33 Best Things to Do in Florida in 2023 (By Locals)
👉 Jump to: Best Things | South Florida | Central Florida | North Florida | Fun & Unique | Video
There are endless things to do in Florida, between the tourist attractions, theme parks, water activities, and outdoor adventures. No wonder that Florida is one of the two most visited states in the entire USA!
As two Florida locals (Katie and Andrew) who love exploring this state, we’ve covered a lot of ground. To help you decide what to do in Florida, we’ve compiled our 33 favorite activities in Florida.
At the end of this post, you can also check out Katie’s video version of this guide. She explains her personal top 12 things to do in Florida!
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Best Things to Do in Florida
Everglades National Park
Explore wetlands wildlife in Southern Florida’s 1.5 million-acre preserve
📍 Google Maps | Website | Entrance: Varies by Visitor Center | 👉 Find an Everglades Tour
Come for the alligators and stay for the rest of what Everglades National Park has to offer.
Airboat rides are ever-popular, but how about cycling to an abandoned fire tower, like the one in Shark Valley? Or a dolphin cruise at Gulf Coast Visitor Center? Maybe a backcountry paddle to camping platforms near Flamingo Visitor Center? At the very least, a tropical hammock hike at Royal Palm should do the trick! Who knows, you might just catch a glimpse of the elusive Florida panther.
But one thing’s for certain, there are plenty of fun things to do in Florida’s largest national park for your entire family.
🛏️ Pro Tip: I recommend staying in Fort Lauderdale. Many of the visitor centers of the park are within striking distance and private airboat tours will even pick you up right from Fort Lauderdale.
Key Largo
Snorkel coral reefs near the first Florida Keys island
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse the Best Snorkel Tours in Key Largo
Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and Florida Bay is the first island of the Florida Keys: Key Largo. And what few people realize is Key Largo (and South Florida in general) is home to the only natural coral reef found in the continental United States.
Nature lovers splash into the crystal blue waters to view marine wildlife as they snorkel the pristine coral reefs. It’s a magical experience and one of the top things to do in Florida if you’re visiting the Sunshine State.
🎣 Looking to cast a line instead? Head slightly south in the Florida Keys to Islamorada, the sport fishing capital of the world.
Miami Beach
Experience the nightlife and culture of this southern Florida island city
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Taste of South Beach Food tour
Sure, the nightlife in South Beach certainly lives up to the hype as one of the top destinations in Florida for partiers. But Miami Beach is more than just a party – it’s an immersive cultural experience.
The Art Deco District on Ocean Drive in South Beach is on the National Register of Historic Places; the bars & restaurants serve foods hailing from all over the world and let’s not forget about the beautiful beaches that stretch for miles. These days, it’s easy to live it up in Miami Beach whether you’re looking to party or not!
📚 Related Reading: Miami Beach is great – but so is Fort Lauderdale just to the north. Bookmark our article, 33 Top Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale, to plan your future travels!
Walt Disney World
Make magic at this famed Orlando resort and theme park
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (407) 939-5277 | Website
For families, there is no argument that Walt Disney World is one of the top things to do in Florida. Between the four theme parks, two water parks, and many hotels, there are lots of activities to keep the whole family entertained. If you want an “easy button” for planning your Disney vacation, just follow one of my pre-planned Disney itineraries:
If visiting a theme park isn’t your thing, Disney also has relaxing spas and delicious restaurants to enjoy.
Thrill-seekers and families with older kids will also enjoy the theme parks at Universal Studios. It is only 15 minutes away from Walt Disney World.
📚 Related Reading: Check out my list of the best things to do in Greater Orlando to discover other Orlando area attractions and amusement parks.
Kennedy Space Center
Discover outer space on Merritt Island, Florida
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (855) 433-4210 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: starting at $57 for adults | 👉 Browse Space Center Tours
Visiting Kennedy Space Center allows you to live out the dream of being an astronaut. You can see the space shuttle Atlantis, meet an astronaut, and watch a space movie in the IMAX movie theater.
The Visitor Complex offers so many different experiences and attractions that I recommend spending a full day there. For true space travel enthusiasts, consider booking one of the add-on enhancements, such as the Special Interest Bus Tour or the Astronaut Training Experience.
