Florida Condos & Vacation Rentals from $144 | HomeToGo (2024)

Where to find the best food in Florida?

With your Florida vacation home rental, you can choose to eat out every night, or source local produce to cook up at home. There's a great deal of variety in Floridian cuisine, taking aspects of Caribbean cultures such as Cuban, Haitian, Jamaican and many more. Miami is a particularly interesting city for food, with Little Havana and Little Haiti offering enclaves with multicultural restaurants and cuisine.

Virtually anywhere in the state, you'll find delicious home-style foods such as yellow rice with black beans, paella, and tostones (pan-fried plantain slices). Diners serving tasty Deep South barbeque foods and all-American pancake breakfasts are further treats to savour when staying in Florida vacation home rentals.

What is the weather like in Florida?

Florida largely enjoys a subtropical climate, meaning that you will not be short on sun.

Summer in Florida runs from June to September and tends to be very hot and humid throughout the state.

Spring sees warm temperatures but is prone to tropical showers.

Fall, from September to November, is a great time to visit, as the days are still warm and dry but with less intense humidity than the summer months.

Winter in Florida is a great option for visitors looking to escape the cold for the season. For travelers looking to spend the winter in Florida, a vacation rental offers the most comfort and convenience.

Whatever time of year you plan to visit Florida, you are likely to be greeted with pleasant weather - it is the "Sunshine State" after all!

What are the top sights in Florida?

One of the main reasons travellers book a vacation rental in Florida is the state’s incredible beaches, with its warm water, golden sands, and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. With long stretches of coastline, Florida's numerous beaches offer plenty of activities for the whole family. You can enjoy all of this with the convenience of a beach house rental.

1. Clearwater Beach

This beach is a short distance from Clearwater City and has won numerous awards for its quality. On the beach, you can engage in activities such as jet skiing, parasailing, dolphin watching, and exciting nightlife at nearby restaurants and bars. You can enjoy musical arts, plays, and street performances on Pier 60.

2. Destin

Destin is located on the Emerald Coast of Florida, which is named for its clear green water and white sandy beaches. The beaches have lots of pine and oak trees that give the area its own distinctly beautiful look. For added fun, the western side of the beach hosts Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park, which has waterfalls, tall slides, and many pools.

3. Panama City Beach

This is a seaside resort town, and one of the most popular vacation destinations in Florida. The beach has fishing piers and hiking trails to satisfy you as you explore. There's also a wide variety of activities including swimming, jet-skiing, snorkelling, dolphin spotting, and parasailing.

4. Pensacola Beach

Pensacola is the perfect beach to relax on, regardless of your style. Located on a narrow strip of land with stunning white sands, you can have two extremely different beach experiences here. Have fun on the livelier side facing the Gulf of Mexico, or opt for peace and quiet on the inland-facing side. The beaches have sections with shallower waters that are ideal for kids.

5. Siesta Key

Siesta Key is a barrier island located between the Gulf of Mexico and Roberts Bay. It's famous for its sugar-fine white sands. A short distance from the beach is a village area, where you can dine outdoors and shop for souvenirs.

6. Hutchinson Island

A lesser-known location for those seeking the sea, sun, and sand, Hutchinson Island is home to some stunning sands and beautiful nature reserves.

What are the best places to discover the arts and culture of Florida?

For a look at the historical and contemporary culture of the state, head to the big cities. Orlando is mostly associated with theme parks, but if you're there be sure to also check out the Historic Bok Sanctuary. These botanical gardens are home to a variety of exotic plants and animals. The Cornell Fine Arts Museum is also located here.

In Tampa, be sure to visit the Museum of Science and Industry, or go shopping and then see the Ybor City State Museum. Jacksonville is one of Florida's most artistic cities, with institutions such as the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville. Collectors will love browsing the Riverside Arts Market on Saturday afternoons. Each of these cities has its own creative character and historic neighbourhoods to discover, with a range of cultural attractions to suit everyone in your group.

What are the best activities for families in Florida?

1. Walt Disney World

Comprised of four theme parks and two water parks, along with hotels and other entertainment spots, this is undoubtedly Orlando's main attraction. Magical themed rides, costume characters, and nightly fireworks displays make for an unforgettable experience.

2. Universal Islands of Adventure

Based around all your favorite television shows and films, this sprawling theme park has rides and shows suitable for all ages from toddler to adult. Vast roller coasters and water rides tower above the crowds below, delighting thrill seekers on a year-round basis.

3. Universal Studios Florida

This theme park and real-life production studio is one of the most-popular worldwide. It's well worth coinciding your visit with one of its annual event series, such as the Halloween Horror Nights or Mardi Gras celebrations.

4. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Dedicated to the books about the young wizard, this themed area that is located between Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios Florida is a must for Harry Potter fans. Exhilarating rides, a recreation of Diagon Alley and much more await.

