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Updated Oct 02, 2024The Most Romantic Getaways in Florida
From horse-drawn carriage rides along the coast to charming Spanish architecture and private island resorts, there's no shortage of picturesque places in the Sunshine State.
by Lane Nieset
Updated Aug 14, 2023
When planning a couples getaway in Florida, a few cities often get singled out. And don't get us wrong—Miami and Fort Lauderdale will always be a good idea. But once you spend a couple days in some of the more popular locales, consider setting off and exploring the more unexpected sides of the state. In just a few hours' time, you could be sailing off the Florida Keys or basking on shell-covered shores along the southwest coast.
From hidden romantic getaways in Florida to the perfect beach resort and spa stay, couples looking for a romantic getaway have plenty of places to choose from. Whether you're after an affordable boutique hotel in a cosmopolitan city or you prefer a cozy cottage by the sea, here are 10 of the best couples getaways in Florida.
Romantic Getaways in Florida in this Article:
- Palm Beach
- Amelia Island
- Miami
- Key West
- St. Augustine
- Sanibel and Captiva Islands
- Fort Lauderdale
- Sarasota
- Orlando
- St. Petersburg
Palm Beach
As you cross over the Royal Park Bridge linking Palm Beach to the mainland, you'll instantly slip into island time. The town may be known for its ritzy reputation, but Palm Beach is more than just a Rodeo Drive-style shopping stretch on Worth Avenue. Cruise the coast admiring the mix of 20th century Art Deco and Mediterranean Revival mansions before settling into one of the iconic, grand dame hotels.
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Things to Do: Linger on the terrace under the signature black-and-white parasols at Lola 41 (the famous burger with foie gras sauce really is worth the visit) before cycling along Worth Avenue and the Palm Beach Lake Trail—you'll spot yachts on one side and an impressive display of historic homes on the other. If you plan to do one museum, the Norton Museum of Art in nearby West Palm is our top pick; don't leave without strolling through the Lord Norman Foster-designed "museum in a garden," dotted with outdoor sculptures by the likes of Keith Haring and Paul Manship. Another spot to check off your list: Seafood Bar at The Breakers, where you'll have full ocean views as you sip cocktails at the long, L-shaped bar that doubles as an aquarium with fish swimming beneath your drinks.
Photo: Carmel Brantley
Where to Stay: Hotels are among the many highlights here, but one that has been a mainstay for the society scene for some time is The Colony. Poolside restaurant Swifty's is a local favorite for a reason—the people-watching is as good as the classic American cuisine; go for the crab cakes or bacon-wrapped meatloaf—you won't regret it.
Amelia Island
Located in northeast Florida, Amelia Island—just 20 minutes from the Georgia border—is one of the state's best-kept secrets. Couples can hide away on the laid-back island, whose 13 miles of beaches never get crowded. The best part? Mild temps make this destination a year-round one. A mix of nature, history, adventure and culture, Amelia Island offers a recipe for romance in the form of horseback riding on the beach, seaside live music and kayak tours past salt marshes and desert-like dunes.
Things to Do: Soak up the Southern charm on a horse-drawn carriage ride of Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach, a Victorian seaport village that has a colorful past and has attracted everyone from Gilded Age millionaires to pirates and bootleggers. Browse the mix of shops that stretch from the harbor to Centre Street before dining at one of the many independent eateries like modern American Burlingame or David's Restaurant and Lounge.
Where to Stay: Located on the tip of the barrier island, Omni Amelia Island Resort has it all: the largest pool deck in the region, access to preserved marshlands where you can kayak or paddleboard, a championship golf course and uninterrupted ocean views.
Miami
From bustling South Beach with its buzzy bars and restaurants to artsy Wynwood and booming downtown, Miami's many growing neighborhoods are great for affordable romantic getaways as well as splurge-worthy ones. An insider tip: If you want to stay at one of the more over-the-top resorts, summer is when you're most likely to snag a deal.
