Florida attractions

Not far from Key West, Sand Key Reef is part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. A red, iron lighthouse built in1853 reigns over this Sanctuary Preservation Area, and the coral reef is within 1.5 meters (five feet) of the surface in some areas, making it an effortless site for snorkelers of all skill levels.

Destin Commons is an outdoor shopping center with more than 85 shops and restaurants, including Destin’s first food hall, City Food Hall. The complex also has entertainment, such as the AMC Movie Theater, a play area, a mural art walk, seasonal events, and an underwater-themed bowling alley. It’s located east of downtown, just across the Mid-Bay Toll Bridge.

Miami Cruise Port (PortMiami) is a bustling travel hub serving ships from around the globe. The port is situated a stone's throw from downtown Miami on Dodge Island, so you can easily enjoy a shore excursion, hop in a cab to enjoy the city sights, and take in the views of Miami's glistening skyline while crossing the causeway.

Located along the southeastern coast of Florida, Port Everglades is a seaport tucked in between Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood that serves as the embarkation and disembarkation point for many Caribbean and Atlantic cruises. It’s one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, as well as one of the most active cargo ports in the US due to its access to shipping lanes.

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is America’s oldest continuously inhabited city settled by Europeans. St. Augustine Historic District offers a glimpse into this rich past, with both its atmosphere and its landmarks, such as Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, the the Oldest Wooden School House, and St. Augustine Old Jail. Don’t miss the heart of the charming district, St. George Street, which is a pedestrian-only promenade lined with historical architecture, shops, galleries, and restaurants.

The Myakka Canopy Walkway was built in 2000 as the first public treetop trail on the continent. The walkway is both a tourist attraction and an outdoor research and education laboratory, with a 74-foot (22-meter) tower offering views of the treetops, while a walkway extending 100 feet (30 meters) through the canopy provides a better view of the ground below.

Sombrero Reef is part of the Sombrero Key Sanctuary Preservation Area and the greater Florida Reef, the world’s third-largest barrier reef ecosystem. It’s a spur-and-groove reef formation and one of the most popular snorkeling spots in the Florida Keys. Restoration efforts are underway to protect and preserve this delicate ecosystem.

If you want to drive to Key West, you’ll have to travel on the Seven Mile Bridge; but if you want to walk on a piece of Florida history, park your car at the Old Seven Mile Bridge. It’s a fantastic place to stroll, photograph the new bridge, and marvel at the seemingly endless blue skies and green waterways.

Opened in 1996 as the Ice Palace, Amalie Arena is a live event arena in downtown Tampa. Primarily the home of the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team, the arena hosts more than 150 events each year, including sports games, concerts, and live performances. The main outdoor plaza, Thunder Alley, is a public pre-event gathering space that often stages live music.

Most travelers visit Lake Okeechobee—Florida's largest freshwater lake—to fish, particularly for bass. Nature enthusiasts also come for bird-watching and hiking along the picturesque 110-mile (177-kilometer) Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. With its vast, serene waters and surrounding wetlands, it’s a destination for outdoorsy getaways in southern Florida—a good alternative to the state’s beaches.

Located at the southern tip of Key Biscayne island, Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park offers captivating sea views, a historic lighthouse, and outdoor activities from hiking and kayaking to swimming and fishing. Once part of the Underground Railroad, and associated with Seminole Indian history, it has been a protected park since 1967.

Anne’s Beach was named for a local environmentalist, Anne Eaton, who lived in the Florida Keys. Previously, it was called Islamorada Public Beach. In 2017, Hurricane Irma damaged Anne’s Beach. It remained closed until 2019, when a new bathroom, boardwalk, pavilions, and parking lots were built. Today, it’s one of the most popular beaches in the Florida Keys.

After what’s now known as the Everglades Club drew ritzy crowds in the early 1900s, the Worth Avenue Association was formed by local merchants in 1938. Wealthy individuals ranging from Lilly Pulitzer to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor either opened up shops or purchased real estate, which grew Worth Avenue into one of the most renowned and exclusive shopping districts in the country.

The Halifax River separates the Florida mainland from the barrier islands that contain Daytona Beach Shores, the Seabreeze Historic District, and Ormond-by-the-Sea. As part of the Intracoastal Waterway, it offers opportunities for on-water and off-water activities, including sailing to the ocean, kayaking, and fishing. This long stretch of water and its ease of accessibility make it one of the popular natural attractions in Daytona Beach.

