Ought to I go to Florida in 2023?

Must Read


I believe it’s about time to listen to some excellent news about Florida. The previous couple of months has been tough on the sunshine state. First Hurricane Ian tried to blow southwest Florida proper off the map and inundated giant swaths of the state with heavy flooding. Slightly over a month later Hurricane Nicole tried to sneak one final late-season punch onto the Atlantic shores. 

If you happen to hearken to overly dramatic information you may suppose the entire state of Florida is hurricane battered and fully underwater. However We simply spent a month touring by the state, and we are able to inform you that’s simply not the case. Florida and the individuals who name this place residence are resilient. 

On this publish and video, we’re going to take you on just a little street journey to point out you that the solar is in reality nonetheless shining in Florida. 

We now have a week-long street journey deliberate to take a look at a couple of underrated gems alongside Florida’s north and mid-Atlantic Coast. The humorous about this journey is it bought rescheduled twice, due to the hurricanes, but it surely really labored out higher than we may have even deliberate, however extra on that later.  

The 2022 hurricane season was tough on Florida and it might need you questioning… Do you have to plan your winter and spring break journeys to Florida this yr? – Effectively the reply is easy – Sure!

Hurricanes occur yearly and yearly Florida rebuilds again higher. The folks listed here are resilient. Positive Hurricane Ian was a foul one, however the space that was broken to the purpose that will stop a visit is small. The areas that also want extra time to rebuild are primarily across the Fort Myers area. They may want a bit extra time but to get well.

Nevertheless, the remainder of the state is prepared for you – and Ft. Myers gained’t be far behind! Don’t consider it? We simply spent a month touring the state and we’ll present you that the solar continues to be shining in Florida!

On this household street journey, we’re going to discover St. Augustine, Cape Canaveral, Coca Seashore, and Vero Seashore with plenty of enjoyable stops alongside the way in which. Hop within the minivan, sit again, buckle up, and benefit from the trip as our household of 4 explores Florida’s north and central Atlantic Coast!


Drone photo showing part of the St. Augustine Skyline and Lion's gate bridge at sunrise

St. Augustine

Our first cease is historic St. Augustine, Florida. Based in 1565 – it’s really the oldest repeatedly occupied European Settlement within the continental United States. In numerous methods, St. Augustine doesn’t really feel like Florida to me. Improvement smart the state is comparatively new, however right here in St. Augustine, you might be surrounded by historical past. 

There’s a centuries-old Spanish fort, historic picket buildings, and exquisite structure courting again to the day of railroad constructing tycoons. On prime of that, there are some nice seashores and many native attraction – it’s onerous to not like St. Augustine. 

Woman and daughter walking on St George Street in St. Augustine Florida

St George Avenue

We’re going to begin on essentially the most well-known avenue within the metropolis which is St. George avenue. Lined with historic buildings now repurposed into outlets, museums, and among the metropolis’s greatest eating places. A stroll down this avenue may take you the higher a part of the day if you’re up for exploring the outlets and lingering on the cafes and eating places. 

Exterior view of the St. George Inn located in St. Augustine FL - Top family hotel

St George Inn

On this journey, we’re staying within the coronary heart of the motion on the St. George Inn to profit from our days within the metropolis. Our home windows and balcony overlook the historic St. George Avenue and we’re simply steps away from the entire points of interest, outlets, and eating places. 

We now have a household swimsuit with a pleasant kitchen and front room to unfold out which is a should when touring with younger kids. The St. George Inn has a number of room sorts and should you’re touring with a household that is the place to remain! 

View of the Castillo de San Marcos at sunset

Castillo San Marcos 

On our first full day, we crammed up at breakfast set in a fantastic courtyard of the st. George Inn and tried our greatest to maintain the children from leaping within the grand fountain. With some meals and occasional in our system, we headed to one in every of St. Augustine’s fundamental points of interest the 300-year-old fort, the Castillo San Marcos. 

Constructed within the 1600s by the Spanish, the Castillo was constructed to guard the town and vital commerce routes. All through the centuries it modified fingers a number of occasions between the Spanish, British, and the US till it was decommissioned in 1933, a couple of years after it obtained Nationwide Monument standing. 

We spent the morning exploring all of the nooks and crannies of the outdated fort, however our favourite half was on the higher stage. Right here, alongside lengthy with nice views of St. Augustine, there have been cool outdated cannons to see and turrets to cover in the place the children pretended they have been pirates. 

