Great Romantic Getaways in Florida: Go Now

What are the best places in the world for a honeymoon? Recently I collaborated with travel writers to discover the best places for romantic getaways worldwide. However, when people ask me, ” What is your favorite vacation place?”, I say Florida. I know, I’m biased because I live here. But my husband and I keep discovering more places for romantic getaways in Florida. Since I originally wrote this post, we have experienced more romantic getaways for couples which I will share now.

Are you looking for ideas for romantic getaways in Florida? With endless beaches and couples destinations, you will never run out of photos and captions to post on Instagram after your trip. I compiled this list of romantic spots for Valentine Day retreats, but they are also great for a couples’ getaway any time of year. For more info on each location click on the full article. Also, to keep from being bored while traveling to your destination try these 60 road trip questions for couples.

If you want to step out of your comfort zone, plan a stay near one of these nude beaches in Florida for an all over tan.

This post contains sponsored links. Please read full disclosure if you would like additional details.

Romantic Getaway in Central Florida: Clermont

Sure Central Florida is home to action: endless roller coasters, theme marks, and nightlife. But just drive a few miles outside the hub to find a relaxing country lifestyle in Clermont, perfect for couples. Take a tour of a winery, along with tastings while listening to live music. Observe the view from the Citrus Tower, and then experience history at the Hall of Presidents. After that, play with fun loving kitties while sipping coffee at the Orlando Cat Cafe. Top your evening off at Friar Tuck’s British Pub.

Remote Getaway: Inverness

We tried something a bit out of our comfort zone for our trip to Inverness. We were trying to conserve money and decided to stay rent a room in someone’s home through Airbnb. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “How can that be romantic?!” Well, it was. Anyone who knows me knows I only book with superhosts and I always read at least 10-20 reviews before booking a place. This place was more of a private wing in a home out in the country. We had our own entrance and a bedroom, sitting room, and bath to ourselves.

Our hosts were amazing. We actually ended up hanging out with them one night and swapping stories over a few drinks. In addition to our private quarters, we had access to their kitchen so we could store and prepare food. We also had use of their outdoor grill area where we ended up cooking the best steaks of our lives.

Nearby was Rainbow Springs State Park where we went tubing. We spent evenings on the dock listening to local wildlife and reading. It was one of the most relaxing vacations I ever had. We never even considered turning on a TV.

Romantic Florida Getaways: Merritt Island

When we travel, we like to stay in unique places. This time we decided to stay on a sailboat. Just a warning, sailboats are camping on the water. They are not luxury resorts, and they require you to be fairly physically fit to stay on one. However, if you are looking for a little more adventure in your life, try this some time. There is nothing like watching the sunrise and set while sitting on the deck of a boat.

We also experienced karaoke with the locals at the marina bar. I just loved the small town atmosphere. Then we headed out for Cocoa Beach which was about half an hour away for a day of sun.

Star Wars Experience

No, I’m not talking about Disney’s Hollywood Studios or their new Star Wars experience. I am talking about a unique Airbnb that we discovered in Winter Haven. It’s called Gary’s World. Gary’s World is a one man theme park unto itself. There is a romantic VIP room, but I recommend going for one of the suites.

While we stayed here as a romantic trip, these suites are perfect for weekend getaways in Florida for families. There is the Florida suite which has a full kitchen and is decorated in Florida decor, with a private entrance. However, we chose the Star Wars Suite. It had a small kitchen, but the suite was big enough to accommodate a family of five easily. The living room is set up like a theater, but also has At-At bunk beds at the back for more sleeping space. We also enjoyed playing pool on the balcony.

While the Star Wars Suite was amazing, the tour of Gary’s World was just as fascinating. This mansion is crammed with movie memorabilia, horror scenes, and nature items from around the world. One of my favorites is the giant dragon and the Zoltar machine like the one from the movie Big. The tour is free, you just need to schedule a time with Gary.

If you like wine tastings, there are numerous wineries in central Florida. We made a day of touring some on our way to Gary’s World.

Looking for Hidden Romantic Getaways in Florida? Try Cedar Key

Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, just north of Tampa, lies Cedar Key. Where to stay? The Island Place Condos offers a quiet romantic spot. You can buy fresh seafood from Robinson’s before entering Cedar Key. Then cook a cozy dinner for two to eat on the patio overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Check out The Island Hotel for a cocktail and the beautiful murals which adorn the walls. While you can buy a few items at The Market, make sure to stock up on supplies prior to heading to Cedar Key as it is a remote location.

