Florida is the family vacation in its most concentrated form, the state where the world's biggest theme parks sit a short drive from warm, shallow beaches. Orlando is the engine room, with Walt Disney World and Universal for the headline magic, LEGOLAND for younger kids, and SeaWorld blending marine life with roller coasters. But Florida is more than the parks. The Gulf Coast hands over some of the calmest, softest beaches in the country, Clearwater, Siesta Key, and shell-strewn Sanibel, all gentle enough for toddlers, while the Atlantic side adds beginner surf at Cocoa Beach.

What rounds Florida out is the wild and weird stuff between the rides. The Everglades open up on an airboat among alligators and manatees, Crystal River lets families actually swim alongside the gentle giants, and the Keys deliver snorkeling and the turtle hospital at Marathon. For a different thrill, the Kennedy Space Center puts kids next to real rockets, and St. Augustine, the oldest city in the country, throws in a Spanish fort and pirate lore. The accommodation is purpose-built for families, from themed Orlando resorts to Gulf-front hotels with kids' clubs and water parks, many with family suites and on-site dining. With year-round sun and more attractions than any one trip can hold, Florida remains the benchmark other family destinations measure themselves against.