It’s Now Even Easier to Get to These Popular Florida Destinations for the Winter

What to Do in Daytona Beach

Welcome to the “World's Most Famous Beach.” Daytona Beach’s hard-packed sands began enticing racing enthusiasts in the 1920s, but the modern-day destination goes beyond seaside activities and fast cars—although the Daytona 500 at the Daytona International Speedway is certainly one of the most popular events in the winter. There are state parks, museums, nature trails, and one-of-a-kind shops to explore, plus an old-fashioned beach boardwalk rich in coastal nostalgia.

Kick off your Florida getaway by checking into The Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach Shores, just eight miles from the airport. The oceanfront property has incredible views and beach access, making it perfect for those travelers who like to throw on a light sweater and walk barefoot in the sand (the winter highs in this part of Florida hover around 68 degrees Fahrenheit).

Daily yoga sessions, a delicious weekend brunch, and relaxing evenings toasting s’mores by the beachside firepits may tempt you to stay at the resort the whole time, but save room in your schedule to explore some of the greater Daytona area’s other highlights. Drive a real race car around the speedway track during the NASCAR Racing Experience, held multiple days a month; rent a bike to cycle along the Sweetheart Trail, which takes you through historic downtown Daytona Beach; and visit the Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art, known for housing the “largest collection of Florida art in the world.”

Before hopping on your JetBlue flight back up north, make sure to get your fill of seafood at Hull's or RiverGrille on the Tomoka in nearby Ormond Beach, or head further south to Aunt Catfish's on the River in Port Orange.

What to Do in Vero Beach

Southeast of Orlando and north of Palm Beach and Miami, Vero Beach is a delightful corner of Florida that appeals to those who like their vacations to be low-key and uncrowded but still brimming with sophistication. If that sounds like your type of retreat, book an oceanfront king suite at Costa d’Este Beach Resort & Spa. Owned by Emilio and Gloria Estefan, the 94-room resort provides guests with all of the best amenities: beachfront lounge chairs, beach cruiser bicycles, sunrise yoga classes, and even kayaks and stand-up paddle boards you can take out and paddle over the wreck of the S.S. Breconshire.

Guests who prefer land exploration to water-based activities will find plenty to keep them busy in Vero Beach in the winter. A stroll through McKee Botanical Garden is a must; the 18-acre jungle paradise is a Florida Heritage Landmark and home to thousands of plants, including incredibly tropical plants from all over the globe. The Vero Beach Museum of Art is also just a short one-mile walk from Costa d’Este. Peruse the museum’s permanent collection, but don’t miss the “American Made” exhibition. Through June 2026, visitors can check out works from American artists like Benjamin West, Sarah Miriam Peale, Edward Moran, and Charles Alston.

Keep your energy up between activities with coffee from Grind + Grape, the buttermilk pancakes at The Lemon Tree, tacos from El Sid Taqueria, and fresh seafood at Waldo's Restaurant & Bar, a Vero Beach staple. And if you don’t want to leave Florida without some sort of souvenir? Stop by Schact Groves & Market for local treats (you’ll have to drink the famous fresh-squeezed orange juice before boarding your plane home, though).

What to Do in Palm Coast

Instead of staying in the Daytona area after landing at DAB, hop in an Uber or rent a car to drive to Palm Coast, Florida. In just about 45 minutes, depending on traffic, you’ll arrive at your base camp for your vacation: Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Not only does the property put you conveniently between the beach and downtown Palm Coast, but it also has two award-winning golf courses—one designed by Jack Nicklaus, the other by Tom Watson.

When you’re not teeing off (or getting a massage at the resort’s spa), get your steps in along the four-mile Graham Swamp Trail, admiring the wildlife along the way. For more time in nature, go hiking, birding, or fishing at the 425-acre Washington Oaks Gardens State Park.

Back at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, a handful of dining options await, with everything from Stix Authentic Sushi and Loggerheads Sports Pub to the Atlantic Grille and the award-winning Delfinos Italian Chophouse. But when you’re craving some good old-fashioned Southern barbecue? Head off property to Captain's BBQ for pulled pork, brisket, and all the fixings.

Explore more destinations in the Southeast and across the Benchmark Resorts & Hotels portfolio, a collection of distinct, independent properties by Pyramid Global Hospitality. Located in diverse destinations across the globe, Benchmark’s resorts and hotels reimagine immersive travel, inspiring guests to create memories born from meaningful exploration, authentic moments, and innovative experiences – no matter the occasion. Benchmark guests can earn complimentary gift cards, on-property perks, and destination experiences through the collection’s signature Mosaic Rewards program.