places to visit en florida

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Best places to visit in florida in 2024.

With more than 8,000 miles of shoreline, the Sunshine State is prime vacation territory. But with so many diverse destinations in Florida, it can be hard to pick which place is right for your next getaway. That's why U.S. News considered factors like the number of attractions, availability of accommodations and the opinions of everyday travelers to pick the best places to visit in Florida. Vote for your favorite spots below to help determine next year's list.

Clearwater Beach

St. augustine, anna maria island, dry tortugas national park, marco island, amelia island, sanibel island, miami beach, everglades national park, st. petersburg, fl, fort lauderdale, cocoa beach.

This picturesque barrier island off the coast of Sarasota is a prime vacation spot for relaxation-seeking travelers. Spend your getaway lounging on Siesta Beach, often considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world , and enjoy powdery white sands and a bevy of family-friendly amenities including beach volleyball, a playground and concession stands. Or, head to quieter Turtle Beach for shelling and kayaking. In the evening, catch some live music in Siesta Key Village.

Clearwater Beach's beautiful white sand , crystal clear water and small-town vibe make it an ideal destination for a family vacation on the Gulf Coast. Spend the day getting a snapshot of the city during a Segway tour or visit Caladesi Island State Park (only accessible by boat) for its untouched natural splendor. Also save time for a visit to one of the area's biggest attractions, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where the dolphins that inspired the "Dolphin Tale" movies were rehabilitated. Later, head to Pier 60 to catch a sunset, purchase locally made crafts and watch various street performances.

History buffs should make a beeline for St. Augustine. Founded by the Spaniards in 1565, this town in northern Florida is the oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the U.S., earning it the nickname the Ancient City. Constructed from local coquina, a unique type of stone made from compressed shells and limestone, St. Augustine's structures and monuments (including the buildings lining pedestrian-friendly St. George Street and the imposing Castillo de San Marcos National Monument) act as a living guide to history. When it's time to relax after taking in the sights, head to Anastasia State Park for its unspoiled beaches and sand dunes.

This tranquil barrier island located roughly 35 miles south of St. Petersburg is the perfect place to recharge your batteries. Kick back on gorgeous white sand shorelines like Bean Point and Coquina Beach, then grab a bite to eat along Pine Avenue, the island's historic main street. And if you're traveling with children, Mote's Marine Science Education & Outreach Center features several kid-friendly programs worth checking out. Meanwhile, history enthusiasts should pencil in time for a tour of the Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum.

Made up of six islands in the Florida Keys – Plantation Key, Windley Key, Indian Key, Lignumvitae Key and Upper and Lower Matecumbe Keys – Islamorada boasts tranquil parks, colorful coral reefs and art galleries. Thanks to its position between the Florida Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, this laid-back coastal village is a renowned sport fishing destination, bringing in species like sailfish, marlin, mahi-mahi, tuna and tarpon. But if you don't feel like casting a line, you can check out the History of Diving Museum or put a dent in your wallet at the shops in Rain Barrel Village. 

Sitting about 70 miles off the coast of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is known for its premier snorkeling and wildlife-viewing opportunities. Home to nearly 300 species of birds, five types of sea turtles and about 30 species of coral, this remote seven-island park in the Gulf of Mexico is a popular Florida day trip destination for nature lovers. Plus, travelers can go on a self-guided tour of the 19th-century coastal fortress Fort Jefferson, located on Garden Key. Keep in mind, Dry Tortugas National Park can only be reached by boat or seaplane, and an entrance fee is required.

The elegant and romantic city of Naples is all about luxury and relaxation. This spot on Florida's Paradise Coast is known for its gorgeous sugar-white sand beaches and incredible golf courses. High-end shops and gourmet restaurants abound, especially along Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South. Plus, flora and fauna lovers have access to all kinds of nature-focused attractions here, such as the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, the Naples Botanical Garden and Clam Pass Park. Those who appreciate art won't want to miss The Baker Museum or one of the city's many art galleries.

Known as the Diving Capital of the World, Key Largo offers access to the only living coral reef in the continental U.S., the country's first undersea park (John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park) and the only underwater hotel in the world solely accessible by scuba diving. The largest island in the Florida Keys is also a prime spot for other aquatic activities, including snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and glass-bottom boating. When you're ready to trade your sea legs for solid ground, grab a bite to eat and a rum runner cocktail at one of Key Largo's laid-back eateries.

World-famous attractions such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Florida make Orlando a year-round tourist destination, but there are many attractions and activities outside of the theme parks . Travelers can shop till they drop at outlet malls, hit the links at one of the area's many golf courses, and get up close and personal with dolphins and stingrays at Discovery Cove. Those without little ones can explore Orlando's revitalized nightlife and restaurant scenes in the downtown area.

Travel to this island in the Florida Keys to relax at a beachside resort and see the southernmost point in the continental United States. Key West is known for its free-spirited locals, colorful conch-style homes and coral reefs ripe for snorkeling and scuba diving. Between boat tours and margaritas, bibliophiles will enjoy visiting the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, where they can learn more about the famous writer and see descendants of his six-toed cat, Snow White. Or, head to Key West's main drag, Duval Street, for its cafes, shops and nightlife.

The largest of Southwest Florida's Ten Thousand Islands, Marco Island is a haven for water sports like boating, fishing and kayaking. Its sunny skies and white sand beaches invite visitors to sunbathe, swim and search for seashells. Those who want a break from the sand can learn about the island's ties to the ancient Calusa Native Americans at the Marco Island Historical Museum or look for manatees, sea turtles and other wild animals in Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge.

Located about 30 miles northeast of Jacksonville, Amelia Island's historical charm and 13 miles of uncrowded beaches make it a top vacation destination. Stroll through Historic Downtown Fernandina Beach, where pirates used to roam and the modern shrimping industry was born. For some fun yet relaxing activities, go horseback riding by the water or play a round of golf on one of the island's highly regarded courses.

This spot along the Florida Panhandle's Emerald Coast is a home away from home for thousands of summer vacationers. Its unique, postcard-worthy white sands made from Appalachian quartz and its clear, bright blue-green water help Destin stand out from other Florida beaches. The nearby Henderson Beach State Park is a must-visit shoreline, with its 30-foot white sand dunes. And Destin's manicured golf courses, optimal fishing conditions and shop- and restaurant-lined boardwalk continue to attract travelers year after year.

Relaxation is a given on Sanibel Island. Severely impacted by Hurricane Ian in 2022, Sanibel Island continues to recover but is once again welcoming tourists. Your first stop here will no doubt be the beach – Bowman's Beach offers prime shelling opportunities and Captiva Island is an excellent place for water sports like snorkeling and kayaking – but it would be a shame to visit the area without also exploring its many art galleries, bike trails and shops. Plus, you'll want to save time for activities like birding and fishing in the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge. Just plan ahead; lodging options remain limited.

Few places in the world compare to colorful, vibrant Miami Beach. From the one-of-a-kind art deco architecture along Ocean Drive to the scantily clad beachgoers on South Beach, this Miami offshoot attracts everyone from relaxed retirees to night owls. But you'll want to bring along your credit card because those fashionable dance clubs and chic, trendy restaurants don't come cheap. To save some money, consider buying a Go Miami card before your trip to access to some of the area's museums and tours for a fraction of the price.

Florida is almost as famous for its alligators as it is for its beaches and theme parks, and one of the best places to see them is in Everglades National Park. As the largest subtropical wilderness in the country, the park is the world's only environment where alligators and crocodiles coexist. It's also home to rare species like manatees and panthers. The Everglades offers several hiking trails and guided tours for navigating its vast 1.5 million acres. Be sure to visit between November and April (the park's dry season) to enjoy lower temperatures, fewer mosquitos and increased chances of spotting wildlife.

Holding the Guinness World Record for most consecutive days of sunshine, St. Petersburg appeals to all types of travelers. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy St. Pete Beach and the 7 miles of waterfront parks. Away from the shore, downtown St. Petersburg offers plenty of attractions, including a museum dedicated to the works of Salvador Dalí and the Sunken Gardens, the city's oldest living museum. The city also hosts one of the largest Pride events in the U.S. every summer and is home to a large LGBTQ+ community.

If you're looking for sun, sand and superb shopping, Fort Lauderdale is the place to go. Fort Lauderdale features palm-tree-lined beaches, and its 165 miles of waterways and canals have earned it the nickname the Venice of America. Those looking to partake in some retail therapy will find plenty of shops and restaurants on Las Olas Boulevard and in Galleria Fort Lauderdale and Sawgrass Mills, the largest outlet mall in the country. When you're not exercising your wallet or lounging on beautiful Las Olas Beach, don't forget to check out the Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1984.

Much like its sunny neighbor, St. Petersburg, Tampa attracts visitors with its balmy weather and outdoor pursuits. But as the third largest city in Florida, Tampa also offers a little more action. Visitors can stroll along the lively Tampa Riverwalk to get a glimpse of public art and dazzling light displays, or visit one of the area's museums, such as the Tampa Bay History Center. Those bringing kids along can also explore Glazer Children's Museum or The Florida Aquarium (with a stop at Sparkman Wharf for lunch), or tire them out with some thrills at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.

Cocoa Beach appeals to everyone from space enthusiasts to surfers. The nearby Kennedy Space Center offers a firsthand look at NASA's shuttles and launch pads. In the northern part of Cocoa Beach, visitors will find one of the best places in Florida to surf and the flagship Ron Jon Surf Shop, the largest surf shop in the world. Here, you'll also find the Florida Surf Museum, where you can learn more about the history of Florida surfing. Vacationers can also sign up for bioluminescent kayaking tours of the area's waterways or play beach volleyball next to the Westgate Cocoa Beach Pier.

Vote to Add these Destinations to the Rankings

Fort Walton Beach

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Panama City Beach

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36 Things To Do In Florida In 2023: FL Bucket List

August 26, 2023 //  by  Florida Trippers

Looking for some of the best things to do in Florida? I’ve got you covered!

Florida is full of adventure and unique places. From theme parks to sunken gardens, our famous beaches , historical cities, and hole-in-the-wall surprises, this state is great for any tourist or resident to explore!

As a Florida local, I have explored so much of the state and know all the best and underrated areas to visit! From top museums to beautiful beaches, I love exploring my amazing state!

Here I have put together a list of the cool things to do in Florida. But be warned: they are spread across the state, so be prepared to travel a bit!

And don’t forget you don’t have to visit all these stops, I just love them so much that I wanted to make sure you had a Florida bucket list to help navigate this wild, Sunshine State.

Here are some ideas of what to do in Florida!

Below I have included some of the most fun things to do in Florida as well as some of the most unique things to do in Florida. Visit where and when you can, and keep in mind that these are in no particular traveling order! Just go and have fun exploring the Sunshine State!

Devil’s Den

This underground spring is one of the U.S.’s most prehistoric places, so of course, I had to add it to your Florida bucket list! In my experience, it is one of the best hidden gems in Florida!

The spring of Devil’s Den is 120 feet in diameter and averages 72 degrees year-round. With a depth of 54 feet, many people come here to snorkel, scuba dive, and even rent a cabin or park their RV for some overnight adventure!

Recreationally, there are huge cabanas, charcoal grills, pavilions, lawn games, and a heated swimming pool, so this spring is full of things you can enjoy!

I used to dive here with my sister and dad before he passed so it holds a special place in our family. It really is such a cool place to explore!

You cannot miss out on Devil’s Den because it is a must-see in Florida attraction!

Where To Stay Near Devil’s Den! Little Ridge Ranch: Check Rates on Booking.com

Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Springs is a private park near High Springs, Florida, and is located near the Santa Fe River. Known for its clear and cold water, this is one of the best things to do in Florida during a hot summer day!

Make sure to check out my master post on the best time to visit Florida including a breakdown by month, weather, events, and more!

There are accessible caverns with sand and limestone bottoms at this spring, and you can float your way around the springs on inner tubes, kayaks, paddle boards, and more.

If interested you can also scuba or snorkel in “Florida’s favorite freshwater dive” or camp by at the wooded acres for a full adventure!

Personally, this is my favorite spring in Florida if I had to pick just one! My favorite part is the Devil’s Ear and Devil’s Eye caves.

Ginnie Springs really is one of the popular Florida things to do!

Where To Stay Near Ginnie Springs! BlueGem Motel : Check Rates on Booking.com

Ringling Museum

One of the coolest things to do in Florida is the Ringling Museum in Sarasota .

This museum is HUGE as it has a variety of different exhibits to explore. If you plan to visit, don’t forget to check out my tips for visiting the Ringling Museum !

From the John and Marble Ringling Museum of Art, which displays antiques and modern works, to the Circus Museum at the Ringling, which is an interactive American circus museum, you can spend hours exploring here.

The Bayfront gardens are also gorgeous, and you can visit the Ca’ d’ Zan mansion on the property! This is to say that this museum is massive (66 acres to be exact!) so give yourself time to marvel at everything!

There is a reason that this tops my list of places in Florida that feel like Europe!

I love that the Ringling Museum feels like Europe. It is a place I always recommend to people visiting Florida.

Check in advance for discounted or free days!

Where To Stay Near The Ringling Museum! Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach : Check Rates on Booking.com

Bok Tower Gardens

Florida is known for its nature and beautiful views on summer days, so it only makes sense to add gardens and sanctuaries to your Florida bucket list!

Bok Tower Gardens is a contemplative garden and bird sanctuary in Lake Wales, Florida. With 250 acres of vast plants, flowers, trees, and art, this place will leave you breathless.

It features a 205-foot tall Singing Tower with carillon bells, and you can also hike the Pine Ridge Trail or visit the Pinewood Estate if you’re feeling adventurous! Just check out the visitor center when you first stop here!

I first visited this site when I was really young and the memory stayed with me. It is so cool and unique!

This is one of the best things to do in Central Florida .

Where To Stay Near Bok Tower Gardens! Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Wales : Check Rates on Booking.com

Disney World

Would it really be a Florida bucket list without Disney? Walt Disney World is one of the most famous things about Florida, and I highly recommend checking out these theme parks!

I am an annual pass-holder and have been visiting the Disney parks my whole life!

The four parks– Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot– feature different rides and themes. With character meet and greets, fantastic food, shows, and rides around every corner, you’re bound to have fun here!

Disney is one of the best things to do in Florida with kids, but even adults can have a magical time! Can you really say you’ve been to Florida without the iconic photo in front of the Magic Kingdom castle ?

This really is a must-do in Florida activity for making family memories.

There is also the surrounding area of Disney you can check out, such as the resorts and Disney Springs! Either way, there is so much to do here. If you want more information about Disney, check out my site: Disney Trippers .

Where To Stay Near Disney World! Buena Vista Suites Orlando : Check Rates on Booking.com

Universal Studios

Often seen as Disney’s “competitor” Universal Studios is another theme park in Orlando that is a cool place to visit in Florida, especially for those who love Marvel and Harry Potter!

Featuring thrill rides, Universal has three parks: Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is split between two parks and you can take the Hogwarts Express between the two!

Volcano Bay is one of the best water parks in Florida perfect for a summer day.

For movie lovers alike, this theme park is one of the best things to do in Florida, as there is so much history and love for classic films throughout each park. And you can enjoy Citywalk before or after your adventure inside the parks!

Where To Stay Near Universal Studios! Universal’s Endless Summer Resort: Check Rates on Booking.com

Dome Houses in Florida

Close to Cape Romano Island (which is close to Marco Island ), the Dome Houses are one of the most unique things in Florida to visit!

The Cape Romano Dome Houses are only accessible via water, and their offshore location catches the attention of many. Six dome-shaped homes sit on stilts, surrounded by water.

These homes are abandoned. After being built in the 80s, the firm beach on which the domes were built eventually faded away, and now the domes are surrounded by water, making them the perfect setting for wildlife and tall tales. Make sure to check out the legends when you visit!

If you are looking for things to do in West Florida , make sure to add this to your list!

Where To Stay Near The Dome Houses! Hilton Marco Island Beach Resort and Spa: Check Rates on Booking.com

Kennedy Space Center

The Kennedy Space Center is one of ten National Aeronautics and Space Administration field centers. Located on Merritt Island, this is one of the coolest things you can do in Florida! It is a great day trip from Orlando .

At the space center, you can meet an astronaut, see the Space Shuttle Atlantis, go through the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, and visit the rocket garden.

This center lets visitors get an up-close and hands-on view of humans in space. From exploring NASA’s space shuttle program to discovering more about upcoming space exploration, the Kennedy Space Center is educational and fun.

Growing up, I visited the Kennedy Space Center with my dad. It is such a unique experience!

Book Here: Orlando: Kennedy Space Center Visit with Options

Where To Stay Near The Kennedy Space Center! Beachside Hotel and Suites: Check Rates on Booking.com

Saint Petersburg Sunken Gardens

Located in Saint Petersburg , the Sunken Gardens is one of the most unique things to do in Florida, as there aren’t many gardens like it (they are literally sunken! Below sea level!).

The Sunken Gardens are 4-aces of botanical gardens that have existed for more than a century. They are one of the oldest attractions in the U.S., let alone in Florida.

This paradise located in the city is a great living museum that has a vast amount of tropical plants, meandering paths, waterfalls, and more. The gardens also offer tours, special events, and horticultural programs if it interests you!

A romantic stroll here is one of the best things to do in Florida for couples . Take photos and admire the views together.

I love the Sunken Gardens and think it is the best place to visit in the Tampa area. I have brought many people here including my guy cousins who loved it!

Where To Stay In Saint Petersburg! Crystal Bay Historic Hotel: Check Rates on Booking.com

Clearwater Beach

Would you really have a Florida bucket list if you didn’t have a beach on it? Known for its stretch of soft, white sand, the calm waters of Clearwater draw tourists and residents year-round. It is one of the best cities in Florida !

With a winding beachfront lined with restaurants, cafes, and Pier 60 (which has nightly festivals that feature street performers and craft vendors), this place is always busy! This is also our favorite place to catch the sunset in Clearwater Beach!

From jet-skiing to parasailing and paddle boarding, many people love to spend hours on this beach and then retreat to the promenade for food, shopping, museums, and more.

This beach is one of the best free things to do in Florida.

Where To Stay In Clearwater! Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach: Check Rates on Booking.com

Dry Tortugas National Park

It’s strange to think of national parks in Florida , but Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most fun things to do in Florida!

Located along the Gulf of Mexico, east of Key West, the 7 islands of this park are surrounded by coral reefs ripe for exploration. Many beaches are popular, too!

Famously, Loggerhead Key has a lighthouse and is known for its sea turtles because Loggerhead Reef is nearby. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can check out Windjammer Wreck, which is the remains of an 1875 ship! It’s perfect for scuba and snorkeling in Florida !

Visiting Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the best activities to do in Florida!

Where To Stay In Key West! Truman Hotel: Check Rates on Booking.com

Castillo De San Marcos in Saint Augustine

Saint Augustine is arguably one of the most historical cities in Florida, so of course, I are adding it to your Florida bucket list!

The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the United States. Located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay, it is now a national monument!

With Spanish stones, this monument was built to protect and defend Spain’s claims in the New World. While visiting you can explore rooms that once housed soldiers and prisoners, tour the courtyard and gun deck, and watch weaponry demonstrations while learning about its history!

If you are interested in history, this is one of the best historical sites in Florida !

Where To Stay In Saint Augustine! Bayfront Inn : Check Rates on Booking.com

Daytona International Speedway

Daytona Beach is known for two things: the beach, and NASCAR! Of course, I had to add this to my list of things to do in Florida!

Daytona International Speedway is a racetrack that opened in 1959, where it has been home to the Daytona 500, which is arguably one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR history.

When you’re not witnessing a famous event, though, you can also participate in speedway tours and enter the world of racing!

A race here is one of the top things to see in Florida!

Where To Stay In Daytona Beach! Daytona Grande Oceanfront Resort: Check Rates on Booking.com

Butterfly World

Located in Coconut Creek, Florida, Butterfly World is one of the most best things to do in Florida because it is the largest butterfly park in the world!

Opening in 1988, this facility houses 20,000 live butterflies across 3 acres. But the best part is that it doesn’t solely feature butterflies: there are also botanical gardens, a working butterfly farm, and a research facility featured here!

Recently the park has expanded to include aviaries for tropical birds and a lorikeet center! The owners here are adamant about supporting the conservation of butterflies!

Where To Stay Near Butterfly World! Residence Inn Fort Lauderdale Coconut Creek : Check Rates on Booking.com

Duval Street in Key West

Duval Street is a downtown street in Key West, Florida , that runs from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. This is one of the coolest things to do in Florida, as it is full of adventure and iconic stops!

With its vibrant, hole-in-the-wall bars, historical haunts, shops, and galleries there is not a dull moment on this street! Exploring here is one of the things to do in Florida at night.

You can embark on bar crawls here, run with the bulls, go on a ghost tour, visit Hemingway’s house (which features 6-toed cats!), and eat famous Key lime pie all while enjoying the sun and nearby Key West beaches !

Book Here: Key West: 2.5-Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl

Where To Stay Near Duval Street! The Casablanca Hotel : Check Rates on Booking.com

Legoland is another theme park in Florida that you can add to your Florida bucket list! This theme park is known for being family-friendly, as it focuses on the construction of Lego toys.

Here at Legoland, everything is designed to be like a Lego! The rides look like blocks and pieces, and the park is filled with displays of the famous bricks.

This is one of the best things to do in Florida for adults and kids alike! Everyone will have great childhood fun.

Better yet? There is an awesome hotel you can stay at to really immerse yourself with the brand! Staying here feels like you have shrunk down and are now a little Lego too! Just don’t step on any!

Where To Stay Near Legoland! LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Check Rates on Booking.com

Naples Botanical Garden

Of course, I am adding more botanical gardens to your best things to do in Florida itinerary! Florida has so many of them, and they’re beautiful– especially the Naples Botanical Garden!

Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre paradise and one of the best things to do in Naples .

Stepping in here, you can see plants from all around the world with beautiful horticultural design and attention to sustainability!

Today, the garden welcomes over 220,000 guests per year to experience the education centers, shops, halls, themed gardens, and flora that continue to grow.

The is one of the prettiest places to visit in Florida !

Where To Stay Near Naples Botanical Garden! Inn at Pelican Bay : Check Rates on Booking.com

The Dali Museum

The Dali Museum is one of the most unique things to do in Florida, and probably because Dali himself was so unique!

This museum houses the largest collection of Salvador Dali’s work outside of Europe. Set on a waterfront setting, the architecture and exhibits of this museum call people to St. Pete for this gorgeous experience.

Make sure to also check out the Avant garden for a sense of tranquility and do not miss out on the building itself– the cafe is also cute, and the gift shop has so many unique souvenirs!

This is a great activity in one of the best beach towns in Florida .

Where To Stay Near The Dali Museum! Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront : Check Rates on Booking.com

Wynwood Walls

The Wynwood Walls in Miami are some of the best things to do in Florida! This unique outdoor destination features HUGE street murals from artists across the globe.

The walls are now considered a museum as they feature some of the greatest artists that have worked in graffiti and street art. People come from all over to experience this art.

You can take official tours here or just navigate the murals by yourself! You can also stop by the Kitchen and Bar to support locals!

Where To Stay Near Wynwood Walls! Sentral Wynwood: Check Rates on Booking.com

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a 1.5 mullion acre preserve that features wetlands on the southern tip of Florida ! This is one of the must-do Florida activities!

Made up of coastal mangroves, marshes, flat woods, and a variety of animal species, this is a fantastic thing to do in Florida, as you can drive through the Everglades or take a boat out to enjoy the natural beauty.

Don’t forget to book an Everglades airboat tour !

Lots of Florida hiking trails also help you navigate this beautiful park, and if you’re lucky, you can see some endangered Florida animals such as the Florida Panther and West Indian manatee!

It is one of the best places to see alligators in Florida .

This is a great place to stop on your Florida bucket list.

