Florida is unlike any other state in the United States because it has year-round beaches and fruits that thrive in the winter. The vibrant clubs in South Beach, Orlando, and Jacksonville and the various music sites across the state keep the enjoyable activities and things to do in Florida going late into the night.

Acts like Beyonce, Justin Bieber, and Bruce Springsteen make the Sunshine State a destination, and Florida is a significant stop on the Space Center – Kennedy Space Center. Many tourists place eating out and trying genuine native food high on their list of things to do. Florida’s seafood, which is available from mid-May to mid-October and includes grouper, prawns, and the famous stone crab, does not disappoint.

This state has so much to offer both tourists and residents, including theme parks, sunken gardens, world-famous beaches, old-fashioned villages, and unexpected gems.

12 Things to Do in Florida

1. Walt Disney World

Amazingly, Walt Disney World is one of the most visited places on Earth! A trip to Florida wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the magic of Magic Kingdom Park.

One of Florida’s most well-known attractions is Walt Disney World, and we strongly suggest visiting these amusement sites!

There are various attractions and motifs in each theme park: Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot. You’re sure to have a good time in Walt Disney World because there are character meet-and-greets, delicious cuisine, shows, and attractions around every corner.

Walt Disney World is one of the best family-friendly things to do in Florida, but adults can also have a great time there. Without taking the famous picture in front of the palace at the Magic Kingdom, can you claim to have visited Florida?

You may also visit the Disney area, including around Disney, which includes the accommodations and Disney Springs. There is a lot to do here, in any scenario.

2. Everglades National Park

The biggest named sub-tropical wilderness area on the continent of North America is Everglades National Park. The intersection of temperate and sub-tropical America, fresh and brackish water, shallow harbors, and deeper coastal waterways creates a complex of ecosystems sustaining a wide variety of vegetation and wildlife.

Everglades National Park is home to North America’s biggest uninterrupted stretch of sawgrass grassland, the largest mangrove environment in the Western Hemisphere, and the most important wading bird nesting area.

Taking an airboat trip through the numerous rivers, streams, and small islands is one of the finest ways to observe and experience this distinctive environment. These boats are made to swiftly move you through marshes without upsetting the local wildlife or plant life. Speeding through the marshes while experienced guides point out what makes the Everglades National Park unique is as instructive as it is exciting.

Additionally, you can cycle along the Snake Bight and Long Pine Key Nature Paths, hike along the numerous boardwalk paths, explore the waterways by wading through them, and paddle or kayak along the Wilderness Waterway Trail.

3. Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center is one of ten satellite centers run by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the Kennedy Space Center can be found in Florida. On Merritt Island, you can do one of the most exciting things you can do while you’re in Florida. It is a fantastic destination for a day trip from Orlando.

At the Kennedy Space Center, you will have the opportunity to explore the rocket garden, speak with a real-life astronaut, observe the Space Shuttle Atlantis, and walk through the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame.

Visitors can get an immersive and hands-on experience at this facility, which focuses on the exploration of space by people. The Kennedy Space Center is educational and fun. There, people can learn about future space exploration and NASA’s space shuttle program.

4. Miami City

This is a bus-based, half-day excursion that includes a boat ride. One of the most populated cities in Florida is Miami. Many people come here from different places to experience the city. However, if you don’t have much time and yet want to see all the important attractions in the city, this itinerary is ideal for you.

Top open buses are an option, and they will take you through the city’s most popular tourist destinations, including Miami Beach, the downtown business area, Key Biscayne, and Coconut Grove. To explore Millionaire’s Row,  Palm Island, Star Island, Venetian Island, and Fischer Island, you must board the boat from Bayside.

The boat driver will not only slow down at these landmarks so you can inspect them more closely, but he or she will also help you understand the vitality of each spot as you go.

5. Dry Tortugas National Park

The Dry Tortugas National Park provides a sense of history along with a range of thrilling activities and breathtaking landscapes. The Dry Tortugas will undoubtedly provide you with a distinctive experience and a ton of tales to tell back home because it is situated on a lonely island off the southernmost city in the United States.

Some guests choose to go by seaplane to the Dry Tortugas National Park since it is so distant from Key West to save some time for other Key West holiday activities. A full-day or half-day tour is available to visitors. Visitors get the opportunity to witness marine life from above, such as sea turtles, dolphins, and sharks, during this flight since it flies low over the shallow flats of the Keys and provides the most distinctive vistas.

The tour guides will provide clients with complimentary soft drinks, round-trip transportation to and from Fort Jefferson, as well as snorkeling equipment.

6. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, named after one of the most alluring beaches on the Spanish coast, depicts mind-blowing European splendor in a charming American setting. James Deering, a successful businessman who built the house, ventured into unknown territory in the construction of this grand residence by erecting his Renaissance-inspired palace in the middle of Miami’s tropical hardwood hammock.

Even now, Deering’s spirit of exploration in Vizcaya Museum and Gardens endures. The estate’s logo, The Caravel, honors a vessel employed in the “Age of Exploration.” You’ll see a picture of the legendary explorer “Bel Vizcaya” at the entry as you start your investigation of this historic Miami landmark, signaling the start of a very exciting trip ahead.

7. Florida Caverns State Park

Only one state park in Florida offers public cave excursions, and this is one of the few state parks with dry caverns known as Florida Caverns State Park. The cave features stunning stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstone, and drapery formations made of limestone. Camping, swimming, fishing, picnics, canoeing, boating, hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding are some of the popular activities at Florida Caverns.

Equestrian campers can use the stables. Every day of the year, save Thanksgiving and Christmas, guided cave excursions are available. In the tourist center, there is an audiovisual program that takes you around the cave and other natural areas of the park. Near State Road 166, three miles north of Marianna.

A huge screen video tour of the caverns and an appealing walk-through exhibit give historical information at the visitor center. This parking structure was finished by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1942. The museum features a wide range of exhibits that provide knowledge about culture and natural resources.

8. Florida Keys

Southern Florida, U.S., Monroe, and Miami-Dade counties, island chain: the Florida Keys consist of Key West, the Lower Keys, Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo, each of which is a distinct travel destination. The islands, which stretch from Virginia Key in the Atlantic Ocean to Loggerhead Key in the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico, are made of coral and limestone and curve southwestward. Biscayne and Florida bays are among the waterways that lie between the Keys and the mainland.

For many people, lounging by the ocean in the Florida Keys while enjoying a drink under an umbrella is the definition of a perfect holiday. Others interpret it as an exhilarating activity involving a prize fish on the hook or daring new depths when diving aboard a sunken ship. By day, people like going stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking through stunning mangrove caverns, and perusing art galleries and shops filled with locally produced goods.

Visitors may enjoy local seafood specialties and tropical drinks at night while watching the sunset over the ocean and painting the night sky.

9. Clearwater Beach

With its immaculate beaches and enticing seas, Clearwater Beach dazzles. In addition to the beaches, it has a charming small-town ambiance. Of course, there is the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is committed to public education, conservation, research, and the rescue, treatment, and release of sick and injured marine species.

The entire group will be delighted by Clearwater Beach’s various alternatives, which include these fascinating attractions, upscale dining establishments, and family-friendly hotels.

On the Gulf Coast, Clearwater Beach is well known for its white beaches and crystal-clear seas. This region of Florida is a must-see because of Clearwater Beach’s beaches and the sunset over the ocean at the pier.

On this barrier island, you may go swimming, boating, fishing, and kayaking, among other beach activities.

Florida’s Diverse Charms: A Travel Blogger’s Take on the Unique Blend of Attractions and Nature

Travel Blogger Kitty from Kitty Meets World explains how Florida’s mix of nature and attractions creates a unique travel experience:

“Florida offers a unique mix of artificial attractions and natural beauty you can’t find anywhere else. Of course, everyone is familiar with the wealth of amusement parks in the Orlando area.

In addition to Walt Disney World’s main parks and Universal Orlando, there is [also] Seaworld, Discovery Cove, various water parks, and numerous smaller parks/attractions.

Where else are even shopping districts and hotels tourist magnets? With their lavish styling and entertainment options, the local hotels are an attraction in and of themselves.

And there are so many miniatures, golf courses, escape rooms, dinner shows, amusement rides, and museums that you could spend months in the area without seeing it all!

And yet, the beaches and swamps of Florida can give the artificial entertainment attractions a run for their money.

Whether it is the unspoiled beaches of Captiva Island, the many mysterious springs and waterways of Central Florida, or the wild beauty of the Everglades – nature here is just as impressive as anything Disney and Co. have to offer.

As a European, I find it fascinating how much-untamed nature remains in Florida, even amidst Orlando’s shiny tourist centers.

Whether at Walt Disney World or local hotels, you will likely see wild bunnies, impressive birds, and even alligators.”

10. Castillo de San Marcos

The Castillo de San Marcos is a substantial Spanish stone fortification constructed to safeguard and defend Spain’s rights in the New World. It’s a national monument and St. Augustine’s oldest building. It’s also a popular destination for tourists in St. Augustine.

