12 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in Florida
Florida’s small towns are built for short, activity-packed stays. In places like New Smyrna Beach, surf breaks sit minutes from compact downtown blocks. Crystal River offers direct access to spring-fed waterways known for seasonal manatee gatherings. St. Augustine pairs walkable historic streets with Atlantic beaches within a few miles. Across the state, these communities concentrate outdoor access, waterfront views, and distinct local character into settings that work well for three- or four-day trips.
Everglades City
Located on the southwest coast of Florida, Everglades City is a basecamp for biodiverse activities. Park your RV at Everglades Isle, or stay in one of their luxury villas if you don't have a rig. Then spend a day sightseeing in Everglades National Park, the United States’ largest subtropical wilderness. There are designated trails for pedaling, paddling, and hiking. Give your legs a rest the next morning on an airboat tour or a fishing trip to the Ten Thousand Islands. (Note that a valid Florida fishing license is required, and regulations vary by species and season.)
East of Everglades City, Big Cypress National Preserve offers more ways to connect with nature, including swamp buggy and kayak tours. Pop over to Ochopee to check out the smallest US Post Office and Clyde Butcher’s Big Cypress Gallery before returning to Everglades City for dinner. The town is famous for its Cuban-American fare and fresh seafood, especially stone crab, which is generally available from mid-October to early May.
Key Largo
This island in the Florida Keys is known for its idyllic landscape and laid-back vibe, even earning a lyrical mention from The Beach Boys. Stay at Largo Resort, a tropical paradise with a private shoreline, or one of the many other hotels on the island. Go snorkeling or scuba diving in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, or go kayaking in the park’s mangrove tunnels. Swimming with dolphins in a controlled environment at Dolphins Plus is also a popular vacation activity, and a sunset cruise is another must-do to add to your itinerary. The island also boasts a bustling nightlife, perfect for groups searching for a fun night out.
Cocoa Beach
The famous Cocoa Beach is located on Florida’s “Space Coast,” about 20 miles from Kennedy Space Center. While the entire Space Center campus isn’t open to the public, there’s a range of attractions at the Visitor Complex. Get an up-close look at Space Shuttle Atlantis, walk through the Heroes and Legends attraction, then sit down and chat with an astronaut in a casual setting.
Spend another day in the beautiful waters surrounding Merritt Island and Cocoa Beach on a private Tiki Cruise. Watch dolphins swimming and jumping, relax in a hammock, eat, drink, and dance the day away. Keep the party going well into the evening at one of the many beachside bars and restaurants with live music. Or get some laughs at Gregory's Upstairs Comedy Club on a Friday or Saturday night. There are several oceanfront lodging options to choose from in Cocoa Beach, including the Hilton Garden Inn and The Resort on Cocoa Beach.
Crystal River
This town is one of the few places in Florida with water aside from the ocean suitable for swimming, and with manatees, no less! Several outfitters in the area offer all-inclusive tours from November through March when up to 1,000 manatees seek winter refuge in warm water. Kayaking and paddleboarding in the clear, tree-lined waters of Three Sister Springs is another item to add to your long-weekend itinerary any time of year, as is hiking and picnicking in Crystal River Preserve State Park.
There are plenty of lodging options where you can comfortably lay your head, ranging from basic hotels to unique destinations such as the Plantation Resort on Crystal River. Guests here can tee off on the 18-hole golf course, rent gear from the outdoor adventure center, book a manatee swimming tour, and lounge at a lagoon-style pool.
New Smyrna
Whether you like to ride the waves yourself or watch others do it, New Smyrna Beach is a popular surfing destination. You can even drive your vehicle on the beach here to find the perfect spot to take it all in. Lively Flagler Avenue is filled with surf shops, boutiques, restaurants, and bars, and the town is also well known for auto racing. The New Smyrna Speedway hosts a variety of regional NASCAR events throughout the year. And it’s not far from New Smyrna to Daytona International Speedway, where you can ride in a racecar!
But there’s a slower side to New Smyrna as well. Pack your binoculars and watch migrating birds, nesting horseshoe crabs, or gopher tortoises at Smyrna Dunes Park as you meander along its boardwalks. Afterward, relax at the award-winning Black Dolphin Inn, where each room is decorated with vintage furnishings and fine art.
Duck Key
This small, sun-drenched island in the middle of the Florida Keys has a slightly more sophisticated vibe than some of its more crowded counterparts. Villas and vacation rentals top the list of lodging options, including the luxurious Hawks Cay Resort & Marina. Spend a day lounging on the sands of a private beach in the afternoon and listening to live music at a waterfront restaurant at night.
Hop over to the nearby city of Marathon the next day and search for shells on Coco Plum Beach before visiting The Turtle Hospital for a 90-minute tour that ends with the opportunity to feed the rehabbing reptiles. Make your last day on the island a spa day at Calm Waters Spa, where you can receive a range of facials inspired by the island, as well as massages.
