AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN FLORIDA
Florida is an absolutely fantastic vacation destination, with hundreds of amazing things to do for all ages and for practically any interest set. Whether you love exploring nature, thrilling amusement park rides, resorts & fine dining, adrenaline-filled outdoor adventures or simply relaxing on the beach under the sun, you are sure to find your perfect vacation in Florida.
But I know that sometimes it can be hard to find what the best things to do in Florida are, when there are so many sites and activities to sift through. And it can be even harder to find those unique, breathtaking hidden gems that are scattered throughout this state as well.
This is why I wanted to put together a quick, yet informative list of Florida’s Top Destinations, in hopes that it can help you more easily plan your own perfect vacation to Florida. Being a native-born Floridian, who is now raising my own family in this incredible state, I have had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the state Florida and below I would love to share with you our favorites!
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1. KENNEDY SPACE CENTER
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Kennedy Space Center is one of the top aerospace museums in the entire United States, and my personal favorite. Walking among a garden of towering rockets is a humbling experience. Learning about NASA’s history and immense accomplishments is absolutely awe-inspiring. Watching their IMAX presentations is eye-opening to just how big and beautiful our universe is. Seeing where the rockets (and in the past, space shuttles) launch is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Let alone if you are lucky enough to see an actual rocket launch! This is an absolutely Incredible Bucket List Experience (and it is one that my son and I happened to see while on his 3rd grade field trip to Kennedy Space Center. It’s a moment we’ll never forget.) And this is just scratching the surface at Kennedy Space Center in all that there is to do!
Top Things to Do at Kennedy Space Center Include:
- Watch a Rocket Launch! (Although this can be tricky due to timing and weather/ mechanical delays.)
- Don’t Miss: The Space Shuttle Atlantis, Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, Apollo/ Saturn V Center, Rocket Garden, Heroes & Legends exhibit, Astronaut Encounter, Journey to Mars, Touch an Actual Moon Rock, the Shuttle Launch Experience, the IMAX Theater with several incredible space-themed films, and more!
- Time Needed: A Full Day
- Be here at opening if possible because there are so many amazing things to do.
- Location: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953 – Cape Canaveral – East/ Central Florida
- 1 hour east of Orlando
- Official Website: Kennedy Space Center
- Nearby Lodging:
- Titusville Lodging Options: (about 15 minutes from Kennedy Space Center)
- Cocoa Beach Lodging Options: (award-winning beach about 30 minutes from Kennedy Space Center)
Kennedy Space Center is a top place to visit in Florida and one of our family’s favorites! We’ve visited here many times over the years and highly recommend it!
2. ST. AUGUSTINE
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
St. Augustine is our “Nations Oldest City,” being established in 1565, and its history is absolutely fascinating! In St. Augustine, you can explore incredible historic forts, see actual artifacts from real pirates that sailed these waters, drink water from the infamous Fountain of Youth and so much more!
Top Things to Do in St. Augustine Include:
- Don’t Miss: Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum, Old Town Trolley Tour, St. George Street, St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum, and more!
- Time Needed: 2 to 3 Days (but if you only have 1 day – you can still see the majority of the highlights.)
- Location: Northeast Florida
- Nearby Lodging:
- St. Augustine Lodging Options
- Our Favorite Place to Stay: Best Western St. Augustine Beach
St. Augustine is a fantastic destination to visit in Florida and it’s perfect for families too! Our family has visited on multiple occasions (a few school field trips here as well) and every time we come we always seem to find something new and exciting. It truly is a fantastic city to visit.
Learn more about all of our favorite St. Augustine Sites and Tips for Visiting here.
3. EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Everglades National Park, at 1.5 million acres, is the largest subtropical wilderness in the entire United States! It is a World Heritage Site, an International Biosphere Reserve and it provides a crucial habitat for 36 rare and endangered species like the West Indian Manatee, American Crocodile and the elusive Florida Panther. Everglades National Park is also the only place in the world where Alligators coexist with Crocodiles!
The Everglades, often referred to as a swamp, is actually a huge, shallow, grassy, slow-moving freshwater river! It unlike anywhere else in the world and is a definitely a top site to visit in Florida.
Top Things to Do in the Everglades Include:
- Don’t Miss: Shark Valley (Take the 2 hour Tram Tour or Rent a Bike to explore this 15 mile trail into the “Sea of Grass.”) Anhinga Trail (0.8 miles) is extremely popular and has frequent alligator sightings. (Unfortunately our family didn’t see a single alligator on this trail when we visited, but this short boardwalk trail was still very beautiful and worth checking out.) Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center has a good film and exhibits that are great for learning more about this unique park. In the southern portion of the park, don’t miss Mahogany Hammock Trail (0.5 mile) where you can see the largest living mahogany tree in the U.S.
