There’s nowhere quite like Florida!
The Sunshine State boasts 237 days of sunshine every year and is tailor-made for tourists thanks to its perfect beaches, outdoor adventures, and abundance of theme parks and attractions.
Florida welcomed a record-breaking 142.9 million visitors in 2024, setting a new tourism record for the state.
And while destinations like Miami or Orlando are always popular, three other fascinating hotspots have emerged as the fastest-growing destinations in Florida right now.
These are the spots to explore:
Tallahassee
Tallahassee is Florida’s capital city and a beautiful place to get closer to nature and explore world-class museums.
But it is the outdoor pursuits that really help Tallahassee stand out from the crowd.
You can explore over 700 miles of hiking trails, plenty of parks and recreational areas, and the rolling hills that surround the city boast campsites and rivers ideal for swimming or fishing.
If you only visit one river here, make it the Wacisa River. This is considered the most beautiful in the state of Florida. Blue Spring, which is the river’s most popular swimming hole, is particularly noteworthy.
If you want to spot some of the wildlife that Florida is so famous for then head to Wakulla Springs State Park. This enormous park is home to one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs. It is also home to manatees, alligators, and a fascinating abundance of birds.
Once you’ve enjoyed the rich nature the region has to offer, head back into the city and visit the Mission San Luis. This is a living museum where you can fully immerse yourself in the region’s rich history.
If you enjoy architecture, then this building is worth exploring in its own right: It was a Spanish Franciscan mission built in 1656. Admission costs just $5 per adult, making this an affordable experience too.
From here finish your afternoon of cultural exploration by visiting the restored Historic Capitol, considered one of the most iconic attractions in Tallahassee.
This has been restored to its original 1902 appearance and converted into a museum dedicated to political history.
Pensacola
There are fewer beaches in Florida that are more beautiful than the ones in Pensacola.
With white sugar sand lapped by turquoise waters, it feels like a tropical paradise right here in the US. Explore Pensacola Beach, Perdido Key Beach, and Navarre Beach.
When you can bear to tear yourself away from the beach, Pensacola offers fine dining, luxury shopping experiences, and almost 500 years of fascinating history.
Explore the museum at historic Pensacola Village, explore the Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime museum, or wander around Historic Fort Barrancas.
Overlooking the entrance to Pensacola Bay, this is a military fort and was built with an incredible 6 million bricks.
There are actually three historic forts to explore here, each built in different time periods, and standard entry passes cost $25 per person.
If you’re visiting Pensacola in spring then don’t miss Pensacola Mardi Gras, which started in January and runs until March 4 this year.
Pensacola was one of the first Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States and it is a huge celebration.
Enjoy the swanky costumes, the Illuminated Parade, and the beach parade. It’s an epic celebration!
Panama City
Panama City sits between Tallahassee and Pensacola, and it perfectly combines coastal charms with a vibrant cultural scene.
This is a compact city that is perfect for an effortless weekend of fun.
The downtown area of the city is pedestrian-friendly and conveniently close to the water. But if you want to explore a little further afield, there is an affordable trolley system in place too.
You can enjoy 27 miles of white sand beach as well as two state parks in Panama City. Making it a water sports lover's dream. Visit Sunshine Watersports PC, which sits on the seafront and offers parasailing and jet ski rentals for adrenaline junkies. You may find yourself lucky enough to glide alongside the dolphins who call the waters here home.
And if you’re looking for some traditional beachside fun then visit the Shopping Pier Park Mall in Panama City Beach.
This combines the shops and restaurants of a traditional mall with all the fun of the fair. Buy new shoes and then take a ride on the Ferris wheel!
Looking for something a little more culturally enriching?
Visit the Science and Discovery Center of Northwest Florida. Aimed to appeal to all ages, this offers a child-friendly insight to the world of science.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
John 57
Monday 17th of February 2025
Maybe bigger threat is more and bigger hurricanes on all sides of Florida. If insurers price property insurance out of sight due to losses, or stop writing policies, then what? Ah oh!
EDDIE
Sunday 16th of February 2025
I want to move and retire in Florida. How much do I need to make yearly to live comfortably. What is a good yearly salary to make during retirement.
Chris
Monday 17th of February 2025
@EDDIE, If single with no kids, I'd say $75k with no debt other than maybe a $500 a month car note or less should do just ok. Also, this is factoring that you don't live in a downtown area where rents are sky high and maybe live on the outskirts.
Craig
Monday 17th of February 2025
@EDDIE, tough to say but the lack of income tax is more than used up with auto and homeowners insurance especially being retired and possibly not having as much income to tax. It works out the same as anywhere else usually
Lucien Gutting
Monday 17th of February 2025
@EDDIE, that really all depends on where in Florida you want to live. Some places are much more expensive than others. Take a look at this website LINK It will give you an idea of cost of housing by county. Rough guess, depending on your definition of comfortable, you will need at least $60,000.
MissFlorida198?
Sunday 16th of February 2025
Know that we don't want anymore violent abuse leftists .. we don't tolerate woke policy.. go back/stay where you are.
Puggy
Monday 17th of February 2025
@MissFlorida198?, FUDGE YOU!!! How about THAT you ugly, judgemental,typical racist piece of ship! You don't have the right to tell someone stay where they are or where they aren't welcomed. I WISH my husband and I were looking to relocate...and I HOPE someone just as you described the individual you DON'T KNOW moves right beside you!
Tom
Sunday 16th of February 2025
Lived in Florida 50 years…developers are going to tear up the panhandle. And vacation in the BVI……. Take a stand. Redevelops urban areas instead TY
Marc M
Sunday 16th of February 2025
What Florida doesn’t want us to know about, and hides from view until you get there, is Red Tide. We just spent a week on Sanibel Island. We could not swim on the beaches, dead fish were washed up on the beaches, and Red Tide produces a toxin that irritated the lungs. So you cough quite a bit. If you have asthma as I do, or any lung illness, it causes a flare up of that. I had to go on my asthma meds ( luckily I packed them ). The last day of our vacation, a beautiful warm sunny day, I spent on meds to breath, in the hotel room, and with the AC turned up. Shame on Florida for not disclosing what is happening there with Red Tide, until you check in to the hotel! Beware
Craig
Monday 17th of February 2025
Big Cypress is quietly permitting for development which will further disrupt the flow of the Everglades and we will have high density development clear across from Naples to Ft Lauderdale. Then watch red tides bloom in the shallow waters of the Keys
Terry
Monday 17th of February 2025
@Marc M, I live in Central Florida and had no idea there is a red tide going on
Florida wants you to stay out
Sunday 16th of February 2025
@Marc M, did you look it up? We hear about it on the news everyday. You couldn’t be bothered to take responsibility for your own mistakes and instead choose to blame others for your own problems. That’s the problem with you yankees, you don’t even know what you don’t know. Next I’m gonna hear from you about how you bought a house down here sight unseen and now you got flooding. Pathetic. You don’t think of the destruction you cause to our eco system. Here’s a hint, red tide is caused by humans. Didn’t have that shit like we do now 50-70 years ago. Keep crying.
Beeprock
Sunday 16th of February 2025
@Marc M, Better to visit East Coast beaches, we never get red tide.....or at least not that I recall
Craig
Sunday 16th of February 2025
@Marc M, yes red tide has been a problem in every season for the past few years from Charlotte County to Marco Island. Population density and Lake O releases of phosphorus laden water is said to contribute to both types of algae