs which offers a great balance between swimming, nature trails, and beauty.

There is a nature trail at Juniper Springs that leads to a picturesque bridge with some of the most beautiful crystal-clear water we have ever seen!

Interestingly, Juniper Springs is one of the oldest recreation areas in Florida established by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

We loved seeing the old mill and waterwheel which was used to generate electricity for the campsite when the park first opened.

If you are up for a bit more adventure, you might like to try the kayak run at Juniper Springs.

If you are traveling with kids, the kayak run is probably not a good activity as it’s an advanced run with gators that lurk in the water. Kayakers have been known to capsize due to the narrow overgrown trail and small rapids!

15. Crystal River

Crystal River deserves its place in the list as one of the top Florida vacation spots as it is the only place in Florida where you have the opportunity to swim with Florida’s manatees year-round.

Crystal River is located on Kings Bay in western Florida and is fueled by some of Florida’s most picturesque springs including the lovely Three Sisters Springs.

There are about 3,000 – 5,000 manatees living in Florida with an estimated 1,000 of the population living in Crystal River alone, making it one of the best places to spot a manatee in Florida.

During the summer, a large percentage of the population leave Florida and migrate north throughout the many waterways in the United States. They return in winter to warm their bodies in Crystal River, fed by the warm waters of the springs which remain at a constant 72°F.

We loved that swimming with manatees is done in a sustainable and ethical way in their natural habitat.

You are prohibited by Florida laws to harass the manatees in any way and you are required to stay at a safe distance while snorkeling with the gentle giants.

16. Ginnie Springs

Fancy floating down a lazy picturesque river with a cocktail or beer in hand?

Then Ginnie Springs is one of the best Florida vacation spots and one of the best things to do in North Florida!

As Ginnie Springs is one of the few springs in Florida that is privately owned, it is one of, if not the only, spring in Florida where you can consume alcoholic beverages.

Located in northern Florida above Ocala National Forest on the Santa Fe River, it is one of Florida’s prettiest natural springs.

Despite the name, Ginnie Springs is not just one lone spring but is made up of several springs including Devil’s Eye, Devil’s Ear, and Devil Spring.

There is an abundance of activities available including tubing, kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding making the springs a top vacation spot in Florida for couples and families alike.

Ginnie Springs is also home to one of the longest tube runs you can complete in Florida (1 hour from start to finish).

Bring your own tube – the bigger the better – as you float from one spring to another in the Santa Fe River.

It is totally acceptable to bring the biggest tube you can find. We saw a 10-man tube with a cooler in the middle floating along the river while we were there!

17. Daytona Beach

We haven’t visited Daytona Beach since before Hurricane Irma hit in 2017 but it remains firmly placed in our mind as one of the best places to visit in Florida.

Daytona Beach was put on the map by the Daytona International Speedway, a world famous racetrack in Daytona.

Sadly, Hurricane Irma destroyed a lot of Daytona Beach and for many years we would not recommend a visit due to the devastation caused by the hurricane.

Luckily, the community of Daytona has now managed to rebuild Daytona Beach back to its former glory making it once again one of the best places in Florida to visit.

One of the things that really stood out to us in Daytona was the ability to drive cars on the beach due to Daytona’s unique hard-packed beach sand. 

Other than cruising the beach, watching the sunset and enjoying a cocktail from the Daytona beach pier became somewhat of a daily ritual for us.

If you are open-minded and looking for something very unique to do in Daytona, we would recommend visiting Daytona’s drive-in church, open to tourists, atheists, and people of all religions.

The service is played over your car radio and you beep when you hear “Amen”. Afterward, they invite you to enjoy free Krispy Kreme donuts inside.

We went just to check it out as we were totally intrigued by the new concept! We had never heard of a drive in church before!

Daytona is part of Florida’s Space Coast.

18. Jacksonville

So we’ve given you a lot of choices for Florida vacation spots on the beach but if it’s a city break you’re after, then you can’t go wrong with Jacksonville. It’s one of our top places to visit in Florida to escape the crowds.

This sprawling metropolis may be a city, but it certainly doesn’t feel that way.

Jacksonville is known as the city of parks, probably because the city has 400 city parks including the largest urban park in the country, which is bigger than Manhatten!

Inside the city, you’ll find lots of galleries and museums, such as the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens which displays some lovely pieces of modern art.

You can also find lovely nature spots outside the city such as Fort Clinch State Park, which has great hiking and camping facilities, and the Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park which is great for surfing.

19. Panama City Beach

Located on the Florida panhandle, in the Northwest of the state, is the underrated city of Panama City Beach.

Known for its gorgeous white-sand Panama City Beach, which stretches for miles on the Gulf of Mexico.

The city is home to the protected nature preserve, St. Andrews State Park, which is great for hiking and fishing. Conservation Park is also a lovely wooded area that’s great for hiking.

The vibrant Pier Park is the place to be. It’s a great space to hang out and do some shopping.

You’ll also find lots of top-quality restaurants and live events happening here.

20. Tampa Bay Area

Another great city to explore in Florida is Tampa. It’s most well known for its stunning Gulf Coast beaches, top-of-the-league professional sports teams, and year-round hot weather.

You’ll also find some theme parks here such as Busch Gardens, but Tampa has so much more to offer.

For foodies, you’ll feel like you’ve gone to heaven. Much of the cuisine is inspired by its Spanish colonial routes, and you’ll have more than enough options for seafood dishes to try here.

If you’re not interested in visiting one of the many theme parks, then the American Victory Ship & Museum is a fascinating place! You get to explore a retired military warship, which saw battles in World War II and the Vietnam war.

A great day trip from Tampa is to Clearwater Bay, another popular beach town in the Tampa Bay Area.

It’s known for some stunning beaches such as Clearwater Beach, and the iconic Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is dedicated to caring for sick marine animals.

21. Fort Lauderdale

If you’re looking for a unique Florida vacation spot, consider Fort Lauderdale. Just a thirty-minute drive from West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America, since its historic riverwalk neighborhood is flanked by canals and historic buildings.

You can even take gondola rides here, it’s that much like Venice!

The iconic Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale is where it’s happening. This is the best place to be for shopping, dining, and entertainment. You’ll also find art galleries and plenty of boutique stores and antique shops here.

As well as being a quirky and unique place, Fort Lauderdale also has gorgeous beaches that suit any type of traveler.

Dania Beach is a great low-key beach to cast a line and do some fishing off the pier, whereas Las Olas Beach is more lively and lined with high-end hotels and beach bars.

Fort Lauderdale Beach is a great all-round beach, it’s not too busy and is connected to some great shops and restaurants. You can also take part in watersports here.

More Florida Travel Tips

• 18 kid-friendly places to visit in Florida
• Best things to do in Sebring Fl
• 16 cool things to do in Manasota Key
• Your guide to WOW experiences on a South Florida Road Trip
• 18 fantastic things to do in North Florida
• 3 exciting things to do in Central Florida
• 18 tips for Universal Orlando
• 14 Fantastic Things to do in Monticello, FL
• Scalloping in Steinhatchee, Gulf Coast
• Airboat and Kayak the Wacissa River
• Perfect Winter Vacation in Martin County, Florida

Final Word on Florida Vacation Spots

So there you have it, those are the top Florida vacation spots! Whether you’re traveling as a family like us or if you’re with a group of mates, there’s something for every type of traveler in Florida.

We hope this post provided you with some ideas for Florida vacation destinations and who knows, maybe you’ve got ideas for more than one trip!

Stump Pass State Park is one of the most beautiful state parks in Florida I have seen so far, and is on par with St Andrews State Park in the panhandle region where I was greeted with similar wow views of dolphins playing close to shore.

Stump Pass Beach State Park is one of the four barrier islands that comprise the Barrier Islands Geopark in this area. The other three are Cayo Costa, Don Pedro, Gasparilla. 

It consists of 245 acres of the Southern tip of Manasota Key and has access to pristine beaches on Lemon Bay and the Gulf Coast.

We visited on a South Florida road trip during the winter months and it couldn’t have been more perfect.

Find a private area of your own along the Lemon Bay side or a slice of sand on the ocean side.

Many come here to enjoy the serenity, fishing, wildlife viewing, shell foraging and shark tooth hunting.

A 1.3-mile sandy nature trail takes you through the low-lying forest with pockets in the trees giving you glimpses of the wild Gulf Coast on one side and the calmer luminescent aqua waters on the other.

It’s flat and gentle with only a handful of people passing you by.

The trail ends at Stump Pass, the end of the island where the Gulf meets the bay. You will be wowed by the view and thrilled you have your own secluded beach to enjoy.

As soon as we got to where the white sand met that beautiful water, two dolphins rose out of the water, right near the edge of the shore.

They swam and chased fish the whole time we stayed there watching or chasing seagulls.

Two lucky ladies were paddle boarding and were able to get close watching them play.  

This is also a good spot to spy a West Indian Manatees, gopher tortoises, snow egrets or a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (one of the most concentrated spots for these sightings in the world). More sea turtles nest in Manasota Key than anywhere else on the Gulf Coast, particularly the threatened Loggerhead sea turtle. 

You can hire paddle boards and kayaks from the park’s entrance. The most popular route is to kayak along the mangrove habitat of Lemon Bay towards Stump Pass and out into the Gulf of Mexico.

There are also two uninhabited islands just east of Stump Pass you can paddle around.

It was way too windy when we visited to do that. I hope it’s calm for you as it would be a Florida adventure to remember.

The paddle back to the launch site is meant to be easier than the beginning of the trip with the water currents and wind working in your favor.

Visitors can launch a kayak and paddle around the two islands just east of the park’s land base.

Hooked on SUP Paddle Sports provides kayak and paddleboard rental opportunities. You can find them in the middle of the Stump Pass Beach State Park parking lot, on the Lemon Bay side of the park. Don’t forget to purchase your state park pass while there!

Rentals are available in two-hour blocks, four-hour blocks and from one day to multiple day options available as well. 

Where is Manasota Key?

Manasota Key is an 11-mile barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast located south of its busier neighbors, Sarasota, and Venice. It’s about halfway between Tampa and Fort Myers.

Only a short bridge separates it from the mainland, giving even more water experiences for you to enjoy with the calmer Lemon Bay.

Manasota Key is slow-paced, pristine, and unknown – the kind of Florida island vacation of your dreams, especially traveling in COVID times. There is no shortage of personal space and fresh salty air.

We visited Manasota Key for three nights as part of a South Florida road trip from the Atlantic Coast to the Gulf Coast.

Book your Manasota Key Accommodation

Click the map for prices and availability for your Manasota Key vacation in Florida!