- Tip: If you are traveling on US Hwy 41 (Alligator Alley), check out Big Cypress Oasis Visitor Center that’s right along the road as you pass through Big Cypress National Preserve. This visitor center has a boardwalk out front with a little pond where we saw several large alligators which I’ve heard is a common sight. Also, Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk, right of US 41, just west of Everglades City is also worth checking out.
- Time Needed: 1 Day to see the highlights (more if you plan on kayaking or heading to the southern point at the Flamingo Visitor Center.)
- Official Website: Everglades National Park
- Location: South Florida
- Nearby Lodging:
- East of the Everglades: Homestead Lodging, Miami Lodging
- West of the Everglades: Everglades City Lodging, Naples Lodging
4. WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Weeki Wachee is a gorgeous aquamarine-colored spring and river located about 1 hour north of Tampa, on the west coast of Florida. Its crystal-clear waters flow from the deepest freshwater cave system in the entire United States (at 400 feet) and then flow towards the towards the Gulf of Mexico.
This constant 72 degree spring-fed river also makes Weekie Wachee an ideal spot to see manatees during the cooler months, as they swim up this river to keep warm.
Top Things to Do at Weeki Wachee:
- Don’t Miss: Swim, Snorkel or Kayak in these breathtaking waters. The easiest place to experience Weeki Wachee Spring and River is from Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. At this park you will not only see this beautiful spring, but you can also see a Mermaid Show, have fun at Florida’s only Spring-Fed Water Park, see Animal Shows or go on a Riverboat Cruise.
- Tip: If you are looking for a more challenging adventure. Try kayaking up river from outside of the state park towards the spring. This is the most beautiful kayak adventure that our family has taken in Florida. (Please note: The State Park offers beautiful kayaking that is much easier, where you paddle down this same river, and then take a shuttle back to the main park.)
Find out more about How to Have an Amazing Kayak Adventure at Weeki Wachee (Not from the State Park) here.
- Time Needed: A few hours to all day (depending on if you swim, kayak or go to the water park)
- Official Website: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
- Location: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606 – West/ Central Florida
- Nearby Lodging: Weeki Wachee Lodging, Spring Hill Lodging
5. THE FLORIDA KEYS
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Top Things to Do in the Florida Keys Include:
- Top Sites (there’s a lot):
- The Overseas Highway 7 Mile Bridge
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Dolphin Research Center
- Theater of the Sea
- Turtle Hospital
- Robbie’s of Islamorada
- Sombrero Reef in Marathon
- Bahai Honda State Park Beach
- National Key Deer Refuge
- Ernest Hemmingway Home and Museum
- Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory
- Mel Fisher Maritime Museum
- Key West Lighthouse
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
- The Southernmost Point of the Continental USA
- There’s even an underwater hotel in Key Largo!
- Top-Rated Tours Include: Danger Charters, Key Largo Princess Glass Bottom Boat, Fury Water Adventures Key West, Sebago Water Sports, Spirit Snorkeling, Snorkel with John Pennekamp State Park, Rainbow Reef Dive Center, Yankee Freedom Dry Tortuga Ferry and so many more.
- Location: South Florida
6. CIRCLE B BAR RESERVE (ALLIGATOR ALLEY TRAIL)
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Circle B Bar Reserve is a fantastic place to experience Florida’s beautiful natural landscape and discover some of its incredible native animals (like the American alligator) and it’s located only an hour west of Orlando!
Personally, our family has seen more wild Florida animals at this park in just two hours, than we have seen at any other park across the entire state. (And I’ve lived in Florida my entire life and our family has visited a lot of parks!) To me, Circle B Bar Reserve is by far my favorite place to see the best of natural Florida, it’s diverse habitats, and its amazing animals.
Top Things to Do at Circle B Bar Reserve:
- Don’t Miss Alligator Alley Trail:
- It can be hiked on a 2.2 mile loop or a 4 mile loop.
- On Alligator Alley Trail we saw over 50 alligators!
- We hiked this trail in March.
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours, depending on which trail you choose and how long you want to animal watch.
- Tip: We recommend hiking early, before the heat of the day. Also, bring plenty of water.
- Official Website: Circle B Bar Reserve
- Location: 4399 Winter Lake Rd, Lakeland, FL 33803 – Central Florida
Read More About How to Hike Alligator Alley at Circle B Bar Reserve Here.
