Day Trippin' › Florida
264 places worth the drive, from Panhandle beaches and crystal springs to Orlando's theme parks, the Space Coast, the Everglades and the Keys, region by region, plus places to eat, stay and catch a movie. Want to know what's within 2 hours of home?
Enter your ZIPWater park · Okaloosa County
A big water park in Destin with wave pools, slides, a lazy river, mini golf and a Skycoaster.
State park · Escambia County
Salt marsh, boardwalks and a tall observation tower over Big Lagoon and Perdido Key. Calm shallow water for paddling and wading.
State park · Santa Rosa County
A tea-colored river with bright white sandbars, perfect for floating, paddling and swimming. Home of a giant Atlantic white cedar trail.
State park · Bay County
A quiet beach and old lodge on a lake that opens to the Gulf, at the west end of Panama City Beach.
Family fun · Okaloosa County
A lively harbor walk with fishing boats, cruises, restaurants and sunset views in Destin.
Garden · Walton County
A white-columned mansion under huge live oaks draped in moss, with camellia and azalea gardens.
Waterfall · Washington County
Florida's tallest waterfall drops into a deep sinkhole. Short boardwalk trails and a small lake.
Cave · Jackson County
The only Florida state park with guided cave tours, through rooms full of stalactites and flowstone.
National park · Escambia County
A big brick fort from the 1830s at the tip of Santa Rosa Island, with quiet Gulf beaches all around it. Great mix of history and beach time.
Beach · Walton County
Often named one of the best beaches in the country, with a rare coastal dune lake right behind the sand.
Zoo · Santa Rosa County
A drive-out zoo with giraffe feeding, a safari train and hundreds of animals on green grounds.
Aquarium · Okaloosa County
A long-running marine park on Okaloosa Island with dolphins, sea lions, sea turtles and shows.
Beach · Okaloosa County
A mile-plus of natural Destin beach with high dunes, right next to town.
Historic site · Escambia County
A walkable block of old homes and museums that tells Pensacola's story under five flags. One ticket covers the history, art and children's museums.
Springs · Walton County
A county park around a wide, deep blue spring on the Choctawhatchee River area, loved by snorkelers and divers.
Museum · Escambia County
Over a hundred historic Navy and Marine aircraft under one roof, from early biplanes to jets. One of the best free museums in the South.
Wildlife · Santa Rosa County
A small center where you can meet rescued sea turtles and learn how locals protect nesting beaches.
Beach · Bay County
About 27 miles of beach with piers, Pier Park shopping and lots of family fun.
Beach · Escambia County
Sugar-white sand and green Gulf water on Santa Rosa Island, with a long fishing pier and plenty of places to eat.
Historic site · Escambia County
Climb 177 steps for wide views over Pensacola Bay and the Naval Air Station. The keeper's house holds a small maritime museum.
Beach · Escambia County
A quiet barrier island beach with tall dunes and boardwalks, much less crowded than Pensacola Beach.
Springs · Holmes County
A small, clear spring pool that stays about 68 degrees all year. Easy nature trails wind along the run.
Small town · Walton County
A walkable 30A town with cobblestone paths, boardwalks to the beach and good places to eat.
Small town · Walton County
The pastel beach town on 30A with food trucks, Airstream Row, shops and a sweet Gulf beach.
Beach · Bay County
Clear jetty water for snorkeling, nature trails and a shuttle to Shell Island. One of the best swims on the coast.
Beach · Gulf County
Tall dunes and a wild, quiet beach on Cape San Blas. Great shelling and sunset views over the Gulf.
Beach · Walton County
Huge white dunes, three dune lakes and a quiet beach along 30A.
Springs · Holmes County
A private spring park with a sandy beach, slides and a deep blue basin. A big draw for snorkelers and scuba divers.
Garden · Leon County
Formal gardens with camellias and azaleas around a lake, plus trails and a swim spot on Lake Hall.
Food town · Franklin County
An old Gulf port known for oysters and seafood, with a historic downtown of shops, galleries and B&Bs.
Beach · Franklin County
A wild beach and marsh point on Apalachee Bay, great for birding and fall monarch butterflies.
Family fun · Leon County
Downtown Tallahassee science center with an IMAX dome screen and a planetarium.
Historic site · Franklin County
A tall iron lighthouse near Carrabelle with a small museum and Gulf views from the top.
Beach · Franklin County
Miles of quiet, undeveloped beach and dunes at the east end of St. George Island.
Springs · Wakulla County
One of the world's largest and deepest springs. River boat tours show off manatees, gators and birds, and there's a swim area with a diving platform.
Museum · Leon County
The restored 1902 capitol with its striped awnings and stained glass dome, packed with Florida political history.
Historic site · Leon County
Large earthen temple mounds built by Native people centuries ago, with a short trail through the woods.
Hike · Leon County
A forest trail past deep sinkholes and karst features in the Apalachicola National Forest.