Discover new ideas and inspirations in the following posts:

• The perfect winter family vacation in Martin County, Florida
• Best things to do in Sebring, FL in 2 days
• A Uniquely AWESOME Houseboat Rental on the Treasure Coast, FL
• Manasota Key: A family vacation on a little known tropical island
• Your Guide to Wow Experiences on a South Florida Road Trip
• 18 Best Places for Families to Visit in Florida
• Stump Pass Beach Reels
• Sunset Views at Englewood Beach, Manasota Key (reel)

Comment: What other incredible Florida State Parks do you know of?

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We recently spent eight days (in partnership with Visit Florida), exploring the South Central Florida region, which encompasses the Atlantic Coast across to the Florida Gulf Coast.

On this Florida road trip, you’ll discover enchanting ancient hammocks where Florida panthers still roam, thrilling air boat rides through spectacular scenery (and alongside alligators), barrier islands you feel are yours alone to enjoy, the serenity of tucked away rivers, and plenty of fresh and delicious farm to table dining (land and water).

Where are we going on this South Central Florida road trip?

We’re visiting three regions:

1. Martin County on the Treasure Coast region on the Atlantic Coast. It’s halfway between Miami and Orlando and about 45-minutes north of West Palm Beach.
2. Sebring County is in Central Florida and includes the surrounding lake communities (of which there are many lakes!) It is between Martin County and Englewood.
3. Manasota Key in the Punta Gorda region of the Florida Gulf Coast. It’s located just south of Sarasota and north of Fort Meyers.

How long should we spend on this road trip through South Florida?

The beauty of this Florida road trip is that all three destinations are within an easy two-hour drive from each other.

We had three nights in Martin County, two nights in Sebring, and three nights in Manasota Key. And we could have easily extended that time as we loved all regions.

I would have loved an extra 2 nights at least in Martin County (our houseboat was amazing) and an extra night or so soaking up the quiet serenity of Manasota Key would have been ideal. 

The weather was windy, rainy, and overcast when we first arrived in Manasota Key (just bad luck). The day we left was when the sun came out and BOY did it SPARKLE.

Getting there and around

For most direct flight options (and possibly cheaper), we recommend flying into Orlando. It’s easy to do a loop drive for this Florida road trip and you’ll save on one-way rental car fees.

Alternatively, you can fly in and out of West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Meyers or even Tampa. The accessibility to this region is incredible.

From Orlando, it is two hours to Martin County, two hours to Sebring, and two and a half hours to Manasota Key.

Manasota Key is two hours from Sebring (pass through Punta Gorda on the way) and Sebring is two hours from Martin County.

Check your rental car options here. (RentalCars.com is where we find our best deals.)

We donate a percentage of our campaign fee to those local businesses and organizations that support community, the environment, and humanitarian causes. On this South Florida road trip, we supported The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida for their Florida conservation efforts and the Hobe Sound Mural project for their work supporting local artists and bringing community together.

Martin County on the Treasure Coast

Martin County on the Treasure Coast quickly became one of our favorite places in Florida for its buzzing, happy atmosphere with plenty of outdoor attractions.

You’ll find sophistication and Old Florida charm as well as the all-embracing kick off your flip flops and slip on your Key West persona.

Nature is the center of attention in Martin County, with the St Lucie River and Intra-coastal Waterway and the 22 miles of undiscovered and untouched beaches on the Florida Atlantic Coast.

You can balance your nature activities with local art festivals, live music, and beautiful murals.

You’ll find incredible dining experiences from delicious breakfast smoothie bowls and outstanding coffee to local hole in the wall taco places and classier seafood restaurants with water views.

Wow moments in Martin County not to miss

Night Paddle Board, Port Salerno

For a unique family adventure, that packs plenty of WOW join a paddle boarding tour with Zekes Surf and Paddleboarding in the pretty Port Salerno area of Martin County.

What makes this paddle-board experience different, is you’ll be paddling under the cover of darkness!

Our tour started with a quick instruction, before heading out as a group across the channel to nearby Disappearing Island in the middle of St Lucie River Inlet.

The wake was pumping, and we had to sprint paddle, timing our run in between boats, and catching their wake behind us. Once we arrived, we turned our boards to watch the sun set over the inlet.

We parked ourselves on this short strip of white sand scattered with a few red mangroves for about an hour searching for hermit crabs and jellyfish and enjoyed the abundance of bird life soaring across the pink skies.

Then we sat down to watch the huge round orange orb of the full moon rise creating a staircase below it. It was by far one of the best moon rises I’ve ever seen.

The final part to the adventure was paddling back across as a group in darkness (with safety lights). This time there weren’t many boats to navigate around. It was spooky and thrilling at the same time.

Sunset Sail on the Schooner Lily, Stuart

For a gentler adventure, pack your snacks and drinks and take a seat onboard the Schooner Lily in Stuart Florida.

You’ll sail on the St Lucie River for about 2-hours under the guidance of Captain Fred, owner of Treasure Coast Sailing Adventures.

There’s not much for you to do except watch as they hoist the sales, learn more about the biodiversity of the estuary (the most diverse in the Northern Hemisphere), soak up the scenery and sailboat silence, look for wildlife, and marvel at the bright orange sunset sky.

Even better, time it with a full moon, so you can see that rising on your way back to port!

Stay: Houseboat on the St Lucie River

Taking your accommodation wows to the next level is staying on a houseboat on the St Lucie River. We’re talking secluded property, open air decks, a hot tub, kayaks and paddle-boards for sunrise paddles!

See all our recommended things to do in Martin County from our trip, including places to eat.

Video: Adventures in Martin County, Florida

Sebring County in Central Florida

Sebring is a slice of Old Florida where ranchers and citrus growers meet with farm to table restaurants, and locals play (alongside, but far away) with alligators, turtles and birds in ancient forests, plentiful lakes, and cypress swamps.

With its slow pace, access to natural beauty and outdoor adventure, Sebring in Central Florida is a great addition to this diverse Florida road trip.

Sebring is known as the City on the Circle for its downtown stores that are located on the edge of the roundabout in the middle of town.

It is surrounded by other Old-Style Florida towns just a 20-minute drive in either direction like the charming Avon Park and the “Interesting” Lake Placid.

Wow moments in Sebring Not to Miss

Arbuckle Creek Airboat ride, Sebring

Strap yourself in for the roller coaster version of this air-boat ride along the private lands of Arbuckle Creek and Lake Istokpoga with Captain John from Airboat Wild Adventures.

He is not wrong about the WILD part – in both nature and crazy air-boat antics.

Who knew air-boats could go on land?

We really don’t want to spoil the surprise for you, because that “Is he really going to do that? “was a complete WOW moment we don’t want to rob you of.

Just be sure to choose the Spring Break Roller Coaster version.

You’ll glide over acres of lily pads, hydrilla and tall grass and past cypress and live oaks dripping with Spanish Moss.

It’s stunning, pristine, and abundant with alligators and bird life. At one stage I looked up to a sky filled with circling buzzards, flocks of ibis, pink roseate spoonbills, and scores of tiny dragon flies. Then somewhere along the journey, an eagle soared past.

It’s the best air-boat ride we have done in Florida so far.

Cycle the Highlands Hammock State Park Bike Loop

Head deep into a dry, shady land full of towering cypress and oak trees, marauding black bears and Florida panthers, and steely gazing alligators.

Highlands Hammock State Park is Florida’s first state park and is the perfect ancient lush escape from the crowds.  

Its small size makes it an easy state park to explore. The best way is on a bike, cycling the 3.1-mile loop road. Stop along the way at any of the eight short trails that showcase what makes Florida’s first state park a standout attraction.

Don’t miss the Cypress Swamp Trail.

A half mile loop boardwalk goes above the swampy ground – in the wet season, filled with water and perhaps a few alligators – and close to the giant cypress offering that hammock shade and grandeur ambiance.

This is an easy adventure that combines ancient beauty with wildlife and effortless exercise.

Stay: Downtown Historic Sebring Rental

You will love the porch with slight sunset views and the cute morning coffee sun-room of our Sebring vacation rental just a ten-minute walk to the downtown Circle.

It’s spacious, comfortable, and beautifully decorated with three bedrooms, all the amenities you want, and stocked with filtered water, a coffee bar, orange juice, fruit, and muffin snacks.

Click here for more things to do in Sebring, Fl.

On the way to Manasota Key, stop in at Punta Gorda for a riverside walk and the most authentic Thai food we’ve eaten in the USA at Peace River Beer Company. One taste of my Panang Curry and I was back on the sidewalk cafes near my Bangkok apartment. 

Video: Our 2 Day trip to Sebring

Check out the family fun we had in Sebring. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Manasota Key and Englewood

Time to slow down the pace on the idyllic island haven of Manasota Key on the Florida Gulf Coast.

It’s in the Punta Gorda region, about halfway between Tampa and Fort Myers and just south of its busier neighbors, Sarasota, and Venice.

This 11-mile barrier island is slow-paced, pristine, and unknown – the kind of Florida island vacation of your dreams, especially traveling in COVID times. There is no shortage of personal space and fresh salty air.

On one side are the calm aquamarine waters of Lemon Bay, and the other are the Gulf Beaches of Manasota, Englewood, Blinds Pass and Stump Pass – with plenty of space in between for your own private stretch.

Englewood Beach is the most popular beach, where you can find beach rentals, volleyball courts and parasailing fun. It’s also near a few restaurants and bars.

Blinds Pass Beach is known as Middle Beach and is popular for shark tooth hunting, kayaking, or exploring the trails going in and out of the mangrove forest.

Manasota Beach is meant to be the least crowded beach in Sarasota County.

And then there is unmissable, more remote Stump Pass. You can only get there by boat or feet. Crowds at a minimum.

Wow moments in Manasota Key Not to Miss

Play at Stump Pass Beach State Park, Manasota Key

Stump Pass Beach State Park is one of the four barrier islands that comprise the Barrier Islands Geopark in this area. The other three are Cayo Costa, Don Pedro, Gasparilla. 

It consists of 245 acres of the Southern tip of Manasota Key and has access to pristine beaches on Lemon Bay and the Gulf Coast.

A 1.3-mile sandy nature trail takes you through the low-lying forest with pockets in the trees giving you glimpses of the wild Gulf Coast on one side and the calmer luminescent aqua waters on the other.

The trail ends at Stump Pass, the end of the island where the Gulf meets the bay. You will be wowed by the view.

As soon as we got to where the white sand met that beautiful water, two dolphins rose out of the water, right near the edge of the shore.

While we could not experience this activity due to the weather, we have no doubt that a kayak or paddle along the waters of Lemon Bay to the Stump Pass would be a highlight of any Florida road trip.

Read more in our post on Stump Pass Beach State Park

Gulf Coast Sunset

A Florida Gulf Coast sunset is always a wow experience and the MAIN event on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Plan your evenings around it, whether it’s enjoying it from a restaurant or bar, or just from sitting on the front row sand seats.

