While most of Florida's beaches have been bought up by builders for condos, restaurants, and everything else that seems fitting for a beachside city, Anna . Tarpon Springs. Best 23 Islands in Florida to visit 1. A lively scene can be found on Clearwater Beach, popular for its vast stretches of powdery sand, tons of nearby shops and restaurants, nice hotels and a nearby aquarium, pier and downtown hub. Small, sometimes historic, and relying on tourism, the towns along the Texas Gulf Coast are a hard-scrabble bunch. 1.) With four towers on Sand Island since 1830, the current lighthouse was built in 1873. Where to stay in Naples: Naples Grande Beach Resort, Edgewater Beach Hotel, LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort, Bonita Springs, If you are looking for a resort destination for relaxation and fun, head to Bonita Springs, just north of Naples. Considered one of Florida's best beach destinations, this island off of the coast of Fort Myers. Times Square. Here are some of the best Gulf Coast beaches you can visit. A family-friendly area with white sand beaches and emerald green waters, this fuss-free beach is a great place to soak up the sunshine. This list was updated to include additional beach towns along Florida's Gulf Coast that people will enjoy witnessing, such as Henderson Beach State Park in Destin and Venice Beach. 6 Florida Gulf Coast Places To Visit. Filled with art studios and shops, artists and art lovers from all over need to pay a visit to Ocean Springs. Big Lagoon State Park is an excellent place for picnicking, camping, swimming, fishing, and boating. Areas to Visit on the Gulf Coast of Florida, Clearwater, Located just a short drive from Tampa, Clearwater boasts mile after mile of stunning white sand beaches and warm azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico. One thing anyone visiting this area needs to do is go on a wildlife tour to see manatees in the Crystal River. 14 Miramar Beach, abbymaceldowney, Miramar Beach, Florida, View profile, 9. Cape Coral is located just outside of Fort Myers on the west coast of the state and offers a wide variety of free outdoor activities like beaches and trails. . HCA Florida Gulf Coast Hospital is a 238-bed acute care hospital. 4. Venice Beach is a short walk from the city's downtown area and a beautiful place to swim and sunbathe. A free trolley runs up and. MORE: Flora-Bama is one of America's best beach bars. You will find no shortage of things to do in Gulf County on your visit. We first visited Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2015 and it has only gotten better. See Fort Myers hotel reviews. Since the first time we visited Florida as a family we've wanted to see more and more of the Sunshine State. Sailing and surfing are popular activities here, as well as exploring the J.N. For those willing to venture a bit . 2,106. For 40 years, we have served Bay County and the surrounding communities. In fact, the beaches of Naples that sit right on the Gulf Coast were ranked as the 4th best in Florida. See all Mangrove Tunnels Kayak and Paddle Board Eco Tour 313 Private Sightseeing Tours from $59.99 per adult Cape Coral is an excellent and relatively inexpensive place to live in Florida. Sanibel Island, Florida, For a quiet nature-filled getaway, look no further than Sanibel Island. Texans visit their tried-and-true favorites in. A delightful stroll with abundant options to shop, eat and savor the music and beach vibe! On a trip to Venice, you can also enjoy boating, fishing, golfing, and admiring [] ("Ding") Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Everything flows with the current. Popular Cities in Southwest Gulf Coast, Naples, Florida, United States, Fort Myers, Florida, United States, Sarasota, Florida, United States, Fort Myers Beach, Florida, United States, Ways to tour Southwest Gulf Coast, Book these experiences for a close-up look at Southwest Gulf Coast. 1. You can go shelling or fishing, hang out at Lighthouse Beach and see the 100-year old lighthouse. They include Pensacola Beach, Grayton Beach State Park, Henderson Beach, State Park, Inlet Beach (next to Panama City Beach), Rosemary Beach, and others mentioned below. 14. There's the usual beach activities (snorkeling, swimming and diving to name just a few) but there's other stuff to do besides. We are an accredited facility offering comprehensive care. Coastal Mississippi is the perfect destination, providing excitement and relaxation in equal measure along its 62 miles of scenic shoreline. Tampa is a city you can easily spend a couple of days in. It's also fun to rent a bike and go cycling along the Tampa Riverwalk. From Coquina Beach to Siesta Beach to Venice Municipal Beach to Lido Beach, Sarasota boasts some of the finest beaches in all of Florida. Here is about getting outside to play in the waters, on the shores, and in the dirt. Points of Interest & Landmarks. You can also fly into the Fort Myers airport, and then travel to other Florida Gulf Coast vacation destinations, like Naples, Marco Island, or Sanibel Island. Located along the Gulf Coast of Florida and south of Sarasota, Venice, Florida is a lesser-known vacation destination perfect for beach lovers. Tarpon Springs is known for many unique elements, including its: Tarpon Springs has more than 51 miles of waterfront, mostly consisting of waterfront riverfront for the Anclote River, bayous and protected inland waterways. Also, is it worth the extra time to go to Panama. Naples Florida, United States Fort Myers Florida, United States Sarasota Florida, United States Fort Myers Beach Florida, United States Ways to tour Southwest Gulf Coast Book these experiences for a close-up look at Southwest Gulf Coast. Fort Myers River District. I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and will be back again. A few reasons why Fort Meyers, Sanibel Island, Panama City and Tampa are 4 of the best places to visit on Florida's Gulf Coast. Here are 20 more. Rainbow River State Park. Gulf County is designed by nature. Fort Myers also offers family-friendly attractions like the Manatee Park, the Imaginarium, and the Shell Factory. The incredible scenery is an attraction itself, enjoy over two dozen outdoor parks to stretch your legs and get lost in nature. Marco Island is the only developed land and also the largest of the isles in Florida's Ten Thousand Islands. They are known for their gorgeous beaches filled with almost magical