How to Plan a Florida Vacation

Choose an area to visit. Most major attractions in the state, including all amusement parks, are located in Central Florida. South Florida is famous for its beaches and the tropical Keys. The Kennedy Space Center and St. Augustine fort are located in Northern Florida.

Think about the activities you want to pursue there, and then choose a season to travel based on that. If you want to visit the parks when they're less crowded, you should avoid Easter week, holidays and spring break. If you prefer cooler weather, visit in winter, when temperatures average 73 degrees.

Decide on transportation. Daily flights to all major cities in Florida arrive daily from all over the country. During summer, airfare can be found for very reasonable prices and hotels offer large discounts to attract more tourists. Contrary to popular belief, summer is low season in Florida, as most visitors prefer to head south in winter, when the weather turns bad in their own areas. The Amtrak Auto Train is another transportation option. While more expensive than flying, taking the train gives you a chance to relax and enjoy the scenery and the many amenities on board, including a restaurant, movie car and music.

Look for accommodations. Florida is rich in golf resorts, and if your main goal is to spend time on the green, staying at a golf resort will end up saving you both time and money. Otherwise, the state also has hotels for all tastes and budgets, as well as numerous campgrounds and bed-and-breakfasts. In Central Florida, the Disney World Resorts offer luxury and convenience at decent prices.

Make a list of activities or places to visit. Even if your main goal is to golf while in Florida, you may still want to see what else the state has to offer. From water parks and behind-the-scenes studio tours to animal preserves and museums, most areas offer a plethora of choices. Once you locate an activity you like, make sure to visit their official website to check for special events, coupons or offers.

Have an itinerary in mind. You don't have to list specific times for your activities, but having an idea of what you want to do and when can make it easier to arrange transportation and plan your golfing times around it. Some attractions, like Busch Gardens in Tampa or Universal Studios in Orlando, require a full day, but that doesn't mean you can't make enough time to explore nearby attractions, such as the Ybor City State Museum in Tampa.