3 Florida Weekend Escapes You'll Love

Weekend escapes are fun, rather easy to plan, and - best of all - don't always have to cost you an arm and a leg to enjoy. If you're living in Florida or planning a trip to Florida, you'll be interested in checking out these three fun weekend escape ideas that you'll love. Best of all, these Florida weekend escapes can be enjoyed by singles, couples, and families of all ages and will bring you to some of the most popular and fun places in Florida.

Florida Weekend Escape #1: St. Augustine

Here's a great weekend escape plan for history buffs. St. Augustine is the oldest city in the United States. Spaniard Ponce De Leon in 1513, St. Augustine Florida is the home to countless historical monuments and points of interest.

From the actual Fountain of Youth which led Ponce de Leon to Florida to a 17th-century fort and dozens of other major things to see and do, St. Augustine is a sub-tropical time capsule that will hurtle you back to a long bygone era of Spanish colonization, pirates, and the Florida of yesteryear.

Most of the major attractions in St. Augustine cost under $30 for adults, and many are under $15. Be sure you visit the St. Augustine Tourism website for information on package deals that will help you stretch your dollars further. And while in St. Augustine, be sure you check out the Atlantic beaches which are easily reached from any hotel in the area.

Spring Break (late March through early April) and summers always bring the biggest crowds. However, the bulk of the college kids visiting Florida won't be in St. Augustine - they'll be in Daytona Beach, Tampa, Orlando, and Miami.

Florida Weekend Escape #2: Gulf Coast Beaches

West Central Florida offers some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. With soft, sugary white sand, the Gulf coast will make any weekend escape a true... escape. From Naples to Pensacola, you'll find white sands and beautiful Gulf coast views. However, there is a major hub of beaches, hotels, and resorts in the area of West Central Florida. Often called the 'Sun Coast,' the beaches ranging from Sarasota to Hudson bring you lush, clean beaches; acclaimed restaurants; and hotels to fit any budget.

Clearwater Beach is conveniently located within 30 minutes of Interstate 275, Interstate 4, U.S. Highway 301, U.S. Highway 19, and is found just west of State Road 60. Clearwater Beach is one of the most popular beach destinations in all of Florida. Pier 60, which is found at Clearwater Beach, is perfect for watching sunsets, fishing, and is where the beach life lights up in the early evenings.

Parking fees vary based on the length of time and the day, but generally are under $5 in most circumstances. Walking on most of the pier is free, though there is a 50-cent charge per adult for those wanting to walk all the way down to the very end of the pier.

Check out the Pinellas County Visitor's website to find out more about planning a weekend escape trip to Clearwater Beach and any of the other beautiful beaches located nearby.

Be sure you plan to visit the Florida Gulf coast beaches during late fall, winter, or early spring. Mid spring and summer bring tourists. Even if you're a native Floridian, you will probably find the heat and humidity during the middle of the year simply too much to comfortably bear. Don't forget, afternoon thunderstorms pop up with little warning from about mid June through September. In other words, you may want to avoid planning your Gulf coast beach trip for anytime from mid spring through early fall.

Florida Weekend Escape #3: Southeast Florida

Southeast Florida is one of the country's tourist hot spots - and it's where you and those you love spending time with can get away for the weekend. You don't have to party it up to have fun in Southeast Florida. There are plenty of ways to enjoy a weekend in Southeast Florida without having to encounter large crowds, loud noises, or crowded parking lots.

Remember, Miami isn't the only city in Southeast Florida. There are places like Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, and Fort Pierce - all smaller locales and towns that offer beaches, hotels, restaurants, golf courses, and other places to spend your time while you leave the big crowds to themselves in Miami.

West Palm Beach is perhaps one of the most popular of these other Southeast Florida cities. The historic Breakers Hotel is located at the edge of the Atlantic waters and provides access to the beaches. A night at the Breakers easily costs a couple $500 and up for a single night, but the extravagant luxuries in this historic hotel will outdo those of practically any other resort in the state.

Resources

Personal and first-hand knowledge and experience
Breakers Hotel
St. John's County Chamber of Commerce