Planning a trip to South Florida? No problem. There are lots of fun things to do and nice places to visit in Florida. From arts and culture to food and shopping and exciting outdoor adventures with flights to the Bahamas, the Sunshine State has it all.
You may not be aware, but Florida is actually the second-highest ranked state in the U.S. for tourism, coming in just behind California. The reason for its immense popularity, besides the weather, is its versatility and close proximity to the Caribbean. Fresh air, pristine beaches, azure waters, and soft breezes all await you.
Discover 12 Nice Places to Visit in Florida for Your Next Tropical Getaway
Bahamas Air Tours can assist you in planning your Florida vacations to ensure they’re everything you imagined. By pointing you to these 12 nice places to visit in Florida, we hope to provide you with inspiration for a splendid start to your next tropical adventure.
1. South Beach Art Deco District
Nice places to visit in Florida: Ocean Drive South Beach
Nice places to visit in Florida include a trip to Miami Beach with its stellar examples of Art Deco architecture. Situated in the South Beach area, the colorful Art Deco Historic District was a favorite haunt amidst the rich and famous during its heyday in the ‘30s, and little has changed. There are more than 800 structural gems from the era (1923-1943) listed on the National Register of Historic Places today. Take a stroll down Ocean Drive, with its fabled Cavalier Hotel and other iconic South Beach landmarks. Or check out nearby Lincoln Road, a pedestrian-only promenade and outdoor mall filled with boutiques, shops, restaurants, and bars.
2. Miami to Bahamas Day Trip
Take flight to the Bahamas, on a Miami to Bahamas Day Trip with Bahamas Air Tours
Book something out of the ordinary during your trip to Florida, like one of the swimming pigs tours in the Bahamas. Located within the Exuma Cays, an archipelago of 365 small islands that make up the Bahamas Out Islands, is Big Major Cay or Pig Island. Bahamas Air Tours will fly you into nearby Staniel Cay, where you’ll take a 10-minute boat ride to Pig Beach.
That’s where the real fun begins. Float, swim, and cavort in crystal-clear waters with a colony of cute pigs that enjoy nothing more than a good sunbath and a refreshing dip. Incredibly friendly, these playful piggies are fed by locals and tourists.
Book your Miami to Bahamas Day Trip today!
3. Wynwood Art District
Wynwood Walls Miami is one of many nice places to visit in Florida
Described as one of the city’s “most happening” places, the Wynwood Art District in Miami is recognized for its series of murals adorning the buildings in the old warehouse district. The transformation began in 2009 with Wynwood Walls, now a vibrant outdoor museum showcasing massive works created by well-known street artists from around the globe. To date, graffiti masters from 16 countries have covered over 80,000 sq. ft. of concrete and brick. A young crowd set frequents the area for its atmosphere, hip boutiques, bistros, and late-night drinking establishments. If you’re looking for things to do in Florida, it’s definitely worth a visit.
4. Swimming with Sharks Bahamas Day Trips by Plane
Who wants to go swimming with sharks on an exciting Miami to Bahamas Day Trip?
Tick another adventure off your vacation bucket list by going for a swim with sharks during a day trip to Bahamas. It’s not as scary as it sounds. In fact, like the tours to Pig Beach, it’s actually quite fascinating. For starters, you’re swimming with nurse sharks, not great whites. These generally mild-mannered creatures can be found in a lagoon in Compass Cay, another hotspot for vacationers. The Cay and the sharks have been highlighted on the Discovery Channel’s Shark Week and Animal Planet. Fun Exuma day trips like these can be easily arranged through a Bahamas Air charter flight.
Miami Watersports Complex/Amelia Earhart Park
If your idea of fun Florida vacations begins with watersports, this is for you. The Amelia Earhart Park in Hialeah is an outdoor recreation center where visitors can go to bike, fish, and kayak amid tons of other family-friendly activities. There are five lakes, a Frisbee golf course, and a Bark Park for dogs. Located within the park is the Miami Watersports Complex, a 91-acre boat and cable park ideal for adventure lovers. Try your hand at wakeboarding, waterskiing, and surfing. Lessons are available for first-timers. There’s also an Aqua Park with inflatable slides and a beach area with lifeguards.