In keeping with Manasota Key pace, the sunset is another reminder to stop and smell the salty sea breeze and appreciate the grandeur of an orange sky and slow conversations with loved ones.

Click here to learn more fun things to do in Manasota Key, Fl.

Stay: Manasota Key Rental

You cannot go wrong with any beach rental on Manasota Key.

Just a few strides will take you to the beach – possibly your own private stretch of it. The closer you stay to Englewood Beach, the easier it will be to walk to restaurants and happy hour drinks!

Book your South Florida Accommodation

Click the map for hotel and vacation rental prices and availability for your Florida road trip!

“Oh wow. This looks like paradise. I feel like I’m on a secret beach in Thailand.”

The true beauty of Manasota Key wrapped me in awe: pure white sand, calm, turquoise water, a few palm trees barely swaying, and only a handful of people.  

I could laze around here all day and swim in the warm waters.

The previous two days were windy, which changed the colors, textures and feel of the ocean – while still beautiful, it didn’t have that calm tropical feel.

Now, it really did. And I was sad to leave.

Where is Manasota Key?

Manasota Key is an 11-mile barrier island on Florida’s Gulf Coast located south of its busier neighbors, Sarasota, and Venice. It’s about halfway between Tampa and Fort Myers.

Only a short bridge separates it from the mainland, giving even more water experiences for you to enjoy with the calmer Lemon Bay.

Manasota Key is slow-paced, pristine, and unknown – the kind of Florida island vacation of your dreams, especially traveling in COVID times. There is no shortage of personal space and fresh salty air.

We donate a percentage of our campaign fee to those local businesses and organizations that support community, the environment, and humanitarian causes. On this South Florida road trip, we supported The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida for their Florida conservation efforts and the Hobe Sound Mural project for their work supporting local artists and bringing community together.

Englewood & Englewood Beach

We were staying in the Englewood Beach area of the Key, which is the most popular part of the island.

Englewood Florida is split into Englewood Beach on the key, and then Englewood, the main (small) town just over the bridge on the mainland.

You’ll find more amenities in Englewood, like coffee, restaurants, and shopping.

Stay in a Manasota Key Vacation Rentals

Staying in a vacation rental gives you the freedom to be more self-sufficient and so never leave the island. And if you want to go to lunch, dinner or happy hour drinks, there are a few bars and restaurants on Manasota Island.

One sign of how undiscovered this island is, we did not have to wait for a table at any of the Manasota Key restaurants. Despite them being in prime locations on the water, and seemingly busy, we walked right into a table each time.

We stayed in one of the VRBO Manasota Key vacation rentals just north of Englewood Beach.

It was a short 2-minute walk across the road to the beach access and enjoyed the relaxed pace of the island, and our spacious beach bungalow with plenty of amenities and fully equipped kitchen.

It gave us an opportunity to do our school and blog work before exploring during the day. This was the beach cottage rental we stayed in.

Things to do in Manasota Key and Englewood, Fl

Despite having windy and wet conditions, we were able to see a lot of the Manasota and Englewood, Fl area and have a wonderful time.

Unlike our previous adventurous destinations on this South Central Florida road trip, Martin County and Sebring, this allowed us to have a more restful connected family beach vacation.

On Manasota Key, days are planned around sunrise (if you want to get up early), beach time, happy hour, and sunset.

All that is required is flip flops, sunscreen, and a wide friendly grin.

Stump Pass Beach State Park

You know you’re in a special place when a state park takes up the southern end of a barrier island.

Let the photos (and soon to come videos – Reel already on Instagram) tell the story.

Stump Pass Beach State Park is one of the four barrier islands that comprise the Barrier Islands Geopark in this area. The other three are Cayo Costa, Don Pedro, Gasparilla. 

It consists of 245 acres of the Southern tip of Manasota Key and has access to pristine beaches on Lemon Bay and the Gulf Coast.

A 1.3-mile sandy nature trail takes you through the low-lying forest with pockets in the trees giving you glimpses of the wild Gulf Coast on one side and the calmer luminescent aqua waters on the other.

It’s flat and gentle with only a handful of people passing you by.

The trail ends at Stump Pass, the end of the island where the Gulf meets the bay. You will be wowed by the view.

As soon as we got to where the white sand met that beautiful water, two dolphins rose out of the water, right near the edge of the shore.

Two lucky ladies were paddle boarding and were able to get close watching them play.

This is also a good spot to spy a West Indian Manatee or a Loggerhead Sea Turtle (one of the most concentrated spots for these sightings in the world). More sea turtles nest in Manasota Florida than anywhere else on the Gulf Coast, particularly the threatened Loggerhead sea turtle.

You can hire paddle boards and kayaks from the park’s entrance. The most popular route is to kayak along the mangrove habitat of Lemon Bay towards Stump Pass and out into the Gulf of Mexico.

There are also two uninhabited islands just east of Stumps Pass you can paddle around.

It was way too windy when we visited to do that. I hope it’s calm for you as it would be a Florida adventure to remember.

Read more in our post on Stump Pass Beach State Park

Beach days on Manasota Key

Choose your Manasota Key beach to play on for the day.

Englewood Beach

Englewood Beach is the most popular beach, where you can find beach rentals, volleyball courts and parasailing fun. It’s also near where the Englewood restaurants and bars are.

Blinds Pass Beach

Blinds Pass Beach is known as Middle Beach and is popular for shark tooth hunting, kayaking, or exploring the trails going in and out of the mangrove forest.

Manasota Beach

Manasota Beach is meant to be the least crowded beach in Sarasota County.

Stump Pass Beach

And then there is the unmissable, more remote Stumps Pass. You can only get there by boat or feet. Crowds at a minimum.

Follow a track to any patch of sand

We were staying about a mile north of Englewood and our beach there was almost deserted. You can easily find your own spot of sand up and down Manasota Key.

Our rental came with beach chairs, beach umbrella, beach towels and buckets and spades.

Shark Teeth Hunting at Blinds Pass Beach

I didn’t expect to find any shark teeth at Blinds Pass Beach. We turned up empty on a previous attempt in South Carolina and was frustrated after 10 minutes.

Three minutes in of scouring the piles of seashells washed on the shore and we found our first one. We checked with a neighboring hunter to make sure it was legit.

“That looks legit to me!”

Savannah and I whooped and ran back to show Kalyra.

Without trying too hard we found 4 altogether, 2 of them near our beach towels where Savannah was digging up the dry sand. That was lucky as most seem to be found in the wet area where the waves meet the shore.

Close out the Day with a Beach Sunset

Grab your beach chairs, your preferred drink, and walk on over to the beach for sunset.

It is the MAIN event on the Gulf Coast of Florida. Plan your evenings around it, whether it’s enjoying it from a restaurant or bar, or just from sitting on the front row sand seats.

In keeping with Manasota Key pace, the sunset is another reminder to stop and smell the salty sea breeze and appreciate the grandeur of an orange sky and slow conversations with your children.

A cool way to capture your family’s sunset interaction is set your GoPro (or camera) to time-lapse function, press play and then just relax.

You’ll love looking back later to see the different sunset personalities of your family members. (reel here of ours)

Englewood Farmers Market

We randomly stumbled upon the Englewood Farmers Market as we drove through the main Englewood town and notices scores of people wondering around. 

We’re so glad we did as it was the kind of Farmer’s Market we love and reminded us so much of those you’d find in Australia – natural bush setting with stalls filled with local produce, artisan products, good food, and live music.

We grabbed a delicious beef and gluten free empanada, a chocolate donut, and wandered around.

The markets are held every Thursday, October to May.

Places to Eat in Englewood and Manasota Key Restaurants

Sandbar Tiki and Grille

I landed in the right place at the Sand Bark Tiki & Grille: Jalapeno pineapple margarita served under the sun with a brand that breaks into Christ Stapleton’s Tennessee Whiskey followed by the Door’s “Love her Madly”.

If we weren’t on a family vacation in Florida, I would have settled in for hours.  

The Sand Tiki has a tropical fun vibe with an extensive menu ranging from smoked ribs and wings to burgers, salads, and fresh seafood.

If you like nachos, I saw the biggest plate of nachos go by – it’s definitely shareable.

There’s a huge outside seating area on a beach and deck overlooking the water with live music all afternoon and into the evening.

We went twice for its relaxed tropical vibe and the irresistible Jalapeno Pineapple Margarita

The Waverly Restaurant and Bar

The Waverly with its upstairs dining and more casual downstairs eating was one of my favorite places to eat in the Manasota Englewood region.

There were superb sunset views from the upstairs dining. It stopped me in my restroom track. I wanted to shout you” Excuse me, can we please all stop talking and look at the magnificence outside. No conversation is that important.”

Now, I’m all for sitting outside when the weather gets above 70 and I still recommend sitting downstairs as we had cool live Motown music playing too, but the giant orange orb was mesmerizing from upstairs.

We still had a lovely view of sunset from our table, catching most of it as it sunk and enjoying the beautiful colors in the sky after it.

The food at the Waverly was also delicious. I want to replicate my pumpkin seed crusted salmon at home. Come here for happy hour – $4 house wine, which was surprisingly good.

The Lock ‘N Key

The Lock ‘N Key was the most recommended Manasota restaurant for us. Popular day and night for its spacious patio across the road from the beach.

You’ll find an extensive menu of steak, prime rib, and seafood with plenty of locally caught fresh fish.

Lighthouse Grill at Stumps Pass

Across the bay and over those uninhabited islands, you’ll find the Lighthouse Grill, a popular place for open air dining, seafood, sunset gazing, live music, and fire pits.

I loved the live music here; the duo was a lot of fun and kept us entertained with “guess the original artist of this song” games. Their singing was also on point and played a range of songs from Elvis to Eagles to my favorite, Chris Stapleton’s Tennessee Whiskey!

My recommendation is the paella!

This restaurant has sunset views over the bay and is worth dining at for a different Gulf Coast sunset experience.

Breakfast: Mango Bistro

There weren’t a lot of options for breakfast in Englewood and none on Manasota Key. The colorful Mango Bistro in Englewood will be your best breakfast spot with a wide variety of healthy options and favorites.

My avocado toast was possibly the biggest serving I’ve ever had and was the kind of delicious healthy breakfast I like.

There are plenty of options for the kids such as pancakes and French toast. Kalyra loved her bananas in pajamas, a banana rolled in a crepe with peanut butter, drizzled with chocolate and whipped cream!

Beach Road Wine Bar & Bistro

Another popular place for waterside and sunset views is Beach Road Wine and Bar in Englewood, Fl (mainland)

There is a limited menu with smaller sizes, but the dishes pack a punch with flavors. My mussels with lemon basil sauce was delicious.

