Miami, Florida seems to have something for everyone — from dancing the night away in South Beach to relaxing on the beach in the heat of summer. When you’re craving new experiences and a low-key setting, whisk your special someone away for a weekend of romance. There are numerous great destinations situated a few hours’ worth of driving from many Miami vacation rentals. Check out the seven best romantic weekend getaway spots from the city.
1. Cape Canaveral
About three hours north of Miami, you spend a weekend learning more about America’s Space Race. When you arrive in town, start with a visit to the iconic Ron Jon’s Surf Shop with its wide array of merchandise from surfboards and t-shirts to sand buckets and flip-flops. Take a tour of the Kennedy Space Center that starts at the visitor’s center. Hold hands as the center’s buses take you out to the buildings that the public can visit. After your tour, find a booth together and grab a bite to eat at the Orbit Cafe. Learn more about space and the cosmos when you take in a show at the space center’s IMAX theater.
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2. Key West
The three and a half hour drive down the Florida Keys to Key West might be the highlight of your weekend as you drive over bridges above the ocean that go on for miles and glide past beautiful, isolated keys. Once you reach your vacation destination, get ready to relax and take a tour of the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum with its six-toed cats that are the descendants of Hemingway’s personal kitty. Cuddle close together on the Old Town Trolley Tours Key West that drives past all the best attractions in town. Don’t forget to stop by the Southern Most Point Buoy to see the southernmost point in the United States.
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3. Marco Island
Learn to take life a little slower and spend some quality time together on Marco Island. This small beach community is close to the Everglades National Park, where you can take a tour and learn more about this unique ecosystem. If you’re faced with a rainy afternoon, stop by the Marco Island Historical Museum to learn more about the community’s rich history. Enjoy walks on the beach as the sun goes down. Choose a private tour with Marco Island Boat Tours to go out on the water to see the pods of dolphins flipping in the water and frolicking in the boat’s wake. Enjoy fresh seafood and romantic views from the patio of Mango’s Dockside Bistro.
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4. Fort Myers
In a little less than four hours of driving, you arrive on the other side of Florida and a weekend away in Fort Myers with its access to the Gulf of Mexico and warm, calm waters. This beach community was a hot spot for the wealthy to spend their winters in the late 19th and early 20th century. Take a tour of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates to see the gorgeous homes, research labs, and gardens located on 20 acres. Hop on a locomotive similar and experience the romance of train travel at the Railroad Museum of South Florida. This museum also has a nice collection of model trains.
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5. Naples
Plan to visit Naples in the spring and summer months to avoid the crowds of people avoiding the colder weather up north in the winter months. This beach town sits on the Gulf side of Florida and takes around three hours to reach. The smell of roses and fresh blooms are in the are at the Naples Botanical Garden. This garden covers more than 120 acres and features both native and non-native flowers, plants, and trees. Cuddle up together for the boat ride at the Naples Zoo and watch the animals playing on their individual islands. The Osteria Tulia is the place for a romantic dinner with its rustic feel and Tuscany-inspired Italian menu.
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6. Tampa
Less than a four-hour drive brings you to the bustling town of Tampa, and the chance to get out on the water in Tampa Bay. Little Harbor Watersports rents boats for a day or for the weekend so you can spend a day fishing quality together away from the rest of the world or zip around the lake. Put that fun, carefree feeling back in your relationship with a day at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. This amusement park features an African-animal theme and includes a separate zoological area. Hold hands together as you ride the roller coasters or watch one of the shows.
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7. Orlando
Orlando is all about putting the fun back in your romance. This Florida town is filled with theme parks. Experience the magic of Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom, and then have lunch together at a French cafe in Epcot. If you prefer Universal Studios, there are two-theme parks that feature rides based on the major motion pictures of this studio, including Harry Potter and Jurassic Park. Chocolate and romance seem to go hand-in-hand so find a booth and enjoy a romantic meal at the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium and Savory Feast Kitchen.
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