21 Best Places to Visit in Florida

When most people think of Florida, they think of sunshine, theme parks, orange juice and alligators. But this former Spanish colony, which became the 27th state to enter the Union, is much more than that.

Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other, it has mile upon mile of white sand beaches. This is the US state where you’ll find Miami and its immediate neighbor Miami Beach – both famous for their Art Deco architecture, Cuban culture, and beaches, of course.

More sun, sea, and sand can be had in the south, where the Florida Keys fling themselves for around 120 miles along the Florida Straits. Come here for more beaches, scuba diving, snorkeling, and the potential for one of the most picturesque road trips ever, thanks to the feat of engineering that is the Overseas Highway.

There’s also Cape Canaveral, home of NASA, but then again there’s Orlando, too – famous for its sheer amount of amusement parks, including Disney World. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in Florida:

21. Sanibel Island

Sanibel Island is located just off Fort Myers in the Gulf of Mexico. It is connected to the mainland by a causeway. It is known as a quiet, natural travel destination, well-suited for families.

Wildlife refuges take up more than half of this long narrow island, whose beaches are also popular as places to hunt for shells. This island of less than 7,000 permanent residents may have harbored pirates in the days of yore, if local legends are to be believed.

Aside from beachcombing and looking for wildlife, attractions include a highly-rated historical museum, a botanical garden, a lighthouse and an arts center.

20. Palm Beach

Separated from the mainland of the US by the Intracoastal Waterway, Palm Beach lies on a narrow barrier island just off the east coast of Florida. Renowned for being a playground of the rich and famous, the small yet wealthy town boasts beautiful oceanfront mansions and resorts as well as upscale shops and exclusive nightclubs.

Founded in 1878, this ‘veritable paradise’ has attracted business tycoons, celebrities, and even US Presidents ever since. As such, elegant and extravagant buildings have sprung up along its gorgeous beach, with landscaped parks and golf clubs interspersed amongst them.

While Palm Beach certainly looks very glitzy and glamourous with all of its stately homes, fancy cars and gourmet restaurants, the town is surprisingly accessible and affordable. For instance, its many historic landmarks and architectural treasures are fascinating to check out while its beaches sport gorgeous golden sands that are perfect for lounging lazily on.

19. Apalachicola National Forest

Covering a huge swathe of land in the Florida Panhandle, Apalachicola National Forest is the largest such protected area in the state. Located just to the west of Tallahassee, the forest is home to scenic trails and glimmering lakes, as well as countless different tree species.

Tucked away among its leafy confines are numerous recreation areas where visitors can go hiking, cycling and swimming. Horseback riding and camping are also popular pastimes. Fishing and hunting are allowed in places due to the abundance of wildlife that includes everything from beavers and black bears to alligators, coyotes and even the odd panther.

While longleaf pines dominate the region, pockets of oak, cypress and gum trees can be found here and there. Swamps and rivers also abound. With so many diverse landscapes to explore and a myriad of fun outdoor activities on offer, Apalachicola National Forest is a popular place to relax and unwind with beautiful nature all around.

18. Dry Tortugas National Park

While it is certainly one of the most unique national parks in the States, Dry Tortugas is also one of the hardest ones to get to. Only accessible by boat or seaplane, its small archipelago of coral islands lies roundabout 70 miles west of Key West.

The most isolated part of the Florida Keys, it is most known for its incredible marine life and colourful reefs. With so many shimmering shoals of fish to see and sharks, dolphins and sea turtles all flitting by, many visitors go snorkelling or scuba diving. A number of atmospheric old shipwrecks can also be found in its warm tropical waters.

Aside from lounging on one of its idyllic beaches or splashing about in the sea, you just have to check out the ginormous Fort Jefferson. Actually the largest brick building in the Western Hemisphere, its sturdy defences are fascinating to explore. After delving into its interesting past, head up to its ramparts for phenomenal views over the glinting Gulf of Mexico.

17. Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach on the Florida panhandle offers 27 miles (43 km) of white sand beaches on the Emerald Coast. The beach is a popular destination for residents of the southern United States as well as tens of thousands of high school and college students on spring break.

