We found 20 Cool Places to Visit in Florida

places to visit in florida

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We have found the 20 most beautiful places to visit in Florida and its surroundings ⭐ Discover what you can do in Florida and what tourist attractions you can visit if you arrive in the beautiful state.

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Florida, the southeastern most state in the U.S., is the only state that borders both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean.

The capital is Tallahassee and the state is famous for its amusement parks, famous beaches, historical cities, and endless natural and man-made attractions.

North Florida has an unbelievable mix of woodlands and emerald seashores to explore. South Florida offers a world of stunning beaches and coastal towns.

Travel the back roads of central Florida you’re sure to come upon classic diners, great flea markets, fruit and vegetable stands, and red brick court houses.

Our TOP contains 20 unique attractions to visit in Florida, and even they are spread across the state, we assure you it is worth to travel a bit.

We hope you will enjoy this article. Have fun exploring the Sunshine State!

Top 20 Best Places to visit in Florida

Tallahassee

Tallahassee is the capital city of the state of Florida and the largest city in the Florida Big Bend and Florida Panhandle region.

With its museums, parks, art galleries, a natural-habitat zoo – Tallahassee will surprise you. Some of the state’s most fascinating cultural history can be found here, including Florida’s early Spanish Colonial and native American history. Book accommodation in the area

You’ll also find great restaurants, breweries, culture, and a vibrant community of local artisans.

Take time to visit: Tallahassee museum – open-air natural zoo featuring native wildlife from North Florida; Museum of Florida History; St. Marks Lighthouse – a 80-foot tower with a giant reflector lens, Railroad Square Art Park – Tallahassee’s arts, culture and entertainment district or the Tallahassee Automobile Museum.

Miami

Miami, officially the City of Miami, is a major city and coastal metropolis located in southeastern Florida.

It is the second-most populous city in Florida and a major center and leader in finance, commerce, culture, arts, and international trade.

Known for its nightlife, warm weather and beautiful beaches, there is no way you can never go wrong when visiting one of the most popular destinations in the world. Book accommodation in the area

things to do in florida

Furthermore, Miami is a beautiful destination with a wide range of exciting activities and a lot of unique places to visit. Go kayaking, canoeing or stand-up paddle boarding at Oleta River State Park, Deering Estate or Crandon Park. Visit the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Biscayne Nature Center to see its dunes, mangroves and seagrass beds. Sail through Biscayne National Park, which is 95% underwater and includes the Florida Reef, the only living coral barrier reef in the United States and one of the largest in the world.

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Take time to explore its art galleries, wander past its mind-blowing street art, spend an afternoon at The Bass or the Pérez Art Museum Miami (PAMM), visit the local Art Deco architecture in South Beach’s Art Deco District, Zoo Miami, the Venetian Pool, Miami Seaquarium, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science.

Some of the most popular beaches are: Lummus Park Beach, Bal Harbour Beach; South Pointe Park Pier; Surfside Beach; Sunny Isles Beach. South Beach and North Beach.

The town of Jupiter

Jupiter is the northernmost town in Palm Beach County, Florida, and a great place where you can experience beautiful beaches, luxury amenities and an easygoing lifestyle.

the town of jupiter - visit florida

The town offers a lot of activities and nice places to visit. The tourist can choose to hike or bike the many park and beach trails, paddle a kayak along the Loxahatchee River, climb the Jupiter Lighthouse for the view, visit Downtown Abacoa with its specialty shops, sidewalk dining or stop by Dubois Park, with more than 1,200 feet of tropical palm-lined beach, playgrounds and picnic pavilions.

For beach lovers, popular places to sun and fun include Jupiter Beach Park, Juno Beach Park and Blowing Rocks Beach on Jupiter Island. Book accommodation in the area

Note that, celebrities like singer Celine Dion and actor Burt Reynolds own homes in Jupiter.