There is an extensive wine list here. It’s a beautiful, relaxed setting for a glass of your favorite chilled wine.

Getting to Manasota Key and Englewood

Englewood and Manasota Key is shared by the Sarasota County (to the north) and Charlotte County (south).

It’s about 45 minutes to Punta Gorda the largest city and seat of Charlotte County. We passed through here on our way from Sebring.

Fort Myers or Tampa are the nearest airports to consider flying in and out of. We flew in and out of Orlando for our Manasota Key Florida trip, which is a 2.5-hour drive.

Book your Manasota Key Accommodation

Click the map for prices and availability for your Manasota Key vacation in Florida!

Discover new ideas and inspirations in the following posts:

• The perfect winter family vacation in Martin County, Florida
• Best things to do in Sebring, FL in 2 days
• A Uniquely AWESOME Houseboat Rental on the Treasure Coast, FL
• Your Guide to Wow Experiences on a South Florida Road Trip
• 18 Best Places for Families to Visit in Florida
• Stump Pass Beach Reels
• Sunset Views at Englewood Beach, Manasota Key (reel)

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“You’re here now, you can breathe again. Just sit back, relax and take it all in.”

When you visit Sebring in Florida, this State Park is your opportunity to nurture yourself in nature away from the crowds.

So, we did. Starting with a tram tour of Highlands Hammock State Park, Florida’s first state park where we learned a lot about the parks’ history and unique qualities that earned its protection rights.  

Highlands Hammock is one of the best things to do in Sebring, located in Central Florida. It’s about 3 hours northwest of Miami and 2 hours south of Orlando.

This is Old Florida: untouched and ancient, a place where you’ll find yourself surrounded by thousand old oak trees as you move along under shaded canopies of cypress and hardwood swamps, marshes, and evergreen flatwoods.

There’s plenty of opportunity for alligator spotting and bird watching in the park. You may get lucky and see deer, a black bear, or even the elusive Florida Panther.

Highlands Hammock is a small enough park that you can see a lot in just a few hours, but more than enough for you to stretch it out a little longer.

What is a Hammock?

While it’s not of the swinging kind, hammock does invoke an image of relaxation and revitalization. It comes from the Native American word, “hamaca’ which means “a shady place”.

Today, hammock is used in Florida to describe forest habitats that are typically higher in elevation and are characterized by hardwood forests of broad-leaved evergreens.

Tropical hardwood hammocks occur in south Florida and along the Florida coastlines where danger from frost is rare and tropical trees and shrubs common to the Caribbean islands (West Indian origin) can survive.

Tram Tour of Highlands Hammock State Park

A great introduction to this incredible Florida State Park is the narrated tram tour. This full-accessible tram passes slowly through four major ecosystems that include hydric hammock, cypress swamp, pine flatwoods and baygall.

Our informative guide, Ed stopped along the way to teach us the meaning of words such as hammock, epiphytes, and pods pointing out real life examples as we went. This perfectly aligned with our schoolcation mission.

Days later, Savannah was able to explain how the sex of an alligator baby is determined depending on where their egg lays in the nest.

Not only did it teach me but sparked my curiosity to a question I can’t quite grasp an answer to. I guess we put it down to the unexplained Mother Nature.

Why do male alligators feel the need to procreate if they just want to eat all their babies due to fear of competition for resources?

All good tours should have you ending in the pursuit of more knowledge!

Our tram tour took us down a back dusty road along the park’s borders. The pine, oak and hardwood trees gave way to more cypress trees, The palms and palmettos steady companions to all throughout the park.

This less thick area is where a black bear and Florida panther were recently spotted on the park cam! We didn’t see these rare animals, but we did see the hog traps set up to help eradicate the out-of-control hog problem.

We also learned about one special species in Highlands Hammock, the gopher tortoise. This section of the park has trees dependent on fire for regrowth, so controlled burning is done.

After one fire burning, about 300 species of animals were found hiding in the huge underground hole of the gopher tortoise – animals that normally don’t get along like snake and mice, huddled together in the safety of the hole with a silent truce not to hurt one another.

There’s a Disney movie waiting for that story!

Our tour then followed a creek at the back of the park’s borders.

This is where we were introduced to several of the parks’ crocodiles, including George the ferocious male patrolling the creek looking to see what babies he could eat and Paddy, Deborah and a few other of the fierce protecting mothers watching over their babies.

The tour lasted 90-minutes and was worth doing if you want to kick back and have someone educate and point out the most interesting features.

Now you’ll know what you want to go back and explore more in-depth.

• Our tram tour was hosted by Highland Hammocks State Park

Cypress Swamp Trail

The most popular trail in Highlands Hammock State Park is the Cypress Swamp Trail.

Well, I should say walk. The longest trail in Highlands Hammock is only just over half a mile, and this area of Florida is pancake flat.

An elevated boardwalk takes you through the ancient land where herons and ibis poke around in the mud for food, and when water is high, alligators may be looking for them.

This is an easy trail whose purpose is to transport you into an ancient land of towering cypress trees, ferns, and dripping Spanish moss.

Other Hiking Trails at Highlands Hammock State Park

Hiking in Highlands Hammock State Park is easy, especially with kids of any age.

The hiking trails run through hydric hammock, cypress swamp, hardwood swamp and pine flatwood. Eight out of the nine trails are off the main loop drive and range in distance from 975 feet to over 3,000 feet. 

Several of the trails connect via a bridge or catwalk.

Ranger Laura recommended the following walks for me to come back and do when I do my bike loop ride.

It was going to be during our visit to Sebring, but I realized last minute I was not insured to drive the rental car so could not escape for a blissful solo hour adventure.

Alexander Blair Big Oak Trail.

This 975ft trail will take you to the “Big Oak” giant live oak with a girth of 36 feet. Sadly, the Big Oak died years ago, but its gnarled lower trunk can be seen.

Ancient Hammock Trail to Fern Garden Trail

Said to be one of the prettiest trails, the Ancient Hammock Trail shows off the glory of towering cabbage palms and live oaks centuries old.

You can connect this to the Fern Garden Trail, which runs through the fern-edged swamp. Alligators may be seen from the boardwalk here.

Wild Orange Trail

This is a good one to do if you are picnicking as the loop connects to the picnic area. It also offers a unique perspective for its wild orange trees.

Citrus Groves, while not native to this area, are allowed to continue to grow in Highlands Hammock as they provide so many jobs to those in the local communities.

They started in this region, after those on the ships from England and Europe were given citrus seeds to throw down along their port stops to grow oranges for future passengers immigrating and to help overcome the scurvy issue.

Bike the Highlands Hammock Loop

I very much want to return to Highland Hammocks State Park to cycle the shady 3.1 loop road and hike some of the many trails that lead off it.

People also roller blade it and we saw a few keen runners clocking up their miles.

You can hire bikes form the Hammock Inn Concession near the visitor center. Adventure lovers will enjoy the six mile off road trail, fat tire bikes are recommended.

Bikes are not allowed on hiking trails, but there are racks to park your bike at the start of the trails.

Other things to note:

• There are geocaches throughout the park for families who love geocaching.
• You can also bring your own horse through parts of the park.
• Highlands Hammock State Park was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places.
• History buffs will enjoy the Florida’s Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, housed in a historical building near the visitor center which teaches the history of the park and the Crops role in it.

In 1934, a local CCC camp began working on a botanical garden project adjacent to Highlands Hammock Park.

When Florida’s state park system was established in 1935, Highlands Hammock became one of the state’s first parks. It is one of eight original CCC parks in Florida.

Camping at Highlands Hammock

Campsites in Highlands Hammock vary from sunny, partial sun to fully shaded ranging in length from 20 – 50 ft.

They have picnic tables and fire rings.

The family campground offers water and electric hookups, a dump station, access to restrooms with shower facilities, laundry, and dishwashing areas. 

You can access primitive campsites in open pine flatwoods. They have picnic tables and fire rings but no electricity or running water.

Check out more wow experiences on a South Florida Road Trip.

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We’re the kind of family that loves outdoor adventure and cultural fun, which means our recommendations can suit almost any traveler.

In this post we’ll share tips on where to go in South Florida, The Florida Keys, Central Florida, the Panhandle and Northern Florida areas. The more we explore and visit Florida the more we love. So this post will continually be updated as we discover more.

Places to Visit in Florida with kids

You may wish to explore on an extended Florida road trip. It’s much longer state than you think, taking 12 hours to traverse its length.

Craig and I road tripped it during the summer on 2005. We recommend you do that outside of summer! The intensity of the heat, mosquitos and storms were a little too much!

Or, you may like to travel it like we do now, short road trips in and out to experience the many amazing Florida vacation spots. Stay connected, subscribe to our email community as we have loads to come now we live close in Raleigh, NC.

We’d love to hear your ideas on where to go to Florida too. Please leave a comment sharing your favorites and the cool things to do there for kids of all ages.

Places to Visit in the Panhandle & Northern Florida

The Florida Panhandle is the northwestern part of Florida. It borders Alabama, Georgia, and the gorgeous Gulf of Mexico It’s hugely popular for its white sandy, tropical style beaches.

But don’t discount inland either, we have found many hidden secrets and amazing adventures in the Natural North Florida area.

Monticello

For a different Florida vacation experience, head inland and visit the charming historical town of Monticello in Natural North Florida.

Monticello is located 24-miles east of the state capitol, Tallahassee, was founded in 1827 and is the seat of Jefferson County.

Jefferson is known as the Keystone County for its unspoiled beauty and mild climate offering the ‘keys to quality living.’

We loved our few days exploring this region. We discovered a place full of adventure, unique and pristine beauty, historical and educational experiences, and a cute downtown community focused on supporting local businesses and a vibrant lifestyle.

We adored our encounters with the lemurs at the North Florida Wildlife Center and our airboat and kayak adventure down the pristine Wacissa River is one of our favorite experiences in the USA so far.

Read more tips on this beautiful Natural North Florida Region

• Airboat and Kayak the Wacissa River
• 18 awesome things to do in North Florida
• 14 Fantastic Things to do in Monticello, Fl
• 12 amazing things to do in Cedar Key, Florida
• Scalloping in Steinhatchee, Gulf Coast

St Andrews State Park | Shell Island, Panama City

Are you ready for one of my favorite beaches in the USA?

Brilliant white sand, emerald green waters and dolphins swimming close to shore, St Andrews State Park was our dream when Craig and I visited in 2005.

Located on the southern end of Panama City Beach, it’s away from the hustle and bustle of this panhandle city and the perfect place for families to spend a day.

You’ll see plenty of bird life, ocean life and perhaps butterflies. You can even camp here, which is on our Florida with kids bucket list.

The real highlight lies across the St. Andrew Bay Channel on Shell Island. It’s one of the largest undeveloped barrier islands in the Florida Panhandle (seven-miles long).

