While it might not be the biggest state in the country, there’s no shortage of amazing Florida places to visit. And while the Sunshine State is best known for its beautiful beaches, you can also find some of the best places to visit in Florida in the state’s interior.
From snorkeling in turquoise water to visiting theme parks and seeing West Indian manatees up close, Florida has something to offer everyone, no matter your travel preferences. In this guide, we’re going to help you figure out what those are by highlighting some of the best things to do in Florida.
Read on to learn about eight of the best Florida places to visit!
The beautiful Vizcaya Museum in Miami, Florida.
8 Cool Places to Visit in Florida
1. Daytona Beach
Located in the northeast on Florida’s Atlantic coast, Daytona Beach is a city famous for its wide beach and hard-packed (yet smooth) sand. The city has 47 miles of beach line, all of which are beautiful, clean, and inviting.
Florida’s east coast is full of beautiful beaches like Daytona Beach.
Besides beautiful beaches, Daytona Beach is also one of the best places to visit in Florida because of the Daytona International Speedway. Each February, this site hosts the iconic Daytona 500 NASCAR race. If you’re a fan of the sport, a visit to the city is a must.
Near the city’s boardwalk, you can also find tons of other fun things to do, like waterslides, go-karts, and laser tag.
2. St. Augustine
Just around 50 miles north of Daytona Beach is St. Augustine. Besides being another beautiful, ocean-side city, it’s also the oldest city in the United States.
Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St. Augustine features centuries worth of history. On top of housing museums and other cultural sites, you can also appreciate the architecture — many of the buildings showcase the colonial style of the era.
Like other coastal Florida cities, St. Augustine also offers beautiful beaches and year-round sunshine. After touring the many historical sites in the city, grab your sunscreen and towel and spend the afternoon at the beach!
3. Miami
Miami is one of the southernmost points in the continental United States. Given its relative proximity to the equator, you can expect warm weather year-round and predictably sunny weather. That said, if you’re looking for perfect weather, lower prices, and to avoid most of the crowds, traveling between March and May is your best option.
While there are many fun things to do in Florida, Miami might take home the prize for being the most exciting city in the Sunshine State. From museums, art galleries, and world-class dining to nightclubs and beachside bars, Miami has something for families, adults, groups, and solo travelers alike.
Miami is famous for its art deco South Beach district.
Of course, the city also features the beautiful beaches that people expect. From Miami Beach to South Beach, Miami will always be one of the top Florida best places to visit.
4. The Bahamas: Paradise in Exumas
Most people looking for fun things to do in Florida look within the state’s boundaries. However, some of the best adventures require you to step outside its borders. Sometimes, you can even do this in an afternoon!
Located just a short plane ride away from Miami and other South Florida cities is the Bahamas. With 365 unique islands and popular sites like the Exuma pigs, Bahamas day trips by plane to the archipelago nation are becoming one of the best things to do in Florida.
A Bahamas day trip tops the list of fun things to do in Florida.
A Miami to Bahamas day trip with Bahamas Air Tours will have you in the Exumas by mid-morning, providing you with plenty of time to see some of the famous sites in the region. After spending the day sightseeing, you’ll then arrive back home in time for dinner.
Consider signing up for Staniel Cay day trips today!
5. The Keys
Another one of the top Florida places to visit is the Florida Keys. These are a chain of islands to the south of Miami that extend around 120 miles southwest into the Gulf of Mexico. And no matter how long you spend in Florida, you’ll want to save some time to visit them.
Key West is the southernmost point of the continental USA.
The Keys aren’t famous for their beaches. In fact, the entire chain only contains a few spots that you could classify as beaches. However, they are famous for any and all aquatic activities. If you’re looking to go snorkeling, diving, fishing, or boating, the Keys is the place to do it.
Besides offering you unparalleled access to the Gulf of Mexico, Key West is also a cultural epicenter. Famous for its colorful vibes, its beachy, party atmosphere is one that most people find irresistible.
While every island in the chain is worth visiting, Marathon, Islamorada, and Key Largo are some of the other highlights.
6. Disney World
Regardless of their age, background, or location, most people are familiar with Disney World. And while there may now be nine Disney parks scattered across different countries, most Disney fans consider the park in Orlando, Florida, to be the best.
The park features several different parks — all of which offer a completely different experience. For example, animal lovers will love Animal Kingdom, while fans looking for a classic Disney experience will feel right at home in Magic Kingdom.
After you get tired of looking at Mickey Mouse and Pluto, Orlando is also home to several other theme parks worth visiting, such as Universal Studios. No matter what kind of traveler you are, you’ll find no shortage of cool places to visit in Florida around Orlando!
7. Everglades National Park
Nature-lovers will find Everglades National Park to be one of the best Florida places to visit. With over 1.5 million acres of wetlands to explore, the a gives you the opportunity to see some of the bountiful wildlife that makes Florida famous.
The beauty of Everglades National Park makes it one of the top Florida places to visit.
From West Indian manatees and the American alligator to leatherback turtles and the Florida panther, a trip to the Everglades gives you the chance to see some of the rarest wildlife in the country. You can also appreciate the flora of the region — the pine flatwoods and coastal mangroves that many of those animals call home.
Everglades National Park is less than two hours away from Miami, making it a great day trip. If you want to be right by the action of the park, however, you can also stay at Everglades City. It’s right on the park’s western border.
8. Fort Myers
While many of Florida’s beaches are beautiful, they’re also busy. Travelers from around the world visit the Sunshine State to enjoy what it offers. If you’re looking for world-class beaches and sparser crowds, consider planning a trip to Fort Myers.
The city of Fort Myers houses several wide, sandy beaches, as well as beautiful parks. However, it offers a quieter, more laid-back experience than other cities like Daytona Beach or Miami.
Besides beautiful beaches and weather, you can also enjoy great shopping and fishing in the city, making it another one of the top Florida places to visit.
Florida Places to Visit: Enjoy the Top Destinations
Given the number of amazing Florida places to visit, you’ll be hard-pressed to see everything the state offers your first time there. That said, you can’t go wrong by starting with any of the destinations mentioned above.
Besides exploring the beautiful places within the state’s borders, consider stepping out of them for an afternoon on a Miami to Bahamas day trip. Doing so lets you appreciate the beauty of the nearby Bahamas, then return home that same evening.
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