Good Places For Spring Break In Florida
When most people think about visiting Florida, it’s going to be for a few reasons. It is the home of Mickey Mouse, Walt Disney World, and flamingos. However, what you might not know is that there are places in Florida that can go from being quiet (and not heavily touristed) in the wintertime to being very chaotic during Spring Break.
Spring break is just around the corner for all those college students out there. However, I’m willing to bet a lot of the young tourists are going to be headed to Florida. Florida has some of the top amusement parks in the country and the beaches in Miami are great. Plus, there’s something called Spring Break but you already knew that. In the past, Florida was synonymous with Spring Break. Ever since the movie “Spring Breakers” came out in 2012, Florida has been associated with college kids having a party on the beach. Of course, this isn’t always true — it’s fun to imagine that it is though.
Good Places For Spring Break In Florida
Spring break is a time when college students have the chance to explore new places and have some fun. Though there are many popular spring break destinations, it can be difficult to choose the best one. Whether you choose to stay in the United States or go abroad, you’ll want to make sure that every penny you spend will be worthwhile.
Just about the time that cold weather, snow, and freezing toes get to be a bit too much, it’s time to think about spring break. For many of us, this means heading south for some sun, sand, and relaxation, but Florida’s tropical climate and beautiful beaches mean you don’t have to leave the country to do it.
While some people may think Florida is a bit of a tourist trap, others know that the Sunshine State offers more than just beaches and theme parks. There are dozens of Florida spring break destinations to choose from, so whether you enjoy colonial history, shopping, national parks, or wildlife viewing, you are bound to find the perfect vacation spot.One thing’s for sure: You’ll never get bored in the Sunshine State.
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Where to go for spring break in Florida
Here’s our list of the top spring break destinations for families and college students. There are so many wonderful places to choose from. Why not book a ticket for Ourbus online and visit more than one?
1. Miami and South Beach
The Magic City has plenty to offer its visitors. Its south Florida location makes it an excellent spring break destination for couples and college students.
You can wander through the Wynwood Arts District to take in the street art, join college spring breakers at a few South Beach bars, and shop or ’til you drop at Bayside Marketplace, the upscale Bal Harbour Shops, and the massive Dolphin Mall.
And don’t forget about all the art galleries, museums, and cultural events that take place here throughout the year! Miami is home to many great museums, including the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) and the Frost Science Museum.
You can take day trips from Miami too―like Everglades National Park and the Florida Keys.
If you’re craving a spring break with some Cuban flavor, Little Havana is the place to be. This vibrant district is filled with lively bars, tasty eateries serving up Cuban food favorites like ropa vieja (shredded beef), and music venues showcasing the best in Latin music. We highly recommend going on a food tour of Little Havana to experience it all.
For fun in the sun, Miami Beach has always been popular. It offers an ideal combination of culture with laidback charm. All the necessary amenities for luxury relaxation.
South Beach is full of Art Deco architecture, stylish sidewalk cafes, and miles of wide, sandy beaches. Lincoln Road Mall has over 160 shops and restaurants, while the Design District is home to high-end art galleries, showrooms, and boutiques.
2. Key Largo
If you’re looking for some diving and snorkeling, Key Largo is a great choice for your Florida spring break. This island is located in the Florida Keys and is known for its clear waters and coral reefs.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is a protected marine area and the only undersea park in the continental United States. The coral reef here is one of the most diverse in the world, so you’re likely to see all sorts of marine life here, including dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles.
Along with diving and snorkeling, Key Largo has other water-based activities like jet skiing, kayaking, boating, and fishing charters. If you’d rather stay dry, you can hop on a glass-bottom boat tour to see all the underwater sights without getting wet.
You can also find plenty of restaurants and bars on Key Largo, as well as a few shopping areas.
Interesting fact: Key Largo has one of the most unique places to stay in the world: Jules Undersea Lodge. This unusual hotel is located 21 feet below the surface of the water and can only be reached by scuba diving to the entrance!
3. Key West
If you’re looking for a more lively Florida spring break destination, Key West is the place to go. This island is located at the end of the Florida Keys and is known for its party atmosphere.
Duval Street is the main artery of this small town and is full of shops, restaurants, and bars. There’s plenty of live music and dancing to be had. Mallory Square is one of the best places to find street performers. Head there at sunset to watch them show off their talents, and reward the best ones with a tip.
Other things to do in Key West include:
- Key West Aquarium
- Truman Little White House
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
- Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
- Southernmost Point in the United States (Don’t forget to take a selfie!)
