15 Best Places To Vacation in Florida as a Student | 2023 Study Abroad Guide

It’s time to consider spring break just when the bitter cold, snow, and frozen toes get a little too much. For many of us, this entails traveling abroad for some sun, sand, and relaxation. Florida seems a great place for a good vacation, therefore we’ve highlighted some best places to vacation in Florida

However, Florida’s tropical climate and stunning beaches make it unnecessary to do so.

While some might consider Florida to be somewhat of a tourist trap, others are aware that the Sunshine State has more to offer than just theme parks and beaches.

You can locate the ideal vacation site in one of the many Florida spring break destinations available, whether your interests are shopping, national parks, animal viewing, or colonial history.

In this article, we have compiled everything you need to know about the best places to vacation in Florida as a Student.

When is Spring Break season in Florida?

Many schools and universities take a break from classes during the Florida Spring Break period, which normally lasts from the middle of March until the end of April.

Since K–12 schools are also off during this period, many families decide to travel during spring break.

The week before Easter and the week following Easter are the two most often used weeks for spring break. There is no one “universal” spring break week, though, as different schools have distinct spring break schedules.

What are the Best Places To Vacation in Florida as a Student?

There are so many fun things to do in Florida if you’re seeking spring break ideas that you won’t know where to start.

People have spent a lot of time in Florida, where the public transit isn’t the best. Having your own vehicle will save you a ton of time and hassle if you intend to do any sightseeing and don’t want to schedule a guided trip. If you’re a college student, the Miami Vehicle Rental Under 25 website is a useful resource.

The best spring break vacation spots for families and college students are listed below.

1. Miami and South Beach

2. Key Largo

3. Key West

4. Sarasota

5. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island

6. Naples

7. Marco Island

8. Orlando

9. Daytona Beach

10. Cocoa Beach

11. St Augustine

12. Jacksonville

13. Panama City Beach

14. Destin

15. Fort Walton Beach

1. Miami and South Beach

Visitors can find a lot to enjoy in the Magic City. Couples and college students can both enjoy a relaxing spring break in this South Florida setting.

Street art can be seen when strolling through the Wynwood Arts District. College spring breakers can be seen at a few South Beach bars. Bayside Marketplace, the upmarket Bal Harbour Shops, and the enormous Dolphin Mall are all great places to shop.

Not to mention the numerous museums, art galleries, and cultural activities that are held here all year long. The Frost Science Museum and the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM) are only two of the outstanding museums in Miami.

2. Key Largo

For your Florida spring break, Key Largo is a fantastic option if you want to go diving and snorkeling. This Florida Keys island is renowned for its crystal-clear seas and coral reefs.

Pennekamp, John The only underwater park in the contiguous United States is Coral Reef State Park, a marine protected area. You might observe all different kinds of marine life here, including dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles, as this coral reef is among the most diversified in the entire globe.

In addition to diving and snorkeling, Key Largo also offers kayaking, boating, jet skiing, and fishing charters. You can board a glass-bottom boat trip to experience the entire underwater world if you’d like to stay dry.

3. Key West

Key West is the place to go if you’re seeking for a more exciting spring break location in Florida. This island, which is at the tip of the Florida Keys, is well-known for its wild nightlife.

This small town’s main thoroughfare, Duval Street, is lined with stores, eateries, and bars. There is a ton of dancing and live music to enjoy.

One of the best spots to find street performers is Mallory Square. We always make our way there just before dusk to see them perform, and we tip the best ones afterwards.

4. Sarasota

On Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sarasota is home to Siesta Key Beach, a stunning expanse of fluffy, white sand. With its lifeguards on duty, shallow water, picnic pavilions, and close proximity to Siesta Key Village, the beach is ideal for families.

Visit Main Street and St. Armand’s Circle in downtown Sarasota for more dining and retail options.

One of Florida’s oldest tourist destinations is located in Sarasota: the Sarasota Jungle Gardens (1939). Other enjoyable activities include exploring Selby Gardens’ 45 acres of tropical plants, flowers, and banyan trees as well as a sizable collection of orchids, as well as going to Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium for a hands-on look at marine life.

