It’s Super Bowl Sunday on 7 February 2021 and this year all eyes are on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs, playing the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa to a crowd 70% smaller than capacity in line with COVID-19 restrictions. Sunday’s Super Bowl watch parties will be smaller too or even virtual. Go Team Zoom! But that won’t stop the game being a history maker.
We know everyone’s talking about Tom Brady, but we’re giving a shout-out to Sarah Thomas, who this Sunday, will be the first woman referee to officiate in a Super Bowl, ever. And naturally, we’re not forgetting Florida either, this weekend’s host and the state for endless sunshine, theme parks, beaches and beautiful barrier islands. Here are some of our favorite Florida places to visit any time of year:
1/10 Amelia Island, North East Florida
Amelia was recently voted Best US Island in Condé Nast’s Traveler’s Choice awards. If it doesn’t sound familiar, that’s probably because it’s closer to Savannah than Orlando, and easy to miss. Put that right and you’ll find over 13 miles of flawless sands, one of the state’s biggest historic districts at Fernandina Beach, some of Florida’s finest golf courses and everything from pirates to fabulous state parks keeping things lively for kids.
Families love
The relaxed barrier island vibe, cool watersports, wildlife reserves, pirate legends and big-city Jacksonville less than half-an-hour away.
- Fernandina Beach historic district
- Turtle nesting beaches
- Artrageous Art Walk
- Fort Clinch State Park
- Amelia City
- Creek kayaking tours
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2/10 Anna Maria Island, Gulf Coast
Just an hour’s drive from Tampa, Anna Maria is only seven miles long by a mile wide and one of the prettiest barrier islands on the Gulf Coast. It’s vintage Florida from ice-cream colored oceanfront homes to fishing piers and cute family restaurants. Nesting Loggerhead turtles almost outnumber locals here in summer and dolphins pack the island’s protected waters year round. Hardly anyone drives, so hire bikes to amble from one big, silvery beach to another.
Families love
The Gulf Coast beaches, lazy island atmosphere and the seaside city of Bradenton which is just 10 minutes drive away.
- Dolphin spotting cruises
- Summer turtle watch
- snorkeling, sea kayaking.
- Nature reserves
- De Soto National Park
- Bradenton Beach
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3/10 Key Biscayne, South East Florida
The drive over Rickenbacker Causeway from Miami, along with the ever present views of the glittering urban skyline, are just two reasons to base a family vacation in lovely Key Biscayne. Close enough to the city to dip in and out, but a little world of its own too, this is a good choice to keep younger kids and teenagers happy. Miami lays claim to several big-hitters that are closer to Key Biscayne, like Cape Florida Lighthouse, Billy Baggs State Park, and Miami Aquarium, so there’s plenty to explore. The beaches are great too and always crowd-free.
Families love
It’s close enough to Miami for urban adventures but has all the character of a laid-back, gone fishin’ Florida Key.
- Billy Baggs State Park
- Biscayne Bay kayaking and snorkeling
- Mangrove swamp eco-tours
- Key Biscayne Heritage Trail
- Downtown Miami in 20 minutes
- Miami Seaquarium
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4/10 Clearwater Beach, Gulf Coast
Clearwater Beach is no distance at all from the fabulous oceanfront cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg, but it still manages to feel like a magical little island marooned in the warm Gulf of Mexico. Clearwater Beach itself is one of the top five in the US according to Trip Advisor and it’s easy to see why; whether you’re hanging out at Pier 60, tucked up in a private cabana by the sea or taking a stroll along view-rich Beach Walk Promenade.
Families love
A family-friendly beach resort packed with activities, quiet space on the sand when you want, and Tampa or St. Petersburg just 30 minutes away for city visits.
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium
- Award-winning Clearwater Beach
- Pier 60 sunsets
- The Dali Museum, St. Petersburg
- Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa
- Bradenton and Sarasota
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5/10 Cocoa Beach, East Florida
Orlando’s closest beaches are on Florida’s sunny east coast and Cocoa Beach is nearest of all. This is one of the best value resorts in the entire state for a family vacation kids will be impressed by Cape Canaveral next door, masses of wind-powered watersports and the hang-out potential on brilliant boardwalks. Daytona Beach, home of International Speedway, is another near neighbor for a fast-paced visit, and you can easily do Disney, and the rest, on a day out from the coast.
