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
Passage Key is an uninhabited island at the mouth of Tampa Bay. The island is protected as a national wildlife refuge, and is closed to public access. Note: All of Passage Key closed to protect nesting wildlife. Trespassing on Passage Key is illegal. Visitors should remain well away from the beaches to avoid illegal trespassing. …
The Shell Mound Campground is a very nice campground near Cedar Key. The campground is set in a beautiful location, and is a great spot for exploring the surrounding area. Location The Shell Mound Campground is located in Levy County, and is managed as a Levy County Park. The campground itself is located on County…
The Nixon Sandbar is a popular sandbar near Miami, on Key Biscayne. The sandbar is an extremely popular hangout for boaters near Miami and surrounding areas. On busy weekends and holidays many dozens, or even hundreds of boats gather, anchor, raft up and party. The Nixon Sandbar is also known as Nixon Beach, and the Nixon…
Mosquito Bank is located in the upper Keys near Key Largo. It is just offshore of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The Mosquito Bank covers a relatively large area, and includes several sandbars and shallow areas. One part of the Mosquito Bank has a lighted navigational beacon. Note: Please be careful not to damage…
Picnic Island is a small, undeveloped island and sandbar in the lower Florida Keys. Location Picnic Island is located in the Newfound Harbor Channel, south of Little Torch Key and southeast of Ramrod Key. It is less than a mile northeast of the Little Palm Island Resort. Water around Picnic Island is shallow. Depths around…
There are several popular sandbars in Marathon. Each sandbar is unique and has its own vibe. The “feel” of the sandbars change dramatically based on other visitors who happen to be at the sandbar. Like all sandbars in Florida, some of the more popular sandbars around Marathon become extremely crowded on weekends. Hundreds of boats…
The Islamorada sandbar is a shallow stretch of white sand, just offshore of Islamorada in the Florida Keys. The Islamorada sandbar is an extremely popular place for boats to anchor and swim in the crystal clear water. Gatherings on the sandbar can be calm and relaxing, or wild parties, depending on the day and the…
Sandbars in Key West are hidden gems. The sand is like white sugar. The water is crystal clear. When you’re all alone on a sandbar there isn’t any noise, except for the sound of the water. They’re like private desert islands. You can often see fun and exciting marine life on sandbars, including dolphins, sharks,…
Devil’s Den Spring is a natural spring, set inside a giant cavern. This spring is gorgeous, and we love this place! We think Devil’s Den is one of Florida’s coolest and most unique spots in Florida. It’s one of the only springs in Florida that’s located inside an underground cavern. Plus, there is on-site camping….
Sandbars in Florida are amazing! They often have crystal-clear water, powdery white sand, and are beautiful beyond words. While tourists crowd onto Florida’s beaches, Florida locals head to the sandbars. Sandbars in Florida are community gathering places. Although some sandbars can get crazy, they can also be a great place to meet like-minded friends and…
Tampa Bay has two islands with the name “Beer Can Island”. One “Beer Can Island” is located in the middle of Tampa Bay. It was recently renamed to “Pine Key”, and is the subject of this article. Click this link for the other “Beer Can Island”, located at the northern tip of Longboat Key, near…
Many people ask about the best beaches in Tampa. This question can be confusing because there are technically several beaches in Tampa, but they aren’t what most people expect. Here’s how the Tampa city government website describes one popular beach in Tampa: “Who needs to go to Clearwater to find a good beach when you…
Three Sisters Spring is one of the most beautiful natural springs in Florida. It’s also one of the best places to see wild manatees in Florida. Note: The Chassahowitzka River is another excellent location to swim with manatees, and it’s relatively nearby Three Sisters Spring. If you will visit Three Sisters Spring, be sure to…
Sebastian is a small beach town on Florida’s east coast, along the famous US Highway 1. Unlike many other busy cities on Florida’s east coast, Sebastian still has the charm of a small beach town. Sebastian is located in Indian River County, in a quiet, laid-back section of Florida’s east coast. Sebastian is located in…
Ichetucknee Blue Hole Spring is my favorite spring in Florida. I can never wait for the next trip. It’s hard to capture the beauty of this place with words, or even photos. Ichetucknee Springs State Park gets extremely crowded during the summer. If you’ll visit, I highly suggest arriving as early as possible! Some activities…
Manatees are some of the most beloved animals in Florida! They are super cute, and are always fun to see. Luckily, Florida is one of the best places to see manatees. Tips for Seeing Manatees in Florida Manatees usually spend their time in predictable places, for a variety of reasons. Manatees tend to be loyal…
Florida’s Overseas Highway is a world-famous scenic highway. It consists of 42 bridges which connect the Florida Keys to the Florida mainland. It’s currently the only way to reach Key West via land. The only other ways to reach Key West are by high-speed ferry, or by flying into the Key West Airport (EYW). The…
Fort Desoto is one of the best beaches in Florida. To make it even more official, Fort De Soto was once named the “Best Beach in the entire United States” in 2005 by “Dr. Beach” Stephen Leatherman. The water is clear, the sand is amazing, and there is a huge amount of parking. Plus, it…
Many people dream about camping in the Florida Keys. They imagine white sandy beaches, Caribbean blue water and easy living. They dream that camping is an easy, cheap alternative to hotels and expensive vacation rentals. Maybe even find some free camping on a beach? That all sounds great, right? It does sound great! But, sadly,…
Marathon is one of the most populated cities in the Florida Keys. It’s considered to be part of the “Middle Keys”, and forms their southern boundary. Islands below Marathon are considered to be the “Lower Keys”. History Like almost all of the Florida Keys, Marathon was inhabited and used for thousands of years by indigenous…