There are so many places to visit in Florida that building an itinerary can get overwhelming. While you envision yourself seated on a beach with the warm sun leaving your body sun-kissed and jolly, you must know there are also places to visit in Florida with loads of history and prominence.
With a mixture of adventure, natural beauties, relaxation, luxury, and a back catalog of historical importance, it is no wonder so many people love traveling to Florida for their vacation. There are so many different places to see in Florida that make it a truly unique experience every time.
Below, we want to cover a few of those cities, islands, and getaways that make Florida such an appealing destination.
Here are our favorite places to visit in Florida
There are so many fun things to do in Florida and cities and beaches to visit, but here is an attempt to narrow the search for you:
Miami South Beach
South Beach is the place to be in Florida. Everybody who is anybody finds their way to the most well-known beach in Florida. The amount of entertainment that can be found at Miami’s South Beach can’t even begin to be described.
Of course, you can find all your traditional beachgoing fun; snorkeling, sunbathing, water sports (jet skis, paddle boarding, etc.), and tons of good food. However, what is special about South Beach isn’t the ordinary, but the unordinary.
Those who come to this sensational place come to be seen. You have people from all walks of life showcasing only the best sides of them in every direction you look. Point blank, Miami Beach is the place to spend an afternoon if you have got a thirst for the extravagant.
South Beach will forever be one of the most entertaining places to visit in Florida — it is a place you have to see to believe.
Everglades National Park
The Everglades is one of the best places to go in Florida. With its diverse ecosystem being one of the rarest in the world, you will be confused whether or not you are still in the United States rather than mistaking it for a place as diverse as the Amazon Rainforest.
Everglades National Park is a swampy region on the southern tip of Florida’s peninsula. It is within reaching distance of a day trip from Miami or Orlando. That means it is prime for visiting nearly everywhere you vacation in South Florida.
There are several ways to see the Everglades; from kayaking to airboats to helicopter tours — it really depends on the experience you want. Those with a thirst to be close will love kayaking. For those who want a more traditional experience — an experience, you can’t get every day — you might consider the popular airboat tours the most interesting. Or for those who want to see the most of this vast, wild region as they can, a helicopter tour is definitely best for seeing it all.
Exuma Cays (One day cruise to Bahamas)
Nobody anticipates it, but the Out Islands of the Bahamas can actually be one of the most exotic places to visit in Florida vacation itineraries.
Take any number of swimming pigs tours to Pig Beach to witness the Exuma pigs in the Bahamas’ Pig Island up close and personal.
Our favorite way to take Staniel Cay day trips (from which you can reach the island with pigs very quickly) is via flights to Bahamas with Bahamas Air Tours. You will be afforded your own private Bahamas air charter to travel from Florida to Bahamas in style — with the pilot acting as an extremely experienced and informed tour guide.
There are other places to visit in the Exuma Cays, as well, such as the Bahamas sharks of Compass Cay Marina. Compass Cay Bahamas is another valued part of any Exuma day trips. You can actually take a dip in the shallows with these reef and nurse sharks if you dare!
The Exuma Cays have more to offer than you could ever imagine in one Miami to Bahamas day trip. You won’t ever know until you experience it yourself!
Key West
Key West is truly one of the most beautiful places to visit in Florida if you have the chance! Below is a list of great attractions you may be interested in visiting in Key West:
- The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
- The Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.
- Mallory Square
- Duval Street
- Fort Zachary Taylor
- Truman Little White House
- Smathers Beach
West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach is one of the best things to do in South Florida. Here are some attractions for your trip to West Palm Beach:
- Henry Morrison Flagler Museum
- Palm Beach Zoo & Conservatory Society
- Peanut Island
- John D. MacArthur Beach State Park
- Lion County Safari
- Mounts Botanical Garden
- Norton Museum of Art
- Singer Island
Orlando
Orlando’s reputation is for its vast array of theme parks, and rightfully so. Between Universal Studios, Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Legoland, SeaWorld, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Gatorland, and more, there are plenty of thrills to be had.
Why not experience another side of Orlando while you are here — a more tranquil but fascinating attraction in Orlando; The Kennedy Space Center by NASA. Here, you will find a day’s worth of learning and fun facts about the famous space program; where it has been, where it is going, and interesting personal sentiments you never heard before.
Orlando — and specifically NASA’s Kennedy Space Center — is one of the most educational places to visit in Florida. Give your children an experience of a lifetime by taking them to learn an important part of America’s recent-ish history.
Fort Lauderdale
Also known as the ‘Venice of the Americas’ with its canals which run in and out of the harbor, Fort Lauderdale is one of the tourists’ favorite places to visit in Florida. And with its proximity to the ever-popular destination of Miami, there is no wonder so many people visit every day. Plus, you are in prime shape for a day trip to Bahamas while you are here, as well!
Naples
A day trip to Naples is one of the best things to do in Florida. If you don’t know where to go in Florida on your spare day, Naples could be an interesting option. Here are some Naples attractions that could pique your interest:
- Naples Pier and Beach
- Lowdermilk Park
- 5th Avenue South
- 3rd Street South
- Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens
- Cambier Park
- Historic Downtown of Naples
Miami (Downtown/ Ocean Drive)
There are so many fun things to do in Florida located right in the heart of Miami’s downtown. The downtown area and Ocean Drive, specifically, are known mostly for its Art Deco architecture. Actually, many of the buildings (hotels, bars, and restaurants) have been featured in popular Western media such as photographs and movies. The old 1939 Colony Hotel is the most prominent of these featured.
Ocean Drive is the place for nightlife and foodies in Miami. You can find a plethora of unique bars and restaurants with quirky designs and outdoor pavilions for you to enjoy the favorable Miami climate.
There are sure to be plenty of things to do in Florida this weekend happening along Ocean Drive. It’s one of the hottest places to visit in Florida. Discover our 25 Exciting things to do in Miami.
Florida Keys (Ocean Sea Bridge)
The Keys are one of the best things to do in Florida for travelers of all kinds. A road trip across the sea bridge to the Florida Keys is one of the most fun things to do in South Florida. There are so many places to visit in Florida, but it is highly suggested to take some time to see all the beauty that awaits south of the peninsula! Here are a few of the highlights in the Keys:
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Dolphins Plus Bayside
- Molasses Reef
- Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park
- Hay Harris Beach and Park
- The African Queen
Visit all the best places to go in Florida!
Wondering where to go in Florida after reading this? We suggest starting to plan by finding out where some fun things to do in Florida this weekend are happening — or whenever you plan to go! Time-sensitive activities should always have priority when the fun things to do in Florida start stacking upon each other.
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