Learn all about the game of golf, its history, and its top players at the World Golf Hall of Fame. Located near historic St. Augustine at the World Golf Village resort, the museum celebrates the game and its greatest contributors through historical and interactive storytelling and exhibits that include memorabilia, artifacts, artwork, photos, audio, and videos.

If you're looking for a laugh in Naples, don't miss Off the Hook Comedy Club. Known for hosting big names in comedy—from Louie Anderson to Jim Breuer—the club offers great performances with intimate seating. Be sure to snag advance tickets as shows often sell out, and arrive early to order dinner and drinks before the show starts.

Cruising Fort Lauderdale’s New River for over 80 years, the Jungle Queen Riverboat offers a relaxed way to see the city from the water. Passengers can enjoy sightseeing along the city’s riverfront as well as through lush tropical scenery filled with exotic birds, plants, and alligators. Whether you opt for a daytime or evening cruise, all come with great hospitality and entertainment along the way.

Bunche Beach Preserve is a 718-acre (290-hectare) natural tide wetlands area on San Carlos Bay. Beach, mangroves, and salt flats create this natural, non-invasive area of the Great Florida Birding Trail. Everything from swimming and shoreline fishing to kayaking and photography are permitted at the preserve.

Although the History of Diving Museum only dates back to 2006, the original owners spent 40 years building the world’s largest collection of diving gear and memorabilia. It features 19 unique exhibit spaces dedicated to the evolution of diving, from early diving to atmospheric dive suits. The museum also has a 50-gallon aquarium with marine life native to the Florida Keys.

Visit Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando to experience one of the premier arts venues in central Florida. Featuring multiple theaters and event spaces, the center hosts more than 300 performances a year, spanning Broadway, ballet, opera, symphony, popular music, comedy, and more.

If you have a finite amount of time to visit the Everglades National Park, then stop at the Royal Palm Visitor Center and State Park to experience two out of nine distinct Everglade ecosystems, as well as access two of the most popular trails in the park.

More than 400,000 square feet of shopping space has made Fleamasters Flea Market a must-visit for bargain hunters. Opened in 1986, this sprawling sales floor in Fort Myers is lined with 900 hundred vendor booths selling more than 1.3 million items, including food, goods, jewelry, and antiques. Expect rare finds and new items as you peruse the ever-evolving shops.

The Fort Myers River District is the historic downtown area of Fort Myers. Once the site of a military fort in the 1800s, this small cattle town blossomed into a bustling city, thanks in part to famous folks like Thomas Edison calling Fort Myers his winter home. Today, the Fort Myers River District is a shopping, dining, and entertainment hub.

Explore a fascinating collection of some of the world’s tiniest artworks at the Micro Masterpiece Art Gallery. Located in downtown St. Augustine, the gallery houses one of the largest collections of micro-miniature paintings, etchings, sculptures, and books in the country, around 30 of which are displayed at a time on a rotating basis.

The 17 acres (7 hectares) of Bowditch Point Park are split in a way that pleases beachgoers and nature lovers alike. The majority of the land is a dedicated preserve, while nearly half was developed for recreation. This edge of Estero Island looks out to San Carlos Bay and the Bunche Beach Preserve, and when low tide comes, it’s an inviting time to comb the sand for shells.

Hailed as “Florida’s most relaxing place”, Navarre Beach is a stretch of white sand on Santa Rosa Island. This small town is not to be confused with the community of Navarre which lies opposite Navarre Beach across the Santa Rosa Sound. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly beach on the Gulf Coast providing a contrast to the livelier Destin and Pensacola Beaches.

The Port of Tampa Bay provides direct access to the Gulf of Mexico and beyond. One of the busiest ports in the state and serving multiple major cruise lines, the Port of Tampa Bay is more than just a launch point for international sailing. Luxury shops, fine dining, and local museums fill this waterside area in Tampa’s Channel District.

Siesta Beach (also called Siesta Key Beach) is a popular beach on the Siesta Key barrier island. It’s renowned for its exceptionally soft quartz sand and warm turquoise waters. It regularly receives awards as a top beach in the United States and has plenty of amenities for visitors.

This oceanside marine park in the northwest reaches of the Florida panhandle is ideal for a day of fun, educational sea life encounters. It's more than an aquarium—visitors can pair with dolphins to make one-of-a-kind art, safely snorkel with stingrays and small sharks, and get up close and personal with endangered penguins.

Evidence of Native American activity at Little Manatee River State Park dates back more than 10,000 years ago. The area attracted loggers, railroad workers, and other settlers in the 1800s, but most remnants of the past have since vanished, leaving the mostly-untouched natural park a quiet place for outdoor lovers to explore.