Family drinking the water from the fountain of youth

Fountain of Youth 

One other Spanish relic price marveling at in St. Augustine is the Fountain of Youth.  Within the sixteenth century, the age-old rumor of magical water that will reverse ageing and remedy illness grew to become standard amongst explorers. One specifically, Ponce de Leon grew to become mounted on discovering this legendary water supply. 

Statue of Ponce De Leon in front of the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park

This website is claimed to be the precise touchdown website of Ponce de Leon. Since he’s not round anymore I’m unsure the magic water labored, however there’s a ton of historical past to take a look at whereas visiting the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park.  

Apart from the sip of mineraly water right here you can even get a glimpse again in time into the lifetime of the early settlers and explorers. Across the website, there are buildings and displays of things discovered right here that are from practically 500 years in the past. That is additionally regarded as the location of the primary Christian Missions in what’s now the US. 

Children digging for treasure at an archeological exhibit at the fountain of youth

For the children, there are tons of peacocks to see and feed in addition to some kid-focused archeological displays. Atlas was satisfied we have been going to seek out treasures right here and he nearly to pry him away.  

green and orange hop on hop off trolley of St. Augustine - Top actives

Trolley

All aboard top-of-the-line methods to cowl numerous metropolis in a short while, the well-known inexperienced and orange St. Augustine Tolley. The Outdated City Trolley Excursions St Augustine

The youngsters beloved the trip and we bought a narrated trip and some minutes to take a seat and simply watch this charming city go by. It was a enjoyable solution to see the town and it’s actually the easiest way to see the town. 

View of the exterior of the Lightner Museum in St. Augustine Florida

Museums

If you happen to didn’t get sufficient historical past strolling across the streets of St. Augustine, don’t fear there are many top-notch museums as nicely. One of the noteworthy is the Lightner Museum which is housed in what was as soon as Henry Flagler’s grand and opulent Alcazar Lodge.

Inside you’ll discover a huge and wide selection of items on show based by the writer and collector Otto C. Lightner. The constructing itself is well worth the go to however the artwork and displays push it towards to the highest of the checklist of locations to go to whereas in St. Augustine. 

Red and white striped lighthouse in St. Augustine FL at sunset

St. Augustine Lighthouse

One other should in St. Augustine is a climb up the gorgeous black and white striped traditional lighthouse. From the highest of the lighthouse, you’ll be able to see Anastasia Island state Park and the Outdated City within the distance. 

For nautical nerds, there are additionally a number of displays on the lighthouse and maritime historical past protecting from Ponce de Leon to the present day – and every little thing in between.  

Drone photo of St. Augustine Beach

Seashores

For just a little break from the entire historical past and tradition of St. Augustine, we spent a while simply stress-free on the seaside. On prime of the entire historical past that yow will discover right here, there are some nice stretches of sand as nicely. In spite of everything, it’s nonetheless Florida – and no journey to the sunshine state could be full with out a while on the seaside. 

Alligators in the water at the St. Augustine Alligator Park

Aligator Farm

We completed up our time right here with a go to to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoologic Park. Inside we discovered actually tons of if not hundreds of Alligators. Atlas and Isla love seeing the entire gators and different animals. Apart from the entire Alligators there are many primates from around the globe, unique birds, and different reptiles. This place is a should should you’re touring with children or animal lovers. 

This hurricane season didn’t focus its wrath on St. Augustine, the town noticed some harm, however nothing that will hinder a go to to this historic gem. 

 

 


space coast cover - Sunset in cocoa Beach with white text over

House Coast & Cocoa Seashore

Subsequent up on our street journey is a spot that’s been on our radar for some time and we lastly determined to make it occur. From St. Augustine, we set the GPS for Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Seashore to an space of the state often called the House Coast. It bought it’s title from being the house of NASA’s launch website for human house journey. Right here, simply inland from the sandy shores, you’ll discover the Kennedy House Heart the place the Apollo 11 mission launched on its solution to the moon in 1969, and lots of different well-known missions earlier than and after that one. Nevertheless, rockets aren’t the one factor that this place has going for it – there are additionally some nice seashores in addition to many different nice spots to take a look at. 

Childen walking on the beach in Cocoa Beach Florida

Sundown on the seaside

We made it into city simply in time hit the seaside at sundown and it was a superb one. The youngsters performed within the sand whereas we waited for the solar to sink behind the little seaside city of Cocoa Seashore. Because it did the sky lit up in purples and pinks, though on the east coast the solar doesn’t set over the water the final rays of the solar bounce round and make some sky magic in any case. 