Springs · Madison County
A clear blue spring on the Withlacoochee River, with a swim area and cave diving.
Historic site · Leon County
A rebuilt 1600s Spanish mission and Apalachee village with costumed guides and a huge council house.
State park · Wakulla County
Pine woods where two rivers meet, with a swimming area, paddling and a chance to spot white squirrels.
Wildlife · Wakulla County
Salt marsh, pine woods and the historic St. Marks Lighthouse on the Gulf. Famous for winter birds and fall monarch butterflies.
Historic site · Hamilton County
A museum and carillon tower honoring the songwriter of the Suwannee River song, with craft shops and river trails.
State park · Suwannee County
Where the Withlacoochee meets the Suwannee, with old earthworks and bluff trails.
Museum · Leon County
A woodsy outdoor museum with native Florida animals, old farm buildings and a treetop zipline.
Bike trail · Leon County
A flat, paved rail trail about 16 miles from Tallahassee to the riverside town of St. Marks. Great for an easy bike ride.
Hike · Liberty County
High bluffs over the Apalachicola River with some of the hilliest hiking in Florida and a historic plantation house.
Beach · St. Johns County
Four miles of wide beach, tall dunes and a calm lagoon for paddling, right by St. Augustine.
Island · Duval County
Boneyard Beach is lined with bleached, fallen trees that look like driftwood sculptures. Bluffs and hiking trails too.
Historic site · Flagler County
Coquina ruins of a sugar mill burned in 1836, set in quiet woods by a creek.
Historic site · St. Johns County
The oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S., guarding St. Augustine's bay since the 1600s.
Museum · Duval County
A fine art museum with riverfront formal gardens under a huge old oak.
Small town · Nassau County
A Victorian seaport on Amelia Island with a walkable downtown, shrimp boats and about 13 miles of beach.
Small town · Flagler County
A laid-back beach town on A1A with a fishing pier, surf and small cafes.
Historic site · Duval County
A model of a 1564 French fort on the St. Johns River, with trails into the Timucuan Preserve.
Historic site · Nassau County
A well-kept Civil War era brick fort with living history weekends, plus beach and trails on Amelia Island.
Historic site · St. Johns County
Take a short free ferry to a small Spanish fort on a marsh island. Nice nature trail at the visitor center too.
Historic site · St. Johns County
Site of the first legally free Black settlement in what is now the U.S. A boardwalk crosses the marsh.
Historic site · St. Johns County
A riverfront park on the site of St. Augustine's 1565 founding, with history shows and peacocks.
Wildlife · St. Johns County
Trails through marsh and woods plus an unspoiled beach between Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine.
Zoo · Duval County
A big zoo with gardens, a new Manatee River habitat, and lots of African and Asian animals.
Historic site · Duval County
The oldest plantation house in Florida and rows of tabby slave cabins on Fort George Island. A sobering, important stop.
Beach · Duval County
Five miles of quiet, natural beach and dunes, with paddling in the salt marsh.
Aquarium · Flagler County
A historic oceanfront marine park where you can watch and interact with dolphins.
State park · Clay County
A steep ravine with springs and a clear stream, plus lakes for swimming and paddling.
Garden · Putnam County
Deep ravines with suspension bridges, azaleas and a loop drive in Palatka.
Zoo · St. Johns County
Every kind of crocodilian on Earth, plus a wading bird rookery and a zipline course.
Historic site · St. Johns County
Climb 219 steps up a black and white striped lighthouse for big views of the old city and the ocean.
Garden · Flagler County
Formal gardens on the river side and a rocky coquina beach on the ocean side, all in one stop.
Springs · Lake County
A wide spring with a sandy beach and 72-degree water, one of the best swims in the Ocala National Forest.
Small town · Levy County
An old fishing village on the Gulf known for clams, seafood, birdwatching and sunsets.
Historic site · Citrus County
Native mounds by the river with a small museum and a lookout over the water.
Hike · Alachua County
A boardwalk drops 120 feet into a giant sinkhole with tiny waterfalls and ferns.
Museum · Marion County
Hundreds of drag racers and classic cars from a racing legend's collection.
Historic site · Alachua County
A working 1800s Florida farm with old buildings, animals and gardens.
Wildlife · Citrus County
See manatees up close from an underwater observatory, plus panthers, bears and birds.
Springs · Levy County
A clear spring with a swim area and boardwalk by the Suwannee River.
Museum · Alachua County
Fossils, Florida habitats and a walk-through butterfly rainforest on the UF campus.
Bike trail · Alachua County
A 16-mile paved rail trail through forest and along Paynes Prairie.
Springs · Gilchrist County
A private park with seven clear springs on the Santa Fe River, great for tubing, snorkeling and diving.
Springs · Suwannee County
The classic Florida tubing river, crystal clear and cool, with swim spots at the head spring.
Springs · Marion County
A historic stone swim spring in the Ocala National Forest, plus a famous winding canoe run.
