12 Cities in 12 Months Exploring Florida One City at a Time

Destin has become a top family destination and #1 on my list because we’ve never been! It’s hard for me to make a drive longer than an hour to go to any Florida beach, but I hear this is well worth the trip! Known for its beautiful white sand beaches, boardwalk, and streets meant to be explored by bike! Destin is the ultimate beach town with several smaller towns around to explore, like Seaside, Florida.

St. Augustine has been a quick family vacation favorite since I was little. The “oldest city in the US” was established in 1565 and it takes you back in time with its cobblestone streets and old buildings. One of the best things about St.Augustine is that it’s entirely walkable!

Miami has been a getaway destination for me for years and years. We’ve spent many weekends with all our kids at the Fontainebleau, watching Miami Heat games, and taking in all the vibes South Beach is giving out. We are lucky to have Miami, with some of the finest restaurants and resorts in the world, so close to us! It’s such a vibrant lively city, full of history and truly a city with something for everyone!

Key West is a picturesque subtropical paradise! The clear blue waters make it a prime spot for scuba diving, fishing, snorkeling, boating, and having some major fun in the sun! Key West can be a place to party, the perfect place for a romantic getaway, or your next family vacation. If you take the drive from Miami to Key West, you can stop at all the other beautiful keys along the way! Key Largo, Marathon, and Big Pine Key are some of my favorites. Surprisingly, Key West doesn’t have the best white sand beaches since they are smaller and scattered. My recommendation is Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key or Sombrero Beach in Marathon to get your sandy beach fix.

A true hidden gem in Florida, Amelia Island is only about 40 minutes NorthEast of Jacksonville. “The Isle of Eight Flags” Amelia Island has been under control of 8 different countries since its founding in 1562. It is home to more beautiful Florida beaches, historic charm (Florida’s oldest bar!), so many outdoor activities to keep your family going, and a couple amazing beach resorts. Amelia Island is a classic picturesque beach town, good enough to be the backdrop of some big-time movies like G.I Jane! This quiet island is known for being less crowded and more low-key than other islands around Florida, but that definitely doesn’t mean there’s less to do!