The Florida Keys are a veritable paradise, stretching 113 miles from Key Largo to the southernmost point of the continental United States in funky Key West; pick any Key along the way and you're guaranteed a tropical getaway without the need for a passport. Fill your itinerary with activities like boating, diving, fishing, snorkeling coral reefs, feeding 10-foot tarpon at Robbie's, and generally enjoying one of the world's best destinations for letting your hair down.

The adults-only Bungalows Key Largo, the first all-inclusive in the Keys, is located in Key Largo, while Playa Largo is a good choice for families or anyone looking for an action-packed vacation; there are pools, water sports like sailing, parasailing, and kayaking, and even a hammock garden for reading. Book a table at The Fish House, a family-owned Key Largo institution that's distinguished by the fact that they're one of the only restaurants that sources exclusively from local fishermen, ensuring that your fish is as fresh as it gets.

Google rating: 4.7/5.0

Location: Florida Straits

Phone: N/a

Website: https://floridakeys.com/

Consider the Palm Beaches a one-way ticket to the best of Florida. The region encompasses the cities of Palm Beach County, including West Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Wellington, Delray Beach, Jupiter, and Boca Raton. The Palm Beaches' strength is the sheer variety of activities available. You can go shopping, surfing, scuba diving, having brunch with your dog, watching an international polo match, relaxing on 47 miles of shoreline, meeting rehabilitating sea turtles, taking a quick two-night cruise to the Bahamas, seeing a Broadway musical at the Kravis Center, and catching a foul ball at a spring training baseball game.

Out west, you can book airboat tours of the Everglades or get up close and personal with rhinos, giraffes, and zebras at Lion Country Safari, a cageless, drive-thru zoo spread over 600 acres. If you want to stay in a posh resort, Palm Beach and Boca Raton have you covered. Nothing beats The Breakers for royal treatment, but The Colony Hotel, Eau Palm Beach, and The Boca Raton herald a new era in Palm Beach.

West Palm Beach, just across the bridge, has a big-city feel without the headaches of traffic and congestion. Take the free trolley between Clematis Street, The Square, and the waterfront, or visit Grandview Public Market in the trendy Warehouse District. Galley, a restaurant at Hilton West Palm Beach, serves tasty cocktails, fresh seafood, and gourmet pizzas, and The Ben West Palm and Canopy by Hilton West Palm Beach Downtown both have rooftops with spectacular views.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Address: 2195 Southern Blvd #400, West Palm Beach, FL 33406

Phone: 800.554.7256
Website: https://www.thepalmbeaches.com/

As America's oldest city, St. Augustine has had plenty of time to get it right. Settlers arrived in the mid-1500s, and some of the still-standing landmarks, such as the Fountain of Youth and Castillo de San Marcos, date back almost as far. It's a walkable town steeped in mystery, with whispers of the past echoing down every cobblestone alley.

Learning about the area's history (preferably via ghost tour once darkness has descended on the city) is a given in St. Augustine. There are also newer additions designed to appeal to the modern explorer, such as Ice Plant for cocktails and the Alligator Farm for a uniquely Floridian animal encounter. See the city sparkle in the glow of three million lights during St. Augustine's annual Nights of Lights event around Christmas.

Book a stay at the adults-only Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens for the perfect marriage of history and a cozy breed of luxury, where you can tour the grounds with the property historian and gather for expertly crafted cocktails at The Well Bar. St. Francis Inn, built in 1791, is a bed-and-breakfast that captures the spirit of the city and everything there is to love about homey accommodations. It's right on St. George Street, St. Augustine's main thoroughfare.

After working up an appetite, head to Michael's Tasting Room, The Floridian, or O.C. White's, a historic restaurant in the heart of the action. For something a little more casual, stop by A1A Ale Works for possibly the best root beer you've ever had, served alongside a stunning view of the Bridge of Lions.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: Florida

Phone: (904) 825-1007

Website: https://citystaug.com/

West Palm Beach, located inland from Palm Beach on Lake Worth, has a number of interesting museums as well as many trendy and fine dining restaurants. As the name implies, the city is often defined by its incredible miles of soft, sandy beaches, and many tourists come primarily to soak up the sun and enjoy the water.

West Palm Beach also has many other attractions, many of which are family-friendly animal encounters. The South Florida Science Center and Aquarium is well-known for its numerous exhibits and underwater residents, and the Manatee Lagoon allows visitors to get up close and personal with these gentle giants for free.

The Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society is home to 700 animals from all over the world, and Lion Country Safari allows visitors to ride through the park to see some amazing African animals, as well as interact at the petting zoo and giraffe feeding station, and cool off in the water playground.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: Palm Beach on Lake Worth

Phone: (561) 822-2222

Website: https://www.wpb.org/

Sanibel Island is an important barrier island off the west coast of Florida, connected to Fort Myers by a causeway. Sanibel is best known for its luxurious resorts, which attract families, celebrities, and couples. Aside from the generous amenities provided by each resort, tourists will find plenty to do, from ocean adventures to leisurely shopping at Sanibel's numerous boutiques and galleries.

The dedication to conservation, which has resulted in the protected status of half of the island's land and the establishment of organizations such as the Sanibel Sea School and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, is one of the most appealing aspects of Sanibel and Captiva.

Many resorts also have their own naturalist-led programs to teach tourists about the fragile ecosystem and amazing wildlife. The loggerhead sea turtle, which nests on the pristine beaches, manatees and dolphins, which play in the water nearby, and hundreds of bird species, including the bald eagle, are among the island's most treasured wildlife.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: west coast of Florida

Phone: 239-472-1080

Website: https://www.sanibelisland.com/

Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach ranks 6th on the list of the best places to visit in Florida. Downtown Fort Myers, also known as the River District, is brimming with things to do, from plentiful shopping to a diverse range of dining options, as well as sightseeing in this historic district. Families will enjoy the IMAG History & Science Center, which features dozens of hands-on exhibits, exciting wildlife interactions, including the chance to touch an alligator, and even a 3D virtual reality experience of the original Fort Myers.

Fort Myers Beach is located on Estero Island, which is separated from the mainland by a narrow inland waterway and linked by bridges. The long beach is known for being a great place to see dolphins playing in the water, and it is lined with high-end resorts popular with families, couples, and celebrities. Fort Myers also draws a lot of New England baseball fans, who come to watch Red Sox spring training games and hope to see their favorite athletes around town.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: Fort Myers, Florida

Phone: (239) 454-7500

Website: https://www.fortmyersbeach.org/

St. Petersburg is located across the bay from Tampa. Visitors, particularly those from the north, come here to escape the cold winters and enjoy the oceanfront beaches and mild climate. The St. Petersburg Pier, the dockside shops and restaurants of Johns Pass, the quaint atmosphere of historic Pass-a-Grille, and the soft sand of Indian Rocks Beach are all worth a visit. St. Petersburg has a plethora of cultural tourist attractions, including several theaters and well-known art museums such as the Dali Museum and the Morean Art Center.

Taking boat tours, which range from dolphin-spotting and eco-tours to recreational cruises, is one of the most popular things to do in St. Petersburg. Nature lovers will enjoy the abundance of peaceful spots, such as Caladesi Island State Park, which has remained undeveloped due to its offshore location and is filled with beaches and nature trails. St. Pete Beach is a fun and quirky beach area with miles and miles of soft sand, ideal for sunbathing, splashing in the warm Gulf of Mexico waters, or settling in under your umbrella with the latest paperback thriller.

Located just offshore from St. Petersburg, this area is a mix of condos, hotels, and private homes. It's a popular spot that draws in beach lovers from all across the United States. All these people in a positive state of mind give the town a lively feel. The beach is ideal for those who love beach walking; there's more beach here than you'll have legs to walk.

Google rating: 4.5/5.0

Location: Florida

Phone: 727-367-2735

Website: https://www.stpetebeach.org/

Tampa ranks 8th on the list of the best places to visit in Florida. Tampa is located on an inlet on Florida's west coast, across the bay from St. Petersburg. Tampa is especially popular with families who come to enjoy the city's many wildlife attractions. The most well-known is Busch Gardens, a massive amusement park combined with a zoo with endless things to see and do. Animal enthusiasts can also visit the Lowry Park Zoo, the Tampa Aquarium, and a public manatee viewing center. Families with younger children will enjoy the Glazer Children's Museum, which focuses on learning through creative play, and the entire family will enjoy the Museum of Science and Industry, where you can explore the world of technology through hands-on exhibits and watch big-screen shows at the IMAX theater.