Garden · Alachua County
Bamboo groves, a hummingbird garden and giant water lilies in summer.
Springs · Levy County
A big blue spring flowing into the Suwannee River. Manatees visit in winter.
Historic site · Alachua County
The Cross Creek farm home of the author of The Yearling, with gardens and trails.
Small town · Alachua County
A tiny, very old town with antique shops and moss-draped oaks near Paynes Prairie.
State park · Columbia County
The Santa Fe River sinks underground here. Trails, a suspension bridge and a river swim area.
Wildlife · Alachua County
A huge open prairie where wild horses, bison and alligators roam. Climb the tower for the view.
Springs · Marion County
A former roadside attraction with waterfalls, gardens and a buoyed swim area at the head of the Rainbow River.
Springs · Marion County
A slightly salty spring pool in the Ocala National Forest, with a run that leads to Lake George.
Springs · Marion County
A big, clear spring bowl where you might see fish swim right past you while you snorkel.
Springs · Marion County
Home of the famous glass bottom boats, gliding over huge clear springs with fish, turtles and sometimes monkeys.
Wildlife · Citrus County
Boardwalks over clear springs where hundreds of manatees gather on cold winter days.
Springs · Hernando County
Live mermaid shows in an underwater theater, plus a spring-fed swim area with slides in season.
Bike trail · Hernando County
Florida's longest paved rail trail, about 46-47 miles through small towns and forest.
Springs · Volusia County
The best place in Florida to see manatees in winter, hundreds at a time, from a boardwalk.
Garden · Polk County
A singing carillon tower set in gardens on one of the highest hills in peninsular Florida.
Zoo · Seminole County
A shady, walkable zoo in Sanford with rhinos, tortoises and a lantern festival in winter.
Springs · Volusia County
A spring swim area plus a famous old sugar mill restaurant where you make your own pancakes.
Theme park · Orange County
World showcase pavilions, big rides and food festivals.
Zoo · Orange County
A classic Orlando park with gators, shows and a long boardwalk over a breeding marsh.
Garden · Orange County
Fifty acres of gardens with camellias, roses and huge oaks in Orlando.
Hike · Highlands County
Boardwalks through old cypress swamps and giant oaks, one of Florida's first state parks.
Island · Volusia County
A car-free island in the St. Johns River, reached by a free ferry, with trails and a shell mound.
Theme park · Polk County
A LEGO park for kids 2-12 on the site of old Cypress Gardens, plus a water park and Peppa Pig park.
State park · Polk County
Big lake views and a living history 1876 cow camp on weekends.
Lake · Lake County
Rolling hills and a string of lakes near Clermont, with swimming, paddling and trails.
Theme park · Orange County
Cinderella Castle, classic rides and parades. The heart of Walt Disney World.
Small town · Lake County
A hilly lakeside town with antique shops, festivals and lake views.
Museum · Orange County
Four floors of hands-on science, dinosaurs and a giant-screen theater.
Theme park · Orange County
Marine life shows, coasters and animal habitats.
Theme park · Orange County
Universal's newest theme park with several themed worlds.
Theme park · Orange County
Big coasters and themed lands next to Universal Studios Florida.
Theme park · Orange County
Movie-themed rides and shows, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
Water park · Orange County
A tropical water park built around a giant volcano with slides and a lazy river.
Springs · Orange County
A clear, cool spring swimming area close to Orlando, with paddling and trails.
Wildlife · Osceola County
A drive-thru safari, gator park and real Everglades-style airboat rides near Kenansville.
Small town · Orange County
Park Avenue shopping and a one-hour scenic boat tour through lakes and canals past grand homes.
Museum · Brevard County
A small museum full of space program artifacts in Titusville.
Beach · Volusia County
The north end of the national seashore with Turtle Mound and quiet beach near New Smyrna.
Zoo · Brevard County
A hands-on zoo where you can kayak past animals and feed giraffes.
Beach · Brevard County
The Space Coast's surf town with a long sandy beach and rocket launch views.
Family fun · Brevard County
An 800-foot pier with food, bars, an arcade, live music and surf lessons.
Beach · Volusia County
A famous wide beach where you can still drive on the sand in parts, plus a pier and boardwalk.
Family fun · Volusia County
The World Center of Racing. Tours take you to the track and garages.
Water park · Volusia County
A water park plus go-karts, laser tag and mini golf.
Beach · St. Lucie County
A beach and jetty park with good surf and a calm cove.
Beach · Brevard County
A beach park with a fishing pier where you can watch cruise ships sail out.
Museum · Brevard County
See the Space Shuttle Atlantis, a Saturn V rocket and launch pads. A must for space fans.
Wildlife · Volusia County
A sea turtle and seabird rescue center with aquariums and a boardwalk in Ponce Inlet.
Garden · Indian River County
A historic jungle garden with water lilies and old stone buildings in Vero Beach.
