Whether travellers are looking for new places to stay, take a trip to one of the many theme parks, or experience a part of the state they may not have known, Florida has a host of new things to explore in 2024. Read on for just a small sampling of what’s new and coming in the Sunshine state this year:
FORT LAUDERDALE
Porter Airlines has expanded its Florida offering from Eastern Canada with flights from Toronto- Pearson and Ottawa, departing for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Connections from the West to YYZ with Porter make it easier to reach the south Florida destination. Also, the Disney Cruise Line terminal opened in Fall 2023 and features a “Finding Nemo” theme.
THE PALM BEACHES
To meet demand, Palm Beach International Airport (PBI) is undergoing a multi-million-dollar project at Concourse B, part of a phased modernization program for PBI. The first phase will include a new 280-sq.-m. restaurant and restroom expansion. Other updates will consist of an overall refresh, an integrated nursing suite, a sensory room to create a calming space for travellers with autism and more. Meanwhile, from January to September, The Palm Beaches welcomed nearly 254,000 Canadian travellers to the destination, representing an 18.4% growth from the year prior’s 214,500 Canadians and a nearly 16% increase from 2019’s 219,000.
MIAMI
Newly debuted Zuri is a hidden riad in the heart of Miami’s artistic Wynwood neighbourhood that offers a modern interpretation of an experience deeply rooted in Moroccan traditions. Zuri guests can gather and enjoy a Moroccan and Mediterranean menu with innovative cocktails and music that will let their minds wander to North Africa.
FLORIDA KEYS
Visitors to the Florida Keys can now discover the island chain’s unique eco-attractions and environmental offerings by using the free Florida Keys Eco-Experience Trail pass. The mobile-exclusive digital pass enables users to check in at area businesses and earn points while exploring the rich natural world and wildlife of the continental United States’ southernmost island chain. Created by the Florida Keys tourism council and technology company Bandwango, the Eco-Experience Trail pass includes nearly 50 geo-tagged, bookable activities that encourage engagement with the Keys’ environment and sustainability initiatives. Other activities and offerings are to be added in 2024. Access via fla-keys.com/experience.
ORLANDO
Evermore Orlando Resort, a next-gen vacation rental resort, and Conrad Orlando, the latest addition to Hilton’s contemporary luxury hotel brand, are now accepting reservations for stays beginning Feb. 5. The re-imagined, 10,000-bedroom complex will offer an array of stay experiences from single homes and villas to flats. The Conrad Orlando will feature 433 rooms, including 51 regular suites and 10 spacious family suites. Other features include meeting space, a tranquil spa, various water amenities, numerous dining options, and a signature rooftop experience.
TAMPA
The popular Epicurean Hotel has opened the doors to its $21-million expansion, giving foodies, connoisseurs of life, and culinary explorers even more to love in the stylish Hyde Park district of South Tampa. Located directly across Howard Avenue from Epicurean’s 137-room main hotel, the expansion adds 51 new guest rooms and suites, a private lobby, meeting space, and rooftop terrace. The new four-storey structure features a classic, crisp white exterior, historic façade, and lush, green landscaping, and adds two floors of parking with an additional 91 spaces. The project also incorporates two fully restored apartment buildings which are scheduled to open later this spring.
ST. PETERSBURG
The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club, Autograph Collection in St. Petersburg has announced a partnership with St. Pete’s Dalí Museum, recognized as the most visited single artist museum in America. The Dalí Museum partnership designates the Vinoy as the official hotel partner for its “Dalí & The Impressionists” exhibition (running through April 18), which will feature a diverse selection of 22 French Impressionist paintings by 18 artists, many of which are on view for the very first time in Florida. As such, the hotel has introduced two exclusive room packages that include tickets to the exhibition and more. See the hotel web site for full details.
BRADENTON
The Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, operated by Gulf Coast Water Taxi, is developing the new Gulf Islands Ferry. The new service will be a water ferry line going between Downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island. Powered by renewable energy sources, and designed to be energy-efficient, the service is anticipated to begin this winter.
SOUTH WALTON
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, an all-encompassing resort located along Northwest Florida’s emerald coast, has announced a $35M property refresh. Comprised of three separate phases, the renovations kicked off with a complete room redesign. The hotel’s full property-wide renovation is set to conclude prior to spring break.
JACKSONVILLE
The second contemporary art museum to be established in the US and the oldest in the region, MOCA Jacksonville, will be celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2024. MOCA’s mission remains focused on the art, artists, and ideas of our time just as the group of visionary pioneering women who founded the museum had envisioned it to be. A few of the museum’s new winter offerings include an exhibition built around the Norman E. Fisher Collection, A Walk on the Wild Side that opened in MOCA’s permanent collection in December, and Project Atrium, which features renowned contemporary artist Frank Stella, will be the museum’s anniversary installation set for February 2024.
Jacksonville welcomes several new hotel openings, including two Hilton properties, Tru by Hilton near JAX Airport and Home2 Suites by Hilton in the Brooklyn neighbourhood near downtown. Marriott is also working on multiple properties to open in the coming months including AC Hotel Jacksonville St. Johns Town Center in February.
DAYTONA
Now fully open, Daytona Beach’s Riverfront Esplanade features more than a mile of waterfront running trail with comfortable benches and swings overlooking the Halifax River. The park also features a dog park with an agility course and a state-of-the-art splash pad. Visitors will discover in the new southern end walkways that run through a creek with waterfalls, gardens with flowers, plants and trees and picnic tables that overlook the water.
ST. AUGUSTINE
The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club recently unveiled 64 beautifully renovated luxurious beachfront guest rooms in the Summer House and St. Johns House. The Resort recently added a Croquet Lawn and Bocce Court, available to guests and members daily from 9 a.m. until dusk.
The long-awaited opening of Hyatt Place Vilano Beach took place in October. The hotel’s Art Deco design and rooftop dining provides 120 guest rooms and event spaces steps from the beach. The hotel features Pesca Vilano, offering fine dining and rooftop culinary experiences with a one-of-a-kind view of St. Augustine’s skyline, the Matanzas Bay, St. Augustine Inlet, and the Atlantic Ocean.
The recent opening of 1912 Ocean Bar & Rooftop at Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach offers an oceanfront dining experience at the resort’s all new oceanfront Cabana Beach Club. Open to the general public, 1912 provides spectacular views of the Atlantic, with indoor/outdoor seating on the second and third floors and a menu that features fresh seafood, small plates, elevated cocktails, and wines.
FLORIDA’S SPORTS COAST
The only place to experience “snow” in the state of Florida, Snowcat Ridge, invites guests to enjoy the Snowy Slopes, Alpine Village, and more at the one-of-a-kind snow park. Visitors can tube down a snow tubing hill featuring single, tandem, and 10-person snow tubing. Guests can also fully immerse themselves in this winter escape in the middle of Florida as they build snowmen in The Arctic Igloo, a snow arena filled with real snow. The Crystal Ribbon offers an outdoor ice-skating experience, and the Alpine Village offers a cozy campfire where guests can roast s’mores while enjoying the perfect view of the entire winter wonderland.
PUNTA GORDA
The Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor, opened in December, has 785 rooms, 20 restaurants and bars, including the Harbor Yards Food Hall, two pools, a spa and salon, a rooftop retreat, plus harbour walk and an 18-hole golf course.