- Nearby Lodging: Lakeland Lodging
7. DINOSAUR WORLD
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Dinosaur World is perfect for families, because here at Dinosaur World you can wander among hundreds of life-sized dinosaurs that are trying to hide all along the paths around the park. Discover them all (and learn a little about them in the process with their informational plaques.) Explore dino-themed interactive exhibits, talk to real paleontologists and even go on a “fossil dig” in this fun central Florida roadside gem!
Our family has visited Dinosaur World several times over the years and each time our young kids had a blast. It’s such a fun little park and a great change of pace from the busy amusement parks that lie nearby in Orlando.
- Age: Best for Ages 4-10 years (or anyone that loves dinosaurs)
- Time Needed: 3-4 hours
- Tip: There is no food onsite, but they do have picnic tables.
- Official Website: Dinosaur World
- Location: 5145 Harvey Tew Rd, Plant City, FL 33565 – West/ Central Florida
- Nearby Lodging: Plant City Lodging, Tampa Lodging
8. RAINBOW SPRINGS STATE PARK
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Rainbow Springs State Park is one of Florida’s most spectacular springs. Its sapphire-blue water is unbelievably crystal-clear, and it lies surrounded by an incredibly picturesque Florida setting.
Rainbow Springs was one Florida destination that honestly surprised me just how much we enjoyed it. Our family visited in the fall, arrived right when the park opened and swam with no one else! (This is unheard of in the peak summer season from what I’ve read.) And then we had an amazing kayak adventure down the river where the sun let us see completely through the water down to the riverbed. We could see fish and turtles swimming by us as we paddled and it was amazing!
Top Things to Do at Rainbow Springs State Park:
- Top Activities: Visit the Headsprings, Stroll through the garden paths, watch water bubble up from the ground (you can see this from the garden path or when swimming), Swim in the sectioned-off swimming area, Kayak from the Headspring down the Rainbow River (rentals onsite.) (Tubing is also available but the launch site is located down the road from the headspring.)
- Tip: Rafts are not allowed in the swimming area, but you can bring a snorkel, goggles and a pool noodle to help you float and look around in this gorgeous clear water.
- Time Needed: 1-2 hours – all day (Depending on if you’re swimming/kayaking)
- Official Website: Rainbow Springs State Park
- Location: 19158 SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432 – Northwest Central Florida
- Nearby Lodging: Ocala Lodging
Read more about How to Swim, Kayak & Best Visit Rainbow Springs here.
9. BUSCH GARDENS TAMPA BAY
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Busch Gardens is home to numerous world-class rollercoasters and it is one of North America’s largest accredited zoos with over 12,000 animals to see. Busch Gardens is a fantastic destination for all ages and one of our family’s favorite amusement parks to visit.
Top Things to Do at Busch Gardens:
- Ride 10 Rollercoasters that range from Tame to Extreme Thrills.
- Ride 2 Fun Water Rides.
- Take a Train Ride through the Serengeti
- Visit the Animal Care Center and observe actual veterinary procedures being performed that day!
- Stop by Sesame Street Safari of Fun with young children.
- Hand-feed Lorikeets sweet nectar (They may even land on you, which makes for an exciting experience, see picture below.)
- See over 200 different species of animals, from fan-favorites to critically endangered species
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has been named one of the best zoos in the country!
- Time Needed: Full Day
- Tip: If you are looking to visit multiple sights in Tampa, check out the Tampa CityPass to save money.
- Official Website: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Location: 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612 – West/ Central Florida
- Nearby Lodging: Tampa Bay Lodging
10. SEA WORLD ORLANDO
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
SeaWorld is one of the largest marine animal rescue organizations in the entire world! Plus there are thrilling rides, spectacular shows and amazing underwater views unlike anywhere else. Sea World is a fantastic destination to visit in Florida and it is a ton of fun for all ages!
Top Things to Do at Sea World Orlando:
- Ride 5 thrilling Rollercoasters.
- Go on 3 fun Water Rides.
- Watch 3 incredible live Animal Presentations
- Stop by Sesame Street Land with young children.
- Don’t Miss the many underwater viewing opportunities throughout the park, from the exciting Shark Encounter, to the Wild Artic with Belugas and Walruses, to watching dolphins underwater play in dolphin cove.
- You can also pet a Sting Ray in Sting Ray Lagoon (This is always one of our kids favorite things to do.)