seashells everywhere. That's it! Destin is a true resort town, filled with suntanned visitors, seafood-centric restaurants, a cornucopia of shopping options and for-charter fishing boats. East coast cities like Miami, St. Augustine and Daytona Beach attract a lion's share of the tourists and travelers making their way to Florida, and cities on the gulf simply get left behind. There's some 1640 acres of natural beauty to discover at Topsail, including quiet white-sand beaches, sun-battered wetlands, sand pine scrub forest, a 2.5-mile nature trail, and three rare coastal dune lakes - inland bodies of water located less than 2 miles from the coast, connected to the Gulf via outfall channels that run through the dunes. Florida offers a variety of family road trip options ranging from beach vacations, island hopping in the Keys, to exploring the one-of-a-kind nature on the Gulf Coast. Explore Florida's Gulf Coast: Panama City Beach. The Town of Ocean Springs, This little town near Biloxi is an artist's dream. The refuge has hiking trails, lots of animals to check out, biking and bird watching. You will want to make time to visit the Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center and learn how you can help keep them safe while on your visit . Whether you swim or kayak at Lover's Key State Park or enjoy the waterslides at the Hyatt Regency resort. My next trip to this city, I will get a Tampa hotel close to this area. From Texas to Florida, check out 25 of our favorite less-known places & attractions to visit on a Gulf Coast trip!" . Open now. Over 244 miles of shoreline wind through Gulf County ranging from clear waters and white sand beaches to tranquil inland passages. . Located about 25 minutes by car from Sarasota, the town of Longboat Key was established in 1955 and is part of the Bradenton-Sarasota metropolitan area. Population: 183,942. Tampa is one of the largest cities in the state of Florida and is located on the Tampa Bay. And if historic churches are your thing, then you'll love all the ones here in Ocean Springs. It combines an African wildlife preserve and a theme park filled with thrilling roller coasters, including Tigris, the tallest one in Florida . Fort Myers, Florida Pros and Cons: + Great value + Growing downtown scene + Access to top beaches - Tourists throughout the year Sarasota is a Gulf Coast city in Florida, situated just south of the more well-known city of Tampa. Located on Florida's Emerald Coast, Fort Walton Beach is an idyllic Gulf Coast destination with 24 miles of picturesque shoreline. Explore Tampa. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Even among crowded areas you can find hidden gems and secret spots in . Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is its own kind of theme park. Best of all there is something to do here for everyone, whether looking to tube . We can't promise you will see. Tarpon Springs is a small coastal town on Florida's central Gulf of Mexico coast. Marco Island Best island in Florida? By Wander448322. Whether you're looking for outdoor adventures or thrilling attractions, the towns found along the Gulf Coast have a little bit of everything. Naples, Florida is also well known for its upscale living with its world-class beaches and golf courses. Anna Maria Island. We love doing the Florida Gulf Coast road trip, and if you haven't do it, put it on your bucket list. The wide, soft white sand beaches rival those in the Caribbean, as does the green-blue water. With endless opportunities and open-ended experiences, you'll make memories full of adventure, leisure, and quite possibly the best BBQ shrimp you've had in your life. Plus I hear the Cuban food is to die for! Answer 1 of 2: We will be traveling in May from Pensacola, FL to New Orleans, LA. You can snorkel, kayak, or fish in the Gulf's clear waters, or explore the island's three small communities: Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach, and the town of Anna Maria. Or bike or walk the boardwalks and trails. Milton / Gulf Pines KOA Holiday. Does anyone have suggestions on which Gulf Coast town/cities to visit and have these areas been restored since Hurricane Katrina. Median Home Price: $410,000. Rainbow River State Park is one of the best places to visit on the west coast of Florida for those seeking a serene outdoor oasis featuring 10,000 year old sapphire-blue waters, ornamental gardens, waterfalls, and mossy covered trees. With over 10 miles of white sandy beaches, Longboat Key is known as a luxury resort community offering golf, gourmet restaurants, upscale shopping, and luxury resorts for vacationers. If you are looking for a place to enjoy the great outdoors along the gulf coast, add this place to your itinerary. The Gulf Coast of Florida is home to many beautiful and iconic beach towns worthy of visiting. Not far from Naples or the Florida Everglades, Marco Island is one of the most popular islands to visit on the Gulf Coast. Sanibel Island, Florida, Many people consider Sanibel Island one of the best beaches in Florida. Sanibel Island Sanibel is rustic and beautiful. 10. The Sand Island Light is a simple brick tower lighthouse located in Mobile Bay, three miles from the Gulf Coast on a small island. Once 400 acres at its heyday, the island has been slowly eroding into the Gulf. Dine on delicious Gulf-to-table seafood at local restaurants, take the kids . The 2,426-acre state park is lined with nine miles of sand, pine forests, and mangroves, a mecca for snorkeling, hiking, biking, shelling, boating, and scuba diving. When it comes to vacationing in Florida, most people completely write off its gulf coast as a holiday destination. Marco Island See all, Mangrove Tunnels Kayak and Paddle Board Eco Tour, 318, Laura Grier, Gulf State Park, Orange Beach, Alabama, After responsibly enjoying the Flora-Bama, head west on Perdido Beach. Bradenton Found along the Manatee River, Bradenton is known as the Friendly City. Drive iconic scenic coastal highway 30A to discover a variety of the coolest Florida beach towns. Florida 21. Couples love Anna Maria Island, a sweet beach cottage town that's ideal for a B&B weekend and a beachfront candlelight dinner. The Emerald Coast has parks for cycling, kid-friendly attractions, golf and a hopping nightlife . Eden Gardens (Santa Rosa Beach) Visit a historic homestead from the late 1800s. The city is home to several great attractions like The Florida Aquarium and Busch Gardens Tampa.