You don’t need a Canon 5D Mark IV to capture this beauty. Visit during sunset, and the sky will literally put on a show for your flimsy phone lens. Located along the Gold Coast, Naples Beach is a glittering gem with white sandy beaches, salty waters, and a pier that casts just the right amount of shadows for an epic shot.
Naples Beach Pier, Naples, FL, USA
Sunset on Naples Beach © Esb Professional Shutterstock
A hotspot for bloggers and photographers alike, this Insta favorite is decked out wall-to-wall with graffiti art and spans the entire arts district of Wynwood in Miami. People flock here to take a selfie among these masterpiece murals created by renowned artists from all over the world. While there, many swing by Panther Coffee to enjoy the equally Instagrammable latte art.
Wynwood Walls, 2520 NW 2nd Ave, Miami, FL, USA, +1 305 531 4411
This Mediterranean-revival villa in the midst of urbanized Miami is a popular spot for wedding photo shoots due to the sprawling gardens and elaborate 17th-century-inspired interiors. Formerly the winter home of business magnate James Deering, Vizcaya is a popular tourist stop with waterfront views of Biscayne Bay. Every corner of this multi-story property is swoon-worthy, from the sculptural gardens to the mosaic pool.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, 3251 South Miami Ave, Miami, FL, USA, +1 305 250 9133
Exterior façade of Vizcaya | Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
Lovers of #Allthingspink will find pink flashes of delight in every corner of The Ringling museum. From the hallways to the Renaissance-inspired courtyard, this gem is picture-perfect. Formerly the home of John Ringling, one of the Ringling brothers and co-owner of the circus, the property boasts Venetian Gothic-style architecture reminiscent of an Italian villa. Instagrammers can capture the beauty of the colossal Banyan trees at the Bayfront Gardens, explore The Historic Asolo Theatre, and peruse the collection of art and artifacts from “The greatest show on earth.”
The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL, USA, +1 941 359 5700
Not just a stop for literary fanatics, The Hemingway Home is now a museum with an attractive pastel yellow Victorian façade and wrap-around verandas. Take selfies in the home, which is filled with antique trinkets, including the author’s typewriter, and be sure to capture the gardens’ unique six-toed cats that are a total magnet for Insta likes. The museum is on a street filled with other Queen-Anne style homes and hotels that are worth checking out.
Hemingway Home, 907 Whitehead St, Key West, FL, USA, +1 305 294 1136
Ernest Hemingway Home | Courtesy of The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
It’s no surprise that the happy town of Seaside was the setting for the film, The Truman Show [1998]. The sleepy town is made up of pastel antebellum houses with plenty of character and charm. It’s the typical American dream village.
The Mediterranean Ballroom at this Palm Beach resort hotel has frescoed ceilings, grand chandeliers, arched windows, and a brilliant checkered floor that guarantees a surge in followers. Just look at the place.
The Breakers, 1 South County Rd, Palm Beach, FL, USA, +1 877 724 3188
Who doesn’t like a photo of Cinderalla’s castle? Magic Kingdom at Disney is filled with plenty of photo opportunities, such as views from the top of a rollercoaster and selfies with Mickey Mouse.
Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL, USA, +1 407 939 5277
Brilliant for a night or day shot, the Lightner Museum boasts an elegant front lobby, a grand ballroom, and a tropical courtyard. The museum was previously the Alcazar Hotel, which was built in 1888.
Lightner Museum, 75 King St, St. Augustine, FL, USA, +1 904 824 2874
Exterior façade of Lightner Museum | Courtesy of Lightner Museum
Nature lovers will enjoy plenty of opportunities to capture the wildlife and natural landscape at Everglades National Park. The marsh wetlands stretch for thousands of miles and are home to a variety of species ranging from the Florida panther to Burmese python and, of course, the American alligator. The sky’s reflection on the swampy waters during sunset makes for a jaw-dropping photograph.
Everglades National Park, Florida, USA, +1 305 242 7700
Salvador Dalí was anything but conventional, so when visiting The Dalí Museum, it’s no surprise that even the building is avant-garde. The ultra-modern structure features a geodesic glass bubble called the “enigma,” which is made up of triangular glass pieces. Inside there’s a helical staircase that embodies Dalí’s love of spirals. Both are a #archilovers delight.
The Dalí Museum, 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL, USA, +1 727 823 3767
Capture the serious waves at Jacksonville Beach on the east coast of Florida. Put in a little Photoshop magic (maybe play with filters, too), and these waves are sure to make eyes pop.
Jacksonville Beach, Jacksonville, FL, USA
Casa Faena‘s charming Spanish-style inn boasts pretty interiors with dashes of red. Step inside the sitting area with white and pink velvet sofas, a red leather arm chair and built-in bookshelves. The space is finished with a glass ceiling that lets in plenty of light for that perfect Instagram shot.
Casa Faena, 3500 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL, USA, +1 786 604 8485
Faena House Interior | © Karina Castrillo