Boca Raton, Florida

Boca Raton is a very dynamic city in Palm Beach County, Florida, situated at 45 miles (72 km) north of Miami. The city is home to the main campus of Florida Atlantic University and Boca Town Center is the largest indoor mall in Palm Beach County.

boca raton - best places in florida

Boca Raton has exceptional attractions, shopping, fantastic events, and beaches. It is the perfect place to experience a balance of natural beauty and cultural attractions, exciting events and sun-kissed leisure. Book accommodation in the area

Some of the most popular attraction are: Boca Raton Museum of Art, Mizner Park Amphitheater, Boca Raton History Museum, Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, Spanish River Park, Coconut Cove Waterpark or Daggerwing Nature Center.

Universal Orlando, Florida

Universal Orlando Resort, commonly known as Universal Orlando or simply Universal, is an American theme park and entertainment resort complex based in Orlando, Florida.

It is the second-largest resort in Greater Orlando, after nearby Walt Disney World Resort and covers 541 acres of land. Book accommodation in the area

things to to in florida - Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando is one of the most visited resorts in the world and consists of 3 theme parks, 8 resort hotels and so many attractions, dining and entertainment experiences.
Immerse yourself in the next generation of blockbuster entertainment at Universal Studios Florida, where cutting-edge rides, shows and attractions bring your favorite movies, television and more to life at Universal Orlando Resort.

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There’s a lot of animated fun to be had at Universal Studios, too, starting with Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Shrek 4-D and Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster, among other thinks.

Plaza de la Constitución St. Augustine

Located in the heart of historic St. Augustine, the Plaza de la Constitución is the oldest public space in America. Laid out by Spanish Royal Ordinances in 1573, it has been, and still remains, a social gathering place and venue for special events in the center of St. Augustine’s Historic District.

attractions florida

The Plaza faces the Bridge of Lions and features a central pavilion used for city events, private events, and live entertainment. There is also a public market that has been in use since the 1500s, when fish, vegetables, and other goods were traded here.

Visitors can enjoy local events like the summer Concerts in the Plaza series and the Nights of Lights during the holidays. The plaza is surrounded by large cannons which make for a fun vacation photo.

Panama City

Panama City is the largest city between Tallahassee and Pensacola. Panama is the isthmus connecting Central America and South America, and offers access to both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.

Panama’s Pacific coastline offers many beaches, ranging from calm waters to the best surfing destinations where tides change frequently. You’ll find both black sand and pearl-white sand beaches here, as well. Book accommodation in the area

Panama City - things to do in florida

Panama City Beach has 27-miles of beautiful beaches to choose from. Some of Panama’s most beautiful islands are the San Blas Islands and the Bocas Del Toro archipelago, most of which are uninhabited.

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Panama City it is also a four-season paradise for water sports enthusiasts. Kayaking, paddle boarding, sailing and kite – boarding are popular activities on the crystal-blue waters of St. Andrews Bay.

Everglades National Park Florida

The Florida Everglades is the second largest national park in the USA encompassing millions of acres of subtropical marshes and swamp. Everglades National Park was the first created to protect a fragile ecosystem.

Everglades National Park Florida

More than a million people visit this unique International Biosphere Reserve every year. The busiest season for visitors is from December to March, when temperatures are lowest.

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Whether you visit in the dry season (November through March) or the wet season (April through October), you’ll be enchanted by the beauty and diversity of this wetland park.

The Everglades is a birder’s delight, with more than 360 species including the snowy egret, limpkin and roseate spoonbill. Snook, snapper and tarpon are among 70 types of fish in the park’s waters.

You’re nearly guaranteed to spot alligators basking on the water’s edge. Walking trails as well as kayak and canoe rentals encourage leisurely exploration.

If you plan to spend the night, several campgrounds offer welcoming spots to rest.
With such a dynamic ecosystem, tourist would see something different every time.

Ringling Museum, Florida

One of the coolest things to do in Florida includes the Ringling Museum in Sarasota.

The Ringling, the State Art Museum of Florida, is home to one of the preeminent art and cultural collections in the United States. Here, the tourists can explore the 66 acre estate of John and Mable Ringling which also includes the Circus Museum, Ca’ d’Zan, The Historic Asolo Theater, Bayfront Gardens and more.