Visit the Ringling Circus Museum and watch a spectacular performance.

5. Sanibel Island and Captiva Island

Captiva and Sanibel Islands maybe two of the top spring break options for families. The barrier islands, which lie on the Gulf Coast close to Fort Myers Beach, are well-known for the countless vibrant seashells that come ashore each night.

A boardwalk through mangrove swamps and the J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge, which occupies about half of Sanibel Island and is home to a varied array of fauna and plants, are two other attractions in addition to a charming fishing pier and 19th-century lighthouse.

Additional activities in this area of Southwest Florida include taking a fast catamaran sail, having a picnic at the Causeway Beaches, or going to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.

6. Naples

On the Gulf Coast, travel as far south as you can for a relaxed beach holiday. With 30 miles of broad, white sand beaches and a variety of waterfront restaurants, Naples exudes an affluent atmosphere. Fresh fish can be enjoyed here while observing the Gulf of Mexico’s sunsetting.

Although this beach town in Southwest Florida may not have the same spring break throngs as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Panama City Beach, it still has a ton of entertaining things to do.

Enjoy the sunshine and the calm waters as you go along the beach to Naples Pier and look for dolphins. Drive about admiring the numerous lavish residences close to the lake, shopping in the upscale art galleries and elegant boutique stores.

7. Marco Island

If relaxing on a sandy beach with a drink under an umbrella seems like your idea of a fun spring break in Florida, head to Marco Island. There are many luxurious resorts available there. There are also several holiday properties available.

The Briggs Nature Center ought to be included in every Marco Island spring break. A lovely nature park surrounds the half-kilometer stroll, providing you with the chance to see and learn about a variety of creatures. Activities include a boat cruise and a guided canoe journey.

Visit Collier Seminole State Park, which is adjacent to Marco Island and offers mile-long walking trails in addition to basic camping, picnicking, kayaking, and fishing.

8. Orlando

Theme park central of the world, Orlando is also likely the most well-liked family spring break destination in Florida. A trip on The Wheel at ICON Park will highlight just how much else there is to do in the neighborhood, despite the fact that Orlando’s amusement parks are a major draw.

Even if you don’t enjoy the commotion of theme parks, Orlando is a great place to spend your spring break. You may visit the city’s Harry P. Leu Gardens and Lake Eola Park, take in an Orlando Magic home game, and tour the Chocolate Kingdom all by yourself.

You may take your kids to WonderWorks Orlando, visit Gatorland, or go on airboat rides for an exhilarating journey through Florida’s wetlands.

9. Daytona Beach

Daytona Beach might be the spring break hotspot for college students in Florida. Historically known for its crazy nightlife and spring break parties, it also features a ton of family-friendly attractions.

The 23 miles of hard-packed sand, warm ocean, Daytona Lagoon water park, and renowned Daytona International Speedway are all features of Daytona Beach. Golf courses, charter fishing boats, and nature paths are also in abundance.

Visit the Marine Science Center, go fishing in the Halifax River, and take a drive down the renowned Daytona Beach. Additionally, don’t forget about the renowned Daytona Beach Boardwalk with its amusement parks, arcades, dining options, and stores.

10. Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach, which is nearby, is renowned for its stunning beaches and excellent surf. This Florida location is ideal if you like to watch surfers or would like to take a surfing class.

For more than 50 years, the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier has served as a landmark. It has restaurants, bars, and souvenir shops and stretches 800 feet over the Atlantic Ocean. It is a well-liked fishing location and features live music every weekend from local bands and DJs, however, that is now on hold until things are back to normal.

You can go riverboat cruising down the Banana River in addition to participating in water sports like parasailing, fishing, and kayaking, or you can head to Ron Jon Surf Shop, one of Florida’s largest surf stores, which regularly hosts live music.

11. St Augustine

The historic city of St. Augustine, which draws tourists all year long, is a symbol of America. There are many things to do here, from its Spanish fort from the seventeenth century to its charming cobblestone alleys studded with historical structures.

Visit the historic structures in St. Augustine, such as the Ponce de Leon Hotel (now Flagler College), Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, and learn about the city’s rich past. Visit one of its numerous museums if you have the time.