Book Here: Everglades National Park: Airboat Tour and Wildlife Show

Where To Stay Near Everglades National Park! Hampton Inn & Suites Homestead Miami South : Check Rates on Booking.com

Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens is a great addition to your Florida bucket list as it is a perfect combination of a zoo and theme park! This is one of the best things to do in Florida with kids!

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an African-themed theme park that is over 335 acres and features a variety of animals such as hippos, elephants, otters, and more. You can even see some surgeries take place in the watch center of the animal hospital!

Aside from the animals, there are also shows and SO many thrill rides. Known for its high-speed coasters, you will love the adventure this park brings! It is easily one of the most fun places in Florida!

You will not want to pass up on one of the best things to do in Tampa !

Where To Stay Near Busch Gardens! Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Tampa Busch Gardens Area : Check Rates on Booking.com

Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A.

I’ve already talked about some things to do in Florida in regard to Key West, but I am adding more to your Florida bucket list because there is so much to do here!

In particular, make sure to check out the Southernmost Point of the Continental United States. This is the lowest latitude in the North American States and is anchored by a concrete buoy.

Eighteen feet above sea level, this is a popular destination and tourist attraction off of Whitehead Street. It is one of the most visited and photographed attractions in Florida!

This is one of the top things to do in Key West !

Where To Stay In Key West! The Capitana Key West : Check Rates on Booking.com

Anna Maria Island

I am adding another beach to your list of best things to do in Florida! Anna Maria Island is a barrier island located on the Gulf Coast offering many Florida vacation activities.

It is well known for its broad, family-friendly beaches , such as Manatee Beach Park, and its small city is like a resort, lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants on Anna Maria Island .

With a wooden pier and cute markets, lots of tourists love to explore the area that sells food, art, and jewelry in between their time on the sand and in the water!

Where To Stay In Anna Maria Island! Sunrise Garden Resort : Check Rates on Booking.com

Venetian Pool

The Venetian Pool is another cool thing to do in Florida. It is a historical swimming pool located in Coral Gables and was completed in 1924!

Created across 4-acres, the pool has gone through several phases over the years, and has become a National Historical Place.

Occupying over 820,000 gallons of fresh water from artesian wells, this is the largest freshwater pool in the United States. It varies in depth (4 feet from 8 feet), features a waterfall, and has a kiddy pool, bridges, grottos, cafes, and sandy areas!

If you are looking for relaxing Florida vacation things to do, this is it!

Where To Stay In Coral Gables! Hotel St. Michel : Check Rates on Booking.com

Manatee Springs

Manatee Springs State Park is one of the few Florida state parks that have a spring (Manatee Spring) flowing directly into the Suwannee River, one of the best Florida rivers .

This spring features boardwalks beneath cypress forests and in the cooler months, you can spot manatees in some of the clearest water in Florida .

One of the best activities in Florida is kayaking with manatees . Other birds, mammals, and fish are spotted year-round.

From camping to tubing in Florida to walking the 32-mile Nature Coast State Trail, this park is full of adventurous things to do and explore, so therefore it is one of the most fun things to do in Florida!

Overall, this is one of the best state parks in Florida ! If you want to see manatees in Florida , add this to your bucket list.

Where To Stay Near Manatee Springs! Quality Inn near Manatee Springs State Park : Check Rates on Booking.com

Weeki Wachee: City of Live Mermaids

The 12,000-acre Weeki-Wachee preserve is one of the most unique things in Florida because they have mermaids! Yes, live mermaids! This is what to see in Florida!

The Weeki Wachee Springs Park is one of the most commonly visited areas in Florida, as the springs feature cool, clear waters, slides, diving platforms, areas to sit and eat, and more.

It is one of the best swimming holes in Florida !

Better yet, though, this city is known for its legend of mermaids: every day there is a live mermaid show, but if you’re not feeling the fictional wildlife, you can go down the springs and onto the river to kayak and see more wildlife.

This is one of the best springs near Tampa for a relaxing day trip from the city.

Where To Stay Near Weeki Wachee! Lydia’s Retreat : Check Rates on Booking.com

Cassadaga is one of those things in Florida that is so strange but so wonderful. This small town in Voluisa County, Florida, is known for its psychics and mediums.

Known as the “Psychic Capital of the World,” many travel far and wide just to experience the vibe and spiritualness of this area. The streets and small homes are quaint but provide a specific energy.

Between its medium, psychics, healers, haunted hotels, and healing energy, this city is really a village that feels a world away from everything else.

I recommend stopping by for a tour and a reading!

Where To Stay Near Cassadaga ! The Ann Stevens House : Check Rates on Booking.com

Miami Marine Stadium

Located in Virginia Key, Miami, the Miami Marine Stadium was once one of the best things to do in Florida. Even though it hasn’t been used in years, it is still a unique stop on your Florida bucket list!

Once used to host water sports and famous for its scenic views of Downtown Miami, this stadium is now abandoned. However, it is still worth a stop!

Today the entire concrete stadium still stands tall, slanting down toward the water with a folded plate roof, and every inch of it is covered in graffiti. There are claims for it to be haunted as a speed boat driver was killed on opening day, but you might just have to check it out for yourself when stopping to explore and take photos!

If you are looking for unique things to do in Miami , this is it!

Where To Stay Near Miami Marine Stadium! Novotel Miami Brickell : Check Rates on Booking.com

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Previously known as Villa Vizcaya, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is the former villa and estate of James Deering and was built in 1916. This is one of the best activities in Florida for both history and architecture lovers.

This National Historic Landmark is an experience and therefore I am adding it to your things to do in Florida itinerary as it is a unique cultural gem and one of the best museums in Florida .

This Gilded Age estate on Biscayne Bay is surrounded by 10 acres of gardens, mangroves, and rocky lands. During your tours here you can do a food lab, discover what is in bloom near the Fountain Garden, and explore the estate’s stunning architecture.

Come walk the grounds here and enjoy one of the most romantic things to do in Florida.

Where To Stay Near Vizcaya Museum and Gardens! Hilton Garden Inn Miami Brickell South : Check Rates on Booking.com

Florida’s Volkswagen Graveyard

One of the most unique things to do in Florida includes going to Florida’s Volkswagen graveyard. Although this isn’t an expected stop on any Florida bucket list, it is strange and fun!

Referred to as the “Disney World for Volkswagen enthusiasts,” this junkyard features vintage VWs and you can wander through a field of aging VWs, parts, and more.

With over 300,000 cars here, this graveyard is unique, cool for photo ops, and perfect for any car enthusiast!

The graveyard is found near Dade City.

Where To Stay Near The Volkswagen Graveyard! Hampton Inn Dade City – Zephyr Hills : Check Rates on Booking.com

Juniper Springs

Juniper Springs is another of the best springs in Florida and is perfect for a day of relaxation.

Found in the Ocala National Forest, this is the place to go for swimming, kayaking, and hiking. It is also a great place for wildlife viewing, including otters, American eels, and even albino gray squirrels.

The beautiful blue water is super clear making it ideal for snorkeling. With a year-round temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit, it is refreshing in the heat of a Florida summer.

You can also camp at this spring . The dense canopy provides plenty of shade, picnic tables, and restrooms. This is considered one of the best places for camping in Florida .

Where To Stay Near Juniper Springs!

Big River Marina & Lodge: Check Rates on Booking.com

Bahia Honda State Park

As one of the best state parks in the Florida Keys , Bahia Honda State Park is truly a slice of paradise!

There are three beaches in Bahia Honda , both with beautiful, clear water. This is one of the best places in Florida to scuba dive .

You can also have fun swimming, kayaking , playing in the best white sand of Florida , or relaxing in the shade of a swaying palm tree. Make sure to walk the trail up to the Old Bahia Honda Bridge too so you can find amazing views of the beaches and ocean.

If you chose to camp in the Keys , you will be rewarded with gorgeous stars overhead. Since this Florida Keys island is so remote, the sky is dark, making it one of the best places for stargazing in Florida . There are even stargazing programs led here so you can learn more about the night sky.

Make sure to check out some of my other favorite things to do in the Lower Keys in addition to Bahia Honda!

Where To Stay Near Bahia Honda!

Blackfin Resort and Marina: Check Rates on Booking.com

Crab Island

You’ll find Crab Island off the shore of Destin on the panhandle. This huge sandbar is a great place to anchor your boat and enjoy some classic Florida vibes.

The calm water makes it perfect for swimming, and you can even order some food at one of the floating restaurants. Grab a drink and float on a raft as you soak up the sun.

You can also play water volleyball, jump on water trampolines, or play on water slides. Ley your inner child out! This is a family-friendly attraction too, so bring the kids!

To get here, you can charter a boat, ride the Crab Island Shuttle Boat, or kayak. This is easily one of the best things to do in Destin .

Where To Stay in Destin!

Hampton Inn & Suites Destin: Check Rates on Booking.com

Ocala National Forest

One of the best things to do in Ocala is visiting the national forest. At 383,000 acres, this is the largest sand pine scrub forest in the country.

There is so much to see and do in Ocala National Forest , making it one of the cool places to go in Florida for nature. You’ll enjoy springs, rivers, lakes, and amazing hiking trails.

This forest is also a great place to spot wildlife such as black bears, alligators, deer, and tortoises. Make sure to bring your camera for amazing nature shots!

After hiking or biking, cool off by swimming in one of the beautiful springs in Ocala .

Where To Stay in Ocala! Equus Inn : Check Rates on Booking.com

Silver Springs State Park

Silver Springs State Park is on the edge of Ocala National Park so you can easily visit both of these fun places in Florida on the same day.

Found on the Silver River, this park has a history dating back to the 1870s. Like many tourists before you, come and enjoy the clear water and scenic nature.

One of the top things to do here is taking a glass-bottom boat tour. You will love the unobstructed view of aquatic life.

Other Silver Springs activities include kayaking, canoeing, hiking, camping, and spotting wild monkeys. Keep in mind, though, that swimming is not allowed.

Where To Stay Near Silver Springs State Park! Holiday Inn Express Silver Springs: Check Rates on Booking.com

Looking for small towns to explore near Orlando? You will love all the fun things to do in Mount Dora .

Set on Lake Dora, this is a quaint town full of shops, restaurants, museums, and historic buildings. The town also hosts a variety of festivals throughout the year.

You will have a great time relaxing at the lake or enjoying views from the water as you kayak. Keep an eye out for bald eagles, turtles, and alligators. Fishing is also popular.

Whether you are golfing, shopping, or taking a seaplane tour, you will have a memorable time in Mount Dora!

Where To Stay in Mount Dora! Hampton Inn Mount Dora : Check Rates on Booking.com

What is the Most Visited Destination in Florida?

Orlando is one of the top vacation destinations not only in Florida but in the whole country! People from all over the world travel here to enjoy the best things to do in Orlando .

This Florida city is home to top theme parks such as Disney World, Universal Studios, and Legoland. These are some of the most fun things to do in Orlando with kids !

Even if theme parks are not your scene, there are great museums, world-class dining, rooftop bars, relaxing spas, sporting events, and more.

Because Orlando is centrally located, nature is not far away too. There are many nearby springs, rivers, and hikes.

Orlando is popular because of of all the Florida must-see attractions!

What is the Least Touristy Part of Florida?

The Sunshine State might be a tourist hot spot, but there are plenty of hidden gems in Florida where you can avoid the crowds.

Head away from the major cities and enjoy quiet time in some of the cute small towns in Florida .

North Florida is usually less touristy as well, but still with lots to do. Check out the best things to do in Gainesville or take a trip to the pretty Amelia Island .

Overall, Florida is a big state with many undeveloped areas where you can stay away from the main crowds.

And there you have it: a Florida bucket list that is full of stops that are perfect for any tourist or resident alike.

From unique places to highly anticipated beaches or theme parks and all the natural beauty in between, Florida is not a dull state.

You can spend forever exploring all Florida has to offer, but these 36 stops are where I recommend starting!

And if you’re worried about what to pack on these adventures, check out my Florida packing list , or even my Florida road trip itinerary to help with this bucket list!

Go on and explore the Sunshine State, I promise you won’t be disappointed with the best things to do in FL!

Did You Find This Post Helpful?

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9 of the best places to visit in Florida

Mar 14, 2024 • 7 min read

From cities packed with art, culture and nightlife to top beach destinations, these are the best places to visit in Florida © John Coletti / Getty Images

From sunny, white-sand beaches and untamed subtropical mangrove forests to bustling space centers and theme parks packed with excited kids, the Sunshine State is one gigantic fantasyland.

Choosing the best places to visit in Florida is no mean feat because this peninsular paradise is equally beautiful in many ways. Whether you're slipping away on a romantic sojourn or making family memories, here's a list of the places you simply shouldn't miss.

1. Miami, the "Magic City"

Best for parties and nightlife

With pastel-colored art deco buildings trimming sparkling azure waters,  Miami screams tropics. One of America's most visited cities, this bustling metropolis scores big with urban see-and-be-seen types. Crowd lovers bask in  South Beach's iconic energy, slathering on sunscreen to soak up scorching rays and indulging in the best people-watching opportunities the planet offers. And, for those who energize after dark, Miami's packed, world-renowned clubs epitomize wicked all-nighters. Miami scores big with foodies, too, who savor its tasty cuisines enhanced with strong Cuban and Caribbean flavors. 

Detour: A world apart, yet only 50 miles away, the Everglades offer a very different kind of wildness. Airboat, camp or take scenic drives to see gators and other exotic wildlife.

Here's how you can plan the ultimate long weekend in Miami.

2. Vero Beach 

Best for calm, romantic getaways

For a more sedate experience, visit the skyscraper-less beach of this under-the-radar jewel, just 150 miles north of Miami. There's little in the way of nightlife, but many find it a delightful reprieve. Embrace each new day with meditative yoga, digging your toes into warm sand as the sun rises over the ocean at popstar Gloria Estefan's  Costa d'Este resort (non-guests welcome). Grab an award-winning burger at  Casey's Place , a throwback to outdoor burger shacks of the 1970s, and learn the juicy history of Florida oranges at the tiny  Indian River Citrus Museum .

Detour: Visit  A.E. Backus Museum and Florida Highwaymen Museum in nearby Fort Pierce and become instant fans of this famous Florida landscape artist and the talented African-American painters he inspired.

Want more ideas for a beach vacation? Discover  Florida's best beaches .

Best for theme parks and family activities

A place where dreams come true,  Orlando  is a cosmopolitan city sprinkled with pixie dust. Sure, there's serious business going on here, but you wouldn't know it basking inside a sun-kissed swan paddleboat on Lake Eola , surrounded by towering skyscrapers in the heart of downtown. The ultimate in family fun, Orlando offers  Disney parks  and  Universal  – theme parks that are bound to keep kids awake weeks before arriving. There's also a  chocolate museum , a  star-car museum  and, for when you really need a break from all the crowds and chaos (and you will!),  Leu Gardens , a tranquil 50-acre botanical paradise.

Detour: See what it's like to be an astronaut at  Kennedy Space Center , less than an hour's drive away.

Continue the fun at  Florida's best theme parks .

4. St Augustine

Best for history and arresting architecture

Step back in time by wandering ancient cobblestone streets in St Augustine , America's oldest city. Settled by Spaniards in 1565, the facades of Old Town buildings reflect the Spanish-Colonial and Spanish Renaissance Revival eras. Its main thoroughfare, St George Street, is packed with charming boutiques, tacky souvenir shops, and restaurants overlooking the glimmering waters of the Matanzas River. If museums, galleries and churches are up your alley, there are plenty of those nearby as well.

5. Fort Lauderdale

Best for tantalizing beaches and boating

Blessed with an impressive stretch of white-sand beaches and seemingly endless canals,  Fort Lauderdale is heralded as the yachting capital of the world and "The Venice of America." Its  annual boat show  in October is the world's largest in-water boating show. Stroll the famous  Riverwalk , stop for a beer at the legendary  Elbo Room , watch mermaids perform at America's only underwater burlesque show , or shop and dine along famous  Las Olas Boulevard .

Detour: Take a narrated  water taxi tour to Hollywood Beach's lively  Broadwalk , passing mansions of the rich and famous along your journey. Buy an express pass or a hop-on, hop-off day pass with eleven scenic stops to enjoy.

6. Key West

Best for barhopping and snorkeling

Rows of pastel yellow, pink and green conch island homes with gingerbread trim complement  Key West's crystal-clear turquoise waters, transporting you to a world seemingly immune from daily problems. It's no wonder that world traveler and celebrated author Ernest Hemingway chose this Caribbean-style jewel to settle in during the 1930s (don't miss the museum about his life ).

Though laid-back by day, a festive party vibe dominates at night. (Some dive bars along Duval Street get rowdy, so avoid staying in Old Town if you want to sleep!) Foodies take note:  Key Lime Pie Co  bakes up some of the country's best, and  Conch Republic Seafood Company serves killer conch fritters, another Key West delicacy.

Detour: Ferries  and  seaplanes  shuttle to the secluded island paradise of  Dry Tortugas National Park , which has some of the world's greatest snorkeling in the shallow Florida Reef.

7. West Palm Beach

Best for shopping and bargain hunting

West Palm Beach's palm-lined boulevards welcome visitors to some of Florida's best shopping. At the heart of it all is  The Square , a 72-acre shopping, dining and entertainment complex featuring brand-name retailers and specialty boutiques. Fill your bags, then relax by the central fountain to enjoy free classic rock and country music concerts. Don't miss the spectacular  GreenMarket , a downtown farmers market with more than 120 vendors, every Saturday morning (October to April). Sixty additional flea market booths leading up Clematis St certify it as a bargain hunter's utopia.

Detour:  Take a 10-minute ferry ride to nearby  Peanut Island , a snorkeler's paradise, where crystal-clear waters promise a captivating underwater adventure. It's all the more extraordinary for being the location of a nuclear bunker built for JFK, though it's currently closed to the public.

8. Fort Myers, "the City of Palms"

Best for local arts and fishing

Despite the devastation wrought upon  Fort Myers  Beach's seven miles of stunning coastline by Hurricane Ian in 2022, the recovery is well underway – with  Margaritaville Beach Resort leading the pack.

Sadly, its signature quaint pubs and boardwalk taco stands will be gone as the blank canvas is repainted with glossy chic. But that doesn't detract from the other riches this beautiful Gulf Coast area boasts. The bricked, palm-lined boulevards of downtown Fort Myers' River District are enhanced with colorful murals and artistic sculptures and dotted with bistros, cafes, galleries, museums and theaters. Deep-sea anglers reel in massive tarpon and swordfish nearby, while paddleboarders love navigating the Gulf Coast's calm, clear waters.

Detours:  Nearby  Sanibel Island  boasts a motherlode of almost 400 species of shells, while  Bonita Springs is a quiet enclave with cafes and microbreweries. Also, don't miss  Wonder Gardens , a lush botanical garden and animal rescue facility that first opened in 1936 and is still a throwback to "Old Florida."

9. Pensacola

Best for learning to surf

With emerald-green waters kissing 18 miles of powdery, sugar-white sand, Pensacola's spacious beaches are heaven to those seeking a secluded getaway. The unspoiled terrain of  Gulf Islands National Seashore , America's largest stretch of protected coastline, extends from both sides of Pensacola Beach, a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Its warm waters and gentle summer waves make it perfect for people learning to surf.

The city itself feels like a cross between an urban hub and a chill beach town, with award-winning eateries and chic boutiques. Seville Quarter , a former cigar warehouse complex, is packed with busy bars and trendy restaurants. Seville Square, a small historic park, hosts many unique music, food and art festivals throughout the year.

Detour: Dolphins regularly swarm the warm coastal waters off nearby Destin. Several local boat-tour operators offer guided excursions to observe these splendid creatures from a safe distance within their natural environment.

Planning a trip to Florida? Here's more of our expert advice:

From beaches to theme parks, don't miss these top experiences Here's when the Sunshine State gets the most sunshine (and other great times to visit) This is what you should know before any Florida trip These road trips will take you to all the highlights in Florida

This article was first published March 2018 and updated March 2024

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19 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Florida

Written by Lana Law Updated Mar 20, 2024

Beaches, amusement parks, national parks, and an array of unique tourist attractions make Florida one of the most visited states in America. Families flock to Orlando to thrill the kids with visits to the theme parks, while sunseekers head to the coastal cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and a string of cities along the southern Gulf Coast.

In summer, visitors from around Florida and surrounding states often escape the heat and head to the cooling breezes and brilliant white-sand beaches of the Florida Panhandle.

If you're looking for a taste of island life there is nothing quite like the Florida Keys , where life runs at a slower pace. Places like Key West and its cast of characters, seem a world away from the mainland.

Spread across the state are a long list of must-see sights and things to do, from the Kennedy Space Center right through to the Dayton 500. This is a state that lends itself to return visits, and you can plan your next trip with our list of the top tourist attractions in Florida.

1. Walt Disney World

2. kennedy space center, 3. universal studios, 4. miami beach and the art deco historic district, 5. everglades national park, 6. daytona 500 international speedway, 7. seaworld orlando, 8. busch gardens tampa, 9. manatee viewing, 10. dry tortugas national park, 11. duval street in key west, 12. st. augustine's historic district and the castillo de san marcos national monument, 13. edison and ford winter estates, 14. the ringling, 15. salvador dalí museum in st. petersburg, 16. beaches of naples, 17. the great florida birding and wildlife trail, 18. pensacola beach and the gulf island national seashore, 19. weeki wachee spring and live mermaids show, best time to visit florida.

For the ultimate amusement park experience, there's no place quite like Disney World in Orlando. The magic of Disney has not worn off over the decades as millions of visitors come here each year to enjoy the Magic Kingdom and the many other attractions of this mega amusement park.

The number of things to do and see here has grown over the years and now includes an extensive list that reaches far beyond the traditional theme parks. If you're looking for more ideas, consider checking out the water parks of Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, the exotic animals of Animal Kingdom Park, or Disney Hollywood Studios.

You'll also find exceptional dining experiences, shopping areas, and shows, some of which are target to adults only.

Official site: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

The Kennedy Space Center is one of Florida's most exciting, fascinating, and educational attractions. Located on Florida's Space Coast, this huge complex is where space exploration has made history. Today, you can see rockets and the Space Shuttle Atlantis, meet an astronaut, and learn about missions to space.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is divided into mission zones, each of which features interesting displays and interactive exhibits focused on specific themes. Displays are designed with all ages in mind, making this an engaging experience for adults or families.

The Behind the Gates Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour takes you to restricted areas for a look at historic launch sites and other facilities with limited access to the public. This is included with your daily admission. Each area takes time to see, and you should expect to spend a full day at the Kennedy Space Center.

Many people visit the Space Center on day trips from Orlando , which is about an hour away if you don't hit traffic, but if you want to stay closer to get an early start at the Space Center, you can find quality chain hotels in Titusville.

Official site: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

Universal Studios in Orlando is a fantastic experience, and for many visitors, it often tops a visit to Walt Disney World. This huge amusement park offers all kinds of fantastic rides and recreated sets based on popular movies and shows. It's one of the best places to visit for families traveling with older children or teenagers.

Unbelievable 3D- and 4D-simulator rides; thrill rides; and wet and wild rides at the newest theme park, Universal's Volcano Bay , are some of the highlights. You can also find tamer rides for younger children to enjoy.

One of the most popular and impressive attractions is the Wizarding World of Harry Potter , where you can board the Hogwarts Express, wander through Hogsmeade Village, or, of course, hop on the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride.

Official site: https://www.universalorlando.com/

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Orlando

Although time spent lounging on the beach on a hot day is a must, Miami Beach is about much more than just the glorious, wide stretch of golden sand that lines the Atlantic. One of the things that makes Miami Beach so unique among Florida's beach destinations is the Art Deco Historic District. Beautifully restored buildings, mainly from the 1930s and early 1940s, reflect the city's vibrant history and create an ambience like you won't find in other cities.