Things to Do: Get acquainted with the city's Art Deco architecture on a walking tour of South Beach or discover a newer side of Miami strolling around the street art in Wynwood, ending the afternoon with happy hour at Uchi and dinner in the tree-clad courtyard at nearby Mandolin Aegean Bistro. Shoppers will love browsing the over-the-top boutiques in the Miami Design District or the iconic, open-air pedestrian mall, Lincoln Road, a defining strip on South Beach.
Where to Stay: One of the top spa resorts in Florida, Fontainebleau is a great spot for a honeymoon or holiday where you can shake off stress in what Martha Stewart has called "the most beautiful spa in America." A lesser-known spot on Miami Beach, The Plymouth Hotel sits in an Art Deco landmark building on the corner of Collins Park, just a block from the beach and within walking distance of the heart of the neighborhood's nightlife.
Key West
What could be more romantic than an island city where the highlight of the evening is a sunset celebration? Closer to Cuba than Miami, Key West's gingerbread mansions and tin-roofed conch houses are just as charming today as when Ernest Hemingway and Jimmy Buffett called them home.
Things to Do: The allure of Key West is its laid-back attitude. Days are spent lounging on sidewalk cafes like Moondog Cafe and Bakery, jamming out to live music at Sloppy Joe's, and eating your way around the city's many seafood joints, like the upscale Little Pearl restaurant and wine bar in the Old Town or the open-air Conch Republic Seafood Company along the marina. Day trip on a catamaran to Dry Tortugas National Park for some of the best snorkeling (complete with dolphins and sea turtles) in the Keys.
Where to Stay: Situated just off Key West, Sunset Key Cottages sits on a 27-acre private island with white-sand beaches and Old Florida-inspired cottages showing off views of the water. For something closer to the action, stay next to Mallory Square in the historic Old Town at Ocean Key Resort and Spa.
St. Augustine
The oldest city in the US is teeming with Southern charm, from the horse-drawn carriages parading down cobbled roads to the intimate cafes and Caribbean-style beaches. History buffs can check historic landmarks like the Castillo de San Marcos off their list, while art lovers can browse galleries near downtown or indulge in handcrafted truffles and bonbons at Claude's Chocolate.
Things to Do: Catch live acts at Colonial Oak Music Park or the Ponte Vedra Concert Hall, or sample local spirits at the St. Augustine Distillery, a former power and ice plant complex from 1907. For craft brews, make your way to Dog Rose Brewing Co., where you'll also find live music, taco food trucks and hot dog carts, as well as a menu of bar snacks that includes homemade sea-salt chips.
Where to Stay: Sleep in luxury at the Moroccan-inspired Casa Monica Resort and Spa, Autograph Collection in St. Augustine's historic district. The resort blends old and new world charm with touches of the Mediterranean and is conveniently located within walking distance of landmarks like St. George Street.
Sanibel and Captiva Islands
Sister islands near Fort Myers, Sanibel and Captiva are some of the most untouched islands you'll find in Florida. Couples who want a beach getaway without any semblance of spring break will fall head-over-heels for these low-key islands blanketed in white sand and so many shells that beachcombers' bent-over stance has been coined the "Sanibel Stoop."
Things to Do: Hop on a boat and cruise to Lovers Key State Park for a day on the sand or a stroll along nature trails. A manatee or bald eagle spotting is almost guaranteed. Tour the historic Edison and Ford Winter Estates (the family homes of the infamous innovators) or sail to one of the largest barrier islands in Florida, Cayo Costa, for swimming and shelling.
Where to Stay: Although you'll already feel secluded in nature, the 330-acre retreat and wildlife nature reserve at South Seas will make it really seem like you're far away from the outside world. Vacation rentals include beach and bayside villas, cottages and condos, plus resort-style amenities like taco food trucks and a yacht harbor and marina.
Fort Lauderdale
The former spring break destination has shaken off its party reputation and refined its act with upscale neighborhoods like gay-friendly Wilton Manors and revived coastal communities like Hollywood. The spot where 90 percent of turtle nesting takes place in Florida, Fort Lauderdale is an unexpected natural beauty that's at the gateway of the Everglades and is lined with 300 miles of inland waterways.