- Time Needed: Full Day
- Official Website: SeaWorld Orlando
- Location: 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando, FL 32821 – Central Florida
- Nearby Lodging:
- Hilton Orlando (with onsite lazy river, waterslide and more)
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites – Orlando at Sea World (7 min walk/ free shuttle to Sea World + free breakfast)
11. BLUE SPRING STATE PARK
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Blue Spring State Park is a breathtaking spring located 45 minutes north of Orlando that offers swimming, kayaking, hiking, a boat tour and even scuba diving. But all of these fun activities at this gorgeous spring is not even why I love this spring so much. It’s because every winter hundreds of manatee gather in this spring to stay warm, and it’s really an incredible site!
Throughout the year wild manatees swim all along the coast of Florida and up into its many rivers, yet they can be tricky to find. But during the winter months, especially when the water temperature goes below 69 degrees, manatees will begin swimming up the many rivers that are spring-fed. (We’ve found the most in the springs when the air temperature gets in the 30s or 40s.) This is because the springs remain at a constant temperature of 72 degrees year-round. During these times you can see tons of manatee congregating in these warm springs to keep warm and Blue Spring happens to be one of the largest winter congregations of manatee in the entire state!
- Don’t Miss: Walking along the boardwalk, that follows the river, to the overlook at the spring to see the manatees on a cold day.
- Time Needed: <1 hour if you are just going to see the manatees. More if you are swimming, kayaking or taking a boat tour during warmer months when the manatee are not there.
- Tip: The spring is closed to water activities on cold days when the manatee come, and you are not able to swim with the manatee here.
- Official Website: Blue Spring State Park
- Location: 2100 W French Ave, Orange City, FL 32763 – East/ Central Florida
- Nearby Lodging: Orlando Lodging (40 minutes south), Daytona Beach Lodging (40 minutes east)
Read More About Where & How to Best See Wild Manatee in Florida
12. FORT DE SOTO STATE PARK
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Fort De Soto State Park boasts three miles of beautiful white sand beaches, a fun historic fort to explore, more than two miles of family-friendly kayaking trails, a great seven mile bike path (rentals available onsite), incredible bird watching opportunities, camp sites located near the water and more. And being located less than thirty minutes from downtown St. Petersburg, Fort De Soto Park makes for a fantastic site to add to any family vacation in the Tampa Bay area.
Our Family loves visiting Fort De Soto Park. On the kayak trail we’ve seen dolphins, manatee and many types of Florida Birds. While camping we’ve watched magnificent sunsets over the water near our tent. And the bike path here is our favorite in Pinellas County! It’s wide, smooth, and takes you past several hidden beaches where you’ll have the whole little beach to yourself!
- Official Website: Fort De Soto Park
- Location: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, FL 33715 – West/ Central Florida
- Nearby Lodging: Tierra Verde Lodging, St. Petersburg Lodging
Find out How to Best Visit Fort De Soto Park (+Tips for Families) here.
13. SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of Salvador Dalí’s art outside of Spain! And the building itself is pretty impressive to look at as well.
Top Things to Do at the Dali Museum:
- Before exploring the museum, check out the video on the 1st floor that talks about Dali’s life. It really helps to explain some of Dali’s bizarre artwork, his innovative techniques and his thought process while creating it. The video really helped our children appreciate Dali’s artwork and the museum more as well.
- Also, make sure to download the Dali Museum App. This App allows you to experience Dali’s paintings with Augmented Reality, where the paintings literally come to life! This App made our family’s Dali experience amazing and our kids especially loved it!
- Tip: You may want to download it before you arrive, and then make sure you connect to the Dali Museums WiFi when you arrive.
- Know that many of Dali’s works need to be viewed at a distance and then again up close (some of his paintings will look completely different!)
- Tip: Ticket Discounts are offered Thursdays after 5pm.
- Official Website: Dali Museum
- Location: 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 – West/ Central Florida
- Nearby Lodging: St. Petersburg Lodging
14. BOK TOWER GARDENS
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Bok Tower Gardens is a wonderful site to visit when you are looking to relax and simply get away from it all. Here you can take a peaceful walk through 50 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and just enjoy this incredibly picturesque setting while listening to music from the majestic Singing Tower or have a fun picnic out on the lawn.
Top Things to Do at Bok Tower Gardens:
- Don’t Miss: The Singing Tower, Pinewood Estate and Gardens, Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden and the many “secret” plant nooks throughout the garden where you may find a bench hidden in a quiet corner or placed where the plants open up to a picturesque view.
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours
- Official Site: Bok Tower Gardens
- Location: 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853 – Central Florida
- Nearby Lodging: Lake Wales Lodging, Kissimmee Lodging (near Disney World)
Learn more about How to Best Visit Bok Tower Gardens (+Tips for Families) here.
15. THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Ranked as one of the best aquariums in the United States, the Florida Aquarium is a fantastic place to visit while in the Tampa Bay area.
At the Florida Aquarium you can journey through mangroves on the Wetlands of Florida Trail, where you’ll find native free-flying birds, river otters, alligators and other native Florida coastal animals. You can touch various sea creatures in the fun touch tank. You can explore great exhibits on jellyfish, unique seahorses, see an enormous Goliath Grouper, green Moray Eels and the Giant Pacific Octopus. And you can also see one of my favorites which is the cute little garden eels that pop their heads up out of the sand. Plus so much more!
Some of our family’s favorite exhibits also include the incredible floor to ceiling aquarium that is filled with beautiful sea turtles, fish and sharks (See photo above) and the Sting Ray exhibit where you can get a fantastic up-close look at all angles of this fascinating creature. (See picture below) There are just so many great exhibits here to check out and every time we visit, we have a blast.
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours
- Tip: If you are looking to visit multiple sights in Tampa, check out the Tampa CityPass to save money.
- Official Website: Florida Aquarium
- Location: 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 – West/ Central Florida
- Nearby Lodging: Tampa Lodging
16. EDISON & FORD WINTER ESTATE
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
The Edison & Ford Winter Estates is a great site to visit when in the Fort Meyers area of Southwest Florida. Here you can see the historic winter homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, walk through Thomas Edison’s actual lab that was used for his botanic research, learn all about Edison and Ford’s lives and accomplishments at the onsite museum, and explore the 21-acres of unique botanical gardens that contain plants from all around the world.
- Don’t Miss: Touring the house, laboratory and museum. But also, make sure you don’t miss touring the gardens. This was one of my favorite parts. The gardens have more than 1,700 plants, representing more than 400 species from six continents. These plants are so unique and I love how they labeled them, so I actually knew what I was looking at and where it was from!
- Time Needed: 1.5 – 2 hours
- Official Website: Edison & Ford Winter Estates
- Location: 2350 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33901 – Southwest Florida
- Nearby Lodging: Fort Myers Lodging, Fort Myers Beach Lodging
17. WEEDON ISLAND PRESERVE – Mangrove Tunnel Kayak
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Weedon Island Preserve is a 3,000+ acre preserve on the western shore of Tampa Bay that offers fun nature hikes of various lengths, a cultural and natural history center with a prehistoric canoe that was excavated locally, and great bird watching opportunities. But these reasons aren’t why Weedon Island made this list. We love Weedon Island’s amazing Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Trail! This trail can be paddled without a guide and it’s an absolutely fantastic experience!
- Tip: The trail you’ll want to paddle is the 4 mile long South Paddling Trail, “Mangrove Tunnel Trail.” This trail is considered the best mangrove tunnel kayak, north of the Everglades.
To paddle this amazing trail, find out more here in my post on the Best Unique Kayaking Experiences in Florida (Family-Friendly.)
- Time Needed: ~3 hours to kayak, more to hike and visit the educational center at Weedon Island Preserve.
- Official Website: Weedon Island Preserve
- Location: 1800 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702 – West/Central Florida
- More Great Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Trails in Florida Include:
- Lido Key Mangrove Tunnels– near Sarasota
- Ten Thousand Islands Mangrove Tunnels – near Naples
- Everglades Mangrove Tunnels – near Everglades City
- Key Largo Mangrove Tunnels – The Florida Keys
- Key West Mangrove Tunnels – The Florida Keys
18. CASPERSEN BEACH – LOOK FOR SHARK’S TEETH
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Caspersen Beach, located in Venice, Florida, is considered the shark tooth capital of the world and it is a fantastic spot to try and search for these hidden treasures.
Shark’s teeth, on occasion, may be lying on the sand near the water’s edge at this beautiful white sand beach, but most of the time our family has found that we need to walk out into the water a little and use a sifter. By doing this, we’ve found a ton of shark’s teeth here over the years and we hope that you can too!
- Shark Teeth Sand Sifter that Scoops, Shark Teeth Sand Sifter that Floats
- Location: 4100 Harbor Dr, Venice, FL 34285 – West Florida
- Nearby Lodging: Venice Lodging
- More Great Places to Find Shark’s Teeth in Florida Include:
- Along the Peace River – We’ve found a bunch here, and some pretty cool marine animal fossils!
