If the bumper stickers are to be believed, we live where everyone else vacations. But as more people move to Florida, it’s getting harder to find a getaway in our home state that actually feels like getting away. Breathing room is at a record demand, as all of our favorite hidden gems have become unearthed and flooded with new residents and visitors. For that reason, we set out to find some instate destinations that take you away from the crowded main streets and boardwalks for you to capture some quality leisure time.
Key Biscayne
The barrier island of Key Biscayne is home to such sedate beauty that it’s easy to forget it’s just a short drive away from the madness of downtown Miami. As you cross the Rickenbacker Causeway, the packed cityscape fades into memory and gives way to dense trees lining the sides of Crandon Boulevard, the island’s main thoroughfare that leads to Key Biscayne. The town has garnered a reputation for luxury, and as such, it’s only fitting that your stay should be at the island’s Ritz-Carlton.
In the heart of downtown Key Biscayne, the Ritz-Carlton places you in a prime position to enjoy all the island has to offer, though you may be just as tempted to never leave the resort. Start each morning by watching the sun rise across the Atlantic from the balcony of an oceanfront suite before indulging in the morning buffet along the terrace of Lightkeepers, the onsite go-to for breakfast. The rest of your day can be spent nursing a cocktail by the adults-only pool, or at the Havana-inspired Rumbar. And there’s always time for a deep-tissue massage from the spa.
Beyond the resort grounds, the town of Key Biscayne is flanked by two lush parks. On the northern end is Crandon Park, where you can walk or rent a bike and ride through the idyllic trails and observe the wildlife, or paddleboard along the calm blue waters of Biscayne Bay. Just a little further north is Virginia Key, with biking trails built for and by bicycle enthusiasts specifically designed with thrills in mind. To the south of town is Bill Baggs Park, where you can hike a nature trail through mangroves or visit the famous Cape Florida Lighthouse. Constructed in 1825 and then reconstructed in 1846 following a series of Seminole attacks, this landmark is the oldest standing structure in Miami-Dade and has stood sentinel through Civil War battles and hurricanes. As of this writing, the lighthouse is undergoing renovations but is expected to be completed by summer.
If you’re looking to absorb more local history, embark on a kayak tour of Stiltsville. The first stilted houses off the coast of Key Biscayne are believed to have been constructed between the early ‘20s and ‘30s by fishermen who needed a place to store equipment. In the succeeding decades, stilted “social clubs” (some with dubious reputations) were constructed, and Stiltsville became a draw for boaters and picnicking families. In the ‘40s and ‘50s, the stilted outpost housed the Quarterdeck Club, a leisure destination where upper-crust Miamians drank, gambled and socialized. At its peak, Stiltsville contained 27 standing structures, but many hurricanes later was reduced to the mere handful that remain today.
But if kayaking or paddleboarding doesn’t get the blood pumping enough, you can always visit Hobie Beach, the top destination for windsurfing in the area. Whatever adventure you choose, be sure to end your day with a meal at any of the town’s top restaurants.
For dining, one of the top spots we’ve found is right on the resort grounds of the Ritz-Carlton, Cantina Beach. This restaurant boasts the largest tequila selection in South Florida and specializes in coastal Mexican fare, including the typical favorites—fajitas, enchiladas and tacos. But it also gets a little adventurous with dishes like the braised short rib served with calabaza squash puree, ancho chili sauce and pickled red onion, or whole snapper Veracruz, served atop a bed of Mexican red rice.
Outside the resort, Ristorante Forchetta is the place to visit for white-linen Italian fare. Menu standouts here include the Linguine Nere ai Frutti di Mare, a pasta dish consisting of handmade squid ink linguine with clams, shrimp and calamari tossed in a white wine tomato sauce, or the Fiocchetti al Tartufo, with truffle-stuffed ravioli in a creamy truffle butter sauced that’s finished with shaved Parmesan.
Islamorada
As Key West becomes ever-more bustling, there’s never been a better time to put those long Duval Street nights to rest and enjoy a more quiet Keys getaway. Cut your trip down the long road of U.S. 1 (aka Jimmy Buffett Highway) short with a stop in Islamorada for a tranquil retreat that jettisons the chaotic nightlife in favor of extended lounging and quiet days at sea.
For accommodations, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more relaxing spot than The Moorings Village. This historic hotel sits upon 18 waterfront acres and is shaded by a canopy of more than 800 coconut palms. Originally a coconut palm plantation, the hotel has been a luxury escape destination for decades. Its picturesque settings and cottages have been used as backdrops for swimsuit covers of Elle, Vogue and Sports Illustrated and, more recently, its two-story Blue Charlotte cottage appeared as the family home of the Rayburns in the Netflix series “Bloodline.” Each of The Moorings’ cottages is Cape Florida spacious and cozy, with its own distinct charms and a porch that is ideal for kicking back with a cocktail and your favorite beach read.