Ringling Museum, Florida

The Ringling Art Library is one of the largest art reference libraries in the southeastern United States. The collection of nearly 90,000 volumes includes some 800 books originally owned by John Ringling himself and the collection of the Ringling’s first director, A. Everett Austin, Jr. The collection covers the 16th-21st centuries and topics like fine and decorative art, art history, architecture, fashion, and theater.

There are certainly plenty of things to do during your visit to the Ringling Museum complex. The museum frequently hosts special events including guided walking tours of the Bayfront Gardens, live music evenings, dancing and wine tasting events.

Things to Do in Florida

Walt Disney World, Florida

The Walt Disney World Resort, also called Walt Disney World or simply Disney World, is an entertainment resort complex in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, near the cities of Orlando and Kissimmee. Book accommodation in the area

Walt Disney World, Florida

The resort covers nearly 25,000 acres and comprises four theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom), two water parks (Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon), several golf courses, a camping resort, and other entertainment venues, including the outdoor shopping center Disney Springs.

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Disney is one of the best things to do in Florida with kids, but even adults can have a magical time. It offers some of Disney’s most iconic attractions, magical encounters with beloved Disney characters, and special seasonal events.

Visitors can also experience an intergalactic, family-friendly chase through time and space courtesy of Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind.

Kennedy Space Center

The John F. Kennedy Space Center (KSC, originally known as the NASA Launch Operations Center), located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) ten field centers.

Kennedy Space Center Florida

At the space center, visitors can meet an astronaut, see the Space Shuttle Atlantis, go through the U.S. astronaut hall of fame, and visit the rocket garden.

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This center lets visitors get an up-close and hands-on view of humans in space. From exploring NASA’s space shuttle program to discovering more about upcoming space exploration, the Kennedy Space Center is educational and fun.

Devil’s Den Spring

Located in Williston, Florida, Devil’s Den is one of Florida’s premier pre-historic springs and it is home to one of the most unique diving spots in the United States.

Devil’s Den is formed by a karst window, in which the roof over a subterranean river has collapsed, exposing the water to the open surface.

Devil's Den Spring - places to visit in florida

The spring of Devil’s Den is 120 feet in diameter and averages 72 degrees year round. With a depth of 54 feet, many people come here to snorkel, scuba dive, and even rent a cabin.

Recreationally, there are huge cabanas, charcoal grills, pavilions, lawn games, and a heated swimming pool, therefore this place is full of things you will enjoy!

Butterfly World

Located in Coconut Creek, Florida, Butterfly World is the largest butterfly park in the world, and the first park of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Opening in 1988, this facility houses 20,000 live butterflies across 3 acres.

Butterfly World Florida

Other highlights include Vine Maze, Butterfly Museum and Insectarium, Live Bug Zoo, Lorikeet Encounter where you can hand-feed small parrots, Swinging Suspension Bridge, Botanical Gardens, Gift and Plant Shop, Outdoor Cafés and more.

Butterfly World is a charming, colorful and exciting experience for the whole family.

Naples Botanical Garden

Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre (69 ha) botanical garden located in Naples, Florida.

The garden features the plants and cultures of the tropics and subtropics between the latitudes of 26 degrees North and 26 degrees South including Brazil, the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Florida. Book accommodation in the area

Naples Botanical Garden Florida

The Garden also offers 90 acres of beautifully restored natural habitats and walking trails offer educational entertainment and enjoyment for people of all ages.

Visitors can experience a full day of fun at Naples Botanical Garden. Naples Botanical Garden offers educational and interactive programs, hands-on activities, and fun events that the entire family will enjoy.

The garden is a certified Center For Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD) Autism-Friendly venue. It offers pre-visit guides listing sensory and behavior considerations for visitors with autism spectrum disorder and other sensory processing or cognitive impairments.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Located 70 miles off the coast of Key West, Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the most unique destinations in the entire U.S. It combines history and a pristine marine ecosystem into one unforgettable experience.

Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known the world over as the home of magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area. Book accommodation in the area

Dry Tortugas National Park Florida - things to do

Situated in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the park is home to one of the most well-preserved coral reefs in Florida, and visitors can catch a glimpse of them by diving and snorkeling in designated areas. Dozens of species can be found here, including sea turtles, octopus, squid, small sharks, coral lobsters, and a stunning array of fish.