Things to Do: Explore the "Venice of America" by gondola (yes, the same whimsical style boat you'd find in Italy) or step things up a notch with a luxury yacht cruise along the coast. For something more active, paddleboard or kayak down the city's many rivers and canals before posting up by the water for lunch at Coconuts on the Intracoastal (the coconut shrimp is a must). In the evening, head to The Wilder for Instagram-worthy craft cocktails or dine above Las Olas at Rooftop 1WLO, where you'll have sweeping views of the Fort Lauderdale skyline.
Photo: Visit Lauderdale
Where to Stay: For something with European flair, stay at The Pillars Hotel and Club along the Intracoastal, a plantation-style home with a pool shielded by palm trees and a dock with views of the yachts cruising past.
Sarasota
Sarasota's claim to fame is being the winter home of the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus (waterfront museum The Ringling is certainly worth a visit), but the Gulf Coast city south of Tampa deserves more recognition. Counting 35 miles of coastline and six barrier islands, couples have all the ingredients they need for a seaside getaway minus the crowds.
Things to Do: The world-renowned beaches are Sarasota's selling point, so start on Siesta Beach's crystal-quartz sand before exploring the island and its vibrant nightlife and dining via free trolley. You'll also want to make time to go hiking at Stump Pass Beach State Park on Manasota Key, where swimming is fantastic year-round and your chances of spotting manatees and gopher tortoises are high.
Photo: The Sarasota Modern
Where to Stay: Call it a night in super sleek The Sarasota Modern, a boutique hotel near downtown that's just a few minutes from the beach. If you really want to treat yourselves, book the top-floor residential suite, where you can soak with your other half in the clawfoot bathtub and admire views of the city and sea from the expansive terrace—preferably with a glass of wine in hand.
Orlando
Orlando might be a theme park mecca, but the city offers couples much more than just Mickey Mouse. An easy weekend getaway, Orlando is teeming with shopping and spas, world-class restaurants and craft breweries. When you're ready to work off all that food and wine, head out to Wekiwa Springs State Park and go canoeing through the Spanish moss and oak trees.
Things to Do: Ride roller coasters or drink Butterbeer at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Florida and Universal's Islands of Adventure, or hop between Walt Disney World Resort's four parks. If you're coming in summer, the water parks are one of the best ways to cool off. Another way to escape the Florida heat: the Orlando Museum of Art, whose collection of American art includes paintings by Georgia O'Keefe. Airboat tours set off a short drive from Orlando and whisk you through swamps in the northern part of the Everglades, or you can make the trip over to NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
Photo: Hotels.com
Where to Stay: If you're planning on spending your days at the theme parks, sleep nearby at the Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World Resort or the flagship, Victorian-style Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. For something on the more boutique side, stay in Winter Park at The Alfond Inn, where art lovers can admire the rotating collection of contemporary art in the lobby and dine on Florida-fresh fare at Southern-style Hamilton's Kitchen.
St. Petersburg
Home to one of the top-ranked beaches in the US, St. Petersburg feels like both a coastal retreat and a somewhat sleepy Southern town. A calmer alternative to nearby Tampa's bustling city life, St. Pete is dotted with urban parks and mangrove tunnels—plus a thriving arts scene that counts the Salvador Dalí Museum as one of its world-class offerings.
Things to Do: Stroll around the Central Arts District downtown on a four-block tour of nearly 30 murals, or sample the city's renowned craft beer at Green Bench Brewing Co.'s beer garden and tasting room. Soak up the sun and live entertainment at laid-back Jimmy B's Beach Bar on white-sand St. Pete Beach.
Photo: Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
Where to Stay: It's hard to get more romantic than The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, Autograph Collection, which unfolds along downtown St. Petersburg's waterfront. The Golden Age, 1920s-era resort is the perfect place for couples to unwind, whether that be in a cabana by the retro-style pool or on a sunset cruise through the bay from the Vinoy Marina.