South Florida
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Duval Street
Stroll this fabulous Key West street full of restaurants, shops, and activities
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Top Tours in Key West
Consistently ranked as one of the best things to do in Florida, Key West has maintained its charm over the years despite the influx of visitors. Duval Street, in particular, is one of the more delightful strips in the Sunshine State with plenty of gift shops, bars & restaurants, breweries, nightclubs, and museums.
Other activities in Key West include visiting Fort Zachary Taylor, partying on Duval Street no matter the time of day, snapping a picture at the southernmost point, and visiting the six-toed cats at the Hemingway House.
Naples Botanical Garden
Find relaxation while surrounded by plants from all over the world
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (239) 643-7275 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $20 adults, $10 children 4 – 17, free 3 and under under 13
Peace and tranquility overtake you as you stroll through the 170 acres of Naples Botanical Gardens. Featuring thousands of plants from all over the world, the aroma and ambiance will send you into a perpetual state of relaxation before heading to the beach for an epic Naples’ sunset.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Experience opulence at this Miami mansion
📍 Google Maps | Phone: 305-250-9133 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 4: 30 pm Wed – Mon, Closed Tuesdays | Entrance: $25 adults, $10 for 12 and under
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a national historic landmark and one of the more enchanting things to do in Florida. Built in 1912, the opulent mansion was once the home of businessman James Deering of the Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune.
But the real beauty of Vizcaya is the surroundings. A conservationist, Deering built his villa directly on Florida’s second-largest national park, Biscayne Bay. The backdrop is one of lush greenery, beaming sunrises, and turquoise waters.
💸 Want to do more for less? The Miami Go Pass includes options for admission into Vizcaya Museum along with many other Southern Florida attractions.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Set sail at the southernmost point in Key West
📍 Google Maps | Phone: 305-242-7700 | Website | 👉 Sail to Dry Tortugas National Park
After your snapshot at the southernmost point in Key West, head to the docks and hop aboard a vessel bound for one of the coolest national parks in the US: Dry Tortugas National Park.
Situated 70 miles west of Key West, Dry Tortugas is home to Fort Jefferson, a Civil War-era military structure with a dark history only accessible by boat. It’s one of the most unique things to do in South Florida.
Because of its remoteness, Dry Tortugas National Park has maintained an incredible underwater landscape with some of the healthiest coral reefs in the western hemisphere.
Sanibel Island
Go shelling on this southwest Florida island
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Book a Great Hotel on Sanibel Island
Sea shelling by the seashore is one of the most popular things to do in Florida for anyone who visits. The best shelling destination? Sanibel Island in Southwest Florida is one of them. It’s not uncommon to find whole conch shells, sand dollars, and other pristine souvenirs from the ocean.
Rookery Bay
Roost with the locals at this nature center in Naples, Florida
📍 Google Maps | Phone: 239-530-5940 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily, Closed Sundays | Entrance: $8 adults, $5 children 6 to 12, free 5 and under
As the name suggests, Rookery Bay is a fantastic destination for birders and nature lovers. It’s common to see birds of prey like osprey, bald eagles, and hawks; coastal water birds like herons, anhingas, and ibises; and beach-nesting birds like black skimmers and Least Terns.
For those not entirely interested in the birds, the nature center offers kayak and boat tours where you can learn about the importance of estuary environments, spot manatees, dolphins, alligators, and even some crocodiles.
Lion Country Safari
Take the whole family on a drive-through safari in Loxahatchee, West Palm Beach
📍 Google Maps | Phone: 561-793-1084 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5:30 pm daily | Entrance: $29 – $35
A trip to the zoo pales in comparison after departing on a drive through Lion Country Safari in West Palm Beach. The whole family will be elated as you motor through the winding roads spotting lions, rhinos, antelope, tropical birds, and zebra. Just keep your windows up, or don’t, as the giraffes like to see what snacks you’re hiding in your car.
Venetian Pool in Coral Gables
Float in pools carved from fossilized coral in Coral Gables, Florida
📍 Google Maps | Phone: 305-460-5306 | Website | Hours: Varies by Season, call for hours | Entrance: $21 adults, $16 under 13
Carved into the ancient coral bedrock of Florida, the Venetian Pool in Coral Gables is an aquatic facility like no other. Much of the fossilized coral excavated was used for the surrounding structures and the 820,000 gallons of water in the pool are directly sourced from the underlying Aquifer. In the spring and summer seasons, the pool is drained and filled every day with fresh, naturally sourced water!
