Choose from 156 Fun Things to Do in Florida
Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
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SeaWorld Orlando
- SeaWorld Orlando is a must-visit for families with kids, thrill-seekers, and animal lovers.
- Choose a single park ticket or a multi-park pass with entrance to Aquatica Orlando and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
- Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to beat the Florida heat.
- Free Wi-Fi is available to all park guests.
- Lockers, wheelchairs, and strollers are available for rent near the park entrance.
Winter Park
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WonderWorks Orlando
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Wynwood Neighborhood
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Sea Life Orlando
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SimCenter
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Titanic the Experience
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South Beach
The Basics
- Sun protection is a must in this sunny locale.
- South Beach can be very crowded on weekends and holidays.
- Public restrooms can be found at the south end of Lummus Park.
Across the MacArthur Causeway from downtown Miami, South Beach stretches north from South Pointe Park all the way to 23rd Street. From Fifteenth to 23rd Street, the upper end includes the pedestrian thoroughfare of Lincoln Road and its associated shopping, eating, and nightlife, plus clusters of Art Deco buildings. Between First and Fifteenth streets is a quietly hip area that acts as a counterweight to the over-the top carnival of South Beach.
When to Get There
South Beach is always humming. Sun, sand, and Art Deco architecture by day, or neon and nightlife after dark—you choose which South Beach you want to see.
Indoor Attractions in South Beach
Smathers Beach
This half mile (.8 km) stretch of pristine white sand is the largest public beach Key West has to offer. Located on the south side of the island, against the shimmering turquoise waters of the Atlantic, Smathers Beach is the perfect place to relax while in Key West.
Thrill seekers can rent out water sports gear, kayaks, and mini sail boats from vendors along the beach. There are also numerous opportunities to parasail and snorkel. If you're looking to just relax on the sand, the vendors also offer beach chairs to help make your lounging more comfortable. There are also three volleyball nets scattered along the beach. All of these attractions make Smathers Beach the ideal sport for either a day trip or to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
Smathers beach is located along the southern coast of the island, and is only 1 mile (1.5 kms) west of the airport.
Zoo Miami
Miami boasts an excellent zoo, thanks in part to a subtropical climate that allows for large swathes of natural habitat. Inside Zoo Miami (formerly Miami Metrozoo), more than 200 species roam the cageless surrounds; don’t worry, the animals are kept at bay by cleverly designed moats.
Residents at Zoo Miami include elephants, koalas, colobus monkeys, and black rhinoceroses. You’ll also see a pair of Komodo dragons and Bengal tigers, including a gorgeous white tiger. Over at the Tropical America exhibit, you can see anacondas, giant river otters, jaguars, and sting ray touch tanks. You can even feed giraffes at The Samburu Giraffe Feeding Station. Younger kids, especially, will find much to enjoy at Zoo Miami. There’s a first-class petting zoo and play area, and the zoo offers several programs designed to entertain and educate. For an overview of the park, hop on the Zoofari Monorail.
Practical Info
Zoo Miami (formerly Miami Metrozoo) is about 45 minutes south of Miami. To get here, take U.S. 1 south, then turn right on SW 152nd Street and follow signs to the entrance. Expect to do a bit of walking, as the zoo is quite large, and the distance between animal habitats is often great. However, strategically-placed benches and shaded gazebos provide convenient rest stops. Allow 3 hours for your visit.
Ten Thousand Islands
- The Ten Thousand Islands are ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
- Bring plenty of water, sun protection, and insect repellant.
- There are no facilities available on the islands, so take this into consideration before heading out to explore.
- Camping within the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge is free but accessible only by boat.
SKELETONS: Animals Unveiled
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Ripley's Believe It or Not St Augustine
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Ybor City
Known for over a century as Tampa's Latin Quarter, Ybor City is a sumptuous feast for the senses. Founded in the 1880s by Vincente Martinez-Ybor as a cigar-manufacturing center, the neighborhood welcomed thousands of immigrants, mainly from Spain, Cuba, and Italy, over the next 50 years.
Today, the neighborhood is one of Florida's most distinct cultural landmarks. While strolling down its narrow brick streets, allow your senses to take in the sights, sounds, and smells that give the area its unique flavor. Enjoy the various ethnic foods, relax with a cup of cafe con leche as you people watch, and allow the Latin music that wafts down the streets at night to sweep over you. With such a vibrant culture, Ybor City is both perfect for a daytime stroll and known as one of Florida's hottest night spots. Its red brick buildings and wrought iron balconies offer an escape into old warm charm, away from Florida's strip malls and beaches. It is one of only two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida.
Practical Info
Ybor City is only a few minutes from the main downtown area of Tampa. It is located in the east part of Tampa.
Wynwood Walls
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Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
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Ripley's Believe It or Not Orlando
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Amway Center
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Wild Florida Wildlife Park
- Get more by upgrading to a combination ticket that includes an airboat ride or a behind-the-scenes tour for just a little more than the standard admission price.
- Animal-encounter tickets with alligators, porcupines, sloths, and ring-tailed lemurs are available for an additional fee.
- Wild Florida has an on-site restaurant, as well as a gift shop.
- Visitors are welcome to bring food and drink to enjoy on the premises.
- Consider taking a night airboat tour, when you are more likely to see active gators and get a unique visitor experience.