Family-Friendly Spring Break Destinations in Florida: 11 Great Locations
Many families from up north come to Florida for spring break. While you might think that vacationing in your backyard is not that great, you would be wrong! Florida has lots of great family-friendly spring break destinations perfect for locals as well as visitors.
11 Great Family-Friendly Spring Break Destinations in Florida
We have complied 10 Florida locations where your entire family will have a great time during spring break.
Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach has been a family friendly destination for decades. With lovely, white sandy beaches, see-through waters, and a fun small-town feeling, Clearwater attracts spring break families that are looking for “one-stop shopping” when it comes to fun. Located near the Gulf of Mexico on Florida’s west coast, Clearwater has great family-friendly lodgings and plenty of water activities off the Clearwater Marina like swimming and boating and at Pier 60, you can find food and fun for the entire family. During your stay, visit the famous Clearwater Marina Aquarium, the longtime home of Winter the Dolphin.
Where to stay: The Wyndham Grand and Hilton Clearwater Beach are two great places to stay.
Daytona Beach
Daytona offers families looking for a fun spring break destination sun, fun, and NASCAR! There is so much to do and see in Daytona – NASCAR racing at the Daytona International Speedway, white, sandy beaches with packed sand which is perfect for 4×4 beach driving too. The beach boardwalk has plenty of arcades and themed rides for patrons while the Daytona Lagoon Park has a ton of entertainment like waterslides, laser tag, and go karting.
Where to stay: A great place to stay in Daytona Beach is the Hard Rock Hotel. My son and I had an amazing stay there. It is beachfront and has an amazing outdoor pool. Make sure to borrow a guitar during your stay.
Related Post: Rockin Out at the Hard Rock Hotel Daytona Beach
Flagler Beach
Nestled between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine, Flagler Beach offer a friendly seaside city that offers a multitude of outdoor activities to enjoy during spring break. In addition to its beautiful beaches, Flagler Beach has several natural reserves and parks for the family to enjoy swimming, relaxing on the beach, or fishing. To close out the evening, check out some of the local eateries. With its warm and welcoming ambiance, Spring Breakers will make visits to Flagler Beach an annual favorite.
Where to stay: Rent an apartment or a house for your stay n Flagler Beach.
Hawk’s Cay
Who says you have to leave the US to enjoy the Caribbean? Take the family to Hawks Cay, no passport required. Hawks Cay Resort offers a family-friendly, vibrant island getaway, with daily events, culinary delights like the Hook and Cook experience, five pools, the private Tiki Beach, and more. Kids will love the pirate ship pool, the game room and the putting course. Hawks Cay also offers plenty of watersports for the entire family to enjoy. Their Kids Club, Camp Hawk, is highly rated and kids will have fun learning about the Florida Everglades, going searching for treasure, pretending to be mermaids and more.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville a huge metropolitan city, but don’t let that fool you. Located on Florida’s northeast coast, Jacksonville is known as the “River of the Sea” and is home to more than twenty beaches glistening with white sand. It is also home to the largest park system with more than ten national parks and preserves for the family to enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities like bike riding, swimming, and the like. The beachcomber in the family will love surfing at Neptune Beach, one of the barrier island beaches. While in Jacksonville, swing over to Amelia Island for a day trip and enjoy some hiking and horseback riding.
Where to stay in Jacksonville: The Margaritvalle Beach Hotel Jacksonville is a great option to stay in Jacksonville. It is right on the beach with an outdoor restaurant and pool and good size rooms for the family.
Check out these resources for saving money on everyday purchases, activities, restaurants and more.
Key Largo
Welcome to paradise! Key Largo, the self titled “Dive Capital of the World”, offers visitors a host of underwater adventures. Located in the upper Florida Keys, Key Largo offers families a chance to see beautiful underwater attractions like the Pennekamp Coral Reef Underwater State Park, or the world’s largest artificial reef. The entire family will love a day trip on a glass bottom boat, snorkeling, diving, or an aquatic adventure with local sea life like swimming with dolphins. You can then spend the evenings at one of the local hot spots for food and fun. If the family is feeling more adventurous, take a trip over to the Everglades National Park for close encounters of the alligator kind.
Where to stay: Stay at Baker’s Cay Resort or at Playa Largo Resort and Spa.
Related Post: Beach Getaway at Tradewinds Island Grand Resort
Related Post: Top 8 Beaches to Visit With Kids in Central Florida
Related Post: 20 of the best products to take to the beach with kids
Marco Island
Located on the Gulf Coast, Marco Island is the largest of Florida’s ten thousand islands. It is a beautiful island with stunning beaches, beautiful parks, and pristine nature preserves. Just a few miles away, visitors to Collier Seminole State Park can enjoy all things outdoors – picnicking, camping, a mile long nature trail, and boating too.
Where to Stay: The JW Marriott Marco Island is a gorgeous beachfront property just perfect for a family vacation. If you want more space to spread out, check out the Marriott Vacation Club Marco Island.
Naples
Swanky is the word of the day when describing Naples. Located in southwest Florida, Naples boasts spectacular beaches for everything from swimming, sunbathing, or just enjoying its natural beauty. The Naples Pier was built in 1888 and is a perfect spot for fishing or dolphin watching. Historic downtown Naples has great shops and boutiques, world famous Kilwin’s ice cream, and art galleries and museum. The local eateries offer delicious flavors for everyone’s palate.
Where to stay: Stay in luxury at either the Ritz Carlton Tiburon on the golf course or on the beach at the Ritz Carlton Naples.
Sanibel Island
If you are looking for gorgeous beaches with some history thrown in, then Sanibel Island is for you. Sanibel Island is located on Florida’s southwest coast and has beautiful, sandy white beaches perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and building sandcastles! For the history enthusiast, visit the lighthouse that dates back to the early nineteenth century.
Where to stay: Check out the Tween Waters Inn island Resort or the Marriott Sanibel Harbour Resort and Spa.
Siesta Key
Siesta Key is not just for the beach lover in you! Siesta Key is a barrier island just a short drive from Sarasota. It is known for its beautiful, white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and water sports too. Crescent Beach and Points of Rock have beautiful coral reefs for snorkelers and water enthusiasts to explore. The evenings can be filled with checking out quaint shops and enjoying sidewalk cafés. If you plan to stay on the island for the entirety of your spring break vacation, the kiddos will love riding the trolley. It’s a chance to see the beauty of the island and a free ride too!
Where to stay: While not on Siesta Key it self, Lido Beach Resort and Longboat Key Club are nearby.
South Beach
Glitz, glam, beaches, food, and fun! When a family thinks about where to go for spring break, South Beach is usually not their first thought. However, South Beach offers the usual miles and miles of gorgeous beaches – perfect for all kinds of water sports, sunbathing, or beachcombing. Tours of South Beach are available daily so the whole family can learn about the rich history of the city. Take a trip to Zoo Miami for a day filled with lions, tigers, and bears…oh my!
Where to stay: There are a lot of options on South Beach including the Kimpton Surfcomber and the Marriott Vacation Club Pulse.
