Thank you to Betsi of Betsi’s World for sharing some of her favourite Florida Getaways!
Florida Getaways – Stock Island & Key West
Stock Island is so close to Key West – a 15-minute car trip – but so far away. This small island is a funky, fun, and eclectic locale that packs a lot of punch.
Take a trip out to Stock Island Village Marina and the Perry Hotel. The Perry is a modern-meets-industrial chic hotel, and it’s ideal for a weekend getaway! Boasting a world-class restaurant, bar, pool, boutique shops, an art gallery, water tours, and marina, what more could you ask for?
Book a day trip with Dolphin Safari Charters and go hunt for wild dolphins. You’ll have a chance to snorkel and see the gorgeous creatures in their natural habitats.
Check out parasailing with Fury Key West to get a birds-eye view of Key West. Fury Key West offers snorkeling, sunset cruises, jet ski rentals and more to make the most of your Stock Island / Key West getaway.
A quick trip over to Key West is a must for the adventure seeker. Take a seaplane with Key West Seaplane Charters over to the Dry Tortugas for a half day adventure exploring Fort Jefferson by land and then snorkel around the fort. Your snorkeling adventure will yield a plethora of sea life, including giant tarpon, grouper, turtles and more.
Stop into Kino Sandals for a pair of custom handmade sandals and the smell of leather permeates the space. Kino’s has been making sandals the old-fashioned way since 1966. Roberto “Kino” Lopez and his family fled Cuba for the US in the 1960s, bringing with them the tradition of leather sandal making. Each pair of Kino’s sandals are handmade with leather straps and rubber soles, assembled and glued together at the Key West factory.
Florida Getaways – St. Augustine
St. Augustine is America’s Oldest City, and it is jam-packed with things to do! The old city is very walkable, and everything is right there. For history buffs, a stop at Castillo de San Marcos is a must! Dating back to 1672 this Spanish fort is located on over 20 acres, and its walls are 12’ thick. Operated by the National Park Service, visitors can enjoy a self-guided tour. Admission is $15 for age 16+ and kids under 16 are free.
The St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure museum takes you back to the days of pirates and sea battles. Take a Pirate Treasure map, and search the museum for 12 clues of Pirate sayings. When you’ve found all 12 clues, you’ll be an honorary pirate and given a sweet piece of treasure.
St. Augustine Eco Tours is one of the best eco tours we’ve ever taken! Interpretive Naturalist Zach McKenna is a St. Augustine native who shares his love of nature with others, and his enthusiasm is hard to contain. Zach has cataloged many of the dolphins who call this estuary home.
As you window shop down the narrow streets of old town St. Augustine, stop into Peace Pie. This sweet shop is the 6th location for the Klause family. Peace Pie is a homemade ice cream sandwich that is available in flavors like Salted Caramel Apple, Peanut Butter Chiffon, and more. Peace Pie is located at 8 Aviles Street.
The St. Francis Inn, is located in the heart of the old city and is ideal for a St. Augustine getaway. Offering breakfast each morning, a specialty coffee bar, evening social hour, and evening desserts, the St. Francis is a top choice for a getaway to America’s Oldest City.
Florida Getaways – Flagler Beach
Flagler Beach is just about an hour south of Jacksonville and is the perfect place to kick back, relax, take long walks on the beach, and enjoy the vibe of this Florida beach town.
Flagler Beach has lots of the chain hotels that you are used to, but why not take this opportunity and stay at a locally owned hotel or motel? You might be pleasantly surprised, and their location beachside makes getting around a breeze. Check out the White Orchid Inn for a romantic getaway or one of the many cottages in the area like the Cozy Cottage, right on the oceanfront, and it’s pet-friendly.
Dogs are as loved as people in Flagler Beach – so much so, there is a beach that is dog-friendly, and many of the restaurants and hotels allow pets too. So be sure to bring your four-legged pal with you when you head to Flagler Beach for your getaway.
Spend the day relaxing on the beach with your favorite beach read you soak up some much-needed vitamin D. Walk along the shore searching for shells, and take a quick dip in the ocean.
If fishing is more your style, there are lots of choices – you can fish from the beach or the fishing pier, or perhaps take a day charter out fishing. Surfing is also popular here, so you can rent a board and catch a wave or two.
Take a slow stroll through town and stop into a shop or two – there are some cute shops and local boutiques that carry local artwork and other gifts.
If you are an explorer, then check out the Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park and the Flagler Beach Historical Museum.
Bio: Betsi Hill – A Virginia native now living in Florida, Betsi has been married for 30 years. Born with a passion for writing, she manages Betsi’s World, focusing on lifestyle, travel, and food. Betsi can often be found traversing the seas from the East Coast down through the Bahamas onboard Saltwater Gypsea along with her husband and 10-year old Maltese Zach in search of the best beaches and cocktails. Betsi has a social reach of over 100K.
Thanks for the tips, Betsi! I’d like to also recommend visiting the manatees in Crystal River, Florida! A visit to Florida doesn’t have to stick to the tried and true. There are many areas just waiting for you to explore!
