9 Best Attractions To Visit In Florida
Florida is a southeastern state known as a tropical paradise for locals and tourists alike. With its pristine beaches, abundant wildlife, and coastal beauty, the Sunshine State more than speaks for itself. From Orlando's Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island to the Florida Keys and Everglades National Park, there is something on this list to satisfy and delight every traveler looking to explore this corner of the country in all its glory.
Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando
One of the most iconic theme parks in the world, Walt Disney World brings every type of tourist together for magical adventures and a celebration of the creative spirit. Situated in Orlando, central Florida, the attraction is a must for fairy tale scenery, enchanting thrill rides, and photo ops with costumed characters. It is also beloved for its parades, fireworks, and seasonal events.
With its four unique sections to consider, including Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot, there is no limit to what vacationers may discover. From iconic rides like Space Mountain and It's a Small World to live shows and themed restaurants, this attraction is guaranteed to spark nostalgia and bring out anyone's inner child.
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is the country's largest tropical wilderness, spanning 1.5 million acres of protected habitats for more than 2,000 species of plants and animals, including alligators, crocodiles, and manatees. While the mammals and reptiles are attention grabbers, the Everglades is truly a haven for birds, with recorded sightings of more than 360 unique species, such as storks, herons, and egrets. The park was established in 1947 and was the first in the country to be designated for its biodiversity.
Visitors to the Everglades can hike through forests of mangroves or book a range of boat tours, from airboats and pontoons to kayaks for the more adventurous. Travelers can also take in the tranquility of the sawgrass marsh along the Anhinga Trail. Those who venture across the park will be treated to beautiful flora and fauna as boardwalks wind through cypress domes and hardwood hammocks. However you choose to explore the Everglades, be sure to do so with a camera in hand.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Miami
A distinct 20th-century landmark in Miami, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is a historical and cultural feat that should never be overlooked while traveling within Coconut Grove. The opulent attraction was built between 1914 and 1922 and is a European-style waterfront estate boasting vibrant Italian Renaissance artistry and architecture from the 1900s. Inspired by an 18th-century villa in the Vento region of Italy, the design was modified to suit Miami's subtropical climate.
Today, the estate includes the main house, which showcases a diverse collection of art and artifacts that span continents and centuries, as well as the meticulous and intricate gardens and a village in what was once the workers' quarters. The former Superintendent's House in Vizcaya Village has been lovingly restored and is now a lively café, and the grounds host a farmer's market on Sundays.
The Hemingway Home and Museum, Key West
Ernest Hemingway's former home is a 1930s landmark in Key West. The Nobel Prize winner's Old Town residence is often toured for its coastal Spanish Colonial tilework, bookshelves, and classical wooden furniture that was used by the author himself. The site is also home to more than 60 cats, serving as a symbolic tribute to Hemingway when he was once gifted a white polydactyl (six-toed) feline, named Snow White, by a ship's captain.
Here, visitors are invited to browse Hemingway's typewriter collection and tour the extensive gardens and pool, which was a well-known point of contention due to its cost and elaborate design, and which now sits on the former site of the author's boxing ring, where he was known to spar with local amateur fighters. The home is open daily for walk-in visits and self-guided tours, and the gift shop is well stocked with mementos and, of course, books.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Merritt Island
Tourists who visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Merritt Island will find plenty of scientific marvels to delight and inspire. The space center features astronaut training simulations and a Shuttle Launch Experience in the Atlantis that is as close as it gets to a real-life lift off into orbit. The Saturn V rocket at the Apollo/Saturn V Center can also be toured, and is one of the largest rockets ever flown.
If you can, time your visit to coincide with a rocket launch, which you can watch from your choice of three different viewing areas (Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area, LC-39 Observation Gantry, or Main Visitor Complex Lawn) for an unforgettable sight. As a bonus, the "Marstini Shake-Off" is an annual event that features space-themed drinks and blindfolded tastings for a unique sensory experience.
Castillo de San Marcos, St. Augustine
Found in St. Augustine, the Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. Centered on the western shoreline of Matanzas Bay, the landmark has Vauban-style fortifications and Spanish history from 1672, when the fortification was made to defend against pirates. The courtyard is large and vibrant with historic cannon and musket demonstrations on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tourists can peruse the castle's seawalls and observe its panoramic bayfront surroundings. Its coquina-based walls, made out of seashells, are sure to leave a lasting impression. Some say it was the "rock that changed history" due to how strong it was in protecting against English invaders in 1702 during the Siege of St. Augustine.
Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales
The Bok Tower Gardens are located atop Iron Mountain, just north of Lake Wales. A 250-acre landmark that is a hidden gem amongst outsiders and residents alike, it is both an art deco phenomenon, a horticultural paradise, and a photogenic neo-Gothic carillon that features many species of birds, as well as a 205-foot-tall "Singing Tower" comprised of 60 bells that play 30-minute concerts in the afternoons.
The gardens are also home to the El Retiro Estate, which was built for steel mogul Charles Austin Buck and his family in the 1930s, and Hammock Hollow, a children's play space and garden with water features designed to promote discovery-based learning. The Blue Palmetto Café is located next to the Visitor's Center, which has healthy options for indoor or outdoor dining. Visitors are also welcome to picnic anywhere on the pristine grounds of the Olmsted Garden.
Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg
The Dalí Museum is a contemporary attraction in St. Petersburg featuring some of the most notable works made by the artist Salvador Dalí. Many of the pieces at the museum feature optical illusions and rich colors, and one can learn about the symbolic meanings behind the artist's most imaginative works, ranging from pirouette figures to his iconic melting clocks. Masterworks on display include The Hallucinogenic Toreador and Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus.
Beyond the paintings and artwork, the building itself is a creative masterpiece. The "Enigma" is a geodesic glass bubble that appears to burst from the concrete walls, and the interior features a helical staircase, an homage to Dali's obsession with the form. Outside, the mathematical Avant-garden invites calculated contemplation and interpretation, while the Dalí Dome provides an immersive, 360-degree multi-sensory experience not to be missed.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo
Found on Key Largo, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park has the distinction of being the first underwater park in the country. While tours are available in glass-bottom boats, visitors can also opt to scuba dive or snorkel among the park's 72 nautical square miles of marine life and coral reefs. The waters of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park are home to over 600 species of fish and 70 types of coral, and the boardwalks and trails on land offer the chance to see several species of birds, as well as crocodiles and manatees.
A submerged Spanish shipwreck is visible underwater for tourists who venture far below deck wishing to witness some historical thrills, and the Visitor Center is home to a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium and an auditorium, which shows nature videos for kids. The park also includes a boat ramp, a campground with 42 reservable sites, and the Blue Heron Café for snacks and ice cream.
All of these Florida attractions highlight why travelers need to book their next trip to the Sunshine State. With a host of amazing attractions and natural wonders, there is so much to see and take in while out and about. From national parks to theme parks and historic mansions to one-of-a-kind museums, Florida's hot spots are yours to discover.