Romantic Hotels in Florida: Flagler Beach

Located on AIA just north of Daytona Beach, Flagler Beach has many tourist shops and restaurants right on the ocean. Where to Stay? We stayed at the White Orchid Inn. Just cross the street and you are on the beach. The Inn itself has a cozy homey feel and is designed for romance. We stayed in The Room With it All which had a two person Jacuzzi, large king size bed, and huge walk in shower.

In addition, the spa offers couples’ massages, and you can order a picnic lunch to eat on the beach. The Inn serves breakfast as well as a complimentary Happy Hour drink and appetizer. There is also a heated mineral pool. Subsequently, the resort offers a very personal experience.

Don’t forget some fun Valentine gifts to bring on your romantic getaways in Florida. Here are some sponsored links for gift ideas I have chosen especially for a couples’ weekend:

Romantic Getaways in Central Florida: Mount Dora

Mount Dora is located in central Florida north of Orlando. Although in Florida, the town gives off a New England vibe. With that in mind, antique shops and specialty stores abound. Where to Stay? We stayed in the center of town on Donnelly Street at the Heirloom Inn. It is listed as a B&B, but it doesn’t actually serve breakfast. However, the guest room we stayed in had a separate kitchen and living room, so we cooked some of our meals. Also a must is visiting Maggie’s Attic, located on Alexander Street. Maggie’s Attic is a quaint wine bar with friendly owners that treat you like family.

Visit Tarpon Springs for one of your Romantic Getaways in Florida

In the Tampa area on the west coast of Florida lies Tarpon Springs. This is an old Greek Sponge harvesting village. Where to stay? We stayed on a house boat we found through Airbnb. What can make for a more romantic weekend, than enjoying a glass of wine on deck of your houseboat while listening to live music from the local marina. Moreover, you can check out Miss Vicki’s for a drink and snack at the marina. Also take advantage of the Greek culture and make sure to check out of the many Greek Restaurants in the area.

Here are some sponsored links of great gift sets to add to your romantic Getaways in Florida:

Secluded Florida Getaways: Steinhatchee

Never heard of Steinhatchee? This is a small town on the west coast of Florida, up towards the panhandle. Where to stay? We stayed at Steinhatchee Landing Resort. If you are looking for a romantic cabin getaway in Florida, this is it. The resort has various sized cabins from honeymoon suites to multifamily vacation rentals. We stayed at Taylor’s landing which had a very large two person Jacuzzi in the bathroom.

Make sure to stock up on supplies before going. Steinhatchee is definitely off the beaten path, so bring whatever cooking supplies you need. The units have grills and kitchens so you can cook many romantic dinners for two. Highlight, the marina offers scallop diving excursions during the scallop season in the summer.

Panama City Beach

Known as a Spring Break destination, Panama City Beach can also be the perfect place for romance. Where to stay? There are many condos right on the beach. For example, we found a reasonably priced condo through Airbnb. We also brought our own food and cooked romantic meals to share over a bottle of wine on our balcony overlooking the beach. Likewise, you can spend lazy days on the beach swimming and going for romantic walks on the sand.

On the other hand, if you want more action there are plenty of bars and restaurants near by. In addition, many places rent paddleboards etc. If you want to spend a bit more, there are beach resorts and romantic hotels nearby perfect for weekend getaways.

Don’t forget some sexy lingerie and massage book to take along on your weekend of romance. Here are some sponsored links you might like:

Romantic Getaways in Florida on a Budget: Lee

Lee is a small town in northern Florida. Where to stay? There really isn’t much to do in this town but we stayed at the Homefield Advantage Farmstead which is a small working Alpaca Farm. We had a romantic glamping experience, but there are small barns and a camper to stay in as well. You can get a tour of the farm and get to feed the animals. Our tent was right in the Alpaca paddock, so we had alpacas coming up to us while we sat on our patio reading our books.

Deland

Another central Florida city, we stayed in Deland on our last night of our road trip to New Orleans. Where to stay? The Artisan Downtown has themed suites some which have Jacuzzi tubs. It also had the softest bathrobe I ever felt in my life. Our room had a lot of classic literature so we passed part of the evening reading the Legend of Sleepy hollow aloud to each other while sipping some wine.

The town has numerous murals painted on the buildings which you can view on a walking tour. We didn’t get to stay long enough to see the gem display at the museum or take a Didgeridoo lesson. However, we did get to make our own pancakes at the Old Spanish Sugar Mill at De Leon Springs State Park.

Please check ahead when traveling to any of these destinations in case anything has changed since we visited. Let me know if you have any additional information to add.

Donna Emperador is a travel and food blogger and copywriter. Donna believes in learning about different cultures while sharing good food and cocktails. She has lived in South Florida for over 20 years and enjoys spending time exploring the road to find unique places to share with readers. She can be found on Facebook,  Instagram, and Pinterest.