This is where Craig and I spent the day and fell in love! You can take the shuttle across to Shell Island like we did, or on my list to do when I return with the girls is to paddle over the channel to the island!

Note: This beach is such a Florida secret that I could not source ONE photo of it. Our photos are ancient print ones! I am hunting one down as you read this and will soon replace the beautiful generic Florida beach one above.

Gulf Islands National Sea Shore + Fort Pickens, Pensacola

One of the highlights of the Florida Panhandle is the 150 mile stretch of undeveloped, protected sugar sand coastline of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.

The seashore is not continuous, but spread out over one Florida island, parts of other islands and Mississippi.  Around Pensacola it protects 5,842 acres of public land and 18,953 acres of water along 52 miles of Gulf and bay shoreline around Pensacola. Learn more here.

Fort Pickens is the star attraction of the Gulf Islands National Seashore on Pensacola Beach. The fort is strategically located at the tip of Santa Rosa Island, guarding the bay entrance into Pensacola.

You can walk among the ruins for a unique look into American history and the military significance of Pensacola dating back to the American Revolution. 

Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, bordering the popular Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama.

For a unique USA cultural experience head to the Flora-Bama Beach bar on the border for a Bushwhacker cocktail.

Destin, Florida

Destin is known as a picture perfect Florida family vacation destination.

You’ll get access to stunning white sand beaches and that brilliant green water that gives this Emerald Coast panhandle region its name. Its super soft, snow white sand comes from the ultra fine quartz that originated in the Appalachian Mountains.

Yep. Paradise.

You can find any manner of water sports to suit your family’s interests: jet skis, banana boats, paddle boarding, cruises and snorkeling. Sunsets here are something special – like all Florida Gulf Coast beaches.

Anglers will be happy to know Destin is known as the world’s luckiest finishing village!

It’s also a place you can find world-class resorts, shopping, dining and brewery trails.

May – September are the best months to visit for beach lovers. Outside of that will bring cooler weather and less crowds.

We chose to skip Destin for our recent Florida winter vacation as we wanted warm weather. Martin County was the much better choice (see below).

Craig and I had a brief stay here on our Florida road trip, but it was super busy with construction. We much preferred the quieter St Andrews State Park and Grayton Beach State Park.

We do eventually want to bring back the girls to experience this family-friendly Florida destination.

Click here to discover discounted tickets to many tours and attractions in Destin

St. Augustine, Florida

Welcome to St Augustine, the nation’s oldest city. It’s one of the best places to visit in Florida and to put on your East Coast road trip itinerary.

Craig and I visited years ago and fell in love with the brick-lined streets, the city’s European flavor, Spanish style centuries-old buildings, horse-drawn carriages and hidden courtyards.

We can’t wait to take the girls so they can feel the 450 years of history in the streets.

There is so much history to explore in St Augustine, a top place to visit in Florida with kids. Here are a few not to miss:

The Fountain Of Youth

We know evil Stepmothers around the world, will stop at nothing to get their hands on the elixir for youth.

You now know the easy way: drink from the magical waters in St Augustine.

The Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine is legendary, known as the place where Ponce De Leon discovered the healing waters that magically maintain your youthful appearance.

Drink from the magical spring’s waters, plus explore many exhibits and historical attractions at the 15-acre Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.

And don’t miss visiting the Native Timucua Village of Seloy, where you can learn about how these Native Americans lived and hunted for over 3,000 years.

Fort Castillo De San Marcos

Not to be missed is the Castillo De San Marcos, this 17th Century fort is the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. and a National Monument. This Spanish stone fortress built to protect and defend Spain’s claims in the New World.

Regular daily programs and ranger-led tours are free with admission, as are cannon firings and weaponry demonstrations.

Put this on your list of places to see in Florida with kids!

Family history lovers: See this post for ideas on an East Revolutionary Road trip!

Old Trolley Tour

A great way to gain more insight into the history of St Augustine is with a kid-friendly Old Trolley Tour.

It’s a hop-on-hop-off experience taking you to 23 stops with access to over 100 points of interest. In a historical city like St Augustine, it’s worth it.

Florida Freshwater Springs

Its not just the Florida beaches to love in Florida with your family, but also the stunning freshwater springs you’ll find throughout the state. Florida has the largest collection of springs on earth – more than 700!

They are perfectly suited to the hot Florida climate and, with temperatures 72 degrees year round, it will be the refreshing dip you need on those humid days.

Most of the springs are located in the central and northern parts of the state and within the state or national parks. They are great for swimming, kayaking, tubing and even snorkeling with manatees and turtles.

Sadly, we did not get to experience many on our recent Florida road trip due to flooding and murky waters. We did get to swim in Madison Blue Springs State Park, which has been dubbed by USA Today, “the best swimming hole in the US” and one of the top north Florida attractions!

We also loved the ethereal beauty of Wakulla Springs, which has been the backdrop for films such as Tarzan and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. With its large grassy area by the beach with diving platform, it’s a wonderful place to spend the day with the kids enjoying picnic, swimming and relaxing.

Based upon our research, these are the Florida freshwater springs we have listed to visit on our next family Florida vacation.

• Ichetucknee Springs State Park – popular for tubing runs and kayaking.
• Manatee Springs – firs magnitude spring offering snorkeling, summing and up-close views of manatees.
• Fanning Springs – blue-green spring waters under ancient live oaks dripping with Spanish Moss.
• Crystal River – the only place you can legally swim with Manatees

Places to Visit in Central Florida

Although boundaries for Central Florida seem to be unclear, you can be sure the name pretty much tells you the location.

On Central East Florida, you have Daytona Beach and Cape Canaveral, and on the West Tampa Bay and its nearby magnificent Gulf coast beaches. Hugely popular for kids is the Kennedy Space Center and a firsthand encounter with the NASA space program, insight into the life of an astronaut and how our lives have changed because of it. It’s on our list of top attractions in Florida for our next visit.

In the middle, you have Orlando, Kissimmee and the infamous theme parks of Universal and Walt Disney World Resort. This area also has a lot of lakes and springs you can enjoy! Always check with the locals before swimming due to the presence of alligators!

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach is one of our favorite beaches in Florida. It’s not too far from Tampa which makes it easy to get to and its only a short drive from Orlando, giving you that much needed serenity beach break after too much fun at the theme parks.

You can walk to plenty of restaurants and local shops. Sunset is a fun event here, not just for its beauty, but for the various street performers out near the pier.

One of our favorite things to do in Clearwater Beach was learning how to build sandcastles. It has the perfect sand castle building conditions.

So much so that each year, world-renown sand artists come here for the Sugar Sand Festival and its sand sculpture competition.

We stayed at and loved the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach. family friendly hotel. It was absolute beachfront, with a pool area as gorgeous as the beach. Great food, location and sunset views.

Orlando

Orlando is a city that is buzzing with happy vacation spirit. We visited several times pre-kids for conferences and loved the party like vibe.

It’s a little different now with kids and we are yet to explore Orlando beyond the theme parks with them. Stay tuned as we have it penciled in for a possible trip this Summer/ Fall.

It’s probably high on your list for its access to the Florida theme parks. It’s also close to many other cool places to visit in Florida with kids.

Plan well. We rented a vacation villa near Disneyland for a week in Kissimmee and had a blast just staying at the villa. We also experienced a neighborhood Trick or Treat Halloween, which was awesome.

Universal Orlando Resort

We LOVE Universal Orlando Resort and have been with the kids a few times now.

Universal Orlando Resort consists of three parks:

• Universal Studios – a lot of shows, theme lands and some rides
• Universal’s Islands of Adventure – the best for thrill rides
• Universal’s Volcano Bay – amazing fun water park

And then there is The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which is located in both Universal Studios (Diagon Alley) and Islands of Adventure (Hogsmeade).

I could spend all day in there alone drinking butter beer. We have all the tips below on how to plan your day, save time and money, and the best things to see and do!

Grab your tickets (and deals) for Universal Orlando Resort here.

Read More:

• 18 tips for visiting Universal Orlando Resort
• 25 Tips for Volcano Bay Orlando water park
• Your guide to Family fun at Universal Studios Florida
• How to have fun at Universal’s Islands of Adventure
• How to spend one day at Universal Orlando Resort

Walt Disney World Resort

Stay tuned as we plan to visit Disney World in Florida with our kids soon. Craig and I visited in 2005 and enjoyed it.

But, it is a pretty intense experience and involves careful planning and time management.

Disney World has four separate parks so choose which ones best suit your families needs. I think Magic Kingdom is a given.

Our girls really want to visit Animal Kingdom, but since we backpacked Africa for 6 months in before kids, I’m not too sure I’m up for a zoo like experience. You can’t beat seeing rhino, crocodiles, zebras and lions in the wild.

I wasn’t too thrilled with Epcot when we visited. As I’ve been a global traveler for so long the world section didn’t excite me too much. But, it may be fun for you and your kids.

Check for deals on Walt Disney World tickets here.

Related Posts:

• Which Disney Resort is best for your family
• Best Epcot Restaurants (and what to avoid)
• What is the best ride at Disney
• DisneyWorld tips and tricks
• Disney Orlando – your essential guide

Legoland

Located in Winter Haven, just a 45-minute drive from Orlando, Legoland Florida Resort is the largest Legoland theme park in the world, and it’s one of the most popular things to do in Central Florida.

If you’re familiar with the old Cypress Gardens theme park, Florida’s first theme park, that’s the location of Legoland.

The 150-acre property now offers a unique mix of more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. Plus restaurants, shops and a beautiful botanical garden (unfortunately this was closed during our visit due to damage from hurricane Irma).

The Legoland theme park is geared towards children ages 2 to 12, who obviously love lego! Our kids are aged 10 and six and most of the attractions and rides were suitable to their age, so that seems to be the sweet spot.

Related posts:

• 3 things to do in Central Florida (beyond Orlando)

You can buy your Legoland Florida tickets online through Undercover Tourist and by doing so you can save money before arriving at the theme park.

Highland Hammock State Park

We were delighted to discover Highland Hammocks State Park in Sebring, Fl even though it was only a short visit.

I want to return to cycle the 3.1 loop road and hike some of the many trails that lead off it.

Well, I should say walk. The longest trail in Highlands Hammock is only just over half a mile, and this area of Florida is pancake flat.

It’s an opportunity for you to get lost in nature for a while, surrounded by 1000-year-old oak trees and walking under shaded canopies past cypress, hardwood swamps, evergreen flatwoods, ferns, and other habitats.

We did fit in one trail with Ranger Laura – the park’s most famous, Cypress Swamp Trail. We also did an amazing 90 minute tram tour of park.

Put the beauty of Highland Hammock, Florida’s first state park, on your south central Florida road trip.

