Planning a trip to the Sunshine State? You might be wondering what to do in Florida. With beautiful beaches, cosmopolitan cities, and a surprisingly rich amount of history, the state has a bounty of attractions to offer travelers.
To make planning your dream getaway easier, we’ve compiled a list of the top places to visit in Florida. While the state certainly has other great destinations not on this list, you can’t go wrong with any of the following places.
Read on to learn about seven of the best places to visit in Florida.
What to Do in Florida: 7 of the Best Places to Visit in Florida
1. Miami
One of the most culturally diverse places in the United States, anyone wondering what to do in Florida will want to visit Miami.
Located at the Southern tip of Florida, Miami is home to world-class dining, shopping, and nightlife. In the various parts of the city, you can find many fun things to do in South Florida. From sipping cortados in Little Havana to walking through the gardens of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, the city is full of excitement.
Miami is a great place from which to embark on day trips.
The beaches and natural beauty are also top-notch. Miami Beach and South Beach are two of the most famous beaches in the United States. Likewise, the South Florida region, in general, offers prime access to destinations like the Bahamas and Everglades National Park.
2. The Exuma Cays
While technically not part of Florida, the Bahamian archipelago is just outside of the state’s boundaries. Travelers wondering what to do in Florida, particularly South Florida, will want to consider signing up for a Bahamas day trip.
Traditional day trips travel by ferry to Freeport or Bimini; two of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. While beautiful, neither island offers insight into the true beauty of the Bahamas.
Thankfully, today, vacationers can sign up for Miami to Bahamas day trips that travel by plane. These save time and offer a much more comfortable experience, allowing you to reach more secluded parts of the country.
The Exumas are home to stunning sites like the sandbars at Pipe Creek.
The Exuma Cays are a chain of 365 beautiful Bahamian islands and serve as the perfect day trip destination. When you book through Bahamas Air Tours, you’ll enjoy an itinerary that takes you to some of the top destinations in the country. From hanging out with the Swimming Pigs at Pig Beach to swimming with nurse sharks at Compass Cay, the day trip is one of the best things to do in South Florida.
3. St. Augustine
History lovers shouldn’t leave Florida without making a trip to St. Augustine. The oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine is on the northeastern coast of Florida and has an original settlement that dates back to 1565.
St. Augustine is home to many historic structures like the Ponce de Leon Hotel.
Today, travelers can see the history of St. Augustine on full display. From the city’s colonial architecture to the local fort’s walls and other defensive structures, St. Augustine showcases history at a level not often found in the United States.
That said, non-history lovers will still find St. Augustine capable of answering the question of what to do in Florida. The nearby beach, a local wildlife reserve, and other attractions make the city one of the best places to visit in Florida.
4. Palm Beach
Located on Florida’s west coast, Palm Beach is north of Fort Lauderdale. With beautiful scenery and an idyllic feel, it offers more answers for travelers wondering what to do in Florida.
Palm Beach is smaller than many of the surrounding towns and cities, housing just under 10,000 people. Many of those residents are ultra-wealthy, however, with past and present residents including Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, and former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Palm Beach is home to historic structures like the Whitehall mansion.
Given the sprawling mansions and estates, celebrity tours are popular excursions. Historical estate tours are also popular, with mansions like Whitehall, Henry Flagler’s Gilded Age mansion, remaining beautiful more than a century after their construction.
In terms of natural beauty, Palm Beach also offers many fun things to do in Florida. The local beach is beautiful, while sunrise and sunset cruises allow you to get out on the water. Likewise, there are also local botanical gardens, nature preserves, and other attractions that showcase the local wildlife.
5. Dry Tortugas
Another one of the many fun things to do in Florida is to visit Dry Tortugas National Park. Located around 70 miles West of Key West, Dry Tortugas has something for everyone.
Dry Tortugas has history, natural beauty, and more.
Much of the site is centered around the historic Fort Jefferson. Built in 1861, the fortress stretches across 16 acres and functioned as a prison during the Civil War. It primarily housed deserters from the Union army.
Today, the site has transformed into one of the world’s top eco-attractions. Encompassing several small islands, Dry Tortugas has several secluded beaches. These offer respite from some of the crowds at Florida’s other destinations and make it possible to get a taste of what the Caribbean has to offer. Warm water, sugary sand, and swaying palms offer a glimpse of what you can find at other destinations in the region, such as the Exuma Cays.
While you won’t find Swimming Pigs at Dry Tortugas National Park, you can see different forms of marine life. The waters around the park are shallow, with depths between five to fifteen feet. This makes the park an ideal destination for snorkeling and diving, especially since coral reefs, tropical fish, and other animals call the area home.
6. Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach stretches for nearly 50 miles.
Nestled on Florida’s Atlantic Coast, Daytona Beach is another popular travel destination. With 47 miles of beautiful coastline, the city offers many answers to the question of what to do in Florida.
In addition to the famous beach, the city has numerous other attractions, like a boardwalk and museums. There’s also the Daytona International Speedway, where NASCAR fans can watch the iconic Daytona 500.
Its beautiful beach and array of attractions make Daytona Beach one of the top places to visit in Florida.
7. Everglades National Park
Covering 1.5 million acres of South Florida, Everglades National Park has so much to offer travelers. No matter your travel interests, it’s another great answer to anyone wondering what to do in Florida.
The park encompasses several distinct biomes, including mangroves, swamps, and pine forests. These areas are home to all sorts of unique flora and fauna, including the Florida panther, manatees, alligators, and over 100 species of orchids.
Airboating through the Everglades is one of many fun things to do in Florida.
The park’s proximity to Miami makes it easy to visit and one of the best things to do in Florida. Whether you trek through the park on foot or sign up for an airboat tour, Everglades National Park is a can’t-miss attraction.
Best Places to Visit in Florida: Explore the Sunshine State
The Sunshine State has no shortage of amazing sites, but if you’re wondering what to do in Florida, consider visiting any of the places listed above. From beaches and city life to history and natural beauty, the destinations above embody everything that makes Florida so special.
Despite being outside of Florida’s boundaries, you’ll also want to visit the Exuma Cays on a Miami to Bahamas day trip. Between the beaches, the Exuma Pigs, and the other attractions the Bahamas has to offer, the day trip is the cherry on top of any Florida vacation.
Treat yourself to a day trip you won’t forget – book a Swimming With Pigs Bahamas tour today!
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