Today, many of these buildings are high-end hotels, condominiums, and restaurants. Along Ocean Drive , the legendary oceanfront street overlooking South Beach, you'll find several outstanding Art Deco buildings, including the Hotel Breakwater South Beach, The Carlyle, and the Park Central Hotel (now part of the new Celino Hotel complex).

Collins Avenue is another street in the area worth strolling along, with more classic buildings. The Delano South Beach and the National Hotel Miami Beach, an adults only resort, are both standout Art Deco properties along Collins Avenue.

• Best Beaches in Miami
• Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Miami

Everglades National Park protects 1.5 million acres of marsh and swamp, an important and fragile ecosystem that supports alligators, American crocodiles, Florida panthers, deer, turtles, egrets, manatees, river otters, and many other species. It is one of the largest parks in the country and offers a unique opportunity to see some of these creatures in the wild.

The entire area is a wide, shallow river that flows from Lake Okeechobee to the Bay of Florida. The bottom of this river is porous limestone over the top of a bedrock base called the Tamiami Formation. It catches rainfall and acts as southern Florida's main water reservoir.

Airboat rides are the best way to see the Everglades and catch a glimpse of alligators and other wildlife. Half-day tours from Miami will take you from your hotel to the Everglades.

Official site: http://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm

The Daytona 500 race is one of the most famous and most important in the NASCAR Cup Series, kicking off the racing season each February. It is held in Daytona Beach at the Daytona International Speedway, and it attracts huge crowds every year.

The Speedway was built in 1959 to move auto racing off the beach. Previously, races and land-speed competitions were held on the hard-packed sand of Daytona Beach. If you can't make the race itself, you can still take a tour to explore the Speedway.

Official site: http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com

• Read More: Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Daytona Beach, FL

Much like Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando is a mega amusement park that has long been an important part of family vacations to Florida. The complex features its classic dolphin and whale shows, as well as acts featuring a cast of unexpected characters, from cats and ducks to otters and sea lions.

Other highlights include the Antarctica: Empire of the Penguin display and a host of other aquarium exhibits offering opportunities to see all kinds of marine life. Thrill rides, like the high-speed Mako roller coaster, which reaches speeds of up to 73 miles per hour, and the Journey to Atlantis water coaster ride are also a big part of the SeaWorld experience.

Busch Gardens is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Tampa area. This African theme park is home to all kinds of exotic animals and proudly claims to be one of the largest zoos in North America.

You can see lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, and much more. Safari style tours in open-air vehicles offer an opportunity to see some animals, like giraffes, zebras, rhinos, and ostrich roaming freely.

Other tours take you behind the scenes and offer a chance for close-up encounters with penguins, or a closer look at tigers and elephants. Live animal shows, featuring an unusual combination of characters, are another popular family activity.

Beyond the animal encounters, Busch Gardens also features all kinds of thrill rides, both wet and dry. While the wild and fast roller coasters get most of the attention, you can find rides for smaller children.

Official site: https://buschgardens.com/

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Tampa

These gentle, slow-moving giant sea creatures were once supposedly mistaken for mermaids by Christopher Columbus on his famous voyage to the Americas. When you see them up close in person, you may wonder if old Christopher had been at sea for just a bit too long.

Manatee viewing is a great family outing between November and mid-April, and fortunately Florida has several good spots to see these creatures. One of the most popular (and free) places to see manatees is at the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center at the Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach . As the waters in the surrounding bays cool with the winter weather, the manatees come into the lagoon by the plant to luxuriate in the warm water used to cool the power plant.

Another great spot for those with a bit more of a taste for adventure is Crystal River . Here, you can actually get in the water and swim with the manatees as they enjoy the warm-water springs.

Over on the West Coast in Riviera Beach, another good spot is the Manatee Lagoon and FPL Eco-Discovery Center . The viewing platforms are an ideal spot to see the manatees enjoying the warm waters below. In addition, it's a great place to educate the kids on not only manatees, but the wider Florida ecosystem.

Dry Tortugas National Park is home to the impressive Fort Jefferson , built by the US Government in the 1800s. Although this is the key attraction of the park, the beautiful reef islands, seven in total, that make up the Dry Tortugas are themselves worth the trip. You can tour the fort and spend the rest of the day enjoying the soft-sand beaches and snorkeling in the clear, shallow waters.

Located 70 miles west of Key West, these islands are not accessible by car. Catamaran boat trips from Key West bring visitors here for a full day, some of which includes a tour of the fort, time for beaching and snorkeling, and breakfast and lunch.

You can also camp here and, once the tourists have left for the day, you can have your own desert island experience. Access is via private boat or the public ferry that carries a maximum of 10 campers.

Official site: http://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm

• Read More: Top-Rated Beaches in Key West

Most people touring the Keys make Key West their main destination due to its location at the end of the chain of islands. And fortunately, a leisurely stroll along Duval Street in Key West is one of the highlights of the Florida Keys. Shops and restaurants with outdoor patios, many in beautifully restored old buildings, line the street. There is always a lively vibe, regardless of the time of year, but even more so on days when cruise ships come to port.

Key West has a distinctly Caribbean flare, making it unique from other destinations around the state. In addition to Duval Street, there are lovely residential areas for walking and a number of interesting attractions, including the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and the Southernmost Point in the continental USA .

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Key West, FL

Known for being one of the oldest settlements in Florida, although Pensacola would beg to differ, St. Augustine's historical sites and charming old architecture definitely make it worth a visit. At the top of the list of things to see is the late 19th-century Flagler College , one of the most photographed buildings in the city. It was originally built as a hotel by railroad magnate Henry Flagler.

Also not to be missed is the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument , famous for being the "oldest masonry fort in North America," according to the National Parks Service. Built in the 17th century, it is remarkably well preserved and an impressive sight, even for those with little interest in history. The view over the coast is also quite spectacular.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in St. Augustine, FL

These adjacent, oceanfront mansions in Fort Myers offer a glimpse into the lives and livelihoods of inventor, Thomas Edison, and the founder of the Ford Motor Company, Henry Ford. You can tour the homes and outbuildings, see where Edison conducted experiments, wander through the palm-lined grounds, and learn about Edison's famous botanical experiments. Once you reach the seashore, you'll quickly understand why these two men chose to spend winters here instead of up north.

The Edison Botanical Research Lab , one of the most impressive portions of the tour, is a designated National Historic Chemical Landmark.

Address: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, Florida

Official site: http://www.edisonfordwinterestates.org

This outstanding, Venetian-inspired property, built mainly in the mid-1920s, consists of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, the Ca' d'Zan, and gardens.

The Circus Museum celebrates the history of this unique form of performance. It displays all kinds of circus costumes, props, posters, and other memorabilia, and features exhibits on the history of the famous Ringling Bros. One of the highlights is a massive scale model of the circus as it approaches, sets up, and leaves a location.

The Ca' d'Zan was the residence of John and Mable Ringling. Their inspiration for this waterfront Venetian-style mansion came from their travels in Europe and the great palaces of Venice. The 36,000-square-foot home was completed in 1926 and is an architectural masterpiece in southern Florida.

A visit to the art museum, housed in a stunning pink palace, is almost jarring after you view all the relatively low-brow circus memorabilia. It showcases the Ringling's extensive art collection, which includes classic pieces by Velazquez, El Greco, Van Dyke, Veronese, and Rubens. It may seem to the casual visitor like John and Mabel Ringling were trying to overcompensate for their humble beginnings by collecting and showcasing these pieces.

Address: 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, Florida

Official site: https://www.ringling.org/history-ca-dzan

The Salvador Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg is located on the city's impressive waterfront and housed in a unique modern building designed to match the creativity of the artist himself. Curving glass appears to envelope the otherwise box-like structure, giving the building a very striking appearance.

Inside, the museum showcases pieces from throughout Dalí's career, providing a complete overview of his development as an artist. Even those with little knowledge of his mind-bending art will find this museum interesting and thought provoking.

Address: One Dalí Blvd, St. Petersburg, Florida

Official site: https://thedali.org/

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in St. Petersburg

The beaches on Florida's Gulf Coast are some of the best in the entire United States. Unlike their counterparts on the Atlantic Ocean, the water here is warm, generally calm, and often shallow. Beach resorts along this section make popular holiday destinations.

Of all the beach areas up and down this coast, some of the finest are located in Naples. Powdery sand, crystal-clear waters, and lots of room to set up your umbrella and chair are what you can expect. One of the liveliest areas is right near the historic Naples Pier, where you'll find volleyball courts and the greatest concentration of sunseekers.

Naples' beaches have a laid-back atmosphere and are rarely crowded outside of holidays. You can access the main stretches of beach from town, or for a more natural experience, visit one of the state or local parks up and down the coast. Just back from the beach area is the delightful city of Naples , with exceptional dining and high-end shopping.

Florida's unique ecosystems, with the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, The Everglades, and the swamps and bayous of its northern portion, attract a wide assortment of birds. One of the best ways to check off species on your bird "to see" list is to follow the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail.

Starting in Pensacola, and winding its way all across the state, the trail lists 510 birding hot spots, divided into four regions: East, Panhandle, South, and West. Many of the sites are located in state, county, local, or national parks and are always identified with a distinctive brown sign with a bird flying through a stylized O.

Official site: https://floridabirdingtrail.com/

One of Florida's hidden gems, Pensacola Beach and the Gulf Island National Seashore are home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the state. Blindingly white soft, squeaky sand is lapped by the green-blue crystalline waters of the Gulf of Mexico. You may bring a bestseller to read under your umbrella, but chances are you'll just end up gazing out at the amazing view.

Unlike beaches along Florida's East Coast, the beaches here are protected in many areas by the Gulf Island National Seashore Park. As a result, they have limited development, allowing for you to experience the seashore in its natural environment.

That isn't to say they are all natural. Pensacola Beach is one of the Panhandle's top beach destinations for its fun vibe, great restaurants, and affordable accommodations. While you are visiting, if you hear a roar in the sky, it's the Navy's Blue Angels aerial acrobatic team performing death-defying maneuvers.

Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in Pensacola

Florida wouldn't be Florida without its weird and wonderful assortment of tourist attractions. Ask yourself, where else in the world can you go and see a live mermaid swimming in a freshwater spring?

Although it may seem a bit over the top, the show is actually quite entertaining and well worth a visit. Mermaids have been performing here for over 60 years, and a trip to Weeki Wachee is almost a rite of passage for many tourists. Grab one of the 400 seats in the underwater theater, and settle in for a show unlike anything you've ever seen.

The mermaid show is actually located in Weeki Wachee Springs State Park . Other things to do include slipping and sliding on the waterslides at Buccaneer Bay, or taking a river boat tour.

Official site: https://www.floridastateparks.org/WeekiWachee

Wondering when it's best to go south? Depending on where you're headed (i.e. the Florida Panhandle and northern, cooler part of the state or the sunny Florida Keys) and what you're hoping to do during your vacation (i.e. soak up warm rays or ride roller coasters), the best time to visit Florida is twofold: between February and May and October and December .

If you've ever been unlucky enough to be in Florida when it snowed (yes, that's actually happened), you'll understand why it's important to get your vacation timing right. Let's face it, most of us head to the Sunshine State for, well, sunshine. And we're not looking for that cold bright sun that sometimes peaks from a winter cloud. We're talking about luxuriously hot rays that warm our bodies from the outside in. With that in mind, the best month to visit Florida is any month between February and May. At this time, you'll avoid the coldest months of the year (November through January), as well as those which are so stifling you'll wish for a blizzard (namely July and August). Oh, you'll also miss out on hurricane season, which runs from June to November (peaking between mid-August and mid-October). Here's a rundown of why you should visit during these months:

February: This early month sees highs that average around 75 degrees Fahrenheit in Miami and its lows dip to about 61. These temperatures will, of course, get warmer the farther south you go and colder for those heading north. The sun will shine on average for eight hours a day, and the sea temperature will be a refreshing 75 degrees. Rain only falls about six days of the month, so it's pretty dry and mild in February.

March : The highs are higher during this popular travel month, hitting about 77 degrees with lows of 64. Again, you won't see much rain, but you'll get an extra hour of sunshine over that found in February. Tourist numbers are on the up and up during this Spring Break month, which means you'll see more crowds. The popularity of March vacations in Florida also means you should be prepared for higher prices on everything from flights to hotel rooms to restaurants to attractions, especially if you're visiting during a school break.

April : This beautiful month offers warm temps (a high of 82) and even less rain (about 5 days) than its two predecessors. It's a busy travel month due to Easter, but once that's over, you'll see the crowds and inflated prices dissipate.

In terms of tourists, you won't have to fend them off since this is a shoulder month (a.k.a. that time between peak and off-peak seasons). In the case of Florida, the shoulder seasons can be found between April and May and September through November .

May : If you're looking for warmth, soak it up with the average highs of 87 degrees during this low-key month. You can enjoy low prices, lots of hotels to choose from, and much shorter lines at attractions, not to mention plenty of unimpeded space to stretch out on the silky soft beaches.

More on Florida

60 Things To Do & Places To Visit In Florida

By: Author Jerric Chong

Posted on Published: August 29, 2020  - Last updated: October 15, 2023

Florida, the Sunshine State, is a delightful haven for tourism.

Beaches, museums, art features, and cultural flair, often all close to each other, make Florida a vacation location unlike any other!

But with so many fun choices, you might struggle to choose where to go.

To help you decide what sites are must-visit vacation spots for you, here is a travel guide of the 60 top things to do and places to visit in Florida!

Table of Contents

1. Castillo de San Marcos

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Castillo de San Marcos is an extremely historic location, found along the shore of Florida in St. Augustine .

The gray structure rises into the sky, made from stonewalls famous for being “unbreakable”.

Holes of different sizes punctuate the walls, showing off all the battles and wars that the fort proudly stood against as it served the land that would become Florida.

This fortress of sorts was built in the 17th century by Spaniards who needed to keep their trading activities well-protected.

The walls remained strong against British siege for even two months straight, and many cannonballs remain lodged in the stonewall to this day. But how are the walls so strong?

Well, according to the material engineering students who uncovered the secrets of Castillo de San Marcos, the walls are made from a sedimentary rock type named coquina that doesn’t crack.

This is because it is composed of dead marine organism shells that have fluid particles, meaning it almost behaves more like foam than stone.

It was the best material the Spaniards could have chosen – and now, this gem of a fort is one of the state’s many points of interest, providing gorgeous views of the city and bay.

Address:  1 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States

2. St. Augustine

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It’s impossible not to acknowledge the wonderful St. Augustine, which is undoubtedly one of the most enticing cities to visit in the state of Florida.

It’s the oldest city in America, which is why it’s one of the most-visited destinations for those who love immersing themselves in history and fascinating architecture.

The city is located along the northeastern side of Florida and is packed with buildings and structures that date back to Spanish colonial times.

You’ve already read about the incredible Castillo de San Marcos, but there are plenty of other things to check out, such as the many stretches of beautiful beach, Anastasia State Park, quirky eateries, and quaint roads.

3. Busch Gardens

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Busch Gardens is a marvel full of safari action suitable for the whole family.

Located in the Tampa, Florida area, it’s home to over 300 different animal species (and over 12,000 individual animals) that are sure to excite and amaze.

Not much for animals?

Don’t worry; there’s a reason that Busch Gardens is ranked among the top 10 amusement parks in all of America, according to readers of USA Today!

A delightful roller coaster – floorless and extremely thrilling with shocking drops, angles, and speeds, is just one of its many draws.

Address:  10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612, United States

If you’re going to spend more time in Tampa, be sure to check out some fun things to do in Tampa !

4. Gatorland

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One of the top things to do in Florida for natural excitement is Gatorland , home to hundreds of alligators, crocodiles, and similar reptiles.

It’s one of the best ways to get back to the roots of good, old-fashioned enjoyment; feeding shows with room for audience participation, interesting tours, and a low price result in a kind of amusement park one may often forget exists in Florida.

Once you’re done with Orlando’s Gatorland, more adventurous tourists can attempt to check out the Gatorland in South Bay – now abandoned with only one building remaining.

It’s certainly fascinating to wander around and reminisce in the eerie, forgotten structure that still stands as a reminder of what once was.

Address:  14501 S Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, FL 32837, United States

5. Everglades National Park

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If you seek to go sightseeing while in Florida, an absolute must-see spot is the Everglades National Park .

Covering a whopping 1.5 million acres, this subtropical wetlands sits in the southernmost part of Florida.

The wild area has earned a spot on the list of International Biosphere Reserve – and it’s also a World Heritage Site!

Everglades National Park was set up as a result of environmentalists who petitioned the government to preserve its nature.

It was formed in 1947 and is now, behind Yellowstone, America’s second-largest national park.

Primarily, it consists of swamp and subtropical marsh, with river, mangroves, and flatwoods that all act as habitats for hundreds of animal species, including endangered or threatened ones.

If you’re lucky, you might see some of them, such as the state panther, the manatee, the leatherback turtle, and the American crocodile.

Given its large size, most choose to check out only fractions of the Everglades National Park.

A simple walk works wonders, but guided boat tours, tram rides, and hiking tours are also great ways to get a feel of the park and experience its joys.

Address: 40001 State Road 9336, Florida City, FL 33034, United States

6. Dry Tortugas National Park

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The Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the best and most beautiful places in Florida to visit.

It spans across the Las Tortugas islands, so named by its “discoverer” Juan Ponce de Leon after the turtles he consumed to survive while he journeyed throughout the tumultuous waters of the world.

Since its discovery in 1513, the islands have grown.

Originally consisting mainly of coral, sea turtles, and saltwater, the Dry Tortugas soon became a common spot for explorers and merchants alike, which unintentionally caused it to host a good many shipwrecks as it earned the nickname “ship trap”.

It then became home to forts protecting the land, then as a prison, then as a coaling station, then again as a location during the war, and, finally, a national park.

The Dry Tortugas is now a large national park, and they’re so remote that they can only be visited via seaplane or boat.

This has made them one of the county’s least visited parks both in Florida and across the nation.

Address: Key West, FL 33040, United States

7. Legoland

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Coming to Florida with kids who seek fun and exciting activities?

Legoland is an easy bet for one of the best things to do in Florida with children!

It’s the brand’s second-largest theme park, encompassing an impressive 145 acres of land and hosting more than 50 different rides – all Lego-themed!

A wide range of different attractions makes Legoland a real treat.

A water park, tours, rides, places to build Lego creations, shows, life-sized Lego mascots, and everything else you’d need to make any Lego fanatic jump for joy are found all throughout.

There is also a botanical garden and a hotel. The latter had themed Lego rooms, such as wizard, pirate, medieval, and more!

Address:  1 Legoland Way, Winter Haven, FL 33884, United States

8. Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove is one of the most delightful tourist attractions for marine animal-lovers in Florida.

The attraction sits in Orlando and is famous for allowing guests to get up close and personal with intelligent, sweet bottlenose dolphins!

You’ll get to talk to, touch, play with, and overall enjoy the company of these lovely mammals.

Apart from dolphins, many other marine creatures are available to befriend, including manta rays.

Apart from that, Discovery Cove has a one-of-a-kind feature where you get to essentially walk “underwater” along the ocean floor with the aid of a dive helmet.

You’ll also get to visit a freshwater lagoon that houses tropical birds (eager to be fed by questions) and otters.

It’s undoubtedly the loveliest way to learn about sea creatures in Florida.

Address:  6000 Discovery Cove Way, Orlando, FL 32821, United States

If you want to see more of this beautiful city in Florida, here are some of the best things to do in Orlando !

9. Venetian Pool

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The Venetian Pool is among the most famous and best places to see in the state of Florida because it’s America’s biggest freshwater swimming pool.

Located in Coral Gables of Florida, it is a very unique water feature that offers fun and relaxation to visitors.

The pool, now on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in an abandoned quarry for coral rocks back in 1924, designed to mimic the appearance of a Mediterranean-style Venetian grotto.

Natural grotto caves add to the overall aesthetic.

Perhaps the Venetian Pool’s most iconic feature is its stunningly crystal clear blue freshwater, always clean and clear.

The secret?

A natural system for filtration.

Originally, the water had to be drained out and replaced daily with artesian spring water, but after backlash from water conservationists, this filtration system allows pool water to be drained out and then back into an aquifer.

This basically means the filtration system cleans the pool and replaces it with its own clean remnants every day – though the traditional method of refilling water is still used in springtime and summer.

Because this means the pool stands empty sometimes, it is often used for events, like concerts.

Address: 2701 De Soto Blvd, Coral Gables, FL 33134, United States

10. Salvador Dali Museum

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Whoever said old art is just for adults hasn’t seen much of Salvador Dali’s work.

The Salvador Dali Museum is the planet’s second-largest Dali artwork collection and lives in St. Petersburg, Florida, by the lovely waterfront.

The building carries Dali’s artistic spirits, with skylights in bubble-like shapes, waxed mustache decor, melting clocks, spindly sculptures, geometric windows, and wrap-around wall lights.

Originally, the Dali Museum’s contents were part of a collection owned by Reynolds and Eleanor Morse in their Cleveland hometown.

In 1982, the collection was moved to its current location in Florida, though only as a warehouse at first.

In 2011, it became an expanded museum and now it houses all sorts of oddities and wonders in more than 2,000 pieces!

All sorts of intriguing works are on display, including surreal paintings and seven masterworks, such as The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus and The Hallucinogenic Toreador.

There are also films, photographs, and visiting collections from similar icons of the art world.

The Salvador Dali Museum, Florida is open daily and its special events make it a treat to go almost all the time, and even going this weekend is likely to net you something interesting!

Address:  1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States

11. Daytona 500

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The Daytona 500 race is the pinnacle of Nascar sportsmanship, often considered the most important of its events.

At the Daytona National Speedway in Florida, this race is held each February as a herald of the racing season.

Originally, before the Speedway’s creation in 1959, these races were held at Daytona Beach.

As per its name, the Daytona 500 spans 500 miles, and its tickets can be quite pricey.

However, the fun adrenaline of the race often makes the Daytona International Speedway one of the go-to places of interest in the state of Florida during the start of the racing season.

Even if you can’t watch a race, you can still go to the speedway; there are events in summer, music festivals at certain times of the year, and tours held regardless of the season!

Address: 1801 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, United States

12. Kennedy Space Center

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The Kennedy Space Center , close to Orlando, is a gem of NASA and one of the best activities for space-lovers in Florida who are seeking educational and exciting stuff to do.

The space center is home to all sorts of machinery and items relating to space exploration, from rocket launchers to historic memorabilia.

The Kennedy Space Center spans 140,000 acres and has served as a launch site for some of the country’s most important space shuttle missions.

Exhibits and showcases give you special insight into the world of NASA and two IMAX theaters play all sorts of fascinating and fun films related to space travel and discovery.

If you’re interested, you can opt for a bus tour of the spaceport that shows you the center grounds.

There are many different kinds of tours available, arranged chronologically so you can get a comprehensive look at the history of NASA, its stories, and its goals for the future.

It’s truly out of this world; by the time you’re done, you won’t even feel like you’re in Florida anymore!

Address: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32899, United States

13. Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum

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Given the rich background of journalist and novelist Ernest Hemingway, it’s no surprise that the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum is one of the many famous places loved by tourists in Florida.

Though the prolific man lived in many locations over his life, this home in particular has a good deal of importance to it.

Located in Key West, Florida on Whitehead street, this house was moved to by Hemingway in the mid-1920s as he moved from Paris to America at the advice of a friend and soon-to-be-legendary author John Dos Passos.

It was a gift by one of his uncles, evidently above what Hemingway could have been able to afford on his own; opulent Spanish-style architecture and luxurious fixings make the house, now, a treat for its design as much as its history.

In this house, Hemingway wrote A Farewell to Arms and parts of other great novels like Green Hills of Africa , Death in the Afternoon , and For Whom the Bell Tolls .

He also got the nickname Papa while living in this house and gained the inspiration for To Have and Have Not .

