things to do in florida things to do in florida

20 Most Amazing Things to do in Florida!

Florida, the US state located the furthest to the southeast, is surely not a boring locale. It is one of the largest US states and home to many racial and cultural communities. Looking for some of the top Florida attractions?

Florida, known for its theme parks and situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, is home to the greatest variety of zoos, aquariums, theme parks, and other family-friendly attractions. Despite its man-made splendors, Florida is a great destination for those who enjoy the outdoors.

It provides visitors with a variety of historical sites, museums, and art galleries (the best things to do in Florida). The Everglades’ immense subtropical wilderness and numerous barrier reefs are perfect for individuals who like wildlife. There are many fascinating and odd places to see in Florida. Any visitor or resident would have a great time exploring this state, which offers everything from theme parks to sunken gardens, world-famous beaches, old-world towns, and unexpected gems.

Here are 20 entertaining things to do in Florida. But be careful—they are spread out over the state, so you might need to travel a little. Keep in mind that you don’t have to visit every place on the list; we just felt you should have one to help you navigate this unpredictable Sunshine State.

The Finest Things to Do in Florida Are Listed Below:

1. Visit The Everglades National Park

The Everglades is the second-largest national park in the US, second only to Yellowstone, and was established in 1947 as a result of petitioning environmentalists’ success in persuading officials that the region was unique.

Subtropical wetlands and marshes cover its 1.5 million acres. Otters, turtles, crocodiles, and even panthers can all find a home in the river in this area, which flows from Lake Okeechobee.

The park’s moist ecology makes it a fantastic place for boat tours to see wildlife.

2. Travel to the Kennedy Space Center

Visit the Kennedy Space Center if you have astronaut aspirations. This is a full-day adventure excursion that includes travel to the Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, which has an IMAX movie as well as other events and exhibits.

You learn the most famous scientific facts on this day, see unusual exhibits, and have lunch with a few astronauts in person.

You can even enhance your trip to see the missile launch pad. One of the best things to do in Florida is this. The tour is offered with pick-up and drop-off options from numerous locations in Florida. To find the closest pick-up location, you must contact your tour guide.

kennedy space center
photo by NASA from unsplash

Your tour operator will take care of the rest; you must purchase your tickets and get on the bus. One of the most thrilling things to do while visiting Florida is this.

3. Visit One of the few Coastal Dune Lakes in the World to see Eagles and Ospreys

Along with Madagascar, Australia, and New Zealand, the Florida Panhandle region surrounding South Walton is one of the few locations in the world where coastal dune lakes can be found.

A wide variety of biodiversity, including bald eagles, osprey, American coots, and other waterfowl species, are supported by these peculiar characteristics, which are formed when the wind forms depressions in the sand that fill with brackish pools of water.

Ospreys hovering overhead and a dune-fringed lake backing onto the beach are unusual sights that make these serene, grass-edged lakes so wonderful.

At Grayton Beach State Park, Western Lake is one of the area’s biggest coastal dune lakes; you can rent a kayak there and explore its tranquil 100 acres.

4. Spend a Day at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World, located near Lake Buena Vista adjacent to Orlando, is Florida’s most popular tourist destination. It serves as the foundation of Disney’s vast empire of theme parks.

It is also by far the biggest and busiest theme park resort on the entire globe. The four theme parks at Walt Disney World—The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom—are its main attractions. Your trip is incomplete because of all the things to do in Florida without visiting Walt Disney World.

walt disney world
photo by amy humphries from unsplash

While some tourists call it a haven of pleasure, magic, and imagination, others criticize it for being overcrowded, artificial, and consistently tacky.

The most visited tourist destination in Florida is Walt Disney World, which is situated in Lake Buena Vista, close to Orlando. It is the centerpiece of Disney’s global theme park empire.

5. Key West Day Trip

If you are in Florida and are unsure of what to do, you can take a vacation from Miami to Key West.

