The sunshine state has a lot to offer its visitors. You can find lots to do and see from the Panhandle right down to the southernmost point in the US, at Key West. There’s something for everyone: Stunning beaches perfect for water sports, major theme parks, buzzing Miami, or the laid-back Florida Keys. Two national parks stand out for their efforts in conservation: the Biscayne National Park and the Everglades National Park.
Orlando is the place to go if visiting major theme parks is on your radar. Disney World, SeaWorld and the Kennedy Space Center are all located in the area as well as many other fun attractions that are sure to appeal to the young and the young at heart.
Our favorite is the Kennedy Space Center and when we visited from Miami, we had timed our visit with a rocket launch but as Mother Nature would have it, the launch got cancelled due to bad weather and high winds. That said, the center is an impressive site and certainly worth seeing on its own.
Tip: Look on their website for rocket launch schedules and reserve ahead if you want to watch it from the launch pads of Cape Canaveral. If you can, plan a couple of days in case of postponement to avoid disappointment.
We haven’t visited the Panhandle yet, but we drove through and saw the pristine white sand beaches, which would be an ideal destination for a quiet and relaxing vacation on the seaside.
We tried to visit Tampa however Tropical Storm Debby interfered with our travel plans. These sorts of things can happen when deciding to visit a place during hurricane season…
Beaches
Beaches can be found all over the eastern coast of Florida and some of the most popular ones include Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Sunny Isles, Miami Beach and South Beach around the Miami area. There are of course beaches all along the coast from Jacksonville down into the Keys, although the keys did not have as many as we had expected.
Following are some of the beaches we visit more often
Fort Lauderdale, a hub for spring breakers, has one of the best beaches in Florida with lifeguards and amenities (Picnic tables, BBQs, showers, restrooms). It’s a beautiful wide beach with room for numerous beachgoers and ideal for many water activities.
For a more relaxed vibe head over to John U. Lloyd State Park near Port Everglades and from the pier, you can watch cruise ships sail away (typically Saturdays and Thursdays). You can almost touch them as they come up the narrow channel. Be ready for the customary blasts of the horn signaling a thank you to the port authorities and staff. It’s a great place for a BBQ or a picnic before the sunset, after which the park closes. Amenities are available but there aren’t any lifeguards.
Further to the south, there is Hollywood Beach with lifeguards and amenities. The esplanade makes it a good place to take a leisurely stroll (wheelchair accessible) and to enjoy the ocean view. Also, many restaurants and tourist shops border the Hollywood Beach Broadwalk. Many snowbirds come here to escape the cold winters of their hometown.
Our usual hangout is at the northern end of Sunny Isles Beach. Many locals or long-term visitors come here to relax and enjoy the beach. It’s quieter and that’s probably why we love it! These beaches also have lifeguards and amenities.
Miami Beach and South Beach are two of the most popular beaches in Florida and are a prime destination for spring breakers, hipsters and snowbirds. Both have lifeguards and access to public showers, restrooms and changing rooms.
See our South Florida Beach Guide
For a change of scenery take a boat tour through the canals and see Millionaire’s Row with its multi-million-dollar homes and mega yachts docked in front. This is where the rich and famous live, at least part of the year, and where spring breakers congregate to party and create a temporary island with their boats.
The Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are an excellent destination for scuba diving with many dive sites including many wrecks as well as beautiful reefs thriving with marine life. Snorkeling, boating and fishing are also popular activities. Happening Key West with its laid-back attitude is an excellent destination for those looking for a thriving nightlife.
There is so much to do in Florida, there’s something for everyone.
More about South Florida:
- Miami and South Florida
- The Florida Keys and Key West
- South Florida Day Trip Ideas
- South Florida Beach Guide
- South Florida Dive Sites