Listen: We recorded a podcast episode on our South Florida Road Trip.

Read our Guide to Highlands Hammock State Park

Places to Visit in South Florida

We now head down to South Florida which includes Little Havana, the Everglades, and the Keys. You could spend months just in southern Florida with everything there is to do here.

Don’t miss these 8 wow experiences we had on our South Florida Road Trip.

Martin County and the Treasure Coast

Martin County on the Treasure Coast quickly became one of our favorite places in Florida on our South Florida road trip for its buzzing, happy atmosphere with plenty of outdoor attractions.

In Martin County, you’ll find sophistication and Old Florida charm as well as the all-embracing kick off your flip flops and slip on your Key West persona.

Nature is the center of attention in Martin County, with the St Lucie River and Intra-coastal Waterway and the 22 miles of undiscovered and untouched beaches on the Florida Atlantic Coast.

You can balance your nature activities with local art festivals, live music, and beautiful murals.

You’ll find incredible dining experiences from delicious breakfast smoothie bowls and outstanding coffee to local hole in the wall taco places and classier seafood restaurants with water views.

Read our post on the perfect winter vacation in Martin County. Here is our full review on our AMAZING houseboat rental. Check our IG feed for content on that while you wait! (Subscribe to our YouTube here.)

Stump Pass Beach State Park, Manasota Key

For a much quieter, lessor known Florida Gulf Beach, head to the 11 mile Barrier Island, Manasota Key. You’re likely to find your own private stretch of beach.

Here is where you’ll find one of Florida’s prettiest state parks, Stump Pass Beach State Park.

It consists of 245 acres of the Southern tip of Manasota Key and has access to pristine beaches on Lemon Bay and the Gulf Coast.

A 1.3-mile sandy nature trail takes you through the low-lying forest with pockets in the trees giving you glimpses of the wild Gulf Coast on one side and the calmer luminescent aqua waters on the other.

The trail ends at Stump Pass, the end of the island where the Gulf meets the bay. You will be wowed by the view.

As soon as we got to where the white sand met that beautiful water, two dolphins rose out of the water, right near the edge of the shore.

You can read our guide on things to do on Manasota Key and our post on Stump Pass Beach State Park

Miami

With its eclectic mix of cultures and personalities, Miami is one of the most unique and vibrant cities in the USA. It’s definitely a place in Florida to visit with the kids.

So many experiences in Florida are centered around coastal adventures, historical towns, and theme parks. Miami is the place for families to soak up some city culture.

Plus, it’s surrounded by pristine and protected areas of natural beauty, so you will never be bored and your Miami vacation will be balanced.

Miami Beach is one of the most beautiful city beaches I’ve ever seen. It’s hard for city beaches to keep a pristine status, but this beach does it!

Explore the Miami Neighborhoods

Miami is not just party central, South Beach – and probably not the best place for you to visit with kids. Make South Beach an early morning walk through.

It’s neighborhoods are worth exploring. We loved our 24 hours spent in Coconut Grove before our Western Caribbean cruise. It was a beautiful neighborhood with Spanish dripping live oaks, great food and a gentler pace.

Wynwood is famous for graffiti art on th walls of the old warehouse buildings, showcasing that Miami artistic flair.

Probably the most well-known Miami neighborhood to explore is Little Havana with its opportunities to dance to Cuban music, eat Cuban food, and play dominoes in Domino Park.

Related post: 3 hip and quirky Miami boutique hotels

Everglades National Park

High on everyone’s Florida bucket list is the Everglades National Park, home to numerous rare and endangered species like the manatee, American crocodile, and the elusive Florida panther.

At 1.5 million-acre wetlands is the is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. It’s a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance.

It’s a must see Florida destination and can be easily accessed from Miami or if you are on a South Florida road trip heading down to the Keys.

Now that we’ve established why this is one of the best places to visit in Florida as a family, we will offer our most important piece of advice:

Do not visit Everglades National Park in the SUMMER!

Craig and I learned this harsh lesson and wondered why we almost had the entire park to ourselves when we arrived. Until we got out of the car and were swarmed by mosquitoes. BAD IDEA to camp!

Plus, it was so humid and uncomfortable. We still loved it but we recommend the cooler months!

Some highlights of the Everglades include:

• The popular Everglades airboat tour through the marshy grasslands and the mangrove waterways in the park. Although, we preferred the airboat tour in Sebring, and the Wacissa River.
• Biking the 15 mile loop paved The Shark Valley trail. An observation tower offers panoramic views of Everglades National Park.
• Hiking. There are plenty of hiking trails you can do with kids’ in Everglades National Park. The Ahinga Trail is an easy .8 mile-long boardwalk trail. Pineland Trail is a half-mile walk through Florida pine forest. Mahogany Hammock Trail is an Everglades boardwalk trail through dense jungle to the largest living mahogany tree in the United States.

You are likely to encounter alligators everywhere, and possibly sunning on the side of the road. Keep your wits about you and remember they are WILD and DANGEROUS.

Did you know there is only one another Everglades in the world? It’s in Noosa, Australia and we have kayaked through it! No alligators though. You can see more of our Noosa Everglade and Hinterland adventures here.

Places to Visit in the Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a string of tropical islands stretching about 120 miles off the southern tip of the U.S. state of Florida, between the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.

The Keys are renowned for their pristine waters, beautiful reefs, and world-class fishing.

For many, it’s at the top of their list of places to visit in Florida, especially during the ideal warm temperatures of winter.

The islands are made up of five unique destinations: Key West, the Lower Keys, Marathon, Islamorada and Key Largo. So choose which ones suit your family more.

At the Florida Keys you’ll find days filled with relaxation on the beaches, or, if you’re up to it, many outdoor adventures like snorkeling, fishing and kayaking.

Here are a few ideas on things to do in the Florida Keys.

John Pennekamp State Park

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park was the first undersea park in the U.S. It’s biggest draw card for visitors are the coral reefs and marine lands. It’s known for its snorkeling and diving.

Craig and I went snorkeling years ago on a tour boat quite a way from shore. However, you can snorkel off the beach.

For those who don’t want to snorkel, glass bottom tour boats are available.

There are also mangrove swamps and tropical hammocks to explore. Kayaking through the mangroves is an activity the kids are sure to love.

Drive the Seven Mile Bridge

For many, a highlight of a visit to Florida Keys is driving the famous Seven Mile Bridge located at the west end of the City of Marathon.

It connects Knight’s Key (part of the city of Marathon, Florida) in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. It can feel a little unnerving driving over all that open water, but the views all round are stunning!

Just don’t crane your neck to far to look at the old Seven Mile Bridge beside it.

The first bridge was built under the direction of Henry Flagler and Clarence S. Coe as a part of the Florida East Coast Railway’s Key West Extension, also known as the Overseas Railroad. After it was destroyed by a hurricane, in 1935, the new bridge was constructed only for automobile access.

Today, the Old Seven Mile Bridge to Pigeon Key is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

People still like to walk or cycle along what remains of the old bridge, and fishing is popular.

In the middle of the Old Seven Mile Bridge is the historic, Pigeon Key. You can tour the island to learn more about the historic buildings that housed the workers who built the Seven Mile Bridge from 1908 to 1912.

The entire Overseas Highway carries US. Route 1 through the Florida Keys to Key West. Its a total of 113 miles of roadway and 42 overseas bridges that leap from key to key and is a Florida attraction unto itself. It’s an All American Road and one of the best scenic drives in America.

Florida Key Beaches

You’re in the tropics with endless islands at your fingertips, of course you want to hang out at the beach.

Because the Florida Keys are built on coral rock and are protected by offshore reefs, (ideal for snorkeling and diving) the shoreline is mostly rocky or mucky as the reef prevents sand from building up to create beaches.

There are a few notable beaches in the Florida Keys though:

• Sombrero Beach in Marathon has the white sand your dreaming of
• Bahia Honda State Park in Big Pine Key has three natural beaches to choose from
• Fort Zachary Taylor State Park and Beach in Key West is where the Gulf waters meet the Atlantic. IT’s a popular place for snorkeling.

Key West

Kick off your flip flops and let yourself hang lose. Key West has that party island vibe.

It’s the southernmost city of the Florida Keys. It is famous for Duval Street’s many bars, Mallory Square’s nightly Sunset Celebration, and the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.

I loved the upbeat, colorful vibe of Key West. It’s a fun place. Duval Street is probably not where you want to take the kids in the evening hours.

Craig and I haven’t visited Key West with kids yet, but we did a fantastic sunset catamaran tour that I’m sure they’ll love! Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Looking for an undiscovered, lessor visited Florida attraction?

Then take yourself to the Dry Tortugas National Park, located 70-miles from Key West by boat or plane.

This 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. It’s dominated by the coastal Fort Jefferson, the largest brick building in the western hemisphere that was used as a prison during the Civil War.

You can tour the fort, enjoy the beaches and snorkel the crystal clear waters.

Only about 60,000 people visit each year, compared to 11 million at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the USA’s most popular.

Take this family experience up a level by camping near Fort Jefferson on Garden Key.

Consider grabbing a Florida Attractions Pass to save you money on tours and entry fees.

More National PArks in the USA

• 7 US national parks you may not have heard of
• 7 of the best national parks in the United States
• Channel Islands National Park – a California day trip
• All USA national park content

Planning a Trip to Florida

Popular Tours and Attractions in Florida
Get Your Guide offers a wide variety of tours and attractions.

.Do you have any tips on where to go in Florida? What other fun things to do in Florida with family can you suggest? Share in the comments

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Renting a houseboat in Florida was not something ever on our radar, but when the opportunity presented itself on our recent family vacation to Florida we jumped aboard.

In doing so, we discovered a unique and fun accommodation experience, not just for families, but couples or groups of friends traveling together.

UPDATE: This houseboat appears to be no longer available! Boo Hoo! See other vacation rentals for Martin County here. And other houseboats in Florida for rent here. Keep reading though as the post will give you an idea on what to expect when you rent a houseboat!

We recently visited Martin County and the Treasure Coast on a marketing campaign with Visit Florida and VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner). After extensive research on VRBO for Martin County vacation rentals, we found this houseboat docked on the Port St Lucie River.

Note: This review is not sponsored or part of our campaign agreements. We wanted to share this as it was such a cool and unique place to stay in this Florida vacation spot!

We wanted our stay to be unique and in keeping with the safe COVID-19 vacation world. The houseboat rentals offered seclusion plus serenity. You won’t have to worry about making noise – we had plenty of distance to the nearest neighbor, and you certainly won’t have to worry about intrusion into your safe travel bubble.

We’d love to come back each winter, rent the houseboat for a week, and have equal parts enjoying the restful experience of the accommodation and going on Treasure Coast adventures.