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The park is also a popular destination for saltwater fishing. Anglers will find fishing off the Dry Tortugas to be a memorable experience, but be sure to review the National Park Service’s regulations before embarking.

Places to Visit in Florida

Sunshine Skyway Bridge

The Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge, often referred to as the Sunshine Skyway Bridge or the Sunshine Skyway, is considered the flagship bridge of Florida and serves as a gateway to Tampa Bay.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge Florida

It is considered to be the longest cable stayed concrete bridge in the world. This iconic Florida bridge is a testament to humankind’s architectural prowess and mother nature’s sheer beauty.

If you plan to travel to Tampa, then you shouldn’t miss the chance to be impressed by this architectural wonder and the amazing views of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico it provides.

Henderson Beach State Park

Henderson Beach State Park is a Florida State Park located near Destin, in northwestern Florida.

This protected strip of the Emerald Coast isn’t just for relaxation. Fishing, a nature trail and 60 campsites connected to the beach via boardwalk are among this park’s featured areas.

Henderson Beach State Park Florida

This special place was established for the preservation and protection of the area’s natural features and public enjoyment, the last remaining coastal scrub area in Destin. The park also provides beautiful campsites, and it’s a great place for events like weddings and family reunions.

In the water, pods of dolphins can sometimes be seen swimming off shore, hunting for fish. There’s a large variety of fish species that can be found offshore, including whiting, catfish and pompano. Loggerhead and green sea turtles swim in the Gulf as well, coming ashore during the breeding season to lay their eggs in holes under the sand.

Islamorada, Florida

Islamorada (also sometimes Islas Morada) is an incorporated village in Monroe County, Florida.

It is located directly between Miami and Key West on five islands—Tea Table Key, Lower Matecumbe Key, Upper Matecumbe Key, Windley Key and Plantation Key—in the Florida Keys.

Islamorada - what to visit in Florida

Within Islamorada, there are 64 canals, totaling approximately 24 miles. Being so close to the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, and Florida Bay it has been dubbed the “Sport-Fishing Capital of the World.

Backwater fishing, saltwater fly fishing, and trophy fishing for blue marlin are just a few of the fishing experiences here.

Islamorada is a paradise your family will love to explore by land and by sea.
The Theater of the Sea features dolphin encounters; exhibits at the History of Diving Museum include a 16th-century treasure chest; Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park has tropical forest; Indian Key Historic State Park is a tiny island with 1800s ruins. Book accommodation in the area

Dali Museum Florida

The Salvador Dalí Museum is an art museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, dedicated to the works of Salvador Dalí. The museum boasts the world’s second most extensive collection of his work, with over 2,400 works of the famous artist.

The museum structure features a large glass entryway and skylight made of 1.5-inch (38 mm) thick glass. Referred to as the “Enigma”, the glass entryway is 75 feet (23 m) tall and encompasses a spiral staircase.

Dali Museum Florida

The remaining walls are composed of 18-inch (460 mm) thick concrete, designed to protect the collection from hurricanes which hit the region from time to time.

The museum features a variety of different events for families. Some events include performances, workshops, films, lectures, different types of fundraising, and food & drink events.

Also, guided public tours of the galleries are available to enhance your visit so you can learn all hidden messages, symbolism and history about this one-of-a-kind artist.

Ernest Hemingway Home And Museum

The Ernest Hemingway House was the residence of American writer Ernest Hemingway in the 1930s.

The house is situated on the island of Key West in Florida, close to the southern coast of the island.

Ernest Hemingway Home And Museum

Due to its association with Hemingway, the property is the most popular tourist attraction in Key West. It is also famous for its large population of so-called Hemingway cats. In fact, some of these are even the descendants of the cats owned by Hemingway himself.

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The modern home is also one of the largest in Key West with beautiful gardens around the house. Visitors can take a tour of the property and discover the impressive interiors as well as interesting details about the life of the Hemingway.