Things to do

Florida’s beaches and theme parks are a huge draw, but there are so many other things to do in Florida!

Much of Florida’s beauty and magic is found off the beaten path, away from beaches and theme parks.

Here are some ideas of things to do, and ways to experience Florida in a deeper way

  • Wander through small southern towns and explore large cities
  • Roadtrip the Florida Keys via the Overseas Highway
  • Visit the iconic Florida Everglades
  • Explore Florida’s beautiful freshwater springs
  • Experience Florida’s diverse international cultures
  • Observe Florida’s impressive wildlife
  • Explore Florida’s vast waterways
  • Visit a sandbar or island
  • Go scuba diving or free diving in crystal clear water
  • Take an aerial tour via helicopter or small airplane
  • Attend a festival, concert or event
  • Enjoy Florida’s world-class shopping
  • Hike or bike through Florida’s trails
  • Visit a historic site
  • Enjoy lively night life!
  • Sample traditional Florida foods
  • Visit a museum or botanical garden
  • Tour one of the many lighthouses in Florida
Weeki wachee springs state park mermaid show

Weeki Wachee Springs

Weeki Wachee Springs is a popular spring in central Florida. Weeki Wachee Springs was once privately owned, but the spring became a Florida state park in 2008. Weeki Wachee Springs is located near Orlando and Tampa, making it a popular destination for many visitors. Weeki Wachee Springs is most famous for mermaid shows, its spring-fed…

Warm Mineral Springs in Florida with shade trees and lawn furniture

Warm Mineral Springs

Warm Mineral Springs is a natural hot spring, inside an ancient sinkhole. The sinkhole is filled with warm, mineral-rich, geothermally heated water. The mineral-rich water is the main attraction for most visitors because it’s thought to have numerous health benefits. My family and I love visiting Warm Mineral Springs! My favorite thing is the fascinating…

Christmas tree in Florida

Christmas in Florida

Florida locals and visitors celebrate Christmas in Florida with warm weather, the beach, and our own unique spin of warm weather Christmas. Here are some things to know about Christmas in Florida Weather in Florida for Christmas The weather in Florida at Christmas is usually extremely pleasant.  Temperatures are often in an ideal range, either…

Key West Fantasy Fest Costume

Key West Fantasy Fest

Fantasy Fest is an annual event in Key West, held in the last week of October. Overall, the event is a wild, quirky, 10-day adult-themed costume party for grown-ups. The event has been held since 1979. Fantasy Fest is known for its eclectic spirit of creative expression, suggestive and risque costumes, body painting and adult…

Honeymoon Island State Park

Honeymoon Island State Park

Honeymoon Island State Park is one of the most visited state parks in Florida.  Famous for white sand beaches and turquoise waters, it spans 385 acres and has more than 4 miles of beaches for visitors to enjoy.  In addition to its pristine beaches, Honeymoon Island State Park has several miles of unspoiled wilderness with…

A statue of a sponge fisherman in the historic sponge docks, Tarpon Springs, Florida

Things To Do in Tarpon Springs

Tarpon Springs is a hidden gem in Florida’s nature coast. It’s conveniently located near several of the largest cities in Florida, and is a great alternative to the stereotypical list of “Things to do in Florida”. Tarpon Springs is a fantastic weekend getaway for Florida locals who want to explore an interesting place, or a…

Silver Springs State Park Aerial Photo

Silver Springs State Park

Silver Springs State Park is a 4000-acre recreational paradise in Central Florida. The park includes Silver Spring, the Silver River, and surrounding forest areas. Visitors come to experience its gorgeous blue springs and famous glass bottom boats. Location Silver Springs State Park is located in Silver Springs, Florida, just outside of Ocala National Forest.  Silver…

Kayaking Oleta River State Park near Miami, Florida

Oleta River State Park

Oleta River State Park is a beautiful state park, and one of the best things to do near Miami.  Oleta River State Park offers a wide variety of activities, ranging from relaxing beach days to heart-pumping mountain biking adventures. Oleta River State Park is an extremely popular spot in Miami for both visitors and locals,…

