United States

15 Best Things to See in Florida

Florida, the US state with the most southeasterly location, is undoubtedly not a dull place. It is one of the biggest states in the US and is inhabited by a diverse range of racial and cultural groups. Situated between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, Florida is famed for its amusement parks and offers the largest selection of zoos, aquariums, theme parks, and other family attractions found in any of the US states. Despite all of its man-made beauties, Florida is also a wonderful spot for nature lovers. It offers visitors an abundance of museums, art galleries, restaurants of all types, and historical sites. For those who enjoy wildlife, the Everglades’ vast subtropical wilderness and its numerous barrier reefs are ideal. The swamplands offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close to a wild gator, and the many beaches provide a chance to witness a nesting sea turtle. The finest activities in Florida are listed below in a variety of ways:

St Augustine’s Historic District

St Augustine’s Historic District
Diego DelsoCC BY-SA 3.0

One of Florida’s oldest neighbourhoods, St. Augustine’s District is a terrific area to see some stunning architecture and intriguing historic buildings. The Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in North America, and Flagler College, built in the 19th century, are both located in the neighbourhood. The 17th-century structure is still standing today, and even if history isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy the breathtaking views of the shore from the location.

Museum of Science and Discovery

Museum of Science and Discovery
Sharon Hahn DarlinCC BY 2.0

The museum, which is one of Florida’s biggest and situated in Fort Lauderdale, receives the most tourists each year of any state in the US. The museum presents Florida-specific exhibits on topics including the operation of hurricanes and details on the Everglades National Park. Additionally, there are nine cockpit simulators where visitors can practice their flying skills.

Miami Beach

Miami Beach
Miami Beach

A must-see location for any visitors to Miami is Miami Beach, which is situated on an island connected to the Florida mainland by a number of bridges. The beach’s picture-perfect golden sand and art deco beachfront structures have made it famous. There are numerous restaurants and hotels along Ocean Drive, which stretches along the beach and is particularly popular with tourists.

Duval Street in Key West

lorida Keys–Public Librarie, CC BY 2.0

At the end of the chain of Key West islands, there is a street called Duval Street that is most renowned for its Caribbean beauty and beautifully restored historic buildings. A quick stroll down the street is inexpensive, enjoyable, and memorable. The atmosphere is always buzzing at the many restaurants and bars that line the street, and there are also many interesting shops to be found on the street.

Salvador Dali Museum

Salvador Dali Museum

Located in St Petersburg, the Salvador Dali museum is housed in a suitably odd-looking building that somewhat resembles a glass sphere partially protruding from a box. Even those with only a passing interest in art and sculpture will find the museum to be a fascinating source of information on Dali’s life and work.

Universal Studios

Universal Studios
Universal Studios

One of the most well-known amusement parks in the United States is Universal Studios in Orlando, which doubles as a working film and television studio. The theme park, often known as Universal Orlando, features a variety of attractions that are themed after and inspired by Universal Pictures movies. The park offers a great variety of rides for all kinds of adventurers, as well as live entertainment, shopping, and dining options.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park

The Everglades is the second-largest national park in the US, second only to Yellowstone, and was established in 1947 as a result of petitioning environmentalists’ success in persuading officials that the region was unique. Its 1.5 million acres are made up of subtropical swamps and marshes. The river in this area, which originates from Lake Okeechobee, offers the ideal habitat for species like otters, turtles, crocodiles, and even panthers. The park’s moist environment makes it a fantastic place for boat tours to see wildlife.

Kennedy Space Centre

Kennedy Space Centre
Kennedy Space Centre

The majority of the most significant space shuttle launches in American history have taken place at the 140,000-acre Kennedy Space Centre. By taking a bus around the sizable complex and touring the different exhibits and displays in the Kennedy Space Centre Visitor Centre, visitors have the option of saving their legs. Tickets are available to see some rocket launches at the location, which is still one of the most significant in the world.

Dry Tortugas National Park

uggyBearL, CC BY 2.0

Most visitors get to the island by boat from Key West, since it cannot be reached by car. The spectacular and imposing Fort Jefferson, which was constructed in the 1800s by the US government, can be found at Dry Tortugas. The park is wonderful for snorkelling and relaxing on the beach because of the stunning reef islands that are located there.

Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World

Of all the tourist destinations in Florida, Walt Disney World is the most well-liked. The enormous theme park provides a glimpse of the universally renowned Disney magic. Both adults and families may find something to enjoy at Walt Disney World. Thrill rides such as the legendary Space Mountain keep things interesting for grown-ups, while kids have the chance to meet all their favourite Disney characters. The interesting (and free) Fastpass Plus system allows guests to skip the queues on certain rides, which can be selected up to 30 days in advance.

Busch Gardens Tampa

Busch Gardens Tampa
FirstDrop87, CC BY-SA 4.0

Busch Gardens is a safari park that gives guests the chance to get up close and personal with a variety of fascinating creatures. It is one of the most well-liked attractions in the Tampa area. SheiKra, a floorless roller coaster with a 200-foot vertical drop, is one of the park’s most well-known thrill rides. Tickets for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and multi-park options are available online.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Vizcaya Museum

Housed in the stunning former estate of wealthy businessman James Deering, the Vizcaya Museum is home to over 2,500 pieces of art and ten acres of formal gardens. Over 200,000 people visit the museum each year, and it has long acted as a diplomatic venue for dignitaries like the Kings of Spain and the United Kingdom. The villa and gardens still have a lot of their original features despite having a lot of visitors each year.

Daytona 500

Daytona 500
Daytona 500

The Daytona 500 race is legendary and largely recognised as one of the most significant in the Nascar Cup Series. The event, which takes place at Daytona National Speedway, kicks off the racing season in February. Races were usually staged on the sand of Daytona Beach before the Speedway was built in 1959. Online booking: NASCAR Daytona 500 Race Tickets

International Drive

International Drive
Gabriel VansletteCC BY 3.0

I-Drive (Orlando), an 11-mile stretch of road, is the city’s primary tourist area. Along the thoroughfare, visitors will find attractions such as restaurants, bars, live entertainment, shopping, golf, helicopter tours, and a wax museum, to name only a few. Everyone may find something to enjoy among the many activities available on the International Drive.

Coral Castle

Coral Castle

A single individual, Edward Leedskalnin, created this stone sculpture between 1923 and 1951. Edward’s astounding effort involved moving more than 1,100 tonnes of stone by himself. Since the castle was built at night and in the shadows, Ed’s construction techniques are still up for debate among scientists and architects. The castle is accessible every day, and the sculpture’s mystery makes a trip there worthwhile.