Wildlife · Brevard County
Black Point Wildlife Drive is a 7-mile loop full of wading birds, gators and winter ducks.
Museum · Volusia County
A big Daytona museum with art, a giant sloth skeleton and a planetarium.
Museum · St. Lucie County
The story of Navy frogmen and SEALs at the beach where they trained.
Small town · Volusia County
Surf beach town with shops on Flagler Avenue and art on Canal Street.
Wildlife · Indian River County
America's first national wildlife refuge with trails and an observation tower over the lagoon.
Beach · Brevard County
A wild, undeveloped beach with views of the launch pads.
Historic site · Volusia County
Florida's tallest lighthouse with a museum complex in the old keepers' houses.
Beach · Indian River County
A famous surf and fishing spot with jetties, beaches and a lagoon.
State park · Volusia County
Oak hammocks and marsh on the Tomoka River, great for paddling.
Water park · Hillsborough County
Water park next to Busch Gardens with slides, a lazy river and wave pool.
Island · Manatee County
Laid-back barrier island with old Florida cottages, piers and white beaches. A free trolley runs the length of the island.
Theme park · Hillsborough County
Big roller coasters and an animal park in one. Ride, then watch giraffes and rhinos on the Serengeti plain.
Island · Pinellas County
A ferry ride takes you to one of Florida's best undeveloped beaches, with soft sand and a mangrove paddle trail.
Beach · Pinellas County
Wide white sand beach with lively Pier 60, and a free nightly sunset festival with street performers and crafts.
Aquarium · Pinellas County
Working marine rescue center where you can meet rescued dolphins, sea turtles and otters.
Hike · Citrus County
Quiet trails and a long loop through salt marsh and pine flatwoods on the Nature Coast. Great for birding and biking.
National park · Manatee County
Shaded waterfront trail where Spanish explorers are thought to have landed in 1539. Free and quiet.
Island · Hillsborough County
Boat-only island with old fort ruins, a lighthouse, gopher tortoises and quiet beaches.
Beach · Pinellas County
Nearly three miles of beach, a historic fort, fishing piers, a dog beach and a big campground at the mouth of Tampa Bay.
Bike trail · Pinellas County
Paved trail of over 40 miles from Tarpon Springs through Dunedin to St. Petersburg. Lots of food stops on the way.
Historic site · Manatee County
Tour the only surviving antebellum plantation house in South Florida and learn about the people enslaved there.
Museum · Hillsborough County
Step inside a silver-minareted 1891 railroad hotel with original furniture and Gilded Age stories.
State park · Hillsborough County
Rare Class II rapids on a Florida river, shady trails, paddling and a campground close to Tampa.
Beach · Pinellas County
Wild Gulf beach with shelling, osprey nests on the pine trail and the ferry dock for Caladesi Island.
Wildlife · Hillsborough County
Boardwalk through a cypress swamp on the Hillsborough River with gators, birds and an observation tower.
Garden · Sarasota County
Bayfront garden famous for orchids and air plants, with a big banyan grove and a kids' rainforest garden.
Aquarium · Sarasota County
Research aquarium on City Island with sharks, sea turtles and manatees. Its new Mote SEA aquarium is near the Sarasota mall.
State park · Sarasota County
Huge wild park with gators, a canopy walkway in the treetops, airboat tours and a scenic drive.
Beach · Sarasota County
Soft quartz sand that stays cool underfoot, gentle water and free parking. Often ranked among the best US beaches.
Garden · Pinellas County
Century-old garden in a sunken sinkhole with waterfalls, flamingos and thick tropical plants in the middle of St. Pete.
Bike trail · Hillsborough County
A 2.6-mile path along the Hillsborough River linking parks, museums and restaurants from Armature Works to Sparkman Wharf.
Food town · Pinellas County
Greek town on the water with sponge boats, bakeries and Greek restaurants along Dodecanese Boulevard.
Museum · Pinellas County
Huge collection of Salvador Dalí art in a striking glass building on the St. Petersburg waterfront.
Aquarium · Hillsborough County
Big aquarium on the Tampa waterfront with a coral reef tank, sharks, penguins and a splash pad.
Museum · Sarasota County
Circus museum, a grand Venetian-style mansion, an art museum and bayfront gardens on one big campus.
Historic site · Hillsborough County
Learn about Tampa's cigar-making past in an old bakery and restored worker cottages in the heart of Ybor City.
Zoo · Hillsborough County
Large zoo with manatee rescue, giraffe feeding and a kids' area. A great family day.
Beach · Collier County
Long, undeveloped beach between Bonita Springs and Naples, with a nature trail and gopher tortoises.
Historic site · Lee County
Walk among giant shell mounds left by the Calusa people on Pine Island. Signs explain their story.
Island · Lee County
Remote barrier island with nine miles of empty beaches and superb shelling. A true escape.