Wynwood Walls
Tour this fabulous collection of art in Miami
📍 Google Maps | Phone: 305-576-3334 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 7 pm Mon-Thurs, 11 am – 8 pm Fri, 10 am – 8 pm Sat, 10 am – 7 pm Sun | Entrance: $10 adults, free 12 and under | 👉 Search the Best Wynwood Art Tours
A once forgotten corner of Miami is now a thriving entertainment district filled with newly developed breweries, coffee shops, bars, nightclubs, and tons of fun and unique things to do – including marveling at magnificent street art.
The Wynwood Walls, in particular, is the finest collection of art in the neighborhood with its vibrancy perfectly encapsulating the cultural influences of Miami. Touring the walls will take you along beautifully painted alleyways, gardens, and galleries.
👉 Want Even More South Florida Activities? Check out Andrew’s complete list of the best things to do in South Florida.
Central Florida
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Busch Gardens
Go wild at this Tampa Bay garden and theme park
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (813) 884-4386 | Website | Hours: vary by season | Entrance: starting at $90 for adults
Busch Gardens is a fun theme park and Tampa Bay attraction that blends thrilling roller coasters and wild animals. When you add in all the food and drink options, they’ve made my perfect destination. There are more than enough activities and attractions to fill an entire day, so plan to spend an entire day at the theme park.
🛎️ Need a Hotel? The Hampton Inn & Suites is located right across the street from the Busch Gardens amusement park.
Daytona Beach
Drive your car through the sand on Florida’s Atlantic Coast
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Daytona Beach Activities
Daytona Beach is synonymous with spring break in Florida and for good reason. This is one of the few beaches where you can actually drive your car through the sand and park with a view of the Atlantic Ocean. Also, NASCAR fans will love visiting the Daytona International Speedway.
📚 Related Reading: Daytona Beach is one of my favorite day trips near Orlando, but check out my complete post for more of my favorite Orlando-area excursions!
The Dali Museum
Get surreal at this St. Petersburg, Florida museum
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (727) 823-3767 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Friday-Wednesday, 10 am – 8 pm Thursday | Entrance: $25 adults, $18 ages 13-17, $10 ages 6-12
Step right into a surrealist painting when you visit the Salvador Dali Museum. In addition to the works by its namesake, the Salvador Dali Museum also features exhibits from other surrealist artists and photographers. The Dali uses technology, like augmented reality and artificial intelligence, to enhance the art and offer unique experiences for the visitors.
👉 Pro Tip: Complete your day in St. Pete by heading up the road to get some sunshine and explore the Sunken Gardens.
Indian River Oyster Company
Rent or bring your own kayak to the Indian River Lagoon in New Smyrna Beach
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (386) 402-0492 | Website | Tours: starting at $25
The BYOK (bring your own kayak) tour at the IROC oyster farm is a hidden treasure that locals love. This special experience takes place on select dates in the Indian River Lagoon in New Smyrna Beach.
In addition to the paddle through the lagoon, where you can see dolphins and manatees, you get to support a local business and try some tasty oysters straight from the water.
👉 Pro Tip: While the tour is usually BYOK, they do offer kayak rentals for an additional fee. Just request a rental when you make your reservation.
Gasparilla Pirate Festival
Walk the plank at this annual Tampa Bay festival
📍 Google Maps | Website | Admission: Free event
Every year, there is a pirate invasion in Tampa Bay! The Gasparilla Pirate Festival has been taking place on the last Saturday of January for more than a century.
The event begins on the water, where the pirates and hundreds of boats “capture” the city from the mayor. The victory is then celebrated with a pirate parade where Mardi Gras-style beads are thrown out into the crowd.
The weekend before Gasparilla, a children’s event is held that is alcohol-free and features a spectacular fireworks show.
