Florida has a spring vacation spot for every type of family: Where you should go?

Miami Herald

03-03-2025

Every family has their own vacation style. Some want to chill on a beach and then retreat to spacious accommodations meant for family game nights and dinners together. Others desire to be wild and free, exploring nature and camping out in rustic digs, while itinerary-driven families want to fill their days with non-stop entertainment. Those with older kids often look for cultural immersion vacations that include museum hopping and hands-on learning activities. And if you have a dog, you may be searching for a getaway where they can come too. Here's where families should go in Florida this spring, depending on your vacation personality.
For the nature loving family: Lake City
If you're looking for natural beauty, the under-the-radar Florida gem, Lake City — located near Gainesville — offers a bounty of peaceful experiences. Lake City is known as the 'Springs Capital of the United States,' giving props to its bevy of crystal-clear springs like the Instagram-famous Blue Hole Spring, with a 40-foot depth that's perfect for a serene scuba diving, or even a cold plunge. Lake City's nature-rich star is Ichetucknee Springs State Park, with its blue-green waterways and six miles of clear springs, where you can swim, paddle or tube. There are also canopied trails for hiking, biking and bird watching.
Stay: If the word 'rustic' speaks to your family, Moonacres RV Park is situated near the springs; and for who don't own an RV, the park features six glamping tents with modern amenities like AC, electricity and adult beds — and bunk beds for the kids. On property, there are in-ground firepits, a log cabin clubhouse with games like pingpong and pool, an old-fashioned general store for supplies, and a playground and dog park.
For the chill family: Vero Beach
Sometimes all you need is a quiet beach vacation centered around low-key family time. Vero Beach is one of those small-town Florida treasures where time seems to stand still and caters to families looking for a slow-cation vibe. Whether it's gathering at longtime Casey's Place for cheeseburgers and Cajun fries, or tacos and ice cream at El Sid Taqueria (where the food is picked up at a cute taco truck), zipping off an eco-adventures that include dolphin, sunset and even star-gazing boat tours, or simply playing in the surf, chill families will find easy relaxation.
Stay: Families may find it hard to leave the Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, an expansive hotel that fronts a beautiful stretch of beach and flaunts a large waterfront pool with spitting fountains and a tucked-away hot tub. Families can enjoy water sports like kayaking, camp out in chairs on the beach, and kids can even borrow complimentary kick-board scooters. A top selling point is the hotel's suites and studios (up to three bedrooms), so everyone has room to sprawl out in front of the television in the living room or even cook together in the full kitchen. Parents will also appreciate traditional Kimpton perks like a daily social hour with free vino and popcorn. At night, dine under the stars (and café lights) at up-scale steakhouse Cobalt, where the terrace offers the chance to listen to the surf as you dine on seafood and top cuts.
For the active family: Miami
Miami may have a party-all-the-time reputation, but hear us out: It's also a place where families can thrive on vacation, even in downtown Miami. Kids will come home from vacation bragging about activities like a spin on the SkyViews Observation Wheel, which hovers 180 feet above downtown (there are even VIP gondolas with leather bucket seats and a glass-bottom floor); speedboat adventures and scenic cruises from Bayside Marketplace; and visits to interactive museums like Frost Science Museum and Jungle Island.
Stay: The new Gale Miami Hotel & Residences offers an unbeatable location near all of the above activities, including the Lucky Strike Bowling Alley. (Check with the hotel about free or discounted entry at local museums.) Families also have access to the Gale's private beach club on South Beach, where they'll get chairs and umbrellas on the beach. The new hotel also features spacious two-bedroom units with full kitchens and a washer and dryer.
For the art & culture family: St. Petersburg
St. Pete is one of those family-friendly Florida locales where the beach is often secondary to its strong arts and cultural scene. Families gravitate to the open green spaces, multiple restaurants and artwork that dot the 26 acres surrounding the St. Pete Pier, along with the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, with interactive exhibits and wildlife boat tours. Those with teenagers can spend hours at culture-rich museums such as The Dalí Museum, The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, and the vibrant Chihuly Collection, or even try their hand at glass blowing at the Morean Glass Studio.
Stay: Mingle your art-cation with a beach getaway at the beloved family-centric TradeWinds Island Resort, which includes the Island Grand and RumFish Beach Resort. At these two beachfront resorts, your crew can barrel down beach slides, pool hop and even dine at an under-the-sea restaurant (where you can also snorkel in the aquarium). Programming is rich for families, with bonding activities like campfire s'mores, craft classes, miniature golf and more.
For the dog family: Naples
We get it — a family vacation isn't a true vacation without your pet. Located in southwest Florida, Naples is a dog-friendly getaway that's famous for its gorgeous beaches, breathtaking sunsets and high-end shopping and dining scene. You'll always see a parade of fashionable dogs on 5th Avenue South and Third Street South, where some shops and restaurants with patios welcome well-behaved dogs. When your pet wants to run free off leash, take them to Rover Run Dog Park or Naples Dog Park. Dogs are even allowed for walks in the beautiful Naples Botanical Garden on certain days and times.
Stay: A top dog-friendly option in Naples is the Edgewater Beach Hotel, an all-suite hotel that fronts the Gulf with two pools (a long one for swimming laps, and both are heated) and firepits. Families will love the spacious accommodations that range from one-to-three-bedroom suites that feel like home with full kitchens, cozy furnishings and balconies that face the water. And while the units are nicely furnished, it's not so stuffy that you'll worry about your dog being comfy, too. Dogs under 30 pounds are allowed for $100 per night, with a max of two dogs per room. With the Opal Paws program, dogs are treated to gift bags with waste bags and dental chews, along with food and water bowls for their stay.