Coastal Florida in the Off Season

Everyone knows that the beach is the main attraction when it comes to Florida.  But what do you do in the off season when the temperatures are cooler, and the water is even colder?  Florida weather can be unpredictable, especially in the fall and winter seasons.  One week it feels like a beautiful spring day and the next week you are piling on layers of clothing.  Case in point, welcome to January in Florida.  Last week I was enjoying lows in the 50s and highs in the 70s with plenty of sunshine in Western Florida.  This week I will be enduring lows in the 20s and highs in the 40s and 50s in Northeast Florida.  So, when it’s not exactly beach going weather, what are your options?  There are actually a lot of activities you can enjoy when it is not ideal to hit the beach.  There is hiking, camping, golfing, fishing, whale watching, shelling, kayaking, boat rentals, bike riding, and horseback riding to name a few.  There are indoor attractions, historic landmarks, state parks, and even unique shopping villages.  There are also many annual festivals and events.  During the fall, there are sandcastle building competitions such as Sanding Ovations in Treasure Island or celebrations of music and art like the Great Gulfcoast Arts Festival in Pensacola.  During the winter, there are lighting events and boat parades such as Night of Lights in St. Augustine or food extravaganzas like the South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami.  Point being, there are a variety of activities or experiences for every type of interest.  You simply have to do your research to find the best fit for you or your family.  These were the things I was keeping in mind when planning for a short getaway in January.  Visiting coastal Florida during the off season not only gives you a different side of the state to appreciate, but it often can be easier on the budget.  During the week of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, many travel platforms were offering some great deals to compete with the rest of the commerce market trying to get a slice of the pie.  I took advantage of the opportunity to secure me a significant discount on a boutique hotel which I will be featuring in an upcoming post.  Furthermore, vacationing in Florida doesn’t have to break the bank.  If you are diligent enough, you can discover free attractions, discounted admission days, local secrets and other thrifty ways of exploring and enjoying many beautiful coastal communities.  With every coastal town I visit, I’m on a mission to find at least one such deal that meets or exceeds my expectations for a great experience.  In the coming weeks, I will share with you some amazingly free experiences I had on my brief escape to Western Florida.  Over the next year, I hope to highlight many seasonal activities and potentially uncommon experiences to give you a taste of something new and different to enhance your next coastal Florida vacation.  Be sure to check back each week to discover my latest featured destination, accommodation or restaurant.  Coming soon…Apollo Beach, Sarasota and Lido Key….