Fabulous Florida Spring Break Destinations for Families

By Lauren Tjaden

Looking for a spring break family vacation destination? Want to avoid the crazy college crowds? Check out these family friendly getaways in Florida that are sure to leave your whole gang smiling.

NORTH | CENTRAL | SOUTH

NORTH

Sandestin/South Walton

With 26 miles of glistening sugar-sand beaches stretched against 16 unique neighborhoods, South Walton offers a family spring break vacation that’s set apart by stunning, pristine beauty.

In this wonderland of unique landscapes, eclectic shops, luxe accommodations and award-winning dining, the resort community of Sandestin is a family favorite. A visit there reveals glorious beaches; golf courses; world-class tennis; pools; and the only marina in the area. The Resort’s Village of Baytowne Wharf delivers a jam-packed calendar of family-geared events, plus kid-centric pleasures that include Adventure Landing Playground, where your tots can safely climb, swing, run and play; the Baytowne Adventure Zone, packed with a zipline, ropes course, tower climb and even a bungy; the Baytowne Carousel, populated with race cars, dragons and reindeer; the Blast Arcade and Laser Maze; and the Cloak and Dagger Escape Room.

Your posse can enjoy water-centric adventures, like paddleboarding, fishing, and exploring South Walton’s 15 rare coastal dune lakes; or try other outdoor activities that include hiking and biking. Don’t miss Grayton Beach State Park, offering all of these adventures against a backdrop of emerald-hued waters and a coastal forest where the salt winds twist scrub oaks and magnolias into works of art.

Where to refuel? Bijoux, situated in The Market Shops at the entrance of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, dishes up fresh Gulf seafood, prime steaks and an extensive, award-winning wine list; while Tommy Bahama Restaurant, also in Sandestin on Grand Boulevard, features concoctions like filet-mignon tacos, truffle burgers (or all-American burgers for the kids), and coconut-crusted crab cakes; and Sunset Bay Cafe garners high marks for its breakfasts, with a creative take on the classics, like the Hillbilly Benedict,  and unlikely masterpiece employing crispy fried chicken, smoked gouda, fried grit cakes and poached eggs smothered in hollandaise sauce.

Places to stay in Sandestin Golf and Beach resort promise to please every taste, with vacation rentals, cottages, and a hotel; while other places to stay include the designed-to-spoil-you Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa and its kids programs.

For the teens: In Destin, just a splash west of Sandestin, The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park offers once-in-a-lifetime fun like snorkeling with stingrays and meeting penguins and dolphins.

Tallahassee

During spring break, the college kids go home, which leaves Florida’s state capital – a genteel, hilly city with tree-lined streets-- all yours to explore. Family friendly things to do in Tallahassee include a visit to the anything-but-typical Tallahassee Museum, encompassing 52 lush acres that include living exhibits of native wildlife, nature trails, and historic exhibits as well as zip line and aerial adventure courses— bound to be the highlight of your kids’ spring break getaway. Mission San Luis is another hands-on experience, inviting all ages to meet a blacksmith, discover an Apalachee village and venture inside a Spanish Fort. 

You can find tours to fit any family, including pedicab tours, tours aboard a minivan or trolley, or for something different, a helicopter tour or an airboat adventure on Tally’s lakes and waterways. Indoor activity centers include Fun Station, Hangar 38, District 850 or Flippin’ Great Pinball.

The dining options are abundant and varied: Tallahassee eateries include much beloved southern fare at Olean’s Café; crab trays, wings and golden-fried seafood at Leola’s Crab Shack; Il Lusso, serving up hand-crafted pasta and prime steaks (mom-and-dad date night?); and Au Péché Mignon, where the pastries are sinful works of art.

Places to stay are likewise abundant and varied, with boutique properties; hotels; and vacation rentals.

For the teens: Wakulla Springs, one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs, is a close drive, inviting daredevils to leap from its 22-foot dive/observation tower into 69-degree fresh spring waters, a rite of passage that has been enjoyed by generations of visitors.

St. Augustine

Hugged against the Atlantic on Florida’s Historic Coast, the ‘Nation’s Oldest City’ welcomes your family with historic landmarks and family-geared activities.

Tours of all sorts invite you to explore the city, on foot, via a trolley, or even aboard a yacht.

