Best Time to Visit Florida by Season: a Local Guide (2023) - All-American Atlas (2023)

Palm trees. sea ​​breeze. Sand in places you didn't even know existed.

Find out when is the best time to visitFloridaisn't just a case of "it depends" (as so many other articles will tell you) because there are truly objective answers as to the best time to visit Florida.

The only thing that matters is what you prioritize and in this jam-packed travel guide to Florida by months we're going to break down all the pros and cons of visiting Florida any time of the year so you can figure out what suits your budget, weather preferences and your touring style works.

However, if you just want a simple answer...

The best time to visit Florida is from early January to mid-February, when the weather is usually nice, crowds are low, and outdoor use is at an all-time high.

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What to take with you to Florida

If you're not used to the Florida heat, here are just a few suggestions of what to bring with you most of the year, no matter whatPlaces in FloridaYou will.

• Reusable water bottle with filter- Orlando's tap water is pretty gross (and I'm saying that as a local who should know). So you should stay hydrated and not buy bottled water all the timeUse a reusable water bottle with such a filter
• Light walking shoes– You want breathable walking shoeslike theseto keep your feet cool while still being protected. Flip flops are great for pool days, but not for walking to theme parks
• Cooling towels- I am in lovethese reusable cooling towelsthat are easy to carry and fantastic to wear around your neck when the heat gets unbearable
• Sun protection for your car or rental car- There is nothing worse than having the interior of your car burn in the sun for hours while you are having fun.Use a shade screen like this oneso you don't burn your hands on the steering wheel (yes, that's one thing)

Best Season to Visit Florida

For many, winter is the best time of year to visit Florida as many people flee colder climates, but we'll break down each season below.

Spring in Florida

Florida is a popular spring break destination, and with good reason.

Not only is the weather gorgeous (not too hot and not too cold), but Florida this time of year is packed with events like the Flower & Garden Festival at Epcot, as well as many farmers' markets.

Early spring is usually better for both the weather and the crowds because the further into spring you get the more concerned you are with the rainy season and the kids coming home from school (i.e. a lot more Florida visitors!).

Sommer in Florida

While many people visit Florida in the summer because the kids are out of school, this season definitely has its ups and downs.

The pros are that it's going to be so hot that the fact that Florida is all about jumping in the pool, ocean, or water park makes a lot more sense (and a lot more fun), and summer is in some actually off-season places where you can get good deals.

However, summer is Florida's rainy season, so expect daily thunderstorms, and the humidity can be unbearable for many.

Fall in Florida

Florida residents breathe a sigh of relief in the fall as temperatures begin to drop and rain clouds begin to part a little.

Fall can be a busy time to visit Florida due to fall break, people wanting to escape the oncoming cold, etc., but September in particular, when most kids have only been back at school for a few weeks, can be a quieter one be month.

Events like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Orlando are great for families, and all of Florida is doing its best to capture the spirit of fall with pumpkin patches, though the weather may not feel quite as fall-like as elsewhere in the US.

Also, if you're expecting leaves to change color, you're in the wrong state unless you're in the panhandle (and even then, it's minimal!)

Winter in Florida

Winter in FloridaIt's absolutely booming with people from all over the world, including the infamous "snowbirds" who live in Florida during the winter and live in their home state (usually up north) the rest of the year.

Florida has a lot to offer this Christmas from ICE! at the Gaylord Palms to Santa Runs for Disney's Christmas celebrations.

The weather is typically warm but can drop to freezing temperatures (though usually only for less than a week at a time).

You could easily be clad in jeans and a heavy coat, or you could wear your shorts and a bathing suit.

On the plus side, however, winter is Florida's dry and sunny season. Even if it's a bit chilly outside, you're usually guaranteed a few days of great weather where you really feel like you're getting outdoors and exploring without breaking a sweat.

Best Month to Visit Florida

If you want the quick answer, February is the best month to visit Florida.

Read on to see why.

Florida in January

While January is the coldest month in Florida, the definition of "cold" is closer to daily lows of around 62 to 68 F, which feels practically mild for most other US locations.

It's also the dry season and New Year's Eve in Florida is a lot of fun, especially in Miami and Orlando.

The rush is high at the beginning of the monthFlorida im Winter when all are still on winter break, and then dropping lower for the middle to late of the month.