There are pre-planned journeys that you may take without having to fuss with planning; you can simply board the carrier and arrive at your destination with your fellow passengers. Along the drive to Key West, you’ll pass 42 bridges and 34 islands, but your tour guide has also scheduled entertaining things for you to participate in along the way.

key west
photo by Domenick DiBenedetto-Reis from unsplash

You can enjoy and unwind in your reserved hotel when you get to Key West in the late afternoon. The greatest way to see Key West is on foot.

Visit the Ernest Hemingway House, take a hop-on-hop-off train, browse several art galleries, get a drink, and unwind on the island. In addition, there are various activities, including glass-bottom boat tours, parasailing, and snorkeling( one of the best things to do in Florida).

Key West’s Duval Street

At the end of the Key West Islands chain is a street called Duval Street, most renowned for its Caribbean beauty and beautifully restored historic buildings. If you’re in Miami, Florida, this will be your most thrilling experience and one of the top things to do in Florida.

A quick stroll down the street is inexpensive, enjoyable, and memorable.

The numerous restaurants and bars that line the street, as well as the several intriguing businesses that can be found there, are usually bustling with activity.

6. Castillo de San Marcos

The oldest masonry fort in the country is the Castillo de San Marcos site, which is in the city of St. Augustine. It is difficult to imagine that the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument was constructed in the late 1600s, given the excellent condition of the fortification.

Its endurance can be attributed to its design, which included 14-foot thick walls and diamond-shaped ramparts at each corner to enhance firepower. St. Augustine is the earliest European settlement in the United States and is a tiny gem of a city with a beautiful aura and old-world charm.

7. Visit The Fort Lauderdale Beach

Due to its extensive and intricate canal system, Fort Lauderdale, which lies on the Atlantic coast, is referred to as the “Venice of America.” The beaches and boats in the city are its main draws. Fort Lauderdale was formerly a popular spring break destination, but now it’s a chic, smart city.

fort lauderde
photo by Lance Asper from unsplash

Fort Lauderdale Beach is located in the center of the beach strip and is separated from the low-rise hotels, eateries, and beach stores by a clean, new wave-walk promenade.

8. Dry Tortugas National Park

The breathtaking Dry Tortugas National Park is found at the southernmost point of the Florida Keys. It safeguards seven magnificent Dry Tortugas Islands. The largest Fort Jefferson can be found on the most famous of these islands. These are the Florida Keys’ westernmost and most remote islands, and they’re great for diving and learning about US military history.

dry tortugas national park
photo by Bryan Goff from unsplash

If you’re in Miami, Florida, this will be your most thrilling experience and one of the best things to do in Florida. These islands’ coral reefs are the least altered among Florida Key’s reefs, and they are renowned for the variety of marine life they support and the attractive environment.

The park is also the setting for myths about shipwrecks, lost treasure, spectral Civil War tales, and Caribbean pirate lore.

Most visitors get to the island by boat from Key West since it cannot be reached by car. In the 1800s, the US Government built the magnificent and imposing Fort Jefferson, which is located in Dry Tortugas.

The park is wonderful for snorkeling and relaxing on the beach because of the stunning reef islands that are located there.

9. South Beach

Before Miami Vice, crime in South Beach kept people inside at night and left hotels largely empty. An upsurge of people working in the fashion industry moved to South Beach in the late 1980s, spurred on by the success of the TV show.

South Beach is now the busiest, wealthiest, and most popular area of Miami Beach, Florida. Along with its famed art deco architecture, the region is widely renowned for its trendy clubs and exciting nightlife.

10. Visit Daytona Beach, the Most Renowned Beach in the World

About 73,000 people call Daytona Beach, often known as Daytona, their home. It is a city on Central Florida’s Atlantic coast.

It is a major city in the Fun Coast region of Florida and a part of the Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach metropolitan area, which has a population of about 600,000.

Historically, Daytona Beach has been recognized for its beach, where the hard-packed sand permits motorized vehicles in designated locations.

The former Daytona Beach & Road Course, which staged competitions for more than 50 years, helped make Daytona Beach a hotspot for racing because of its hard-packed sand.

daytona beach
photo by darrell cassell from unsplash

The “World’s Most Famous Beach” is Daytona Beach, which is located about 5 minutes to the west of the city center. Along with a ton of attractions and activities, this section of the shore is also surrounded by restaurants and retail establishments for enjoyment inland.