Now, visitors to the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum get to view over 20 years of memorabilia dating to Hemingway’s time in the home, from his typewriter to his hunting trophies – and more than 50 cats, most of which have extra toes!

Supposedly, these are almost all descended from a six-toed cat that Hemingway owned.

Address:  907 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040, United States

14. Miami Beach

Few would visit Florida without taking a trip to one of its top beaches, Miami Beach.

It’s a haven for tourism, culture, and even authentic local experiences.

From families to models and from celebrities to critics, it seems like anyone who is (and isn’t) anyone goes here.

The beach is family-friendly, lined with affordable eateries, and very close by to all sorts of attractions like museums, theaters, and galleries.

Soak up the sun and surf, fish on piers, try some watersports, or do all of the above!

It’s quintessential Florida in a nutshell.

Want to take part in one of the most fun things to do in Florida without dealing with excessive crowds?

Head south to South Beach or South Pointe Park to find a more curated scene with different kinds of people.

Spending more time in Miami? Check out some of the best things to do in Miami !

15. Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is located along Florida’s southeastern coast and is often considered a must-do for tourists who love picturesque experiences, lovely beaches, and the ability to wander!

It’s one of the best ways to get an authentic taste of Florida, with beaches, sun, relaxation, shopping, and more – and it’s called the Venice of America, and you can’t go wrong with that!

Fort Lauderdale packed with great places to check out, including the Strip (a promenade full of boutiques, restaurants, hotels, shops, and bars), the 1901 Stranahan House (the oldest building that remains standing in the city), and attractions like Hugh Taylor Birch State Park and the Swimming Hall of Fame.

That’s not all! If you’re spending more time here, be sure to check out some of the fun things to do in Fort Lauderdale !

16. Bok Tower Gardens

The Bok Tower Gardens are among the most beautiful places in Florida for sightseeing and architecture.

It was built for Edward W. Bok and Mary Louise Curtis Bok by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr, completed in 1926 after five years of work.

The couples wanted to create a bird sanctuary after visiting Lake Wales Ridge in the winter.

Bok essentially gifted the Bok Tower Gardens to Florida and its people and it’s full of fun and beautiful vacation spots to find and marvel at.

This includes the Iron Mountain (one of the state’s highest points), a 205-foot singing tower of Art Deco, and neo-gothic style (marked by a brass door; you need to pay to enter), and of course a carillon – one of the finest in the world.

There is also a carillon library packed with photographs, books, scores, recordings, and articles about the instrument.

The carillon is played twice daily at one and three in the afternoon respectively.

Address:  1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853, United States

17. Panama City Beach

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Panama City Beach is one of the best places to visit in Florida if you’re seeking a vibrant coastal town that shows off the liveliest parts of Florida’s coast.

It’s full of stretches of beach, vibrant nightlife, and options for all ages.

There’s no shortage of things to do at Panama City Beach.

There’s Shipwreck Island Waterpark (with waterslides and pools), Gulf World Marine Park (where you can swim with marine life), Lake Powell, Camp Helen State Park, Russell-Fields Pier, and even the Gulf of Mexico itself.

A mix of wildlife paradise and nightlife haven, you’re sure to find something to love in this little town!

Address: 7940 Front Beach Rd, Panama City Beach, FL 32407, United States

18. Neptune Memorial Reef

Neptune Memorial Reef

A mix of mystery, fun, adventure, and the somber eclipse Neptune Memorial Reef , a “lost city” 40 feet beneath sea level.

It was originally called the Atlantis Memorial Reef that serves as an artificial reef for marine life and an underwater cemetery.

Its current name is earned from its sponsor, a cremation company called the Neptune Society.

Located a short distance from Miami’s Key Biscayne, the Neptune Memorial Reef opened its gates in 2007.

Designed by local artist Kim Brandell, it spans 16 acres and was specifically designed to be a hospital home for coral and marine life.

Divers can check out the place and swim through the park to observe the many memorials.

The Neptune Memorial Reef holds cremated remains that have been cast into memorials of concrete, arranged throughout the memorial park.

A mix of steel and bronze accents add flair and enchanting touches to the concrete.

One famous person laid to rest here is Bert Kilbride, who was once the world’s oldest scuba diver.

As far as Florida attractions go, it’s one of a kind!

Address: 3.25 miles offshore, Key Biscayne, FL 33149, United States

19. Clearwater

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There is no shortage of things to see in Clearwater , noted for housing a 3-mile expanse of one of the best beach stretches in Florida.

It’s among the favorite tourist attractions for beachgoers and divers, especially given its narrow but long-reaching barrier reef.

Hotels, eateries, and resorts line the sands, and its small-town aesthetic makes it a great, quieter vacation location in Florida.

Apart from heading to the beach, while in Clearwater, Florida, you can visit the Moccasin Lake Nature Park (full of boardwalk trails), Pier 60 (a great place to watch street performances and the sunset), the Bright House Field (where spring training is held for the baseball team of the Phillies), or the Clearwater Marine Aquarium (which is home to the dolphins that starred in the Dolphin Tale films).

20. Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World is the epitome of bucket list spots in Florida, full of excitement and fun that brings anyone’s inner child out to play.

It’s such a popular spot that it’s widely considered a staple for what to do in Florida.

You’ll get to experience all the magic, whimsy, and charm of Disney up close and personal at Walt Disney World, situated in Orlando, Florida.

The amusement park is packed with rides of all sorts, delicious Disney-themed treats, great souvenir shopping, and more!

You’ll also get to take pictures with awesome character actors.

If you’re going this weekend, consider a Fastpass that lets you skip some of the very long lines.

Address: World Drive, Orlando, FL 32830, United States

21. Fort Pickens

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Fort Pickens sits at the far end of all the beach and coast stretches in Florida.

As a military fort that dates back to the Civil War and early 19th century times, it’s one of the points of interest in the state known for its historical value.

The fort was finished in 1834, built as a result of remaining fears because of the War of 1812.

Its original function was to protect Pensacola Bay as the region moved on past the wars of yesterday to the hope of tomorrow.

It was mainly built by slave labor in difficult and inhumane conditions, and its engineer would eventually join the Confederacy.

Ironically, during the Civil War, this fort never left union control despite being attacked by its own engineer and many other Confederate forces!

After the Civil War, Fort Pickens would serve as an Indian Wars prison, even housing Geronimo.

Now, though, the fort rests in peaceful times in this corner of Florida.

Its remains are a national park and allow you to look through prisoner cells, officer quarters, gunrooms, mine chambers, exercise spaces, and cannons.

Address:  1400 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, FL 32561, United States

22. Key West

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It’s impossible not to think of Key West as one of the main cities to visit in Florida.

It’s actually the most western inhabited island in all of the United States.

As part of the Florida Keys, Key West is fun, vibrant, culturally rich, and packed with activities.

Streets are lined with bars, eateries, and stores that all give you more of a taste of Cuba than the state you’re in due to how near it is to the border.

While here, be sure to check out Duval Street (colorful and loved by tourists for its old buildings and Caribbean heritage), Mallory Square (a lovely spot full of street performers and great sunset views), the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory (for free-flying butterflies and exotic flowers), and the Key West lighthouse (that rises 65 feet into the air and provides great ocean views).

If you’re going to spend more time in Key West, don’t forget to check out some of the best Key West attractions !

23. Universal Studios

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To talk about Florida and its tourist draws without mentioning Universal Studios is almost a crime!

Just like Walt Disney World, Universal Studios is a staple for pop culture-lovers.

Witness all your favorite moments from the entertainment world come to life right here in Florida!

To save money, it’s advisable that you purchase a multiday ticket in advance and plan your trip accordingly.

Universal Studios is often very crowded and busy, so you might also want the Universal Express Pass option on top of that, which lets you skip the line.

If you come back often, you can even get a season pass for super special treatment.

Address:  6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, United States

24. John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

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The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art has a rather fun history and a tale that is more than worth it to explore.

John Ringling, a circus magnate, and entrepreneur, and his wife Mabel spent much of their fortune on this huge mansion that housed their art collection.

The Venetian-styled building in Sarasota is nothing short of beautiful and its contents were left to Florida when they passed away.

For a long time, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art was sorely neglected.

At long last, though, the Florida State University received the rights to manage the museum by the state in the year 2000.

They raised funds to put in a Visitor’s Center and turn the estate into a lavish museum that focused not just on the art collection of the Ringlings, but also on artifacts pertaining to the life and times of the circus tycoon.

They also added a lovely rose garden to the grounds.

The art collection showcased here is rather eclectic, as it was the Ringlings’ own personal collection.

From Cypriot works to Old Masters, they are all displayed in this wonderfully restored structure.

At the circus museum, you can view a bit of an oxymoron – the planet’s largest circus miniature!

Address:  5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243, United States

Before you venture out, here’s what to do in Sarasota for a memorable vacation!

25. Delray Beach

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Delray Beach isn’t actually a beach; rather, it’s a small coastal town situated in Miami.

It was founded by Seminoles and is the most peaceful little spot you’ll probably be able to find in that part of Florida.

After all, there’s a reason it’s called the Village by the Sea!

Delray Beach has a very bohemian feel to it and has a lot of energy in its streets, but it’s low-key and relaxing, leaving behind luxury for simplicity and charm.

If you walk through Atlantic Avenue, you’ll appreciate the delightful lights, and all throughout the town, quaint eateries, local shops, and quirky galleries await.

Bright beach stretching two miles, blissfully free from overcrowded stress, is another big draw.

Though it may not be as exciting as the rest of the state, Delray Beach is a must-see for anyone tired of the glam and glitz of Miami.

It’s got the greatest options for kicking back and relaxing!

26. Manatee Springs State Park

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Manatee Springs is one of the most beautiful places in the state of Florida, located on the northwestern side.

It was named by William Bartram, a naturalist, in the 18th century after something surprisingly morbid for a place so gorgeous – after the carcass of a manatee, washed up along the Suwannee River.

Since its slightly sad beginnings, Manatee Springs has become a state park, and it continues to live up to its name in a much more positive way.

The springs stay at an even and warm temperature of 72º F throughout the entire year, so manatees swim up into the park for a spot of good temperature in the winter.

Speckled perch, alligators, and large-mouth bass also come here during the time.

Watching the activities of these animals is fun and thrilling, and if you go kayaking in the park, these animals often swim up to you and ask for pets!

You might even spot baby manatees, as the warm waters make for a great manatee nursery!

Address:  11650 NW 115 St, Chiefland, FL 32626, United States

27. Siesta Key

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Siesta Key is probably most known for being a star of certain reality TV shows on MTV, but those shows painted an incorrect picture; in reality, Siesta Key is one of the best places to visit in Florida!

The island houses 8 miles of heavenly white sands and blue surf, and it was clearly chosen for a show centering on privilege and wealth simply because of its beauty and opulence.

A more low-key part of the island, and part of the reason it’s one of Florida’s coolest tourist attractions, is Siesta Key Village.

It’s like a blast from the past here and you’ll feel like you walked into a 1950s set!

Seafood eateries selling fresh catches daily, homemade ice cream parlors, and small cafes all make for a quaint and rustic experience.

The island may be small, but what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in flavor!

28. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens were once the estate (and villa) of the famous socialite and industrial executive James Deering – who was also a conservationist.

Originally, it covered 180 acres of land and was designed to conserve native forest and mangrove swamps.

Situated on Biscayne Bay in Coconut Grove, it’s a great spot for sightseeing and relaxation and is one of the Florida attractions that is sure to satisfy nature-lovers.

The main building was constructed between the years 1914 and 1916 and was used by Deering as a winter home upon completion.

Meanwhile, the rest of the home continued being built for seven more years until Deering passed away at sea.

His nieces then inherited the property, and they both decided to sell off parts of the estate in order to pay for the maintenance required on the rest of it.

Twenty years later, Miami’s Mercy Hospital and the Catholic Archdiocese of St. Augustine had a lot of the land donated to them.

Then, fifty acres surrounding the main building were purchased by the Miami-Dade County and restoration efforts led to the estate becoming a National Historic Landmark.

Now, it’s a mix of fun and picturesque with Italian Renaissance gardens, native woodland, and historic outbuildings that all make a tourist location and a host for ceremonies.

Address:  3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129, United States

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Destin is one of the top Florida’s places to see, and that’s partly due to its nickname: the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.

Situated on the Florida Panhandle, it’s famous for gorgeous beaches, great fishing, and excellent golfing opportunities.

It was once a fishing town, but a connecting bridge caused its population to grow, and it is now home to at least 13,000 residents.

Need some ideas for ways to fill your time here?

Go to the Big Kahuna water park, walk on Destin Harbor Boardwalk, enrich yourself at the Destin History and Fishing Museum, immerse yourself in history at Fort Walton Mound, or get close to nature at Henderson Beach State Park.

If you’re going to be spending more time here, don’t forget to check out some incredible things to do in Destin, Florida !

30. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

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The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a fantastic and fun way for butterfly-lovers to get some excitement.

Hundreds upon hundreds of butterflies and moths enjoy a natural habitat of beautiful flowers.

There are also flamingos and other exotic birds from outside of Florida to gaze upon!

Head to the conservatory’s learning center to learn about metamorphosis and the life cycles of moths and butterflies, as well as how they eat, reproduce, and move.

There is also the Wings of Imagination art gallery that allows you to view vibrant technicolor renditions of butterfly-themed art.

So the next time you’re in Key West, Florida, be sure to drop by!

Address:  1316 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040, United States

31. Devil’s Den

ADRIAN DIAZ CADAVID / Shutterstock

Still asking about what to visit while in Florida?

The state is home to plenty of other sites of wonder and awe – like the Devil’s Den !

Located near Williston, Devil’s Den is an underground river that now has a cave entrance to the surface, thanks to the collapse of its roof.

In other words, this is a rare opportunity for visitors to go scuba-diving in a subterranean river.

The waters stay a balmy 72 degrees Fahrenheit all year round, so you’re reassured of a comfortable diving experience no matter the season.

It makes for a wonderful sight on cold winter mornings, where visitors can see the steam rising up from the river’s cave chimney!

Visitors will have to be serious divers and snorkelers, however.

Devil’s Den is a private scuba diving training and recreational facility that does not allow casual visitors, swimmers, pets, and children under the age of 6.

You – or a guardian, should you be under 18 – will also have to sign an insurance liability waiver upon entering the property as well.

Address:  5390 NE 180 Ave, Williston, FL 32696, United States

32. Anna Maria Island

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Florida is home to all sorts of postcard-worthy beaches that are perfect for all sorts of fun activities.

Anna Maria Island, however, may just take the cake.

Located south of St. Petersburg, Florida, this island is seven miles long and full of scenic charm.

Visitors asking about what to see here will find that there’s plenty in the form of beautiful sunsets and untouched nature.

If you’re not enjoying a sunset with a grouper sandwich from a lounge chair on the docks, you ought to be snorkeling through Egmont Key or joining a kayaking tour.

Interested in marine biology?

The island is home to all sorts of stingrays, dolphins, and even manatees.

Additionally, history buffs will also find plenty to marvel at as well!

From abandoned shipwrecks to historic Spanish-American sea forts, there’s plenty to see and do on this quiet little island.

33. Coral Castle

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Looking for a castle?

You don’t have to fly all the way to Europe for one.

Located in Florida is perhaps one of the most unorthodox locales on the list of famous places the state has to offer.

Originally named Rock Gate Park by its builder, the strange and wondrous castle is usually known these days as Coral Castle .

After he was jilted by his partner the day before their wedding, Latvian Ed Leedskalnin boarded one of the many ships to the US, where he eventually settled in Florida.

He evidently never got over his lost love, however, and tapped into his stonemason heritage to build Coral Castle.

Despite his height and weight of 5 feet and 100 pounds, Leedskalnin managed to cut, shape, and move blocks of Oolitic Limestone that weighed over 30 tons and were often over 25 feet tall – all for the construction of his monument of love.

The completed castle contains incredible things like a stone rocking chair and a 9-ton gate that, astonishingly, only needs a light touch to spin open.

Due to his secretive working habits, some have speculated that Leedskalnin may have used magic to build his castle.

Of course, the most reliable way to find out the truth is to check out the castle yourself!

Address:  28655 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033, United States

34. Amelia Island

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The world is full of beautiful places – and Florida is home to some of them.

At the top of the list is Amelia Island, a hidden gem squirreled away into one of the chains of barrier islands that dot the East Coast.

Once home to roaming pirates, Amelia Island’s beaches are now better known for its idyllic scenery, quiet charm, and its shrimp industry.

Hop on over to enjoy nature at its most serene, or check out one of the many outdoor activities the island has to offer!

Want to experience more thrill? Located about 40 miles from Amelia Island, here are some Jacksonville attractions to not miss!

35. Fort Myers

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War has left its mark on Florida, in a way that cannot be ignored or denied.

So it’s only natural that some of the best tourist attractions in the state include leftovers of that era of blood.

These days, however, visiting them is less of a depressing reminder.

Instead, it’s actually one of the many fun things to do in Florida!

Originally a fort constructed on the banks of Caloosahatchee River, Fort Myers these days is a modern commercial center with easy access to Florida’s famous beaches.

Once you’re done snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, or just plain relaxing, it’s a quick jaunt to the Imaginarium Science Center – an aquarium that doubles as a hands-on science museum!

Don’t worry if you’re a history or nature buff, either.

The city still has plenty to offer in those spots!

Try checking out the historic homes and buildings on the grounds, or one of the many wildlife and nature preserves in the general vicinity!

36. Sanibel Island

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One of the best things to do in Florida is to simply just lie down on a beach and enjoy the quiet sights and sounds of nature.

Sure, it might not sound super fun or exciting, but sometimes that’s just really all you need.

And Sanibel Island is more than capable of filling that need to do absolutely nothing!

Don’t want to lounge on a beach all day?

Don’t worry, there’s plenty of other things to do still.

You can try swimming, boating, and snorkeling in the pristine waters around the island, or consider combing the beaches for the abundant amount of seashells that wash up onto the beach.

Additionally, half of Sanibel Island is home to a massive mangrove forest, which houses some 245 different bird species – along with all sorts of animals, reptiles, and sea creatures native to the lands and seas of Florida!

37. Southernmost Point Buoy

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Looking for the southernmost point of the United States?

This massive concrete monument claims to mark the exact point!

In reality, this isn’t actually the case – Hawaii is actually located further south.

It’s still one of the many major Florida attractions the state has to offer, however, since it still works as a marker for the southernmost point of the continental US.

Located in Key West, Florida, the monument is surrounded by all sorts of themed hotels, inns, shops, bars, and gift shops that have sprung up to serve the tourism boom.

So despite it simply being a marker for a physical location, the space surrounding the monument is bustling with all sorts of activities!

It’s a good idea to go there first thing in the morning before the crowds start coming in.

Grab yourself a cup of Cuban coffee, then drive on down to check out the fascinating sight yourself!

Address:  Whitehead St &, South St, Key West, FL 33040, United States

38. Mount Dora

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Don’t let its small size and quaint atmosphere fool you – Mount Dora is still jammed packed with all sorts of fun things to see and do.

Located near Orlando, the town is full of Old Florida charm – from its vintage clapboard houses to its antique handmade shops.

If you’re someone who loves exploring, this small town is for you.

Art, wine, spices, and knick-knacks line the streets here, and the shops are full of fascinating antiques.

It also happens to be close to other wonderful attractions – like some of the greatest natural swimming holes in Florida!

39. Seaside

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If you’ve ever been a fan of The Truman Show, you may already have a point on your bucket list dedicated to visiting this locale in Florida.

Located between the well-known party towns of Destin and Panama City, Seaside is a quaint and idyllic town that genuinely is just as cozy as it appears in the movie.

Visitors dropping by this tranquil little town will find it to be a wonderful respite after traveling through the busier parts of Florida.

Here, you can enjoy the sight of pastel-colored homes lined up behind white picket fences, and a gorgeous example of the many beaches the state is famous for.

Seaside is also home to an annual concert that draws in some of the best musical artists from across the country.

If you’ve missed the date, however, not to worry – there’s still plenty of local shops and restaurants to visit, and even a fantastic farmer’s market!

40. Apalachicola

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For those hunting down the “Old South” charm and history, one of the many points of interest the Florida Panhandle has to offer in that regard is Apalachicola.

And it’s not too hard to see why that’s the case!

Crammed full of preserved, historic homes and oak-lined streets, this small fishing village allows visitors to step back in time to see how beautiful Florida was when it was still overwhelmed with nature and greenery.

Additionally, visitors here will also get an opportunity to see and experience how the timber, oyster, and fishing industries are like on a ground level.

If you’re just looking for a quick retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, Apalachicola has got you covered too.

The town is surrounded by half a million acres of forest, and as such will envelop you in the tranquil peace nature has to offer!

Want to experience more thrill? Located about 199 miles from Apalachicola, here’s what to do in Pensacola ! 

41. St. Petersburg

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One of the best cities to visit in Florida is – hands down – St. Petersburg .

Thanks to its location on a peninsula, this modern city is lined with beautiful beaches from all sides.

So if you’re someone who loves kayaking, hiking, or camping on the beach, St. Petersburg – nicknamed “Sunshine City” – is the best place to be!

If the beaches are too full of beach-goers for your liking, however, don’t worry.

St. Petersburg is also home to fishing charters.

Hop down to the docks to watch fishermen at work, or to the nearby Locale Market for fresh seafood and local delights!

The city is also home to several world-class museums and sees all sorts of cultural, musical, and food-based events all year round.

Assuming you miss seeing any of these events, there’s still plenty of restaurants and pubs to comb through, a lively nightlife to check out!

42. Florida Museum of Natural History

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Of all the fun and unique tourist spots to visit in Florida, the last thing you’d expect to see on the list is a stuffy museum.

After all, what exciting activities could there be in such a place?

The Florida Museum of Natural History , however, may just change your mind.

Home to all sorts of incredible exhibits, the museum is a marvel to look at no matter what time of the year.

Drop by to check out all sorts of fossils, or even the butterfly rainforest exhibit!

Address:  3215 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States

Want to explore Gainesville more? Here’s what to do in Gainesville !

43. International Drive

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You might not have expected a driving down a thoroughfare to be one of the top cool things to do in Florida, but the International Drive is an exception to the rule.

Also known as the I-Drive, it serves as an 11 miles-long tourist strip full of all sorts of attractions.

It is essentially a theme park you can walk through!

Here, visitors can find all sorts of entertainment.

You can find mini-golf fields, live shows, an incredible assortment of dining options, and various shops.

The I-Drive is also home to a go-kart track, a museum, all kinds of amusement rides, escape rooms, and even an option to go on a helicopter ride!

Additionally, kids and adults alike will also find the waxwork museum and Ripley’s Believe it or Not! exhibition to be fascinating to visit.

All in all, the I-Drive is guaranteed to be a wonderful experience for friends and families visiting Florida!

Address: International Dr, Orlando, FL, United States

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Looking for fun on the coastline of Florida?

Then one of your must-see destinations is Naples !

With its gorgeous white beaches that stretch out for miles, Naples has rightfully earned its spot as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Florida.

Not a fan of sand?

The 1888 Naples Pier has got your back.

This iconic pier is a lively place, full of people fishing or keeping an eye out for the local marine life.

If you’re struggling to see anything but still want to check out the local wildlife, Naples Zoo may be the solution for you.

Located at the Caribbean Gardens, visitors can watch animals flocking onto various small islands dotting an artificial lake.

This is perfect for any nature lovers who are interested in checking out the regional wildlife making their homes here.

Additionally, there’s plenty of history and culture to be found here too!

45. Pirate & Treasure Museum

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Ever had some pirate-themed vacation ideas you wanted to try out?

Florida is perfect for this goal, thanks to the St. Augustine’s Pirate and Treasure Museum .

Founded by Pat Croce, this museum features 48 different exhibits and one of the largest collections of authentic pirate artifacts in the world.

