Florida attractions

Stroll through St. Augustine and its historic roots are everywhere—from the narrow streets to the charming architecture. To explore local history further, check out the 17th-century Father Miguel O’Reilly House, the second oldest structure in St. Augustine. What was once a Catholic parish rectory is now a museum and garden with beautiful architecture and small exhibits on St. Augustine’s Catholic traditions.

A stone castle and sculpture garden crafted entirely by one person without the help of modern equipment, the Coral Castle is a mysterious architectural anomaly. Sometime between 1923 and 1951, the complex was constructed by Edward Leedskalnin—a 100-pound (45-kilogram) man who claimed to know the secrets of the Egyptian pyramids.

Located just off the coast of Southwest Florida, Marco Island feels larger than it is—its countless tiny inlets and mangrove tunnels hide a wilder side beneath the upscale resorts and sprawling golf courses. A popular holiday destination with bustling marinas and pristine beaches such as Tigertail Beach, it’s equally beloved for its abundant wildlife, making it an idyllic base for kayaking, fishing, shelling, and dolphin watching.

Scheduled to open on May 22, 2025, Universal Epic Universe is the newest—and, indeed, most epic—theme park in Orlando. Instead of one single concept, the park offers five different “worlds” for travelers to enjoy: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – Ministry of Magic™, SUPER NINTENDO WORLD™, How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk, Dark Universe, and Celestial Park. Needless to say, the park is a must-visit for families and pop culture enthusiasts.

A National Historic Landmark, Gonzalez-Alvarez House in St. Augustine is one of the oldest surviving Spanish colonial dwellings in the United States. History buffs can get a glimpse into life in the 1700s, through displays of furniture, clothing, and period cooking implements. This house is a popular stop during a wider exploration of St. Augustine’s rich history.

An ideal stop for history fans, the St. Augustine History Museum features everything from replica ships and vintage toys to treasures discovered off the Florida coast. Find artifacts, photographs, and ephemera showcasing an ever-evolving St. Augustine, dating to the days of Spanish and British rule—all displayed in the museum's galleries.

A noncaptive, natural refuge for the endangered Florida manatee, Fort Myers’ Manatee Park is one of the top places in the area to spot the aquatic mammal. You’ll also find walking paths, kayak and canoe rentals, playgrounds, and more.

The Miami Children's Museum is more like a playhouse than a traditional museum, with areas for kids to practice grown-up activities such as banking, grocery shopping, caring for pets, and acting as a TV news anchor or firefighter. The venue combines art, culture, and community into interactive experiences for children and their families.

Set on a small island off the Gulf Coast of Florida, St. Pete Beach is known for its white-sand beaches, water sports, and the historic Don CeSar resort. Despite the island’s small size, you can find everything you need, from mom-and-pop restaurants and quaint hotels to upscale resorts, art galleries, and shopping.

Step back into old Florida, and explore the estates of two of the United States’ most prominent men. Registered as National Historic sites, the buildings and beautifully landscaped lawns of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates tell stories of early Florida as well as the lives and times of the inventors.

Once a Second World War transport ship, the Vandenberg now lies on the seafloor, south of Key West. Scuttled in 2009, the 522-foot (159-meter ship has become a home for sea life, and a popular destination for scuba divers. In addition to the ship itself, divers are likely to see barracuda, groupers, and a wide range of corals here.

Orlando’s Kia Center hosts some of Florida’s biggest sporting, music, and entertainment events. Home of the NBA’s Orlando Magic, the 875,000-square-foot (81,000-square-meter arena boasts a variety of restaurants, bars, kid zones, and retail shops for visitors of all ages. With space to accommodate almost 20,000 guests, the venue serves as a major gathering place in downtown Orlando for both visitors and local residents.

Despite the dozens of indoor and outdoor malls in Central Florida, The Florida Mall stakes its claim as the largest. Nearly 2 million square feet (609,600 square meters) of space is dedicated to shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Florida Mall attracts more than 20 million visitors annually—quite the feat, considering that’s more foot traffic than some theme parks in the area receive.

Established in 1964 from couple John and Johanna Bass’ private art collection, The Bass Museum of Art has since become one of Miami Beach’s premier art institutions. Now housed in an expansive, sleek building following its 2017 renovation, the museum is dedicated to international contemporary art, and also offers educational programming.

Spend the day surrounded by wildlife one of the best spots for bird-watching in Florida. This 6,300-acre (2,550-hectare) refuge, which occupies a third of Sanibel Island, includes a wildlife drive, tram tour, picnic spots, and a scavenger hunt. The wetland swamp is also part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States.

