If you’ll soon be en route to Florida, well, you’re not alone! Florida is ranked the second-most popular state to visit in America. California claims the number one spot, but we’d be remiss not to mention that California’s amenities and attractions closely mirror the ones found in Florida: world-class theme parks, stunning beaches, and protected natural areas, just to name a few. It seems fair to say, then, that California’s the number one state to visit on the West Coast, which makes Florida the number one state to visit on the East Coast!
A recent University of Florida survey asked travelers what beckoned them to pay a visit to the Sunshine State. Respondents indicated that their travel decisions were influenced in part by Florida’s beautiful scenery, culture, history, and numerous tourist attractions. Whatever the reason you’re traveling to Florida, our goal is to help you craft an itinerary that will take you to places you may have otherwise overlooked.
If you’re enamored by the thought of going horseback riding on a pristine beach, strolling through a vibrant historic district filled with eclectic shops and boutiques, or visiting the oldest bar in Florida, head to Amelia Island! Located just northeast of Jacksonville in Nassau County, Amelia Island is well worth the trip. Plus, if you’re not one to decline fresh seafood, know that Amelia Island is known as the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry (if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can even participate in the island’s Shrimp Challenge). No matter what your agenda entails, you’ll appreciate the southern charm that Amelia Island exudes.
Situated on the picturesque Gulf of Mexico, Naples is home to incredible beaches, high-end retail stores, fine dining establishments, and exceptional art galleries. Plus, this is where you’ll find the Naples Botanical Garden, which is considered one of the most impressive tropical gardens in the United States. If you’re inclined to spend a day at the beach, know that the Naples shoreline stretches a total of 9 miles, and you’ll be pleased to find approximately 40 beach accesses and sand so fine and white that it resembles sugar. There’s so much to do and see in Naples, and that’s why it remains one of the most popular places to visit in Southwest Florida.
Situated in the heart of Orlando—and perpetually poised to capture the hearts of children and adults alike—is Walt Disney World Resort. This is the most visited theme park in the world, and it’s easy to see why: families, couples, and individuals travel to Orlando to treat themselves to all the rides, attractions, shows, restaurants, and even themed hotels that have made this theme park so famous and beloved. Nicknamed “The Most Magical Place on Earth,” Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando excels at encouraging people of all ages to embrace the magic that Walt Disney created while celebrating his legacy that continues to span generations.
In the case of the Overseas Highway, the journey itself is the destination! You won’t regret driving the southern section of U.S. Highway 1 if you’re up for driving. While making your way along Florida's First All-American Road, you might be compelled to say aloud or to yourself that it’s the most impressive highway you’ve ever seen. Known as the "Highway that Goes to Sea,” this roadway connects the Florida Keys to the mainland and can take you all the way from Key Largo to Key West. Outside your window, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of the ocean, plus countless coral and limestone islets.
According to The Florida Keys and Key West official traveler website, the “undisputed jewel of the Overseas Highway” is the Seven Mile Bridge. The bridge was nicknamed "the eighth wonder of the world" after its completion in the early 1900s, and once you’re cruising on it, you’ll understand why.
Operated by the United States National Park Service, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument is the oldest masonry fort in the continental United States. If you consider yourself a history buff or are fascinated by architecture, you’ll want to pay a visit to this impenetrable, imposing-looking, centuries-old fort that the Spaniards built to defend Spain’s colony and protect their ships. The star-shaped fort was constructed from local coquina, a type of stone that was created by compressing shells and limestone. Located on the western shore of Matanzas Bay in St. Augustine, this fort is quite a thrill to explore, and if you visit on a weekend, you can even plan to witness re-enactments, cannon firings, and weaponry demonstrations.
This World Heritage Site encompasses approximately 1.5-million acres, and it’s populated by mangroves, marshes, and pine flatwoods that species of all kinds call home. Regarded as the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, Everglades National Park is described by the National Park Service (NPS) as “an unparalleled landscape.” Rare and endangered species reside in the Everglades, including the leatherback turtle, West Indian manatee, American crocodile, and Florida panther.
You can explore the Everglades in a variety of ways; NPS hosts guided tours and ranger-led programs, and the park itself is full of biking and hiking trails that cater to various skill levels. Paddling opportunities abound, too, in case you’re interested in spending a few hours or more in a kayak or canoe, traveling down the freshwater marshes or mangrove forests at your own pace. However you choose to explore The Everglades, you’ll be humbled by the sights, sounds, and wildlife you’ll encounter.
A real estate developer named George Merrick built Coral Gables, a city in Miami-Dade County. As Coral Gables (also known as “the city beautiful”) came to fruition, Merrick partnered with Art Supervisor Dehman Fink and Supervising Architect Phineas Paist to turn a limestone rock quarry into what he’d, upon completion, name the Venetian Casino and Pool. Merrick wanted the pool to complement the Spanish-Mediterranean-styled city as well as give residents a place to gather, socialize, and cool off.
Per the official Coral Gables website, thousands of people have swum in the Venetian Pool since its official opening in 1923. Fed by spring water from an underground aquifer, the pool is refilled daily, and it holds approximately 820,000 gallons of fresh water! What’s more, it’s the only swimming pool in the United States that appears on the National Register of Historic Places. Its cave-like grottoes, towers, bridges, waterfalls, and lush landscaping—not to mention its unique design and historical significance—make this an iconic landmark near Miami that you should put on your list of places to visit if you’ll be in or around southwestern Florida.
Tampa is a great place to go if you love animals or if you’re traveling in the good company of people who do. We encourage you to stop by Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center to observe manatees (also known as “sea cows”) free of charge. ZooTampa at Lowry Park is also a fantastic destination, as it spans nearly 60 acres and allows you to meet more than 1,000 animals from across the world. Then there’s the spectacular Florida Aquarium, a non-profit located in downtown Tampa. The Florida Aquarium is consistently ranked among the best in the United States. If you’d prefer to encounter animals while at an amusement park, purchase tickets to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, where you can spend the day riding roller coasters and thrill rides, observing animals from Africa and beyond, and making memories inside this 335-acre animal theme park.
We hope our carefully curated list of places to visit in Florida will add lots of excitement to your itinerary. We encourage you to explore Florida with an open mind because there will be new experiences around every corner. From Naples to Tampa and from Miami to Orlando, Florida is a state that you may very well describe in the same way you’d describe your best friend: adventurous, dynamic, and loveable.
Whenever you’re ready to book your next trip to Florida, GOV+ can help you skip the line at the airport with an online TSA PreCheck application today.