The Palm Beaches
West Palm Beach is home to the Henry M Flagler Museum in Palm Beach, Florida
Another excellent choice for nice places to visit in Florida is the island of Palm Beach, known for its tony resorts, polo and golf, and luxury lifestyle with shopping on legendary Worth Avenue. For a dose of history and culture, there’s the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum, Whitehall. A stately 75-room, 100,000 sq. ft. neoclassical mansion from the Gilded Age completed in 1902, it’s viewed as a superb illustration of Beaux-Arts architecture.
For entertaining nightlife, skip across the causeway to West Palm Beach’s Clematis Street, with its fun and funky vibe, shops, bars, restaurants, and open-air music venues.
Catamaran Excursions
Sailing out of Miami or Ft. Lauderdale on a catamaran is a wonderful way to experience many of the nice places to visit in Florida that are inaccessible by car. Ft. Lauderdale’s waterways, known as the “Venice of America,” wind past Miami’s Millionaires Row before heading out to sea. Once there, guests can enjoy snorkeling, swimming, and natural coral reefs teeming with marine life. Sunset cruises are particularly popular, as well as tours of some of the many tiny islands dotting the sparkling blue waters. Private charters are available with catering, including full-service lunches and dinners.
Key West, Southernmost Point of USA
Nice places to visit in Florida, famous landmark of Key West
Of all the things to do in South Florida, taking the 113-mile Overseas Highway down to Key West ranks among the highest. Made famous by author Ernest Hemmingway, Key West is recognized as the southernmost point in the U.S., with millions of visitors having their photos taken at the historic zero-mile marker. Host to well-known events such as Fantasy Fest, there’s plenty to do.
Like traversing Duval Street for live music, art galleries, coffee houses, curiosity shops, and eateries, or fishing, sightseeing, and lazy days lolling in a hammock soaking up sunsets. Tip: Leave your vehicle parked and rent bicycles or scooters once you’re there.
Ancient Spanish Monastery
Constructed in the 12th century AD in northern Spain, the medieval Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux is considered one of the architectural jewels of north Miami Beach. One of its highlights is a stunning 14th-century marble frieze depicting the adoration of the Magi. Known simply as the Spanish Monastery by locals, it was purchased by media baron William Hearst in 1925. The Romanesque-style edifice was then dismantled stone by stone and shipped to the United States. Reassembled in the early 1950s, it’s one of the best places in Florida to visit for history, culture, and the arts. Its beauty has made it an extremely desirable wedding spot
Airboat Rides in Florida Everglades
AirBoating in the Florida Everglades
Take a ride on the wild side and experience an airboat ride, one of Florida’s favorite — and most exhilarating — modes of transportation. Departing from Ft. Lauderdale, you’ll skim across a river of grass and cattails at speeds of up to 40 mph on a trip through the Florida Everglades.
This subtropical ecosystem is occupied by the largest contiguous stand of protected mangrove forest in the western hemisphere. Gliding along the backtrails, visitors can expect wildlife encounters with exotic wading birds, turtles, and alligators. Bookings for groups or private excursions are available, as well as thrilling night tours.
Universal Studios Orlando
Universal Studios is one of many Theme Park attractions in Florida and close proximity to Orlando
Among the top ten places to visit in Florida are the state’s many theme parks, including Universal Studios in Orlando. The popular Florida theme park lies approximately 3 ½ hours northwest of Miami Beach.
You can spend the day or reserve a room at the Universal Orlando Resort. With its film-industry theme, Universal has created rides and attractions that include The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Fast and Furious – Supercharged, as well as chances to meet the Transformers. Visitors have several options for shopping, dining, shows, and other entertainment, too.
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
Searching for a Zen-like place to destress and be at one with yourself? Visit the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens west of Delray Beach, another of those fun Florida beach towns. A center for Japanese culture and arts, the grounds contain two museums and the Roji-en Japanese Gardens. They consist of six distinctive gardens inspired by different periods in Japan’s history. The museum includes an impressive gift shop and library. There’s also the 4 ½ -star Cornell Café that’s been featured on the Food Network. A number of festivals are celebrated on the premises as well as various demonstrations, such as traditional tea ceremonies.
Found your Top Ten places to visit in Florida?
Now that we’ve piqued your curiosity and given you some ideas to work with for nice places to visit in Florida, what are you waiting for? Plan a trip today, and let us guide you through the process of booking excursions and identifying other nice places to visit in Florida. We have the experience. All you need is the sunblock and enthusiasm.
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