Set on the bay at Everglades National Park’s south entrance, Flamingo Visitor Center is the jumping-off point for exploring the southern Everglades. The visitor center is next to a marina, campground, and a network of trails and waterways. At the center, find maps, information, and rangers to help you get started on your adventure.

Sanibel Island, known as the Seashell Capital of the World, is a tropical retreat with quiet shores and warm, shallow water. Beachgoers can enjoy local seafood restaurants, swaying palm trees, and of course, seashell hunting—the island has more than 450 varieties. Nature lovers flock to the island for birdwatching, heading to the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, or for biking, as the island has 25 miles of bike trails.

Orlando may be known as the land of magic thanks to a mighty kingdom, but just down the street you'll find a massive complex for shoppers known as the Orlando International Premium Outlets. Home to more than 180 stores, from high-end fashion to name-brand favorites like H&M and Saks, this retail destination offers up plenty of deals on the sale racks.

Combine animal sightings with adrenaline thrills at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park. This attraction is home to more than a dozen crocodile species, plus reptiles, mammals, and birds. It also offers an exhilarating zipline, which lets you soar through the treetops over the crocodiles below.

The former resort town of Winter Park, Florida, exudes charm and encourages relaxation, showcasing some of the best natural scenery in central Florida. Nature lovers flock to this suburban city in Orange County to enjoy more than 70 parks. For those still looking for a resort feel, Winter Park also has top-notch golf courses and a popular shopping district.

Get immersed in over 400 years of pirate history with a visit to the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum. Stop in to see more than 800 authentic artifacts, including a wrought iron treasure chest that once belonged to an actual pirate. In addition to the exhibitions, this museum offers a 3-D show and interactive displays designed to connect with kids.

Clematis Street is a roadway acting as a “Main Street” of downtown West Palm Beach. A commercial district since the 1890s, Clematis Street is both the historical heart and lively hub of the city. Running west to east, the street features shopping, dining, entertainment venues, and views of the Intercoastal Waterway.

Destin Harbor Boardwalk is the main hub of activity in Destin. Although Destin has long been a destination for its beaches and fishing, the Destin Harbor Boardwalk is a newer project, completed in 2012. It’s just under a quarter-mile (402-meter) long, stretching from HarborWalk Village to the Crab Island Information Center. Shops, restaurants, and fishing charters fill this busy boardwalk adjacent to the Destin Bridge.

In Miami’s Art Deco District, the Wilzig Erotic Art Museum, also known as the World Erotic Art Museum (WEAM), was founded in 2005 and is the only museum of its kind in the United States—exclusively filled with erotic art. The collection includes over 4,000 works of international art, dating back as far as 300 BC. The 12,000-square-foot (1,115-square-meter) museum was founded by Naomi Wilzig, an American art collector and writer.

Just inside the entrance to Everglades National Park, the Anhinga Trail is many visitors’ first chance to explore the Everglades. The accessible, less-than-a-mile long (1.2-kilometer) boardwalk is one of the premier wetland viewing trails in the national park system. While named for the Anhinga (snake birds) that populate the marsh, the trail is also famous for its easy-to-spot alligators.

Spanning 2 acres (0.8 hectares, the Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum is home to more than 500 palms and cycads from around the world, representing more than 150 different species. Featuring paved walkways, a shaded gazebo, and wooden benches; this hidden gem allows visitors to study and enjoy palms in a beautiful and tranquil setting.

A family-friendly way to beat the heat in Tampa, Adventure Island water park is home to a variety of waterslides, pools, and other splashy attractions for all ages. It’s a great alternative to the beach for those looking to cool off without making the drive out to the coast.

The Museum of Science and Industry, known as MOSI, is an imaginative space designed for curiosity and interaction. Opened in 1982, it’s about 10 miles (16 kilometers) outside of Tampa and two blocks from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Its IMAX center was removed recently, but the museum still boasts hundreds of immersive permanent exhibits.

Soar high above Orlando and enjoy a unique vantage point on The Orlando Eye (formerly the Wheel at ICON Park.) Towering 400 feet (122 meters) above the ground, the biggest observation wheel on the United States East Coast treats passengers to 360-degree views of the Central Florida landscape—day and night.

Set on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is best known for its population of West Indian manatees. The park is primarily a rehabilitation center for the creatures, which swim in the freshwater spring while they are treated. On land, native Florida wildlife thrives in the dense surrounding forest.