Besides having fun in the sun in the emerald green waters, this town of just over 12,000 permanent residents offers sports fishing on the gulf, plenty of golfing, marine parks including one for alligators, amusement and water parks …in short, something for everyone in the family.

16. Crystal River

Lying right at the heart of Florida’s Nature Coast, about 90 minutes’ drive from Orlando and Tampa, is the lovely little city of Crystal River. Boasting both a wonderful wildlife refuge and crystal-clear waters, it is known as the ‘Manatee Capital of the World’.

Set along the gorgeous Kings Bay, its warm waters attract hundreds of the gentle creatures each winter when the Gulf of Mexico cools. Here you can swim, kayak and snorkel with the adorable manatees in their natural environment. Particularly popular spots to see them are Hunter Springs Park and the Three Sisters Springs.

While the cute sea cows are, understandably, its main attraction, Crystal River actually has much more going for it. Besides relaxing on beaches or hiking along its boardwalks, its cosy downtown has tons of great shops and restaurants to stop by. There are also some amazing Native American burial mounds and numerous state parks to see nearby too.

15. Tampa

Lying on the north shore of Tampa Bay, Tampa is set in West Central Florida, just inland from the glimmering Gulf of Mexico. The city and its surroundings are often referred to as the ‘Tampa Bay Area’ due to the sizeable metropolises of Clearwater and St. Petersburg that are also located nearby.

Home to a thriving port and growing economy, Tampa is one of the largest and most populous cities in the state, so there is lots for visitors to see and do. At the heart of the city, for example, is the Riverwalk, which takes you past glittering high rises and green parks, with a number of excellent museums, theatres, and an aquarium found nearby.

As well as boasting a diverse and multicultural population, the city has many different sides to it; each neighbourhood has its own look, feel, and identity. Ybor City, for instance, has loads of pounding bars and nightclubs for visitors to check, out while North Tampa has fun amusement parks and a zoo on offer.

14. Kennedy Space Center

Full of fascinating artefacts, exhibits and, of course, spaceships, the Kennedy Space Center is an absolute must for anyone interested in the cosmos. While riveting rocket launches only take place every now and again, its fantastic visitor centre has loads of interactive activities and exciting simulators to try out.

Since 1968, KSC has been the main home of NASA’s human spaceflight programme with lots of other important research and technology projects also based here. At its immense visitor centre, you can see moon rocks, astronaut memorabilia and even the Space Shuttle Atlantis up close.

Other than exploring its sprawling site, visitors can watch enthralling 3D films or experience a thrilling shuttle take off simulation. Exhibits also teach you more about the history of lunar exploration as does touring about its enormous launch pads. Located an hour’s drive directly east of Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center certainly makes for a memorable day out.

13. Key Largo

While it may not look all that appealing at first glance, Key Largo is a lovely place to visit due to the abundance of marine life and underwater riches that lie around it. Located in the upper Florida Keys, the long, narrow island is best reached from either Miami or Fort Lauderdale and is connected to the mainland by the Overseas Highway.

Known as a diving Mecca, Key Largo is home to lots of tour operators, who take visitors to explore the nearby coral reefs. Here you can enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, and glass-bottom boat tours, with lots of colourful fish and reefs to be spied in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. This was the first underwater reserve to be established in the States all the way back in 1963.

Besides scuba diving in the Atlantic Ocean and visiting the nearby Everglades National Park, visitors to Key Largo can also go fishing or parasailing, with lots of great Cuban restaurants to try out along its strip.

12. St Petersburg

Set on the Pinellas Peninsula, which lies between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, St. Petersburg is one of the largest cities in Florida. Renowned for its warm weather, low cost of living, and wealth of beautiful beaches, ‘Sunshine City‘ has long attracted spring breakers and retirees to its sunny shores.

In recent years, however, its revitalized historic center and explosion of art galleries, restaurants, and farmers markets has seen the city become an increasingly popular tourist destination. Its burgeoning arts and crafts scene now sees amazing murals dotted about downtown, with the magnificent Salvador Dali Museum lying along its rejuvenated waterfront.

