Tag: Floridas

  • This Laid-Back Beach Town Named Florida’s Top Fall Getaway

    This Laid-Back Beach Town Named Florida’s Top Fall Getaway

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    If sunshine is on your mind, there’s no better state to visit than Florida. No matter the time of year, the rightfully named “Sunshine State” provides paradise shores wrapping the Gulf, the speckled Keys, and up and down the Atlantic, all with their own unique flair.

    If fall foliage and campfires are your jam this season, well, Florida might not be for you along the coast.

    Woman on beachside boardwalk in Boca Raton

    If you’re the type that wants to keep your checkered flannel tucked away for a rainy day, then there’s no question we have the place for you.

    Boasting less crowds, sun-drenched shores, and a way more relaxing vibe than nearby Miami, the experts at Southern Living recently named one unsuspecting city as the state’s top fall getaway.

    Just north of Fort Lauderdale lies Boca Raton, a laid-back beach town to escape the hordes of leaf-peepers seeking out the perfect photo-op in neighboring states.

    Prime Location

    Aerial view of Boca Raton, FL

    Close enough but not too far from the city bustle, Boca Raton is a well-balanced hideaway. After all, there’s a reason so many retirees flock here to close out their golden years.

    You can fly into either West Palm Beach (PBI), Fort Lauderdale (FLL) or Miami (MIA) and make your way to the Brightline train to Boca Raton, reaching this low-key haven of welcoming locals and beautiful shores in a jiffy.

    Most fall trips are short but sweet since PTO is typically maxed out during summer, and the kiddos have to go back to class.

    Travelers walking away from Brightline train

    That makes vacationing here even more attractive. Southern Living states “The Boca Raton (a luxe resort) is recently renovated and perfect for a weekend getaway (or longer)”.

    Upscale, Yet Laid-Back

    Boca Raton’s namesake resort isn’t the only option to splurge on yourself. Being so close to Miami, opulence trickles in.

    There are world-class spas such as holistic- minded Skin Apeel Day Spa, who’ve been in business for 30 years and impressively hold a perfect Google rating.

    The Boca Raton resort

    There’s also an array of upscale restaurants to treat yourself. Recents patrons visiting downtown Boca’s Le Sorelle Restaurant describe this Italian soiree as “exquisite”.

    If you prefer a more intimate setting, Six Tables a Restaurant has, you guessed it, only 6 tables. Obviously, reservations go quick.

    Those who’ve scored a seat simply say it’s a “phenomenal experience” and “great for intimate dinners”.

    Of course, there’s also the yacht aspect. Like Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton shares a maze of waterways.

    Maybe cozy up at a local bar and befriend the old guy in flip-flops. You never know who’s living their best life on their pension.

    Boats in Boca Raton lake

    Boca Raton’s Top Beaches

    Boca Raton’s population exceeds the 100,000 benchmark. It’s not a map-dot town with one beach everyone flocks to — you have plentiful options here.

    Most notably, Red Reef Park is an expensive park to lounge under swaying palms or tap into your adventurous side by snorkeling the pristine waters to witness the vibrant coral reefs.

    Not to be confused with Miami’s most sought-after beach locale, South Beach Park is a family-friendly beach with gleaming white sand, a playground, and daily lifeguard presence.

    Spanish River Park Beach in Boca Raton, FL

    Spanish River Park is the one beach that might catch you by surprise considering its location splitting the intracoastal and Atlantic.

    Holding rave reviews and earning a coveted Blue Flag certification, Spanish River Park is Boca Raton’s crown jewel for perfect beach days.

    Of course, locals always have their secret spots too, and Boca Raton is known for being very friendly.

    Though, I have a feeling Gumbo Limbo Nature Center will make the cut, especially if you’re a wildlife enthusiast, and they may also mention an Uber hack — take the BocaConnect shuttle where no ride costs more than $5.

    So Long, Humidity & Crowds

    Crashing waves in Boca Raton, FL

    If you visit Boca Raton in fall, you’re in for a treat. There’s plenty of room to sprawl out on any aforementioned beach as it’s mostly retirees, born-and-raised locals, and few tourists escaping Miami’s hustle and bustle.

    Best of all, Florida’s notorious humidity slowly subsides in the coming months, making the weather so much more enjoyable, where you don’t have to bug spray and worry about your unsightly pit stains in vacation photos.

