florida_hotspots
active family travel,  Travel

Top Florida Hotspots Chosen by Canadian Travel Bloggers

This week I am in Florida again. Just passing through on our way to a cruise. But I am always thrilled to visit Florida, even when it’s a short stay, or a conference. Florida is a dependable travel destination. And there’s always something new and exciting to discover. This year, I thought I’d ask several of my favourite Canadian travel bloggers what their picks are for Top Florida Hotspots in 2018.

As a tourist destination, despite the ups and downs of the Canadian dollar, and the political climate, Florida is still a tourist mecca with much to offer. It’s still very popular with Canadians, who are the biggest international market for this state. Oh, we all know the pull of Orlando area amusement parks. But there’s so more to Florida than Mickey Mouse.

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Here’s what several Canadian travel bloggers have to say and why they chose each of these Florida hotspots.

Top Travel Bloggers Favourite Florida Hotspots:

Mary Chong of Calculated Traveller:

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On The Pull of Miami

When asked what my favourite destination is in Florida I have to say Miami. There are a million things to do in this vibrant city. You can find culture and community in Little Havana, outdoor art in Wynwood, nightlife and art deco architecture in South Beach, and history at the Wolfonsian and Villa Vizcaya Museum.

Miami is also the gateway to the Florida Keys — offering opportunities for all kinds of adventures!

We travel to Miami and Florida a few times each year, usually to hop on a cruise ship to the Caribbean. If we aren’t cruising, and are planning on spending time in the city, we always make a trip to spectacular Miami beach to play in the sand and watch the ships sail out into the sunset.

11 Things to do in Miami Florida
https://www.calculatedtraveller.com/blog/11-things-to-do-in-miami-florida/

 

Paula Schuck of Thrifty Mommas Tips

Don’t Discount Daytona Beach

So much more than a spring break party destination, Daytona Beach is one of my favourite Florida Hotspots and Travel Destinations because of how much there is to do. And the accessibility here is excellent. That makes it a good choice for people of all ages and abilities. The oceanfront beach strip is accessible on foot or by car in many areas. And accessible also by wheelchair in most spots.

In fact, this is one thing that jumped out at me almost everywhere we went in Daytona Beach. The accessible signage was clear in many places. That matters to me. It matters to seniors too and sandwich generation parents caring for their Moms and Dads who need help travelling sometimes. If you start the day relaxing on the beach and the weather is gorgeous you might never want to leave. But there’s a lot to see so try to pace yourself.

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Tammy Mitchell of In R Dream:

Magic of Melbourne

The one Florida destination that feels like home to our family is Melbourne Beach. The untouched beaches, serenity, tropical feeling you feel when you’re watching your children jump the waves with a boogie board or dig deep into the sand is exactly what I crave when we road trip to Florida from Canada. It’s a quiet beach and not overly crowded like some of the neighboring beaches. Right in front of Crowne Plaza Melbourne-Oceanfront is where our family has made many memories and will continue to enjoy this beach for many more years to come. Melbourne is very close to many tourist attractions such as Ron Jon’s, Kennedy Space Center and a short drive to Disney World but far enough away you don’t need to feel like a tourist 100% of the time. – Tammy http://inrdream.com/

 

Kerrie Mendoza of Family Food and Travel

Kid Friendly Cape Coral/Fort Myers

Every year we head to Cape Coral/Ft Myers for a family vacation. We love travelling to the area for its beautiful beaches. Warm Gulf air and lots of great kid friendly restaurants and attractions. With day trips to Sannibel Island, Ft Myers Beach, Naples or Captiva Island you have some of the best beaches around combined with great shopping too!
 
We recommend visiting The Shell Factory, Sky Zone and have enjoyed searching for seashells and a dolphin cruise.
 
Don’t forget to get a meal at Rum Runners at Cape Harbour and Pinchers Crab Shack.
 
 
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Sandi Allen and I in October 2016

Sandi Allen – Canadian Blog House

Feel The Embrace of St. Pete Beach/Clearwater

 
 
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Ann Baccaglia of Kickass Living

A Slice of Paradise in Key West

A couple years ago I visited Key West and it was a dream come true. Key West is a slice of paradise and I can see why so many people vacation there each year.  The food is delicious, and the sunsets are legendary. There is a reason why thousands of people flock to attend the nightly sunset ceremony at Mallory Square.