Things to do include playing in the waves or just kicking back on the generous beaches; helping your kids complete the scavenger hunt at the Lightner Museum; climbing to the top of the famous spiral-painted lighthouse; and touring the old jail. The imposing Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry Fort in the United States, is another must do; as is The Fountain of Youth, offering exhibits, reenactments, and activities atop the very spot of America’s first colony.

The shopping is abundant, with art galleries, antique stores, boutiques and two premium outlet malls.

Forget-the-diet dining is a city highlight, with eateries like the Columbia Restaurant, serving up Spanish-Cuban fare to Floridians since 1905; a slew of famed burger joints; and quirky treats like Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops, with 450 flavors and counting.

Where to stay? Choose from historic inns, beachside resorts and vacation rentals.

For the teens: On a Dead-walk with GhoSt  Augustine, take a stroll to St. Augustine’s creepiest spots to hear their dark, forgotten stories—with your own K2 meter in hand, a paranormal instrument that detects changes in electromagnetic fields, favored by ghost hunters on hit TV shows.

Jacksonville

Outdoor fun is a big reason Jax makes for a great family spring break destination. It delivers 22 miles of golden sand beaches where you can paddleboard; rent a beach cruiser; and hook into world-class fishing.

It’s a top Florida surf spot, too-- whether you’re a grom just getting your board wet or a master of the waves. It’s home to the largest urban park system in the nation, including three National Parks, seven State Parks and more than 400 City Parks; offering hiking, paddling, birding, geo-seeking and wildlife viewing. The biking is legendary, from make-your-palms-sweat mountain biking to peaceful paths through the forest.

But it’s not all about fun in the sun. Jax encompasses historic, diverse neighborhoods that include hip urban spots as well as off-the-beaten path destinations; a lively arts and cultural scene; and, if you’re in need of some retail therapy, malls, antique stores, flea markets and quirky shopping districts.

Popular family experiences include taking a guided eco-tour with Kayak Amelia, light on the paddling and heavy on the exploring; checking out the astounding visuals at the Bryan Gooding Planetarium at the Museum of Science & History (MOSH); and horseback riding on the beach on Amelia Island, just 45 minutes from downtown Jax. Want more? Check out more Jacksonville activities, divided by age.

Dining options and wide variety of fresh-off-the-boats coastal cuisine will satisfy the fussiest little ones to the most sophisticated foodies. The 47 Best Bites in the City According to Word of Mouth will help you narrow down the choices. 

And as Visit Jacksonville vows, you can ‘rest assured’ that you’ll find the perfect place to stay. With over 19,000 guest rooms in the area, it’s a sure bet that they’re right.

For the teens: Voted the top escape room in America, The Great Escape Room Orange Park invites you to test your code-breaking, problem-solving, combination-cracking skills.

CENTRAL

Lakeland

Ideally sited along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is a model spring break destination for families, delivering activities like Major League Baseball during the Detroit Tigers’ spring training season; events like the annual springtime SUN 'n FUN Fly-in; showcasing the magic of flight and offering blockbuster airshows; and cultural offerings that include the largest on-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and the Polk Museum of Art at Florida Southern College.

Things to do include visiting the largest LEGOLAND in the world in nearby Winter Haven, encompassing LEGOLAND Theme Park, LEGOLAND Water Park, and Peppa Pig Theme Park. Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales is a sure bet for a day trip, with its enchanting singing tower of Carillon bells and breathtaking Olmsted Gardens.

Florida Children’s Museum is where to go on a rainy day, delivering 47,800 square feet of hands-on exploration.

To step back in time, load your posse into the car and enjoy a first-run movie at the Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre—or gallop over to Westgate River Ranch Resort, a Florida dude ranch and luxury glamping resort, for its award-winning Saturday night rodeo.

Places to eat are abundant: start the day at the acclaimed Born & Bread Bakehouse, and check out local favorites like Café Zuppina, Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grille and Abuelos Mexican Restaurant. Over-21 family members can raise a glass to the craft beer at Brew Hub, Cob & Pen, Craft + Kitchen, Swan Brewing and Red Door Lakeland.

Places to stay not only include hotels, campgrounds and vacation rentals, but utterly unique experiences at resorts like LEGOLAND® Pirate Island Hotel, Westgate River Ranch Resort, and Streamsong® Resort.

For the teens: Embark on a wildlife safari atop a camel at Safari Wilderness, and don’t miss hand feeding grapes to the adorable lemurs.

