It shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are many fun places to visit in Florida. Travelers from around the country and the world visit the Sunshine State each year to enjoy its theme parks, cities, and of course, beaches. That said, many of these visitors often limit their trips to the most popular destinations.
The reality is that some of the best things to do in Florida require you to step off the beaten path a bit – even in popular destinations and cities. To help you better understand how to do just that, in this article, we’re going to highlight some of the top sites you’ll want to see next time you’re visiting the state.
Here are our top picks for the best places to go in Florida.
Florida has no shortage of beautiful beaches, particularly those in Miami.
Fun Places to Visit in Florida: Where Should You Go?
Miami
Miami is always a hot destination to visit, and for good reason. Besides offering stunning beaches and near-perfect year-round weather, Miami is also a cultural Mecca. It’s one of the best places in the country to experience different cultures, nationalities, and backgrounds.
When you first get to the city, you’ll probably want some beach time. Unsurprisingly, Miami Beach is one of the best places to do that. However, you can also head to South Beach if you’re looking for excitement, and 21st to 45th Street Beach, if you’re looking to escape some of the crowds.
Neighborhoods like Wynwood make Miami one of the many fun places to visit in Florida.
Once you’ve had your fill of sun, surf, and sand that day, you’ll want to explore the city a bit more. If you’re looking for an artsy district that also offers restaurants, shopping, and even nightlife, you can’t go wrong with Wynwood. Likewise, you’ll also want to set aside some time to explore Little Havana. It’s the best place in the city to learn about Miami’s Cuban roots!
The Bahamas
While Miami is certainly one of the most fun places to visit in Florida, the reality is that there are many amazing things to do in South Florida. Because of that, the city works as a great base of operations that you can use to explore the region. One trip you won’t want to miss out on is a day trip to the Bahamas by plane.
Picturesque beaches make a Bahamas day trip one of the best things to do in South Florida.
If you travel by boat from Miami to the Bahamas, you’ll only be able to reach destinations like Freeport and Bimini. While both are beautiful, they’re also touristy and don’t let visitors learn much about the country they’re exploring.
In contrast, flying by private-class plane to the Bahamas allows you to reach the Exumas. When you sign up for a Staniel Cay day tour with Bahamas Air Tours, you’ll get to see the Exuma pigs at Pig Beach, nurse sharks at Compass Cay, Thunderball Grotto, and so much more.
Being able to participate in those activities (and many more) makes Bahamas day trips by plane one of the best things to do in South Florida.
The Florida Keys
Another destination near Miami that you’ll want to explore is the Florida Keys. These islands stretch south past Miami and into the Gulf of Mexico, with Key West being the southernmost point of the continental United States. But besides being geographically important, you’ll find the island chain to be another one of the best places to go in Florida.
One of the best things about the Florida Keys is that you can drive to them!
So what makes the Keys one of the best places to visit in Florida? Surprisingly, it’s not the beaches. The islands do have a couple of nice sandy spots, but for the most part, they’re devoid of the sand that makes other parts of Florida famous.
That said, the waters off the coast of the Keys feature some of the most impressive coral reefs in the world. If you enjoy snorkeling, diving, or even just riding around on a boat to see what you can spot, the Florida Keys won’t disappoint.
Like Miami, the islands also offer an eclectic mix of cultures and peoples. Key West is famous for its party island vibes, making a visit there another one of the most fun things to do in Florida.
Fort Lauderdale
Located just north of Miami is another one of the most fun places to visit in Florida: Fort Lauderdale. Known as the Venice of America, Fort Lauderdale features an extensive network of waterways and canals that put it on par with its more famous neighboring city. Like its southern neighbor, it also houses world-famous beaches.
While different travelers to Miami can have different experiences, the city is, in general, a party city. It’s lively and upbeat and the perfect spot for spring breakers to head each year. In contrast, Fort Lauderdale is a bit more laid-back and relaxing. Throughout most of the year, you’ll find comparatively fewer people, which also makes the city more affordable.
If you’re looking for a beach vacation but don’t want to deal with throngs of party-goers and college students, you might be able to find some respite in Fort Lauderdale.
Destin
Moving away from the southeast coast of the state, another one of the most fun places to visit in Florida is Destin.
Considered by many to house the prettiest beaches in Florida, Destin is a gem that’s nestled in the state’s panhandle. As its location puts it far away from the rough waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the water is calm and clear throughout much of the year. Throw in a unique emerald shade of water and snow-white sandy beaches, and you have a beach vacation that you won’t be able to get enough of.
Of course, as with all of the fun places to visit in Florida, Destin doesn’t just have beaches. It also offers a large boardwalk full of restaurants and shops, world-class golf courses, waterparks, and many other activities that ensure it has a place on any list of the best places to go in Florida.
Everglades National Park
Although most tourists visit the Sunshine State to escape the winter blues by hitting the beach, Florida is one of the most biodiverse states in the country. Because of that, it doesn’t just offer sandy beaches – it also offers other famous ecosystems, one of which is the wetlands at Everglades National Park.
Everglades National Park is the perfect spot to see some of the famous Florida wildlife.
Located to the southwest of Miami along the very southern edge of the state, Everglades National Park is a 1.5 million acre wetland preserve that functions as another one of the many great day trips from the city. Whether you explore it by bike, kayak, or even airboat, spending some time there is something you’ll want to do.
Everglades National Park is home to all sorts of amazing flora and fauna. From the Florida panther and the American alligator to coastal mangrove trees and tropical orchids, the park is definitely another one of the most fun places to visit in Florida – particularly if you’re someone who enjoys nature.
Fun Things to Do in Florida: Don’t Miss Out
With stunning natural sites and an amazing blend of cultures, there are so many fun places to visit in Florida that choosing one or two can be a challenge. That said, rest assured that you can’t go wrong with any of the destinations mentioned above.
Besides touring the Sunshine State, you also won’t want to pass up on signing up for Bahamas day trips by plane from Florida. Doing so lets you see more stunning beaches, as well as unique highlights in the Exumas, like the Exuma pigs.
Sign up for a Florida to Bahamas trip today for a vacation you’ll never forget!
Discover the Bahamas Out Islands
With beautifully illustrated maps and informative destination guides.
Download the Guidebook
