By Greg Cook
waterhead.com
October 2, 2011

Florida is undoubtedly one of the best states to visit for a vacation. Each year millions of people travel from all across the country as well as from all around the world to visit the Sunshine State and enjoy the great weather and all that the State has to offer. Many Floridians take advantage of their proximity to nearby attractions and plan weekend getaways as well as longer vacations in Florida.

If you are planning a Florida vacation, one of the first things you might want to consider is whether to visit the Atlantic Coast or the Gulf of Mexico Coast. You can have a great time on either coast, but they are quite different. Unlike a Central Florida vacation where theme parks such as Disneyworld and Universal Studios dominate the plans of many families, a coastal vacation is more about Florida and the less programmed way of enjoying the State. If you go to Orlando or Disney, you can expect to be bombarded by all of the touristy attractions like miniature golf, water parks, souvenir shops, wall-to-wall hotels and motels, restaurants and so much more. While many people want to always have something to do, for those that want a little more of a relaxed Florida vacation, you should consider either the East Atlantic Coast or the quieter West Gulf Coast.

The East Coast of Florida stretches all the way from Jacksonville to the North down about 450 miles to Key West at the Southern tip of the state. The Gulf Coast of Florida is an even longer stretch. Pensacola, located in the far-west portion of the Florida Panhandle is situated on the Gulf Coast. You can follow the Gulf Coast through Panama City, past Tampa, down to Naples and end up in Everglades City. By car, the trip would take about 10 hours and cover more than 500 miles from end-to-end.

Depending on how long of a Florida vacation you want, you can plan to see a small portion of the Gulf Coast or Atlantic Coast or you can see much more by planning an extensive itinerary. Following is a guide to some of the favorite things to do and places to see along both coasts. 

The Gulf Coast - Pensacola to Everglades City

Pensacola

Located in the far west corner of the Florida Panhandle, Pensacola is home to a major Naval Base, a beautiful beach, gentle blue, green Gulf waters and so much more. Visitors should make an effort to visit the Naval Air Museum where you will learn all about the men and women who have served our country so valiantly over the years. You will get a great look at some of the different planes, helicopters and even some of our spacecraft as you tour through the museum. There is an IMAX theater that shows several different 3D films that are quite impressive. Plan on spending 3 or 4 hours visiting the museum.

After your visit, you can enjoy eating at one of the many fine restaurants in the area. If the weather is nice, spend a day at the beach before checking out of your hotel and movin on with your Florida vacation.

Destin

Destin is a very nice, quiet town a little bit East of Pensacola. They have perhaps one of the top 2 or 3 beaches in the entire state. You probably have never walked on sand as clean and pure as that on Destin's unspoiled Gulf beach. There are plenty of hotels and motels along the several mile stretch as well as a big outlet mall where you can find such retailers like Nike and Tommy Hilfiger among others.

The Florida Panhandle holds a special place in my heart and the beaches there are some of my favorites. I'm biased of course, growing up and living in Alabama most of my life, the panhandle was close enough to provide for weekend excursions and quick, short get-aways when the time wasn't right for an extended vacation. 

In the picture of Destin above you can see how the emerald waters and white sands merge and when combined with the sunshine create what has been referred to as "the Silver Sands of the Gulf of Mexico" since the phrase was coined in the 1940's or '50's.

Panama City Beach

Spring Breakers have made Panama City one of their favorite Florida vacation destinations. The town does cater to a younger crowd, but people of all ages and backgrounds are always welcomed. It has a wonderful beach, as is typical of the entire Gulf Coast, but during the Spring it can get very crowded. With plenty of bars and a great night life, this relatively small city can be a fun place to spend a few days.

When the state borders were surveyed and set way back when, that entire coast line at the Gulf of Mexico was awarded to Florida rather than Alabama. I've always joked that one day we would have a war of the states and the great State of Alabama would lay claim to what should rightfully be their coast line.

Pictured above, Panama City Beach has long been a favorite destination of high school kids during Spring Break.  

