Last Updated on November 18, 2022 by Suzy McCullough
Villa stays are ideal for families, especially in Florida, USA. We loved our villa stay and it was a great base for us to explore while saving money on our accommodation. One great way to see Florida is by choosing two to three villas in different parts of the state over a two to three-week holiday.
There are so many great days out and places to explore across the 500-mile-long and 160-mile-wide sunshine state. This post will cover the best areas to enjoy a family villa holiday.
Why choose a villa stay in Florida? For families, a villa stay is a great option because there is the option to cook meals or make packed lunches without the costs of restaurants. You are usually provided with a washing machine so it’s a great opportunity to pack light yet still have clothes to wear.
Plus a lot of villas have their own pools so you won’t be fighting for your own space to swim and play. They’re also a great place to sit and unwind after a busy day exploring.
Orlando
Orlando is the most visited part of Florida by families. Why? Because it is home to two of the most popular theme parks in the whole country. These are Disney World Florida and Universal Orlando. Both boast multiple parks and attractions. A villa stay in Orlando is an ideal base for visiting these theme parks.
Orlando isn’t just about Disney and Universal though. It has so much more to offer families including Sea World with many sea creatures and spectacular shows. Gatorland where you can zip wire over alligators, Discovery Cove where you can swim with dolphins and the second-largest LEGOLAND attraction in the world.
Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast stretches top to bottom of the west side of Florida. In tourist terms, it’s 210 miles from just north of Tampa down to the southern tip of Marco Island on the tip of the Everglades. The Gulf Coast is home to some truly stunning, almost white sand, beaches and it’s a perfect place to stay to watch the sunset at night.
The Gulf Coast is home to numerous children’s museums, wildlife, aquariums and nature centres. There is even a theme park. Busch Gardens has animals and rides with a steam train ride around the park.
Everglades
The Everglades is a great place for families to visit with a strong emphasis on the great outdoors. Cycling, water sports, fishing and bird watching are all popular activities in the Everglades. The National Park is a perfect place to go on an airboat tour through the swamps and hopefully spot alligators and other wildlife. At the right time of year, the Everglades is also a great place to spot some Manatees.
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a string of tropical islands stretching about 120 miles off the southern tip of the Sunshine State. The Florida Keys are perfect for snorkelling or diving and they are also another great place for spotting Manatees. It is a magical place to visit with amazing sunsets and tropical weather.
Kayaking is a fun activity to do with kids, especially in the Florida Keys. There are also plenty of overwater bridges including the fun to cross seven-mile bridge. Another great family-friendly activity is to go for a ride on a glass-bottom boat. It’s a great way to see the sea creatures without getting into the water.
North East Coast
The North East coast of Florida is also known as the ‘first coast’. It starts in the popular Daytona Beach and stretches up through the Jacksonville area including St. Augustine, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the USA.
We loved our stay in St. Augustine and we enjoyed many boat tours including a ride on a pirate ship, crazy golf, a trolley bus tour of the city and a visit to the oldest masonry fort in the US.
Daytona Beach is best known for its international speedway NASCAR race, there is also a water park, go-karting and other fun family-friendly activities. The northeast coast has plenty of wonderful golden sandy beaches.
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post. All words, photos and opinions are my own.
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