It felt like we were camping or RVing. The houseboat gives you that similar close to nature feel, but in a stationary way, with less movement work on your behalf. It was also more spacious with stunning decks all round.

Your floating accommodation is a restored luxury private river houseboat stocked with a fully equipped kitchen, a living room, 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 decks, and a HOT TUB!

Choose your Deck + View

We loved that the houseboat came with views all round, no matter where you were on the boat, even from the bathroom windows!

I doubt you will spend much time inside with the gorgeous Florida winter temperatures. Why would you when you have three decks outside to enjoy?

There is the front of the boat deck as you first enter the property. It’s a small, shaded seating area, which would probably be good in the warmer months.

The small ensuite back deck. Take your morning coffee straight from the main bedroom out on the back deck overlooking the river. It’s covered so will be shaded form the hot sun.

We opted for the top deck mostly on our winter vacation. It was gorgeous day and night. You get full panoramic views of the St Lucie river and jungled landscapes on the banks.

The top deck comes with lounge chairs and a hot tub. There is also a covered section where the captain’s wheel is. This is a nice spot for breakfast when you want something a little more formal and shaded.

Use the top deck for sunning, reading, playing cards, watching the sunrise and sunsets, watching the river life, and relaxing in the jacuzzi. You’ll see plenty of bird life and, if lucky, perhaps a few dolphins swimming by. We didn’t, but other guests have.

You will only hear the sounds of nature on this houseboat. It was perfect.

Just be careful on the top deck as it can get slippery when its wet from the hot tub and morning dew.

Listen: We recorded a podcast episode on our South Florida Road Trip.

Sunrise, Sunset and Star Gazing

The top deck is the ultimate spot for viewing sunrise, sunset and stargazing.

Sunrise will come from behind you. So, you get pretty colors in front and a soft light on the mangroves on the opposite side of the river.

It’s best viewed from a kayak on the river so you can see the full sunrise. We visited during a full moon so had the moon setting over the mangroves as the sun was rising which was spectacular!

We missed sunset from the houseboat unfortunately as we were out busy every evening doing activities, but it’s meant to be amazing. You’ll get to see it drop behind the mangroves.

Then there is star gazing. We jumped in the hot tub late one night and loved watching the stars directly above us. What more do you want from your accommodation?

Hot Tub

The hot tub on the top deck is a fantastic addition to the houseboat.

We used it both in the morning and at night. It’s small, but perfectly suited to the houseboat size. Grab your drink of choice and enjoy!

Kayaks and Paddle Boards

With all the features of the houseboat you can really spend your days just soaking up the beauty of the natural environment and having a restful break.

The houseboat rental comes with kayaks and stand up paddle boards. There is a small launching beach off the property.

I took a kayak out for sunrise, which was so serene and beautiful. You can paddle up and down the St Lucie River.

Inside the Houseboat

There is ample living space in the houseboat. I found it larger than I anticipated.

There is a master bedroom with TV and a smaller ensuite. There are two additional bedrooms, one downstairs and one upstairs (split level). Both our girls enjoyed their own little private sleeping nook.

There is a main bathroom with an excellent shower – full pressure and hot.

Finally, there is an open plan living, dining, kitchen area with plenty of room to cook and watch TV. The kitchen comes full stocked with everything you need to cook up a storm and plenty of coffee is supplied.

A washer and dryer is included, as is Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a boom speaker for your music needs.

BBQ + Fishing Dock

Another fantastic outdoor feature of the houseboat is the small BBQ deck at the end of the wooden pier where the boat is moored is a small deck with BBQ for your cookouts.

You can’t get any closer to nature than this. We enjoyed grilling our breakfast one morning then eating it in the top deck sun room area.

This dock is also a great spot for fishing. Every morning we saw them jumping out of the water. There are plenty around!

Solar Panels – Eco Friendly accommodation

Cappy (owner Captain) who lives nearby and his daughter Jessica are fantastic resources. Cappy was in the middle of installing solar panels when we stayed on the houseboat. The installation is due to be finished soon.

This ups the rating for this unique family accommodation. We love supporting and promoting sustainability and treading lightly.

Docked on a spacious property

We loved the isolation of the property the houseboat was docked at. We could not see any neighbors and we had plenty of land to enjoy if we wanted.

The garden out back came with a gigantic mango tree – fruit wasn’t blooming but if it is on your visit, pick and eat away.

There was also a hammock under the shady trees which caught the breeze, a table for dining, and a fire pit for roasting marshmallows at night.

We were disappointed we did not get time to do this as we had a busy itinerary exploring Martin County.

This houseboat rental in Port St Lucie River is privacy PLUS! See more here.

Port St Lucie River Location

Tucked away on the St Lucie River that feeds into Jensen Beach, this 3 acre waterfront property in Port St Lucie, Florida, has an excellent location within a short driving distance to your favorite places in Martin County and the Treasure Coast.

The Treasure Coast is located on the southeastern coast of Florida (Atlantic Coast). The region is comprised of three counties: Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County. 

It’s called The Treasure Coast due to the fleet of 11 Spanish ships wrecked offshore between the St. Lucie River and Cape Canaveral.

This treasure-carrying fleet was sunk by the winds of a hurricane, scattering gold, silver and jewels over the bottom of the ocean. Treasure can still be found washed up on the shores, so keep your eyes peeled!

The houseboat is docked in St Lucie County but we spent most of our time in Martin County. You can read all the amazing things to do in Martin County here.

It is about a 20-minute drive to Jensen Beach or Stuart, the two most popular places in Martin County with plenty of attractions for you to enjoy.

If you’re coming from out of state, the best way to get to the Treasure Coast is by flying into Palm Beach International Airport (PBI).

But we flew into Orlando as it was a direct flight from Raleigh, better flight times, and including driving time it ended up being quicker. AND Bonus, it was cheaper. Like half the price. We needed a rental car anyway so it was perfect.

• Check flights on Skyscanner
• Check rental cars here (We found the cheapest rate on Rentalcars.com and always do!)

Excellent Communication and Service

We were impressed with the communication and service of the owners, Jessica and her dad Cappy. They were in the middle of upgrading the boat to solar panels, but they were very accommodating to allow us to stay and make it perfect for us with a backup generator.

Cappie and his right hand man, Spencer were awesome. They greeted us at the boat and gave us a tour of how everything worked and ensured all was working for us.

We had an issue with luggage delays with Delta on our flight from Raleigh. They helped us make sure the airline found the property by putting a big sign out the front on the private road entrance to the property. We were out when it arrived and they made sure it arrived safely and put it on our deck for us.

Book your Martin County Accommodation

Click the map for hotel and vacation rental prices and availability for your Florida road trip!

More Florida Travel Ideas

Oh, and maybe a black bear and Florida Panther or too.

Any wonder, people are choosing to move to the beautiful Sebring region to escape the chaos of the larger metropolitan areas in Florida in exchange for a more peaceful, community focused life?

As you slowly come out of isolation and seek a break from that monotonous, four-wall, grind, a big city explosion is probably too much for your dulled senses.

With its slow pace, access to natural beauty and outdoor adventure, (and low case numbers), Sebring in Central Florida is a great starting point to ease back into family vacations.

And during the winter, you’ll find near perfect weather conditions – that warm Florida sun without the high humidity.

For those now seeking the remote working and learning lifestyle, you’ll enjoy the unhurried pace of this region, giving you ample time to explore, but to also rest and work.

We enjoyed getting to know the people in this close community on a two-night stay in partnership with Visit Florida, making sure to pack in as much fun that we could handle.

Where is Sebring, Florida?

The city of Sebring is located in Central Florida. Its location is quite ideal – 2 hours from Martin County (where we arrived from); 1.5 hours to Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and Tampa; 2 hours from Orlando, and 3 hours from Miami.

Sebring is known as the City on the Circle for its downtown stores that are located on the edge of the roundabout in the middle of downtown Sebring. It offers wide range of boutique and gallery shopping opportunities, fine and casual dining, and a host of parks and lakes that satisfy all recreational interests.

It’s also located on Lake Jackson, one of the many lakes in the area. There are several sandy beaches for a relaxed experience swimming, picnicking, or fishing.

It’s surrounded by other Old-Style Florida towns just a 20-minute drive in either direction like the charming Avon Park and the “Interesting” Lake Placid.

Sebring serves as the home of the Sebring International Raceway (it hosted the 1959 Formula One United States Grand Prix) and as host of the 12 Hours of Sebring, which is an annually held American Le Mans Series race.

We donate a percentage of our campaign fee to those local businesses and organizations that support community, the environment, and humanitarian causes. On this South Florida road trip, we supported The Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida for their Florida conservation efforts and the Hobe Sound Mural project for their work supporting local artists and bringing community together.

Best Things to Do in Sebring

Whether you are staying for just a weekend, or a week, there are many things to do in Sebring to suit any style or comfort level.

Fast-paced lovers will enjoy activities such as jet skiing, scuba diving, air boating and the Sebring International Raceway, home of America’s oldest and most famous road racing track – a popular attraction in the state of Florida for car lovers.

Others will enjoy the slower pace of kayaking, paddle boarding and verdant forest bathing.

Here are the Sebring attractions we enjoyed on our two-night stay. Families will be happy to know it’s an affordable Florida Vacation destination.

We’ve included activities that incorporate learning and important curricular balance for your kids: history, culture, art appreciation, PE, and rest.

Get Lost in Nature at Highlands Hammock State Park

As soon as we drove into this “land of shade” I relaxed and felt connected. It was if the giant oak, pines, and palmettos whispered, “You’re here now, you can breathe again. Just sit back, relax and take it all in.”

So, we did. Starting with a tram tour of Florida’s first state park, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It has the largest sampling of rare and endemic species of all the Florida State Parks.

Our informative guide, Ed stopped along the way to share the history of the park and teach us the meaning of words such as hammock, epiphytes, and pods, pointing out real life examples as we went. This perfectly aligned with our schoolcation mission.

Days later, Savannah was able to explain how the sex of an alligator baby is determined depending on where they lay in the nest.

The tour sparked my curiosity to a question I can’t quite grasp an answer to.

Why do male alligators feel the need to procreate if they just want to eat all their babies due to fear of competition for resources?

I guess we put it down to the unexplainable Mother Nature.

All good tours should have you ending in the pursuit of more knowledge and discussing it over dinner.

Our tram tour took us down a back dusty road along a creek and introduced us to several of the park’s crocodiles, including George the ferocious baby alligator eater, and Debbie, one of the fierce protecting moms.

The tour lasted 90-minutes and was worth doing to have someone educate and point out the most interesting features of the park.

I very much want to return to Highland Hammocks State Park to cycle the 3.1 loop road and hike some of the many trails that lead off it.