In addition to its numerous cultural attractions and lush, green parks, St. Pete has plenty of lively bars and nightclubs for visitors to explore. Many of these are located along the west side of the peninsula, which is where the majority of the city’s fine sandy beaches are found.

11. Islamorada

One of the prettiest sections of the Florida Keys, Islamorada is a small group of five islands strung out in a line between the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. As they are located along important migration routes for a number of large fish species, it is often known as the ‘Sportfishing Capital of the World’.

Connected by U.S. Highway 1, Teatable Key, Windley Key, Plantation Key, and the Upper and Lower Matecumbe Keys all boast breathtaking scenery. Here, you’ll find idyllic white-sand beaches lined by gently waving palm trees and beautiful blue waters. Evenings are a particularly memorable time due to the spectacular sunsets.

While the islands have a laidback feel, it is their teeming tropical coral reefs that attract most visitors, who enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, or fishing. In addition, glass-bottom boat tours are a wonderful way to see all the amazing marine life, which includes moray eels, nurse sharks, and shoals of colourful fish.

10. Naples

Naples may have had rustic beginnings, but today this Gulf of Mexico city is one of the wealthiest cities in the United States, with houses selling for more than $40 million. As on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, development along the shoreline has been kept residential.

It got its name because the bay it’s located on was said to be prettier than the Bay of Naples in Italy. Besides its beautiful city beach, the nearby wildlife refuges make it a popular tourist destination.

These include Everglades National Park, Florida Panther National Wildlife Reserve and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary that has a 2.5-mile long boardwalk meandering through it. Naples also has vibrant arts and shopping districts.

9. Big Pine Key

One of the larger islands in the Florida Keys, Big Pine lies towards its western-end and is connected to the mainland by the Overseas Highway. Formed out of long fossilized coral reefs, the island is bordered by the shimmering waters of the Gulf of Mexico on one side and those of the Atlantic Ocean on the other.

Named after its numerous pine trees, Big Pine Key is home to lots of lovely scenery and nature and is particularly known for the small Key Deer that dot its shores. Besides marveling at the many deer, visitors can explore Blue Hole, an abandoned quarry, and go fishing, snorkeling and kayaking in the surrounding waters.

While the small town of the same name doesn’t have all that much for you to see and do, Big Key Pine makes an excellent base for visiting some of the nearby Keys. Bahia Honda, for instance, has an idyllic sandy beach to relax and unwind on, while fantastic scuba diving sites can be found dotted about Looe’s rich coral reef systems.

8. Amelia Island

Part of the Sea Islands chain that lies along the U.S.’s Atlantic coastline, Amelia Island is set right in the northeast corner of Florida, just to the south of Georgia. Surrounded by salt marshes and wonderfully wild nature reserves, the barrier island has long been a popular place to vacation due to its stunning scenery and beautiful beaches.

Fought over and ruled by everyone from the Spanish and British to Mexicans and French, it was later turned into an upmarket holiday destination by Henry Flagler in the 1890s. This history and heritage is still on show in the center of Fernandina Beach, where you can find stately homes, cozy cottages, and interesting old landmarks.

Amelia Island’s main draw is the abundance of scenic spots that dot its state parks and endless sun-kissed shoreline. Coupled with a warm and welcoming climate, this makes the island a lovely place to spend time, with a plethora of outdoor activities and watersports also on offer.

7. Clearwater Beach

Boasting miles of white sandy beaches, Clearwater Beach is separated by the city of Clearwater by the Intracoastal Waterway. USA Today readers in 2013 named it Florida’s Best Beach Town. Besides laying in the white sand and swimming in the clear water there are also many activities offered such as fishing, sailing, kayaking, and dolphin tours. A lot of people get married on the beaches here.

A spot popular with visitors is Pier 60, a long fishing pier that hosts a playground, snack bar and day-long entertainers. At night, you can buy crafts from local artisans.

