20 Vintage Photos of People Vacationing in Florida Over the Last 100+ Years

History Travel March 27, 2025

Florida’s always been a top-tier destination for excitable vacationers. Vintage photos, in particular, can capture the carefree spirit of the ever-desired after spring break during its golden years. These nostalgic snapshots, in particular, can show off the best parts about a spring break that’s taken out in Florida.

1. People at Daytona Beach, in Florida, United States In 1904

People in early 1900s attire gather on a beach, some with umbrellas, beside wooden paths. Horse-drawn carriages are on the sand, with people in the water nearby. Bicycles are also visible in the foreground.
gator43

People certainly got fitted differently for the beach back in the day.

2. People photographed at West Palm Beach in Florida, US in 1910

A vintage beach scene shows people in early 20th-century clothing, sitting on sand. Women hold parasols, and men wear suits and hats. Children play nearby, and people stroll by the ocean under a clear blue sky.
jocke75

At least they had their sun umbrellas ready to go.

3. Spring breakers out and about in the eighties

A lineup of cars on a street with signs for restaurants and businesses, including "The Breakers" and "Chateau Restaurant." People are sitting in the back of a pickup truck enjoying the sunny day. Palm trees and power lines are visible.
urbanachiever6371

Everyone piled up in the pickup truck on yet another perfect spring break evening in Florida.

4. Opening of the 1000th Burger Chef franchise, Treasure Island, Florida, August 9, 1969

Vintage scene of a busy Burger Chef restaurant with a large sign and logo, surrounded by classic cars in the parking lot. People are gathered outside on a sunny day, with festive flags hanging around.
sverdrip

Burgers at the beach just hits different.

5. Looks to be another glorious day out at the Edgewater

A man and woman in swimwear pose by a pool at a vintage motel, with palm trees and a retro sign reading "Laguna Motor Hotel" in the background. The scene is a colorful, sunny day with clear skies.
ecobot

Couples vacations out in Florida are some kind of magical.

6. Daytona Beach looking pristine back in 1957

A vibrant beach scene with numerous vintage cars parked and driving along the sandy shore. People in swimsuits enjoy the sun and sea, with waves gently lapping onto the beach. The sky is clear and blue, adding to the lively summer atmosphere.
anonymous

Truly, it is a splendid scene. The perfect blend of rowdy beachgoers and those just looking for some serene time by the water.

7. Daytona Beach Bike Week, 1979

A person with long hair and a beard rides a custom chopper motorcycle on a sandy beach. Another person sits behind them. Two trucks are parked in the background under a cloudy sky.
deleted

The Daytona Beach bike weeks could certainly go from 0 to 100 very quickly.

8. Great touch with bringing the Airstream

Two women sit outside a vintage travel trailer. One woman wears glasses and a checkered dress, while the other, in a sleeveless top, holds a coconut to her ear. Both are seated in wooden chairs on grass under a striped awning.
sjweaver

The Airstream trailers were such a power move at the beach.

9. Daytona Beach Florida back in 1904

Vintage black and white photo of a busy beach scene. People in early 1900s attire stroll along the sand, many with parasols and hats. Horse-drawn carriages are scattered across the beach, and waves gently touch the shore in the background.
goldday27

I just wonder about how sandy those nice shoes could end up getting.

10. Homosassa Springs Attraction Restaurant, Homosassa, FL, 1968

An elderly woman in a white dress stands near a waterway with ducks, in front of a restaurant sign reading "Homosassa Springs Attraction Restaurant." A group of people are on a boat to the right. Flags are on the roof, and trees are in the background.
axlcobainvedder

Aw, this is just too sweet.

11. A ‘Mermaid’ at Weeki Wachee Springs, Fla. 1970’s

A woman performs an elegant ballet pose underwater, wearing a red leotard. Her long hair floats around her head, and bubbles rise towards the surface. The background features aquatic plants and a sandy bottom.
gator43

She looks like she’s loving her job.

12. Cocoa Beach, Florida, early 1900s

A black and white photo of a beach scene with people dressed in early 1900s clothing. Horse-drawn carriages and bicycles are on the wet sand, while groups of men and women stroll along the shoreline under a cloudy sky.
myipodstillworks

Not the mini carriages splayed across the beach. Right out of some old-time cinema.

13. 1950s Fort Myers Florida taken on a Kodachrome

A bustling city street scene features people walking along the sidewalk. A woman and a child in a pink skirt hold hands. Vintage cars drive on the road lined with palm trees and historic buildings. The sky is partly cloudy.
deleted

Those cars take the whole aesthetic of this beachside stroll to a whole new level of cool.

14. A lovely family out vacationing in Florida in 1966

A black and white photo of two young boys and one girl sitting on a low wall beside an older woman. The group appears to be near a waterfront or beach, with buildings visible across the water. Everyone is casually dressed and looking at the camera.
cwo3158

Nothing like taking the family out for a day at the beach.

15. Collins Avenue, Miami Beach 1964

Street scene in Miami Beach with mid-century buildings, including "Ocean Spray" and "Atlantic Towers," flanked by palm trees. A vintage car and a few pedestrians are visible under a clear blue sky.
hjuggernaut

Surely, a quiet moment by the beach before things ramp up at the beach.

16. This legend drove his only new truck all the way from Canada to Daytona Beach to take this photo in 1998.

A man in a white hat and sunglasses stands next to a blue pickup truck on a sandy beach. He's wearing a white shirt, blue shorts, and sneakers. The ocean and sky are visible in the background.
holesshotless

Some grandpas are actual legends. This one seems to be fit the bill based on this feat at least.

17. Posted up and ready for Daytona Beach day.

Man in sunglasses sits on sand near a silver hatchback car with an open door, by a beach. He holds a drink and leans against a boogie board. A fence and stairs in the background lead to a building. The scene is sunny and relaxed.
rooftiling314

He looks like he’s ready to catch a wave and ride with all the good vibes.

18. Inline skating, jumping over my friend. South Beach, Miami Beach 1995

A shirtless man is mid-air performing a high jump over another man kneeling on rollerblades. The scene is outdoors near a building with large windows. A person sits against the wall in the background.
artbynoel

Yep, nailed it.

19. NASCAR race at Daytona Beach, Florida in 1956

Vintage cars lined up on a beach, surrounded by people in mid-20th century attire. The cars display racing numbers, and the central vehicle is labeled "Mad Dog." The scene reflects a historical car race event with a sunny sky in the background.
therealjanbrady

Mad Dog must be a crowd favorite.

20. Nothing quite like Daytona Beach back in the fifties

A woman in a vintage swimsuit sits on the hood of a classic Kaiser Manhattan car parked on a sandy beach. The ocean waves are visible in the background, and the scene has a nostalgic, black-and-white tone.
allwall204

This surely would’ve gone on social media had it been around back in the day.

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