Families love
Friendly family atmosphere, good value resort hotels, big beaches, theme parks at Kissimmee and some space exploration on the side.
- Cape Canaveral
- US Space Walk of Fame and Museum
- Daytona Beach Speedway
- Florida Surf Museum
- windsurfing, parasailing, kiteboarding
- An hour’s drive east of Kissimmee
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6/10 Islamorada, Florida Keys
Islamorada is as Caribbean as it gets on the Florida Keys, only without the tourists. Shimmering white sand beaches and towering palms are the theme. Everyone sails, so it’s a fantastic place for kids to start. And snorkeling, diving and kayaking are just a few of the other local talents. If you can tear yourself away from the tranquility, Key West is under two hours south, over iconic Seven Mile Bridge, and Key Largo’s famous coral marine reserves are just 20 minutes drive north.
Families love
The barefoot atmosphere, Keys’ loveliest beaches, gorgeous family hotels and some of the best diving and snorkeling in south Florida.
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Kayak island hopping
- Sailing and snorkeling
- Exploring the Keys
- Wildlife eco-tours
- Watersports
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7/10 Kissimmee, Orlando, Central Florida
Kissimmee is theme-park central and home to all the Disney resorts, along with Universal Studios and the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, SeaWorld, Legoland Florida and enormous International Drive. The Everglades start here at Shingle Creek and gator-spotting airboat expeditions are nearly as exciting as rollercoasters. Spectacular nature reserves make for wild days out exploring, and don’t miss Downtown Orlando, it’s one of the top 10 cultural cities in the US.
Families love
The highest concentration of theme parks in the world, adventures in The Everglades, fantastic resort hotels and 24/7 activity.
- Disney parks at Lake Buena Vista
- Universal Studios
- Record-breaking rollercoasters
- Orlando Eye Ferris Wheel
- Eating on International Drive
- Airboat adventures at Shingle Creek
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8/10 Marco Island, Gulf Coast
Sitting almost right on the edge of Everglades National Park, Marco is the biggest of all Florida’s 10,000 islands, and a great all-rounder for family vacations. It’s the Gulf Coast, so beautiful beaches are a given. Kids can try just about any watersport. And the marine life is as amazing as you’d expect in this carefully protected part of Florida. Naples is 20 minutes drive north for waterparks, museums, galleries, even more ‘sugar’ sand beaches and fun beach parks.
Families love
A livelier atmosphere than most other barrier islands, plenty of cool watersports for older kids and all the excitement of the Everglades just next door.
- Tigertail Beach
- Family safaris in the Everglades
- Clam Pass Park
- Rookery Bay Reserve
- Big Cypress National Preserve swamp
- Manatee and dolphin cruises
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9/10 Panama City Beach, North West Florida
Families love Panama City Beach for its long white sand shores, water sports, seaside fun and big helping of nature reserves, protected state parks and barrier island-hopping potential. Dazzling Laguna is Panama city’s famous beach and home to Instagram superstar, Half-Hitch Pier. It’s also the place for waterparks and adventure parks, Panama City Beach Zoo, the fair at Pier Park and miniature speedway courtesy of Hidden Lagoon Super Race.
Families love
A fabulous Florida beach resort mixed in with beautiful wildlife reserves, deserted islands and sheltered, secret coves.
- Half-Hitch Pier Park
- 27 miles of beaches
- Shipwreck Island Waterpark
- Zooworld Laguna Beach
- St. Andrew’s State Park
- Panama City Historic District
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10/10 Sanibel Island, Gulf Coast
Another of Florida’s ethereal barrier islands, Sanibel is famous for its charming retro look and enormous beaches covered in seashells. Kids can happily spend hours waiting for glimpses of manatee round the boat docks here. Leaping dolphins off the coast are a lot less rare and best spotted on a fun catamaran cruise. Again, cycling is the rule, and there are safe bike paths everywhere, even right round the legendary J. N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
Families love
Shell beaches, cute art galleries and quaint little shops and restaurants, wildlife spotting, cycling everywhere, and Fort Myers for excitement, just 15 minutes away.
- J. N. ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
- Good chance of Manatee.
- River District, Fort Myers
- Everglades’ day safaris
- Edison & Ford Winter Estates
- Great Calusa Blueway
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