Stroll along Beach Walk where you’ll find drinking fountains and showers to wash the sand off you. If you come alive when the sun goes down, Clearwater Beach has a lively night scene.

6. Fort Lauderdale

No longer the Spring Break destination of popular imagination, Fort Lauderdale is today a sophisticated cultural center with an increasingly upmarket social scene. Located on the Atlantic Ocean about 23 miles (37 km) north of Miami Beach it is also known as the “Venice of America” due to its expansive canal system.

The city has an impressive tourist infrastructure with plenty of hotels, golf courses, marinas and museums. The city’s Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise-ship ports in the world, with megaships departing daily for the Caribbean, Mexico and beyond.

The most popular section of the city beach is called “The Strip” with eating and drinking establishments that run along the land side of the beach road.

5. St. Augustine

Lying just to the south of Jacksonville, along northeastern Florida’s Atlantic coastline, St. Augustine is the oldest European settlement in the States. Founded by the Spanish all the way back in 1565, the city is charming to visit, with impressive historical sights and centuries-old architecture on show.

At the heart of St. Augustine is the sprawling National Historic Landmark District, home to winding cobbled lanes lined by important monuments and historic buildings. Of these, the limestone Castillo de San Marcos fort and the stunning Spanish Renaissance architecture of Flagler College are not to be missed out on.

In addition to its rich history and heritage, St. Augustine also has lots of wonderful restaurants, bars, and cafes for visitors to try out, as well as fun and family-friendly theme parks. You can arrange to go on horse-drawn carriage rides through the city’s ancient streets or explore its fascinating past in one of the excellent museums.

4. Everglades National Park

One of the country’s best natural treasures, the Everglades feature a unique combination of ecosystems that include swamps, sub-tropical jungles, saw-grass prairies and the largest mangrove complex in the Western Hemisphere.

Located in South Florida, much of the Everglades are protected within the Everglades National Park and provide shelter to a wide variety of birds, fish, animals and reptiles, including endangered species like the West Indian manatee, the American crocodile and the Florida panther.

One of the largest national parks in the USA, the Everglades National Park features four different visitor centers that provide education about the Everglades as well as a variety of tours and outstanding experiences.

An air boat tour is one of the most exciting ways to experience the Everglades. What’s more, numerous hiking trails, biking trails and fishing are also available within the national park.

3. Orlando

Orlando is theme-park city, having more theme parks than any place else in the world. There’s Walt Disney World, Epcot Center, Universal Studios, SeaWorld and Gator Park, to name a few, all of which bring 51 million visitors a year to this central Florida city of 2 million people.

This Sunbelt city doesn’t get hit by hurricanes as much as other parts of the state, which makes it a popular place to visit in Florida. One of American’s most visited cities, Orlando is also home to the University of Central Florida, which has the second largest college enrollment in the United States.

2. Miami

One of the most vibrant cities in the USA, Miami is best known for its Latin culture and sizzling nightlife. Located in southeastern Florida off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Miami is also a major port city managing the world’s largest number of passenger cruise ships.

See also: Where to Stay in Miami

Attracting tourists from all over the planet, Miami is a melting pot of ethnic cultures with a wide array of exciting attractions and activities. One of Miami’s main draws is its sunny beaches that range from family friendly to party scenes. Across the bay from Miami on a barrier island is Miami Beach, known for its Art Deco architecture and glamorous South Beach.

1. Key West

A little slice of island paradise, Florida’s Key West actually lies closer to Havana than it does Miami. While not particularly known for its beaches, its fun watersports, lively nightlife and lovely Caribbean look and feel make it a great holiday destination.

Located right at the end of the Overseas Highway, the isolated isle is bordered by both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The southernmost city in the contiguous United States, it exhibits an amazing array of cultural influences with Ernest Hemingway himself having lived here for the best part of a decade.

Asides from visiting his former home, you can tour the island’s historic lighthouse or admire its pretty pastel-colored, conch-style houses. Many people also go scuba diving, snorkeling and sailing before hitting up its raucous bars and nightclubs in the evening. Watching the sun slowly set at Mallory Square is also a quintessential Key West experience.