The 15 Best Cities to Visit in Florida
Known as "The Sunshine State," Florida has a reputation as one of the United States' most popular and naturally beautiful destinations. With stunning beach areas, swamps, theme parks, cultural diversity, historical attractions, and a hot climate, Florida is a treasure trove for residents and visitors alike. A favorite for retirees, tourists, and anyone looking for adventure, Florida truly has something for every taste. From "Sunshine City" to "Magic City" these fifteen cities offer some of the best attractions and accommodations for your next trip to Florida.
Gainesville
Established in the 1850s, the city of Gainesville is now the largest city in North Central Florida. The seat of Alachua County, some 141,000 residents call this historic city home. In addition to being the home of the University of Florida (established in 1853), Gainesville is a city filled with beautiful parks, scenic panoramas, and fascinating historic architecture.
Visitors enjoy exploring such places as the Devil’s Millhopper Geological State Park (including a massive sinkhole), the Florida Museum of Natural History, and the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, to name but a few. For the outdoors enthusiast, hiking trails at Paynes Prairie or exploring the prehistoric underground natural spring at Devil’s Den is a beautiful way to spend an afternoon.
Tallahassee
Though it serves as the state’s capital, Tallahassee is frequently looked over in assessments of major Florida cities. However, this city of just over 196,000 residents is a bustling and exciting government and college town, ideal for any tourist or working professional. Full of numerous government agencies, Tallahassee is also home to the campuses of Florida State University and Florida A&M University, while its vibrant demographics make it a great place to live and visit.
In addition, Tallahassee offers many great museums, restaurants, and high-quality amenities of modern life that make it a Florida city not to miss. With its sunny and warm climate, there is always a reason to enjoy the outdoors here.
Jacksonville
The largest city in Florida and the contiguous United States’ largest by total area, Jacksonville serves as the seat of Duval County and is home to 954,614 inhabitants. Named for former President Andrew Jackson, the city has a low cost of living, a stable housing market, and of course warm and sunny weather. The city is also renowned for its nightlife, museums, theatres, galleries, golf courses, and beautiful State Parks. Attractive for both young working professionals and retirees alike, Jacksonville is one of Florida’s best metropolises, ideal for a visit or even a permanent settlement.
Pensacola
Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle, near the border with neighboring Alabama. Home to a population of just over 54,000 this city has long been a popular spring break destination, and with its hot sun and a variety of stunning beaches it is not difficult to see why. First settled by Spanish colonists in 1559, the modern-day Pensacola is full of splendid amenities, natural and cultural attractions, and some of the best seafood restaurants in the region.
Among the best cultural attractions to explore here include the Pensacola Museum of Art and the National Naval Aviation Museum. Meanwhile strolling through the city center and marveling at the town’s rich Spanish Baroque architecture is always a delight. Mix in the hot sun, beautiful beaches, and unique cultural surroundings and Pensacola is sure to be one Florida city on any tourist’s list.
St. Augustine
Founded by Spanish colonists in 1565, St. Augustine is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in all of North America. This makes it one of Florida’s and by extension, the United States’ most historically important centers, and indeed the modern city is like a living museum. Home to a modest population of just over 14,000, St. Augustine has many direct links to the Spanish colonial era with much of its architecture and cultural attractions traced to that time period.
These include the Castillo de San Marcos and nearby Fort Matanzas, a great number of preserved heritage buildings, museums, specialty restaurants (particularly Latino), and a certain special sense of the old-world charm. St. Augustine is thus not only a beautiful place to visit, but a real portal to an important period of American history.
Miami
Miami is one of Florida’s most famous cities, renowned as a major center of international trade, finance, the arts, ethnic cuisine, beautiful beaches, and Hispanic culture. With the largest Hispanic population of any city in the United States, Miami is one of the most culturally diverse places in the nation. Featuring a landscape filled with stunning historic buildings, modern skyscrapers, a plethora of restaurants, museums, galleries, shopping districts, and plenty of beaches and palm trees, Miami is a playground for a variety of interests.
Home of the Port of Miami, the world’s busiest cruise port, millions of people descend on Miami each year, taking in the city’s famed sunshine, beautiful natural setting, and splendid cultural ambiance. The Magic City is a fantastic blend of the past and present, ready to offer any visitors a memorable and special experience.
Fort Lauderdale
Located just 25 miles from Miami, the city of Fort Lauderdale is a place of tranquil waters and stunning beaches. The seat of Broward County and affectionately known as the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale has an astonishing 165 miles of inland waterways that span the entire city. Situated on Florida’s Atlantic Coast and the home of the Port Everglades Seaport, up to four million tourists pass through the city each year.
With over 100 marinas there is also plenty of opportunities for visitors and residents to enjoy sailing and spending time on the water. While at the most charming Las Olas Boulevard, explore a great variety of shopping outlets, tasty restaurants, and special galleries that make Fort Lauderdale an ideal spot for cultural and outdoor adventure.
Orlando
Undoubtedly Florida’s most well-known tourist destination, the city of Orlando attracts millions of visitors each year. Home to both the Universal Studios Resort and the Walt Disney World these major tourist hot spots fill the city with visitors from around the globe. However, Orlando also has plenty of other great offerings on hand for its tourists, and by extension its residents. Home to around 307,000 inhabitants, the city has a bustling art scene that includes many museums and galleries, in addition to a wide assortment of tasty restaurants.