Pink and purple sunset on Cocoa Beach Florida

As the sunshine pale we sat right down to what could be one in every of our favourite meals in House coast and of this little street journey actually. We had dinner proper on the seaside at Coconuts, a neighborhood favourite open-air spot in Cocoa Seashore. every little thing was good, however the stand out was the Tuna Nachos.

Whereas we ate we may inform the entire city was a buzz in regards to the Artemis launch try, navy planes have been flying round, and folks have been excited. 


Launch of the Artemis 1 rocket on 11/16/22
Photograph by: NASA – Launch of the Artemis 1 rocket on 11/16/22

Artemis Rocket Launch

We had been attempting to time our journey up with this rocket launch for some time now, however after being rescheduled twice, we’d kinda thought that it simply wasn’t going to occur. The primary launch makes an attempt again in August and September have been scrubbed because of engine points and hydrogen leaks after which Hurricane Ian set issues again even additional.

We really had our automotive all loaded up and we have been prepared to move out the door at 5 am the day the Ian hit, and for sure we scrubbed our mission two. We then rebooked every little thing attempting to see the launch once more after which it turned out that we have been going to be within the house coast on the flawed days. Lastly, whereas we have been road-tripping round Florida we came upon that the launch bought pushed to our first day in Cape Canaveral – speak about fortunate. The one down facet it was set for 1 am. 

We sat up listening to the chatter from the NASA command middle for hours, ready, and hoping it was going to go. When the evening began it appeared like issues have been going to set it again once more and that we have been destined to overlook this launch. 

View of the Artemis 1 Launch as seen from the Hampton Inn Cape Canaveral

However then at nearly 2 am, the announcement got here that the launch was a go! We rushed downstairs from our resort the Cape Canaveral Hampton Inn to the car parking zone, which had surprisingly good views of the launch from proper exterior the room. Our little astronauts weren’t as much as see this second in historical past – which is simply too dangerous as a result of Atlas actually loves all issues house. 


Woman and kids standing in front of the NASA Globe at the Kennedy space Center

Kennedy House Heart

The subsequent morning, recent off the excessive of seeing a rocket launch into house and just a little quick on sleep we headed to the Kennedy House Heart, which is the place the rocket took off from just a few hours earlier. Of all of the issues we did in House Coast, this was a giant hit with everybody. 

Only a few steps in and we have been greeted with a set of large rockets from all intervals of house exploration in what is called the Rocket Backyard. The youngsters beloved this space and even bought to hop in a duplicate spacecraft stuffed with buttons and switches to faux for a couple of minutes that they have been astronauts. 

The Rocket Garden at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral Florida - Top Family Attractions

All over the place you flip contained in the Kennedy House Heart there are interactive displays the place you’ll be able to apply issues like your house shuttle docking expertise or faux to pilot a ship by Outerspace!

The quantity of large life-sized house tools parked on website is so spectacular and offers you an actual really feel for the historical past of house exploration. Even should you aren’t an enormous house geek, you really want to place this place in your bucket checklist. 

There may be additionally an enormous indoor playground which in fact is house themed. This can be a good place to get the children transferring and it’s numerous enjoyable for each mini astronauts and children which can be on Outerspace overload. 

family meeting an astronut at the Keneddy space Center

We even bought to have a snack with an astronaut which Atlas nonetheless to today talks about. We spent the entire day right here and I do know for a truth we didn’t see all of it!

 

We actually loved our time right here in Cocoa Seashore and the entire house coast – however we completely didn’t plan sufficient time right here. We left various stones unturned – however we all know we will certainly be again right here prior to later.

 


Drone photo of vero beach Florida at sunset with white text over

Vero Seashore

With historical past and house checked off of our checklist, it was time for some rest time on the seaside. So we headed one other couple of hours down the coast to Vero Seashore. Everybody we talked to look to essentially love this little seaside city, so we determined to test it out for ourselves.  On our solution to our last cease, we had a couple of stops deliberate earlier than we planted our toes within the sand. 

Feeding Animals at La Porte Farms in Sebastian Florida

LaPorte Farms

First up was LaPorte Farms residence to an interactive zoo full of animals from around the globe. This little gem within the city of Sebastian is a enjoyable 5 acre non-profit farm that’s numerous enjoyable for teenagers. Right here you’ll discover every little thing from cockatoos and chickens to Zebras and Zebus. We made associates with the entire animals by feeding them by hand. There are many displays and it’s a enjoyable solution to spend a day with children and animal lovers. 

