8 Best Destinations for a Winter Vacation in Florida

Florida lives up to its name, the Sunshine State, by maintaining year-round sunshine, making it one of the best places to visit in the cold season. So, while other regions are caught up in the cold and snow, the outdoors in this beautiful state is still alive and warm, inviting those escaping subzero temperatures and desiring the solitude of its gorgeous outdoors. In addition to its pleasurable weather, Florida also bustles with various exhilarating festivals in winter, especially in December, while its charming beaches are perfect for water sports. From Crystal River's manatees to Santa surfing in Cocoa Beach, here are the top winter destinations in Florida.

Destin Beach

Destin is one of Florida’s most beautiful towns, with a beach that is so pretty it is difficult to resist its charm. Since summer is the peak season, this gorgeous stretch of powdery white sand beach becomes almost empty in the cold months, inviting just about anyone seeking beach fun even in the of peak winter.

While the water might be cold, winter in Destin Beach remains a great time to enjoy boating, kayaking, and fishing on its magnificent waters. It is also ideal to watch or participate in various festive events with the locals of Destin, like the lighted boat parade, the Pelican Lounge on New Year’s Day, and Bonfire nights at the beach. The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park is also worth a visit to watch dolphin shows and explore an aquarium. In the meantime, Henderson Park Inn is a great accommodation to explore on a visit to this charming beach town.

Walt Disney World

Winter is a great time to visit Walt Disney World—the world's most famous vacation resort. During this time, the many themed parks in this resort are less crowded since summer is the peak season. Hence, there will be no long lines, making it perfect for enjoying all of its attractions at a slow pace and without the crowds. Plus, the scorching heat of summer makes winter a desirable season to explore this amusement wonderland with the kids.

With two water parks and four themed parks to experience, among a host of other adrenaline-boosting attractions, winter here will be epic without the crowd and heat. Meanwhile, The Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, Candlelight Processional, and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are some events that make the park come alive in winter. For a more satisfying experience, be sure to stay at nearby hotels like Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Animal Kindgom Lodge, and Disney's Boardwalk Inn.

Everglades National Park

The Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the US, featuring a host of alligators and crocodiles. Winter is the park's peak season as tourists leverage the mild weather to explore and engage in various activities. Prime activities in the park include airboat tours around its wetlands to see wildlife such as the elusive Florida Panther, manatees, alligators, and crocodiles.

There is also a 15-mile narrative Tram Tour into the River of Grass while kayaking, boating, and canoeing are other sensational experiences in the park. Hikers can hit the 0.4-mile Anhinga Trail that leads to some of the park’s highlight habitats like the sawgrass marsh which hosts wildlife such as turtles, anhingas, and herons. Thankfully, the Flamingo Lodge now offers luxury accommodation right in the Everglades National Park.

Mount Dora

Mount Dora is a charming lake town where tourists will enjoy the serenity and natural beauty year-round. In winter, however, the town is even more desirable and lovely, with a host of activities and events to enjoy. For starters, the Lighted Boat Parade is held on the lake in early December, featuring many lighted boats on the crystal-clear waters while spectators revel in the sights.

The Mount Dora Half Marathon & 5K is also held sometime in December and is dubbed Florida's Most Beautiful Race, while in February, the town glows on its artsy side with the Mount Dora Arts Festival. The moderate and soothing temperatures of winter in Mount Dora also encourage outdoor sensational activities. As a result, winter is the best time for visitors to kayak, take boat tours, fish, and canoe on the lake, or hike along its boardwalk to admire the surrounding scenery. Top accommodations to explore in Mount Dora include, the BeeKeeper's Cottage and the Magnolia Inn Bed & Breakfast.

St. Augustine

The country’s oldest city, St. Augustine, is not just historic but has a unique winter charm. From late November, the town begins its iconic Night of Lights Festival, which highlights the festive season with a colorful display of approximately 3 million lights across the city. Throughout the town, especially in its historic districts, several bright lights adorn Christmas trees and every other tree in sight. From shops, plazas, and churches to restaurants, everywhere gets lit from November until late January.

Beyond the lights, other events of the Night of Lights include a Christmas parade in early December and Surf Illumination on the same day in the evening, where the beach is illuminated with the lights. There are also tours, trolley rides, dance, music, theatric performances, a film festival in January, and a pirate festival in the town during this season. Winter is also a good time to visit the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum for a historic treat. Renaissance Historic Downtown Hotel and Hilton Garden Inn are some of the best accommodations in town to stay in winter.

Cocoa Beach

Located an hour’s drive from Orlando, Cocoa Beach is a prime water sports destination to visit year-round. But there is a spectacular reason why winter stands out as one of the best times to visit. In December, the festive vibes here are highlighted by the wonderful visuals of numerous Santa-costumed surfers riding the waves of the beach. The event is held every Christmas Eve, while thousands of spectators watch in bliss.

This annual event is truly special at this beach and best seen with eyes and a camera alongside family and friends. There is also a costume contest with participants dressed in various carnival-like attires, which makes the entire scenery, alongside the surfers, super colorful. Away from the event, the beach is a cozy spot to enjoy the season with picnics, sunset views, water sports, and promenades. Be sure to stay at some of the best hotsl in town like, The Inn At Cocoa Beach and Hilton Cocoa Beach Oceanfront for an unforgettable winter vacation in this town.

Christmas

The small town of Christmas, just a few miles east of Orlando, is an exotic and exciting destination to explore in winter. Since it is named after the famous holiday, it is only ideal to be here in December and feel the true vibes of the festive season without snow. Being in Christmas town during Christmas is just as sensational and thrilling as it sounds, and visitors can send Christmas cards to their loved ones from the town’s post office. The highlight of the card greetings is the inscription: “From Christmas, Florida.”

After sending the cards, head to Fort Christmas Historical Park near Christmas Creek to explore this replica of the original Fort Christmas, featuring military, Seminole Indian, and pioneer artifacts. In December, visitors can partake in the Cracker Christmas held in the park to celebrate the state's pioneers and the rich history of Christmas Town. The annual event is held for two days on the first weekend of December, featuring historical demonstrations, food vendors, and music, among other activities.

While Christmas RV Park is the only accommodation in the small town, visitors can always stay at the nearby hotels like Comfort Suites Titusville and Courtyard by Marriott Titusville, both near Kennedy Space Center.

Crystal River

Crystal River might be renowned for other attractions year-round, but nothing beats the experience of swimming with manatees at the town's Three Sisters Spring. During winter, these creatures escape the unbearable low temperatures in other regions like the Gulf of Mexico for the warm waters of Florida. They converge and express themselves freely at the 57-acre wetlands refuge that rings around Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River.

Tourists can spot hundreds of these creatures right from the boardwalk since the water is crystal clear or enjoy the water with them by swimming, paddling, and snorkeling. Kings Bay is an alternate option for swimming and snorkeling, as well as kayaking, boating, canoeing, and stand-up paddleboarding to spot these lovely creatures. Beach lovers can take the secluded path at the edge of Fort Island Trail to a beautiful, soft white sand beach that’s about 1,000 feet long. Top hotel stays in Crystal River include Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express.

Conclusion

Florida has one of the most unique climates in the country, which accounts for its status as a four-season destination. But winter gives it a more inviting character due to the absence of cold, snow, and frost-related hazards. During this season, the state literally becomes an escape for beach lovers and outdoor enthusiasts who desire miles of gorgeous beaches and water-related activities, rather than snow-based experiences. Additionally, the state has several iconic indoor attractions such as Walt Disney, and museums for visitors to explore. And with the inclusion of Christmas festivities, the season just gets better and may be the best for some.