The best time to visit Florida is typically November through April.
This is when:
The humidity is lower
The temperatures are comfortable (70s–80s)
Hurricane season is over
You can actually enjoy being outside
Winter is peak season, especially in South Florida and the Keys, so expect higher hotel prices. But the trade-off is perfect patio weather and no melting into the sidewalk.
Summer (June–September) is hot, humid, and rainy in the afternoons. It’s also cheaper. If you don’t mind planning indoor breaks or pool time around quick storms, you can save money — just prepare for “my hair gave up” levels of humidity.
From South Beach in Miami to the white sand of Clearwater Beach, Florida beaches are a major draw. Some are lively and social. Others are quiet and family-friendly. Decide your vibe first, then pick your coast.
If you’re heading to Orlando, you already know what’s happening. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort are bucket-list level for many travelers. Plan ahead, book early, and hydrate like it’s your job.
Drive the Overseas Highway down to Key West for turquoise water, boat days, and sunset celebrations at Mallory Square. It’s quirky, it’s colorful, and it’s worth the drive.
Everglades National Park is wild Florida at its best. Gators, mangroves, and wide open wetlands. It’s a completely different experience from the beaches and adds variety to your trip.
South Florida and the Keys offer excellent snorkeling, reef trips, and deep-sea fishing excursions. If you like being on the water, Florida gives you plenty of excuses.
Florida has multiple major airports, making it easy to reach from almost anywhere in the U.S.
Popular airports include:
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Tampa International Airport (Tampa, FL, US)
Flights are frequent and competitive, especially from major U.S. cities. If you’re visiting the Keys, you can fly into Miami and drive, or fly directly into Key West.
Florida is big. Like, bigger-than-you-think big.
Renting a car is often the easiest way to explore, especially if you’re:
Visiting multiple cities
Driving to the Florida Keys
Exploring beaches outside of major downtown areas
Cities like Miami have rideshare options and walkable neighborhoods, but once you leave those pockets, having a car makes things significantly easier.
If you’re only doing theme parks in Orlando and staying on property, you can get by without one.
Hurricane Season: Runs June through November. Peak activity is August–October. Travel insurance is smart during this window.
Afternoon Storms: In summer, rain usually hits mid-afternoon and clears quickly. Plan beach time in the morning.
Sun Protection: The sun is strong year-round. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and reapply.
Tipping: 18–20% is standard at restaurants.
Tap Water: Safe to drink, but many people prefer bottled due to taste.
Theme Park Strategy: Arrive early, take midday breaks, and don’t try to “do it all” in one day. That’s how meltdowns happen.
Most importantly, decide what kind of Florida trip you want. Beachy and relaxed? Theme park marathon? Island road trip? The state can do all three — just not efficiently in one weekend.
If you’re flying into or out of South Florida, chances are you’ll pass through Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).✈️
• Only 10 min from the beach & cruise port — perfect location!
• 4 color-coded terminals — Yellow, Red, Purple & Green
• Gate C tip: water bottle fillers are UPSTAIRS, not at the gate level
• Arrive 2 hrs early for domestic, 3 hrs for international flights
• Food options include Shake Shack, Starbucks & more — eat AFTER security
• Uber/Lyft pickup is easy & organized — but wait 10-15 min if surge pricing is high
• Rental car center is near Terminal 1 with all major companies available
• Cruising? FLL is basically next door to Port Everglades — super convenient!
My Fort Lauderdale Airport guide covers what to expect before you fly, from terminal layout to transportation and food options.
Head to the blog to read exactly what you need to know…✨
Is one day in Fort Lauderdale enough?🤔
Yes. Between the bakeries, murals, shops, canals, and beach access, one day in Fort Lauderdale is plenty of time to see a lot especially if you focus your time around Las Olas Boulevard.
You can start the morning with coffee and pastries, walk past murals and shops, see the canals, spend time at the beach, and still have room for gelato and a giant Italian sandwich.
If you’re looking for an authentic Italian bakery in Fort Lauderdale, Pan’E Dolci Bakery Fort Lauderdale is absolutely worth a stop. This café-style bakery is known for its Italian pastries, desserts, coffee, and massive savory sandwiches. The display cases are filled with cannolis, cookies, croissants, and breads, and they even have 22 flavors of homemade gelato.
Everything looks so good that it’s honestly hard to decide what to order.
#fortlauderdale #bakery #cafe #travel #florida
So what is a @virginvoyages cruise really like... here’s a quick look😉✈️
@virginvoyages is my absolute favorite cruise line and you can see why I keep coming back again and again!❤️
One of the things people ask the most before their first cruise is what to wear…✨
For a @virginvoyages cruise specifically what should you pack? The short answer… the vibe is fashionable but still vacation casual.
#virginvoyages #traveling #ootd #packingessentials #packing #vacation
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