For parents looking to leave the kids home for the weekend, The Moorings’ Calypso Cottage offers a romantic escape featuring floor-to-ceiling French doors that allow the natural light to spill in, with the beach mere steps away from the wraparound porch. If you’re bringing the family, the Tree House has an upstairs sleeping loft for the parents while kids have plenty of free space in the downstairs open living room area. From The Moorings, most of Islamorada’s attractions are within walking or biking distance.
Islamorada is world-renowned as a sport fishing destination, but novice anglers need not be intimidated when planning their own fishing excursion. There are more than a dozen options on the key for chartering an expedition, each guided by professionals to help you hook everything from tarpon and grouper to marlin and swordfish. Because of Islamorada’s prime location between the Atlantic and the Gulf, anglers can access an incredible diversity of sea life. The key’s oldest and largest fishing fleet, at Bud n’ Mary’s Marina, has been active since 1944 and has been frequented by the likes of actor Jimmy Stewart, Ted Williams and former President Harry Truman. More than 40 of the world’s top fishermen have established a home base at Bud n’ Mary’s, including Scott Stanczyk, who pilots the marina’s flagship vessel, Catch 22. And if you’re looking to catch a swordfish, who better to assist than Stanczyk, who spends 250 days a year fishing and has placed in just about every fishing tournament held on Islamorada.
For a more low-effort day at sea, there are also options for chartering dives and snorkeling. Float serenely through the clear waters while observing marine life, or those who are dive-certified can venture below the sea to visit The Eagle, a ship that wrecked offshore in 1985.
If you’ve got lousy sea legs, Islamorada also has options for landlubbers. The Morada Way Arts & Cultural District is a walkthrough of boutique shops with pieces from local artists. The district also hosts art walks on the third Thursday of each month, with live music, food trucks and displays. While you’re on land, be sure to carve out time for a visit to Islamorada Brewery & Distillery, the only brewery and distillery combo in the Keys, featuring favorites that fuel the taps of our South Florida bars.
For a key that only runs roughly seven miles, Islamorada manages to fit several great restaurants in a small stretch. Top of the list for us is Pierre’s Restaurant, a French fusion restaurant with Floribbean fare that occupies an Old World colonial-style cottage. The raw bar comprises roughly a third of the menu, a welcome ratio with selections like fresh Key West pink shrimp, spiny lobster likely plucked that day from the sea, and beef tartare served with an absolutely sinful truffle garlic emulsion.
But a visit to Islamorada isn’t complete without stopping by the key’s resident chophouse, Ziggie & Mad Dog’s. This Islamorada staple, once known as Ziggie’s Conch in the ‘60s until the late Miami Dolphin Jim “Mad Dog” Mandich bought it in 2005, is widely recognized as one of the premier steakhouses of the upper Keys, with perfectly cooked steaks paired with a dizzying selection of international wines. For best results, add a side of truffle mac and cheese and roasted sweet asparagus to your preferred cut.
The Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Disney World
A trip to Disney doesn’t exactly scream “rest and relaxation,” but throw in a stay at a five-star resort and spa along with a VIP pass that allows you to skip every line at the four parks, and you’ve got the makings of a magical getaway.
Disney has more than a dozen onsite resort options, but if you’re looking to have a more “grown-up” experience, look no further than the Four Seasons Orlando at Disney World. Recently rated as the best resort at Disney by U.S. News & World Report, the amenities and accommodations of this resort are every bit as indulgent as you might expect from the Four Seasons brand, and more. All suites are spacious and designed with leisure at the forefront, but we recommend opting for a lakeview suite for a terraced view of the property’s lake and onsite golf course or theme parks, so you can catch the dazzling nightly firework displays from the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.
Guests at Four Seasons Orlando also receive access to the resort’s onsite spa, which includes a revitalizing steam room, zero-gravity chairs for maximum lounging, and more. Treat yourself by booking any of the Spa’s services, such as the soothing four-handed Nirvana Massage or a detoxifying and exfoliating Healing Honey Treatment. The list of amenities goes on, but our highlights are the adults-only pool with food and drink service, tee time at the Tom Fazio-designed golf course, and a lazy river that winds gently around Explorer’s Island, the perfect family day retreat with water slides, a water park and splash zone.
