Amanda PhillipsPicking just one stop whilst on holiday in Florida can be a challenge. The Sunshine State is home to multiple cities and beach-side towns that offer their own unique slice of Floridian culture. As multi-centre holidays increase in popularity, we encourage our holidaymakers to pick two (or more) must-see destinations to allow them to get the most out of their sun-drenched holiday.
Two of our top picks are the towns of Kissimmee (which is nicely snuggled in beside Orlando) and St. Pete/Clearwater, overlooking the shimmering Gulf of Mexico. Here are just a few reasons why they make the perfect twin centre Florida holiday.
Explore two sides of Florida
St Pete/Clearwater and Kissimmee both have a lot of similarities, but at the same time highlight two unique sides of the Sunshine State. Kissimmee offers a traditional Florida vibe with the Everglades tropical wetlands and local fairgrounds, while St. Pete/Clearwater is a quintessential beach holiday filled with water sports, beach-front eateries, and diverse culture in the downtown area.
You’ll need down time after the theme parks
Kissimmee’s main charm is its easy access to Orlando’s world famous theme parks, whereas St. Pete/Clearwater has a laid back vibe and is all about relaxing on its beautiful beaches. And as fabulous as the parks are, relaxation may be just what you need if you’ve had a few days of high-impact excitement. St. Pete/Clearwater is home to 35 miles of award-winning beaches, including the pristine barrier islands of Caladesi and Honeymoon Islands in Dunedin, where families and couples can play or relax next to the crystal clear waters.
Excellent shopping
Both Kissimmee and St. Pete/Clearwater boast tremendous local shopping – so there’s twice the opportunity to shop ‘til you drop. In both cities you’ll find speciality shops, local stores, artisan markets and independent boutiques where you can pick up some unique clothing or souvenirs.
Both are family-friendly
With its close proximity to the parks, Kissimmee is widely recognised as a family-friendly holiday destination. It’s not just the nearby Orlando that can offer adventure and thrills – Kissimmee itself is home to Fun Spot USA and Orlando Tree Trek Adventure Park. St. Pete/Clearwater is perfect for families with its water-based activities, Clearwater Marine Aquarium as well as pirate and sea-life cruises.
Both are close to a major airport
You don’t want to spend the final day of your twin-city break travelling back to your original destination for your flight. Thankfully Kissimmee is near Orlando International Airport, while St. Pete/Clearwater is 30 minutes from Tampa International Airport.
They’re under two hours apart
When it’s time to make the switch between the two destinations, you’ll only be 90 minutes in the car. And no matter which direction you’re travelling, all you have to do is drive onto Interstate 4 and you’re on your way.