Wildlife · Collier County
A 2.25-mile boardwalk through the largest old-growth bald cypress forest in North America.
Beach · Collier County
Calm Gulf beach in North Naples with shade, good swimming and shelling near the pass.
Historic site · Lee County
Walk through the riverfront winter homes, gardens and lab of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford.
Hike · Lee County
Quiet trails across salt flats and pine scrub to views of Estero Bay. Good birding.
Beach · Lee County
Wide, gentle beach with a fishing pier area and a lively strip. Good for families.
Beach · Lee County
Shelling beaches and the 1890 Port Boca Grande Lighthouse at the tip of a quiet island. Boca Grande town is charming.
Wildlife · Lee County
Drive, bike or walk a four-mile loop on Sanibel past roseate spoonbills, pelicans and wading birds.
Historic site · Lee County
Explore the restored buildings of a 1890s utopian community along the Estero River. Nice paddling too.
Beach · Lee County
Quiet barrier island beach reached by a short walk or path, with manatees and dolphins often seen in the lagoons.
Wildlife · Lee County
Warm-water canal where manatees gather on cool winter days. Free to visit, with kayak rentals in season.
Garden · Collier County
Big garden with Caribbean, Asian and Florida sections, water lilies and a children's garden.
Zoo · Collier County
Historic garden zoo with a primate boat ride, giraffe feeding and big cats.
Museum · Collier County
Hands-on center about the mangroves and wildlife of Southwest Florida, with a short trail and pedestrian bridge.
Island · Lee County
Famous shelling beaches, bike paths across the island and a slower pace. Pair it with Ding Darling.
Hike · Lee County
About a mile of boardwalk through a cypress wetland with gators, otters and birds. Very easy and shady.
Beach · Charlotte County
Narrow strip of natural beach on Manasota Key with shelling, shark teeth and a walk to the pass.
Beach · Collier County
Lagoon beach on Marco Island that is great for birds and shelling. Wade across to the sandbar.
Wildlife · Palm Beach County
The northern Everglades near Boynton Beach, with a cypress boardwalk, marsh trails and a canoe trail.
Museum · Collier County
Gallery of giant black and white photographs of the Everglades, with guided swamp walks in season.
National park · Collier County
Huge cypress swamp along the Tamiami Trail with boardwalks, gators by the road and very dark night skies.
Family fun · Hendry County
Swamp buggy rides and airboats on the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation.
Small town · Hendry County
Sugar town on the south shore of Lake Okeechobee, a base for bass fishing and airboat rides.
State park · Collier County
Mangrove forest park with a paddling trail, a hiking trail and a historic walking dredge.
Family fun · Miami-Dade County
Gator shows, hundreds of alligators and airboat rides near Homestead. Good with kids.
Family fun · Broward County
Classic airboat rides into the sawgrass and a gator show at the edge of Fort Lauderdale.
Hike · Collier County
Wild swamp famous for orchids and panthers, with the Big Cypress Bend boardwalk and the Janes Scenic Drive.
National park · Monroe County
End of the road in the Everglades on Florida Bay, with crocodiles, manatees, boat tours and paddling.
Wildlife · Collier County
Two short trails into panther country near Immokalee. You will likely not see a panther, but the habitat is rich.
National park · Collier County
Gateway to the Ten Thousand Islands, with boat tours through the mangroves and kayak trips.
Hike · Collier County
Short boardwalk off the Tamiami Trail into a cypress dome with ferns, orchids and birds.
Scenic drive · Monroe County
A 24-mile back road through cypress swamp where gators, birds and wildflowers line the way.
Food town · Miami-Dade County
Famous Homestead fruit stand known for fresh tropical fruit milkshakes. A perfect stop on the way to the Everglades or Keys.
National park · Miami-Dade County
Bike or take a tram along a 15-mile paved loop with gators everywhere, and climb the observation tower at the halfway point.
Historic site · Collier County
Old trading post on stilts in Chokoloskee, now a museum of frontier life.
Wildlife · Collier County
A one-mile Marsh Trail with a two-story observation tower over the marsh, near Marco Island.
Scenic drive · Collier County
A 17-mile loop across wet prairie, great for wading birds, gators and turtles from the car.
Beach · Miami-Dade County
Beach on the tip of Key Biscayne with a historic lighthouse and bike paths.
National park · Miami-Dade County
A park that is 95 percent water, with coral reefs, islands and shipwrecks. Start at the visitor center and take a boat tour.
Historic site · Broward County
Colorful 1920s estate between the ocean and the Intracoastal in Fort Lauderdale, with monkeys in the trees.
Garden · Broward County
Walk through huge screened aviaries full of butterflies and feed lorikeets.
Historic site · Miami-Dade County
Mysterious coral rock sculptures and buildings carved by one man in the 1920s to 1940s.
Historic site · Miami-Dade County
Historic bayfront estate with nature trails, mangroves and old homes south of Miami.