Cedar Key and Crystal River

Your West Coast Florida vacation continues as you make the turn in the Panhandle and approach Cedar Key. This small island in the Gulf is a great place to take in the natural beauty of Florida. A little further down the coast is Crystal River where you can also see some great wildlife and maybe rent a sailboat for the day. 

Tarpon Springs

Get back in the car and head on down to Tarpon Springs, a Greek village that is home to the sponge fishing capital of America. Tarpon Springs has a great little down town and it is fun just to walk around, grab some lunch and learn how the divers gather some of the most unique living creatures - sponges, deep below the Gulf's surface. 

Tampa and St. Petersburg

Tampa is the 4th largest city in Florida and as such has many things to offer. There is a world class aquarium, a Greyhound and thoroughbred racetrack and much more. Be sure to visit Ybor City where you will get a touch of the Latin Flavor and maybe find a really good cigar. Just South is St. Petersburg where you will find lots of culture from museums to art shows. The city is home to a large senior population and there is a great bookstore in the down town area. 

Fort Myers and Naples

Nearing the lower part of the Florida Gulf Coast is the city of Fort Myers. It is home to Thomas Edison and they have a very nice beach. Sanibel Island is just over the bridge and you can spend a day shelling. Naples is a very ritzy city with art galleries, fine restaurants and fine shopping. You do not have to be rich to visit, but it is much more fun if you are. 

Everglades City

There is not too much in Everglades City unless you like fishing and boating. You might see a few alligators if you venture into the marshlands. 

The Atlantic Coast of Florida

Now we will take a quick look at a few of the best things the Atlantic Coast has to offer. We'll start all the way down in Key West and work north.

Key West

This is one of the most liberal cities in the United States. Everyone is very laid-back and you can enjoy your favorite adult beverages at the world famous Sloppy Joes Bar. If you feel like doing something historical, visit Ernest Hemingway's home and say hello to the collection of cats that wander around the property. 

Miami

A Florida vacation does not have to go any further than Miami. You will be intrigued by the culture, amazed by the multi-million dollar beachfront homes and all of your culinary desires can be satisfied at the many diverse restaurants. You can get great Cuban food or if you prefer a nice Jewish corned-beef sandwich they have that too. Your Florida vacation would not be complete if you did not check out South Beach. You might not be able to get into the hottest night clubs, but you might just see a few celebrities. 

Ft. Lauderdale

The original home of Spring Break, the city has focused more on the older tourist. Enjoy a stroll on famous Las Olas Boulevard, but be sure to have plenty of money if you want to buy anything in the boutique shops. There's a nice beach and there are always special events, music and entertainment in this exciting city. 

Palm Beach

If your Florida vacation takes you to Palm Beach, you will be in an area with more golf courses than any other county in the state. Donald Trump's Mara Lago highlights a stretch of multi-million dollar homes in the heart of the city. 

Space Coast

An area that includes Melbourne and Cocoa Beach, Brevard County is home to the Kennedy Space Center as well as miles of great beaches. 

Daytona Beach

Many people who take a Florida vacation find Daytona a great place to stop. Nascar fans come every year to see the Daytona 500 race and then enjoy a few days on the beach. There is also a huge gathering of motorcycle riders each year. 

St. Augustine

About an hour north of Daytona Beach, St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States. Take a walk down St. George Street. Visit the historic fort. You can visit Ripley's Believe It or Not museum or maybe take a Ghost Tour. 

Jacksonville

The last stop on the Atlantic Coast, Jacksonville is the largest city in terms of area and has all of the cultural activities and attractions you wouls expect in a large city. There is a great zoo and many people congregat in the down town area at The Landing where you can find some great places to eat as you look out on the St. Johns River.

You can get the most out of your Florida vacation if you take a little time and plan the places you would like to see. There is so much to see and do that it would take 100 pages to describe it all. Whether you like theme parks, the beach, horse racing, shopping, museums or fine dining, you will find it all in Florida. Enjoy your Florida vacation more by planning your trip with Florida Travel Guides at Amazon.com.

Others who read this article also read, Planning a Beach Vacation, Best places in the world for diving and Things to do at the beach.