Best Counties to Visit
Despite the decrease in travel in 2020 due to the pandemic, travelers to Florida still came to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine — almost 80 million visitors, in fact! What is it that draws people here; perhaps the lulling of the waves, the warmth of the sunshine, or the excitement of adventurous attractions? Find out for yourself with a visit to one of Florida’s best and most popular counties, each with something great to offer.
History and Relaxation in Gulf County
Located in Northwest Florida, Gulf County boasts 43 miles of natural shoreline. Here, where water surrounds, they don’t have high rises or busy highways, and never will. Hurricane Michael in 2018 had a large impact on the area but the community spirit remained strong and contributed to a successful recovery.
Once a bustling seaport, it was here that delegates from all counties in Territorial Florida assembled, in 1838, to draft Florida’s first State Constitution. Coastal American Indians occupied the area when Spanish explorers dropped anchor inside Cape San Blas in the early 1700s. In 1822, settlers, realizing the potential of the Apalachicola River as a commercial outlet for the rich cotton-producing states, founded the town of Apalachicola. St. Joseph’s (the original name of Port St. Joe) was established shortly thereafter.
This rich history provides modern day visitors with beautiful small towns, each unique in its community and architecture, that will charm the socks off of anyone who walks their lanes and enters their shops, or dines in their eateries. A stay in one of their hotels can feel like a journey itself, one back in time where things moved slower and were simpler, and it was far easier to relax.
Tupelo honey is a true local wonder. In fact, it was brought into the spotlight in the 1997 Peter Fonda movie “Ulee’s Gold,” a story about a Wewahitchka beekeeper and his family. What makes Tupelo Honey unique is the floral scent — a hint of rose, some herby, earthy taste, pure sweetness and not a hint of bitterness. Doesn’t that sound good with a morning cup of coffee overlooking the beach? Wewahitchka, located about 20 minutes north of Port St Joe, is home to many apiaries where you are allowed to taste samples and purchase from over a dozen varieties of raw honey. Stop in and take a tour of one of the apiaries, Smiley Honey. In Gulf County, local honey is also available in area stores and it can be sampled at the Gulf County Welcome Center.
Families have returned for generations to our uncrowded beaches and unhurried pace where there is a variety of accommodations. Vacation rental options ranges from pet-friendly beach homes which can easily sleep 10-12 to historic inns nestled near the bay. Choose your perfect place to stay from our rental providers that have been sharing sunsets for over 70 years. Create a home away from home in Florida’s Gulf County with Cape San Blas Vacation Rentals, based out of Port Saint Joe. Enjoy a Gulf front or bay front home, each with unique character and all the comforts and amenities of home like full kitchens and washer/dryers. Choose your preference of bedrooms, bathrooms, or even extras like decks and balconies. Some rentals even have their own private boardwalks to the beach!
Thrills and Chills in Brevard County
With over 72 miles of coastline, Brevard County — also known as the “Space Coast” — incredibly diverse from north to south and has an adventure for every visitor. As you discover what makes up Florida’s Space Coast, you will learn that it is so much more than the place for space. So, whether you’re planning a romantic getaway for two, a family vacation, or a cruise from Port Canaveral, we invite you to find your space, plant your beach chair and breathe in the ocean air.
Get your family vacation to really “take off” with a trip to one of the most out-of-this-world attractions: The Kennedy Space Center! Become an honorary space explorer as you view the $100 million Atlantis shuttle exhibit, visit launch areas, meet veteran astronauts, train in spaceflight simulators, walk through new rotating exhibits, live the experience with a five-story 3D presentation in the IMAX theater, journey through the magical Rocket Garden, and more. Imagine the heart-racing delight of seeing a rocket launch from the center’s viewing platform. One of the hottest places to hang out and cool off is The Cove at Port Canaveral. The Cove is a collection of waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment options in the ever-active Port Canaveral, where you can sit and sip a frozen margarita as you watch the mammoth cruise ships come in and go out, see rocket launches as you lay out on the beach, and enjoy countless festivals and events.
Brevard Zoo is home to more than 650 animals representing more than 165 species from Florida, South America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Explore each habitat by walking along shaded boardwalks surrounded by lush, unspoiled Florida, paddle-boat around the 22-acre restored wetlands area in the Wild Florida exhibit, or kayak around the 10 acre Expedition Africa exhibit.
One of the most popular surf areas in Florida, Cocoa Beach is a surfer’s destination with forgiving waves, surf schools, and has produced champion surfers like 11-time ASP World Tour Champion, Kelly Slater, whose bronze statue graces Cocoa Beach’s main thoroughfare, A1A. You can learn more about Kelly and other wave-riders at the Florida Surf Museum, which preserves and documents the unique history and culture of Florida surfing through exhibits, events, and programs. The museum is part of the world-famous (and world’s largest) Ron Jon Surf Shop, with 52,000 square feet filled floor to ceiling with merchandise; you can get your beach and surf essentials 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with rentals available at their watersports store a half block away.