Small town · Palm Beach County
Walkable Atlantic Avenue with cafes and galleries that runs right to the beach.
Garden · Miami-Dade County
Huge tropical garden with palms, a rainforest, a butterfly conservatory and lakes.
Historic site · Palm Beach County
Henry Flagler's 1902 Palm Beach mansion, Whitehall, with his private rail car.
Garden · Broward County
Old botanical garden and wildlife sanctuary in Davie with flamingos, panthers and huge trees.
State park · Broward County
Green escape across from Fort Lauderdale Beach with paddling, trails and a lagoon.
Beach · Palm Beach County
Long natural beach on Singer Island reached by a boardwalk over the lagoon. Good snorkeling at the reef.
State park · Martin County
Big park on the Loxahatchee River with a river boat tour, hiking, biking and a lookout tower.
Family fun · Miami-Dade County
Animal park on Watson Island with parrots, lemurs and hands-on encounters.
Historic site · Palm Beach County
Climb the 1860 red lighthouse for views over the inlet and ocean.
Zoo · Palm Beach County
Drive your own car through open habitats with lions, giraffes and rhinos, then walk the park.
Food town · Miami-Dade County
Calle Ocho is the heart of Cuban Miami, with cafecito windows, cigar shops, dominoes and live music.
Aquarium · Palm Beach County
Sea turtle hospital in Juno Beach where you can see patients recovering. Free to visit.
Historic site · Miami-Dade County
Pastel Art Deco hotels along Ocean Drive and Collins Avenue, steps from the beach.
Garden · Palm Beach County
Peaceful Japanese gardens with koi ponds, bonsai and a museum about Japanese settlers in Florida.
Museum · Palm Beach County
West Palm Beach art museum with a sculpture garden and strong American and Asian collections.
Bike trail · Miami-Dade County
Florida's largest urban park, with miles of mountain bike trails, paddling and a calm beach.
Zoo · Palm Beach County
Shady, walkable zoo with tigers, jaguars and Florida panthers.
Museum · Miami-Dade County
Modern art museum on the bay with hanging gardens and big views of Biscayne Bay.
Museum · Miami-Dade County
Science museum with a three-level aquarium, a planetarium and hands-on exhibits.
Water park · Palm Beach County
Big water park in Riviera Beach with tall slides, a wave pool and a lazy river.
Swimming · Miami-Dade County
Historic 1924 pool carved from a coral rock quarry, with waterfalls, caves and spring water.
Historic site · Miami-Dade County
Grand 1916 bayfront estate with Italian-style rooms and formal gardens. Miami's most beautiful old house.
Wildlife · Palm Beach County
Boardwalk over wetlands in Delray Beach, packed with nesting birds and gators.
Museum · Miami-Dade County
Outdoor gallery of huge, colorful murals in Miami's arts district.
Zoo · Miami-Dade County
Florida's largest zoo, with open habitats for elephants, giraffes and Florida animals.
Beach · Monroe County
Shallow, calm water and a boardwalk on Lower Matecumbe Key. Great for wading with kids.
Beach · Monroe County
Some of the best natural beaches in the Keys, plus a view from the old railroad bridge.
Hike · Monroe County
Trails and boardwalks through tropical forest, historic houses, a bird center and a museum in Marathon.
Beach · Monroe County
Uncrowded beach and calm water in Marathon. Good kayaking.
Hike · Monroe County
Quiet trails through rare tropical hardwood hammock in north Key Largo.
Wildlife · Monroe County
Nonprofit center in Grassy Key where you can watch dolphin and sea lion sessions and learn about them.
National park · Monroe County
Remote islands 70 miles past Key West with massive Fort Jefferson and clear snorkeling water.
Historic site · Monroe County
Guided tour of the writer's Key West house and gardens, home to dozens of six-toed cats.
Bike trail · Monroe County
Paved path that follows the Overseas Highway across many of the Keys, with old railroad bridges.
Historic site · Monroe County
Civil War fort plus Key West's best beach for snorkeling and shade.
Historic site · Monroe County
Guided tour of the Key West home where President Truman spent his winters.
Museum · Monroe County
Old diving helmets and gear from around the world in Islamorada. A good rainy day stop.
Historic site
Paddle or boat to a tiny island with ruins of an 1830s town.
State park · Monroe County
America's first undersea park, with glass-bottom boats and snorkel trips to the reef off Key Largo.
Garden · Monroe County
Glass dome full of free-flying butterflies and birds on Duval Street.
State park · Monroe County
Oceanfront park with a paddling trail through mangroves and an observation tower.
Viewpoint · Monroe County
Key West's famous nightly sunset celebration with street performers and food carts.
Wildlife · Monroe County
See tiny Key deer on Big Pine Key, and watch for gators at the Blue Hole, an old quarry pond.
Scenic drive · Monroe County
Drive 113 miles over turquoise water from Key Largo to Key West on bridges and islands.
