Florida Weekend Getaways: Break Out Of Your Usual Routine!

Florida Weekend Getaways

It’s Eva-Marie Berry here, as you all know. Florida is one of the premier vacation getaways in America, if not the world, but sometimes you need to get away from the getaway. So, it’s a good thing that Florida has lots of destinations that are as great for Floridians as they are for tourists. There’s a place for everyone in Florida, no matter what you need.

So, if you want some “me time” before you head back to the grind on Monday, there is a place for you. If you want a weekend with the family where everyone gets to leave the house and aren’t just staring at screens all day, there is a place for you. If you’re looking for a romantic retreat where you and your SO can spend some alone time together, there is a place for you. You get the picture, so here are some of the best weekend destinations for Florida locals.

The Best Getaway For Some Alone Time

Sanibel Island
You’ve had a long, stressful work week where every day either felt like it was too long, or that it wasn’t long enough. You’re ready to unwind and recharge . . . so you can get ready to do it all over again. But this time you feel like you need—or deserve—some extra pampering. One of the best places for a solo weekend getaway is Sanibel Island.

It’s one of Florida’s best kept secrets, and the perfect place to relax. It’s located on Florida’s west coast and is about a three hour drive from Miami or Fort Lauderdale and has a nice, relaxed island vibe. It’s also the top destination for shell collectors, so you can have a nice peaceful stroll along the white, sandy beach collecting a wide variety of seashells. Or you can just relax all weekend, Sanibel has the ambiance of a cozy little island even though it’s nestled in a busy, bustling state.

Where to Stay
South Seas Island Resort

This resort used to be a key lime plantation, though you would never know by looking at it. If you want to stay active, there are kayak tours and bicycle rentals; if you want to relax, you can try Ambu Yoga or get the royal treatment at the Kay Casperson Spa.

Where to Dine 
Il Cielo

This award winning restaurant serves up American cuisine using sustainable, eco-friendly ingredients, like locally sourced, and sustainable, fish and vegetables.

The Best Getaway for Couples 

Amelia Island
Let’s face it, if you want to keep that romantic flame burning, then dinner and a movie, or a Netflix binge isn’t going to cut it. The two of you need to spend some quality time together in a new location if you want to avoid falling into a rut that’s as deep as the butt groove on your sofa.

A trip to Amelia Island will fix all of that; it has been called one of the most romantic towns in America by Travel + Leisure, and one of Florida’s Most Romantic Beaches by USA Today. When you experience the horse drawn carriages, couples massage at the spa, and the horseback rides on the beach, you will see exactly why Amelia Island earned its reputation for romance.

Where to Stay
Amelia’s Special Bed & Breakfasts

A luxurious Ritz-Carlton hotel is located on Amelia Island, but you can’t beat one of the cozy, yet upscale, B&Bs for comfort and intimacy.

Where to Dine
Salt

Located at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, this high-class restaurant uses over forty different salts from around the world in their dishes, and features a vegetarian and vegan menu.

The Best Getaway for Families

Duck Key
When all the family members start to drive each other crazy—or at least crazier than usual—it’s time for a trip. A weekend getaway with the family can give everyone a break from the usual routine and remind everyone why they put up with each other.

So, gather up the brood and take them to Duck Key, an unincorporated community in Monroe County, located in the middle Florida Keys. This community has a population of under five hundred people, but enough attractions to satisfy the whole family.

Where to Stay
Hawks Cay Resort

This resort is the heart of Duck Key and offers family-friendly fun and games. There are multiple pools to choose from, including adults-only and kid-friendly ones. There’s a Dolphin Connection experience where you can all swim with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, it’s something no one in the family will ever forget. In fact, the entire resort is unforgettable, but the Dolphin Connection is something special.

Where to Dine
Angler and Ale

This is located on the docks of Hawks Cay Marina and gives you a nice look at the sea as you and your family dine from a menu filled with delicious seafood. You can order off the menu, of course, but you can bring your own catch and have the chefs cook it up for you.

Take a Weekend Road Trip!

All of the locations mentioned above are just a few hours drive from Miami or Fort Lauderdale, so you get to have an enjoyable journey and a great destination. So, shake up your life and get out of your usual weekend routine and take a trip to one of the many exciting destinations Florida has available to you. And tell them that Eva-Marie Berry sent you (you don’t have to tell them that Eva-Marie Berry sent you).