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Few duty stations in the country match MacDill Air Force Base for location. You're on a peninsula in Tampa Bay, surrounded by water, with the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Atlantic coast within driving distance. The weather is near-perfect, the beaches are world-class, and you're within an easy drive of Disney World, the Florida Keys, and everything in between.
Tampa itself has plenty to offer: Ybor City, Busch Gardens, the Tampa Riverwalk, and a serious food scene. But once you're ready to explore further, Florida opens up in every direction.
Here's where military families stationed at MacDill should put on their travel list.
30 miles west · about 45 minutes
Why go: Clearwater Beach has been rated the #1 beach in the US multiple times. It's a short drive from MacDill and a completely different world: powder-white sand, calm Gulf water, and a beach boardwalk full of restaurants and activity rentals. St. Petersburg, just south, is a thriving arts city with one of the best waterfront districts in Florida.
Must-dos:
Military tip: Clearwater Marine Aquarium offers military discounts on admission. Fort De Soto Park is Pinellas County-operated and has very affordable camping and day use fees. The Dali Museum in St. Pete offers reduced military admission.
75 miles east · about 1.5 hours
Why go: Orlando is the theme park capital of the world, and the military community gets some of the best access in the business. Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND are all within the metro area. The Disney Armed Forces Salute program alone makes Orlando one of the most cost-effective family vacations for military families anywhere in the country.
Must-dos:
Military tip: The Disney Armed Forces Salute offers active duty military and up to 5 guests discounted 4-day tickets to Disney World — one of the best military discounts in the country. SeaWorld's Waves of Honor program gives active duty free admission. Shades of Green on Disney property is the military resort — book it months in advance.
60 miles south · about 1 hour
Why go: Sarasota is Florida's cultural capital — a city with world-class museums, a thriving arts scene, and the most-rated beach in the country in Siesta Key. The fine quartz sand stays cool even in August. It's a quieter, more refined alternative to the resort energy of Clearwater, and an easy day trip from MacDill.
Must-dos:
Military tip: The Ringling offers military discounts on admission — one of the best deals in Florida arts. Myakka River State Park has military-friendly camping rates. Siesta Key Beach itself is free and public — just arrive early on weekends in season.
400 miles south · about 4 hours
Why go: Key West is a bucket list trip, not a quick day trip. But if you're stationed in Florida and haven't done the Overseas Highway drive, you're leaving one of the great American road trip experiences on the table. The drive itself — 42 bridges over turquoise water — is worth the trip. And Key West at the end is like nowhere else in the United States.
Must-dos:
Military tip: NAS Key West has beach recreation facilities open to active duty — check with the MWR office before your trip. Dry Tortugas National Park entry is free with the military pass (ferry cost is separate). Key West is a long drive — consider making it at least a 2-night trip to do it right.
120 miles south · about 1.5 hours
Why go: Fort Myers and its barrier islands are Florida's best-kept Gulf Coast secret. Sanibel Island is the world's premier shelling destination, with more shell variety than almost anywhere on earth due to the island's east-west orientation. Cape Coral has over 400 miles of navigable canals. And the whole area is far less commercialized than Clearwater or Naples.
Must-dos:
Military tip: J.N. Ding Darling NWR is free to enter. The Edison and Ford Winter Estates offer military discounts on tours. Fort Myers and Cape Coral are excellent vacation rental markets — a canal-front home with a boat dock is the signature local experience.
| Destination | Distance from MacDill | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Clearwater & St. Pete | ~30 mi / 45 min | Gulf beaches, arts district, family day trip |
| Orlando / Disney | ~75 mi / 1.5 hrs | Theme parks, military discounts, family fun |
| Sarasota / Siesta Key | ~60 mi / 1 hr | Best beach in the US, culture, Ringling |
| Key West & The Keys | ~400 mi / 4 hrs | Bucket list Florida, NAS Key West, road trip |
| Fort Myers / Sanibel | ~120 mi / 1.5 hrs | World-class shelling, wildlife, Gulf coast |
Wherever you go, book your accommodations through Crewdogs, the only vacation rental platform built exclusively for the military community. Every stay comes with:
Search military-verified vacation rentals across Florida:
Clearwater ·
St. Petersburg ·
Sarasota ·
Key West ·
Fort Myers ·
Walt Disney World ·
MacDill AFB
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