A perennial favorite among Floridians, Panama City Beach offers 27 miles of beautiful white sand, sunset dolphin cruises on the Gulf of Mexico, and excursions to nearby unspoiled Shell Island. The waters are often as serene as a lake, making them perfect for families with small children to enjoy splashing about in the shallows. St. Andrews State Park is the ideal setting for a game of "castaway" on its immaculate beach. Also, Pier Park has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment, including shops, restaurants, and an IMAX cinema.

This primarily residential beach phrazle community is located on Florida's breathtaking Gulf Coast, northwest of downtown Sarasota. It has some of the state's most picturesque and serene coastline. Condominiums at Sand Cay Beach Resort are perfect for families because of the spacious layout, fully-equipped kitchens, and Gulf-front grilling areas that make it simple to settle in and stay awhile. Visit Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, home to sea turtles and manatees, for a change of scenery from the beach—it's just a 20-minute drive away.

Cocoa Beach is a great place to visit for many reasons, such as seeing rocket launches at Cape Canaveral, seeing sea turtles nest at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and taking surf lessons on the beaches where Kelly Slater grew up. While staying at Beach Place Guesthouses—a collection of apartment-style lodgings along one of the most picturesque beachfronts in Florida—kids will adore the talking African parrot.