Florida's best: 9 top lists of places to go, things to do if you plan to visit or move here
With the Gulf of Mexico on one side, the Atlantic Ocean on the other, a warm year-round climate and 825 miles of white-sand beaches, Florida has much to offer residents and visitors alike.
Florida's top-rated beaches, average annual temperatures in the 70s and major theme parks make it the perfect vacation destination. A lack of state income tax along with a good economy and quality of life persuade many to move to the Sunshine State.
Choosing the best places to visit or live is a difficult task.
Here are 9 examples highlighting some of the best places and things to do that Florida has to offer, according to travel magazine Travel + Leisure:
9 best places to live in Florida
If the average median list price for homes the Sunshine State – a pricey $435,000 compared to $389,967 nationwide – is no deterrent, Florida may be the place for you.
The high quality of life, lack of state income tax and low unemployment rate along with the state's abundance of natural beauty and numerous attractions may make up for it, according to Travel + Leisure.
The New York-based travel magazine named these 9 locales the best places to live in Florida:
Miami
West Palm Beach
Jacksonville
Tampa
Cape Coral
Orlando
The Villages
Ocala
Lake City
This island was named one of Florida's best hidden gems and best small beach town
The magazine named Gasparilla Island, a Gulf Coast barrier island separated from the mainland by Charlotte Harbor and Pine Island Sound, one of Florida's best hidden gems and the state's best small beach town.
"Ideal for a family vacation, romantic getaway, or girls weekend, this low-key barrier island on the southwest coast of the Sunshine State is a splendid place for catching rays, collecting shells, swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and leisurely strolling along the seaside. It’s also steeped in Florida folklore. Legend has it, the island was named after the mythical Spanish swashbuckler José Gaspar (nicknamed Gasparilla), who terrorized the waters during Florida’s second Spanish period," the magazine noted.
9 best beach towns in Florida
Florida is famous for its beautiful beaches and its charming seaside towns offer something for everyone. From family-friendly vibes to vibrant nightlife scenes, these spots have it all.
Here are the top 9 Florida beach towns, ranked by Travel + Leisure:
South Beach, Miami
Clearwater Beach
Amelia Island
10 best islands in Florida
There are more than 4,000 islands of 10 acres or more around Florida. But not all are created equal.
From popular spots to little-known hideaways, here's Travel + Leisure's list of the top 10 islands in the Sunshine State:
Key West
Amelia Island
Little Palm Island
Peanut Island
Key Biscayne
Best family resorts in Florida
Thinking of heading to Florida for a family vacation? From laid-back to luxury, there are tons of resorts to choose from.
Here are the best 21 ranked, according to Travel + Leisure:
The Breakers, Palm Beach
Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando, Orlando
Westgate River Ranch Resort and Rodeo, River Ranch
PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gardens
Playa Largo Resort & Spa, Key Largo
The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, Aventura
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, Autograph Collection, St. Petersburg
The Don CeSar, St. Pete Beach
Hawks Cay Resort, Duck Key
Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel & Spa, Vero Beach
Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, Riviera Beach
Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Kissimmee
Postcard Inn Beach Resort and Marina, Islamorada
JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, Marco Island
Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, Fort Lauderdale
Baker’s Cay Resort, Key Largo
The Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, Orlando
Beach Place Guesthouses, Cocoa Beach
Acqualina Resort & Residences On The Beach, Sunny Isles Beach
Best place to go surfing in Florida
New Smyrna Beach, located in Volusia County on Florida's east coast, was named the best place for surfing in the Sunshine State for "the most consistent surf break in Florida."
Along with some of the most plentiful wave breaks on the East Coast, New Smyrna Beach offers 17 miles of white sandy beaches and a vibrant dining scene.
Best city to move to
A Southwest Florida city was honored for being one of the best cities to move to in the U.S.
Naples, known for its pristine beaches, world-class golf courses and luxury living, got the nod.
Here are some of the reasons Naples is the place to go, according to Travel + Leisure:
With more people working remotely than ever, Naples has quickly become the primary home of many urbanites relocating from cities such as Chicago and New York City. In fact, it now holds the title of the safest place to live, according to a recent U.S. News survey, and is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, attracting not just retirees but also younger couples.
It's easier to get around Naples than other Florida cities like West Palm Beach on the other side of the state,
Naples Municipal Airport is only 10 minutes from downtown by car and also is known for embracing private jets and charter flights.
Naples has some of the best restaurants not just in the country but in the world. And Fifth Ave. South and Waterside Shops are home to some of the best designer shopping.
Top things to do in the Florida Keys
Home to the only living coral reef in the continental U.S. and famous for being a diving, snorkeling and fishing destination, the Florida Keys are a chain of islands stretching about 125 miles off the state's southeast coast.
While the Keys are known for laid-back island vibes, there's lots to do and see.
Here are the top 27 things to do:
Eat at The Fish House
Feed the tarpon at Robbie’s of Islamorada
Eat Key lime pie
Eat a sloppy joe at Sloppy Joe’s
Learn about local history
Attend a festival or two
Go deep-sea fishing
Go snorkeling
Go scuba diving
Take a day trip to Dry Tortugas National Park
Go camping
Find No Name Pub
Drink Cuban coffee
Take a photo at the Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.
Pet cats at The Hemingway Home and Museum
Try local brews at Islamorada Beer Company
Watch the sunset
Order conch fritters
Live the high life at Little Palm Island
Run, bike, or roller blade the Old Seven Mile Bridge
Snorkel to see Jesus
Swim with dolphins
Stay at the only underwater hotel in the United States
Adopt a reptilian friend at the Turtle Hospital
Climb a lighthouse
Experience old Florida at the Caribbean Club
Wander among butterflies at the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory
15 best things to do in Jacksonville
Jacksonville is Florida's most populous city. Located in the northeastern part of the state along the St. Johns River, Jacksonville boasts 22 miles of beaches and an extensive park system.
Here are the top 15 things to do in Jacksonville, according to locals:
Spend the day at Jacksonville Beach
Explore the Jacksonville-Baldwin Rail Trail
Hang with big cats at Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary
Find healing at Auntie Peaches
Have a beach picnic at Huguenot Memorial Park
Enjoy a family-friendly day at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Get a dose of art and culture at Florida Theatre
Admire the masterpieces at Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens
Go shopping at Riverside Arts Market
Learn about Jacksonville’s Black history
Explore a darker side of history at Kingsley Plantation
Enjoy the outdoors at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Stroll along St. Johns River
Catch a concert at the Ritz Theatre and Museum
Marvel at the stars at the Museum of Science & History
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Best beach towns, places to live and visit in Florida: Ratings