At Vilano Beach, located to the north of St. Augustine, or at Anastasia State Park, located to the south of the city, you may take your family on an environmental tour or go beach hopping.

12. Jacksonville

Jacksonville, which is a significant metropolis and a key regional commercial hub as well as a natural wonderland for travelers seeking a wintertime vacation, is not far from the Georgia border.

The “River City on the Sea,” Jacksonville, has approximately 40 miles of meandering waterways in the inland river and 22 miles of sandy, uninhabited spring-break beaches.

Award-winning eateries, bustling bars, and a thriving nightlife make up the developing food and beverage scene.

13. Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach is the place to go if you’re searching for a bustling beach town to spend your spring break. This well-known beach town is encircled by 27 miles of white sand beaches and is situated on Florida’s panhandle’s Gulf Coast.

The city provides a wide range of activities, including kayaking through Shell Island’s mangrove-lined canals, shore diving at St. Andrews State Park, and beach relaxing. Go birdwatching at Conservation Park or fish at Deer Point Lake for more outdoor entertainment—you might even see an alligator there!

When dinner time arrives, indulge yourself in fresh seafood that was fished in nearby Apalachicola Bay before burning off those calories at one of Panama City Beach’s many nightclubs.

14. Destin

Destin, which has world-class deep-sea fishing charters and inshore charter boats, is known as “The World’s Luckiest Fishing Village” and is situated on the “Redneck Riviera,” as the locals affectionately call it.

If you want to spend spring break in Florida, the panhandle features some of the state’s most gorgeous family-friendly beaches.

At Henderson Beach State Park, you may go fishing, engage in water sports like kayaking, snorkeling, and paddleboarding, or engage in outdoor pursuits like hiking and dolphin watching.

15. Fort Walton Beach

The beautiful seaside community of Fort Walton Beach is close to Destin. Because of its charming resorts and attractions, it’s a well-liked spring break location.

The Air Force Armament Museum, Indian Temple Mound, and Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park are among the top attractions.

Around the city’s core, several quaint seaside areas are teeming with shops, museums, and an excellent selection of restaurants and bars that come to life at night.

What are the budget tips for planning a Vacation as a Student in Florida?

1. Ascertain whether your destination offers a city card; Florida has numerous of them. With benefits like free entrance to attractions, cost-free public transportation, and discounts at restaurants, stores, and entertainment, these sightseeing passes are a good deal.

2. Don’t sacrifice enjoyment. Permit yourself to spend money on a few experiences that will leave you with enduring memories.

3. Be reasonable in your packing. It could be preferable to rent or buy items when you get to your destination, particularly if you’re traveling to Florida.

4. Reserve your lodging as soon as you can to avoid missing out on the location you choose.

5. If you’re going on a trip with friends or a group, think about renting a vacation home together. This often comes with a kitchen and might be more affordable than staying in a hotel.

6. As soon as you can, book your flights because prices rise the closer the departure date gets. Additionally, avoid flying on the weekends because the fares are typically substantially higher.

7. Spring break is a fun time for your family, so be sure to pick a location that has plenty of activities for all age groups.

8. To save on travel between Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Sarasota, and Fort Myers, book a ticket for Ourbus online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do college students from Florida travel during spring break?

Any student intending to spend Spring Break in Florida must visit The Keys. The southernmost point of the continental United States is this tropical paradise, which has a variety of things to do for tourists of all ages.

Where in Florida is an excellent place to visit?

With attractions like Walt Disney World and Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Universal Studios, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, Animal Kingdom, Discovery Cove, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Gatorland, and more, it’s no surprise that many tourists choose to spend their Florida vacations in Orlando.

For spring break, do college students travel to Fort Lauderdale?

Fort Lauderdale trip Almost as much of a rite of passage as attending college, spring break has become. Students from all over the nation will congregate in cities like Fort Lauderdale for this one week to let their hair down and have some good ol’ fashioned fun. The fact that the party keeps going is the finest part.

Is Miami a decent spring break destination?

Miami is a popular location for spring breakers seeking to soak up the sun and party because of its stunning beaches, pleasant climate, and exciting nightlife.