Travelers who love going to theme parks will never go wrong with Florida. The Sunshine State offers incredible weather all year round. With blue skies, beautiful beaches, delicious seafood, and plenty of day trip adventures, Florida is a perpetual vacation. Here are some reasons to visit the Sunny State now (or anytime).
Along the tip of the Florida peninsula, vast sawdust plains are dotted with tree-like islands like ships in a green sea known as the Everglades. On a visit to Everglades National Park, you will enter the largest subtropical nature in the United States. That's a million and a half acres of mystery and wonder, from shelters for rare and endangered species to swampy trails that invite exploration. Storks, American crocodiles and panthers have their home here, among ghost orchids and old cypresses that live deep in the watery labyrinths of the Everglades.
Take a trolley tour to see wading birds and alligators. Get even closer to nature by bike or on a paddling path. Or just sail on a scenic drive, stopping at viewpoints and leg-stretching trails. Sarasota, one of Florida's best cities, pleases the eye in more ways than one.
Its world-class art museum, clean downtown, attractive landscapes and pristine beaches add to a travel-worthy destination. The family that created the most famous circus in the United States loved art. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art houses the world's largest collection of Rubens paintings and many other treasures, including old circus costumes, wagons and the world's largest miniature circus. In town, shop at chic boutiques, grab a meal at one of the many stylish restaurants, then head to the coast for a fun day on the Gulf Coast.
When America's Great Inventors Needed to Escape, They Came to Florida. But they didn't just lie in the sun. Thomas Edison and Henry Ford were good friends who had winter houses next to each other, and kept busy tinkering. Visit their Fort Myers homes to see what a genius does on vacation.
Tour Edison's research lab from the 1920s and see demonstrations using his old equipment. Stroll through the 25-acre botanical garden that began as an experiment. It has more than 1,000 plant varieties from around the world, including a banyan tree, Edison and friends imported for rubber experiments; it is now an acre wide. The sunny beaches of the state's Gulf Coast have variety to suit all tastes.
Are you craving a dusty white coast and abundant seashells? Are you in the mood for Gulf sunsets and gentle waves? Are you looking for seclusion or a place to party? Fishing or snorkeling? The Gulf Coast has it all, so it's no surprise that these beaches are consistently ranked among the best in the world. Lido Key, near Sarasota, is a mecca for eco-tourism and sunset cruises; dolphin watching, sailing, and deep sea fishing also get the best billing here. And the seafood is fresh from the Gulf. Armands Circle for shopping in the surrounding area and the Mote Marine Aquarium for face-to-face encounters with underwater life.
Not far south, stroll along charming Venice Beach and find fossilized shark teeth. Who are Floridians? They are the descendants of Timucuan, Miccosukee and Seminole, European explorers and freed slaves, Cuban and Haitian refugees. Its art and architecture, language and food have been mixed over the centuries to present a place like no other. They welcome you to their museums, parks and communities, where you can immerse yourself in Florida's fascinating history.
To see a living Native American community, visit the Big Cypress Seminola Indian Reservation in South Florida. A stunning modern theater and museum tells the story of Seminole, and a mile-long boardwalk cuts through a 60-acre cypress dome to an area where protesters display traditional handicrafts. Taste local delicacies such as fried bread, frog legs and crocodile tail nuggets. Petersburg has a number of wonderful surprises.
Shining between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, the city holds the title of “most consecutive days with 768-day sunshine.”. The Salvador Dalí Museum has the largest collection of Dalí's works outside of Spain. Bold colors work well on Florida's coast. Come and visit it and get ready to be amazed by the depth of this extravagant surrealist, who had much more than watches dripping in his work.
Elsewhere in the city, check out the charming array of shops, restaurants, and bars. Among other great museums, the Chihuly Collection dazzles with colorful glassware, and the Museum of Fine Arts showcases an impressive array of world masterpieces. Weedon Island Preserve is home to 3,190 acres of protected coastal wilderness areas in St. Take a quiet two- or four-mile trail to discover the natural world that flourishes on the outskirts of a city.
