10 Best Places to Go in Florida

I've lived in Jacksonville, Florida, for over 30 years. The city is mainly known for its beaches and sports teams.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Lexi Matejeck, a travel influencer. It has been edited for length and clarity. 

Itching to squeeze in a last-summer getaway before Labor Day but worried about the cost? Good news: There are still plenty of affordable destinations with cheap flights and hotels, according to Priceline, which just released data showing the most significant summer 2023 travel trends until Labor Day.

Late last year, I was itching to leave my hometown of Los Angeles and booked a short trip to the East Coast. But, as soon as I boarded my return flight, I realized I couldn't wait to get back home.

Looking for a new museum to add to your travel to-do list? TripAdvisor (SmarterTravel’s parent company) has released the Travelers’ Choice Top 25 Museums of 2018, including the top 10 worldwide and the top 10 in the United States, with some surprising frontrunners. The findings also highlight bookable ways to see each winner—think VIP tours and scavenger hunts—with some offering the added perk of allowing you to skip the lines to get in.

The best place in the U.S. to buy a vacation home is Sevierville, Tennessee, in the foothills north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That’s the lead finding of a new report from Vacasa, the major vacation home rental site. The report names the top 25 locations for buying a vacation home based on capitalization, or “cap rates,” which is a ratio of home cost and the income a property can produce by being rented out.

The esteemed Dr. Beach has released his annual list of America’s top ten beaches, and you’ll want to visit all of them this summer—doctors orders.

A new report from Scott’s Cheap Flights sheds light on a somewhat complicated travel question: Which cities are the best origin for booking affordable, international flight routes? When it comes to finding the best airports for cheap flights, there are a lot of factors at play: Steady demand, competitive service from multiple carriers, and a robust network of international flights are just a few.

The late great Anthony Bourdain once said “without Montreal, Canada would be hopeless.” Of course this isn’t true as Canada has many charms but it’s fair to say that the Anglo francophone city is a sheer delight, from both a culinary and cultural perspective. This unique melting pot of cultures, set on an island in the St. Lawrence River, is the birthplace of Leonard Cohen, Mordecai Richler, Arcade Fire, Cirque du Soleil and jazz legend Oscar Peterson.

As millions of people experience record heat this summer around the world, the waters in Florida are seeing a dramatic rise in temperatures as well. This week, meteorologists are keeping a close eye on the water as it may have hit a global record.

I was born and raised in Orlando, Florida, where I spent 18 years soaking up the local charm before moving to Tallahassee for college. I've traveled all across the state — from the panhandle to the Florida Keys — for 22 years, so I've learned quite a few things. 

Melbourne is a vibrant and diverse city with a rich culture, delicious food, exciting sporting events, stunning natural scenery, and friendly people. Whether you’re interested in art, music, theater, sports, food, or the outdoors, you’re sure to find something to love here. These Melbourne Airbnbs put you in the heart of Australia’s most vibrant city.