Amazing Reasons to Visit Florida in Summer
Florida remains one of America’s most popular destinations for travellers looking for sunshine, beaches, outdoor adventures, wildlife and entertainment. Whether you are planning a family holiday, a romantic escape or a road trip, the Sunshine State offers a remarkable variety of experiences.
Summer does bring heat, humidity, thunderstorms and the Atlantic hurricane season. Therefore, good planning is important. With the right itinerary, however, a summer trip to Florida can combine relaxing beach days, exciting attractions and memorable outdoor experiences.
Explore Florida’s Natural Beauty
Florida is much more than theme parks and beaches. Its natural landscapes include wetlands, springs, forests, mangroves and diverse coastal ecosystems.
One of the state’s most remarkable destinations is Everglades National Park. The National Park Service says the park protects about 1.5 million acres of wetland, forest and marine habitats. It is home to a remarkable range of plants and wildlife.
Visitors can explore different parts of the Everglades through activities such as:
- Wildlife watching
- Hiking and nature trails
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Guided excursions
- Scenic drives
The park has three main access areas that are not connected by roads within the park. Therefore, planning your route before visiting is important.
Summer is also the wet season in the Everglades. The National Park Service notes that the wet season generally runs from May through November and can bring increased rainfall and mosquitoes.
Enjoy Florida’s Beaches
If you love the ocean, Florida offers an enormous choice of beaches.
VISIT FLORIDA highlights 825 miles of beaches across the state, ranging from busy coastal cities to quieter stretches of sand.
Popular beach destinations include:
- Clearwater Beach
- Cocoa Beach
- Delray Beach
- Miami Beach
- Fort Lauderdale
- Naples
- Key West
- Anna Maria Island
- Captiva Island
The Atlantic and Gulf coasts offer different experiences. The Atlantic coast is popular for surfing and lively beach towns, while many Gulf Coast destinations are known for calmer waters and scenic sunsets.
Florida’s beaches also provide opportunities for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, shelling and wildlife watching.
Before visiting a particular beach, check local conditions, parking information, beach rules and weather forecasts.
Experience Florida’s Famous Theme Parks
For many visitors, Orlando is the main reason to travel to Florida.
Walt Disney World currently features four major theme parks: Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Each park offers a different experience, making Orlando suitable for families, couples and travellers of different ages.
Universal Orlando has also expanded significantly. Universal Epic Universe is now open, adding a new theme park with five immersive worlds, including SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk and Dark Universe.
This is an important update from the original 2013 article, which obviously predates Epic Universe.
Beyond the major theme parks, Orlando offers restaurants, shopping, water parks, entertainment venues and outdoor activities. VISIT FLORIDA also highlights experiences such as kayaking, springs and other nature-based adventures around the region.
Relax on Florida’s Coast
A Florida holiday does not have to revolve around attractions and busy schedules.
Consider spending a few days simply relaxing by the water. You can choose a beachfront hotel, a quieter guesthouse or a resort with swimming pools and family facilities.
Sunset is another attraction in its own right. Many Gulf Coast communities are particularly popular for evening views over the water.
If you want to explore beyond one beach, a road trip can be a great option. Florida’s coastline stretches across a huge area, giving travellers plenty of opportunities to combine beaches with nearby towns, restaurants, parks and cultural attractions.
Discover Florida’s Food and Culture
Florida’s diverse population has created a food scene influenced by many different cultures.
Depending on where you travel, you can enjoy fresh seafood, Cuban cuisine, Caribbean flavours, Southern dishes and international food.
Miami is particularly known for its Latin American and Caribbean influences. Other cities and coastal communities offer their own distinctive culinary traditions.
Food can therefore become an important part of your Florida itinerary rather than simply something to fit between attractions.
Plan an Outdoor Adventure
Florida’s warm climate creates opportunities for outdoor activities throughout the year.
Depending on the destination and weather, visitors can try:
- Kayaking
- Paddleboarding
- Snorkelling
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Wildlife watching
- Boating
- Swimming
- Scenic road trips
The state also has hundreds of freshwater springs and an extensive network of trails. VISIT FLORIDA currently promotes more than 700 freshwater springs and 1,300 trails as part of its outdoor and family travel offering.
These attractions provide alternatives for travellers who want to experience Florida beyond its famous theme parks.
Is Summer a Good Time to Visit Florida?
Summer can be an excellent time to visit Florida, but travellers should understand the weather.
Florida can be hot and humid during summer. Afternoon thunderstorms are also common, while the Atlantic hurricane season officially runs from June 1 through November 30.
The Everglades, for example, records its rainy season from May through September, with the wet season extending generally through November.
If you are visiting during summer:
- Check the forecast every day.
- Carry water when exploring outdoors.
- Use sunscreen and sun protection.
- Plan outdoor activities around the hottest part of the day.
- Keep flexible plans for afternoon storms.
- Monitor official tropical-weather forecasts.
- Check attraction operating hours before travelling.
- Consider travel insurance that matches your trip and weather risks.
The weather should not necessarily discourage a summer visit. It simply means that your itinerary should have some flexibility.
Getting Around Florida
Florida is a large state, so choosing your base carefully can save considerable travel time.
Major airports serve destinations such as Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale. Rental cars can be particularly useful if you want to combine beaches, natural attractions and smaller towns.
Public transport and ride services can work well in some urban areas, while a car may be more convenient for destinations such as the Everglades.
Do not assume that two Florida attractions are close together simply because they appear near each other on a map. Plan realistic driving times, especially during busy periods.
Why Visit Florida This Summer?
Florida offers something for almost every type of traveller.
You can spend one day exploring the Everglades, another relaxing on the beach and another experiencing Orlando’s theme parks. You can also add food, shopping, wildlife, boating and road trips to create a varied holiday.
The destination has also evolved considerably since this article was originally published in 2013. Orlando’s attractions continue to change, and Universal Epic Universe is now open, adding another major theme-park option for visitors.
For travellers who enjoy nature, Florida’s beaches, springs, wetlands and wildlife provide plenty of alternatives to amusement parks.
Final Thoughts
A summer holiday in Florida can be as relaxing or adventurous as you want it to be. Enjoy a few quiet days beside the ocean, explore Florida’s natural landscapes or fill your itinerary with world-class attractions.
The key is to plan around Florida’s summer weather and choose experiences that match your interests.
From the Everglades and 825 miles of beaches to Disney’s four theme parks and the new Universal Epic Universe, Florida continues to offer plenty of reasons to return.