South of Sarasota, the Port of Charlotte is the second largest estuary in the state, with 270 square miles. Its 830 miles of coastline encompasses a network of barrier islands, river crossings, tropical hammocks, pine forests, freshwater swamps and mangrove forests. Paddlers delight in finding new scenes worthy of camera, notebook and memory. Florida is a paradise for paddlers, all you need are strong arms and an adventurous spirit.
It's hard to find a better peaceful beauty line than the Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Sun-blessed coastline curves gracefully 50-mile toward the Gulf of Mexico. Developed enough to offer a variety of resorts, from family to luxurious, this double life hit on a barrier island adds up to a pretty perfect vacation destination. Most people immediately head to the beach, take off their shoes and squeal through the soft white sand.
Before long, they're doing the Sanibel shuffle walking slowly, with their heads down, looking for dollars of sand, snails and calico scallops. The bombing here is world famous. Take a tour with scientists from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum and see the museum's hundreds of shells from around the world. Just north, Captiva has its own magical rhythm.
Try sailing, biking, bird watching, and any number of water activities. The Everglades Aren't Florida's Only Big Park. With 200 state and national parks, forests and wildlife refuges to choose from, you can design your own list of activities and places of interest, and then find a park that matches. Big Cypress National Reserve protects more than 729,000 acres of swamp.
Its tropical and temperate plant communities are home to a rich tapestry of wildlife, including Florida's elusive panther. The reserve also serves as a vital buffer for neighboring Everglades. Explore its hidden nature by kayak or on foot. On Sanibel Island, the Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge supports a staggering number of wild creatures in its marshes, canals, coves, mangroves and upland forests.
Look for pink spatulas and white egrets. Inland Sarasota, Myakka River State Park is one of the largest and oldest state parks in Florida. A 40-mile trail winds through nature, home to thousands of birds, crocodiles and deer. For a taste of sophistication and wild Florida, head along the Gulf of Mexico to Naples, a resort and remote cocktail.
Families, romantic vacationers and everyone in between will find a welcoming harbor. Nature lovers fall in love with the 15-acre Naples Nature Center, and beachgoers naturally approach the Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Recreation Area. Shoppers should head to the quirky galleries and boutiques of Third Street South and Fifth Avenue South. Marco Island pampers visitors with luxury resorts, beaches to die for, and lush parks.
Marco, the only developed of the Ten Thousand Islands, has a tropical climate and a relaxed lifestyle. Take a nature walk on the Briggs Nature Center's half-mile waterfront. Nearby Collier-Seminole State Park Offers Over 6,000 Acres of Wild Florida; A Boat Tour Is a Must. Nestled between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, northwest of St.
Petersburg, Clearwater is a popular family vacation destination known for its spectacular 3-mile long beach, wonderful climate and long, narrow barrier reef. The beach is full of luxury hotels, resorts, bars and restaurants. Take the children to see the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where injured dolphins and sea turtles are taken to recover and rehabilitate. Watch the game at Bright House Field, where the Phillies baseball team comes to train in the spring.
Stroll along Pier 60 to watch the sunset and street performers entertain the crowd. Enjoy the shaded boardwalk paths through the Lake Moccasin Nature Park, or take a tour of the bay to see playful dolphins in their own environment. Things to Do in Clearwater Delray Beach is a small coastal town in Florida known for its beautiful sandy beaches, but also for the lively arts community in its eclectic center. The Pineapple Grove Arts District is full of incredible art galleries and public art.
The Cornell Art Museum, established in 1913, is famous for its collection of contemporary artworks. There's also the School of Creative Arts and Fieldhouse, established in 1925, and much more. A variety of art festivals are held throughout the year. First Friday art walks are a great way to explore the city's art scene, see a show, or attend a concert.
And of course, there are great restaurants and cafes where you can enjoy fresh food and enjoy some people watching. Stretching nearly 120 miles from the southernmost tip of Florida, between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, is a chain of tropical islands called the Florida Keys. This coral archipelago begins about 15 miles from Miami and ends in the uninhabited Secas Turtles National Park. The last inhabited key is Key West, a popular tourist destination that locals call Key Weird, with its popular bars and shops on Duval Street and the daily sunset celebration in Mallory Square.