Historic site · Monroe County
Walk or bike the restored Old Seven Mile Bridge to a tiny island that housed the railroad builders.
Wildlife · Monroe County
Feed giant tarpon from the dock, then browse the market or book a kayak or snorkel trip.
Beach · Monroe County
Marathon's free palm-lined beach with calm water, a playground and turtle nests in summer.
Viewpoint · Monroe County
Classic photo stop at the giant buoy marking the southern tip of the continental US.
Wildlife · Monroe County
See sick and injured sea turtles being treated and released in Marathon. Guided tours only.
Family fun · Monroe County
Marine park in an old quarry with dolphin and sea lion shows and a lagoon beach.
State park · Monroe County
Walk an old quarry where you can see fossil coral up close in the walls.
Seafood · Cocoa Beach
A small, creative seafood spot with Caribbean flavors.
Seafood · Destin
Gulf seafood and oysters with Southern sides, right on Destin Harbor.
Seafood · Fort Lauderdale
Casual waterfront raw bar near Port Everglades with oysters, conch fritters and live music.
Southern · Fort Myers
Southern regional cooking served in two turn-of-the-century homes in the downtown River District.
American · Gainesville
Seasonal menus with local ingredients and Florida seafood.
Pizza · Gainesville
A quirky, art-filled pizza place that is a true Gainesville landmark.
Italian · Jacksonville
A cozy spot for pasta and small plates in the walkable San Marco district.
Diner · Key Largo
Homey Keys diner known for chili, conch chowder and pies.
Caribbean · Key West
Shady Bahama Village courtyard with roosters walking by. Famous for breakfast and tall key lime pie.
Cuban · Key West
Colorful Key West coffee window with Cuban mix sandwiches and cafe con leche, several locations.
Bakery · Key West
Key lime pie on a stick, cookies and key lime everything.
Cuban · Miami
Little Havana icon for Cuban sandwiches, croquetas and strong cafecito from the walk-up window.
Seafood · Miami Beach
Miami Beach legend for stone crab claws, fried chicken and key lime pie.
Seafood · Naples
Old Florida fish house on the Gordon River with simple, fresh seafood.
Seafood · Naples
Waterfront seafood on Naples Bay. Walk-in only and a local favorite for lunch.
BBQ · Orlando
Smoked meats with Latin, Asian and Caribbean twists in the Mills 50 district.
Southern · Orlando
Southern comfort food for breakfast and lunch plus big homemade desserts.
Seafood · Panama City Beach
A big, old-school waterfront seafood house by the marina, a PCB favorite for decades.
Seafood · Panama City Beach
Casual beachfront lunch and dinner with sunset views.
Seafood · Pensacola
A huge, busy seafood market on the water with a deli, sushi and ready-to-eat gumbo and shrimp. A Pensacola tradition.
Seafood · Pensacola
Gulf seafood and grits on the bayfront in downtown Pensacola.
Seafood · Pensacola Beach
A laid-back beach spot for oysters, fried shrimp and blackened snapper, with live music on Saturday nights.
Southern · Port Orange
Southern seafood on the river with famous cinnamon rolls and a big Sunday brunch.
Southern seafood · Sarasota
Fun downtown spot with Southern seafood, local fish and a backyard under a big banyan tree.
Amish · Sarasota
Amish home cooking in Pinecraft, with fried chicken, meatloaf and a long list of homemade pies.
Spanish · St. Augustine
Spanish and Cuban classics in a grand old building on the main pedestrian street.
Cajun · St. Augustine
Cajun and Creole dishes with a courtyard across from the bayfront.
Seafood · St. Augustine
A no-frills local favorite famous for fried shrimp.
Southern · St. Augustine
Farm-to-table Southern food made with local produce and seafood.
Cajun · Tallahassee
Cajun, Creole and Southern plates downtown, close to the Capitol.
American · Tallahassee
Burgers, brunch and a lively patio near the Florida State campus.
Steakhouse · Tampa
Old-school steakhouse famous for dry-aged steaks, a giant wine list and a separate dessert room upstairs.
Spanish and Cuban · Tampa
Florida's oldest restaurant, in a tiled Ybor City landmark. Known for its 1905 salad, Cuban sandwiches and flamenco shows.
Cuban · West Palm Beach
Cuban classics in West Palm, with a walk-up window that never closes.
Market · Clearwater
Free nightly sunset festival with musicians, fire jugglers and more than 30 craft vendors.
Water park · Daytona Beach
Water slides, go-karts, laser tag and mini golf near the beach.
Water park · Destin
Wave pools, slides, mini golf and a Skycoaster for a summer day.
Tour · Fort Lauderdale
Hop-on, hop-off boat rides past mansions and yachts on the canals of Fort Lauderdale.
Brewery · Fort Myers · 21+
Local craft brewery taproom.
Brewery · Gainesville
A popular local brewery with a big taproom and outdoor space.