MOTE Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Support marine conservation at this Sarasota aquarium
📍 Google Maps | Phone: 941-388-4441 | Website | Hours: 9:30 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $24 adults, $18 children 3 to 12, free under 2
MOTE Marine Lab in Sarasota is amongst the most impressive aquariums and one of the best things to do in Florida. With touch-tanks, interactive exhibits, and one massive aquarium, the entire family will find something to their liking.
And the best part is all proceeds directly fund marine conservation efforts throughout the Sunshine State!
Homosassa
Dive for scallops in Citrus County
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Homosassa Tours
Scallop season in Homosassa and the surrounding area is from July 1 – September 24. You can book a tour or rent a boat to go scalloping. The local guide or rental company can advise you on where to head to find the best catch.
The fun begins when you anchor by the seagrass beds. After a deep breath, you’re on an underwater scavenger hunt through the grass.
There are lots of locations along the gulf coast where you can go scalloping, but I always recommend Homosassa because it has a real Florida feel and fewer tourists!
👉 Pro Tip: Before you head out, know the regulations around how many scallops you can harvest and purchase your saltwater fishing license. When in the water, you are required to post a dive flag, even if you are just snorkeling or free-diving.
Walk the Tightrope at The Ringling
Walk the tightrope at this museum compound in Sarasota
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (941) 359-5700 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Fri-Wed, 10 am – 8 pm Thurs | Entrance: $25 adults, $5 ages 6-17 | 👉 Nearby Hotels
The Ringling is a compound of museums located at the old winter home of the circus magnate. This beautiful property includes the Ringling Museum of Art, the Circus Museum, and expansive botanical gardens along Sarasota Bay. For an added fee, you can tour Ca’ d’Zan, the Venetian mansion that the Ringlings called home.
👉 Pro Tip: It would be a shame to be in Sarasota without visiting one of the breathtaking beaches. Luckily, Anna Maria Island, Siesta Key, and Lido Key are all a short drive from The Ringling Museum.
Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs
Walk the docks in this central gulf coast city
📍 Google Maps | Website
One of the most interesting things to do in Florida is exploring the sponge docks in Tarpon Springs. Located just 30 minutes north of Clearwater Beach, this area was settled by Greek immigrants who made a living diving for sea sponges.
The community celebrates its Greek heritage with delectable cuisine, historical education centers, and plenty of sponge boats to see. Don’t miss Spongeorama, a shop with shells, sponges, and bath products.
👉 Want more things to do in Central Florida? Read our full list of all the best Central Florida activities!
North Florida
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St. Augustine
Discover the history of the oldest city in Florida
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Local Tours
St. Augustine is not only the oldest city in Florida, but it is also the oldest city in the United States. The main attraction is exploring the historical locations, like the oldest wooden schoolhouse and the old jail.
Once in the city, it is hard to miss the oldest masonry fort in the county, the Castillo de San Marcos. There are free tours and programs to teach you what life was like around this national monument in the 1700s.
🚗 How to Get Around: The Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour takes the stress out of transportation and allows you to explore all the sites at your leisure.
Florida Caverns State Park
Go underground at this Florida panhandle park
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (850) 482-1228 | Website | Hours: 8 am – sundown daily | Entrance: $5 per vehicle | 👉 Browse Nearby Hotels
Florida Caverns Park has some of the only caves in Florida that can be explored. The park is located in Marianna in the Florida panhandle (approximately 1 hour from Panama City). Get there early to reserve your spot in one of the tours of the limestone caves.
The caves are the main attraction, but you can also enjoy kayaking, swimming, and hiking in the park.
UF’s Bat Houses
Watch the bats emerge at the University of Florida in Gainesville
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 6 pm – 9 pm daily
On calm, warm evenings, an estimated half of a million bats emerge at twilight from the University of Florida’s bat houses. The emergence lasts for 15 – 20 minutes as the bats blanket the evening sky while swooping amongst viewers to capture nearby insects. Plan your viewing for the spring or summer seasons, when days are increasing in length and the air is consistently warm.
Ocala National Forest
Swim the springs in this forest just north of Orlando
📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 8 am – 8 pm daily | Entrance: $7-10 per person | 👉 Browse Nearby Hotels
The Ocala National Forest covers over 600 square miles of protected wilderness and has many hiking trails and recreation areas. However, I think the best way to enjoy the area is by taking a dip in one of the natural springs, especially on a hot Florida day.
