Florida is the ideal place to fulfill your dream holiday.
Suggesting what to see in Florida ain’t easy: the answer is EVERYTHING!
Nice temperatures. Wonderful beaches. Amazing natural landscapes. Family-friendly theme parks (that kids will adore). Scientific, historic and art museums.
All these ingredients together make Florida the perfect holiday destination, no matter if you are traveling with your family, with your partner, with a group of friends or even on your own.
Having so many things to do in Florida, the only way is to choose on the basis of your tastes and interests, since you will be spoilt for choice.
We are going to provide here an overview with some of the coolest places to visit in Florida, from the South to the North.
Things to Do in South Florida
Some of the most important attractions of the whole country can be found here.
Miami and Miami Beach (connected by some bridges) are a must among the best places to visit in Florida (better not in summer though, due to heavy rain and the risk of hurricanes).
Miami is located at Florida’s southeastern tip. The popular beaches are south, whereas the swamp area is west. The city is worth a visit. Go see downtown Miami along Flager Street and enjoy a tour on the panoramic Metromover, an elevated tube system over Miami downtown, in the middle of the skyscrapers.
Visit the Miami Art Museum, the Children’s Museum, the Wynwood Art District and Vizcaya Villa Museum and Gardens.
Stop over the historic neighborhood of Coconut Grove, where jazz music reigns, and experience the colorful, lively and scented Little Haiti and Little Havana, that also hosts the Museum of Science. If you travel with your children, they will be happy to explore the famous Miami Zoo and Miami Sea Aquarium.
Have a look here if you decide to find a hotel in Miami.
Key Biscayne, connected to Miami by the elevated Rickenbacker Causeway, is the first of the Atlantic barrier islands. Here you can find one of the most panoramic views of the area, from Cape Florida old lighthouse, and one of the most beautiful beaches in the surroundings, Crandon Beach.
Miami beach, located on a barrier island between Biscayne Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, offers 35 miles of wonderful coastline from South Beach to Sunny Isles.
If you are looking for relax and sun, palms, white sand, blue waters and nightlife, Miami Beach is the right place for you and offers a large choice of hotels.
South Beach is the most famous area, the place we dreamed of while watching Miami Vice.
You will admire the wonderful buildings along the Art Déco District, enjoy the landscape from South Pointe Park and experience the vitality of Ocean Drive‘s pubs, restaurants and nightclubs.
You cannot miss a tour of the tropical forests in the Everglades National Park. Located in the southernmost tip of Florida, this incredible swamp area, rich in fauna and vegetation, is worth a challenge with the mosquitoes (the best moment to visit it is between October and April).
Florida Keys and Key West
Florida Keys are an archipelago of 1700 tropical islands, south of Florida’s tip, surrounded by the coral reef. It is a paradise for diving and snorkeling lovers.
Key West is the main city island, where Ernest Hemingway used to live (you can visit his home and the museum), and where you can find some of Florida best beaches.
Check out our Florida hotels in Key West.
Some islands are connected to the mainland by routes and bridges over the ocean, that will make you feel suspended on the water.
Attractions in Orlando, Central Florida
The city of Orlando is probably the best choice if you are traveling with your children and want to grant their wishes, since there are some of the best theme parks in the world.
Among the best attractions and things to do in Orlando, you should visit:
- Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure)
- the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
- the water parks of Sea World
- Aquatica and Discovery Cove, where you have the chance to swim with incredible marine creatures.
If science fascinates you, don’t miss the Orlando Science Center. A can’t-miss place for science and outer space fans is of course the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, located east of Orlando. Legoland, on the way from Orlando to Tampa (placed west of the country), is another paradise for children.
If you need a hotel in Orlando, that’s our business 🙂
Things to Do in Tampa and Around
Tampa too is a family-friendly area. This city hosts the wonderful Florida Aquarium and the Lowry Park Zoo. Moreover, the Tampa Bay area boasts some of the best beaches, mainly those in Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Still focusing on Florida best beaches, going south of Tampa, there is the famous Naples Beach, whereas south of Orlando, Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale beaches are certainly a must if you want to experience the most beautiful seashores of the country.
For accomodations, take a look at our page.
North Florida and Tallahassee
If you are in the northern area of the state, Destin Beach, on the Gulf of Mexico, is a must since it is considered one of the top 5 Florida beaches.
Tallahssee, in north central Florida, is the capital city and encloses places of interests such as the Museum of Florida History and St. Marks National Wildlife nature reserve.
We have a good selection of hotels in Tallahassee as well.
To Conclude…
As you can see, Florida provides attractions for all tastes and interests. You just have to find the right place for you and organise your holiday keeping in mind these top 5 things to do in Florida:
1. Choose and visit one of its main cities
2. Bask in the sun in one of its fantastic beaches
3. Enjoy the sunset
4. Visit one of the theme parks in Orlando at least, even if you are an adult. It is nice to become kids again, sometimes!
5. Have a tour in one of Florida natural reserves and meet its incredible vegetation and animals, such as alligators.