Anywhere in the Keys you can rent a boat and go fishing, snorkeling or diving, rent a kayak and explore the mysterious mangroves, sample unique local cuisine, stroll through picturesque and colorful streets and sit in one of the many rustic beach bars to soak up the spirit of the Keys. Things to Do in the Florida Keys Located 45 km north of Miami, on Florida's southeastern coast, Fort Lauderdale is a popular tourist destination famous for its beaches and picturesque sailing canals. The best place to start your exploration is on The Strip, a long and wide promenade that runs along the ocean and is filled with chic outdoor restaurants, lively bars, chic boutiques and luxury hotels. Visit 1901 Stranahan House, Fort Lauderdale's Oldest Structure Still Standing.
Visit the International Swimming Hall of Fame, take a hike or boat trip through Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, and visit the NSU Fort Lauderdale Museum of Art to see what local artists are doing. Things to do in Fort Lauderdale Gainesville is the bustling college town with the massive University of Florida campus. It is the largest city in north-central Florida, about a 90-minute drive from Jacksonville and Orlando. The city is lush and surrounded by rural land and the 21,000 acres of Paynes Prairie Wilderness at the south end of town.
There are more than 30 miles of walking and biking trails where you can watch birds, wild horses, bison or alligators. Floating on the cool spring-fed river in lush Ichetucknee Springs State Park is a city tradition. Visit the Florida Quilt Museum, Quilt Trail and Quilt Festival. Stroll through the spectacular forests and gardens of Cedar Lakes, with its waterfalls, bridges and small lakes.
Things to Do in Gainesville A major port city in Northeast Florida, at the point where St. John's River joins the Atlantic Ocean, Jacksonville is a large, modern city and a regional business center. The nearby Barrier Island and its wonderful beaches are a perfect place for swimming, diving and surfing, and the most popular are Neptune Beach and Jacksonville Beach. One of the most famous championship golf courses is the TPC Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra Beach, which is also home to the PGA Tour.
Visit Kingsley Plantation on Fort George Island to see how slaves and slave owners lived. Take the kids to Jacksonville's lush tropical zoo to see elephants up close. Visit the 16th century Forth Caroline National Monument to learn about the times when the French ruled this part of Florida. Things to Do in Jacksonville Key West is the westernmost inhabited island in the United States, a part of the coral archipelago of the Florida Keys, closer to Cuba than Miami, colorful, lively and unforgettable.
Stroll Duval Street with its bars, shops and restaurants, explore narrow streets and pastel-colored conch houses, visit the Hemingway House and Museum, dive or snorkel on spectacular reefs and enjoy, with everyone else, the daily spectacle of watching the sunset at Mallory Square, surrounded by streets artists of all kinds. Visit the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, where colorful butterflies fly freely from flower to flower. Check out the 65-foot Key West Lighthouse and enjoy views of the ocean around you. Things to Do in Key West Panama City Beach is a bustling coastal city on the Gulf of Mexico, in northwest Florida.
Its fantastic beaches and rich nightlife make it a popular destination for thousands of students during spring break. Younger children prefer the Gulf World Marine Park, where they can swim with dolphins, or the Shipwreck Island Waterpark, with its pools and water slides. Hike through Camp Helen State Park to see large quiet dunes in Phillips Inlet, take a walk on Lake Powell, and swim in the Gulf of Mexico. Take a boat tour to see the dolphins or line up at Russell-Fields Pier.
Things to Do in Panama City Beach Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness area in the United States, a 1.5 million acre wetland located in the southernmost tip of Florida. It is a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve. The Everglades are made up of coastal mangroves, pine forests and sawgrass swamps that are home to hundreds of species of animals, some of them rare and endangered, such as the manatee, the American crocodile, the Florida panther and the leatherback turtle. The best way to experience the magic of the Everglades is to take a leisurely stroll along one of the many waterfront trails, a guided boat tour of the Ten Thousand Islands or Florida Bay, or a trolley ride through the fascinating Shark Valley.