Tampa/Clearwater

A Tampa/Clearwater spring break getaway beckons families with nightly sunset celebrations over the Gulf of Mexico at Pier 60; famed white-sand beaches; historic destinations like Ybor City, celebrated as the Cigar Capital of the World; and experiences that include Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise, a two-hour, swashbuckling boat ride boasting a treasure hunt, face painting and water gun games.

No visit is complete without meeting Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s beloved dolphins, or checking out Tampa’s Riverwalk, the epicenter of the city’s downtown, linking cultural attractions, eateries and parks. And a Grapefruit League Spring Training baseball game—starring the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees or Toronto Blue Jays—is sure to be a homerun with everyone.

When it’s time to refuel, First Watch, sited on Riverwalk, is ideal for breakfast or brunch: try the Biscuits and Turkey Sausage Gravy or the Smoked Salmon Benedict. If you’re enjoying a beach day, you can’t go wrong with Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, pairing open-air beachfront dining with fresh-caught seafood and generous sandwiches. For an unforgettable dining experience, choose one of the Tampa Michelin Recipients: Rooster & the Till, or Rocca.

And mom and dad, did you know Tampa Bay has the region has the greatest concentration of craft breweries in Florida?

Places to stay in Tampa suit every mood, with hotels, resorts, campgrounds and inns; likewise, places to stay in Clearwater and Clearwater Beach range from Gulf-side cottages and low-key inns to family resorts with every amenity imaginable.

For the teens: Busch Gardens, packed with roller coasters, thrill rides, and more than 200 species of animals, dares you to tackle the Iron Gwazi, North America's tallest and the world's fastest and steepest hybrid coaster.

Titusville/ Florida’s Space Coast                

Located on Florida's Space Coast, Titusville is the place to go on your family spring break vacation if you like sunrises over the surf and want to visit the one and only Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. At the Complex, you can get a hands-on feel for the story of humans in space, with attractions the Astronaut Hall of Fame, The Rocket Garden and Meet an Astronaut.

The area’s crown jewels are the rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center, with companies that include SpaceX, Boeing, United Launch Alliance, and Blue Origin launching rockets on a monthly basis. And then there’s Artemis 1, the initial step in the coming era of human exploration. (For more info, check out How to Watch a Rocket Launch in Florida.)

Outdoor and nature-centric adventures include visiting Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge for bird watching, wildlife viewing and fishing; Canaveral National Seashore with its miles of pristine beaches and historic sites; and kayaking tours of all sorts. Three major bicycle trails converge here: Coast to Coast Trail, St Johns River-to-Sea Loop, and East Coast Greenway.

Special places to see include the Warbird Air Museum, the American Space Museum, the Harry T. & Harriett V. Moore Cultural Center, and the American Police Hall of Fame.

When you’re nibbling through the dining options, make sure to sample the local delicacy called rock shrimp at Dixie Crossroads Seafood Restaurant; and check out The Heroes Grill, which gets rave reviews for its service and all-American fare.

Pull up the covers at a hotel, bed and breakfast, vacation rental, or campground.

For the teens: Take a moonlight tour or even a bioluminescent tour with A Day Away Kayak Tours.

Orlando

For an enchanted family spring break vacation, you can’t beat Orlando, the undisputed theme park capital of the world.

Walt Disney World Resort is home to the legendary Magic Kingdom Park, where your wee ones can soar high on a playful flight aboard Dumbo the Flying Elephant and meet their favorite Disney Princess. And all ages are apt to fall under the potent spell of the Cinderella Castle during a fireworks spectacular. Disney also is home to EPCOT; Disney’s Hollywood Studios; and Animal Kingdom Theme Parks; plus Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks.

Head to Universal Orlando Resort to find attractions like Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, careening deep into the Forbidden Forest, where you’ll encounter a menagerie of mind-blowing beasts. Universal’s Volcano Bay, a waterpark anchored by the towering, 200-foot-tall Krakatau volcano, offers beachside tranquility and scream-out loud thrills, while Universal CityWalk serves up dining, entertainment and shopping.       

SeaWorld Orlando boasts white-knuckle-worthy coasters like Ice Breaker, with the steepest beyond-vertical drop in Florida. But it also contains tamer attractions geared towards smaller kids, starting with Sesame Street Land, where you can play with Elmo, Cookie Monster and Abby. You’ll also have the chance to get up close to an ocean of aquatic creatures, including dolphins, manta rays and sharks.