Blue Springs State Park

Blue Springs State Park

Blue Springs State Park is one of the best state parks in Florida. It is a favorite spot for nature lovers and water activities.  Blue Springs State Park offers a wide variety of things to do, including: Tubing Swimming Manatee viewing Birdwatching Wildlife viewing Hiking Scuba diving Kayaking and canoeing Picnicking There are full-service facilities…

Treehouse Spring, Santa Fe River, Florida

Treehouse Spring

Treehouse Spring is a spring near High Springs, Florida. It’s one of many springs on the Santa Fe River, and is designated as an Outstanding Florida Spring.  Treehouse Spring was once a first magnitude spring, but has suffered from reduced water flow in recent years.  The water flow in Treehouse Spring is drastically reduced because…

Alexander Springs

Alexander Springs

Alexander Springs is one of the best springs in Florida. The spring’s water is clean and incredibly clear.  The bottom is mostly sand, with some exposed limestone and areas of aquatic grasses, which are important for the springs’ water quality and environmental health.  Alexander Springs is one of 27 first-magnitude springs in Florida, and is…

Rainbow Springs

Rainbow Springs

Rainbow Springs is one of the most beautiful springs in Florida. The water is crystal clear and the surrounding environment is beautiful.  There are many things to do in Rainbow Springs, including kayaking, tubing, paddleboarding, picnicking, and more. Rainbow Springs forms the headwaters of the beautiful Rainbow River, which flows from north to south, and…

Fern hammock springs, ocala national forest

Fern Hammock Springs

Fern Hammock Springs is a beautiful spring in Ocala National Forest, in central Florida. The spring is stunningly beautiful. The spring features unusual natural features, including exceptionally clear water and numerous sand boils. Fern Hammock Spring is a second-magnitude spring. Can you swim in Fern Hammock Springs? Sadly, visitors cannot swim in Fern Hammock Springs’…

Little River Springs, Florida

Little River Springs

Little River Springs is a popular natural spring in north west Florida. It is located off of the Suwannee River in O’Brien, Florida, in an area known as “Spring Country”.  Little River Springs is a popular destination for swimming, cave diving, picnicking and more. Dangers in Little River Springs Natural bodies of water always carry…

Peacock Springs

Peacock Springs

Peacock Springs is one of the best springs in Florida, and one of top cave diving sites in the world.  Peacock Springs offers a complex cave system and some of the best, most affordable and high-quality cave diving in the world.  Unlike other state parks, Peacock Springs doesn’t attract endless crowds. It’s well off of…

Morrison Springs

Morrison Springs

Morrison springs is a beautiful park and spring in the Florida Panhandle.  Morrison Springs is a popular swimming hole for locals and is one of the most popular freshwater SCUBA diving sites in Florida. Morrison Springs is owned by the State of Florida, but is operated by Walton County.  Morrison Springs Details Cost Morrison Springs…

ginnie springs, florida

Ginnie Springs

Ginnie Springs is one of the most beautiful springs in Florida, but it comes with some serious downsides. Unlike many other springs in Florida, Ginnie Springs is privately owned, and allows excessive crowds and alcohol consumption. Partly due to the alcohol, Ginnie Springs has a reputation for rowdy partying and trashy crowds, especially on holiday…

seven sisters springs underwater caves, chassahowitzka river

Seven Sisters Spring

Seven Sisters Spring is one of the best springs in Florida, and one of the most beautiful. Seven Sisters Spring is part of the Chassahowitzka Springs Group, and is located on the Chassahowitzka River. Seven Sisters Spring is popular for many activities, including swimming, snorkeling, manatee viewing, kayaking, and canoeing. Video of Seven Sisters Spring,…

Crab Island Destin Florida

Crab Island

Crab Island is a large underwater sandbar located north of the Destin Bridge in Destin, Florida.  The sandbar is located just east of Santa Rosa Island, and at the mouth of the Choctawhatchee Bay. Crab Island is located within the boundaries of the Gulf Islands National Seashore. The sandbar is a beautiful spot, and is…