Dining at the Four Seasons is on the same first-rate level as the accommodations. Onsite options include elevated Italian fare at Ravello, where Fabrizio Schenardi has cracked the code to the perfect tomato sauce. If you visit, be sure to try the polpettine: homemade meatballs with mortadella and prosciutto, topped with creamy mascarpone and slathered with decadent pomodoro sauce. The other onsite restaurant is Capa, the rooftop Michelin-starred chophouse that offers an impressive array of tapas and cuts in a sultry atmosphere. The steaks are obviously the main draw, with most arriving with a welcome dash of black garlic puree or a spicy, creamy piquillo sauce, but tapas like the Cinco Jotas Jamón Croquettes (Spanish ham croquettes) or the simple yet flavor-packing pan con tomate (fresh baked bread topped with tomato pulp) are sleeper hits worth sampling.
For your trip to Disney, it’s almost mandatory to invest in a VIP Tour if you want to catch everything the four parks have to offer. Prices range from a whopping $450-$900 per hour but skew to the lower end during the summer months. It’s well worth the cost to have an expert tour guide provide tips on the best the parks have to offer, and to skip the line at all attractions.
What’s new at Disney?
There are a wealth of new attractions at Disney to explore with your VIP ticket. Starting at EPCOT, Journey of Water is a vibrant walk-through oasis inspired by the world of “Moana.” One of the more thrilling additions to EPCOT is the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride, an indoor coaster that will zoom you across the galaxy as you watch stunning 3D space battles unfold before you. At EPCOT’s France pavilion, the world of “Ratatouille” is brought to life in 4D on the Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride. Passengers can experience the Gusteaus’ kitchen from the shrunken perspective of Remy as the rodent chef evades capture while trying to cook. New dining options at EPCOT include Shiki-Sai Sushi Izakaya for traditional Japanese fare and Space 220, an interstellar experience that simulates a dining room 220 miles above the Earth’s surface.
Over at the Magic Kingdom, the new TRON lightcycle ride is a techno-psychedelic delight that will race you to the furthest edges of the Grid, the digital playground from the 1982 film. Magic Kingdom also now features a crew of new characters, including Mirabel from “Encanto” and the Hatbox Ghost at the Haunted Mansion attraction. Guests can also enjoy a revamped fireworks display complete with lasers and special effects.
Hollywood Studios has in recent years undergone the biggest changes of the Disney parks. For a trip to a galaxy far, far away, tour Galaxy’s Edge, the park’s re-creation of the rugged jungle planet of Batuu. Become a true Jedi at Savi’s Workshop, where you can construct your own lightsaber, create your own droid companion at the Droid Depot, and wander through the ships and storefronts inspired by “Star Wars” lore.
During your travels, embark on a thrilling smuggling run onboard the Millenium Falcon or a starship battle against the First Order. You’ll be glad you’ve got the VIP package for this one, as queues can climb upward of 80 minutes during peak times. After saving the galaxy, venture over to Toy Story Land for a visit with the franchise’s most beloved characters—and smoky bites at the newly opened Roundup Rodeo BBQ.
Anna Maria Island
This hidden gem requires a cross-state trip, but the feeling of stepping out of a time machine into Old Florida is well worth the trek. You can’t get much more mom-and-pop than this barrier island on Florida’s Gulf shore. Anna Maria Island eschews the high-rises and chain restaurants that we’ve become so accustomed to in favor of preserving its small-town charm. Think Key West without the chaos—just quaint, lively and picturesque.
For your stay, we recommend Waterline Villas & Marina. This boutique hotel is within walking distance of the soft, sugar-white sands of Holmes Beach, and offers rooms with stunning balcony views of the marina. The hotel’s vibe is total coastal chic, with architecture that evokes the warmth of a cozy northeastern cottage. Waterline is also at a prime location in the center of the island which, combined with onsite bike rentals, makes for breezy traversal to the local restaurants and attractions.
Anna Maria Island is famous for its immaculate beaches. Among the three cities of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach, which share the island, there are miles of pristine coast to enjoy. For a blissfully quiet beach day, head out to Bean Point at the northern tip of the island. From this vantage, you can take in panoramic views of Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg’s Sunshine Skyway Bridge. If you’re looking for a more active outing, opt for a kayaking tour of the island. Florida Blue Adventures hosts guided kayak tours along the clear waters of the island’s coast, where you can catch glimpses of dolphins and manatees, and add a few unique seashells to your collection. For travelers who are bitten by the shopping bug, the historic Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach is the place to visit for boutique shops, and also a great location for coastal bites and lively bars.