Panama City
Why should you make a weekend trip to the 27-mile stretch of white sand known as Panama City Beach? For one, it’s the winner of countless “best beach” awards from USA Today, Tripadvisor, The Travel Channel, Southern Living, and other esteemed organizations. And for two, both the scenery and the weather are beyond gorgeous here.
There’s something for everyone to do in Panama City. Thrill seekers will enjoy riding jet skis in the Gulf of Mexico or parasailing above the Emerald Coast. If that doesn’t get you high enough, book a tandem jump at Skydive Panama City. On the other hand, families with young children enjoy the simple pleasures of building sandcastles and letting the tide tickle their toes. There are several offshore attractions geared toward families, such as the mini golf course and human maze at Coconut Creek Family Fun Park or the go-karts at Hidden Lagoon Super Race Track and Golf. Couples looking to reconnect might enjoy staying at Hotel Indigo, renting a tandem bike to ride on the paved Gayle’s Trail system, then enjoying an intimate dinner at Firefly.
St. Augustine
Ogle the international architecture over a long weekend in St. Augustine. Its Spanish heritage is everywhere: narrow streets, central courtyards, and churches. The centuries-old Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine features a six-story bell tower, deep-red ceilings with crossbeams, and a custom-built pipe organ. Colonial-era architecture is on display up and down St. George Street, where modern shops operate behind historic storefronts on the pedestrian-only route.
Just beyond the iconic coquina City Gates on the north end of St. George Street is the Castillo de San Marcos. Visit on a Saturday or Sunday to see canons and muskets fired from the gundeck. Historic buildings from the Gilded Age are located throughout the city, the most famous being the Lightner Museum, which has a variety of permanent collections that include mechanical musical instruments, opulent artwork, and fine furniture, as well as special exhibits. Keep the vintage vibes going with a stay at the Bayfront Marin House Historic Inn & Cottages.
Clewiston
Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Okeechobee, Crooked Hook RV is a tropical basecamp for a long weekend of freshwater fishing. The lake is particularly well-known for bass fishing. Species found here include largemouth (which often hit 15 pounds), white, sunshine, butterfly peacock, striped, and shoal. Other potential catches include panfish, pickerel, and catfish.
So bring your Florida fishing license and your walking shoes, too. Segments of the 115-mile Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail are accessible from Clewiston. End your day at Scotty’s Tiki Bar, an open-air eatery, with a gator taco and a rum cocktail -- it doesn’t get more Florida than that.
Clermont
Florida is mostly flat, but this small town is surrounded by rolling hills. The Citrus Tower sits atop the highest of those hills and is one of the most recognizable monuments in the state. Take in the views from the 360-degree observation deck at the top, then head for the hills on horseback. Guided equestrian tours are offered on a 5-mile trail around Lake Louisa State Park, where cars can’t travel. Spend some time on your long weekend picking seasonal fruits at Southern Hill Farms or sipping sparkling wine in the tasting room at Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards. There are several chain hotels in Clermont, including Hampton Inn and Suites and Home2 Suites by Hilton.
Rosemary Beach
Walkable cobblestone streets, lush landscaping, and French Quarter architecture give this small town on Florida’s Panhandle some European flair. Kick off your long weekend at La Crema Tapas and Chocolate, a restaurant with flavors inspired by Madrid and Barcelona, before checking into a boutique hotel. The Pearl Hotel is stunning inside and out, and offers private access to a pristine beach.
Spend the day relaxing next to the turquoise water or shopping in the town center. This getaway is all about relaxation, so on Sunday morning, wander through the 30A Farmers Market with an artisan pastry in one hand and an iced coffee in the other. There’s no need to rush. The vibe here is slow-paced and peaceful.
Key West
Quirky and colorful, the southernmost point in the United States is anything but bland. Even headstones in the Key West City Cemetery show character, with epitaphs reading “I told you I was sick” and “If you’re reading this, you desperately need a hobby.” Duval Street is a lively place to spend time, especially at night. You’ll find upwards of 40 bars on the 1.25-mile road that stretches from the Atlantic Coast to the Gulf Coast. Captain Tony’s Saloon is the oldest such establishment, and served as both an icehouse and a morgue back in the day. Keep the party going with a mojito in hand at the Havana Cabana hotel pool the next day.
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum showcases a more serious side of Key West, while the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is a tropical oasis. Don’t head home without having a slice of key lime pie from Kermit's Key Lime Shoppe. Or try several pieces on a tasting tour, with a side of history mixed in -- tastes just like paradise.
Micro-Vacations for Every Mood
Feeling inspired? Let the long weekend begin! Each of these small towns in Florida is perfectly proportioned for a few days of fun. Visit Everglades City when you’re craving a natural adventure, Rosemary Beach when it’s tranquility you seek, or Key West when you want mood-boosting party vibes. Whatever kind of getaway you are looking for, you’ll find it in Florida.
