A bicycle left on a beach in Sanibel Island, Florida

Things to do in  Florida

Here comes the sunshine

During one day in Florida, you can watch the sunrise and rocket launches over the ocean, then see the sunset over the Gulf while searching for megalodon teeth. The oldest settlement in the country, St. Augustine, and the southernmost point of the country, Key West, are essentially connected by a single road. There’s a world of things to do in Florida. From rafting with manatees in Crystal River and strolling by alligators in Everglades National Park to meeting Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World® Resort, this state is unlike anywhere else in the US.

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Top 15 attractions in Florida

#1

Bayside Marketplace

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Bayside Marketplace, a vibrant waterfront mall in downtown Miami—and the city’s most-visited attraction—sits above Biscayne Bay and features many shopping, dining, and entertainment options. The open-air market has more than 100 shops ranging from apparel to bath products to electronics, and often live performers are on hand to keep shoppers entertained.More
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#2

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

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If you've ever dreamt of swimming with manatees in their natural habitat, Florida’s Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is where to go. Established in 1983, the 177-acre (71-hectare) refuge is home to America’s largest concentration of the gentle giants. West Indian Manatees flock to the more than 70 turquoise-colored springs in Crystal River for warmth during winter. With hundreds of manatees in a small area, sightings are frequent.More
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#3

Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale

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Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale is a linear public park located by the New River in the historic downtown district of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Its tropical landscaping and winding pathways link some of the city’s best attractions.More
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#4

Mallory Square

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Overflowing with Key West quirkiness, Mallory Square draws a crowd at sunset thanks to its many restaurants, street performers, and daily Sunset Celebration. During the day, visitors come for some of Key West’s best shopping and to admire the open-air sculpture garden, which pays tribute to famous local residents.More
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#5

Kennedy Space Center

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The Kennedy Space Center has been hurtling humans and shuttles into space since 1968 and is still a primary site for NASA launches. Parts of the sprawling campus are open to the public. On daily tours, you can interact with astronauts, try simulated space flights and an astronaut training experience, and see artifacts from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.More
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#6

Fisher Island

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An exclusive home to the rich and famous, Fisher Island is located 3 miles (5 kilometers off the coast from Miami. The mansions, apartments, and yachts docked in the marina are owned by some of Florida’s wealthiest citizens. No roads or bridges lead to the island; it is accessible only by ferry or private invitation. There is a golf course and two hotels on the island.More
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#7

Historic Stranahan House Museum

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The Historic Stranahan House Museum is the oldest surviving structure in Fort Lauderdale. It was built in 1902 as a trading post by Frank Stranahan, the founder of the city, and used by Stranahan’s wife, Ivy, as a school house. Over the decades it has also served as a post office, community center, and town hall. Today it’s a historic attraction that’s open daily for guided tours.More
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#8

Fort Lauderdale Beachfront

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Thanks to more than 23 miles (37 kilometers) of pristine sand, visitors to the Fort Lauderdale beachfront are spoiled for choice when it comes to water sports and sunbathing spots. Spend the day swimming, windsurfing, deep-sea fishing, or more—or stay on land playing volleyball, jogging, or just kicking back in a lounge chair.More
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#9

Little Havana

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Vibrant Cuban culture permeates every aspect of the Little Havana neighborhood of Miami, Florida. You'll find it in the colorful murals, the monuments to heroes past and present, the residents facing off in the domino park as they discuss politics, and in the cigar rollers at work amidst the ever-present aroma of Cuban coffee.More
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#10

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

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Encompassing 2,900 square miles (4,667 square kilometers, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary protects an underwater world that’s home to the world’s third-largest barrier reef and more than 6,000 marine life species. Plus, several shipwrecks pay homage to the maritime heritage of the Atlantic.More
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#11

Southernmost Point of the Continental USA

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The Southernmost Point of the Continental USA monument is a quick but must-do photo op while vacationing in Key West. The iconic buoy-shaped concrete marker indicates that you’re in the southernmost point of the continental United States, just 90 miles (145 kilometers) to Cuba. Snap a pic and then get busy enjoying island life in this legendary Florida destination.More
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#12

Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum

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Nestled among towering palm trees on Key West, the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum allows you to see where one of the United States’ most famous writers and greatest thinkers lived and worked. The Hemingway Home is a National Historic Landmark and Literary Landmark, and recorded at the Library of Congress as an Historic American Building.More
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#13

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens

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The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, situated on the breezy shores of the bay, are an ideal destination for gardeners, nature lovers, and travelers looking for a calm, nature-focused outing in Sarasota. Stroll through the gardens, visit the conservatory, and browse the Museum of Botany and Arts at this 15-acre oasis.More
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#14

Las Olas Boulevard

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You can spend a full day strolling up and down this eclectic South Florida district, which is filled with art galleries, boutiques, and al fresco dining options. The 10 blocks that span all the way to the ocean are lined with palm trees and Mediterranean architecture, and set the stage for a relaxing day or night in Fort Lauderdale.More
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#15

Sand Key Park

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With 95 acres of mostly undeveloped land, Sand Key Park is the serene tip of one of Clearwater’s barrier islands. Looking directly across the Clearwater Pass at Clearwater Beach, Sand Key Park offers wildlife viewing, picnicking, loggerhead sea turtle hatching, a nature trail, a boardwalk, fishing piers, a concession stand, and the white sandy beaches this part of Florida’s Gulf Coast is known for.More
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Top activities in Florida

Key West Sunset Sail with Full Bar, Live Music and Hors D'oeuvres

Key West Sunset Sail with Full Bar, Live Music and Hors D'oeuvres

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Everglades Tour from Miami with Transportation

Everglades Tour from Miami with Transportation

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Little Havana Food and Walking Tour in Miami
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From Miami: Everglades Airboat, Wildlife Show, and Roundtrip Bus
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VENICE OF AMERICA TOUR!! Best of Fort Lauderdale over 30 years!!!