If you want to get out on the water, there are plenty of activities available, including jet skiing, parasailing, sailing, fishing charters, and snorkeling.
You can also book a Key West snorkeling cruise, take a sunset cruise or―for something really unusual―book a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park. Located 70 miles west of Key West, it’s the hardest national park to get to, because it’s only accessible by boat or air.
When it comes time for dinner, don’t miss out on some of Key West’s best restaurants. We can recommend Blue Heaven as well as Pepe’s Cafe for breakfast (try their famous key lime pie!) Also pop in to Sloppy Joe’s, which was Ernest Hemingway’s favorite watering hole.
ⓘ TIP: To avoid the trouble of driving and save your feet, take the Old Town Trolley. The tour is designed so that you can hop-on and off at any of the 12 stops and explore on your own.
4. Sarasota
Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sarasota’s star attraction is Siesta Key Beach, a pristine stretch of snow-white, powdery sand. The beach is family-friendly with its shallow water and lifeguards on duty, as well as picnic pavilions and nearby Siesta Key Village.
For more shopping and dining, head to St. Armand’s Circle and Main Street in downtown Sarasota.
Sarasota is home to one of the oldest tourist attractions in Florida: Sarasota Jungle Gardens (1939). Other fun things to do include visiting Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium for a hands-on look at marine life, and wandering through Selby Gardens’ 45 acres of tropical plants, flowers, and banyan trees, and a huge collection of orchids.
Take in a unique show at the Ringling Circus Museum, tour Ringling mansion Ca d’Zan, and visit the Ringling Museum of Art, one of Florida’s most-visited art museums. Or for a bit of history, head to nearby Anna Maria Island to see a restored 1920 cottage and the wooden City Pier, dating from 1911.
Myakka River State Park and Celery Fields have some of the best birdwatching in Florida.
ⓘ Interesting fact: Sarasota’s Pinecraft is one of the most unique communities in Florida: an Amish vacation enclave right on the outskirts of town. Tours are available.
5. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island
When it comes to family spring break destinations, Captiva and Sanibel Islands could be two of the best. Located on the Gulf Coast near Fort Myers Beach, the barrier islands are known for the many colorful seashells that wash ashore every night.
In addition to a quaint fishing pier and 19th-century lighthouse, there’s also a boardwalk through mangrove swamps to enjoy, as well as J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which covers nearly half of Sanibel Island and is home to a diverse range of fauna and flora.
More things to do in this Southwest Florida destination: Enjoy a high-speed catamaran cruise, go picnicking at the Causeway Beaches, or visit the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. This unique natural history museum is dedicated to everything related to mollusks and the shells they create. Kids love touching live mollusks in their touch pools, winning scavenger hunt prizes, and watching their Giant Pacific Octopus.
6. Naples
For a relaxing beach vacation, head as far south as you can on the Gulf Coast. Naples has an upscale vibe, with 30 miles of wide, white sand and plenty of waterfront dining options. It’s the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood while watching the sun set over the Gulf of Mexico.
This Southwest Florida beach town may not have the spring break crowds that Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Panama City Beach do, but it still offers plenty of fun things to do.
Stroll along the beach to Naples Pier and enjoy the sunshine and calm waters while you watch for dolphins. Drive around and drool over the dozens of extravagant homes near the water, and shop in the high-end art galleries, chic boutique shops, and trendy boutiques along the legendary Fifth Avenue South.
Like museums? The city has several worth visiting, including The Baker Museum at Artis—Naples, the Holocaust Museum & Cohen Education Center, and the Collier County Museums complex. The complex houses three separate museums: the Immokalee Pioneer Museum; Marco Island Historical Society; and the Naples Depot Museum.
There are many excellent parks in Naples as well. Two of our favorites are Cambier Park, which has a playground and basketball courts, and Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, which is a great spot for hiking, swimming, fishing and birdwatching.
7. Marco Island
If your idea of a fun spring break in Florida is lounging on a sandy beach with an umbrella drink in your hand, head to Marco Island. It has plenty of luxury resorts to choose from.
Every spring break in Marco Island should include the Briggs Nature Center. The half-kilometre walk is surrounded by an enchanted nature park where you will have an opportunity to observe and explore a wide range of wildlife. Activities include a guided canoe tour and boat excursion. Also head to Collier Seminole State Park, located close to Marco Island, which offers simple camping, picnicking, kayaking, kayaking, fishing, and a mile of walking trails.