With a nickname like “the Sunshine State,” it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are plenty of Florida attractions for families to enjoy. From wildlife adventures to theme parks and more, the state is one of the best places for adults and kids alike.
In this article, we’re going to highlight five fun things to do in Florida that people of all ages can enjoy. By the time you finish reading, you’ll be ready to start planning the trip of a lifetime.
Read on to get started!
Florida is one of the best places for families to visit in the country.
5 Top Florida Attractions for Families
1. The Beaches
Many families wondering about the best places to visit in Florida are on the hunt for one thing: beaches. And you’ll be happy to know that Florida has no shortage of them!
From the rough and wavy Atlantic to the calm and peaceful Gulf of Mexico, Florida has over 360 miles of coastline to explore. While the number is doubtlessly higher, that equates to around 189 beaches, each unique and different from the last.
Choosing a beach depends on the criteria that you and your family are looking for. That said, parents will find Fort Myers, Daytona Beach, Miami Beach, Panama City Beach, and Siesta Key to be some of the best places to visit in Florida with kids. All of those destinations offer plenty of hotel and resort options, great dining, and of course, access to some of the prettiest beaches in the country.
South Beach, Miami offers some of the most fun things to do in Florida.
2. The Theme Parks
While Florida beaches may attract travelers from around the world, they’re far from the only Florida attractions for families. The theme parks in the Sunshine State are another draw for people of all ages.
The biggest theme parks are around the state’s capital, Orlando. There, you can spend weeks on end exploring some of them.
From drinking butterbeer at Diagon Alley in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to meeting princesses at Disney World, parents can plan any number of Florida vacations for their kids. Just remember that the parks tend to get busier in the high season. When that happens, prices go up as well, so it might be worth it to travel in the off-season!
3. The Wildlife
Most Americans don’t think of the United States as having particularly exotic wildlife. But Florida undoubtedly does! Because of that, families looking for the best things to do in Florida should make a point to observe the local animals.
The American alligator, the West Indian manatee, the Florida panther, and the leatherback sea turtle are some of the many animals you can spot in and around the state. As many of the state’s unique wildlife is endangered, it’s often worth it to sign up for a tour to go looking for them.
Everglades National Park houses 1.5 million acres of protected wetlands. Traveling there on a day trip is one of the best ways to spot some of the local wildlife (and to cruise around on an airboat, which is another one of the top Florida attractions for families).
Keep your eyes peeled for alligators as you cruise around the Florida Everglades!
4. The Nearby Regions
Florida may exist in a world of its own, but once you’re there, hopping over and exploring other regions is easy. And one of the best things to do in Florida is embark on Bahamas day trips by plane.
While traveling to another country might seem like a lot, it’s actually not. Bahamas Air Tours can fly you out in the morning to the Exumas on a private-class plane, ensuring that you arrive with plenty of time to make the most of the day. Then, after an afternoon of sightseeing, you’ll get flown back to Florida, where you’ll arrive in time for dinner.
So what sites will you get to see on a Miami to Bahamas day trip? Here are some of the many attractions.
The Pigs
If there’s one thing the Bahamas are famous for (besides the stunning beaches), it’s probably the Exuma pigs at Pig Island. However, despite their popularity, few people know the story of how the pigs got to their island.
No trip to Florida is complete without a day trip to the nearby Bahamas.
Years ago, farmers from a nearby island grew tired of the smells the pigs were creating, and so they decided them to bring to Big Major Cay (nicknamed Pig Island). To ensure the pigs didn’t go hungry, the farmers traveled to the island by boat to feed them. Because of that, the pigs began to associate the arrival of boats with feeding time. They now eagerly greet anyone who approaches their island home.
When you reach Pig Beach, don’t be surprised to see the pigs jump in the water to come out and greet you. As you can jump in the water and swim along with them, Bahamas day trips by plane are easily one of the top Florida attractions for families.
The Sharks
Many kids are afraid of sharks, but a Miami to Bahamas day trip is a good way to help them understand that they aren’t scary.
On the island of Compass Cay, the local marina owner befriended a school of nurse sharks. Since then, they’ve multiplied and inhabited the waters around the marina. They now serve as the perfect spot to get up close and personal with these massive yet gentle animals.
Some people choose to jump in the water and swim alongside the sharks. Even if you don’t do that and just choose to watch them from the shore, you’ll definitely find Compass Cay to be one of the many cool places to visit in Florida.
The Iguanas
After seeing endangered animals in Everglades National Park and other parts of Florida, you can spot another endangered creature from the region on a Miami to Bahamas day trip. The Bahamian rock iguana has a wild population of less than 5,000. However, you’ll get to see them on the island of Bitter Guana Cay.
Besides getting to see the amazing creatures and their stunning island home, you can also help your kids understand the importance of conservation, and why protecting the environment is so important.
5. The Florida Keys
To the south of Miami you’ll find the beautiful chain of islands called the Florida Keys. If you and your family are looking for cool places to visit in Florida, you can’t go wrong with a trip there.
While the Keys don’t have might not have the biggest, most expansive beaches in the state, they do have the laid-back vibe that the Carribbean is famous for. Given the islands’ proximity to coral reefs, they also offer world-class snorkeling, diving, fishing, and other aquatic activities.
Many Florida attractions for families are in the Keys, such as Mallory Square.
Key West is the most famous island in the keys, but you’ll want to stop at other popular ones too. Islamorada and Key Largo are some of the other islands you’ll want to ensure you and your family spend some time at.
Places to Visit in Florida: Make Time for All the Best Spots
If you’re traveling with kids, the Sunshine State might just be the vacation destination you’ve been looking for. With beautiful beaches, exotic wildlife, and theme parks galore, there are so many fantastic Florida attractions for families to explore.
While it’s not technically in Florida, you can’t go wrong with a Miami to Bahamas day trip by plane. Bahamas Air Tours will take you to some of the best sites in the country, including the famous Exuma pigs. It’s a trip that kids, adults, and everyone in between are sure to love.
Start planning your Florida to swimming pigs day trip today!
Discover the Bahamas Out Islands
With beautifully illustrated maps and informative destination guides.
Download the Guidebook
