A longtime favorite gay destination for LGBTQ travelers, Key West is a hotspot for creative culture, funky vibes, LGBTQ nightlife, and great food (& drinks!)
Florida
Travel blogs, travel photos and features from Florida, the Sunshine State
Florida Travel Guide
The ultimate guide to the best things to do and see in Florida
Though it’s maybe most famous for Disney World and oranges, Florida has a lot more to offer than what you expect. With a booming arts scene, great beaches, hip cities and sunshine all year round, Florida has a bit of something for everyone. Start here with my basic Florida travel tips, or jump down below to read my latest Florida travel blogs.
When to Visit Florida
Florida, with its subtropical climate, is a year round destination, but probably the best time to visit is March to May when the sun is out consistently and the temperatures are not already too high. If you come in the summer months, it will be hotter and there’s more chance of wet weather (and potential hurricanes & tropic storms), but prices are likely to be a little lower, as this is a less popular time to visit.
The Florida Keys, and Key West in particular, are the southernmost spot in the continental USA, and therefore a great destination year-round thanks to its subtropical climate.
Look out for special events and festivals, such as the iconic Art Basel in Miami each December. Spring Break, in March, is oftentimes a busy season for most Florida cities and destinations (especially along the beaches), so unless you want to experience young generation Z kids and college students in drunk groups, it may be a good idea to avoid travel during that season.
Top Museums in Florida
Bass Museum of Art – This art museum puts on exhibitions from working and established contemporary artists from all over the globe and has an impressive permanent collection of classic art from as far back as the 7th century from Europe, the Americas and Asia.
World Erotic Art Museum – This fun museum also in Miami gives a fascinating look at erotic art from around the world including sculptures, drawings, paintings, and photographs.
Salvador Dalí Museum – The second largest collection of the Catalan artists’ work (outside of Figueres, his birthplace) is in St. Petersburg, Florida. As well as some of Dalí’s most iconic works, there are occasional visiting exhibitions from other greats like Warhol, Escher or Picasso.
Hemingway Home in Key West – One of the top attractions and things to do in Key West, Ernest Hemingway lived in this large house (with an even larger garden) for at least 10 years. It’s where he wrote many of his works, and the grounds are equally inspiring (even when crowded with tourists). Famous for his pet cats that still roam free, you can join a guided tour of the home and museum to learn more about the prolific writer’s life in Key West.
Florida Tours & Itineraries
With such varied cities and natural landscapes, Florida is a great place to consider taking a tour which will get you out into different parts of the state or cities you might otherwise overlook.
Typical Florida road trip itineraries run up and down the coast. But the most picturesque may be a road trip through the Florida Keys—a stretch of tropical islands off the southern tip of Florida, with gay-friendly Key West at the very end.
LGBTQ – Florida Gay Travel Guide
Overall, Florida may be on of the more conservative states in the US, but there are several big cities with lots of gay life, especially the largest city (and my favorite): Miami. Here are some of the other best gay cities in Florida.
Key West – One of America’s most LGBTQ-friendly cities, Key West has a long history as a gay hotspot. Thanks to a number of famous gay events, like Key West in June and Fantasy Fest in October, Key West has attracted gay travelers for decades.
Orlando – Aside from the theme parks (which are super gay, no matter what day of the year it is!), Orlando has a lot in the way of LGBTQ life with gay-friendly hotels, bars, clubs, parties and several different LGBTQ events taking place throughout the year.
St Petersburg – “The sunniest place to be gay” is the fun tagline for this city on Florida’s Gulf Coast. With several intimate gay bars, and plenty of gay-friendly mixed places, it’s a fun place for a night out, and in the day, there are plenty of opportunities to meet cute guys on the gorgeous beaches.
Miami – Miami, and its northern neighbor of Fort Lauderdale, is probably Florida’s most famous gay hotspot. Miami has some of the best food, events, parties, and gay beaches in Florida, and with its growing art scene (in Wynwood), it’s also attracting a slew of millennial and young travelers. Besides the many gay bars and clubs in Miami Beach, there are even explicitly gay hotels such as The Gaythering.