VENICE OF AMERICA TOUR!! Best of Fort Lauderdale over 30 years!!!

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Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West
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Shark and Wildlife Viewing Adventure in Key West

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Florida Everglades Airboat Tour and Wild Florida Admission with Optional Lunch
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St. Augustine Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

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Miami to Key West Day Trip with Activity Options

Miami to Key West Day Trip with Activity Options

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Most Popular 3hr Manatee Swim Tour + In-Water Guide!

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City Half Day Tour of Miami by Bus with Sightseeing Cruise

City Half Day Tour of Miami by Bus with Sightseeing Cruise

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Key West Full-Day Ocean Adventure: Kayak, Snorkel, Sail
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Key West Full-Day Ocean Adventure: Kayak, Snorkel, Sail

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Speedboat Sightseeing Adventure of Miami

Speedboat Sightseeing Adventure of Miami

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Key West Island Adventure Jet Ski Tour: Bring a Partner for Free

Key West Island Adventure Jet Ski Tour: Bring a Partner for Free

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Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner, Live Music & Drinks Included
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Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner, Live Music & Drinks Included

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Biscayne Bay Millionaire's Row Boat Tour

Biscayne Bay Millionaire's Row Boat Tour

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All You Can Eat BBQ Dinner and Show at Tropical Isle with Sightseeing Cruise

All You Can Eat BBQ Dinner and Show at Tropical Isle with Sightseeing Cruise

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One-Hour Airboat Ride Near Orlando

One-Hour Airboat Ride Near Orlando

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Key West Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour

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Key West Sunset Cruise with Live Music, Drinks and Appetizers

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All about Florida

When to visit

The Sunshine State is—you guessed it—quite sunny year-round. Summer is undoubtedly the most popular time to visit, though snowbirds and locals love the cool(er) weather winter brings. The shoulder seasons are ideal for most visitors.

Spring brings outdoor fun like SunFest in the south and the Interstate Mullet Toss in the Panhandle. Fall is just as wonderful (hurricanes permitting), as manatees start arriving in Silver Springs State Park and international boat shows fill the waters.

Getting around

No doubt about it: You need a car to get around Florida. Interstates 4, 10, 75, and 95 act as arteries connecting cities like Miami to St. Augustine, Tampa to Orlando, Naples to Fort Lauderdale, and Pensacola to Jacksonville. US Route 1 connects the mainland to the Florida Keys, a string of islands off the southern tip of the state that end with Key West.

Intercity travel varies; most cities have extensive bus routes and ridesharing is always an option. With flat roads and a beach never more than 60 miles (97 kilometers) away, you’ll be thankful for the flexibility—and air conditioning—a rental car provides.

Traveler tips

While the theme parks and beaches are the major draw, there are so many more things to do in Florida. Venture into the interior of the Panhandle and get lost in natural bliss in places like the Apalachicola National Forest and Winter Haven Chain of Lakes. Plan your itinerary with Florida history in mind, too. Two of the country’s first incorporated African-American cities were founded in what’s now Sanford and Eatonville, and they’ve got the Southern and soul food to prove it.

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US Dollar ($)
Time Zone
EST (UTC -5)
Country Code
+1
Language(s)
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Attractions
273
Tours
4,488
Reviews
333,009
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People Also Ask

What is Florida known for?

It’s known for its spectacular beaches, sunny weather, diverse cities, and world-renowned tourist attractions. Florida’s Gulf Coast is known for its serene sunsets while the Atlantic Coast is known for surfing and deepwater fishing. Central Florida is known for theme parks while South Florida is known for ritzy nightlife.

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What are 3 things Florida is famous for?

Three things Florida is famous for include Walt Disney World® Resort, the Kennedy Space Center, and Miami’s South Beach. Disney World encompasses four separate theme parks and two water parks. Kennedy Space Center is NASA’s hub for rocket launches while South Beach offers lavish dining, entertainment, and leisure activities.

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What are some things you can only do in Florida?

Some unique things to do in Florida include visiting Walt Disney World® Resort, Kennedy Space Center, and the nation’s oldest continuously-occupied European-settled city, St. Augustine. Florida is also the only state in which you can drive from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean in under two hours.

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Where should I go in Florida for the first time?

Your first trip to Florida should include a visit to one of the Gulf Coast beaches. Clearwater Beach, near Tampa, is regarded as one of the best beaches in the country. Other notable Gulf beaches include those found in Destin, Sanibel Island, Siesta Key, and St. George Island.

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What is the prettiest spot in Florida?

One of the prettiest spots in Florida is Captiva Island. Located west of Cape Coral and adjacent to Sanibel Island, this island in the Gulf of Mexico is a tranquil place with a laid-back vibe. Scenic views, miles of shoreline, and a variety of leisurely activities make Captiva Island memorable.

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How many days should I spend in Florida?

You should spend anywhere from a weekend to two weeks in Florida, depending on your desired experiences. Orlando’s theme parks alone warrant a full week, while cities like Miami and Tampa can be explored intimately within a weekend. You will also want to plan extra travel days if driving across the state.

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