Alexander Springs, Silver Glen Springs, Juniper Springs, and Salt Springs all offer cool and refreshing swimming areas where the fresh spring water flows up from the aquifer. A day at the springs is a Florida classic.
Ichetucknee River
Grab a tube and have a lazy float down this north-central Florida river
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (386) 497-4690 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 7:45 pm daily | Entrance: $6 per vehicle
Ichetucknee is a group of springs that feed into a small river. Since the 72-degree water is always flowing from the headspring, you can hop in a tube and enjoy the natural lazy river.
Since there are multiple entrances and take-out points, you can decide how long you want your float to be. Starting at the North Entrance and exiting at the South Take Out will give you the longest trip: over 3.5 hours.
👉 Pro Tip: If you rent your tubes from an outside vendor, get a double tube for each person. Especially for larger adults, this gives you more options than just squeezing into a single tube for the entire float.
Fun & Unique
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Weeki Wachee Mermaids
Meet mermaids at this Hernando County spring
📍 Google Maps | Phone: (352) 610-5660 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5:30 pm daily | Entrance: $13 adults, $8 ages 6-12
Weeki Wachee is yet another natural Florida spring, but this one is a little different. This is one of the coolest things to do in Florida because you can see a live mermaid show! Kids love to watch the mermaids swim around and take photos.
Another reason why Weeki Wachee is a great destination for families is the water park. The entire can enjoy the slides and rides. Weeki Wachee also offers traditional recreation activities at the springs, like kayak rentals, hiking, and swimming.
Devil’s Den
Descend below the surface at this gorgeous Gainesville spring
📍 Google Maps | Phone: 352-528-3344 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4:30 pm Mon – Thurs, 8 am – 5 pm Fri – Sun | Entrance: $15 per person, price increases depending on activity
Reminiscent of the cenotes in Mexico, Devil’s Den near Gainesville is a Mecca for inland scuba diving and snorkeling in Florida. The scene is otherworldly as you swim around the underground spring with stalactites dangling above your head like icicles. Take a deep breath and plunge below the surface to catch a glimpse of an ancient coral reef embedded with fossils from a storied past.
👉Pro Tip: Devil’s Den can get overcrowded, so we recommend visiting during the offseason or the middle of the week, if possible.
Peace River Fossil Hunting
Hunt for fossils on the unique Peace River shoreline
📍 Google Maps | Website
With its unique geological history and high concentrations of phosphate, south-central Florida is home to the most peculiar fossil hunting in the world.
As you paddle the Peace River near the town of Arcadia, you’ll hop out of your canoe/kayak to sift through the sand and discover lost fragments of ancient animals. Common fossils discovered along the Peace River are shark teeth, stingray jaws & barbed tails, manatee & dugong ribs, and even mastodon tusks.
Rocket Launches
Cape Canaveral is the perfect location to sit back and watch rockets launch up into the sky
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Local Hotels
You can visit all the top Florida attractions and amusement parks, but I would bet that watching a rocket launch would be the coolest part of your vacation. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that is unlike anything else.
Kennedy Space Center offers packages for certain launches, but you can view the launch from any of the surrounding areas. I recommend going to Jetty Park in Cape Canaveral for a great view from the beach.
👉 Pro Tip: The launch schedule is always tentative and dependent on weather. If you are traveling to the area specifically to see a launch, I recommend booking a few extra days after the scheduled date, just in case there is a delay.
Crystal River Manatees
Swim with Manatees in this central Florida coastal city
📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Snorkel With Manatees in Crystal River
Every winter, ocean temperatures plummet, rendering the water too cold for manatees. To escape the cold, these large mammals migrate up into Crystal River, a natural spring-fed oasis continuously emitting water at 72°F. Finding the temperature just right, manatees huddle around the source of the spring by the hundreds. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience one of the coolest things to do in Florida: snorkeling with manatees!
Video: Things to Do in Florida
Don’t miss Katie’s video, where she rounds up her favorite 12 things to do in Florida on this list:
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Thanks for reading our favorite things to do in Florida! For more great Florida content, check out this list of the best places to visit in Florida.
Editor’s Note: Andrew Bloem contributed to this article.