Daytona Beach has the activity you’re looking for, whether you want to go bodyboarding in the surf, play pickup beach volleyball, or just relax in the sun. If you’re in Miami, Florida, this will be your most fun time and one of the top things to do in Florida.

This beach is particularly well-liked by tourists, and it may become very busy during the summer months. It’s recommended to start your beach time early before visiting the dining and shopping destinations.

11. Universal Orlando Resort

As the largest of the Universal Studios Theme Parks, Universal Orlando Resort is the major rival to Disney. The first theme park, Universal Studios Florida, and the second, Islands of Adventure, make up the resort.

Three resort hotels, CityWalk, a nightlife, and a dining complex, are further attractions. One of the top things to do in Florida is to take a tour of the Universal Orlando Resort.

In 1990, Universal Studios Florida opened its doors to the public as a theme park where guests could “Ride the Movies.” With rides, shows, and attractions modeled by well-known motion pictures, television shows, and musical compositions, Universal Studios’ themes are intended to give visitors the impression that they are on a movie set.

12. In Miami, Florida, Take a Speedboat Ride Along the River to Explore Miami

If you’re in Miami, Florida, your most exhilarating experience and best things to do in Florida will be this one. This is a unique instance.

You board a speedboat and experience a harrowing ride as the wind rips across your hair and face. You also get to see yachts, mansions, Star Island, Fisher Island, and other islands. One of the top things to do in Florida is this.

Pregnant women and those who have heart illnesses shouldn’t take this journey. You will enjoy your ride if the weather is nice.

The ship will leave Bayside Marketplace when everyone has boarded it, is seated, and is safely fastened before passing past Flagler Monument Island and the US Coast Guard Station. The boat will slow down at Star Island and Venetian Island so you can get a better view of the islands.

Then, as you get closer to the Atlantic Ocean, it picks up pace as it crosses the Government Cut before slowly making its way back to the boarding area.

13. Enjoy Naples Botanical Garden

This 170-acre garden paradise includes developed gardens that represent the cultures and plants of Florida, Brazil, Asia, and the Caribbean and showcase the tropical plant world.

naples botanical gardens
photo by Clark Van Der Beken from unsplash

The grounds’ more than 60,000 square feet of water features are home to hundreds of different varieties of waterlilies, as well as lotus and papyrus.

The 90-acre Preserve contains a variety of ecosystems, including mangroves, marshes, pine Flatwoods, and coastal scrub, all of which are home to more than 250 native plant species and hundreds of animal species.

If you’re in Miami, Florida, this will be your most thrilling experience and one of the top things to do in Florida.

14. The Natural Springs of Florida

Orlando may be the busiest city in central Florida, but a short distance away, when the scenery begins to change for the better, it’s simple to find the crystal-clear underground of central Florida, filled with tons of beautiful fauna and cool, clean springs.

Between Orlando and Gainesville are various natural areas that are worth seeing for a day trip, including Ginnie Springs, Blue Spring State Park, Devil’s Den, Ichetucknee Springs, Gilchrist Blue Springs, Rum Island Springs, and others.

15. The Historic District of St. Augustine

One of Florida’s oldest neighborhoods, St Augustine’s District is a terrific area to see some stunning architecture and intriguing historic buildings. This trip will rank among your top experiences in life, as well as among the top things to do in Florida.

st. augustine beach
photo by Marantz Original from unsplash

The Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in North America, and Flagler College, built in the 19th century, are both located in the neighborhood.

The 17th-century structure is still standing today, and even if history isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the breathtaking views of the shore from the location.

St. Augustine was the first European settlement and the oldest town in Florida. This ancient Old Town St. Augustine, which is roughly 45 minutes from Jacksonville, is another well-liked vacation spot.

To learn about the settlement’s past and eerie legends, stroll through the historic district and join the “Ghostly Experience” tour.

A guide will lead you through the historic cemeteries, old churches, and cobblestone streets of St. Augustine by lantern light.

