Florida has long been known as a great place for a family vacation, with miles of beaches, world-famous amusement parks and thousands of restaurants.
With more than 400 cities to choose from, the experts at FloridaRentals.com have done some digging to reveal the best cities in Florida for a family vacation.
The brand-new index study released by FloridaRentals.com reveals Orlando is the best destination for family fun.
The experts indexed all 400 Florida-based towns and cities, ranking each destination against 20 factors to receive a score out of 100.
Rankings are based on factors including: average price of one week stay, average hotel rating, number of restaurants, boats and water sports attractions, water and amusement parks, zoos and aquariums, fun and games attractions and outdoor activities.
Famous worldwide as the home of the Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando tops the ranking, achieving a score of 77.45 out of 100.
With an average weekly cost of $1,786 and 261 fun and games attractions, the weighting system declares Orlando is the best Florida destination for a family vacation.
Orlando also achieves the highest number of spas and wellness facilities, with a total 146, perfect for relaxation after a long day of fun-filled activities. It also has the second highest number of restaurants, with 2,904 to choose from.
Ranking in second place is Tampa, achieving 76.87 out of 100. Tampa offers 118 different tours to choose from and has 33 games and entertainment centers.
The Gulf Coast city also has 52 gift and speciality shops, perfect for purchasing a souvenir or a gift for a loved one.
Taking third spot is Sarasota, achieving 76.10 out of 100, its hotels have an average rating of 8.17 out of 10.
Being the gateway to miles of beaches, five in total, with fine sand and shallow waters, such as Lido Beach and Siesta Key Beach, Sarasota is perfect for enjoying sea and sand with the family.
At the bottom ranking of the study was Lauderdale Lakes, with only 45 restaurants, 1 landmark and no games and entertainment centers.
A spokesperson for FloridaRentals.com commented on the findings.
“Florida is made for outdoor adventures, theme parks and of course it’s great weather all year long,” said the spokesperson. “With tons of destinations to check out, it is important to head to a place which is ideal for you and your family, especially if you have travelled from afar.
“It is no surprise Orlando tops the rankings, not only because of its world-famous theme parks, but for its wide selection of 2,904 restaurants and an impressive 516 tours helping families travel with ease,” the spokesperson added. “It is interesting to see Sarasota topping Miami in the rankings. Despite Miami’s huge selection of 578 tours and 3,537 restaurants, the average cost and star ratings of its hotels rank it below Sarasota. Sarasota’s hotels have great ratings, as well as its beautiful beaches and boat hire, perfect for families looking for a vacation filled with sunshine and waves.
“Places like Orlando have benefitted enormously since putting the city at the forefront of theme park entertainment. Attractions like Universal and Magic Kingdom make family visits that extra bit special,” the spokesperson concluded. Taking 400 Florida-based towns and cities, the index ranks each destination against 20 factors, receiving a score out of 100.
Factors measured are: average price of one week stay, average hotel rating, number of restaurants, boats and water sports attractions, water and amusement parks, zoos and aquariums, fun and games attractions and outdoor activities, concerts and shows, gift and speciality shops, visitor centers, shopping malls, tours, beaches, boat hire, scuba and snorkeling attractions, game and entertainment centers, bars and clubs, water and amusement parks, zoos and aquariums.