    Right now, expect some 90-degree days to pop up, but by the time Thanksgiving rolls around, temps are more tolerable in the high 70s to low 80’s on average.

    Do know that “hurricane season” is in effect until the tail end of November.

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  • Sunshine On A Budget: These Are Florida’s Cheapest Destinations To Visit Right Now

    Sunshine On A Budget: These Are Florida’s Cheapest Destinations To Visit Right Now

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    With how expensive travel has gotten, shoulder seasons offer the perfect opportunity to cut back on costs and keep your adventures a bit more local – if you play your cards right, you can still have the time of your life while saving for a bigger, better winter getaway.

    And if you’re anything like me and can’t seem to be able to let go of that summer sunshine, Florida is probably on top of your bucket list right now.

    It’s warm but not scorching, lively but not crowded, and offers a good mix of nature, culture, history, and good old-fashioned fun.

    View of South Beach, Miami

    The downside? Depending on where exactly you go, the costs can really add up, defeating the purpose of a domestic trip in the first place.

    But though prices have increased across the board, there are still some gorgeous places that offer everything you’re looking for and more for a pretty reasonable price, at least that’s what a recent report by Florida Rentals discovered.

    The company analyzed the cost of accommodation, food, transportation, alcohol, and entertainment across the state in search of the cheapest travel destinations, and let me tell you, one of these will blow your mind.

    Tallahassee

    First up we have Tallahassee, a city where hotels average a remarkable $104 – with some great options going even lower than that. 

    Tallahassee at night

    Take Clarion Pointe, for example.

    Not only are its rooms clean, spacious, and highly reviewed, but its usual rate of $80-something a night has been discounted to $50 on specific dates throughout this fall season, so you can definitely get a good deal.

    And as the state capital, Tallahassee promises an experience that’s everything but boring – complete with the Florida State Capitol Complex, the Museum of Florida History, the gorgeous Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park, as well as some unmissable seasonal events like the Tallahassee Downtown Market and the annual Greek Food Festival.

    Everglades National Park

    If you’re looking for something more nature-centered right now, a trip to the Everglades National Park is the best thing you can do.

    Everglades National Park, Florida

    Not only are the average total daily costs comfortably below $200, but for just $30 you’ll get access to the park for an entire week, and if you manage to time your visit during National Public Lands Day (which falls on September 28th this year), you won’t have to pay anything at all.

    The best thing about coming here is that you’ll have to spend little to no money on activities – hiking, bird watching, and biking are all free!

    Cocoa Beach

    Don’t want to give up on beach holidays just yet?

    Cocoa Beach pier, Florida

    You can always come to Cocoa Beach.

    Sure, it might not have the lively big-city vibe you might be used to but its quiet, small coastal town atmosphere can be so refreshing (both mentally and financially), especially now that most of us are looking for a change of pace.

    You can spend your days here lounging around Lori Wilson Park and taking surfing lessons –  the former is entirely free while the latter will only set you back $65 for a 2-hour session.

    Surfer looking at the sunset

    Cape Canaveral

    Cape Canaveral is a haven for curious souls looking to get something more than just relaxation out of their fall getaway.

    From watching rocket launches to exploring wildlife sanctuaries, you’ll be in awe at just how much you’ll get to experience here on a pretty limited budget, so to help you narrow things down, here’s how much you can expect to pay for some important stops you can add to your itinerary.

    Aerial view of Cape Canaveral in Florida

    Miami

    Miami was definitely the wild card in today’s ranking.

    Most of us tend to link the iconic Florida city with high-end stores and expensive parties, but when you think about it, when it comes to a city as vast and diverse as this, you can have an amazing time on almost any budget.

    Not only can you book some fantastic rooms for less than $150 a night (see Hilton Miami Downtown and Novotel Miami Brickell), but you’ll also get to lounge around South Beach, explore the Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, and even participate in Art Walks – which all in all should cost you less than $20-$30 a day.

    South Beach, Miami

    Most Expensive Places

    So now we know which places to prioritize when planning a budget-friendly Florida getaway, but an arguably even more question to answer is – which ones to avoid?