- Casey Key
- Amelia Island
- Jupiter Beach
19. UNIVERSAL ORLANDO
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Universal Orlando is one of the highest rated sites to visit in the entire state of Florida! Offering thrilling rides, attractions and entertainment, Universal Orlando is an absolutely fantastic destination for families (with kids 8+) and adults too!
Top Things to Do at Universal Orlando:
- Composed of 2 Distinct Parks that are connected by the Hogwarts Express:
- Universal Studios
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley
- Top Rides Include: Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts, Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, Revenge of the Mummy, Men in Black Alien Attack, ET Adventure, The Simpsons Ride (can cause motion sickness), Race through New York starring jimmy Fallon, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
- Islands of Adventure
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade
- Top Rides Include: Harry Potter and he Forbidden Journey, Hagrid’s Magical Creature Motorbike Adventure, Jurassic World VelociCoaster, Jurassic Park River Adventure, The Incredible Hulk Coaster, Flight of the Hippogriff, The Amazing Adventures of Spiderman
- Ride Height Requirements for both parks + Waterpark
- Tip: Stop by Ollivander’s Wand shop (in either park) for an Interactive Wand Experience where you can see a wand choose a wizard. Visitors can also purchase their own wand or interactive wand at this shop. (Interactive wands can ‘magically” cast spells throughout Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade.)
- Universal Studios
- Universal Orlando has one Separate Waterpark:
- Volcano Bay
- Top Rides Include: Ko’okiri Body Plunge (trapdoor opens to water slide dropping you down the center of the volcano), Honu ika Moana (4-5 person raft slid – ika Moana is the milder of the 2 slides), Maku Puihi Round Raft Rides (6 person raft through wet & wild ride through the volcano), Krakatau™ Aqua Coaster (4-person canoe down a waterfall), Ohyah & Ohno Drop Slide (waterslide where Ohyah has a 4′ drop to the pool and Ohno has a 6′ drop at the end into the pool), Taniwha Tubes (2 tubing slides to race)
- Volcano Bay
*Each Theme Park is a Separate Ticket, but discounts are available for multiple-day, multiple park tickets.
- Time Needed: You can see both main parks in one extremely tiring day, but it is recommended to spend 2 -3 days to see all of Universal Orlando for a more relaxed pace.
- And Don’t Miss Universal CityWalk for great restaurants and fun shopping.
- Location: Central Florida (Orlando Area)
- Universal Orlando – 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
- Island of Adventures – Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819 (next door to Universal Orlando)
- Volcano Bay – 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819
- Nearby Lodging:
Universal’s Loews Sapphire Falls Resort– Caribbean themed resort, offers early admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, within walking distance (or free water taxi to each park), a pool with waterfalls & slides, and 4 onsite restaurants
- Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort – Retro-Beach themed hotel, offers early admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Volcano Bay, spacious family suites include kitchenettes, free transfer to all 3 parks, 2 zero-entry pools, a waterslide, a lazy river and beach onsite, food court with a diner, a cocktail bar, and a bar and grill.
20. WALT DISNEY WORLD
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
The magical land of Walt Disney World certainly needs no introduction. In fact this premier Florida destination is the sole reason why many families choose Florida for their vacation. Disney offers endless hours of family-friendly entertainment, incredible dining experiences and amazing rides that are sure to bring a smile to you and your family’s faces. But trying to figure it all out can get confusing, so below I tried to briefly lay out what you can find at each of the 4 fantastic Disney parks.
Top Things to Do at Walt Disney World Include:
- Walt Disney World is composed of 4 Distinct World-Famous Parks:
- Magic Kingdom – Best for ages 3-12, but even teens and adults will have fun here.
- Top Rides Include: Seven Dwarfs Mine Train (38″), Space Mountain (44″), Pirates of the Caribbean, Peter Pan’s Flight, Haunted Mansion, Thunder Mountain, It’s a Small World, Jungle Cruise, etc.
- Tip: Children 10 and older need an adult ticket, so if you are planning on a birthday celebration for a 10 year old, we recommend visit prior to their birthday to take advantage of the lower cost.
- Epcot – Best for ages 8+ (Epcot also has themed festivals throughout the year that cater to Adults.)
- Top Rides Include: Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Remi’s Ratatouille Adventure, Soarin’ (40″), Spaceship Earth, Test Track (40″), Frozen Ever After, Living with the Land, Mission: Space (40″), The American Adventure, and of course visiting the World Showcase with pavilions of different countries from around the world.
- Hollywood Studios – Best for ages 6+ (There are rides here for younger kids, like the popular Frozen sing-a-long, but most rides here tend to cater to older kids, teens and any Star Wars obsessed individual.)
