If there’s a perfect formula for a memorable and stress-free family vacation it’s this: a destination that is easy to get to and offers something for everyone, an awesome hotel to relax in after a day of adventuring, and unlimited storage on your phone for all those epic family photos.
Enter the Sunshine State, aka Florida, where there are destinations for every kind of family and any kind of vacation. Like outdoor adventures and water sports? Check! Craving a relaxing beach vacation with world-class food? Florida has that, too. And the best way to make sure your vacation is stress-free? Book a stay with Marriott Bonvoy where you’ll find family-friendly accommodations in all the major destinations in Florida with a hotel to fit every desire and every budget. Read on to discover our favorite places in Florida and then start planning your next family adventure.
Discover Hidden Gems in Jacksonville
A hidden gem just over the northeastern state line, Jacksonville, Florida (or JAX as those in the know call it) is full of surprises for families looking for a laid-back vacation. Eat your way through Brooklyn, marvel at the architecture in the Cathedral District, or do a little of both in the Springfield historic district. Jacksonville also offers 22 miles of beautiful beaches and a little something extra for the animal lover in your crew: keep an eye out for manatees in the waters and don’t miss the giraffes at the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens.
Take an Epic Road Trip Through the Florida Keys
From Key Largo to Key West the Florida Keys offer families the road trip adventure of a lifetime. 180 miles of tropical beaches and pristine waters invite families to swim, snorkel, dive, and fish. Add a dash of pirate history, a big slice of Key Lime Pie (you have to try it everywhere you go), and unique spots like The Turtle Hospital in Marathon and Key West’s many museums and restaurants, and you’ve got the recipe for a family vacation they’ll never stop talking about.
Experience Everything in Orlando
It goes without saying that Orlando has more than a few things to offer families, including epic theme parks like Disneyworld, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and Universal Studios. When the kids are tired out from all the thrill rides (and all that walking) take on some outdoor recreation including falconry, fishing, and ecotours.
Play Outside in the Florida Panhandle
People travel from around the world to visit this stretch of Floridian paradise known for incredible golfing and world-famous watersports. The Panhandle is perfect for the family that loves the outdoors but craves culture and refinement too. Visit museums and hop on board a ghost tour in Tallahassee or splash away in a waterpark in Panama City Beach, this stretch of Florida is made for making family memories.
Embrace the Arts in Tampa Bay
Land in Tampa’s airport and be on the sugary sand beaches of the Gulf Coast in just minutes, including Clearwater Beach, voted the nation’s best. St. Petersburg—the locals call it St. Pete—offers an opportunity to expose your kids to arts and culture, including Chihuly glass, the Dali Museum, and murals galore. Sarasota is waiting for you to sample some renowned food and stroll the grounds of the Marie Selby Botanic Gardens, one of the best botanical gardens in the world (according to our kids! Don’t miss the beautiful Banyan Tree!).
Stay Up Late in South Florida
We know you can get sunshine everywhere in Florida (it's not called the Sunshine State for nothing!) but families will probably agree that South Florida feels like the sunniest of them all. If you’re the kind of family that likes to go, go, go you’ll never run out of options in this part of Florida. If you want sun and beaches galore along with a vibrant community full of arts, culture, and some of the best Cuban food in the U.S., head to Miami. Don’t miss the Museum of Discovery and Science in Ft. Lauderdale and the Norton Museum of Art in Palm Beach.
Get Inventive in Southwest Florida
A trip to Southwest Florida will bring out the creativity in your little ones. Don’t miss Fort Myers and the Edison & Ford Winter Estates where your little inventors will be inspired by the history of two of the greatest innovators—Thomas Edison and Henry Ford. Rest those busy brains Sanibel Island, a destination known around the world for its pristine beaches. And head out into the Everglades for an adventure in one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.
No matter where you choose to go in Florida, Marriott Bonvoy has the perfect place for you and your family to stay. Experience a summer vacation that will build memories to last whether it’s a hotel right next to the theme parks or a resort (lazy river, falconry, and a spa? Yes, please!) with Marriott Bonvoy 30 hotel brands you will find the right stay for your family.
Book your next Florida vacation with Marriott Bonvoy today.
—Amber Guetebier