    Lucky for us, Florida Rentals ranked the state’s most expensive destinations too, and a couple of these might catch you by surprise, too:

    Aerial view of beach in East Jetty, Destin, Florida
    • Duck Key
    • Destin
    • Big Pine Key
    • Key West
    • Orlando

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  • 8 Miles Of Blissful Beach: Visit Florida’s Secret White Sand Island This Fall

    8 Miles Of Blissful Beach: Visit Florida’s Secret White Sand Island This Fall

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    Oddly enough, spring brings both families and rowdy ‘Spring Breakers’ to Florida’s pristine beaches while summer sees an invasion of seemingly every walk of life.

    September is when the crowds begin to dwindle, but it is Florida after all…

    Finding your quiet space on a nice beach in this state is no easy feat, regardless of the season.

    The good news is you don’t have to visit the state’s most notable names for a blissful beach getaway.

    Aerial view of turquoise waters and white sand - Keewaydin Island

    Overshadowed by Miami, Panama City, Clearwater and all the other vacation hotspots lies Marco Island, a popular coastal town for sun and sand amongst locals and tourists in the know.

    This spectacular island is like a Russian doll, revealing layer upon layer of hidden gems. 

    If you think this beach town is great, wait until you see the raw beauty of Keewaydin!

    An 8 Mile Stretch Of Pure Beach Bliss

    His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy… There’s vom…

    Sorry, had to hype myself up for this section…

    Woman swimming in clear waters of Keewaydin Island

    Some 8 Mile places are where you want to avoid, but this 8 mile stretch of secret paradise is exactly where you want to be!

    Forget the noise of other buzzing Florida beaches; the only sound you’ll want to hear is the song of your choice and the boat motor thrumming on an awesome trip to this gorgeous remote island.

    Keewaydin Island is textbook paradise.

    Sometimes we forget places such as Cancun, Los Cabos, and Punta Cana were once just as untouched as Keewaydin is today.

    No ritzy hotels, no eyesore chain restaurants – just lush greenery, swimmable turquoise waters, and soft white sand.

    Lush greenery and white sand of Keewaydin Island

    Some places borrow the word “island” to make themselves sound sexy.

    Take Coronado, a popular peninsula outside San Diego that claims to be an island to boost tourism appeal.

    Here, however, is a true barrier island boasting virgin natural offerings like the inland Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve surrounded by 8 miles of paradisal sand and pristine waters, one of many reasons why it’s one of Southern Living’s favorite hideaways.

    It’s the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle and everyday stresses, where you can let loose with locals and enjoy real Florida beaches without towering resorts and cheesy attractions.

    ‘Where We’re Going We Don’t Need Roads’… But You Do Need A Boat

    Nearby Naples is a luxurious resort town where you’ll have no problem finding a boat to reach Keewaydin.

    Woman riding boat to Keewaydin Island

    Check out Naples Waterways and Wildlife Tours for Keewaydin tours starting at $55.

    Otherwise, you’ll have to charter a boat or make friends fast! Boats depart from Marco Island as well so you can island-hop with the Hemingway Water Shuttle for just $22. Can’t beat that!

    You’ll arrive at the calm waters of the bay where you then trek through a narrow path to virtually crowd-free white sand beaches.

    Make sure to bring a lounge chair, picnic blankets, and whatever else is deemed necessary.

    Although, there is one unique aspect you don’t have to worry about.

    Boats departing Marco Island

    Picnics are common here, but Just Beachy Burgers has you covered otherwise. Food trucks may be popular across the globe, but food boats are a Florida staple.

    It’s not quite room service, but this is as close as it gets on a paradise island with no hotels.

    Fun fact: Keewaydin Island is the only pet-friendly beach in the Naples region, so feel free to bring your furry friend on vacation too! (Both boat services mentioned above allow pets.)

    The Perfect Place To Swim, Snorkel & Shell

    Usually, beachgoers are content if they can do one of the following: swim, snorkel, or “hunt” seashells.

    Snorkeler in turquoise water

    Some of the most popular beaches in the world don’t meet all 3 marks, but Keewaydin ticks off all the boxes.

    While the famous lyric ‘only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair‘ does hold true here, the only real worry is being aware of other boaters and unpredictable strong currents.

    The water is warm and clear as can be to enjoy a nice dip or dive to explore the ocean floor.

    One recent visitor claimed on TripAdvisor, ‘Amazing shelling, plenty of room to spread out, plenty of beaches to walk and enjoy’.

    Hundreds of seashells on Florida beach

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    This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

    Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.



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