The atmosphere in Key West is friendly and relaxed. Many people ride bicycles or scooters to get around the small town. No one is in a hurry.There are also plenty of stray cats and chickens wandering around.

TIp – rent a convertible for the drive from the mainland through the Keys. You will not regret

driving along the legendary Seven Mile bridge with the roof down.

http://www.kickass-living.com/

http://www.kickass-living.com/10-places-i-want-to-visit-in-the-florida-keys/

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Christy Laverty – A Little Brightspot

Siesta Key – Best Beach In Florida

When it comes to best place to visit in Florida I would have to put Siesta Key top of the list. We visit Siesta Key a few times a year. It is about an hour from Tampa on the Gulf of Mexico. The area is home to a beautiful white sand beach. In recent years, Siesta Key Beach was named number on beach in United States. And it deserves the honour! Definitely a must stop destination in Florida!

There are great resorts in the area and there is a great variety of restaurants, especially down in Siesta Key Village, which is in walking distance to many of the area resorts and hotels.

Christy A Laverty

www.ALittleBrightSpot.com

http://alittlebrightspot.com/2017/06/24/number-one-beach/

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And Last BUT definitely NOT Least EVER

Margarita Ibbott of DownshiftingPro

A Nod to the Gilded Age in St Augustine

The beauty of travel is that you not only go to a new place, you can go back in time.  To be able to visit a Colonial city like St. Augustine was thrilling.  I love culture and history and the story that a place holds in time.  The way a building is morphs from one use to another without losing the essence of the place.  That was what it was like to go to the iconic Lightner Museum and Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida.
 
The Lightner Museum was once a glorious (and very luxurious) seasonal retreat. The Hotel Alcazar was a playground for wealthy north-easterners.  Across the street, in what is now Flagler College, was the competing Hotel Ponce de Leon.  These two buildings have found new life and continue to grace the Old City with a rich heritage which charmed me.  The architecture is stunning and a nod to the gilded age.  I did not see enough of Florida’s Historic coast but I know I will return without a doubt.
 
Read more on DownshiftingPro 

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There are so many beautiful beaches throughout this sunny state, you could spend a lifetime of Canadian winters visiting each one. And you’d still want to return. Many thanks to all the travel writers who contributed a paragraph or two about their favourite Florida hotspots.

[tweetthis]Top Canadian Travel Bloggers Weigh in On Favourite Florida Hotspots #travel #IFWTWA[/tweetthis]

What are your favourite Florida hotspots and when was the last time you visited?

Mom of two beautiful active girls, traveller, fitness junkie, social media consultant, and keeper of the sanity.

11 Comments

  • Lisa

    I’m a big fan of Florida in general. I agree that Daytona is a great beach. And you really can’t beat stuff like St Augustine and even up north into Destin for great beaches in the gulf.

  • Jeanette

    I LOVE Florida beaches! Their sand is SO soft and easy to walk in! The kids love to use it to make sand castles in the sand there! You have a ton of beaches that I need to check out yet! Thanks for all the suggestions!

  • Vera Sweeney

    I have been to Florida a couple of times. I would like to go to Daytona the next time we’re headed that way. I’ve heard a lot of great things about St. Petersburgh.

  • Jennifer Van Huss

    After the weather this week, I’m dying to head to Florida! The Sun is calling my name! I have really only experienced Orlando, Next time I go I hope to check off a few of the places you mentioned!!

  • Melissa Dixon

    I used to live in the Tampa Bay area and I loved heading to the beach. It was one of my favorite things to do. Now that I live in the Midwest I miss those days greatly. I think we need to plan a vacation for the whole family so we can enjoy it once again. I really would like to take a break from this cold weather and get in the water!

  • Terri Beavers

    There are a few on here I haven’t been to and I need to turn that around. I spent every summer in FLA growing up and I loved the beach. I’d go as often as I could talk anyone into taking me.