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For those of us who can’t be bothered renewing our passport just to fly somewhere sunny this season, Florida is always there with its 230-250 days of sunshine a year, endless miles of powdered sugar sands, and warm seas.
Don’t get us wrong—we love a little Cancun escapade ourselves, but you know what they say: East or West, home is (oftentimes) best.
If you’re keen on a staycation this time around, you should know there are 2 gorgeous Floridian beach cities that have made it to U.S. News‘ Top 30 Best Places to Visit in the USA for 2025, and they’re Caribbean-hot in spring:
Destin
An offbeat coastal town in northwest Florida, part of the lesser-known Emerald Coast, Destin is best known for its immaculate white-sand beaches––exceptionally white, we must add, due to their quartz crystal composition––and teal-colored waters.
With its temperate climate, boasting high temperatures from 71°F to 77°F and rarely raining or dipping below 65°F, it is the closest you can get to a Mexico-style, off-season getaway in April, minus the occasional Mayan ruin and Tulum crowds.
Other than lounging by the main beach, lined with a selection of reasonably-priced boutique hotels, including this Comfort Inn where an overnight stay will set you back $170, you’re welcome to indulge in Destin’s world-famous seafood scene.
From Brotula’s signature corn-on-the-cob and seafood platter to the delicious blackened shrimp Po Boy sandwich (with a side of onion rings) served at Lulu’s Destin, even the best-trained of taste buds are in for a treat here.
After all, Destin started as a fishing village, and throughout its history, it’s been widely recognized for its well-equipped fleets and exceptional fishing.
It’s also a great little spot for nature walks: the Destin Harbor Boardwalk unfolds along an azure ocean, leading to more beaches beyond the well-frequented Miramar, and to the south of town, Henderson Beach State Park is traversed with tall dunes and teeming with marine life.
The closets major airport to Destin is Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport, hosting flights from numerous cities: it is particularly popular for Atlanta departures, as well as Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Nashville, and Minneapolis, with prices starting around $113 on some routes.
Key West
The second Florida gem to feature on the U.S. News list is Key West, an island-municipality and Florida’s southernmost point.
It is so south it lies only 78 nautical miles away from Cuba, and as it belongs to the wider Florida Keys archipelago, it is surrounded by colorful coral reefs and the bright-blue Gulf sea.
If you’re flying to Key West primarily for a beach break, just know you’ll be spoiled for choice:
There are countless swimming spots to choose from, though a half-mile-long Smathers Beach, backdropped by tall palm trees, and a crescent-shaped Fort Zachary Taylor beach, hugging crystal-clear waters and bordering a pre-Civil War stronghold, are top picks for beginners.
It’s a balmy 80°F to 83°F in town in April, with lows of 75°F on average in the evenings, so chances are you won’t want to stray too far from the nearest body of water, but don’t miss out on Key West’s unparalleled, and much-underrated cultural offer:
Other than being a tropical paradise, it has a picture-perfect historic center sprinkled with pastel houses and museums, including the landmark Ernest Hemingway Home and the ‘Little White House’, a 19th-century architectural gem that temporarily housed Harry S. Truman as president.
The bustling Duval Street is flanked by quirky art shops and diners, and if you’re looking for a good time on a Friday night, Sloppy Joe is an iconic local bar pouring draft beer and yummy grubs since 1933––and they even have a tap room for sports-watching!
The best way to experience Key West is from the water, and this sunset sailing trip with open bar, food and music from only $62.96 will offer you all some epic coastal panoramas (and an incredible selection of appetizers).
Looking for a hotel that won’t break the bank? The adults-only, pool-equipped Nyah, a short 15-minute walk from the Ernest Hemingway Home, has the best value for the upcoming season, with room rates starting from $182.
Flying to Key West, the top domestic markets are Atlanta, Charlotte, Miami, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Philadelphia––from any of those major hubs, you can usually find one-way flights for around $80-100, though it’s worth noting airfares depend on demand, season, and availability.
Vinicius Costa
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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