- Top Rides Include: Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance (40″), Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (40″), Toy Story Midway Mania, Toy Story Slinky Dog Dash (38″), Rock n’ Roller Coaster (48″), Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway, Millennium Falcon Smuggler’s Run (38″), Muppet Vision 3D
- Animal Kingdom – Best for ages 5+ (Perfect for animal lovers and fans of Avatar.)
- Top Rides Include: Expedition Everest (44″), Avatar Flight of Passage (44″), Kilimanjaro Safaris, Dinosaur (40″), Festival of the Lion King, Kali River Rapids (38″), Na’vi River Journey
- Magic Kingdom – Best for ages 3-12, but even teens and adults will have fun here.
- Plus 2 Top-Rated Water Parks:
- Typhoon Lagoon – Tropical Beach Themed waterpark that was “hit” by a Typhoon
- Top Activities Include: Humunga Kowabunga (3 enclosed speed slides), Miss Adventure Falls (Tube ride for the whole family), Crush n’ Gusher (2 person water coaster raft), Castaway Creek Lazy River, Surf Pool, Ketchakiddie Creek Children’s Area
- Blizzard Beach – Christmas Ski Resort Themed waterpark with lots of thrills
- Top Activities Include: Summit Plummet (120′ bodyslide is one of the fastest in the world), Downhill Double Dipper (2 inner tube water slides next to each other so you can race), Cross County Creek Lazy River, Tike’s Peak Children Area & Ski Patrol Training Camp Children’s Area
- Typhoon Lagoon – Tropical Beach Themed waterpark that was “hit” by a Typhoon
- With Additional Disney Entertainment, Dining and Shopping at:
- Disney Springs, Disney’s Boardwalk and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- Family Tip: The Rainforest Cafe and the dino-themed T-Rex Restaurant are our kid’s favorite places to eat at Disney Springs. The decorations are incredible and we love how the animals move!
- If You Love Performances: Cirque de Soliel performs “Drawn to Life” in the Disney Springs Complex.
- Disney Springs, Disney’s Boardwalk and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
*Each Theme Park is a Separate Ticket, but discounts are available for multiple-day, multiple park tickets.
21. ENJOY A DINNER SHOW
If you are visiting the Orlando area, you might want to check out one of Orlando’s many Dinner Shows. They have several family-friendly shows and also shows that would be perfect for an adult evening out. Dinner shows are a fantastic way to spend an evening in Orlando and this area has some pretty great ones to choose from.
Fantastic Orlando Dinner Shows Include:
22. VISIT ONE OF FLORIDA’S TOP BEACHES
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Visiting the beach is one of the absolute top things to do in Florida. And Florida has a ton of gorgeous beaches. Below I’ve listed some of the top beaches in each part of the state, so that no matter where you travel plans may take you, you’ll be able to spend some time at one of these spectacular beach destinations.
Northwest Florida
Santa Rosa Beach and Island
- (Between Panama City and Pensacola along the Gulf Coast)
- Santa Rosa has 26 miles of pristine white-sand beaches with gorgeous emerald waters.
- Santa Rosa beach is found away from the crowds that you’ll find at the nearby award-winning and entertainment-filled bustling beaches of Destin and Panama City.
- Grayton Beach State Park, Fort Walton Beach and Navarre Beach are favorite spots along this stretch, as well as Henderson Beach State Park by Destin, and the popular Pensacola Beach, which lies further to the west.
- Nearby Lodging: Santa Rosa Beach, Destin, or Fort Walton Beach
West/Central Florida
Clearwater Beach
- (Tampa Bay area along the Gulf Coast)
- 2.5 miles of soft powdery-white sand, with gentle waves, lying next to a laid-back little beach town with great dining, accommodations and fun activities like taking a Dolphin Cruise, or a ride on a Pirate Boat or even a Schooner, walking out on Pier 60, strolling down Beach Walk and so much more.
- The award-winning Caladesi Island State Park (an uninhabited, pristine island) lies only a few minutes north of Clearwater Beach. The award-winning St. Petersburg Beach (which is close to entertainment, museums and a city atmosphere) lies about 45 minutes south of Clearwater Beach. And the award-winning Fort De Soto Park (with camping, hiking, biking trails and a historic fort) lies about 1 hour south of Clearwater Beach.
I have lived in the Clearwater area almost my entire life and I would love to share with you some of the best local tips for visiting these gorgeous beaches here.
- Siesta Key Beach
- (Sarasota area along the Gulf Coast)
- 8 miles of white-sand beach and crystal-clear water near dining, shopping and entertainment.