SeaWorld’s Aquatica Orlando recipe for fun blends animal encounters, spine-tingling rides, sandy beaches and a serene lazy river. Also from SeaWorld, Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive day resort, where your family can have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to swim with dolphins, snorkel with tropical fish and rays, and hand-feed exotic birds.

In the International Drive Entertainment District, sited close to the parks, you can take in unprecedented views of Orlando aboard The Orlando Eye at ICON Park.

And check out even more things to do, including shopping, arts and culture, and outdoor adventures -- if you can find time, that is.

No matter your budget or tastes, with MICHELIN Guide restaurants, celebrity chefs, local James Beard honorees and family-friendly eateries, the City Beautiful has what it takes to satisfy your appetite.

Finding the perfect place to stay is as easy as waving a wand, since Orlando has more than 480 hotels and resorts-- including affordable rental homes, hotels in every variety, and luxe resorts with every amenity imaginable.

For the teens: Abandon your Muggle reputation and hang with witches and wizards in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure.

SOUTH

Marathon

Stretched across 13 islands in the middle Florida Keys, Marathon promises a laid-back destination for families, with an emphasis on outdoor recreation and fun on the water.

The fishing is legendary, and in the springtime, tarpon – heralded as the ultimate sports fish, and up to eight-feet-long and 280 pounds -- are thick around the bridge.

Things to do include exploring Crane Point Museum and Nature Center, complete with walking trails, a museum with a children’s pirate ship, and four butterfly gardens; visiting Marathon Wild Bird Center, a rescue center where you can meet permanent residents like Betsy, a mostly-blind pelican, as well as other winged creatures that are in rehabilitation; Dolphin Research Center, offering dolphin encounters and dolphin swims; and The Turtle Hospital, delivering unique educational tours.

Sombrero Beach is always a hit, with calm, crystalline waters perfect for snorkeling, swimming, or splashing with the little ones.

Places to stay include waterfront vacation homes; mom-and-pop hotels; beachside inns; and indulgent, family-style resorts.

When it’s time to refuel, restaurants like the acclaimed Butterfly Café at Tranquility Bay celebrate fresh fish, lobster and stone crab claws harvested from local waters.

For the teens: Aquarium Encounters, voted the best place to take the kids five years running, invites you to snorkel in their remarkable Coral Reef tank, hand feeding stingrays, fish and even sharks.

The Palm Beaches

Escape the crowds in this water-centric playground, with things to do for all ages, interests and budgets. Thirty tropical beach parks, stretching for 47 miles along the Atlantic, offer relaxation as well as high adventure.

Carlin Park in Jupiter is renowned for its clear, gentle waters, perfect for the little ones; and Sugar Sand Park in Boca Raton, encompassing a Children’s Science Explorium, playgrounds, a carousel and a 155-seat theater, is a family must-do. Fun-seekers will appreciate paddleboarding, sailing and snorkeling in Delray Beach. Or take it up a notch on a Florida Everglades airboat tour with Airboat Rides West Palm Beach.

In Jupiter, history and panoramic scenery are the stars of the show at Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum; while eateries, specialty stores and a waterfront amphitheater highlight Harbourside Place. Talk to the animals with a trip to Busch Wildlife Sanctuary, where you can meet wildlife ambassadors; Lion Country Safari, a drive-through expedition that gets you close to 1,000-plus animals; and the Palm Beach Zoo, where you can see Malayan tigers, Mexican spider monkeys and jaguars.

Want more? Check out things to do for teens and things to do for families from The Palm Beaches visitors services.

It’s not all about the youngsters. Mom and dad can escape for a romantic date night to West Palm Beach, checking out the boutiques and eateries at The Square before climbing aboard the free trolley to Clematis Street, where the The Palm Beaches’ best nightspots invite adults to sip craft cocktails and dance.

Places to eat include restaurants celebrating locally-sourced seafood, like Guanabanas in Jupiter, featuring a lush tropical vibe complete with a thatched tiki bar, live music and Intracoastal Waterway view; fine dining hotspots like one of celebrity Chef Clay Conley’s creations — Grato, Imoto, or Buccan; and the Royal Cafe Family Restaurant, which gets rave reviews for its breakfasts, generous portions and affordability.

The Palm Beaches is heralded as “America’s First Resort Destination” for reasons like The Breakers Palm Beach, an unapologetically luxe, oceanfront property; PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, an oasis for golfers and spa-lovers; and the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa, with their Aquanuts kid's club, giving parents the opportunity to kick back and sip a tropical cocktail while the little ones stay entertained. Numerous hotels, campgrounds, and vacation rentals round out the offerings.

