Why You Should Consider Florida for Your Next Family Vacation

A beach vacation offers families the chance to make memories and spend time together. However, when choosing a destination for your family vacation, there are extra things you have to consider. Is the location family-friendly? Are there kid-friendly activities nearby? Florida has a lot to offer travelers of all kinds, especially families. Beautiful beaches, local wildlife, and water parks can all be enjoyed on the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Here are a few reasons you should consider visiting Florida for your next family vacation:

Beautiful Beaches

The Florida Gulf Coast is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The beautiful white sugar sand beaches on the Emerald Coast are truly a spectacular sight to see. The Florida sand is unlike any other as it is almost 100% quartz, and natural bleaching from the water and the sun make the sand appear even whiter. You can sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning views of the emerald waters, while the kids create memories in the sand to last a lifetime.

Kid-Friendly Accommodations

When choosing your vacation rental, making sure there is plenty of things to do for the entire family is really important. If you choose to stay at one of our rental properties located inside Miramar Beach’s famous Sandestin Resort, are either beachfront or give you access to the Sandestin Tram, so you don’t have to worry about crossing any dangerous roads to get where you want to go with the kiddos. But more importantly, our rentals located in the Sandestin Resort are a short stroll from the Baytowne Wharf – a kid favorite filled with many activities! If you prefer to stay in Panama City Beach, where you get access to seasonal children’s activities, arcade, theater-style movie/media center, and of course, swimming pools! 

Wild Life

When visiting the Sunshine State, one of the most overlooked experiences is encountering the local wildlife. Dolphins, manatees, sea turtles, and birds, all call the Florida Gulf Coast their home. During Sea Turtle Season (April – November) you will find sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs in the sand and then returning back out to the Gulf. It’s a memorable sight to see. 

See related article: Wild Sea Turtles Call Florida Home 

Want to get a closer look at Florida’s wildlife? Take the family out on a dolphin cruise where the boat captains bring you to the best local hotspots located in Destin, where you can see them swimming right up to the boat, or even jumping in the air! Or you can take it one step further and go on a snorkeling cruise! This boat brings you to the shallow waters where you’ll get a snorkel, flippers, and a mask so you can look around for starfish, sand dollars, and other fun sea creatures. Either way, the captains of the Seablaster, Southern Star, or Cattywampus make it super fun for the whole family!

If going out on a boat isn’t your thing, you can still have wildlife encounters on dry land over at the Gulfarium. The Gulfarium is currently home to dolphins, seals, sea lions, penguins, otters, alligators, sea turtles, sharks, gulf fish, and exotic birds! Looking for a closer encounter? You can swim with stingrays, or touch (and feed!) the sea lions! The Gulfarium truly has something for everyone.

Water Parks

If you thought all the fun to be had in Florida was all along the beach, think again! Nestled back in the city center of Destin, you will find Big Kahuna’s Water & Adventure Park. With over 40 attractions. Some of our favorites are the slides, lazy river, or when you need a break from the water you can play a round of mini-golf. It’s the perfect place to bring your family when you need a break from the beach. If you happen to stay with Gibson Beach Rentals, we provide free tickets every day of your stay as part of our Explore Package.

You can find many affordable, kid-friendly reasons to choose Florida for your next family vacation. Just make sure to book early for the best deals!

Published on Friday, January 14, 2022