Bust statue of Mel Fischer in the Mel Fischer Treasure Museum near Vero Beach

Mel Fisher Treasure Museum

We couldn’t go to Florida’s Treasure Coast and not using a cease to Mel Fisher’s Treasure Museum. Of the entire stops on this whole street journey, this museum was the cease that shocked me essentially the most. I’d heard of Mel Fisher, however I actually had no concept of the tales and the sheer quantity of treasures he and his crews really discovered. His most notable discover was The Atocha, a Spanish shipwreck that had 40 tons of gold and silver onboard when it went down. When Mel’s workforce discovered it in 1975, the treasure was valued at over 450 million {dollars}. 

I imply, simply take a look at this bust with gold chains hanging from Mel’s neck. Contained in the museum, they actually have a 5lb gold block the place the gold itself is price at the least $50,000 that they allow you to maintain. Nevertheless, the actually fascinating half is that Mel Fisher and his workforce solely discovered about half of the Atocha’s treasures. A big a part of the ship is assumed to nonetheless be on the market. Important finds are nonetheless being made as we speak. And if you’re searching for a carer change, they’re hiring full-time divers to search for treasure in Key West proper now. 

Family entering the ELC environmental Learning Center in Vero Beach FL

ELC – Environmental Studying Heart

One other enjoyable cease for teenagers is the Environmental Studying Heart or ELC because the locals name it. Right here we discovered 65 acres of pristine Florida wilderness. There may be an intensive system of trails and boardwalks that carry you between completely different ecosystems and displays on the property. Boat rides will also be organized to discover much more of the Indian river and the character that surrounds the ELC. 

Woman walking on a bridge inside the McKee Botanical Gardens in Vero Beach Florida - family getaway

MeKee Botanical Gardens

One among our favourite stops across the Vero Seashore space was the McKee Botanical Gardens. Entering into these lush gardens was like strolling straight into the jungle – you understand if the jungle was finely manicured with coy ponds and stuff. However significantly simply take a look at this place. We in all probability would have spent even longer right here if we didn’t stumble onto the tremendous enjoyable child’s space full with splash pad, and nicely – we proceeded to get fully soaked – which lower our go to just a little quick, however positively a worthwhile cease. It was time to move to our last cease, the seaside – and to the resort for some dry garments.

View of the Kimpton Vero Beach at sunset right on the water

Vero Seashore

Our last cease in Florida was really the primary place we noticed any noticeable results from any of the hurricanes in 2022. Trying down on the seaside it kinda seemed like somebody took a couple of large scoops of sand away, and proper after Hurricane Nicole there was some street harm that washed away half of the street alongside the shore. 

How a lot did it influence ou journey? in no way. The seaside continues to be attractive, the sunsets are nonetheless gorgeous, and from a vacationer perspective life was good, really, it was higher than that – life was fairly nice. 

drone photo of the Kimpton Vero Beach on a family vacation to florida

Kimpton Vero Seashore 

After a busy week touring alongside Florida’s Atlantic Coast, it was time to settle in and calm down on the beachside Kimpton Vero Seashore Lodge. Our room was nicely appointed with a spacious residing space with loads of room for all of us. The lounge lead out to a balcony overlooking the pool with views of the ocean making the proper spot for morning espresso or a glass of wine after the children have been down. 

View of the rooms at Kimpton Vero Beach

As soon as we bought right here it was a bit onerous to depart – however that was happy with us. The Kimpton has two onsite eating places, a spa, a pleasant pool, and naturally – the seaside. One other bonus it was inside strolling distance of different close by points of interest, procuring, and eating. 

Of the entire enjoyable issues we did on this street journey, among the greatest recollections have been simply having some household time taking part in within the pool – splashing round and studying to drift and soar off the sting like little daredevils. The Kimpton Vero Seashore was the proper place to finish an action-pack journey. 

View of the Pool at the Kimpton Vero Beach at sunrise

And identical to that our Florida street journey is lights out like a child that performed too onerous within the pool. 


We hoped you loved touring alongside Florida’s Atlantic coast with us and exploring the entire historical past, stunning seashores, and the actually out-of-this-world actions. We additionally hope we confirmed you that the solar is shining in Florida and it’s prepared on your subsequent household trip!

 

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest News

15 Execs and Cons of Dwelling in Playa del Carmen

Mexico is a rustic that’s so numerous and exquisite it’s laborious to resolve the place to go to,...

More Articles Like This