For the teens: Scream like a little girl when you race your friends down the Mega Mayhem Dueling Water Coasters at Rapids Water Park in Riveria Beach.

Miami

Spring Break and The Magic City make a perfect concoction for family fun. 20 miles of beaches in every variety invite you to ditch your sandals and play in the waves.

Choose South Beach for people-watching, volleyball, and easily accessible snorkeling (just opposite the 2nd Street lifeguard tower, where the Jose Cuervo reef shelters corals, sponges and colorful fish); North Beach Oceanside Park for tranquility, playgrounds and picnic tables; and the Mid-Beach neighborhood for convenient accommodations smack-dab on the Atlantic. Other outdoor activities include taking a walking tour, sailing or snorkeling at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne; kayaking, hiking or mountain biking at Oleta River State Park; and exploring Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden in Coral Gables, lush with a world-class collection of rare palms, tropical fruit and flowering trees.

Top family choices for things to do include the Frost Museum of Science, host to an aquarium spanning three floors as well as a cutting edge planetarium; Zoo Miami, home to more than 3,000 creatures, where you can feed animals, watch a wildlife show, and take a monorail or tram tour; and Everglades National Park, the storied ‘"iver of grass," that you can explore on foot or aboard a bike, kayak, or on an exhilarating airboat tour.

Of course there’s more: it’s Miami, with fabled shopping; diverse arts and culture; paddleboarding and windsurfing; and tours of every sort.

The eateries don’t come any finer than those in Miami, with waterfront restaurants like Boater’s Grill and the Lighthouse Cafe at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, dishing out traditional Cuban fare; and Garcia's Seafood Grille & Fish Market, where you can watch fishing boats dock at the restaurant while you nosh on conch fritters or stone crabs. Your family can choose from international cuisine, delectable brunch spots, and sweet points like Azucar Ice Cream Company, promising a different take on the scoop. For a special mom and dad’s night out, choose one of the 10 area restaurants with one-star MICHELIN ratings. Or, for an epic indulgence, pick the L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, with the only two-star rating in the state of Florida.

Places to stay could fill a book; choose from hip boutiques; luxe resorts and historic hotels.

For the teens: Discover culture through cuisine when you join Miami Culinary Tours for a 2.5 hour walking and eating tour exploring Little Havana’s famed Calle Ocho.

Fort Lauderdale

Once known as a party-hearty Spring Break city, Fort Lauderdale has abandoned its “Where the Boys Are” past in favor of a “Where the Families Are” vibe, but the beach is still one of the most popular things to do. Family favs include the South Beach Picnic Area to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, offering staffed lifeguard towers. Plus, a pedestrian tunnel under AIA connects Hugh Taylor Birch State Park to a peaceful, secluded beach.

For a fun beach day that includes more than the beach, make waves to Hollywood Beach to stroll or rent bikes and explore the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk, bordered by the Ocean on one side and shops, outdoor cafes, and hotels on the other.

Nicknamed “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale’s extensive canal system provides a fun, easy way to explore. Hop on the affordable, narrated water taxi for sightseeing; with 11 stops where you can find beaches, eateries, the Museum of Discovery and Science and Las Olas Boulevard shops.

Little rapscallions will have a swashbuckling time on the Bluefoot Pirate Family Adventure, an excursion on the “high seas” of the Intracoastal Waterway that includes pirate costumes, a treasure hunt, face painting and water cannon fights.

West of the city, Everglades Holiday Park, offers 60-minute airboat rides, gator shows, animal encounters and fishing. To the north, Butterfly World contains  tropical gardens, waterfalls and 20,000 butterflies.

For after-dark fun, check out Monster Mini Golf, an indoor, glow-in-the-dark, 18-hole miniature golf course where you’ll encounter the grim reaper, Frankenstein and other creepy creatures.

Area restaurants are diverse and plentiful, whether you want grab-and-go grub or fine dining. Places with fun on the menu include Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor, a Dania Beach institution, serving up kid-centric classics like burgers, chicken fingers and hand-dipped ice cream cones; and the Jet Runway Café, where you can watch planes take off and land as you nosh on American fare.

Places to stay include beach hotels, luxury resorts, and boutique properties.

For the teens: A Fort Lauderdale Segway Tour invites you to roll through Riverwalk, with views of canals, yachts, and the sumptuous homes of the rich and famous.