2 Florida Cities Make List Of Best Places To Visit In America

Growing up in Illinois, the Sunshine State was always a place we came on vacation, so it comes as no shock that 2 Florida cities have made a list of the best places to visit in America.

Florida is an obvious choice when it comes to choosing a destination for a vacation. I grew up in Chicago and between Clearwater Beach and Orlando, we would come to Florida often. It's really the reason I decided to live here. Vacations never seemed to last long enough. And retreating back to the cold north, especially on those holiday vacations was never something I looked forward to. Between the beautiful beaches on both coasts, theme parks and year-round warm weather activities, it makes for a great state to visit.

The first of the two cities that made Forbes list of the Best Places to Visit in America is Destin- Fort Walton Beach. I've actually never been up to the Florida panhandle, but the water there looks so insanely gorgeous. Forbes mentions activities like reef diving, snorkeling and beach walks. Plus restaurants like Rockin Tacos, Brotula’s Seafood House or Lulu’s, which is owned by Jimmy Buffett's sister Lucy.

The second Florida city that made the list is a little closer to us here in Southwest Florida: St. Petersburg. I absolutely love that city. There's so much to do and it's so beautiful between the beaches and St. Pete pier, museums like the Dali Museum and the Imagine Museum featuring glass art.

Other cities that made the top 10 list include:

I absolutely love living in the Sunshine State and one Florida city has been named one of the happiest towns in America.

Growing up in the cold north in Illinois, all I ever wanted to do was live in Florida. Since I've moved here to Fort Myers, I feel like I'm happier than I ever have been. No snow to shovel, no ice to scrape..can you tell I hate the cold? I love having things to do year-round, gorgeous beaches to enjoy and being able to be outside all the time brings me so much joy. Many people dream of living here. I always hear "you're so lucky to live in paradise." But really, it's not about luck at all. It's about making a decision, and doing it. And when you do, especially if you come here from a cold climate, you'll be happier too.

Active lifestyle enthusiast magazine Outside wanted to find the happiest towns in America. They looked at things like outdoor access, affordability, safety and diversity among other things. They started with a list of 300 contenders and carefully narrowed it down to 15. One Florida city, not far from us here in Southwest Florida made the list of the happiest towns. While they're all very different and from different parts of the country, one thing they have in common are very happy residents.

Talk about a place with beautiful scenery. If getting outside and enjoying all the city has to offer is on your list, there's over 200 parks and over 500 miles of trails for cross-country skiing, hiking and dog mushing.

Charlottesville is located in the Blue Ridge Mountain foothills. The city often lands on lists for the best cities as well.

When it comes to being active, Cincinnati has lots of options. Bikers have a 2000+ mile Underground Railroad bike route plus a 4800 mile North Country National Scenic Trail to enjoy. Paddlers can kayak or canoe down the Little Miami River. The city also has over 350 parks and rec areas.

Frederick is located in the western part of the state, just an hour from Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Every year, tall antique bikes take to the streets with their high-wheel bike race through town. Catoctin Mountain Park, Cunningham Falls State Park, and Gambrill State Park are right there too, perfect for hiking, backpacking and biking.

Glenwood Springs is home to the world’s largest mineral hot-springs pool. Plus, lots of hiking, biking, and kayaking.

Harrisburg is home to Hershey Park and features a great art scene and 25 parks. The city was also ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the best place to live in PA and the second-best place to retire in America.

Hood River is located on the Columbia River Gorge about 30 miles north of Mount Hood. If you're looking for a place where you can do it all- windsurf, kiteboard, foil, mountain bike- this is your spot.

Madison is a big college town, but also offers lots to do, as it sits between two lakes and has more than 280 parks. Madison is also home to the largest farmers market in the country and offers lots of trails for hiking and biking. The Taste of Madison fest over Labor Day Weekend is a must-do too.

It might be cold in the winter, but in the summer the "Land of 10,000 Lakes" is booming! You'll also find a great performing arts community and a tasty culinary scene.

New Orleans is such a magical city. I love the sounds of the music, the smell of the food and the history of the Big Easy.

If you want to be close to a big city, but not IN a big city, Plano is perfect for you. Being a suburb of Dallas, Plano takes pride in its parks. With 85 of them, many public swimming pools and water parks, nature preserves and sports fields, there's something for everyone.

The Biggest Little City isn't just for gambling. Reno has lots of things to keep you active like a whitewater park, climbing gyms, a summer arts festival and craft breweries.

St. Petersburg is perfect for those who love the beach, sports, the arts, and being able to spend time outside year-round. Paddleboarding, fishing, museums and attractions like the African American Heritage Trail will keep you immersed in nature and culture.

Tacoma is located just over 30 miles south of Seattle. You'll find over 40 miles of shoreline, over 100 parks, museums and waterways for paddling and whale watching.

I've never been to Delaware, but I heard wonderful things in particular about Wilmington in the summer. Residents love the proximity to big cities like Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C.. Wilmington is also very walkable with plenty of parks and a beautiful riverfront.