Some of the incredible things on display in this museum include the likes of Blackbeard’s blunderbuss and some of the original gold pieces retrieved from his ship.

The museum also has informative exhibits about the life of various buccaneers and the treasures and weapons they had collected during their life while raiding the coast of Florida.

The museum is also home to a treasure hunt that will certainly keep your kids entertained from room to room – though if you’d like, you can tap into your inner child and try hunting down said treasure yourself too!

Address:  12 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States

46. WonderWorks

WonderWorks is known to be one of the best places to visit in Florida if you have kids, and it’s easy to see why.

This fun theme park is one-of-a-kind and can be found nowhere else save in Florida.

And it’s easy to spot too – it looks like a building that has been uprooted and deposited upside-down!

Children will find this educational theme park to be an exciting and thrilling experience.

The themed exhibits combine science shows with hands-on exhibits and physical challenge zones, allowing children to run through the place and bodily learn about the science and the world around them – all while having a blast!

The museum is located on the famous International Drive – so if you’re already there, visiting it is just one of the many things you can do while exploring the entertainment and theme park strip!

Address:  9067 International Dr, Orlando, FL 32819, United States

47. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

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While the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens are now one of the best Florida attractions the state has to offer, it didn’t have the most straightforward history.

It was established in 1906 by George Morikami, a 19-year-old who was one of the many Japanese farmers hoping to cultivate pineapples in South Florida.

After his death, the nearby city of Delray Beach became a sister city to Miyazu in Morikami’s honor, and his farmland transformed into a tranquil Japanese oasis.

Full of manicured gardens and informative exhibits, the gardens will certainly soothe the minds and souls of all who visit!

Address:  4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach, FL 33446, United States

48. Naval Aviation Museum

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In need of informative entertainment for the aviation buff in your life?

Perhaps the Naval Aviation Museum is just what you need.

Located in Pensacola, this museum is one of the best places to go to if you’re looking for a fun way to learn more about naval aviation – both its history and its present.

Here, visitors get to explore the inside guts of various airplanes and experience what it’s like to be inside each and every single one of the 150 aircrafts they have on display – including helicopters and biplanes!

Additionally, the museum is home to a flight simulator that allows visitors of all ages to try being a naval pilot exploring the skylines of Florida.

The museum has a wide-screen theatre that screens all sorts of aviation films, which is great for those who have an interest in film as well.

Otherwise, there’s plenty of exhibits that chronicle the history of various branches of military aviation as well!

Address:  1750 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL 32508, United States

49. Seacrest Wolf Preserve

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Lovers of wolves take note – while Florida has all sorts of fascinating locales, this may just be one of the many cool places you will have to visit.

Founded in 1999 by a husband and wife duo, the Seacrest Wolf Preserve is the only one of its kind in the entirety of Florida.

The preserve is predominantly home to timber wolves and arctic wolves, who were originally bred as captive animals and therefore cannot be returned to the wild.

Here in Florida, they are cared for alongside all sorts of other animals, and are part of the outreach to educate the public about healthy wild wolf populations in a fun and engaging manner!

So if you’re looking for a nice and educational experience for yourself and your loved ones, the Seacrest Wolf Preserve is the perfect place for you!

Address:  3449 Bonnett Pond Rd, Chipley, FL 32428, United States

50. Florida Caverns State Park

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The Florida Caverns State Park is an incredible option for where to visit if you like nature and geology.

It offers one of the most unorthodox kinds of nature tours in the state: a delve into a limestone cave network in Marianna.

These caverns are subterranean and rich with flowstones, stalagmites, and stalactites.

There’s a surreal sort of aura about them that makes them feel almost like works of art – impressive, considering the caves originally began their formation a whopping 38 million years ago!

In fact, the caves all began life underwater.

Sediments, coral, and more hardened into limestone with the drop of water levels.

Those who choose this state park in what to do will be able to spot things like remains and fossils in the walls, such as shark teeth, fish vertebrae, and even a nautilus or two.

For more ways to pass the time after exploration, check out the state park’s nine-hole golf course!

Address:  3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL 32446, United States

If you’ve got more time, don’t forget to check out some fun things to do in Tallahassee , located about 70 miles from Florida Caverns State Park!

51. Cassadaga

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Cassadaga isn’t one of the more conventional tourist places to travel for visitors to Florida, but for those who like the wacky or strange, it’s a fun stop.

It is a spiritualist camp founded by George Colby, a medium, in 1875, with the aid of Lily Dale, New York spiritualist community members.

It began its life as part of the homestead grant land given to Colby.

At first, Cassadaga only spanned 35 acres, but now, it reaches 57 acres, with a total of 55 homes set up within.

Residents are typically mediums, psychics, or similar spiritualists who provide palm reading, seances, and more from within their homes.

The atmosphere is very much a departure from typical Florida and it’s an intriguing place, no matter which way you look at it.

While is Cassadaga, try to attend a Sunday Service, which is preceded by a healing service, or check out their bookstore to learn more about their beliefs.

Though it’s quite outlandish, Cassadaga is worth the visit, as it’s officially on the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District.

52. Sunken Gardens

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The Sunken Gardens only exist in Florida now because of the actions of one man named George Turner, Sr., a local plumber.

He purchased the land that would become this garden in 1903 along the outskirts of St. Petersburg, Florida.

On the land was a lake spanning four acres, and Turner, as a gardener, wanted to access the fertile soil at the 15-foot-deep base of the lake for his garden activities.

He used his knowledge as a plumber to drain the lake and then, once he completed this task, set about creating a garden that would soon be one of the state’s most popular places.

In the humidity and fertility, Turner planted citrus trees and vegetables.

In the years that followed, he would add all sorts of tropical plants, useful walkways, and even tropical birds.

He funded all of this through purchases made by residents who paid for his fruit and vegetables.

Likely seeing a lucrative opportunity, the family of Turners bought the Sanitary Public Market building next door and converted it into the World’s Largest Gift Shop, among other things.

After interest dropped and the gardens became neglected, they were saved as a historic landmark by the town of St. Petersburg – and that’s how they got where they are today!

If you visit, make sure to stop by the Cactus Garden, the butterfly courtyard, and the flamingo flock.

You’ll love the lush greenery and tropical vibes that speak so truly of Florida’s nature!

Address:  1825 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704, United States

53. Stetson Mansion

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Stetson Mansion is among the best opulent destinations in Florida.

It’s often referred to as the grandest, biggest, and most historic house of its kind built in the state prior to the 20th century.

Going on a tour of the mansion and learning of its history is one of the fun things to do in Florida.

You’ll learn about John B. Stetson, the hat mogul who lived here, and how Thomas Edison installed the very first kind of electricity here for Stetson!

Address:  1031 Camphor Ln, DeLand, FL 32720, United States

54. Bulow Plantation Ruins

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The Bulow Plantation Ruins were created by Charles Wilhelm Bulow, who purchased a shocking 9,000 acres of land here to form his estate, named Bulow Ville – or, now, Bulow Plantation.

The ruins are now a part of Florida State Parks, having come a long way since its 19th-century origins.

Bulow used the land to grow indigo, sugarcane, rice, and cotton.

Everything about the location and land was convenient for his cause.

He used 300 slaves to clear the forested portion that encircled the plantation, but he died two years later and was succeeded by his 16-year-old son.

The Florida Wars raged not long after and the local militia removed Bulow from the property so they could use its strength as an operational base.

Unfortunately, they were attacked and the plantation was burned down after just 15 years of life.

If you’re into site seeing the eerie, visiting the few remnants of the Bulow Plantation is a fun endeavor and a surefire must do.

Address: 3501 Old Kings Road, Flagler Beach, FL 32136, United States

55. Warm Mineral Springs

Warm Mineral Springs

The Warm Mineral Springs are located in Florida’s North Port within a sinkhole left behind by a subterranean cavern collapse that occurred more than 30,000 years prior.

A vent 200 feet below surface level is the water source, with over 20 million gallons of water – warm and mineralized – pumped out from it daily.

The geothermal water enjoys a heat of about 97 degrees, cooled to 85 degrees, and makes for a good place to add to vacation ideas in Florida.

There’s also something eerie to add to the top of this list of uniqueness – the artifacts and bones of seven individuals and a 10,000-year-old log were found by William Royal, an archeologist, in the 1950s.

The Warm Mineral Springs are not a health spa of sorts, with many rushing to bathe in the “healing” mineral waters.

The natural spa facility allows you to relax in the water as long as you respect its archeological cruciality.

Address:  12200 San Servando Ave, North Port, FL 34287, United States

56. Spook Hill

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Looking for unique things to do while in Florida?

Check out Spook Hill in Lake Wales, which has proudly earned its unusual name thanks to the many legends that surround it.

Spook Hill is also called “gravity hill” or “magnetic hill” because any cars placed in neutral here will give off the appearance of going uphill.

Some legends state that the hill is haunted and responsible for the anti-gravity nature of the Florida hill.

Check it for yourself for the fun of it and see what you think!

Address: N. Wales Dr., Lake Wales, FL 33853, United States

57. Ellaville

Don Barrett / flickr

Ellaville is a town that dates back to the civil war era, and it did very well in this spot up until about the 19th century.

It was founded by businessman George Drew, who would go onto become the first post-Reconstruction Florida governor.

It was named after his African-American servant Ella.

The construction of a sawmill in Ellaville in this part of Florida drew people into the town as it employed over 500 workers.

Eventually, a dock, station, schools, churches, lodge, and more were built in the booming town that would one day become one of many Florida attractions.

Unfortunately, after finding political success, Drew sold much of his shares in local companies and left Ellaville.

The mill burned down in 1898, and rebuilding took up pinewood resources needed for harvest.

Flooding, the Great Depression, and the eventual post office closure led to the town’s demise.

If you head to Ellaville now, you’ll see that little of it is left standing, but strangely, some once-abandoned homes are occupied again.

It’s worth the treat of walking through the town if you like abandoned places and history!

Address: Madison, FL 32340, United States

58. Ancient Spanish Monastery

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The Ancient Spanish Monastery of Florida doesn’t really have an official name, but it’s one of the state’s definitely tourist draw sites because of the three Spanish cloisters that make it up.

These cloisters were built between 1133 and 1141 AD and served as a Cistercian monastery’s structure for 700 years until the 1830s when the cloisters were seized in the First Carlist War.

The cloisters were then turned into a grainery.

Eventually, Florida was sold by Spain to America in 1819, and a man named William Randolph Hearst took great interest in the cloisters and purchased them in 1925.

He then took them apart stone by stone into 11,000 boxes to ship them to his California home, but the boxes were all quarantined and the stones messed up in the process of checking them.

After Heart’s passing, the cloisters were finally reconstructed in Florida with the goal of becoming a fun tourist hotspot.

After 19 months of hard work determining what stones went where, labor paid off, and now this monastery is one of the places to go for history lovers!

Address:  16711 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami Beach, FL 33160, United States

59. The Kampong

The Kampong

Known to be one of the best vacation spots in the world , The Kampong is technically one of five gardens that make up a huge national botanical garden, but this garden is the only one located in Florida while the rest reside in Hawaii.

The Kampong is a tropical garden that benefits greatly from the monsoon climate of Miami, allowing for a laboratory of horticulture and lush nature.

The Kampong can be found in Coconut Grove and is one of the best places in Florida to get your fill of a natural paradise.

Originally, it was an estate that belonged to the famous plant explorer Dr. David Fairchild.

Fairchild brought over 200,000 different kinds of exotic plants, and he named the grounds after a Javanese word, borrowed from the English word “compound”, that means an enclosed village.

If you add visiting the Kampong to your list of what to do, you’ll stroll through thick foliage and meticulously planted cultivars for all kinds of tropical flora, like carambola, avocados, bananas, mangos, and more.

It’s a great and fun way to experience a world that simultaneously feels integral to and completely separate from Florida, all at once!

Address:  4013 Douglas Rd, Miami, FL 33133, United States

60. Castle Otttis

MarkWalters at English Wikipedia / Public domain

Castle Otttis is one of the most interesting places to explore in Florida – and that mysterious air of it is even more intensified by the fact that only private tours can be arranged on the privately-owned property.

The castle, inspired by millennia-old Irish castles, was designed with the intention of being open to the elements as a “landscape sculpture” by builders Ottis Sadler and Rusty Ickes.

The castle, which is intentionally spelled with three “t”s, rises over 50 feet into the air.

Its creators’ goal was to make artwork invoking a mix of Christian and Irish influences and they completed it themselves, never intending for it to become a business or residence of any kind.

The exterior boasts a 7 million pound split face facade with 88 openings, ramparts, and reinforced steel rods.

The interior, which took three years to finish, boasts southern heart-pine and cypress wood creations – staircases, pews, a bishop’s chair, a pulpit, a choir loft, and an altar.

Castle Otttis sits in St. Augustine, Florida, just along the shoreline and is officially American Institute of Architects recognized.

Events are often held here, and though it’s not a conventional fun type of location, it’s still worth a sightseeing visit for the sheer magnitude of the effort and artistic inspiration involved.

Address:  103 3rd St, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States

Start Planning Your Trip To Florida

Apart from being one of the most beautiful states , Florida is such an interesting place, offering some of the best bucket list-worthy attractions you’ll find in the country.

No matter what you’re interested in, there’s no shortage of fun vacation spots for adults, for children, and for families.

With such a vibrant community, there’s also something to enjoy in Florida, whether you plan a trip for tomorrow, this weekend, this week, or beyond.

Hopefully, this list of the best things to do in Florida has helped you figure out which of its many locations is at the top of your to-visit plans!

13 Best Places to Visit in Florida on Your Next Trip

The sunshine state has plenty to offer in addition to sand and surf..

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The Florida Keys are one of many places worth checking out in the Sunshine State.

Photo by Rose Marie Cromwell

Working in Florida’s restaurants for more than 15 years (and at one point owning one myself), I’ve had a front seat view to everything from supper clubs seeded by farm shares to public houses sourcing from local makers. The burgeoning food scene is reflective of a state that’s equally diverse: Mermaids ( modern ones on Scuba ) and manatees swim the waters in Central Florida, the “nation’s oldest city” offers a look into the history of the northeast region, and fishing villages lost in time can be found along the Northwest Panhandle.

From the Sunshine State’s 1,350 miles of coastline to the vibrant art scenes of its cities, here are the 13 best places to visit in Florida.

Some of Miami’s most interesting areas are in the Art Deco Historic District.

Photo courtesy of GMCVB

• Location: South Florida
• Come for: inclusive initiatives and public art

South Beach holds the crown for exciting nightlife, but don’t count out the fine dining scene— Michelin-starred restaurants dot Miami ’s art deco landscape. With Cuba only 90 miles away, Calle Ocho in the heart of “Little Havana” serves up mouthwatering croquetas and salsa music in the city where bars close at 5 a.m. Public installations abound in once blighted neighborhoods, transformed in 2013 into hubs of local art and design like the Wynwood and Design District.

Exploring Miami’s glitzy bars, iconic boardwalk, and world-class beach is easy thanks to its inclusivity efforts. Accessible mats are available at more than 20 locations along Ocean Drive, and beach wheelchairs with big, nubby tires can be checked out at a number of locations along the route year-round.

Where to stay

• Book now: The Betsy

Located in the heart of South Beach, this 1940s art deco property exudes elegance throughout its 130 rooms and suites, two pools, 25,000 square feet of public space, and a library (in case you forgot your book). The Betsy also plays host to a curated selection of public art during Miami’s Art Basel .

Key lime pie vendors, street carts, and quirky boutiques line Duval Street, the main thoroughfare in Key West.

Photo by xbrchx/Shutterstock

2. Key West

• Location: Florida Keys
• Come for: six-toed cats and laid-back island lifestyle

Known as the place to gather for sunsets, Key West has shipwreck and maritime museums worth checking out (in addition to mouthwatering conch fritters). Mallory Square’s cobblestones fill with street performers doing magic, telling fortunes, and busking as the sun descends over the water. Tucked behind the main street, Hemingway’s six-toed cats rule his legendary house, and local musicians gather at hidden venues like General Horseplay to jam.

Just over the Seven-Mile Bridge from Marathon, Key West’s mangroves hold secret paths for kayakers, and ghostly shipwrecks rest 145 feet below the surface (try diving with Captain’s Corner ). After a day of snorkeling with the fish, order a Rum Runner cocktail and toast another day in paradise.

• Book now: Southernmost Beach Resort

With a prime location at the end of Duval Street and a stone’s throw from the Southernmost Point, this boutique resort features three pools and the best sunset view around. The rooms feature rattan furniture, wide-planked driftwood floors, and roomy balconies to make a cozy retreat.

With more than 80 championship courses designed by legends like Arnold Palmer (yes, the person associated with the famous drink), there’s plenty of fairway to get in the swing.

Photo by Felix Mizioznikov/Shutterstock

• Location: Southwest Florida
• Come for: world-class golf courses and 100+ art galleries and museums

With over 100 galleries and museums featuring everything from Seminole and Calusa history to automobiles, Naples has plenty for art enthusiasts. Don’t miss a show at the performance venue Artis-Naples , affectionately known as the Phil by locals.

Shelling is spectacular along Naples’s pearly white coast, but for some true Florida wildlife, visit the Conservancy of Southwest Florida , a nature center with a wildlife hospital that treats injured and orphaned native animals.

• Book now: Inn on Fifth

Located steps from Fifth Avenue’s palm-fringed streets and high-end boutiques, the ritzy Inn on Fifth offers lavish Club Level Suites, two restaurants, a full-service spa, and a rooftop pool and bar where you can take in Naples Bay.

If Palm Beach’s elegant buildings don’t capture you, hit Worth Avenue—shopping here is akin to an Olympic sport.

Photo by Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

4. Palm Beach

• Location: Southeastern Florida
• Come for: beautiful architecture and celebrity spotting

Movie stars, finance tycoons, and even royalty have graced the barrier island located on the southeastern side of the state. Chocked full of Mediterranean revival and Venetian-inspired architecture, Palm Beach captures a Gilded Age feel in historic landmarks like the Flagler Museum .

For innovative programming and community engagement opportunities like opera workshops open to the public, visit the Society of the Four Arts along the Intracoastal Waterway. Its 10-acre campus includes performance hall, art gallery, education center, libraries, and sculpture gardens.

• Book now: The Colony

This pink-hued charmer has offered chic accommodations for guests like Judy Garland and John Lennon since 1947. Only feet from the sand, the vintage Floridian decor coupled with amenities like beach cruisers, beach butlers, golf, tennis, boating, babysitting services, and pet services make this a getaway the place to be seen.

When snorkeling at St. Pete Beach, be on the lookout for octopuses, bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, crabs, shrimp, and snapper.

Photo by mariakray/Shutterstock

5. St. Petersburg

• Location: Pinellas Peninsula on Tampa Bay
• Come for: thriving arts community and international food scene

The city’s heart has a network of neighborhoods with eye-catching murals and walkable streets. Some of the best opportunities to see art are at the Dalí Museum , home to more than 2,400 pieces by surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, the Museum of Fine Arts ’s Monet collection, and the Morean Arts Center , which houses a Chihuly Collection of 18 glass sculptures.

St. Petersburg city is also a short bridge ride away from St. Pete Beach, a barrier island that is great for a relaxing day on the sand or a day of snorkeling (check out Island Ferry Eco Tours ).

• Book now: The Don CeSar

The name of this 1928-opened hotel comes from the William Vincent Wallace opera Maritana, and remnants of the musical masterpiece can be found throughout the grand halls and rooms of the Don CeSar. Elegant dining and imbibing options reside on-site and a full-service spa offers relaxation to weary travelers.

Digging into the Crystal River Archeological State Park is one of the city’s outdoor adventures.

Photo by Sunshower Shots/Shutterstock

6. Crystal River

• Location: Western Central Florida
• Come for: manatees and mermaids

Sure, Florida beaches are beautiful, but locals know the state’s magic lies in the more than 1,000 natural springs found around the state—and many can be found in Crystal River. The city hosts a tapestry of state parks, and national wildlife refuges that make excellent spots for bird watching.

For more nature, Crystal River is a short drive to Weeki Wachee State Park , an attraction that’s home to the state’s deepest freshwater cave system. The live mermaid shows are the main draw—they perform a version of Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid submerged in the 400-foot amphitheater.

• Book now: Plantation on Crystal River

This lodge lies surrounded by the natural springs of King’s Bay and more than 25,000 acres of lakes and rivers, wildlife refuges, and state parks. The nature lover’s sanctuary has a full-service marina, 18-hole golf course, and restaurants offering “cook your catch” options.

The Florida city of Seaside is a Highway 30A stop that was featured on The Truman Show .

Photo by Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock

7. Highway 30A

• Location: Northwestern Coast
• Come for: rare coastal dune lakes and underwater museums

This brief 24-mile stretch of scenic byway hugging the Gulf Coast hides a haven of singing bartenders and eclectic festivals like Crafted and Digital Graffiti . One stop worth taking on a 30A roadtrip is the Underwater Art Museum in Grayton Beach—the museum offers a one-of-a-kind dive experience where those willing to brave the depths can swim among sculptures that are chosen and sunk each year.

Another noteworthy feature of 30A’s sliver of the Emerald Coast: Here you can see coastal dune lakes (rare ecological wonders found only in a few spots around the world).

• Book now: Hibiscus Coffee & Guest House

This old Florida rooming house in Grayton Beach feels like a step back in time. The 13 rooms each feature their vintage Floridian personality with framed old maps and model ships transformed into lamps. The stay is wheelchair accessible and includes breakfast. Don’t miss yoga or open-mic storyteller nights in its “Backyard of Love.”

Apalachicola’s historic buildings house buzzy breweries and restaurants dedicated to Florida seafood.

Photo by Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

8. Apalachicola

• Come for: oysters and old fishing village vibes

Swathes of untouched coastline and shacks serving addictive smoked fish dip can be found along Franklin County. One of its cities, Apalachicola, is a working fishing village where you can glimpse fishermen and oyster farmers on the docks.

The welcoming port town located at the mouth of the Apalachicola River has been recognized as a “ distinctive destination ” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation because of its character and dedication to historic preservation, among other reasons.

• Book now: The Gibson Inn

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 1907 landmark turned modern boutique hotel features elegant wraparound porches and chic guest rooms.

Lake Eola, in the heart of downtown, is known for its photogenic swans and tiered fountain.

Photo by Derek Oladokun II

• Location: Central Florida
• Come for: theme parks and huge network of lakes

Can you talk about Florida without mentioning Disney ? The House of Mouse has been an Orlando destination since 1971. Days can be spent riding the barrels in Frontier Land at Walt Disney World , but there’s also wizarding with Harry Potter at Universal Studios and communing with orcas at Seaworld —the theme park game is strong in this city.

Beyond the glitzy entertainment at the theme parks, Orlando has more than 100 lakes—check out Lake Apopka, which covers 30,000 acres, for a peaceful respite.

• Book now: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Inspired by a traditional African kraal, the lodge exudes safari with its panoramic views of four lush savannas populated with over 30 species of African wildlife and African art at every turn. Plus, you never have to get in your car; complimentary buses and shuttles will whisk you around the park.

The blacksmith shops and stately forts of St. Augustine whisper history.

Photo by Glenn Hastings/Stacey Sather

10. St. Augustine

• Location: Northeast Atlantic Coast
• Come for: historic sites and ghost tours

Known as the “nation’s oldest city,” with roots back to 1565 when it was settled by Europeans, St. Augustine offers plenty of tours that take you back in time: Hop on an Old Town Trolley Tour to hit more than 100 points of interest, including Ponce de León’s Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park where you can take a sip of the legendary immortality-imbuing water.

Located along the northeast coast, St. Augustine has a pedestrian-only thoroughfare and wonders like the Castillo de San Marcos , a Spanish stone fortress dating back to the 1600s, designated a national monument. Get lost on St. George Street—antiques and funky boutiques await.