If you're lucky and patient, you might see an alligator sunbathing on a log, as well as a deer or one of the many wading birds. Sanibel is a lush, green island in Florida's Gulf of Mexico, just a short drive from Fort Myers. The island is surrounded by magnificent beaches and is famous for its stunning sunsets, historic lighthouses and thousands of shells that provide endless entertainment to tourists who collect them as souvenirs. The best thing to do in Sanibel is absolutely nothing, at one of the many luxury resorts across the island.
If swimming, diving, boating, and watching the sunset aren't enough for you, visit J, N. Things to Do in Sanibel Sarasota is a large, modern city south of Tampa on the Gulf Coast, once famous for being the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Today, the Ringling Art Museum hosts numerous events, concerts and plays and exhibits works by former masters, as well as modern art. After spending time on the fine sands of Lido Beach and Siesta Key Beach, go see sharks, manatees, sea turtles and 100 other marine animals at the Mote Marine Laboratory.
Visit the lush tropical gardens of the Sarasota jungle and feed the free-roaming pink flamingos, the bird of the state of Florida. Attend a fascinating Ski-A-Rees waterski show in Sarasota, or rent a kayak or paddleboard and go see dolphins up close in the bay. Things to Do in Sarasota Located just north of Florida's Gulf Coast, 28 miles long St. George Island is one of Florida's last virgin inhabited islands.
The island has miles of beaches with few people to relax on the sand, crystal clear waters for swimming and wild swamps for wildlife viewing. George Island is a small, quiet beach community where skyscrapers and chain stores are not allowed. Nearly half of the island is protected in St. George Island State Park, perfect for watching sea turtles and birds, canoeing, hiking and swimming.
Fishing in the park is great. Don't miss the Cape Saint George lighthouse from 1852, the views from above are spectacular. Located on Florida's Northeast Coast, St. Augustine is known as the oldest city in the United States.
Its beautiful center is full of well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture. Another reminder of the city's Spanish past is the Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th century Spanish fortress made of stone that offers stunning views of the ocean and the St. Augustine's beaches are magnificent, with fine white sand, and the most popular are St. Hike through lush Anastasia State Park, a protected wildlife sanctuary with 4 miles of pristine beach, a nature trail through ancient dunes, estuary tidal swamp and sea hammocks.
Petersburg is located on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, a large modern city called Sunshine City because of its permanently pleasant climate. The city's beautiful beaches attract millions of tourists. In addition to fine sands, the city also has excellent golf courses and fishing trips. Among many excellent museums, the Dalí Museum is a must see, as is the Museum of Fine Arts and the Chihuly Collection, with some of the most beautiful glass works in the world.
Try attending a Florida Orchestra concert at the Mahaffey Theater and enjoy a stroll through the huge local market to enjoy some of the freshest and most delicious regional artisanal foods. You're reading 25 Best Places to Visit in Florida Back to Top. Hotels, restaurants, and resorts line the sand, and its small-town aesthetic makes it a great, quieter vacation spot in Florida. Known for being 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.
More sun, sea and sand can be found in the south, where the Florida Keys launch about 120 miles along the Florida Strait. Geothermal water enjoys a heat of approximately 97 degrees, cools to 85 degrees, and is a good place to add Florida vacation ideas. Destin is a city in northwest Florida, in the Florida Panhandle, on a peninsula that separates the Gulf of Mexico and Choctawhatchee Bay. Pensacola is a charming old coastal town in Florida, the westernmost city on the Florida coast, with the beautiful island of Santa Rosa separating it from the Gulf of Mexico and creating calm and safe sandy beaches perfect for children.
Florida's parks are spectacular, from the world-class Everglades to the underwater paradise of Biscayne National Park, Florida. Basically, Bok gave the Bok Tower Gardens to Florida and its people, and it's full of beautiful and fun vacation spots to find and marvel at. The Florida Keys are a 120-mile long chain of tropical islands that curves around the base of the Florida Peninsula, connected to the mainland by a series of bridges. Florida can be a wonderful family or personal vacation because of its pristine beauty, exciting nightlife, incredible shopping, and great weather.
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