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Ideal for natural lovers and outdoor explorers, this nine-mile-long island is dotted with pine forests, mangroves and a seemingly endless expanse of untouched beaches. The island's Chamber of Commerce has some good suggestionsĭine: There is not as much fresh seafood as one might expect, but Cedar Key is considered to be the South's Capital of Clams.ĭo: Kayak, fish, book a boat tour ( Cedar Key Boat Rentals & Island Tours or Tidewater Tours), rent a golf cart, Cedar Key Museum We've got a complete guide to A Romantic Weekend Getaway in Cedar Key Cedar Key Florida – Corner of G Street and 2nd Street | Dani Meyering Cayo Costa State ParkĪccessible only by boat and served by a public ferry from nearby Pine Island, Cayo Costa is a 2,426 acre state park that's ideal for a day trip or overnight, depending how rustic you can stand your accommodations. Stay: Snuggle into a variety of Gulfside cottages, inns, vacation homes, and condos.
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Location: Located along the Gulf of Mexico just west of Gainesville, 3 hours from Orlando.
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Stay: Palm Island Resort is the island's only hotel but it offers one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, as well as cottages and private homes to rentĭine: Rum Bay Restaurant on the island and Leverock’s Restaurant on the mainland, plus the hotel can make you a picnic lunch to-goĭo: Rent a bike, search for sea shells, go on a sunset cruise Location: Just under three hours southwest from Orlando Stay: Inn on the Beach, Coconut Inn as well as VRBO options like the one shown below.ĭine: Paradise Grille (right on the beach!) and The Seahorse (for breakfast)ĭo: Kayak tours, deep sea fishing and sunset cocktailsĪ three-minute ferryboat ride across the Intracoastal Waterway drops you and your car on Palm Island, a seven-mile-long isle nestled in the Charlotte Harbor area of Southwest Florida. Location: Approximately two hours from Orlando This small, beachfront town is the ideal place to park your car for a few days, relax and enjoy the salt life. Pete Beach, Pass-A-Grille houses a handful of art galleries, shops, restaurants and bars, plus a few charming hotels and inns. Stay: The Beachcomber or Gulfside Beach Club (shown below)ĭine: Old Florida spots abound, Casey Key Fish House is classic and Pop's Sunset Grill is a mustĭo:A visit to Historic Spanish Point and Selby Gardens make for beautiful momentsĪ lively little neighborhood at the southern end of St. Location: 30 minutes south of Sarasota about two hours from Orlando
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Plan to spend your days soaking up the rays, watching dolphins frolic in the surf, floating in the warm Gulf waters and relishing spectacular Gulf sunsets. Weekends see crowds swell at the public beach area but the beach quiets immensely as you travel a few hundred yards toward a handful of small, one-level hotels and inns dotting the beachfront. Home to the town of Nokomis, Casey Key boasts a beautiful, shell-spotted seashore with nary a high rise in sight. This lovely Sarasota-area gem is truly one of Florida's best-kept secrets. Updated April 2022 by Dani Meyering Casey Key Sprawling coastlines, charming beach towns, untouched beaches and a tropical setting will make it a vacation you won't soon forget. The next time you're planning a romantic getaway, consider sneaking away to one of these secret Florida islands.