- Local Tip: You can find Shark’s Teeth at this beach! Over the years we’ve found hundreds of them!
- For a quieter atmosphere, checkout the nearby, beautiful Crescent Beach.
- Nearby Lodging: Siesta Key (you might want to use the map function with this since many hotels near here have a Sarasota address.)
Southwest Florida
- Marco Island
- (Naples area along the Gulf Coast)
- Pristine beach with high-end resorts, boating, delicious dining and boutique shopping.
- Nearby award-winning Naples beaches also include Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park and Naples Municipal Beach.
- Nearby Lodging: Marco Island Lodging, Naples Lodging
South Florida
Islamorada
- (Florida Keys)
- Tropical island with top notch sport fishing. Anne’s Beach is calm and ideal for small children or kayaking. Holiday Isle Beach sits near hotels, bars and other amenities.
- Nearby Lodging: Islamorada
Southeast Florida
Delray Beach
- (about 50 miles north of Miami on the Atlantic Coast)
- “Florida’s Village by the Sea” offers a small town atmosphere with big city entertainment.
- A few miles north is the award-winning white-sand Palm Beach, located in a glitzy resort town with upscale dining, art gallerias and world-class golf.
- Nearby Lodging: Delray Beach
East/Central Florida
Cocoa Beach
- (1 hour east of Orlando, near Cape Canaveral on the Atlantic Coast)
- World-renowned waves make this a popular beach for surfers, and being close to Orlando makes it a great beach retreat for families.
- Nearby Lodging: Cocoa Beach
Northeast Florida
Amelia Island
- (30 miles northeast of Jacksonville on the Atlantic Coast)
- 13 miles of relaxing beaches surrounded by old world charm, where you can even ride horses on the beach!
- Nearby Lodging: Amelia Island
Bucket List Activities on a Beach Vacation
WATCH A SUNRISE OVER THE WATER
Watching a sunrise over the water is such an incredible experience. There’s nothing quite like seeing the first rays of the light dance across the water.
This is best experienced on the east coast of Florida.
WATCH A SUNSET OVER THE WATER
Watching the sun set over the water is truly an awe-inspiring experience. The explosion of colors in the sky are many times, simply unreal and an event that you won’t want to miss!
This is best experienced on the West Coast of Florida.
And for a bucket list adventure: try watching the sun rise over the water in the morning on the east coast and then drive over to the west coast of Florida to catch a sunset in the same day!
23. FLORIDA CAVERNS STATE PARK
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Venture underground and discover a stunning cave system at Florida Caverns State Park. This is Florida’s only show cave that offers public tours, so if you are looking to explore the world under the ground in Florida, then Florida Caverns State Park is where you’ll want to go.
- Time Needed: Tours are about 1 hour long
- Official Website: Florida Caverns State Park
- Location: 3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL 32446 – Northwest Florida
24. INDIAN RIVER LAGOON BIOLUMINESENCE PADDLE
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
From June to October, the waters of the Indian River Lagoon, Mosquito Lagoon and Banana River come alive with bioluminescence and it’s quite a site to see. Here, dinoflagellates in the summer months emit a blue-green light whenever something makes contact with them. And the result is an incredible light show in the water.
This means that every movement from fish, manatee, dolphins or even your kayak paddle will light up the water in an unforgettable way. There are only a few places in the world where you can experience this spectacular natural phenomena, and venturing out on a night time kayak adventure at Indian River Lagoon is one of these rare, amazing experiences.
- Peak season is July to September and the best viewing is during a New Moon, but anytime during the summer months would be an incredible experience.
- Location: Near Titusville/ Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center – East/Central Florida
- Nearby Lodging: Cocoa Beach Lodging, Titusville Lodging
25. DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK
Why You’ll Want to Visit:
Dry Tortuga National is a remote group of seven islands located off the end of the Florida Keys. It is one of the least visited national parks in the United States and it can only be reached by boat or seaplane, but the incredible beauty of the water here makes this destination definitely worth the journey.
Top Things to Do at Dry Tortuga National Park:
- Fort Jefferson (one of the nation’s largest 1800s masonry forts)
- Snorkeling & swimming in picturesque blue waters
- Camping
- Loggerhead Lighthouse
- Historic tours
- Tip: Ferry and Seaplane Services will bring you to Garden Key at Dry Tortuga.
- Official Website: Dry Tortuga National Park
- Location: 70 miles West of Key West – South Florida
I hope this list helped you find some incredible sights to visit in Florida on your next vacation and that you have a fantastic time.
Have a Great Trip to Florida with Your Traveling Feet!
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