Choose from 156 Fun Things to Do in Florida
Bal Harbour
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Clearwater Beach
- At three miles long, Clearwater Beach is easy to navigate by car, bike, or foot.
- Mandalay Avenue, which runs parallel to the beach, is a mile-long stretch of restaurants, shops, and hotels.
- To get an overview of the area, jump on the Jolley Trolley (fees apply), which travels around Clearwater Beach and up to Sand Key.
- Be sure to bring sun-protection gear and beachwear. Restroom and shower facilities are offered at most area beaches.
- Beach wheelchairs are available at the Main Beach Lifeguard Station, south of Pier 60.
Flagler College
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Dow Museum of Historic Houses
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Clematis Street
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Alafia River State Park
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Dolphin Mall
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Duval Street
Your ultimate destination for a tasty bite to eat or a night on the town while in Key West is Duval Street. Running north and south from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, Duval Street is home to many famous restaurants and bars. Among the most notable of these establishments is Sloppy Joe's, the haunt of Ernest Hemingway while he stayed in Key West. He helped select the bar's name. Now, Sloppy Joe's pays homage to its most famous patron by holding an annual Hemingway look-a-like contest.
You can also check out the Southernmost House, a huge pink Victorian mansion that currently operates as a museum and inn. Its name comes from the fact that it is located on the southernmost end of Duval Street in Key West, the southernmost city in the continental U.S, making it, in theory, the southernmost house in the U.S.
On certain nights, Duval Street hosts a carnival that lasts well into the wee hours of the night.
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Duval Street is located on the southwestern end of Key West, and is less than a 10 minute drive from the airport.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
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Coconut Grove
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Coral Castle Museum
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Gatorland
- Gatorland is a must-see for families with kids and animal lovers.
- The fee-based Gatorland Express Train shuttles visitors around the park for easy access.
- Strollers and wheelchairs are available for rent inside the park.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
- Advance reservations are required for the Trainer for a Day program.
Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
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Downtown St Augustine
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Disney's Animal Kingdom
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a must-visit for animal lovers and families traveling with kids.
- Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to do a lot of walking.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat.
- Book your tickets early to save time waiting in the long ticket office queues.
- Much of the park is wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available to rent.
Coral Gables
All across America are wealthy suburbs, where the houses are big and new and designed to resemble European abodes. But Coral Gables, called the City Beautiful, was the first. For in the posh neighborhood, you’ll see Italianate villas, Mediterranean mansion, mini-Alhambras, and cookie-cutter Cordobas, shaded and lovely under lving walls of banyan grove and ficus copse.
After you’ve spent some time driving around looking at all the beautiful homes, head up Granada Boulevard to Anastasia Avenue to marvel at the palatial landmark Biltmore Hotel. Then zip up the diagonal Desoto Boulevard, past the gurgling stone fountain of DeSoto Plaza to the perfectly sculpted landscaping, waterfalls, palm groves, and shaded pavilions of Venetian Pool. For a little respite, head east past wedding-cake houses and an organic pavilion of banyan branches to Miracle Mile, a sparkling stretch of the Gables’ finest shopping outlets.
To the south is the University of Miami, where the gorgeous grounds and its student body inject a nice dose of punky youth into this aristocratic neighborhood. Art lovers should stop at the Lowe Art Museum to see the stunning collection of pre-Columbia and Mesoamerican art. The museum also has a lovely collection of Renaissance and Baroque art.
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Coral Gables is located southwest of downtown Miami and borders Coconut Grove and Little Havana. The City Beautiful is packed with dining establishments and gourmet shops, along many international retailers.
You can easily spend an entire day here sightseeing, shopping, and eating. Though you can get here by public transportation, you’ll get the most of your visit by car, as you can easily see more sites.
Aquatica
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Florida Aquarium
The perfect place to take the entire family for an afternoon, the Florida Aquarium offers exciting views of nature within the comfort of an air-conditioned building. Home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals, the aquarium offers 200,000 square feet (23,000 square meters) worth of fun and adventure.
If just walking around the expansive building and enjoying the amazing wildlife isn't enough, the aquarium also has additional opportunities for more in depth exploration. Some of these family friendly attractions include a Swim with the Fishes Tour, Penguins : Backstage Pass opportunity, and a Wild Dolphin Ecotour.
If you ever want to head outside, the 2-acre "Explore a Shore" water adventure zone provides opportunities for the kids to cool off with water games while parents can relax under the shade of the Tampa Tribune Cantina bar and grill.
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For those extra daring, the Florida Aquarium offers a unique opportunity to go diving with sharks! Certified SCUBA divers can dive into the enormous Shark Bay, home to different species of sharks and sea turtles. Enjoy the stunningly clear, warm water that allows perfect viewing opportunities, without the hassle of having to take a boat trip to complete the dive!
The aquarium is about a 10-minute drive east from downtown Tampa.