For those looking to escape to a quieter part of town, Orlando offers several calming green park spaces. Ideal for a getaway from all the theme park excitement, the natural beauty of the palm trees and warm Florida sun is sure to impress.
Tampa
The third most populous urban center in Florida, Tampa is a sprawling city with loads of great cultural attractions and beautiful natural ambiance. Home to approximately 387,000 residents, Tampa offers splendid views of the same named Tampa Bay, the Hillsborough River, and rows and rows of tree and plant life. Meanwhile, within the town itself, art and museum lovers can rejoice at the variety of great places to discover and revisit.
These include the Tampa Museum of Art, the Tampa Bay History Center, ZooTampa, and the Florida Aquarium, amongst many others. Visiting the historic Ybor City neighborhood is a must. Here one will encounter a bustling nightlife scene, great restaurants, shops, and a charming trolley ride!
Sarasota
Located on Florida’s southwest coast, Sarasota has a population of just under 55,000 residents and is a city full of great sunshine, warmth, and a thriving arts and culture atmosphere. A welcoming place for locals and tourists alike, the city has an abundance of galleries, museums, shopping malls, and tasty restaurant options, perfect for a family or solo holidays. Catch a few films at the Sarasota Film Festival in April or enjoy the diverse artwork at the famed Chalk Festival. Indeed with its combination of splendid cultural attractions, splendid beaches, and always pleasurable Florida sun, Sarasota is a wonderful place to discover any time throughout the year.
St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is on the edge of the Tampa Bay Peninsula. Affectionately called Florida’s sunshine city, St. Petersburg averages some 360 days of sun every year! Indeed with its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and St. Pete Beach, the city has a most pleasant climate with moderate temperatures. Home to a population of just over 258,000, visitors can experience a thriving arts scene, an eclectic range of museums, galleries, and restaurants, and great shopping outlets.
Spend an afternoon at the famed Salvador Dali Museum, or visit the splendid central historic district with its assortment of stunning murals. Taking the opportunity to go swimming, sailing, or even just sunbathing is always a good idea in this most pristine Florida city.
Boca Raton
About 49 miles from Miami and right along the Atlantic Ocean coastline, Boca Raton is a wonderful city where natural splendor and fascinating history come together. Home to a population of 97,422, Boca Raton was an early Spanish colonial settlement, but it did not actually attain any status as a city until the 1920s. Today it is full of pristine beaches, beautiful green parks, and stunning architectural designs, which include the historic Old Town Hall.
With its warm and sunny climate, easy access to the ocean, and great cultural surroundings, throughout the year Boca Raton is a welcome place for tourists of any age. For the shopping addict, a trip to the Mizner Park District is a must. Here you will find a variety of high-end stores, restaurants, and luxury apartments all against a most wonderful palm tree-lined boulevard.
Kissimmee
Part of the greater Orlando metropolitan area, Kissimmee is just a short 30-minute drive south of downtown Orlando. Primarily a stopover site for those on their way to the theme parks and Orlando proper, Kissimmee still has plenty of reasons for one to want to explore. Including some great golf courses and splendid nature parks, the town offers a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere compared to its larger and busier urban counterparts.
Stop by the Twin Oaks Conservation Area for opportunities to enjoy biking, hiking, and splendid sunsets. For modern entertainment and shopping without the very large Orlando crowds, a stop at the Loop outdoor shopping complex is a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Naples
Self-proclaimed as the golf capital of the world, and named after the Italian city of the same name, Naples is a wondrous stop for all golf lovers. In addition to its world-class golf courses, Naples is also well known for its hot sun, luxurious neighborhoods, and a generally laid-back atmosphere. Despite being one of the smallest cities on this list, the coastal city in southwest Florida boasts a large retiree population and is home to a number of luxury hotels, beautiful white sandy beaches, fine dining restaurants, and tons of shopping outlets and cultural festivals.
Meanwhile, for the nature enthusiast, visits to the nearby Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary or the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge are a must. At the latter, unique views of the endangered Florida Panther make for a most special experience.
Jupiter
Only 80 miles north of Miami, the town of Jupiter is a beautiful place to relish the wonder of the outdoors and a relaxing beachfront lifestyle. Even though Jupiter is a town, it is home to a healthy population of just over 61,000 and contests with the best cities in Florida. Visitors can enjoy splendid vistas on Jupiter Island, while a climb atop the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is breathtaking. Constructed in 1860, the 360-degree panoramas are nothing short of spectacular.
In addition, taking the whole family down to Dubois Park and the Busch Wildlife Sanctuary is a great way to spend a day, and entertain all ages. While in the area, swimming, sunbathing, or sailing on numerous beach areas is never a bad idea. Whether it is gazing out at the views or looking to relax on the beach, Jupiter is a wonderful Florida locale worthy of numerous visits.
Florida and its beautiful cities are undoubtedly beacons of great history, culture, art, cuisine, and hot weather. Each in their own way, these cities reflect the very best of the Sunshine State, and any visitors will appreciate their time in these fine urban metropolises. From fun in the sun to great a variety of cultural, historic, and natural attractions, visiting these Florida cities will create some of the most special memories of any vacation.