Most of Cocoa Beach’s accommodations are found by the water, ranging from high-end hotels to family-owned resorts. International Palms Resort & Conference Center Cocoa Beach is a resort with a long name that’s just a short drive from the downtown area. Set on 13 oceanfront acres, the resort offers a complete getaway from the cares of life. On the idyllic shores of Cocoa Beach, known for decades as a playground for beach-loving families, sits the beautiful Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort. A tropical hotel offering spacious two-bedroom suites perfect for family stays, it’ll quickly become your troupe’s tropical getaway. Enjoy splashing around the pool (they even have a smaller kids pool for young tykes) or head down the short path to the beach.
Connection with Nature in Martin County
Packed with history, nature, and scenic backroads, Martin County is a hidden gem of Florida’s Atlantic Coast. This is one of the last places to enjoy the great outdoors — this area not only offers tranquil beaches but also lush pastures, tree-lined backroads, and charming small towns that make it a favorite for roadtrippers.
You cannot visit this area without going on an eco-tour. This is one of the greatest places on Earth to learn about the importance of conservation and to see some of the purest, “realest” wild areas in the U.S. Sunshine Wildlife Tours takes you on a wild excursion aboard the Sirenia, a 35’ pontoon boat with seats in the shade, and even restrooms. Enjoy close up views of Bottlenose Dolphins, Manatees, Sea Turtles and a vast array of endangered and threatened bird species and their rookeries, and a visit to Bird Island on every tour. Zeke’s Surf, Skate, and Paddleboarding Tours put an active twist on the typical nature tour, getting you out on the water while you learn about wildlife. You can also choose a sunrise or sunset excursion to add a little extra magic!
The arts and culture scene in Martin County preserves the legacy of Old Florida through dance, music, theatre, visual arts, and museums. Built in the 1920s as a silent movie house, The Lyric Theater, located in historic downtown Stuart, is host to plays, musicals, and also showcases big name talent. Also in Indiantown is the historic Seminole Inn, a beautiful boutique hotel built in the 1920s by Baltimore banker S. Davies Warfield and just renovated in 2018, today it brings to remembrance Southern elegance of times past with opulent guest suites, a farm-to-table restaurant, and breathtaking event spaces.
A Variety of Attractions in Orange County
Perhaps one of the most famous counties in the state, if not the country, Orange County contains an entire world of fun! If you’re dreaming of a magical getaway guaranteed to deliver the wonder, excitement and fun your family craves, no one does it better than Orange County. Orlando is the center of attention, but you should never overlook the county’s other gems, like family friendly Kissimme and historic Winter Park.
Orlando’s world-famous theme parks and attractions with ample opportunities for memory-making adventures. One of the best ways to have a laid-back day is to take a stroll around Downtown Orlando. With little on the agenda, you can be open to stopping at different stores and cafes, or perhaps rent a swan-shaped paddle boat and explore Lake Eola Park. Stop by the Central Florida History Museum to learn more about what made this fabulous destination what it is today. Get dressed up and enjoy a fabulous evening at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, a completely unique performance hall that features performances and events like Broadway favorites, popular musical artists, comedic performances, dance, opera, symphony, and more.
Everyone knows that Kissimmee is a great place to stay during a Disney vacation — but did you know that it’s a destination itself? Kissimmee offers a gateway to the great outdoors, where you can climb into the treetops or go mudding in the swamps. Known as the “Gateway to the Everglades,” Kissimmee is popular for its outdoor adventures. Whether you’re a hard-core hiker who is entering the Everglades through this gateway, or a gator fan who wants to visit an entire theme park dedicated to the animal, there is an outdoors experience for everyone. Kissimmee is a destination in its own right, with fun, exciting, and unique attractions. Race go-karts with the kids, experience a living Biblical landscape at the Holy Land, or step back into the medieval period at Medieval Times.
Just north of Orlando is a quiet little paradise that has served as a winter-time getaway for decades: Winter Park. In fact, you can even take the Amtrak from the Orlando metro area right to Winter Park for a day of shopping, sightseeing, and relaxing. Originally founded as a winter resort for wealthy northerners, Winter Park’s architecture, restaurants, and shops tend to be on the upscale side, but the new influx of younger inhabitants and college students has been re-shaping the dynamic to include more modest offerings.
Near to some of Orlando’s most iconic attractions are The Villas of Grand Cypress, the perfect place for an extended stay or group trip with spacious accommodations like Club Suites and elegant Villas with up to four bedrooms. The 1,500 acre Orlando luxury resort features a variety of unparalleled recreation including 45 holes of Jack Nicklaus Signature-designed Golf. A popular place for families to stay in luxury is the Reunion Resort located in Kissimmee. hile being close to all of the Disney and Universal parks, Reunion Resort is a destination in and of itself with larger-than-life accommodations, three championship golf courses, a resort water park complete with a lazy river — in addition to the resort’s 10 swimming pools — a luxurious spa, and so much more! In historic Winter Park is the beautiful Alfond Inn, which features a stylish atmosphere and top-notch amenities. Sitting on the previous property of the once-illustrious Langford Hotel, the Inn carries on the legacy of luxury with big, airy rooms and an attractive combination of heavy furniture with clean lines. The boutique hotel showcases The Alfond Collection of Contemporary Art for Rollins College, which is part of the Cornell Fine Arts Museum.