• Book now: The Collector Luxury Inn and Gardens

Situated downtown, this luxury inn features nine historic buildings and 30 guest rooms that incorporate the history and architecture of the property’s 18th-century construction. The courtyard, bricked paths lined with statues, and amphitheater create a multisensory retreat steps from the bustle of the city’s attractions.

Amelia Island State Park plays host to 200 acres of beaches, salt marshes, and coastal maritime forests.

Photo by Peter W. Cross and Patrick Farrell.

11. Amelia Island

• Location: Barrier island on Northern Atlantic coast
• Come for: uncrowded beaches and horseback riding on the sand

With 13 miles of unspoiled beaches and Spanish-moss-draped oak trees, this barrier island feels more like a lost-in-time Southern retreat than its palm-lined brethren further south. The quartz-filled sand beaches are framed by 40-feet-tall sand dunes— horseback riding along the dunes offers another vantage point of the natural paradise.

Beyond the beaches and coastal recreation, Amelia Island is also home to the oldest lighthouse in Florida (first lit by whale oil in 1838) and Florida’s oldest bar, the Palace Saloon .

• Book now: The Amelia Schoolhouse Inn

Located right in downtown Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island, the Amelia Schoolhouse Inn served as a school from 1886 until the late 20th century. The boutique hotel has kept historical features like original windows and heart pine floors, but coupled with modern amenities like on-site mini golf and an upscale bar, the Principal’s Office.

Pensacola’s downtown is home to fermentation bars, buzzy restaurants, and community gathering spaces.

Photo by Leigh Trail/Shutterstock

12. Pensacola

• Location: Northwest Florida
• Come for: historic downtown and exceptional scuba diving

Pensacola’s Historic Downtown packs in a bevy of museums and places dedicated to art. Opened in 1925, you can catch a show at the Saenger Theatre or pop into Electric Serenade for a private karaoke party. If you’re looking for adventure, book a dive trip to the USS Oriskany (a sunken aircraft carrier that’s now the largest artificial reef in the world).

Over the bridge, the federally protected Gulf Islands National Seashore is home to osprey and great blue herons, dolphins, sea turtles, and stingrays. Don’t miss the Futuro House (otherwise known as the “UFO House”), another iconic Florida roadside attraction that’s been around since the 1960s.

• Book now: Lily Hall

Walking distance to Pensacola’s vibrant downtown, this boutique hotel nods to the city’s history and artists with its record players and custom vinyl collections in every room. In addition, the stay has a wood-fire restaurant and secret speakeasy in the basement where Sunday school classes were once held.

Coined the “River of Grass” by conservationist and author Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the 1.5 million acres of wetlands houses species like American crocodiles.

Photo by allouphoto/Shutterstock

13. Everglades National Park

• Location: Southern tip of Florida mainland
• Come for: spotting endangered species and outdoor recreation

It’s hard to believe Miami’s glittering boundaries are an hour from the coastal mangroves and murky swamps of Everglades National Park . Trails for biking, hiking, and bird-watching snake through the Everglades, but going by water is the best way to experience this park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and International Biosphere Reserve. Take a guided airboat with Gator Park or kayak tour to learn more about the delicate ecosystems and abundant wildlife in the park.

• Book now: Flamingo Campgrounds

Camping (or glamping) immerses you in the serenity of this wild landscape. Located at the Homestead park entrance, you can access this unplugged escape with 274 tent sites, 65 RV sites, and glamping Eco-Tents. Houseboat rentals are also available from Flamingo Marina, where up to six guests can sleep on Whitewater Bay surrounded by croaking frogs and singing cicadas.

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Great places to visit in florida, region by region, here's how to discover some of florida’s greatest hits, all across the state.  , north florida.

A treasure trove of history, heritage and higher education, North Florida is also known for its casual, friendly attitude and abundant natural attractions.

The region’s metro areas are filled with new offerings. Downtown  Pensacola ’s historic district is experiencing a culture and nightlife renaissance. Packed with vibrant art galleries, upscale eateries and retail options,  Central Palafox Street  was recently named one of the “10 Great Streets in America” by the American Planning Association.

On  Panama City Beach , the family-friendly Pier Park shopping and dining complex added Dave & Buster’s, a popular dining and video arcade chain.

In  Jacksonville , shoppers are flocking to St. Johns Town Center, which now includes the region’s first Nordstrom outlet and a children’s play area with a seashore theme. Near the actual seashore on  Jacksonville Beach , the newly renovated  Beaches Museum & History Park  captures pivotal moments in history along Florida’s First Coast. After stepping back in time in the nearby  St. Augustine historic district , zoom into the present with tours on The El Conquistador Speedboat or St. Augustine Biplane Rides.

For an invigorating nature experience, take a dip in the ancient, crystal-clear springs at  Wakulla Springs State Park .

Or go for a swim in the first-magnitude spring at  Manatee Springs State Park . More adventurous possibilities, like river tubing and snorkeling, await you in  Ichetucknee Springs State Park  and  Ginnie Springs Outdoors .

Did you know…

The natural spring in  Wakulla Springs State Park  is one of Florida’s largest; 260 million gallons of water gush out of it every day. A 25,000-year-old mastodon skeleton found in the park is on display at the  Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee .

 Universal Orlando Resort has Diagon Alley at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. -Universal Orlando

CENTRAL FLORIDA

Fun has no age limit in Central Florida. Besides world-famous theme parks, you’ll find charming cities and towns and plenty of options for playing in and exploring nature’s many wonders.

Universal Orlando Resort  has Diagon Alley at the  Wizarding World of Harry Potter .

Walt Disney World Resort  features the  Seven Dwarfs Mine Train  at Magic Kingdom.  Busch Gardens  upped their thrill quotient with high-speed ride Falcon’s Fury, as did  Aquatica  with its drop slide, Ihu’s Breakaway Falls.  LEGOLAND  added farm-themed  DUPLO Valley  and  LEGOLAND Hotel .

At  Kennedy Space Center , the interactive Great Balls of Fire asteroid exhibit and daily “Activity Adventures” offer experiences that are both enriching and fun. The Sundial  dining and entertainment center in St. Petersburg adds to the already booming downtown dining, nightlife and craft beer scene. In Daytona Beach, the  Cici and Hyatt Brown Museum of Art  features an extensive collection of Florida art.

Connecting to the 46-mile  Withlacoochee State Trail , the  Dunnellon Trail  is giving hiking and cycling enthusiasts a whole new reason to head into nature.

Crystal River  is the only place in North America where it is legal to have a supervised s wim with wild manatees .

 Miami Beach’s Art Deco District has 800 historically significant structures, the majority built between 1923 and 1943. With their fanciful pastel colors, porthole windows and sleek curves, the buildings are pure eye candy.

SOUTH FLORIDA

From the East Coast’s cosmopolitan scene and the Keys’ eccentric island charms to the West Coast’s shimmering seashore and the Everglades’ raw wilderness, South Florida is the definition of diversity.

The city meets the sand in  Miami Beach , where the historic  Art Deco District  continually celebrates revitalization. The Boca Raton  makes waves with its new double-sided FlowRider simulator and Surf Boca classes by Billabong. The  Hollywood Beach Broadwalk  was named by  USA Today  as one of the nation’s 10 best beach boardwalks for food, and it's great for people watching.

And the  Margaritaville Beach Resort  should be on every visitor’s hit list.

In  Sarasota , the cool children’s garden at  Marie Selby Botanical Gardens  adds to the region’s immersive nature experiences.  Country  magazine recently named the nearby  Myakka River State Park  as one of the nation’s top 10 most magnificent yet unheralded parks.  Naples , too, wins awards – for its stellar beaches.

Naples is also heralded for its dining options, and  Condé Nast Traveler  named Naples one of the top 20 U.S. Cities for Foodies. In North Fort Myers, The  Shell Factory & Nature Park  offers fascination and fun with its fossil museum and zip line.

In the Florida Keys, you can discover Marathon ’s riveting fish tanks at  Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters  and Key West Legal Rum Distillery .

Miami Beach’s Art Deco District has 800 historically significant structures, the majority built between 1923 and 1943. With their fanciful pastel colors, porthole windows and sleek curves, the buildings are pure eye candy.

PLACES TO REMEMBER

Panama City Beach

Jacksonville

Related content.

The Shell Factory & Nature Park

• 2787 N. Tamiami Trl.
• (239) 995-2141

Myakka River State Park

• 13208 S.R. 72
• (941) 361-6511

The Boca Raton

• 501 E. Camino Real
• (833) 931-0870

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Home » Travel Guides » United States » Florida (FL) » 30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Florida

30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Florida

For me, the biggest challenge in making a list of the most beautiful places in Florida is deciding what to leave out. Florida’s beauty might be man-made, on the lively streets of a Spanish colonial town, the Art Deco architecture of Ocean Drive, or the far-flung Fort Jefferson surrounded by reefs at the western limit of the Keys.

It’s also surely natural, in the Everglades or unblemished cypress swamp, mangroves, springs, sinkholes, and beaches of all kinds. You can dive, paddle, bike, drive, hike, fly or catch an airboat into these habitats to see dolphins, manatees, alligators, species of fish, and a multitude of birds, all flourishing in their homes. For a mix of nature and nurture, there are stunning gardens made possible by the balmy sub-tropical climate, growing plants that you may not see anywhere else in the world.

So here’s my list of the most beautiful places to visit in the Sunshine State:

1. Dry Tortugas National Park

Key West is at the end of the Overseas Highway but the adventure doesn’t have to stop there. The westernmost of the Keys is another 70 miles away, reached only by seaplane or boat.

Dry Tortugas National Park is my idea of heaven, with undisturbed coral reefs, a high concentration of shipwrecks, and a huge 19th-century coastal fortress, begun in 1847 but never completed.

For all that history, the park is 99% water, as a mesmerizing sheet of azure from above, and a restless mass of brilliant marine life underwater.

You can make sense of this biodiversity along a snorkel trail around Garden Key, dotted with signs explaining the fragile reef ecosystems.

Fort Jefferson meanwhile comprises 16 million bricks and from 1865 to 1869 was a prison for physician Samuel Mudd, a conspirator in the Lincoln assassination who operated on John Wilkes Booth’s fractured leg when he was on the run.

2. Blue Spring State Park

My list has a couple of places where you can see manatees gliding in the shallows. The first of this is Blue Spring State Park , which has become a winter haven for these slow-moving giants, thanks to tireless conservation work.

As recently as 50 years ago only a handful of manatees made the annual migration along the St. John River to Blue Spring State Park. Now there are more than 720.

The manatees are the stars at the park, and can be seen on kayak or canoe trips, or on guided river cruises.

You can also walk the Pine Island Trail, tracing a lagoon through a mix of hardwood hammock, scrub forest and cypress swamp. I recommend lots of water and some defense against biting insects on this hike.

3. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

Florida is a dream for amateur botanists, but if you could only choose one garden to visit, I think Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota is a contender.

The 20,000 + living plants on display are the product of more than 150 expeditions to the tropics, and the botanists here have described or identified more than 2,000 plants previously unknown to science.

On a placid bayfront plot you can make your way through a mangrove walkway, a bamboo garden, a fern garden, a rare outdoor butterfly garden, banyan groves, and a spellbinding tropical conservatory.

The latter houses the Orchid Identification Center, growing some 6,000 orchids, with a focus on species from Andean South America, Venezuela, Central America, and Mexico.

4. Amelia Island

One of my favorite stretches of coast in Florida is right in Jacksonville’s backyard , where the Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve gives way to the majestic Amelia Island. Named by the British for a princess, this place has it all.

You’ve got 13 miles of sandy shore, a picturesque historic district covering 50 blocks, quaint bed & breakfasts, more restaurants than you could visit in a year, and 99 holes of golf on the most scenic courses you’ve ever laid eyes on.

The landward side is ecologically sensitive marshland, ready to be toured by kayak or SUP and inhabited by egrets, herons, hawks, peregrine falcons and osprey.

5. Crystal River

If like me you’ll never miss a chance to hang out with manatees, the Crystal River is not to be missed. The river is fed by springs, rising at a steady 72 °F. So when the temperatures go down in the Gulf of Mexico, those lovable herbivores make their way upriver to warmer climes on the aptly named Nature Coast in Central Florida.

Manatee season is mid-November through March, and they visit to mate, give birth and nurse their young. Crystal River is one of the few places on the planet where you can legally swim with manatees in the wild.

There’s much more to get up to in the area, from canoeing/kayaking to hiking in untouched forest and biking the 46-mile Withlacoochee State Trail, the longest paved trail in the state.

6. St. Augustine

Going back to 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest permanent European-founded city in the United States.

The colonial downtown is a tight walkable grid of brick streets, lined with restored architecture, much of which is older than the country itself.

Soaring over this streetscape are palatial 19th-century hotels in Revivalist styles, three of which were built by industrialist Henry Flagler, who brought the railroad to the city to attract wealthy tourists. St. Augustine is still defended by the Castillo de San Marcos.

Built from locally quarried coquina, this is the oldest masonry fort on the continental United States, and one of many places where you can stare awestruck at the bay.

7. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

There’s Gilded Age elegance at this waterfront mansion, built over multiple years for the industrialist James Deering (1859-1925).

Completed in 1922 the villa was inspired by Tuscan and Venetian Renaissance palazzi, and is ensconced in a blend of Italian Renaissance formal gardens and native hammock, left untouched on purpose by Deering.

If I were to call Villa Vizcaya opulent, I would be understating things. There are 70+ rooms adorned with imported European decorative arts from the 1400s to 1800s, but also equipped with technology like a dumbwaiter, a central vacuum cleaning system, and Miami-Dade County’s first telephone system.

The formal gardens are fabulous, as a marriage of Renaissance geometry and sub-tropical flora, with a stately alley that climbs to The Mound where the Casino pavilion overlooks the estate.

Related :  30 Amazing Hidden Gems in Florida

8. Ocean Drive, Miami Beach

My list of beautiful spots in Florida would be missing something big without one of the most recognizable streets in America; Ocean Drive in Miami Beach .

On one side you’ve got the palms of Lummus Park, with the sandy beach beyond it. And on the other is a long line of swish Art Deco buildings from the 1920s and 1930s, painted in louche pastel tones.

Immortalized by dozens of TV shows and movies, Ocean Drive is all hotels and restaurants/bars with seating spilling onto the sidewalk so you can watch life unfold in this glamorous part of a glamorous town.

9. Henderson Beach State Park

With their sugar-white sand and glimmering emerald green waters, the beaches around Destin are so beautiful they hardly look real.

My pick is Henderson Beach State Park, which has that flawless white sand, and an enchanting quality to its rolling surf, but also safeguards an important piece of coastal nature.

A boardwalk carries you into the dune, which are like snowy hills, and have signs identifying the many different plant species growing in this delicate environment.

My ideal time to hit the beach is early in the day, when you’ll have acres of sand to yourself, and stand a great chance of seeing dolphins in the surf, just a matter of feet from the beach.

10. Sanibel Island

Off Fort Myers , Sanibel Island is a subtropical paradise made convenient by a causeway that was built in the 1960s.

The island’s unique ecology has always been strictly conserved, and more than two thirds of the landmass is made up of wildlife refuges.

My go-to, and I’m not alone, is the J.N. Darling National Wildlife Refuge, angled towards the bay, and protecting part of the largest unspoiled mangrove system in the United States.

Some 230 bird species, including many migratory birds, as well as manatees and alligators inhabit this astonishing place.

On top of that Sanibel Island has been dubbed the Shelling Capital of the World, a status reinforced by the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, displaying some of the largest and rarest specimens in the world.

11. Blowing Rocks Preserve

‘Rugged’ is not a word that comes to my mind when I think of Florida, but as if out of nowhere there’s a section of craggy limestone shore bookended by miles of soft, sandy beaches.

Blowing Rocks Preserve is on Jupiter Island, where breaking Atlantic waves slam the seawater through erosion holes to create impressive misty plumes climbing as high as 50 feet.

This spectacle takes place at high tide, and if you’re waiting for the right time to explore Jupiter Island’s dunes, mangroves and maritime hammocks. You’ll find a boardwalk along the Indian River Lagoon, with signs detailing the native plants and wildlife.

Read also :  15 Best Romantic (Weekend) Getaways in Florida

12. Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

The largest surviving stand of virgin bald cypress awaits you at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary managed by the National Audubon Society. This place is a true journey into the heart of the Everglades, in a primeval forest bustling with wildlife.

You’re sure to see alligators on your adventure, but may also spot cottonmouth snakes, red-bellied turtles, otters and a kaleidoscope of birdlife, from wintering painted bunting to endangered wood storks. A 2.25-mile boardwalk carries you through a mosaic of habitats, including pinelands, wet prairie, the fringes of a marsh, and then into those cypress woods.

13. The Southernmost Point In Key West at Sunset

There are few places in the world where sunset is as much of a ritual as it is on Key West . At the tip of the Keys, the island is angled towards the Gulf of Mexico, with nothing but yachts and the shapes of outlying islands on the horizon. I can’t do justice to the symphony of colors at this time of day, but safe to say it’s something that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

There’s a certain atmosphere around the city at this time of day, with a nightly festival at Mallory Square, and couples cozying on the west-facing benches at Fort Zachary Taylor. My pick is the 12-foot buoy at the Southernmost Point of the Continental USA, where there’s no escaping the reality that you’re at the far end of a nation.

14. Falling Waters State Park

The highest waterfall in the state is in the north of Florida in a curious landscape of fern-lined sinkholes and skyscraping trees. Falling Waters Falls plummets 100 feet into one such cavity, feeding an underwater river with a destination that has not yet been discovered.

There’s an observation platform about halfway down the sinkhole where you can take in the wispy curtain of water, the mist and the lush backdrop of ferns and moss. The trail to get here will bring you past and over several smaller sinkholes for a bird’s eye view into these geological oddities.

15. Mount Dora

Hiding in Orlando’s northwestern outskirts there’s a welcome taste of Old Florida at this endearing little town.  Mount Dora was settled in the 1870s and soon became a winter escape, attracting boaters, hunters, and fishermen. Downtown is easy to navigate on foot, and has no shortage of boutiques, antique shops, and eateries to draw you in.

These streets slope westwards to the shores of Lake Dora, where you’ll see one of just three freshwater lighthouses in Florida.

Mount Dora has a hopping events calendar, with festivals that have been going for years, like the Arts Festival in February, the Sail Boat Regatta in March, and the Bicycle Festival and Craft Fair, both in October.

See also :  15 Best Small Towns to Visit in Florida

16. The Kampong

I can never get enough of Florida’s tropical botanical gardens, and there’s one to fall in love with by the bay in Coconut Grove. Established in 1926, this nine-acre piece of paradise was the estate of the horticulturalist and explorer David Fairchild (1869-1954), for whom the nearby Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is named.

Fairchild is credited with introducing Americans to tropical crops like avocados, and The Kampong is a lush tribute to his work. There’s a profusion of exotic fruit growing here, including 23 avocado cultivars and 65 mango varieties.

You’ll see flower trees and rare fruits from the tropics, catch natural scents used in the fragrance industry, and a personal highlight for me is a gigantic baobab tree, close to 90 years old. This is all a living classroom, serving as the mainland campus for the National Tropical Botanical Garden, with collections studied by scientists from across the world.

17. South Pointe Park In Miami Beach

Along the Government Cut channel at the southernmost tip of Miami Beach , this stunning park was landscaped in the 1980s and has dreamy views in almost every direction. You could set your gaze on the towers along the South Beach shoreline, downtown Miami, or Fisher Island across the channel.

On the east side you’ve got the endless expanse of the Atlantic, and the promenade continues along a pier next to the breakwater where you can see everything in one perfect panorama. No surprise that this is one of my favorite places to watch the sun go down in Miami, and by day there’s an enticing stretch of beachfront.

But maybe the best reason to come is to watch the massive cruise ships departing the Port of Miami along the channel, making everything around them seem tiny.

18. Salvador Dalí Museum

Did you know that the world’s second-largest collection of works by the great Surrealist Salvador Dalí belongs to a museum in St. Petersburg ? This attraction moved into new digs in the 2000s, with a spherical glass skylight that bulges from the concrete cube structure, creating an atrium 75 feet in height.

The Salvador Dalí Museum has more of the artist’s masterpieces than any other museum in the world, counting Geopoliticus Child Watching the Birth of the New Man (1943) and The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory (1952-1954) as a couple of my faves.

With close to 100 of the artist’s paintings, the collection is rotated every few months, and cast in fresh light with the help of augmented reality, VR and AI.

19. Shark Valley Observation Tower

Deep into the Everglades and accessed via the Tamiami Trail there’s a large dip in the landscape at the head of the Shark River. The Shark Valley is covered in vast swaths of sawgrass prairie that is submerged in water during the rainy season.

As you might guess, the valley has awesome biodiversity, as a home for ibis, roseate spoonbills, wood storks, alligators, and a slew of amphibian species.

A Modernist 65-foot observation tower gives you a 360° panorama, the best in the Everglades, reaching for 20 miles to the horizon across prairies and tropical hardwood forest. Three trails set off from the Visitor Center, including a paved loop used by the tourist tram, giving you an enlightening two-hour tour of the valley.

Related reading :  40 Places to Visit in Florida Before Your Kids Are All Grown Up

20. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

In 1923 the New York financier Alfred B. Maclay purchased an estate in Tallahassee , and with his wife Louise spent the following decades planting one of the most beautiful ornamental gardens I’ve seen.

Becoming a state park in the 1950s, the gardens are held as a masterwork of botanical architecture, loved for their profuse azaleas and camellias. The time to catch these flowers in bloom is the first few months of the year, up to May. On your way, you’ll come across a walled garden, a brick walkway, a reflection pool, and a romantic secret garden.

The park is also a place for active recreation, and you can swim, go fishing or embark on a paddling trip here. There are more than 10 miles of biking trails, about half of which are shared-use, while hikers can stride off into the deep woods encircling the estate’s main lake.

21. Hollywood Beach

For a developed beach with everything you could need for a relaxing time on the Atlantic Coast, I think it’s hard to top Hollywood Beach.

This ample strip of soft white sand is washed by the rolling ocean surf and continues as far as the eye can see up and down the coast. Hollywood Beach can be found between Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, and has won awards for the 2.5-mile, brick-paved boardwalk that borders it.

Known as the “Broadwalk”, this promenade is a dynamic artery, traveled by joggers, walkers, bicyclists, and rollerbladers, but also bringing you to a line of waterfront attractions, including a children’s water playground and the Hollywood Beach Theatre.

22. Cape St. George Light

A lighthouse reborn, Cape St. George Light has a history of moving from place to place because of the exposure of the west end of St. George Island off the Florida Panhandle. Within 20 years of being built in 1833, the lighthouse was rebuilt and moved twice. Finally, after decades of sand erosion and hurricanes, the Cape St. George Light toppled into the Gulf of Mexico in 2005.

But this wasn’t the end. Much of the building’s masonry was retrieved from the water, and this magnificent building was moved to a more protected spot at the end of FL-300 in the middle of the island.

Posted above the pale sandy beach and footed by palms, the light looks like it has always been here, and has a view to savor over this long sliver of land from the lantern. Visit the museum keeper’s cottage for artifacts from the original lighthouse, and to shop for gifts made by local artists.

23. Big Cypress National Preserve

Bordering the Everglades to the north and west is a gargantuan cypress swamp, some 730,000 acres of which are in the care of the National Park System. This habitat is crucial for the health of the Everglades, and is a habitat for remarkable species like the endangered Florida panther, the ghost orchid and the much more abundant American alligator.

Most people just pass through the landscape on I-75 or US 41, but there’s a lot for intrepid visitors to do.

You can drive, paddle and hike beneath those giant trees on short trips or day-long expeditions, and there’s always an interesting interpretive program to take part in.