The Castillo has a lot to offer, from the several chambers that originally served as prisons and homes for troops to the enormous internal courtyard and gun deck that provide a fantastic view of the city. Regular daily activities, ranger-led tours, cannon firings, and armament demonstrations are all free with entry. Except for Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, the Castillo is open every day of the year.

Tickets for the Castillo are available at the on-site ticket office or online here. Extra costs can be associated with certain of Castillo’s special events and programs. A free yearly pass to all National Park Service places, including the Castillo de San Marcos, is available to active-duty military personnel who produce their military “CAC” card. The card entitles the service member and up to three additional adult visitors to free admission to the fort.

11. Miami Beach

Miami Beach is known across the globe for its white, sandy beaches, turquoise oceans, and extravagant cultural scene, which annually draw millions of tourists to its famed shoreline. It provides several of the greatest dining experiences worldwide, including two of the newest Michelin-starred restaurants, and has some of the best examples of Art Deco and MiMo architecture. Let’s say that you have a love for health and fitness.

If so, Miami Beach has public parks, two public golf courses, two tennis courts, a continuous beach walk running the length of the city, several neighborhood pools, and even an ice rink for those who long for the winter. Grab the sunscreen, reserve your ticket, and head to Miami Beach for a trip unlike any other.

12. Gulf Coast Beaches

The top Gulf Coast beaches include the softest sand, the cleanest oceans, the most exciting nature paths, the best fishing, and spectacular sunsets. Its beaches also feature the most acceptable year-round water temperatures. Summer water temperatures range from 82 degrees in Destin in June to roughly 87 degrees in Tampa in August.

The calm west coast waves draw sunbathers, shell hunters, spring breakers, scuba divers, and more from Northwest Florida to the Dry Tortugas. With their warm, velvety seas and tranquil shorelines, Gulf Coast beaches attract fussy aquatic life like manatees.

Fort Walton Beach’s gorgeous sands, emerald seas, neighboring golf courses, and family-friendly attractions make it a favorite for frequent tourists. Pensacola’s Gulf Islands National Seashore is a quiet getaway with intriguing historic forts and conserved wetlands.

Navarre, a little beach town east of Pensacola, has miles of pure white beachfront, and travelers equate crossing the Navarre Bridge to surpassing heaven. Clearwater Beach is known for its fine beach, many shops and restaurants, luxury hotels, aquarium, pier, and downtown center.

Anna Maria Island is perfect for a B&B weekend and a beachside candlelit supper for couples.

The award-winning Siesta Key, Venice, Beach, and Manasota Key are all in Sarasota County.

Lovers Key State Park at Fort Myers Beach is a cluster of four barrier islands with miles of wildlife-filled trails, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and lots of places to dine, swim, and fish.

Barefoot Beach in Bonita Springs, Naples, is one of the nation’s top beaches, perfect for seashell hunting, birdwatching, and long walks along the shallow, mild waves. Marco Island, in the Everglades, boasts Old Florida charm with its colorful resorts, laid-back ambiance, and palm tree-lined beach.

Florida’s Culinary Delights: A Seafood Adventure with Travel Expert Top Picks

Adventure Travel Publisher and Photographer from We Seek Travel, Olly Gaspar, suggests the top Florida seafood picks and must-try spots:

• Stone Crab Claws

You can only talk about Florida seafood by mentioning stone crab claws. They’re sweet and meaty, often served chilled with mustard sauce. Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami is legendary for these. They’re typically available from October to May.

• Conch Fritters

A staple in the Florida Keys, these are deep-fried balls of seasoned conch meat. They’re crunchy outside, tender inside, and just plain good. Try them at The Fish House in Key Largo; they know what they’re doing.

• Grouper Sandwich

Fresh grouper, usually grilled or fried, on a bun with some lettuce and tomato—it’s simple and satisfying. Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill on Clearwater Beach does it right. The grouper’s always fresh, and you can taste the difference. 

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

1. What time of year is ideal for visiting Florida?
Florida welcomes visitors all year round, but if you want to soak up the sun and enjoy leisurely vacations here, the months of March through October are best.

2. What has made Florida famous?
The beaches and seafood of Florida are well known. Additionally, it serves as the launch platform for the first communication satellite for NASA.

Endnotes

Are you not thrilled by the prospect of having these experiences and satisfying the wanderlust that lies deep within? Because of these things, you will be able to appreciate the culture of the city in a way that you never have before. Prepare yourself, get your things together, and make plans to go to Florida. And remember to bring your camera with you at all times!

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on March 26, 2024 by Pragya Chakrapani