When most think of the winter months, it is a time of shoveling snow, putting on multiple layers, and staying inside where it is warm.
Who wouldn’t want to travel to a place where you can get a tan in December?
Below is a list of locations in Florida that are perfect for a warm winter vacation.
Miami
Miami is a hotspot all year around but in the winter months, the city is fully activated due to Art Basel. Also known as Miami Art Week, Art Basel is a citywide event that gathers celebrities, art collectors and creators to view one of North America’s most comprehensive international art fairs. Some of Miami’s hottest hotels are located just minutes from where the popular event takes place — perfect places for guests to check in and enjoy their stay. The Elser Hotel and Gabriel Miami are both located in the cultural hub of Downtown Miami, just walking distance from well-known cultural institutions such as the Adrienne Arsht Center, Pérez Art Museum Miami, Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science and transportation services such as the Miami Central Brightline station and the Miami Metro Mover. Hotels just minutes away from the Miami Art Week fun are Arlo Wynwood, Balfour Hotel, Gabriel South Beach, and The Gates Hotel South Beach. As one of Miami’s most beautiful and historic communities that draws all generations, Coral Gables offers exciting culinary options and a plethora of activities. Dine at true farm-to-table restaurants like Mamey and Orno located inside the THesis Hotel for diverse dishes including ingredients from all over the globe. While traveling to the Sunshine State, visitors can take advantage of the warm weather at the many outdoor activities such as Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. The 83-acre tropical oasis features a lush rainforest with a stunning collection of flora, a sparkling waterfall, vast gardens, a vine pergola, a butterfly garden and a museum of plant exploration. For some yummy eats guests can visit Orno, Mamey, Mehzcla, MaryGold’s by Brad Kilgore, Higher Ground, Negroni Midtown, Italica Midtown, Chotto Matte Miami and Uchi Miami. Visitors can also experience the Miami Beach Holiday Festival of Lights as it takes over three iconic South Beach locations, including Lincoln Road, The Gabriel South Beach and The Betsy Hotel, December 1 through December 23. Presented by the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival, the festival will feature live musical performances and cutting-edge projection-mapping technology where intricate lighting designs and captivating visuals overlap, turning some of South Beach’s most iconic building façades and travel destinations into interactive exhibits with vibrant imagery. The family-friendly events are free and open to the public.
Fort Lauderdale
Famous for its beaches, arts, culture, and events, Fort Lauderdale is another perfect vacation spot for a getaway from those cold winter months. Vacationers can stay at the Kimpton Shorebreak Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, a boutique resort located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale and embrace the newly renovated rooftop bar and lounge, The Escape, for an elevated and vibrant atmosphere. Just beyond the Shorebreak doors is the burgeoning downtown, a polished mix of sophisticated shops, historical attractions, restaurants and entertainment venues. Travelers can also enjoy a delicious meal of coastal Italian cuisine downstairs at La Fuga, led by Executive Chef Michael Mayer. If guests are looking for some yummy eats in the area, Casa Sensei has a beautiful waterfront view with pan- Asian latin fusion dining, while Velvet Taco serves up creative taco creations. If guests are looking to grab a drink, Cooper’s Hawk at the Galleria Mall presents a napa-inspired wine tasting room and Whiskey Neat has one of the largest selections of whiskey in South Florida. Quarterdeck Restaurants sports five Broward hotspots for family-friendly comfort food.
Key West
The Florida Keys celebrate their 100-year anniversary in 2023 as one of the most popular domestic destinations to travel to in the U.S., with Key West specifically being a tourist’s playground with all it has to offer. Whether it is watersports, key lime pie, nightlife, or historic sites, Key West never has a dull moment. Recently listed as the #1 resort in the Florida Keys by Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice for the second year in a row, The Marker Key West Harbor Resort is within walking distance to Duval St, one of the most popular destinations in Key West, filled with famous restaurants, shops, and nighttime hotspots. The Marker is the perfect place for you to enjoy your Key West fest. The waterfront luxury, drinks, dining, events, and activities keep guests busy all day long. For the watersports enthusiasts, Seaport has a plethora of activities to do such as sailing, scuba diving, charters, kayaking, fishing, and more. To indulge in some of Key West’s cuisine, guests can visit Blue Heaven, with a bar, live music, and Sunday brunches.
West Coast Florida
You know what they say, West Coast, best coast! Guests can visit the Sarasota Art Museum for food and views with a 15,000 square-foot dedicated exhibition gallery space, Bistro, a Shop, an auditorium for educational events, performances and film, and a sculpture courtyard. For a farm-to-table eating experience, guests can visit Bistro prepared by Chef Kaytlin Dangaran and the Constellation Culinary team. Further north in the Panhandle, guests can celebrate the seasonal change with the cooler weather at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The winter months are Sandestin’s off-season making it the best time to visit. Guests can enjoy the lighter crowds, lower prices, and cool, comfortable temperatures. With endless activities to do, places to eat, and locations to stay at, guests will never have a dull moment. Stays include Hotel Effie (the only pool and lounge in northwest Florida), Baytowne Wharf, Osprey Pointe (new luxury resort). Eats include Baytowne Wharf (specialty stores, award-winning restaurants, art galleries, nightlife, and a jam-packed calendar of fun festivals and events), and Marina Bar & Grill. Those seeking an exclusive escape on the Emerald Coast can splurge on The Pensacola Beach Resort, which recently opened in June 2023. Featuring 161 guest rooms with unobstructed water views, an onsite fitness center, full-service restaurant Windrose, pool and Tiki Bar, and activities for the entire family to enjoy, the new private resort is the ultimate destination for a coastal winter holiday.
Palm Beach
Home to the legendary resorts, shopping, and dining, Palm Beach is another great vacation destination for your warm winter travels. For hotel stays, The Ben Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel with beautiful views of the Palm Harbor Marina and Intercoastal Waterway, perfect for a little getaway. For culinary interests, The Restaurant at the Norton is a 165- seat, indoor and outdoor dining room with views of the Pamela and Robert B. Goergen Garden. For shopping, The Square is an indoor-outdoor mall located in the heart of Downtown with a mix of more than 50 shops and restaurants.