My pro tip is to come for a ranger-led astronomy program, with a rare chance to study one of the darkest skies in the eastern United States through a telescope.

24. Naples Pier

For a marvelous landmark that signifies Florida’s resilience in the face of natural disasters, you can’t get much better than Naples Pier. Pushing out into the Gulf for more than 1,000 feet, Naples Pier has real historical importance as the entry point for people and materials when Naples was settled in the late 19th century.

Late in the day, the pier is lovely in silhouette against the low sun from Municipal beach, and you can wander to the end for one of the great Florida sunsets.

Naples Pier was badly damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022, but reconstruction plans had already been approved.

25. John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

One man who can be thanked for protecting a lot of Florida’s natural heritage is the newspaper editor, John Pennekamp. He was instrumental in creating the Everglades National Park, and then helped to preserve the underwater splendor off Key Largo with the first underwater park in the United States in 1963.

The reef is a joyous natural playground for scuba diving, paddling and glass-bottom boat tours, with dazzling wildlife at every turn. One image that will always be associated with the park is the Christ of the Image, a 4,000-pound, 8 ½ foot statue of Christ submerged at a depth of 25 feet in 1990.

26. Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens

Northeast Florida’s largest fine arts museum, located in Jacksonville , came about in the late 1950s, when Ninah Cummer left her estate and formidable art collection to a foundation for a museum. The collection has grown many times over, and features work by the likes of Rubens, Rockwell and Winslow Homer.

As much as the art, it’s the riverfront gardens that put this attraction on my list. On 1.5 acres, this is a gentle oasis in the midst of a giant city, with a formal Italian Garden, brick paths and azaleas in the English Garden, and the Olmsted Garden, designed by the namesake landscape architects.

Florida is full of stately old live oaks, and for my money none are finer than the 200-year-old oak commanding the gardens, with a span of almost 140 feet.

27. The Ancient Spanish Monastery

You can visit a piece of Medieval Spain by the Dixie Highway in North Miami Beach. The St. Bernard de Clairvaux Church is where an entire 12th-century Cistercian cloister popped up in the 1960s after being shipped from Spain in the 1920s.

With its round Romanesque arches and daintily carved capitals, the cloister was purchased in Segovia under dubious circumstances by the publisher William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951). His plan to rebuild the monastery in New York was scuppered by financial problems, and the dismantled stonework sat in a warehouse in Brooklyn for several decades.

Finally the complex found an owner in the 1950s and was pieced back together with great care in the 50s and 60s. Time magazine called it “the biggest jigsaw puzzle in history”, and today it’s a hushed enclave, with lush gardens and a collection of Medieval artifacts on show in the museum.

28. Hillsboro Inlet Light

I’m obsessed with this maritime landmark, rising from a nub of land on the north side of the Hillsboro Inlet in Pompano Beach . This point was declared hazardous for navigation in the late 19th century, and the framework lighthouse, 132 feet tall, was raised in 1907.

The beacon is unusually powerful, with a range of 28 nautical miles (32 mi). The lighthouse, with quaint outbuildings hiding among the palms, has hardly changed since it was constructed.

Unless you come on one of the open days, four times a year, the light is off limits due to its location in the private Hillsboro Club.

There are plenty of accessible vantage points for awesome views and photos, on the south side of the inlet at Fisherman’s Point, or at Hillsboro Inlet Park by SR A1A, where there’s a little museum about the lighthouse.

29. Boneyard Beach

Not far out of Jacksonville there’s a place of ethereal natural beauty in Big Talbot Island State Park. Strewn with the bleached skeletons of oaks and cedars, Boneyard Beach is a result of coastal erosion.

This isn’t a place for typical beach activities like swimming. Instead I’d recommend the Boneyard Beach to photographers, and if you can get here early in the day the tangle of limbs looks even more mysterious just after sunrise.

There’s more than a mile of shoreline, and you’ll spend your time clambering over roots and trunks. As well as looking otherworldly, this band of driftwood plays a big role in preventing further erosion of the bluff, serving as a natural breakwater.

30. Silver Springs State Park

I’ll bring this list to a close at the beginning, because Silver Springs State Park was Florida’s first commercial tourist attraction, starting way back in the 1870s when Northerners came down by steamship.

Feeding the river of the same name, Silver Springs make up the largest artesian spring on the planet. Because this has been on the tourist map for so long, the springs have never been developed, and were taken over by the state in the 2010s.

You can do what Victorian tourists did and take a glass-bottom boat tour to see the wildlife that thrives in the springs’ crystal clear waters. For a bit more independence there are kayak, canoe and paddleboard rentals, as well as 15 miles of trails.

30 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Florida:

• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Blue Spring State Park
• Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
• Amelia Island
• Crystal River
• St. Augustine
• Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
• Ocean Drive, Miami Beach
• Henderson Beach State Park
• Sanibel Island
• Blowing Rocks Preserve
• Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
• The Southernmost Point In Key West at Sunset
• Falling Waters State Park
• The Kampong
• South Pointe Park In Miami Beach
• Salvador Dalí Museum
• Shark Valley Observation Tower
• Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
• Hollywood Beach
• Cape St. George Light
• Big Cypress National Preserve
• Naples Pier
• John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
• Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens
• The Ancient Spanish Monastery
• Hillsboro Inlet Light
• Boneyard Beach
• Silver Springs State Park

24/7 Wall St.

Best Places to Retire in Florida

Posted: March 15, 2024 | Last updated: March 15, 2024

When considering retirement, most individuals want to choose a location that offers them a stable yet luxurious vacation lifestyle. Many of us work long and hard hours throughout most of our lives so we can finally settle in a lavish area that allows us to enjoy the fruits of our labor. For this reason — and many more — Florida is a popular place for retirees in the United States.

Florida is known for its gorgeous weather that remains warm year-round. In fact, many "snowbirds" who've spent most of their lives up north tend to migrate to Florida for its warmth and laid-back lifestyle. Because Florida doesn't have state income tax, the housing prices in the state also tend to be lower compared to many other U.S. cities. Not only that, but Florida is known for its array of outdoor activities, miles of white sand beaches, various theme parks and attractions, plenty of fishing and golfing opportunities, and so much more.

Before finding your place to settle down, make sure you avoid these massive mistakes you can make getting ready to retire . Then, check out the 15 best places to retire in Florida.

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1. Sarasota

Sarasota is a city on the Gulf Coast of Florida just south of Tampa. This city boasts miles of white sand beaches, including the infamous Siesta Key and Lido Beach. Sarasota is best known for its abundance of outdoor activities and beautiful natural scenery as well as attractions like The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, St. Armands Circle (an outdoor mall with over 100 shops), and its vibrant downtown with tons of shopping and restaurants.

Sarasota is a great place to retire, as this location experiences mild winters and gorgeous summers with access to its many beautiful beaches. Not only that, but because it's located on the Gulf Coast, you can even see the sunset over the ocean — a site that most northeast residents do not get to experience in their home state. Any ocean-lover will feel right at home in Sarasota.

2. Fort Myers

Yet another beautiful place in Florida to consider as your retirement location is Fort Myers. With its moderate temperatures and mild winters, as well as an abundance of sunshine year-round, Fort Myers is both affordable and filled with natural scenery. Located in Southwest Florida, the city offers miles of white sand beaches, countless museums and galleries, and a lively downtown area that merges southern charm with rich history.

Fort Myers is also a city with an eclectic arts and cultural scene, making it the perfect place for a retired artist who wants to get more involved in their local community. Furthermore, due to its location between Tampa and Miami, Fort Myers is a convenient place to live, as you are within a short drive of Florida's major cities.

Tampa is a city in Florida located on Tampa Bay, which is along Florida's Gulf Coast. This city is a major business center and offers miles of waterfront views, a variety of different cuisines, and a vibrant culture and nightlife. It might seem like Tampa is better suited for a younger crowd, but the city is extremely laid-back and consists of various areas ranging from multifamily communities to single-family detached neighborhoods. For those who prefer the hustle and bustle of the city, you can secure your spot downtown along the waterfront. On the other hand, those who would like to settle in a quieter location can choose a home in one of the many peaceful communities away from the downtown city.

There are many reasons individuals decide to retire in Tampa. With easy access to both the city and its many beaches, this peaceful area is actually known as one of the best places to retire in the U.S. as a whole.

4. Pensacola

As the westernmost city in the Florida panhandle, Pensacola features peaceful beaches and year-round festivals for residents and visitors alike. For those looking for an affordable beachfront retirement home, Pensacola is the perfect option, as it offers reasonably-priced living accommodations as well as low taxes for retirees. Not only that, but it also exudes Southern culture and is rich with history.

The city is also home to the Blue Angels, or the flight demonstration squadron of the United States Navy. Many individuals also visit Pensacola for its National Naval Aviation Museum and other historic attractions.

5. Port St. Lucie

Sitting along the Atlantic Coast in southern Florida is Port St. Lucie. With its extremely affordable homes, the city is one of the cheapest places to retire — without compromising on beauty and safety. The charming location offers a welcoming community, relaxing beaches, and plenty of parks to visit.

There are also many medical facilities in the area, making it a great location for those with chronic illnesses or anyone who needs ongoing treatment to help manage their health. In fact, Port St. Lucie is actually one of the fastest-growing cities in the entire country, with much of its population being over the age of 60.

Located in North Central Florida, Ocala is known as the Horse Capital of the World. This city boasts 600 horse farms and countless equestrian attractions and activities, making it the perfect location to retire for those who are passionate about horses. On top of offering gorgeous weather and mild temperatures throughout the winter, Ocala also features a variety of shopping centers and malls.

Ocala also offers residents a low cost of living and provides serene natural landscapes with a laid-back atmosphere. While the city doesn't sit along the shoreline, if you do want to take a trip to the beach, you can travel about 70 miles toward the Gulf Coast, which is only a bit over an hour of a drive away.

One of the best places to retire in Florida is Naples, which has long been known as a great city to settle down in. This southwest city is located on the Gulf of Mexico and offers residents high-end shopping and an abundance of golf courses. Not only that, but the city is also a top fishing destination, which happens to be a common sport for Florida retirees.

Naples is a sophisticated place that boasts pleasant winter weather and a vibrant arts and culture scene. Though it's one of the more expensive locations on the list, the sophisticated destination is great for those who have worked their lives to afford a luxurious retirement.

8. Jacksonville

The most populous city in Florida is Jacksonville. Located in northeastern Florida along the Atlantic Coast, Jacksonville is a great place to retire, as it offers miles of white-sand beaches, eclectic neighborhoods, family-friendly destinations, and a variety of shopping and dining experiences.

Jacksonville also boasts waterways and piers that offer incredible fishing to those visiting or living in the area. Not only that, but many golf-loving retirees find themselves settling in Jacksonville for its abundance of scenic golf courses.

9. Lakeland

Just east of Tampa in the Sunshine State is a city called Lakeland. With proximity to cities like Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is a great place to retire if you're looking for a more peaceful and affordable location outside of the major cities. Named for its 38 lakes, this Florida city boasts various attractions, from the Munn Park Historic District to the Polk Museum of Art.

Lakeland is also home to both Florida Southern College and Florida Polytechnic University. Despite it being a college town, however, it's still known to be extremely peaceful and ideal for outdoorsy individuals. Not only that, but Lakeland is also called Swan City for its abundance of white swans. In fact, the swans are actually descendants of a pair that the queen left for Lakeland almost 70 years ago.

According to the Lake Morton Neighborhood Association's website : "Lakeland, whose lakes had been home to a varying number of graceful birds since at least 1923, saw its last swan fall victim to an alligator in 1954. Mrs. Robert Pickhardt, a Lakeland native living in England at the time, was familiar with the royal flock of swans on the Thames – birds descended from the original pair given to Richard, he of the lion heart. She inquired about purchasing a pair for Lakeland. Queen Elizabeth, known to be a little tight with a farthing, agreed to send a pair of swans to Lakeland if the city would pay the cost of capture, crating, and shipping, estimated at $300."

10. Orlando

One of the most popular cities in Florida is Orlando. Located in Central Florida, Orlando is home to tons of theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. In fact, many tourists fly to Orlando specifically for these theme parks and similar attractions

Nevertheless, despite its influx of tourists and high energy, Orlando is still a great place to settle down. The cost of living in Orlando is relatively low for retirees, and many choose to retire in this location as a way to attract their younger family members (like grandchildren) to visit its many attractions. Furthermore, like much of the state, Orlando also has beautiful weather and mild winters year-round.

11. Key West

Key West is an island city that's part of the Florida Keys and is also Florida's southernmost point. Just about 90 miles north of Cuba, Key West offers year-round beach weather and vacation hotspots. The city features gorgeous, pastel-colored houses and a vast coral reef, which makes it the ideal destination for snorkeling and diving. In other words, if you're seeking a tropical-style retirement location, Key West is the perfect place for you

With tons of museums, state parks, fishing opportunities, dining experiences, shopping options, aquariums, and other attractions, you will never run out of things to do in Key West. From basking in its natural scenery to lounging on the beach, Key West provides the perfect lifestyle for any type of retiree — so long as you love the warm weather and ocean.

12. Boca Raton

Situated in southeastern Florida is Boca Raton, a city that boasts various outdoor activities from golfing to lounging on the beach to walking through its many parks. Boca Raton is a great place to retire due to its range of advantages, such as a welcoming community and beautiful housing opportunities. Not only that, but its sunny and warm climate year-round is a dream come true for many retirees, especially those who are coming from a colder climate.

Boca Raton also offers upscale living, vibrant cultures, incredible food, and pristine beaches. However, as a result, there tends to be a higher cost of living in Boca Raton when compared to other locations on this list.

13. St. Petersburg

Located on Florida's Gulf Coast, St. Petersburg is a city in the Tampa Bay area that offers a variety of outdoor activities like golfing, boating, and fishing. Also called the Sunshine City, St. Petersburg boasts award-winning beaches, top-rated restaurants, gorgeous parks, beautiful waterfront properties, and plenty of museums to explore. With so much to do in such a vibrant area, it's easy to see why many people settle in St. Petersburg, Florida. In fact, the city has a large population of seniors, as well as various accommodations and services for the older population.

Many people say that St. Petersburg merges a city lifestyle with a beachy lifestyle, as it offers big city perks in addition to its white sand and clear water shorelines. Essentially, those who retire in St. Petersburg can experience a little bit of everything life has to offer.

14. St. Augustine

Located on the northeast coast of Florida, St. Augustine is the oldest city in America. It features gorgeous Spanish colonial architecture and countless museums and monuments. Not only that, but it's also home to some of the most pristine Atlantic Ocean beaches. The city's culture is both eclectic and vibrant, and there are plenty of retirement communities, luxurious shopping, and dining opportunities.

Retiring in the U.S.'s oldest city offers an unbeatable experience. Specifically, Anastasia State Park in Saint Augustine is a great location for fishing, camping, birdwatching, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

15. Clearwater

Arguably one of the most beautiful and serene cities in Florida is Clearwater. Located in the Tampa Bay area, this city is known for its gorgeous Gulf Coast beaches. In fact, Clearwater Beach is actually located on a barrier island and provides a three-mile stretch of white sand beaches lined with hotels, restaurants, and other real estate. While it's a popular place to visit as a tourist, it's also a popular place to retire.

Clearwater experiences ideal weather all year long, meaning your winters will not be brutal and cold. Not only that, but there are a variety of activities for residents, including golfing, fishing, walking along the beach, visiting a museum, and more.

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What are the best places in Florida to live? These neighborhoods are on this list

Are you planning a move anytime soon? Or just want to feel a sense of pride about the area you live in?

Niche recently releases its annual report of the  “Best Places to Live in America ,” seeing three Florida neighborhoods place within its top 10 slots.

Niche experts ranks places to live based on a variety of categories, such as cost of living, schools, diversity, health care, crime statistics and recreational activities. It also ranked neighborhoods, suburbs, and cities to determine the best places to live.

“It provides people with the tools and information they need to discover their best-fit options based on whatever they value most,” Zach Chatham, PR manager at Niche, said to Forbes . “It’s a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more about what a place is really like, whether that be to visit on vacation or to call home when moving.”

Where is the top place to live in Florida?

Located in Tampa, the neighborhood of Uptown saw the fourth slot on Niche's overall list. It has a population of 2,428 residents.

"Uptown is in Hillsborough County and is one of the best places to live in Florida. Living in Uptown offers residents a dense urban feel and most residents rent their homes," Niche writes. "In Uptown there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks. Many young professionals live in Uptown and residents tend to have moderate political views."

The median home value within Uptown is $278,210, with renters paying $2,130 per month. The median household income is $80,431.

As for schools, Niche notes the public schools in Uptown are highly rated. Families with children make up 4% of the neighborhood's population.

What are the top 10 places to live in Florida?

Following Uptown's first-place slot on the list, here are the other top Florida neighborhoods on the list:

Hyde Park, Tampa

• Population: 2,219
• Median household income: $133,738
• Median home value: $621,272 (39% own)
• Median rent: $1,977 (61% rent)
• Top public schools: Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School (grade A), Bell Creek Academy High School (grade A), Tampa Bay Technical High School (grade A)
• Top private schools: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Carrollwood Day School (grade A+)

Harbour Island, Tampa

• Population: 4,185
• Median household income: $156,929
• Median home value: $497,689 (45% own)
• Median rent: $2,323 (55% rent)
• Top private schools: Berkeley Preparatory School (grade A+), Tampa Preparatory School (grade A+), Academy of the Holy Names (grade A+)

Audubon Park, Orlando

• Population: 3,658
• Median household income: $108,265
• Median home value: $422,598 (84% own)
• Median rent: $2,031 (16% rent)
• Top public schools: Winter Park High School (grade A+), Orlando Gifted Academy (grade A), Cornerstone Charter Academy High School (grade A)
• Top private schools: Trinity Preparatory School of Florida (grade A+), Lake Highland Preparatory School (grade A+), The First Academy (grade A+)

Palma Ceia West, Tampa

• Population: 1,542
• Median household income: $133,278
• Median home value: $579,854 (67% own)
• Median rent: $1,132 (33% rent)

North Quarter, Orlando

• Population: 1,637
• Median household income: $63,037
• Median home value: $231,886 (12% own)
• Median rent: $1,662 (88% rent)
• Top public schools: Orlando Gifted Academy (grade A), Cornerstone Charter Academy High School (grade A), Laureate Park Elementary School (grade A minus)

Baldwin Park, Orlando

• Population: 15,332
• Median household income: $151,007
• Median home value: $689,848 (43% own)
• Median rent: $2,245 (57% rent)
• Top public schools: Winter Park High School (grade A+), Cornerstone Charter Academy High School (grade A), Laureate Park Elementary School (grade A minus)

Virginia Park, Tampa

• Population: 5,894
• Median household income: $175,591
• Median home value: $677,083 (88% own)
• Median rent: $1,552 (12% rent)

Courier City/Oscawana, Tampa

• Population: 3,042
• Median household income: $140,335
• Median home value: $559,721 (41% own)
• Median rent: $2,143 (59% rent)

Lancaster Park, Orlando

• Population: 1,254
• Median household income: $152,300
• Median home value: $457,781 (67% own)
• Median rent: $1,192 (33% rent)
• Top public schools: Cornerstone Charter Academy High School (grade A), Laureate Park Elementary School (grade A minus), Audubon Park School (grade A minus)

What is the top place in the entire country?

Niche determined that Colonial Village , a neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia, is the top neighborhood in the country.

"Colonial Village is in Arlington County and is one of the best places to live in Virginia. In Colonial Village, most residents rent their homes. In Colonial Village there are a lot of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks," the description writes.

Located in Arlington County, the neighborhood holds a population of 2,992. The study shares that 71% of residents own their home, seeing a median home value of $418,858. Renters typically pay $2,037 per month.

See the top 10 neighborhoods across America, according to Niche

• Colonial Village, Virginia
• Carmel, Indiana
• Chesterbrook, Pennsylvania
• Uptown, Florida
• Cinco Ranch, Texas
• Hyde Park, Florida
• Evergreen Park, California
• Radnor/Fort Myer Heights, Virginia
• Harbour Island, Florida
• College Terrance, California

Double SpaceX Starlink rocket launches this week: Where to watch in Sebastian, Vero Beach

Anyone up for back-to-back rocket launches this week? Two SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets will potentially lift off this week, carrying Starlink internet satellites.

Weather permitting, the rocket launches will be visible in the night sky above the Treasure Coast on Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18. Below is a calendar for upcoming rocket launches and how to watch the SpaceX rocket launches this week.

Is there a rocket launch in Florida today? Rocket launch calendar for Florida

Here's what we know about the rocket launch missions, mentioned in  FLORIDA TODAY's rocket launch calendar  for the month, which is updated frequently. (Check that link often for rocket launch times and dates because they are routinely subject to change for a variety of reasons.)

FLORIDA TODAY, a USA TODAY Network-Florida newspaper, provides interactive launch coverage at  floridatoday.com/space  with frequent updates on launches at least 90 minutes in advance, sometimes longer, depending on the mission. For questions or comments, email  Space Reporter Rick Neale  at [email protected] or tweet him  @rickneale1  on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter.

Is SpaceX launching from Florida? Wednesday, April 17 and Thursday, April 18: SpaceX Starlink

Though SpaceX has not publicly confirmed this mission's existence, a National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency navigational warning indicates rocket launch windows will open Wednesday afternoon and Thursday night.

Here are some details about the upcoming SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches:

Wednesday, April 17:

• Mission:  A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch a batch of Starlink internet satellites from the Space Coast.
• Launch window:  5:24 p.m. to 9:55 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 17.
• Trajectory:  Southeast.
• Local sonic boom:  No.
• Booster landing:  Drone ship out on the Atlantic Ocean.
• Live coverage:  Starts 90 minutes before liftoff at  floridatoday.com/space .

Thursday, April 18:

• Launch window:  6:40 p.m. to 11:11 p.m. EDT on Thursday, April 18.

Where can I watch SpaceX rocket launches online?

If you want to watch live rocket launch coverage,  FLORIDA TODAY's Space Team  will provide updates at  floridatoday.com/space , starting about 90 minutes before launch time. You can download the free app for iPhone or Android or type floridatoday.com/space into your browser.

Where can I see a Florida rocket launch in Indian River County, St. Lucie County and Martin County?

The best views to watch a rocket launch from neighboring Brevard County, aka the Space Coast, is here along the beach. Visibility in Indian River County,  St. Lucie County  and Martin County, part of the Treasure Coast, will depend on weather conditions, and people should make sure not to block traffic or rights of way on bridges and to follow posted rules at beaches. Look due north. Here are some recommended spots, from closest to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center to farthest:

• Pretty much anywhere in Brevard, you'll get a view of the rocket launch. That includes  Melbourne Beach , which borders Indian River County, or from Grant-Valkaria along the Indian River Lagoon.

•  Sebastian Inlet Park , 9700 S. State Road A1A, Melbourne Beach (there is a cost to enter)

•  Wabasso Beach Park , 1808 Wabasso Beach Road, Wabasso

•  Ambersands Beach Park , 12566 N. SR A1A, Vero Beach (free parking)

•  South Beach Park , 1700 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach (free parking)

•  Merrill Barber Bridge  in Vero Beach

•  Alma Lee Loy Bridge  in Vero Beach 

•  Fort Pierce Inlet , 905 Shorewinds Drive

•  Blind Creek Beachside  North and South, South Ocean Drive or SR A1A on Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce

•  Blue Heron Beach , 2101 Blue Heron Blvd., Fort Pierce

•  Frederick Douglass Memorial Park , 3600 S. Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce

•  Dollman Park Beachside , 9200 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach

•  Herman's Bay Beach , 7880 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach

•  John Brooks Park Beachside , 3300 S Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce

•  Middle Cove Beach , 4600 South Ocean Drive, Fort Pierce

•  Normandy Beach  in Jensen Beach

•  Pepper Park Beachside , 3302 N. SR A1A, Fort Pierce,

•  Walton Rocks Beach , which has a dog park, 6700 South Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach

•  Waveland Beach , 10350 S. Ocean Drive, Jensen Beach

•  House of Refuge and beach , 301 S.E. MacArthur Blvd., Stuart

•  State Road A1A causeway in Stuart

Rick Neale  is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories,  click here .) Contact Neale at 321-242-3638 or  [email protected] . Twitter/X:  @RickNeale1

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I've Lived in Florida for 27 Years — and These Are the Best State Parks to Visit

A local's guide to the best and most beautiful state parks in Florida.

