For some people, it’s easy to take a week or a long weekend and head to Walt Disney World for a much-needed break from the everyday grind. For others, a vacation to that part of the country not only requires more planning, but it’s best served as part of a longer trip.
Sure, you could spend two whole weeks at Walt Disney World and not see everything, but that would be pretty darn expensive. Or, maybe, you just want to not get too much of a good thing.
Either way, there are plenty of awesome places to visit for the second half of your Florida vacation that aren’t the Disney Parks.
Here are just a few:
St. Augustine
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If you’re a history buff, there are few places in the continental United States that rival St. Augustine. It is, rather famously, the oldest continuously-inhabited city in the lower-48 after its founding in 1565.
Everywhere you go, that history is apparent — from the old forts, architecture, and sculptures on display to the museums and bookstores dedicated to its preservation. But the history of St. Augustine isn’t just limited to ancient times. Henry Flagler (a wealthy cofounder of Standard Oil) was a famous resident and benefactor of the city, using it as a base of operations for his railroad empire in the southeast and as a tourist destination.
St. Augustine isn’t just a city of the past, however. It also boasts a lively cultural scene, great food, and fun, walkable neighborhoods to explore. If you like beach life and history, there’s really nowhere better.
Cocoa Beach
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Just south of Cape Canaveral, you’ll find the epicenter of mid-century Atlantic Coast Florida — Cocoa Beach. Home to a world-renowned surf culture — Ron Jon’s Surf Shop was founded here — as well as thousands of vacationing tourists make this the quintessential Florida beach town.
Everything you’d expect from a beach town is on offer, from mini golf to candy shops to kitschy souvenir stores. But, the main attraction will be, and has always been, the beach itself.
The world-famous Cocoa Beach Pier plays host to fishing, food, and surfing competitions — bringing a bit of classic 1950s Americana to full, technicolor life.
Beach vacations can vary wildly depending on the kind of beach you choose, and if you’re looking for the classic beach-movie style party, Cocoa has what you’re looking for. Plus, it’s just a short drive away from Walt Disney World — making it the perfect second stop.
Vero Beach
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Slightly less crazy than the party scene at Cocoa, Vero Beach has the same gorgeous ocean views as the rest of Florida’s Treasure Coast, but with a bit less Spring Break-style bustle. While Vero is not quite as sleepy as it once was, it still is a bit more of a simple beach trip.
There’s plenty of shopping and entertainment on the Miracle Mile — a walkable stretch of stores at the heart of Vero. And, while the beach itself is beautiful and calm, Vero has enough local inhabitants that it isn’t missing the essentials for a longer vacation — like a movie theater, shopping, and good grocery stores. It’s so homey, the Los Angeles Dodgers used to play their Spring Training games in a special neighborhood called, “Dodgertown.”
As an added bonus, for those who still want a tiny bit of Disney flavor, there’s the exquisite Disney’s Vero Beach Resort nearby — offering the same fun and amenities you’d expect from a Disney resort, but on the ocean.
Captiva Island
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Meanwhile, on the Gulf Coast of Florida, life is much more serene. The pace of civilization on the west side of the state is much slower, the beaches are much quieter, and the way of life is simpler. Even in relatively built-up Captiva Island, the essence of Florida’s Gulf side is still intact.
Captiva Island has a reputation for being an escape for the wealthiest Americans, with the island filled with enormous mansions and second-homes — nicknamed Millionaire’s Row. But, there’s still a bustling tourist community and vacation rental opportunities.
The way of life is fairly simple in Captiva, so don’t go expecting the high-energy of Walt Disney World or even a larger beach town. The biggest tourist attraction, aside from the exquisite beaches, is the kitschy restaurant The Bubble Room, offering up fun design quirks and fantastic cake.
Captiva is probably what you’re picturing in your mind when you picture Florida.
Naples
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Combining the glitz of Captiva Island with the feel of an Atlantic Coast beach town, Naples is a kind of wealthy retreat for the new money, cosmopolitan yuppie crowd.
There’s plenty to do, with movie theaters, shopping, great food, and wonderful beaches easily accessible. And, with a large number of wealthy retirees on hand, Naples feels much more like an upscale community in New Jersey than it does a beach town in Southwest Florida. Still, the Gulf Coast is as gorgeous as ever in Naples, and with plenty of condos on hand, it’s fairly easy to find somewhere to stay near the water.
Owing to the relatively well-off population, there’s also a tremendous amount of culture in the area, including performing arts and museums — as well as easy access to Florida’s natural playgrounds like the Everglades.
In all, Naples can be pricey, but it is every bit as luxurious a vacation destination as the price tag would suggest.
Miami
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Walt Disney World is a crazy place to vacation, with a do-this/do-that pace that can make you feel like you need a vacation from your vacation. But, if you’re someone who thrives on that kind of energy and adrenaline rush, why not go to Florida’s most exciting city for the second part of your vacation?
Miami is everything you expect it to be, and more. The food, heavily influenced by both its Cuban population and its relocated-New Yorker contingent, is world class cuisine on-par with some of the best food cities in the country. The art, fueled by the world-renowned Art Basel festival in the city, is some of the best you’ll find in any city in the world.
And, of course, there’s the fashion, music, and style. Miami might call to mind a tacky 1980s aesthetic, but the real thing isn’t quite as lame as that. Influenced by the 1980s, modern Miami is more a cosmopolitan melting pot — with a bit of America, Madrid, Paris, and Rome.
Miami has everything you’d want in a vacation, from pro-sports to great museums to the iconic South Beach and amazing restaurants. It’s worth a visit, for sure.
The Keys
Or, if the excitement of Miami seems to much for you, keep driving south until you run out of road. The Florida Keys are like a country unto themselves — so much so that the southern keys even half-heartedly tried to declared themselves “the Conch Republic” years ago.
They weren’t successful, however, because a necessity for Keys life is a carefree air and the determination not to be determined to do anything. Keys life is simple, things open and close when their owners want and not a minute sooner or later. Shops and restaurants might sit dark because the shopkeeper decided to go snorkeling that day, and you know what, god bless ‘em.
The views in the Keys are like no place on earth — looking one direction will show you the Atlantic Ocean, and the other will show you the Gulf of Mexico. The tiny sandbars in between play host to all manner of tourist life, from seafood shacks to roadside bars to mini golf courses to snorkeling coves.
The Keys are for everyone — the perfect place to disconnect and forget about the real world. Just be careful — many who came before did the same thing … and just never left.