Live music · Jacksonville
A grand historic theater downtown with concerts, comedy and film nights.
Tour · Key West
An hour-long narrated ride past Key West's top sights. Good first look at the island.
Market · Key West
Nightly sunset party with street performers, food carts and crafts on the harbor.
Live music · Miami · 21+
Historic Calle Ocho club with live Latin music, salsa dancing and Cuban food.
Market · Naples
Historic shopping and dining district in Old Naples near the beach.
Arcade · Orlando
The giant Orlando Eye wheel plus an aquarium, wax museum, arcade and restaurants in one place.
Market · Sarasota
Ring of shops and restaurants near Lido Beach. Nice for an evening stroll.
Tour · St. Augustine
Winery tours and tastings in a historic building near downtown.
Tour · St. Augustine
Fun tours in an old ice plant with tastings at the end.
Market · Tampa
Restored riverfront warehouse with restaurants, shops and free events like a monthly car show.
Market · Tampa
Waterfront dining garden with food stalls, a lawn and events on the Tampa Riverwalk.
Movie theater · Aventura
Big chain multiplex at Aventura Mall.
Movie theater · Coral Gables
Nonprofit art house in downtown Coral Gables with indie, foreign and classic films.
Movie theater · Daytona Beach
A small nonprofit art house cinema downtown.
Movie theater · Fort Lauderdale
Art house cinema run by the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
Movie theater · Jacksonville
An independent Five Points cinema with craft beer and pizza.
Movie theater · Lake Buena Vista
A big chain multiplex with dine-in screens at Disney Springs.
Movie theater · Lake Worth Beach
Historic 1924 playhouse that runs an independent film series.
Movie theater · Maitland
A nonprofit indie cinema with full meal service and a beloved film festival.
Movie theater · Miami Beach
Independent nonprofit cinema showing indie and festival films.
Movie theater · Sarasota
Downtown art house run by the Sarasota Film Society, showing indie and foreign films.
Movie theater · St. Augustine
A tiny indie cinema and cafe in the historic district.
Movie theater · Tallahassee
A downtown IMAX dome theater showing Hollywood films and documentaries.
Movie theater · Tampa
Restored 1926 movie palace with a starry ceiling, showing classic and independent films.
Typical ticket prices from each theater's own site, with the date we checked; prices and showtimes change, so tap See showtimes for today's.
State park cabins · Bristol (Tallahassee area)
Cabins, yurts and camping on high bluffs over the Apalachicola River.
Resort · Cocoa Beach
Oceanfront suites near the Cocoa Beach Pier.
Hotel · Coral Gables
Historic 1926 landmark with a huge pool and golf course.
Resort · Destin
An upscale resort next to Henderson Beach State Park.
Campground · Fernandina Beach
Camp near a Civil War fort with beach and river sites.
Resort · Fort Lauderdale
Family-friendly beach resort with a private beach and lagoon pool.
Hotel · Fort Lauderdale
Historic hotel right on Las Olas Boulevard, near shops and the river.
Resort · Fort Myers Beach
Beachfront resort at the quiet north end of Fort Myers Beach.
Hotel · Gainesville
A modern boutique hotel near the University of Florida.
Hotel · Jacksonville Beach
A historic 1925 oceanfront hotel with a restaurant and rooftop.
Resort · Key Largo
Bayside resort in Key Largo with a beach, pools and sunset views.
Resort · Key West
Waterfront resort at the end of Duval Street, steps from Mallory Square.
Hotel · Naples
Small garden hotel in Old Naples, steps from Fifth Avenue South and the beach.
Campground · Ormond Beach
Shady river campsites north of Daytona Beach.
Resort · Palm Beach
Famous oceanfront resort in Palm Beach with many pools and restaurants.
Hotel · Palm Beach
Pink boutique hotel a block from the beach and Worth Avenue.
Hotel · Panama City Beach
A beachfront hotel with pools and on-site dining.
Campground · Panama City Beach
Campsites by the water in one of the best beach parks on the coast.
Resort · Pensacola Beach
Beachfront condo towers with Gulf and Sound views.
Resort · Sarasota
Gulf-front resort on Lido Key, a short walk to St. Armands Circle.
Campground · St. Augustine
Shady campsites a short walk from a big natural beach.
Inn · St. Augustine · 21+
A historic bayfront inn with 21 rooms right in the old town.
Resort · St. Pete Beach
The famous pink beachfront palace, open since the 1920s.
Resort · St. Petersburg
Grand 1925 waterfront hotel downtown with a marina, golf and spa.
Hotel · Tampa
Food-focused boutique hotel across the street from Bern's Steak House.
Campground · Tierra Verde
A 236-site county campground with water views, near the beaches and fort.
Hotel · Winter Park
An art-filled boutique hotel steps from Park Avenue.
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Facts checked against official sites; each spot shows when. Passes and hours change, so check before you go.