Although the fall semester just started, it's never too early to start planning your next mini vacation. Florida has so many unique cities and sights to see, so if you're ready to plan your next weekend getaway here is a list of 5 places to consider.
1.) Sanibel Island - Located near Fort Myers, Sanibel Island is the perfect place to visit if you're interested in a beach getaway. Spend your mornings on Sanibel's quiet beaches looking for shells, swimming, paddleboarding or tanning and then check out Periwinkle place to go shopping in the afternoon when you need a break from the sun. Sanibel has a great selection of restaurants to try as well. I highly recommend The Island Cow for breakfast, Matzaluna if you're in the mood for Italian food, The Bubble Room for an eclectic restaurant experience and the orange crunch cake they make , The Lazy Flamingo for lunch or dinner, Bennett's Fresh Roast for doughnuts and Pinocchio's for ice cream.
2.) Gainesville - If you're interested in football games, tailgates, bars and nature you should plan a trip to Gainesville for a game weekend. UF football games are a lot of fun (even if you're not a gator fan). Visit greek houses to meet new people before a game and later in the evening visit Rockey's Dueling Piano Bar or One American Kitchen. You also have to try pokey stix from Gumby's pizza....they're kind of amazing. If you're more interested in the nature side of things, visit Devil's Den to swim in an underground natural spring or Paynes Prairie to experience Florida wildlife.
3.) Miami - Miami is a great city for art, beaches and clubs. Make sure to visit the Perez Art Museum in downtown Miami, Lincoln Road for shopping and restaurants, Ocean Drive for restaurants, shops and Gianni Versace's mansion, Wynwood to see a bunch of really cool wall murals and Basement Miami or LIV for a night out.
4.) St. Augustine - If you're interested in history, start planning your trip here. Make sure to visit the Castillo de San Marcos, The Fountain of Youth, Old St. Johns County Jail and Flagler College among many of the historical sights to see here.
5.) Orlando - Orlando is a great place for people of any age and different interests. Spend your day at a Disney Park, Universal or Islands of Adventures, eat and shop at Disney Springs or Winter Park, ride the Orlando Eye, Rollins college or UCF, and see a Cirque Du Soleil show.