You don’t have to be a seafood fan to enjoy dining on Anna Maria Island, but it certainly helps. At The Beach Bistro, savor a unique tasting menu while enjoying sweeping views of the Gulf that juxtapose a sultry, mahogany interior. Menu highlights include poached Gulf shrimp and Maine lobster cocktails, grouper Grenobloise in a buttery lemon caper sauce, and duckling confit. For more fine-dining fare, look no further than Waterline Villas’ white-linen Château Anna Maria. Its globally inspired menu includes a horseradish panko-crusted Chilean sea bass, a coco espresso chili-rubbed pork loin, a grilled Chateaubriand served with blue cheese potato au gratin, and more.
Visitors to Anna Maria Island who enjoy a little sand on their toes at dinner can visit The Sandbar. Developed by Ed Chiles, the son of former Florida Governor Lawton Chiles and a pioneer in the sustainable tourism industry, this beachfront restaurant harkens back to a Florida without high-rises and McMansions, when the only way to visit Anna Maria Island was via boat from Tampa. The restaurant was built on the site of The Pavilion, an early 20th century hangout that burned down in 1946, before being reconstructed as The Sandbar in 1979. Today, The Sandbar continues to honor the community spirit of The Pavilion with alfresco beachfront seating and seafood sourced from Florida’s waters.
The Boca Raton
We couldn’t form a list of perfect getaways without including The Boca Raton. Visitors from all over the world flock to this award-winning resort—one that we’re lucky enough to have in our own backyard. The Boca Raton has been synonymous with luxury and leisure for nearly a century, and with its recent, sweeping “reimaginations,” it’s the perfect time to revisit this local institution.
This year, The Boca Raton debuted its highly anticipated Tower Suite Collection, which transformed the top five stories of the famous pink tower with 11 signature suites that redefine modern coastal elegance. Developed by Rockwell Group, these sleek new suites offer sweeping views of Lake Boca Raton and the Atlantic, as well as ample room to roam with oversize bathrooms, vast living areas, media rooms and workout rooms stocked with equipment from Peloton. And if you think the view just can’t get any better, ascend to the newly renovated Top of the Tower on the top floor, the tower’s crowning jewel and an amenity offered only to Tower Collection guests. Soak in dazzling views of Boca Raton from the highest point in the city, relax with a travel book from the lounge’s Assouline library, and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres by Chef Mirella Flores.
Along with its new accommodations, The Boca Raton has also debuted new activities as well as enhancements to its Forbes Five-Star Spa Palmera. The spa recently introduced its Wellness Collection of assorted therapies, which focus more on the flow of energy between the mind and body. New treatments include sound vibration therapy, which harnesses frequencies and tones that realign your energy down to the cellular level; reflexology, which targets specific points of the feet to spread healing to other areas of the body; and the soothing Indian massage traditions of Abhyanga and Shirodhara. Following a relaxing experience at the spa, it’s play time at any one of the outdoor activity options on the resort grounds.
Like most of South Florida, The Boca Raton has also been bitten by the pickleball bug. But with six lit courts, twice-daily open play, and player clinics for perfecting your game, its facilities cater to newbies and veteran “dinkers” alike. But if you’re more comfortable with a club than a paddle, make a tee time at the resort’s onsite championship-level par 18 course.
There is no end of diversions at The Boca Raton—despite the fact that Beach Club is undergoing extensive renovations this summer. A luxurious can’t-miss amenity at Harborside are the private cabanas. At the all-ages pool are cabanas that are perfect for lounging with the whole family, while at the adults-only pool, delightful shaded enclaves feature chaise lounge chairs and TVs. To take your cabana experience to the next level, check out the new Ferrari-themed cabana at Harborside. This exclusive cabana at the adults-only pool is modeled after the sleek interiors and leather detailing of the famous car.
If you’ve never experienced dining at The Boca Raton, chances are it will take you more than one getaway to fully savor its 15 onsite restaurants. For Italian fare (and an unforgettable Sunday brunch), visit Principessa Ristorante, which presents authentic Northern Italian dishes from scratch-made ingredients served over a gorgeous view of Lake Boca. To enjoy light bites and an after-dinner espresso in a secluded, romantic setting, Cloister Courtyard is your top choice. If fine dining is more your speed, visit Flybridge, where esteemed chef Peter Annewanter whips up delectable three-to-fivecourse meals that rotate regularly to keep pace with the freshest seasonal ingredients and Annewanter’s eclectic inspiration.
We also recommend carving out time to visit Japanese Bocce Club, one of the resort’s newer concepts, which puts a modern spin to traditional Japanese fare. This restaurant is one of the resort’s go-to nighttime hangouts for its sleek and elegant ambiance, festive cocktails, and of course the outdoor bocce courts that are lit with soft glowing lights that hang from palm trees to illuminate a game with friends and family under the night sky.
For another great getaway experience, check out this Web Extra from the May/June 2024 issue of Boca magazine.