Florida in February

While it's still possible to have icy days in February, this is much less common with average highs of 65 to 75 F depending on which part of the state you are.

Crowds are manageable and relatively small, and there's so much to do outdoors without worrying about heat exhaustion.

This is still the dry season and with fewer crowds you can pick up some good deals in February.

Florida in March

March is another beautiful month in Florida, and the water in the ocean and pools overall gets warm enough for visitors to want to swim (although you'll only see a Floridian swimming in the summer, as it still feels chilly to them! )

Temperatures peak in the high 70s and low 80s, and you don't have to worry about hurricanes.

Due to the good weather conditions, tourism seems to pick up in March and is usually not a time for deals.

Florida im April

April continues the good weather trend in Florida, with highs in the low 80s statewide.

There is a lot of Easter and spring break around this time, making it a busy time to be in Florida (especially if you're looking for the best time to visit Orlando).

Although it's not the rainy season yet, you may see more clouds and rain in April than if you visit in winter or very early spring.

Florida im May

In May, the weather in Florida gets really hot (but not scorching yet, that's coming).

Crowds are higher as many children are starting to leave school and this is the month of transition from dry to rainy season so those afternoon thunderstorms will come into play.

Florida in June

In June, Florida is in full hot as the sun mode, with average temperatures in the 90's.

This of course makes it a great time to go to the beach but at this point you have a 100% chance of finding ways to deal with the heat and navigating as there is no chance they are not there will be.

While summer temperatures can be uncomfortable, many people flock to Florida in June when school is out and there are some stunning beaches.

Florida in July

July is the hottest month of the year and has many rainy days with heavy afternoon thunderstorms.

For this reason, it's typically the worst month to visit Florida, as the storms can easily spoil your beach days and the heat is so oppressive you don't want to do much outside.

People think July is busier than it is, but some people like to stay away during a Florida summer, so you can occasionally get good deals later in the month.

However, the 4th of July is always busy and crowded with people braving the beaches and theme parks.

Florida im August

August in Florida is more of the same summer weather with high humidity, but now is hurricane season too.

You can usually find some good deals in late August once the kids have gone back to school, but the heat and the chance of a hurricane canceling your vacation makes some people think twice about a trip to Florida in August.

Florida im September

September in Florida can be a low time for crowds, as can temperatures falling back to highs of 80 instead of 90.

However, this is the hurricane season in full swing. So visiting in September means you need to be up to date on the current storm situation.

You won't see any fall foliage, but you'll get a break from the scorching temperatures (although it will still be very hot), and it's still perfect bathing weather, making this a good month to visit.

Florida in October

Like March and April, October is one of the few months in Florida that can have absolutely gorgeous weather, as long as there's no hurricane.

Floridians like to get more outdoors when it's not so hot, so it's very popular to host festivals and events in the fall.

October is still the rainy season, but towards the end of the month it starts to fall off.

It also usually coincides with the autumn break, meaning October can be a busy month.

Florida im November

November is a great month to visit Florida as it typically offers good weather, fewer crowds and the start of the dry season.

Highs will start in the 70's, with a near 0 percent chance of cold fronts, meaning November is another pleasant vacation month in Florida.

Florida in December

Florida in December is far from calm, but for good reason.

Hurricane season is over, temperatures are among the best all year (low 70s, and there's so much to do with the upcoming holidays).

Disney and other theme parks really fill up as the holidays get closer, although you can usually snag some good deals in early December.

When to Visit Florida for the Best Weather

While winter is overall a great time to visit, spring is the best time to visit Florida if all you're concerned about is the weather.

March and April especially, when highs hover around 80F and lows a low 60C, the temperature is perfect for not needing tons of layers, yet warm enough to swim for many.

You won't be visiting during hurricane season, so you can cross that worry off your list and you won't get freezing days like other parts of the country.

Best travel time for Florida

The best time to travel to Florida is typically January and February before spring break and September.

You can often find better deals than you'd expect during the summer months, as Florida tends to draw a winter crowd, but that doesn't mean you'd find rock-bottom prices in the summer.

Least crowded time to go to Florida

January after the New Year and September tend to be the least crowded times to travel to Florida.

Florida is a huge family-friendly destination, and this correlates with when schools have just resumed their sessions.