5. Discovery Cove

This water-based park is the ideal attraction for nature lovers with an interest in marine life. Visitors have a unique opportunity to meet and play with friendly dolphins, snorkel above a stunning coral reef, float along a tropical lazy river, and even view exotic birds.

6. Kennedy Space Center

Spread across a staggering 144,000 acres and 700 buildings, this iconic attraction on Florida's east coast is steeped in history. Daily tours and informative exhibitions inform visitors about the Apollo, Skylab, and Space Shuttle programs that were launched from here.

7. SeaWorld Orlando

Part theme park and part wildlife sanctuary, SeaWorld is one of Florida's most-popular attractions. Home to killer whales, sharks, and dolphins, you'll be amazed at the marine diversity on display. Regular shows and spectacular roller coasters guarantee a fun-packed day.

8. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

This enormous African-themed animal park is also home to an abundance of white-knuckle rides. Roller coaster enthusiasts flock to enjoy the vertical drop of SheiKra, the exhilarating launch of Cheetah Hunt, and the twisting inversions of Montu.

9. LEGOLAND® Florida Resort Orlando

This popular theme park and water park is perfect for kids between the ages of 2 and 12. Roller coasters and water rides await, as do creative areas where kids can watch Lego bricks being made from scratch, and even make it themselves.

10. Gatorland

This compact wildlife sanctuary and theme park is perfect for nature enthusiasts of all ages. Thousands of alligators and crocodiles call the park home, in addition to an impressive array of reptiles, birds, and other exotic creatures.

What are the best nightlife spots in Florida?

It will come as no surprise to most visitors that Florida is synonymous with spring break. During this time, destinations such as Miami and Daytona Beach light up with music and parties for the ultimate celebrations. The nightclubs in Miami often get particularly busy, but arriving early and dressing to impress is a good tactic for getting in. Otherwise, sports and independent bars are good, relaxed alternatives.

Of course, Daytona Beach is also famous as the home of NASCAR. The Daytona International Speedway has a huge capacity and hosts a number of other events throughout the year. It's well worth checking out what's on when you're here. An alternative is to head to one of the other big cities, such as Jacksonville, which can sometimes be overlooked as a nightlife destination and yet offers an impressive array of places to dance the night away.

Where are the unique attractions in Florida?

1. The Everglades National Park

The Everglades National Park was created in 1947 and is home to 1.5 million acres of marshy land. This national park is also home to various animals like American crocodiles, manatees, alligators, and Florida panthers.

2. Dry Tortugas National Park

Located approximately 68 miles west of Key West, this park is famous for its beautiful coral reefs, abundant sea life, and a variety of tropical birds. It is also home to the legendary Fort Jefferson, which was built in the 1800s and is the topic of local folklore.

3. Lake Okeechobee

The ninth-largest largest freshwater lakes in the United States, Lake Okeechobee is one of Florida's natural wonders. Fishing and boating are popular activities on the water, while a 110-mile hiking trail awaits those who prefer to stay on dry land.

4. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

If you're interested in wildlife, this vast nature preserve is an absolute no-brainer. By day, admire the vast open grasslands, teeming with rare and endangered species. By night, this serene spot is one of the best places for stargazing in Florida.

5. Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve

Covering 46,000 acres, the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is made up of vast salt marshes, forested uplands, and wetlands. A great way to explore this fascinating park, which is steeped in history, is by kayak or canoe.

What are the must-see attractions in Florida?

Every year, millions of guests visit Florida’s cities for its mix of great weather, history, and culture. Offering stunning beaches, top-level nightlife and diverse cultural scenes, the Sunshine State's best cities give you everything you're looking for when you book a vacation rental here.

1. Miami

Nicknamed the capital of Latin America, this iconic city is known for its beaches lined with palm trees, and stunning Art Deco buildings. It's also home to various world-class restaurants serving a wealth of different cuisines, and countless nightclubs and music venues for plenty of fun after the sun goes down. You can go from enjoying the sands of Miami Beach to sampling the rich art scene in this colourful city.

2. Fort Lauderdale

This city north of Miami is known for its great jazz concerts and amazing co*cktail bars. It's a lively haven for partygoers, with stunning beaches and waterways, and great restaurants. Fort Lauderdale is also a busy port city that serves cruises to the Caribbean.

3. Orlando

The most popular destination for visitors to Florida, Orlando is home to several magical theme parks. This means lots of activities all year round. Besides the parks, guests can also enjoy airboat tours around the local swamps, exciting shows, lots of golfing opportunities, and other family-friendly activities.

4. Jacksonville

Located on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, Jacksonville is Florida's largest city. It crosses three rivers, with several bridges linking different areas of the city. The city has several beaches that are popular for surfing and swimming, such as Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach.

5. Tampa

Sometimes overlooked by visitors to Florida, Tampa has a picturesque setting, situated on the bay of the same name. Tampa is a great family destination with plenty of activities that you and your family can choose from. It is home to several zoos, museums, and theme parks, including The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and Busch Gardens.