16. Visit Fort Myers Beach and Take a Dolphin Cruise

There is no better way to pass the day than by watching dolphins. While a qualified naturalist provides insightful commentary, you get to see dolphins in real time. At Snook Bight Marina and Yacht Club, you set sail. Your captain guides you through the water to the dolphin sightings that have the best visibility.

fort myers beach
photo by Annie Xia from unsplash

You observe dolphins wake from your boat while you learn more about the aquatic life in the area from your guide. You can likely take this excursion by yourself or with a friend. One of the best things to do in Florida is this. The trip can be modified for wheelchair users and is appropriate for kids as well.

A single ticket includes access to various beachside activities as well as a one-and-a-half-hour dolphin sighting cruise.

17. Visit Busch Gardens Tampa

The Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a theme park. It is a 335- acre (136-hectare) animal park with an emphasis on Africa. The location of the park is Tampa, Florida.

If you are an animal enthusiast and like the presence of animals around you then visiting Busch gardens will be a fruitful decision as Busch Gardens is a safari park where guests may get up and interact with numerous fascinating creatures.

Busch Gardens offers a number of activities. The park offers a variety of different activities, and among them are roller coasters and thrill rides, including the Tigris Launch Coaster, the Iron Gwazi Wood-Steel Hybrid Roller Coaster, the Falcon’s Fury, the second-tallest free-standing drop tower in North America, and the Montu, which at the time of its construction was the tallest free-standing drop tower in North America.

busch gardens
photo by jesse adair from unsplash

One of the most popular attractions in the Tampa area is Busch Gardens.

18. The Museum Of Science and Industry (MOSI)

Although Florida is renowned for its stunning beaches and year-round sunny weather, you’ll undoubtedly want to spend a few days out of the sun.

Tampa, Florida, is home to the Museum of Science and Industry, or MOSI for short. MOSI has been a place where visitors of all ages can learn about various technologies, science, etc., since the early 1980s.

The museum has a planetarium, an outdoor sky ropes course, and a variety of exhibitions. This nonprofit museum frequently hosts moving exhibits on the Titanic, the human body, and other topics.

The “innovations lab,” where you can learn about dinosaurs and examine fossils, the “mission moonbase,” where you can act like you’re exploring space, and the virtual reality simulator are some of their most well-liked permanent displays.

You must browse their gift shop for treasured mementos before you depart. Toys and puzzles with STEM themes are widely available to help inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.

19. Sail to Key West and Watch the Sunset

The finest way to see the sunset is in this manner. The captain sets the sail for the best and most unique sunset views as you board the sail in Key West and proceed out to sea. There are numerous types of drinks and appetizers on the boat.

key west
photo by Jonathan Wheeler from unsplash

Simply gather your drinks and food, then take a seat on the deck to enjoy the sunset over the water. To capture some of the most beautiful sunsets of your life at this time, a camera is a necessity. Even some dolphins can be spotted after dusk. This will be your most fun time and one of the top things to do in Florida. At any given time, there are about 80 individuals on a single sail.

20. Take A Tour of Miami City

This is a bus-based, half-day tour that includes a boat ride. One of the most populated cities in Florida is Miami. Many people come here from different places to explore the city. However, if you don’t have much time and still 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 past the city’s most popular tourist destinations, including Miami Beach, the downtown business district, Key Biscayne, Coconut Grove, and Little Havana, before arriving at Bayside Marketplace, where you will have enough time to go shopping and grab lunch. This trip will blow your mind as this is one of the best things to do in Florida.

miami city
photo by ryan parker from unsplash

To explore Millionaire’s Row, Star Island, Hibiscus Island, Palm Island, Venetian Island, and Fischer Island, you must board the boat from Bayside. As the boat slows down at these sights so you can examine them more attentively, the boat rider will also assist you in comprehending the significance of each location.

We really hope you have liked reading about the interesting, entertaining, and unique things to do in Florida.

Florida is home to numerous amazing tourist destinations and fascinating historical facts. Excellent possibilities can be found in the suburbs, Florida’s beaches, and other places. Plan your trip to Florida right away!

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Last Updated on by Priyanshi Sharma

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