Tampa actually sits on Tampa Bay, not on the Gulf Coast, but it looks across the bay at Gulf Coast city St. Petersburg. It offers an abundance of non-beachy outdoor activities, including zip-line safaris, canoeing down Hillsborough River, and bass fishing. The Great Florida Birding Trail also runs through Tampa. It's right on Interstate 4, so you can be in Orlando at dawn and drive across the state to catch the sunset over the bay.

This is a more popular vacation destination than most people give it credit for, and it welcomes spring breakers: Major attractions include Busch Gardens and NASCAR. The historic district of Ybor City has undergone an artistic revival but still has lots of distinctive Latin flavor, from ethnic food to its cigar-making heritage. For stadium fan fun, cheer on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football, Tampa Bay Rays baseball, or Tampa Bay Lightning hockey teams.