Ybor City in Tampa is one of the city's most historic neighborhoods and the heart of the city's Latin community; a meal at the famous Columbia Restaurant is a must. In the afternoon and evening, the lively and funky Sparkman Wharf is well worth a visit. Unique and interesting restaurants housed in shipping containers, as well as more traditional establishments, can be found here. You can walk along the Tampa Riverwalk, admiring the scenery, until you reach the fun and vibrant Armature Works area.

Google rating: 4.4/5.0

Location: Gulf Coast of the U.S. state of Florida

Phone: (813) 274-8211

Website: https://www.tampa.gov/

Miami, located in southern Florida, is one of the hippest and most popular cities in the state. Miami and nearby Miami Beach showcase Florida's old and new sides. The thriving modern city center contrasts sharply with the much more relaxed atmosphere of Miami Beach. South Beach is the most exciting of Miami's beaches, known for its Art Deco District and ultra-trendy pedestrian mall that runs parallel to the beach and is filled with water-facing outdoor restaurants, entertainment, and a variety of things to do. It's also a popular Florida honeymoon destination.

Flagler Street in downtown Miami has a number of historic attractions, while the Brickell neighborhood and the Design District have a plethora of high-end stores and posh eateries. The lively ethnic neighborhoods of Little Haiti and Little Havana in Miami have Caribbean influences, and the Overtown neighborhood is known for its rich African-American history and hearty soul food. Coconut Grove is home to the Vizcaya Museum and historic homes made of coral rock, as well as numerous street entertainers and sidewalk cafes.

Google rating: 4.0/5.0

Location: southern Florida

Phone: 305-468-5900

Website: https://www.miamigov.com/Home

Naples, Florida's southernmost city along the Gulf Coast, is an upscale area with a charming city center and a lovely stretch of beach. The ocean is lined with a mix of elegant homes, a few luxury resorts, and condo towers, but the downtown has retained a small-town feel. Naples and its surrounding areas have some of the best beaches in the state. Warm, shallow waters with small waves are ideal for swimming and playing. The soft white sand is ideal for laying out on your towel and soaking up some of that famous Florida sunshine while gazing out over the Gulf of Mexico.

The city's most beloved historic landmark, Naples Pier, is a must-see for tourists and the ideal location for spotting dolphins without getting on a boat. Naples has several historic attractions as well as unique nature parks, despite its reputation as a high-end golf resort town. The historic Smallwood Store trading post is now a museum commemorating the days of fur trading, while the Museum of the Everglades delves into the region's history dating back to the Calusa Indians. Both buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visitors can take a boat tour or rent a canoe or kayak to explore the mangrove estuaries and see the region's amazing wildlife at the Gulf Coast Everglades Visitor Center, which is the park's only admission-free center. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, known for its ancient cypress forest, and Fakahatchee Strand State Park, home to the ghost orchid and other rare and endangered plants and animals, are also nearby.

Google rating: 4.0/5.0

Address: 735 8th Street South, Naples, Florida 34102

Phone: N/a

Website: https://www.naplesgov.com/

Key West, at the far southern tip of the continental United States, has a distinct island feel, with old architecture and a slow pace. This picturesque and laid-back city is well-known for having housed several well-known authors, including Robert Frost, Tennessee Williams, and Ernest Hemingway. Its location has resulted in a diverse cultural mix that includes influences from many Caribbean islands, bringing to the region a relaxed attitude, interesting architecture, and culinary variety. Key West is also a popular cruise ship port, with plenty of entertainment and activities.

The main tourist area, Duval Street, is home to boutiques, souvenir shops, restaurants, and even some historic homes. A shipwreck museum that explains the area's long history of salvaging is one of the city's top attractions, as is the Key West Aquarium. Visitors interested in ocean ecology should go to Dry Tortugas National Park, which is made up of seven reef islands that form an archipelago.

Although the Florida Keys are not known for their beaches, Key West does have a few. These can be a pleasant diversion from sightseeing. The relaxed atmosphere of Key West, as well as the fact that it is a small city with plenty to do, make it an ideal destination for solo travelers. It's simple to get around, and everyone is friendly. It's one of the best places in the United States for solo travelers.

Google rating: 4.0/5.0

Location: Miami, Florida

Phone: 305-809-3700

Website: https://www.cityofkeywest-fl.gov/