Best Florida Destinations for Spring Break with the Family

Your kids have a whole week off from school coming up, and with the weather starting to ease into brighter days, warmer afternoons, and glimpses of green on the trees again, spring makes its way into being and it’s time to celebrate winter’s bitter cold departure. What better way to celebrate than to take a family vacation (or staycation depending on where you’re from) to the delightfully warm and wondrous world of Florida. While Florida is often known for its more party-style Spring Breaks for 20-something-year old college students, the state also offers an abundance of destinations and activities for a less party, more family vibe. Let’s explore!

In The Center Of It All…

You could draw a straight line from east to west across Central Florida (basically along Highway 50) and find family friendly adventures wherever you land. On the west end of Highway 50 you’ll find the famous Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, where nature and water parks come together. Of course, just 40 minutes north of Weeki Wachee is Crystal River, where manatees love to play and you and your loved ones will enjoy the experience of seeing these beautiful creatures in their natural habitats. 

In the middle of the state along Highway 50 lies the mecca of Spring Break for Families, Orlando. Theme parks, water parks, rides, shows, and more, Orlando is where families gravitate to meet Goofy, feel like Harry Potter, and have a fun-filled time morning, noon, and night. The range of enjoyment in Orlando is wide as well, making sure both the kids and their parents are having a good time. The cons, though, are the crowds, so if you’re looking for a less crowded or perhaps more, nature-oriented good time, Orlando may not be ideal.     

Two of our last great frontiers to explore are the sea and the sky, and over on the eastern end of Highway 50, Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach await to offer a journey into both. If your kids are torn between becoming pro surfers or astronauts, first of all, congratulations on having very, very cool kids; secondly, this is the most ideal area to hang out in. In Cape Canaveral you’ll be able to visit space museums and possibly see a shuttle launch! Just up the road, explore the sleepy surf town that is Cocoa Beach, where world famous surfer Kelly Slater discovered his love of surfing. Whether you pull out the surfboard or play in the sand, Cocoa Beach has tons of beach-themed fun to be had like putt putt, shops, and more. 

Way Down South

The Florida Keys are one of the most versatile places to visit as a family. Whether you’re hanging out at the very first key of Key Largo, traveling all the way to the end to Key West, or stopping at any or all the keys in between, you’ll find gorgeous scenery both above and below the surface in all directions. 

In Key Largo, you and the family must stop by John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park for a snorkel, dive, or swim. This incredible underwater wonder is always worth stopping and exploring. If you need to freshen up your gear, you’ll find a Divers Direct just up the road for all your dive, snorkel, and beach needs. 

Keep heading south on US 1 and stop by Islamorada for a delicious lunch and feeding the tarpons at Robbie’s and some educational fun at the History of Diving Museum. The shopping, good food, activities like skydiving and aquariums, amazing sights and beaches continue on nearly the whole journey all the way down to the Southernmost Point of the Continental US in Key West. For such a small island, Key West is full of things to do, so much so, we’ve given it its own blog on why you should take a trip to Key West ASAP. Though, to highlight a specifically perfect spring break activity, taking a ferry to the Dry Tortugas National Park would certainly be a highlight to the trip.

On your way in (or out) of the Keys, assuming you’re driving, take some time to explore the great Florida Everglades National Park or the Big Cypress National Preserve. One of the most enjoyable and rewarding experiences for folks of all ages is spending time in nature and getting to know the local wildlife.   

North But Still South

St Augustine is rich in history, nature, and fun activities for everyone. As the oldest city in the country with well-preserved architecture, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another time altogether. Anastasia State Park is a beautiful space for camping, beaching, and nature walks. Educational and unique museums and centuries-old forts are all around the city to be explored. St. Augustine seems to have a little something for everyone.    

Our panhandle highlight is Pensacola and Pensacola Beach. Much like St. Augustine, Pensacola has a lot of history to explore as well as one of the most beautiful beaches in the country!  Then there’s Laguna’s, an amazing place for grown ups and kids alike! You’ll get a very traditional beach vacation in Pensacola, so if you’re looking for relaxation, shops, yummy food, and beautiful beaches, this is your family’s new favorite Spring Break spot.

Go Diving with the Family

Here’s an idea! Get the whole family certified in scuba diving this spring break. If your kids are 10 years old or older, you’ll be able to do something together that can enrich your bond and your lives in amazing ways! Getting scuba certified opens up many doors for you and them, inspiring new dreams and giving you something to do together on vacations forever!  

The good news is that wherever you take the family in Florida, the odds are high that you’ll have an amazing time. Whether you're riding thrilling rides or camping out in Central Florida, exploring nature and island life in the Keys, or enjoying the sugar-white sands along the panhandle, you'll soon discover why Florida has, and likely always will be, the Spring Break destination for all.

We hope you all have a fabulous time and happy Spring Break!

FAQs

How old do you have to be to get a scuba certification? 

To be eligible for scuba certification, the age requirement is at least 10 years old. 

Is there anywhere I should avoid for a family vacation in Florida? 

While there’s really nowhere to specifically avoid where you’ll not have a good time, if you’re looking to stay away from the college-age folks and their parties, you may want to drive right past Daytona Beach, Panama City Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami Beach. 

Where are the best beaches in Florida? 

This is a bit subjective, but the Florida Panhandle is well known to have some of the most stunningly beautiful beaches in the country with clear emerald waters, miles of sugary white sand, and it’s all kept incredibly clean. 

Is Orlando worth a visit if I don’t go to the theme parks? 

Orlando is always a good time and there is so much to do outside of the theme parks that you’ll have stuff to do and things to see no matter where you end up in the city! Plus, you can get scuba certified at the Divers Direct there!