Well, I should say walk. The longest trail in Highlands Hammock is only just over half a mile, and this area of Florida is pancake flat.

It’s an opportunity for you to get lost in nature for a while, surrounded by 1000-year-old oak trees and walking under shaded canopies past cypress, hardwood swamps, evergreen flatwoods, ferns, and other habitats.

We did fit in one trail with Ranger Laura – the park’s most famous, Cypress Swamp Trail.

A half mile loop boardwalk goes above the swampy ground – in the wet season, filled with water and perhaps a few alligators – and close to the giant cypress offering that hammock shade and grandeur ambiance.

Halfway along the board walk it turns into a narrower version of the original. There’s a railing to hold on if you are nervous to walk the plank.

Read our full guide to Highlands Hammock State Park, Florida

Airboat Arbuckle Creek and Lake Istokpoga

Air boating is a recent adventure our family loves after our Wacissa River adventure in Natural North Florida.

This one with Captain John from Airboat Wild Adventures along Arbuckle Creek and Lake Istokpoga was even better.

I was stunned this area is not protected, it’s so wild and beautiful, abundant with alligators and bird life. At one stage I looked up to a sky filled with circling buzzards, flocks of ibis, pink roseate spoonbills, and scores of tiny dragon flies. Then somewhere along the journey, an eagle soared on by.

Captain John has been running tours out here for 16 years. He’s mission is to ensure you see lots of alligators and have a great time.

We timed our trip just as the sun started warming up and brought those gators out to sun themselves. We saw so many just in the first ten minutes.

After spending time zipping over the water lilies of Lake Istokpoga, we headed back into the backwater country creeks whose shallow waters took us past farmlands, grazing cows, and massive oaks dripping with Spanish moss over the banks. It was wonderful to get the different perspectives of this region surrounding Sebring.

We barely saw another soul, just a few local fishermen passing the time away. Definitely put this on your list of fun things to do in Sebring, and one of the 8 amazing things we did on our South Central Florida road trip.

Explore the Lakes

What you’ll notice when arriving to the Sebring area, is the abundance of lakes; more than I have seen in any other place.

From the big to the small, you’ll find some of Florida’s most scenic lakes, each offering different kinds of activities.

Always speak to the locals to know the safest areas for swimming. This is gator country!

Let’s hear a little about Sebring’s main lakes.

Hauntingly beautiful with its cypress and oak dripping with Spanish moss, and alligators roaming freely, Lake Istokpoga is best for air boating and fishing.

Lake Jackson and Lake Placid are popular for fishing, jet skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding and swimming.

Lake Tulane and Lake Denton are both popular for SCUBA diving!

Mural Tour of Lake Placid

About 15-minutes south of Sebring is the community of Lake Placid, named “America’s most interesting town” in 2013 by American Digest and also dubbed “the Town of Murals.”

 Scattered around the few streets of downtown are 50 murals telling the historical and cultural stories of the area including a few of the legendary icons of the area.

You can pick up a Mural Guide from the Lake Placid Chamber of Commerce which gives you more information about each mural and its story.

A few of our favorites:

Layers of Time + Birding

These two murals border either side of a pretty garden at Lake Placid Noon Rotary Park I love how the small waterfall in the mural aligns with the small creek in the garden.

Eddie Mae Henderson

 Honors local hero Eddie Mae who since 1980 cooks 800 dinners for the less fortunate each Christmas.

Jewels of Highlands

 Pays tribute to the 27 freshwater lakes within 7 miles of Lake Placid.

And of course, be sure to get your family photo at the Lake Placid Post Card Mural. Pay attention to the trash cans and public seats as well. They are covered in art!

Lunch at Morty and Edna’s Craft Kitchen

Let the murals take you straight to Morty and Edna’s Craft Kitchen located in the revitalized old newspaper building.

Talk to any local, and they’ll tell you Morty’s is the place where everything tastes good.

Owner Eli came to Lake Placid to avoid a hurricane, which ended up following her. But it didn’t stop her from laying down roots in what she discovered as her Happy Place, where she was no longer a number in bigger and busier South Florida. She says the community aspect of this town is better for raising a family.

Food is made from scratch in her kitchen and there is a limited menu to keep it fresh and sustainable.

The locals were not wrong: my asparagus and pea frittata was fresh and delicious and Craig and Kalyra loved the locals favorite the BLT, which Eli says, “if I ever stop serving the candied bacon my customers would be very upset.”

Next door to Morty and Edna’s is The Blueberry Patch, a wonderful boutique store filled with gorgeous products for your home and beautiful jewelry and clothing. I could have bought one of everything.

Wet Dogs Brewing

We were disappointed that Wet Dogs Brewery was closed when we visited. Located next door to Morty’s with a family-friendly beer garden overlooking the public garden. Look for the London red telephone booth!

Thankfully, owner Mike was inside brewing his latest batch, so we popped our heads in to say hi, sample a couple of his beers – some inspired by Irish and Scottish beers – and learn more about his year-old brewery that has become quite the watering hole for the region.

Not just a place to drink good local brew, but to enjoy community evenings like open mic singer songwriter, and trivia.

When the weather is warm (which must be every day) he opens the garage roller doors.

Enjoy Orange Ice Cream at Maxwell Groves, Avon Park

Life is better on the porch. So, pull up an orange rocking chair out the front of Maxwell Groves, old wooden country store with a creamy orange ice cream squeezed and made fresh from the farm.

Maxwell Groves has been part of the Old Florida story since 1933 making goodies such as the ice cream, freshly squeezed juice, and citrus wine.

Secret Gardens Winery and Farm

Muscadines are the grapes native to Florida and the Southeast. As a dry wine lover, that’s usually a term that would turn me away.

Not at Secret Gardens Winery and Farm. They have managed to make the typically thickly sweet wine into something palatable (for me).

In fact, out of the several fruit and muscadine wines we tasted, with names such as Blush it Off, Hammock Time and Bee Wine, there wasn’t one I didn’t like.

I had my favorites of course, the straight from the vat, elderberry wine – a red wine you want to drink in the summer, offering you that depth and richness with a summer lightness – and Strawberry Kiss, a 100% fruit wine with a strong strawberry aroma and flavor.

Tip from Alexa:  it’s the perfect summer drink made into a margarita! I have a bottle waiting for those warmer tips and will let you know.

We thoroughly enjoyed an hour or so with Alexa and Rick, owners of Secret Garden hearing of their growing success and innovation during the most challenging past year.

Wine tastings happen every day except Monday. Secret Gardens Winery often has food trucks and live music on their patio and outside wine garden with views over a small pond and the farm.

Soda Float Treat at Sebring Soda & Ice Cream

Remember when you were a child, and your parents gave you a creaming soda float for a treat?

I rarely ever drink soda anymore, but when I walked into Sebring Soda & Ice Cream – famous for its 300+ craft sodas – I could not resist.

No guilt experienced at all when I took first sip of that caramel cream soda mixed with coffee and vanilla ice cream.

The girls chose the non-nostalgic version of ice cream and milkshakes.

Sunset cocktails at Chichanes Restaurant and Bar

Grab a seat poolside overlooking Little Lake Jackson at the elegant, Inn on the Lakes.

Coming back to the bird life, again, you’ll be amazed at how many there are in this region. As the sun began to set, they all flocked to the small island across from the Inn, covering it with white blobs of ibis.

It reminded me of sunset hour in Australia when all the lorikeets make their way to roost on the Norfolk pines and cause such a racket you can’t hear the person next to you speaking.

Chicanes also offers a gourmet dinner menu which ranges from fresh, local seafood to bourbon chicken and pork schnitzel. The restaurant was closed on our visit, so we instead enjoyed a delicious cheese platter with a variety of cocktails: Daquiri, margarita and gin cucumber.

Places to Eat in Sebring

Cattle ranches, farms, and the ocean only two hours away – Sebring has access to quality, local produce, which is reflected in the diversity and quality of the restaurants in Sebring serving fresh, tasty, and innovative food.

Whatever you desire you can find, from down-home casual to elegant. Many of the restaurants provide outdoor dining and lake views. Some may even have live music.

Check for opening times, as several were closed when we visited on a Sunday and Monday.

Organically Local

Looking for a healthy start to your day? Organically Local is the breakfast of our dreams.

Local and seasonal ingredients in colorful dishes like the fruit laden acai bowls, avocado toast with egg and tomato, spinach wraps, peanut butter and banana energy toasts, and nutritious smoothies.

Sit outside to watch the Downtown Sebring life amble by. You can do a little shopping in the boutique store next door after.

Nutmeg’s Café

Another popular – and healthy – breakfast spot is Nutmeg’s Café offering a laid-back vibe and fresh food ranging from smoothies, avocado and bacon toast, and keto bowls.

Everything is made from scratch in the kitchen using fresh ingredients. You’ll also find treats such as cupcakes and pastries.

Don Jose Mexican Restaurant

Move from your cocktails at the Inn to Don Jose just down the road on Lake Jackson. The vibrant Mexican décor will make you think you’ve just arrived at Mexico City.

It’s funky and fun. Pass me a giant glass of margarita and sizzling steak fajitas please!

Sit on the outside patio where you’ll have beautiful views over Lake Jackson. We dined in the darker hours so missed them!

Cowpoke Bar

If you love steak, you don’t want to miss the legendary Cowpoke Watering Hole and one of the most popular Sebring restaurants.

They have every cut of steak you can imagine, and sinc, this is Florida cattle ranching area, you will not be disappointed with the quality of beef.

Craig said his Ribeye was one of the best he’s had and my filet with garlic butter was perfectly cooked.

You will want to wash it down with Cowpokes unique Alligator Slammer, made from Keke Beach liquor a creamy lime liquor I have never heard of before. It was delicious.

Note:

Other local recommendations for those we missed were Faded Bistro & Beer Garden, Eighteen East Restaurant and Bar and Jaxson’s on the Lake.

Sebring Accommodation: VRBO Rental Downtown Historic Sebring

Wondering where to stay in Sebring Fl? We chose a cute historic VRBO rental just a short 10-minute walk to “The Circle”, which is the center of the downtown historic district.

It was an easy 20-minute drive to all other destinations we visited.

I loved sitting on our front porch getting a little work down with a glass of wine and watching the sun go down over the lake. We had a small slither of a view from the porch, but it was enough.

This Sebring vacation rental was comfortable with three bedrooms, all the amenities you want, beautifully decorated and stocked with filtered water, a coffee bar, orange juice, fruit, and muffin snacks.

I suggest taking a morning coffee in the sunroom and crashing on the living room couch of an evening watching reruns of Nashville!

See what we did on our next stop on our South Florida Road Trip in Manasota Key on the Gulf Coast.

Video: Our 2 Day trip to Sebring

Check out the family fun we had in Sebring. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

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