Fort Lauderdale – Known as the “Venice of America,” Fort Lauderdale offers a relaxed atmosphere. Wilton Manors, a neighboring town, is a gay haven. Stroll along Wilton Drive and discover numerous LGBTQ+-friendly establishments, from bars to shops.
Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg – The Tampa Bay area has a thriving LGBTQ+ community. Ybor City in Tampa is known for its gay bars and clubs, while St. Petersburg offers art galleries and museums that celebrate LGBTQ+ history.
More gay travel resources here.
Best Campgrounds Near Florida Ridge, Florida
Florida Ridge is home to campers who enjoy a serene escape that balances nature, relaxation and adventure. You’ll find some of the best campgrounds near Florida Ridge, FL, just a short drive away — Fort Pierce Downtown KOA Journey, Vero Beach Kamp, Okeechobee KOA Resort, Road Runner Travel Resort and Fort Pierce West KOA Holiday.
Whether planning a quick weekend getaway or a family camping trip, these campgrounds prove that a memorable Florida camping experience is within your reach.
- Fort Pierce Downtown KOA Journey — While this campground is open year-round, one of the best times to visit is in late fall or early spring if you’re an early riser. The cooler temperatures during these seasons are perfect for watching the sun rise near the Atlantic Ocean. This location gives you easy access to the historic Fort Pierce Waterfront and is ideal for a laid-back experience with plenty of nearby activities.
- Vero Beach Kamp — Vero Beach Kamp is open throughout the year and offers a peaceful camping experience for you and your loved ones. There are 120 hook-up sites across 14.5 acres of grass and oak trees. The campgrounds are located at the rear of the property to give you a cozy, rustic experience.
- Okeechobee KOA Resort — The Okeechobee KOA resort is 45 minutes from Florida Ridge. It’s one of the best-known and highly rated campgrounds in the area. It caters to all campers, offering RV sites, furnished deluxe cabins, camping cabins and deluxe tent campsites. The tropical vacation campground has a golf course, tennis, pickleball, a hiking trail and more activities.
- Road Runner Travel Resort — Road Runner Travel Resort is a short distance from Florida Ridge. It’s a hidden gem for campers who enjoy tranquility and comfort. The area provides easy access to Hutchinson Island Beach, Indian River and the historic Fort Pierce. This resort offers it all if you’re looking for rustic charm and scenic shores.
- Fort Pierce West KOA Holiday — Fort Pierce West KOA combines traditional camping with KOA’s signature service and quality. The well-maintained site offers RV spots, tent spaces, and more for families or couples looking for a rustic yet comfortable experience. You can enjoy access to the pool, KampK9, laundry room, children’s playground, community fire pit and more.
Florida Hotel Deals
Florida has plenty of cool and quirky hotels, as well as all the big chains you’d expect. Summer months are the busiest in the Sunshine State and I’ve found that using Booking.com, Agoda.com or Hotels Combined can be really useful for finding last-minute deals.
Follow @travelsofadam on Instagram for more travel tips!
Florida Travel Blogs
Florida is a BIG state and with plenty of things to see and do, it’s the perfect kind of place for a road trip. Here’s what you need to know to make the most of driving in Florida
Key West’s free spirit comes through its many nudist bars, dance clubs, and clothing-optional gay resorts. My personal favorite nude hotspots in Key West
Are you looking for the perfect beachfront villa located in Florida, so that you can truly make the most of your time in the Sunshine State? For the ideal place to relax, if you’re looking for an array of competitively priced oceanside villas that are simply the perfect place to stay as you indulge on …
The I-95 highway route from New England and NYC all the way down to Miami might seem long and daunting, but it’s a surprisingly easy route with some great places to stop along the way. Below are some highlights from the popular East Coast road trip thousands make each year.
One of the coolest music festivals I’ve been to — the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party in Miami with Pitbull, Ke$ha, Miley Cyrus, Krewalla and more!
My experience exploring Miami Beach for the first time as a young adult – what I liked about the beach and what I learned about Miami and South Beach