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Ever since I first came to Florida from the northeast in the late 1990s, I’ve been doing my best to get to know as many of the gorgeous state parks here as possible. And while Florida's 11 national parks — including Everglades National Park , Canaveral National Seashore, and Dry Tortugas National Park — tend to be the heavier tourism hitters, locals like me know its 175 state parks cover similarly gorgeous ground, with everything from freshwater springs and waterfalls to rare dune lakes and cave systems to explore. 

I’ve spent moonlit winter nights under majestic oaks and cypress trees along the Santa Fe River at O’Leno State Park, thrown on a scuba tank to go diving with red-bellied turtles and giant gar fish in the crystal-clear waters of Rainbow Springs State Park, and camped on the sand within a couple yards of the water at Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys. 

Read on for 10 of my favorite Florida state parks — and the best ways to experience them on your next visit, too.

Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon

David Radzieta/Getty Images

Florida is brimming with freshwater springs, with more than 1,000 of the jewel-toned beauties scattered around the state. And while I hesitate to pick a favorite, Rainbow Springs State Park in north central Florida rises to the top. I love packing a picnic and sitting on the sloping shores surrounding the spring head before taking the cold plunge and walking the trails with family and friends. You can camp along the Rainbow River, accessed via a separate entrance nearby. This is also the best launching point for drift scuba diving outings or snorkeling in Rainbow River away from the crowds. For a luxury stay within a 30-minute drive of the park, consider The Equestrian Hotel in Ocala , an $800-million property devoted to all things equine and set in Florida’s stunning horse country.

Bahia Honda State Park, Florida Keys

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It’s not easy to score a waterfront campsite at this popular state park on Big Pine Key, but even if you just swing through for the day, you’re in for a treat. Bahia Honda State Park is idyllic for snorkeling in clear, shallow waters atop grassy flats where you might spot juvenile reef fish and passing rays. It has some of the best natural beaches in the Florida Keys , too. You can rent kayaks and snorkeling gear on site, as well as book snorkeling trips to the bountiful reefs just offshore within Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary. My favorite thing to do here at sunset is follow the park’s lone nature trail from the southwest end of the island to the top of the old Bahia Honda Bridge. It’s the perfect place to scout fish, turtles, and dolphins frolicking in the clear waters while watching the sky turn all shades of pretty pastels.

Highlands Hammock State Park, Sebring

I recently visited this wild state park in Sebring, Florida, with my family, and was amazed by how it felt like a mini Everglades, but was only two hours inland from my home in Tampa. I was also surprised to learn that Highlands Hammock State Park is home to more rare and endemic species than any park in the entire state, including Florida black bears, American alligators, and Florida panthers. One of Florida’s oldest state parks, it dates to 1931, when it was established by the Civilian Conservation Corps. There’s a great on-site museum that delves into that history and shows the conditions in which workers lived, worked, and played back then. We loved riding the tram into the most alligator-ridden reaches of the park and strolling through an old-growth cypress swamp atop an elevated boardwalk trail. Whatever you do, don’t miss a birding hike with ranger Blake, if it’s on offer the day you visit. Blake grew up in this area and has owls calling back to him, plus you'll spot things you’d never see on your own.

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, Wakulla Springs

NetaDegany/Getty Images

I first visited this glorious state park, about 15 miles south of Tallahassee in Florida’s Panhandle, as a college kid in town to party at Florida State University during a football weekend. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park was the first place I ever saw manatees, and the ancient cypress swamp always proves to be a fruitful place to scout alligators. There are a ton of cool ways to experience this park, whether you opt for a guided jungle cruise on a glass-bottom riverboat, go swimming in the gin-clear waters at the spring head, or spend the night at the historic Lodge at Wakulla Springs . The latter — home to the world’s longest-known marble bar, stretching some 70 feet — dates to the 1930s.

Sebastian Inlet State Park, Melbourne Beach

carcar797/Getty Images

Straddling Melbourne Beach and Vero Beach, Sebastian Inlet State Park is a haven for anyone who likes to fish, surf, or simply stroll the sand for miles. Many moons ago, when I dated a Florida surfer boy, we’d come here to camp at nearby Long Point Park , all the better to be up for dawn patrol when the waves were cranking just offshore from Sebastian (First Peak is considered the best surf break here, but there are gentler options for beginners, too). These days, I visit with my kids to walk the length of the pier to see what anglers are reeling in and pop into the fascinating McLarty Treasure Museum to ogle finds that have washed ashore from the 1715 Spanish treasure fleet of galleons that met its demise here during a hurricane (much of the loot is still buried in the sand somewhere offshore).

Grayton Beach State Park, Santa Rosa Beach

Jacob Boomsma/Getty Images

Along with Madagascar, New Zealand, and Oregon, a small stretch of the Florida Panhandle in Walton County is one of the only places in the world where you can find coastal dune lakes — rare geographical features of shallow water nestled into sand dune ecosystems. You can see some of the most beautiful examples of these at Grayton Beach State Park , including Western Lake, where it’s possible to rent a kayak or standup paddleboard to glide atop waters as smooth as glass. Stay in one of the park’s cozy cabins, secreted among the tall pines, or nab one of the 59 campsites that put some of Florida’s most pristine white-sand beaches at your doorstep. Other park highlights include a 4.5-mile hiking and biking trail that meanders through a forest home to Florida black bears, gray foxes, and white-tailed deer.

Myakka River State Park, Sarasota

LagunaticPhoto/Getty Images

East of Sarasota, along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Myakka River State Park is a real surprise that’s home to wetlands, prairies blanketed with wildflowers come autumn, and forests dense with palms and live oaks. Every time I visit, I’m reminded of how scenic this state is. Birders like me flock to the Birdwalk, a boardwalk that winds through hammock environments to a floodplain marsh where you might hear ospreys calling overhead and spot roseate spoonbills and herons foraging the shallows for something to eat. My kids love adventuring down the Myakka Canopy Walkway, which is raised 25 feet above the ground. You can visit the park on tram and boat tours, too, making it perfect for a multigenerational day trip from nearby cities like Sarasota and Tampa .

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne

Stephanie Pollak/Travel + Leisure

Within minutes of downtown Miami, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park promises sandy beaches with no development, as well as bayside hideaways for enjoying sunset drinks, like family-owned and operated bar The Cleat (my favorite spot to sip a watermelon sangria fronting No Name Harbor). When you’re not kicking back on the beach, you can rent a bike to pedal a 1.5-mile paved pathway in the park, hike nature trails through mangrove wetlands, or grill at a picnic pavilion overlooking Biscayne Bay. This park is also known for the historic 1825 Cape Florida Lighthouse, which you can tour several days a week during guided visits.

Ravine Gardens State Park, Palatka

cjmckendry/Getty Images

I was floored by this fascinating state park in the north Florida town of Palatka, near Jacksonville, when I happened upon it during a road trip earlier this year. The best time to visit Ravine Gardens State Park is from January through March, when more than 18 types of azaleas come into peak bloom — they’re at the heart of gardens formed within the natural ravines here back in 1933 (there’s even an annual Azalea Festival held the first week of March). The park’s most unique geological formations are two “steephead ravines,” which are naturally cut 120 feet into the earth and formed by erosion. You can explore the park along a paved road (driving, biking, or walking), or opt to detour along trails that follow suspension bridges and stone staircases down to a spring-fed creek.

Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna

Visit Florida

Drive about one hour north of Panama City to reach the only Florida state park where you can head underground to explore caves and caverns without a scuba diving tank. Guided tours take visitors into large underground spaces within the limestone cave system to ogle stalactites and stalagmites illuminated for a dazzling effect. You’ll descend 35 steps to tour a dozen different rooms, within which your guide might point out interesting subterranean denizens, like cave crickets, bats, and salamanders. When you emerge from the cave, it’s into a beautiful hardwood forest, providing an incredible contrast between the up-top and down-below Florida worlds.

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Vote for your favorite summer travel destination!

USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Whether you're hitting the road with the family or embarking on a solo adventure, summer is the peak season for travel in the United States. There are so many endlessly compelling sights to see and things to do throughout this country's millions of square miles, from picturesque national parks to sleepy mountain towns to breathtakingly beautiful beaches. An expert panel has nominated their 20 must-see places for a summer vacation, and we need your help to crown the best of the best. Which summer travel destination is your favorite spot? Vote once per day until voting ends on Monday, May 13 at noon ET. The 10 winners will be announced on Wednesday, May 22.  Read the official Readers' Choice rules .

Whether you're hitting the road with the family or embarking on a solo adventure, summer is the peak season for travel in the United States. There are so many endlessly compelling sights to see and things to do...   Read More

Best Summer Travel Destination Nominees

Photo courtesy of The Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce

Bar Harbor, Maine

Located on Mount Desert Island, this quaint small town is known as a gateway to iconic Acadia National Park and is a popular cruise stop. During a visit, be sure to spend time in Bar Harbor's idyllic downtown, which is home to a plethora of top-tier eateries, small boutiques, and art galleries.

Photo courtesy of Melanie LeDuc / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Black Hills & Badlands, South Dakota

Situated in South Dakota, set about 70 miles apart, the Black Hills and Badlands offer an experience full of history, geological wonders, and stunning views. The area is home to the famous Mt. Rushmore, which receives more than 2 million visitors a year.

Photo courtesy of pabradyphoto / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Capitol Reef Country, Utah

Nestled in southern Utah, Capitol Reef Country incorporates Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches national parks. Because of their proximity to each other, this makes for an excellent road trip adventure where you’ll get to see the striking geologic strata that makes this area unique. 

Photo courtesy of Jasper Chamber / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Catalina Island, California

Catalina Island, which stretches 22 miles, is an ideal coastal destination in California. Historically significant because it’s been the filming location for more than 500 films, TV shows, and commercials over the past 90 years, this family-friendly destination is also well-known for its pristine beaches, outdoor activities, and sumptuous seafood. 

Photo courtesy of Cody Yellowstone

Cody, Wyoming

This rugged mountain town is the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, and it's known as the "Rodeo Capital of the World," offering you a glimpse into the Wild West. Named after Buffalo Bill Cody, Cody, Wyoming, features sweeping views, hearty and authentic cowboy fare, and many opportunities for outdoor adventures.

Photo courtesy of Dan Eggert/Destination Door County

Door County, Wisconsin

For an unexpected lakeside vacation spot, it’s hard to beat Wisconsin’s Door County, home to 300 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan and every water sport you can imagine. Paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, water skiing, and even scuba diving around shipwrecks are all among the aquatic activities available throughout this Midwestern destination. For those who prefer staying on land, there’s also a solid beer and wine scene, art galleries to explore, plus hiking, biking, and more at their five state parks. 

Photo courtesy of UpdogDesigns / iStock / Getty Images Plus

Finger Lakes, New York

New York's Finger Lakes region comprises 11 lakes in upstate New York, offering an ideal summer getaway by the water. The area is well-recognized for its rieslings, so you’ll want to book a wine tasting at one of the many wineries while visiting. And if you have little ones in tow, visit the Seabreeze Amusement Park, where you can enjoy a number of rides and attractions. 

Photo courtesy of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism

Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama

Alabama's Gulf Coast offers 32 miles of pristine white sand beaches and cerulean blue waters, and it's home to an amazing restaurant scene. This spot is popular with families because of the many outdoor activities available for all ages. Whether you want to relax on the beach, head out on a kayaking expedition, or venture to an amusement park, you’ll find plenty to enjoy. 

Photo courtesy of Jody O for Travel Juneau

Juneau, Alaska

Juneau is an eclectic mountain town boasting over 250 miles of hiking trails, as well as a walkable, charming downtown. Situated on Gastineau Channel, the city offers plenty of opportunities to get on the water. It's also home to diverse wildlife, rich in Indigenous history, and full of lovely accommodations. You’ll find this one of Alaska’s ultimate gems, especially in the summer.

Photo courtesy of Alex Byers

Laurel Highlands, Pennsylvania

If you love the great outdoors, you’ll be smitten with Laurel Highlands, which sits in southwestern Pennsylvania. It’s approximately 3,000 square miles and includes three counties: Fayette, Somerset, and Westmoreland. Visit Fallingwater, which is recognized as a National Historic Landmark and one of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s most acclaimed works. For thrill-seekers, book a white-water rafting excursion in Ohiopyle State Park. The park also offers numerous challenging hikes where you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views.

Photo courtesy of Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau

Mackinac Island, Michigan

Between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, you’ll find Mackinac Island, where you’ll ride on horse-drawn carriages along car-free roads, observe fudge being made (and then sample it), and tour the historic Fort Mackinac. This Lake Huron-based continental island is also home to Mackinac Island State Park, where you can hike, bike, kayak, and take photos of the local natural beauty, including the stunning limestone Arch Rock.

Photo courtesy of Ocean City, MD Tourism

Ocean City, Maryland

Ocean City, Maryland, is the quintessential beach town, offering laid-back vibes, old-fashioned boardwalk treats, and beautiful sandy beaches. Head over to a bustling arcade, get in line for a thrill at Trimper Rides, or simply sit back with a good book and dig your feet into the sand.

Photo courtesy of Ocean City Chamber of Commerce

Ocean City, New Jersey

This family-friendly vacation spot on the Jersey Shore is known for its exciting boardwalk, with shops and eateries galore, views of the Atlantic, plus vintage amusement parks. Playland’s Castaway Cove is one such park, with go-karts, thrill rides including roller coasters, a fun house, and mini golf. And if parks aren’t your thing, there’s miles and miles of relaxing beaches on which to get in some sun and swimming.

Photo courtesy of Katie Jones via San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau

San Juan Islands, Washington

While there are some 176 islands and reefs that make up the San Juan Islands, the main four — San Juan, Orcas, Lopez, and Shaw — are serviced by the state ferry system and offer accommodations for tourists. While these islands are diverse and offer different experiences, they all feature spectacular vistas of the Salish Sea, with plenty of water and land activities to keep everyone busy. Accommodations range from hotels and resorts to small inns, vacation rentals, and camping sites.

Photo courtesy of Shores & Islands Ohio

Sandusky, Ohio

Home to Cedar Point amusement park, which has over 150 rides and attractions, Sandusky is an ideal family-friendly vacation spot. The town is also home to a picturesque downtown with art galleries, boutiques, and a thriving culinary scene. Visit the Maritime Museum of Sandusky for a look at the city’s history, or head to the Sandusky State Theatre and take in a performance. 

Photo courtesy of Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

Sevier County, Tennessee

Sevier County, Tennessee, is widely known as a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, one of the most visited national parks in the United States. Three towns are ideal spots for setting up base camp while visiting the region: Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. Offering everything from picture-perfect scenery to Dollywood to the state’s only ski resort, there's plenty to see and do in the area.

Photo courtesy of NPS Photo/J. Baird

South Rim - Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Probably the exact location you're picturing when you think of the Grand Canyon, the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is an iconic American destination worthy of many a bucket list. Check out Grand Canyon Village during a visit, which offers a range of attractions and accommodations. It’s also the site of the Grand Canyon Railway Depot, which is still in service today and takes visitors on a scenic ride, where you might spot wildlife such as elk, deer, and mountain lions.

Photo courtesy of Space Coast Office of Tourism

Space Coast, Florida

Situated on Florida’s Atlantic shore, the Space Coast area is recognized as the home of the Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where Apollo 11 lifted off for its moon landing mission. The region is also a hub of activities, including water sports, cruise excursions, fishing, and golfing. It's also a great spot for lazy beach days.

Photo courtesy of Swain County NC Chamber of Commerce

Swain County, North Carolina

Swain County, home to charming Bryson City, is a gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The area is overflowing with hiking trails, scenic waterfalls, golfing, and water activities. You'll find opportunities for tubing, as well as white-water rafting, with the Nantahala Outdoor Center offering 500 acres of adventure.

Photo courtesy of OKRAD / E+ Getty Images

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Virginia Beach’s 3-mile long boardwalk is a major draw for those that visit this town, known for its maritime history and family-friendly appeal. It comprises three beach areas: Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Bay, and Sandbridge Beach, which stretches for 35 miles, making it the world’s longest pleasure beach in the world. With a flourishing downtown and amazing restaurants, Virginia Beach makes for a great summer escape.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

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Jamie is a travel writer who has visited over 50 countries, many of them with her children in tow. She loves visiting everything from theme parks to ancient ruins and packs strictly carry-on-only. Jamie can be reached at [email protected].

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Molly O'Brien is a Los Angeles-based freelance travel journalist, who writes and edits for a variety of international travel and lifestyle outlets including Fodor’s Travel, Travel + Leisure, and Business Insider among others. She's lived on both coasts from Massachusetts to California and has so far made Greater Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, San Luis Obispo, Barcelona, and Los Angeles her home.  Molly earned her journalism degree at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo on the Central Coast of California and since then has worked professionally in the fields of hospitality and travel PR and most recently, as a freelance travel writer and editor. Molly especially enjoys covering feature profiles about interesting people doing interesting things such as chocolate making, beekeeping, wing-walking, and interesting destinations like under-the-radar wine spots, the best brewery towns, and lesser-known ski destinations.  She also loves to write about a boutique hotel with a good story. When she's not writing, Molly enjoys spending time outdoors, exploring new coffee shops and breweries, and of course, traveling.  Her favorite city in the world (so far) is Barcelona, Spain, but she loves traveling anywhere that offers sunny weather and ample hiking opportunities. She loves spending time in the mountains, enjoys connecting with nature through camping and glamping adventures, and is always up for learning about the world through fun, immersive experiences (and then sharing those stories!).  You can connect with Molly here:  Instagram: @metropolitanmolly Twitter: @Molly_A_OBrien Facebook: @MetropolitanMolly LinkedIn: @mollyannobrien www.metropolitanmolly.com

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Rob Taylor is the author of  The Road Trip Survival Guide  (being released May 25, 2021) and  the founder of 2TravelDads , the original LGBT Family Travel blog. Focusing on ecotourism and education, 2TravelDads inspires LGBT families (and traditional families also) to go beyond their usual getaways and use travel to learn about and be part of a bigger world. 2TravelDads blazes the way for other two-dad and two-mom families to travel to previously overlooked destinations or places we as gay people would normally avoid. We share the struggles we've faced and the surprising gems and welcomes we've had along the way. Traveling as a family is one thing, traveling as an LGBT family is completely something else.

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Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. She's based in Reno/Lake Tahoe and in addition to USA Today 10Best, her work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Fodor's Travel, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, Lonely Planet, and more.

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USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

No solar eclipse glasses? Use a Saltine or Ritz cracker, pasta strainer or slotted spoon

If you don't have solar eclipse glasses for april 8, 2024, check your kitchen if you have crackers, a pasta strainer or slotted spoon, you can see the eclipse..

• In Florida, expect to see a thin or fat crescent shape Monday, April 8, 2024, during the Great American Eclipse.
• In Florida, it's referred to as a partial solar eclipse, which starts at 12:35 p.m. CDT through 4:20 p.m. EDT Monday, April 8, 2024.

Before your eyes spy the Great American Eclipse or  Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024 , be sure to protect them.

Though Florida is not in the path of totality for the April 8 celestial event , the eclipse can still be seen via protective solar eclipse glasses, shadows on the ground or other creative (and safe) means . Interestingly, you can find some items in your kitchen pantry or the kitchen utensil drawer.

Experts warn people should not look up directly at the sun to avoid blindness or damage to the eyes.

Below is a safety guide on what to do and what not to do to protect your eyes when watching the Great American Eclipse and creative means to view it if you don't have solar eclipse glasses .

When is the Great American Eclipse 2024 ? What are the major eclipses in the US?

The much-anticipated Great American Eclipse is Monday, April 8, 2024, and times vary for max viewing opportunities all across the U.S. (see graphic below).

In case you’re wondering, there are three notable solar eclipses viewable from the U.S., and two of them happened already: the Great American Solar Eclipse on Aug. 21, 2017 , the Great American Eclipse or “ ring of fire ” that occurred Oct. 14, 2023, and now the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024 . Florida was not in the path of totality for any of these. However, and this will be true for the April 2024 eclipse, skywatchers from hundreds of miles outside the path were still able to see a partial solar eclipse from the 2017 and 2023 astrological events.

Can the Great American Eclipse, Total Solar Eclipse 2024 be seen in Florida?

Though Florida is not in the path of totality for the April 8, 2024, Total Solar Eclipse, the eclipse can still be seen via protective solar eclipse glasses, shadows on the ground or other creative (and safe) means.

In Florida, it's referred to as a partial solar eclipse, which starts at 12:35 p.m. CDT through 4:20 p.m. EDT Monday, April 8, 2024,  according to timeanddate.com .

What time can I see 2024 solar eclipse in Florida?

Weather permitting, to see all phases of the total solar eclipse, you must be within the path of totality. According to a map on  greatamericaneclipse.com , the U.S. path of totality for the Monday, April 8, 2024, eclipse covers parts of Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The total eclipse will not be visible from Florida — unless you watch it virtually from a livestream.

In the U.S., totality will begin in Texas at 1:27 p.m. CT and will end in Maine at 3:35 p.m. ET on April 8, 2024. The state of Florida should have a 45% to 75% chance of "maximum partial eclipse," according to Great American Eclipse online. Expect to see a thin crescent shape to a thicker crescent shape.

Florida is not in the path of totality. Is it still called the Great American Solar Eclipse or Total Solar Eclipse?

In Florida, it's referred to as a partial solar eclipse since the Sunshine State is not in the path of totality.

Are 3D glasses the same as solar eclipse glasses?

No! 3-dimensional glasses will not protect your eyes during an eclipse. Do not wear them and look at the sun during an eclipse.

Can I watch the 2024 Great American Eclipse using a cracker?

Yes! Use a buttery round cracker (think Ritz) and a white sheet of paper. With your back toward the sun, hold the cracker up to the paper. Your eyes should be looking away from the sun, which is what’s required for safe, indirect viewing, experts say. The solar eclipse will filter through the tiny cracker holes. Reporter tip: If you don't have a Ritz cracker, a Saltine cracker works just as well.

Can I watch the Great American Eclipse using a slotted spoon?

Yes! Use a slotted spoon with round holes in it. Again, with your back toward the sun, hold up the spoon to the sheet of paper and watch the solar eclipse project an image.

Can I watch Great American Eclipse using a colander or bowl?

Yes! According to Dennis Ward, retired president of Longmont Astronomical Society in Colorado, “Another great projection viewing device is a colander or pasta strainer with holes, not slots.“ Same instructions apply, stand with your back toward the sun, and hold up the colander to the sheet of paper to see the eclipse.

I don't have solar eclipse glasses, a cracker or a slotted spoon. How can I watch the solar eclipse?

If you don't have a pair of solar eclipse glasses, a Ritz or Saltine cracker, a colander or a slotted spoon (serving spoon with holes in it), don't despair. Look to the ground, particularly a white or gray sidewalk, and check out the shadows made by tree leaves. Miniature crescent moon shapes (fat crescents and thin crescents, depending on max viewing time) will show up. You can see this in the Tallahassee Democrat photo above.

Can I wear sunglasses and watch the solar eclipse?

No! We can't stress this enough. It is not safe to look up at the sun during a solar eclipse while wearing sunglasses, no matter how dark the lenses are.

Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on  Twitter  or Instagram at  @byjensangalang . Support local journalism.  Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper .