The best places to visit in Florida

From white sand beaches and untamed subtropical mangrove forests to underwater worlds, space centers and futuristic theme parks packed with excited kids, Florida is one gigantic fantasyland.

Choosing the best places to visit in Florida is no mean feat. Whether you're slipping away on a romantic escape or making family memories, let this list shape your time in the Sunshine State.  

1. Miami

Best for parties and nightlife

With pastel-colored art deco buildings trimming sparkling azure waters, Miami screams tropics. One of the USA's most visited cities, this metropolis scores big with see-and-be-seen types. Crowd lovers bask in South Beach's energy, slathering on sunscreen to soak up scorching rays and indulging in some of the best people-watching on the planet. Those who prefer a bit more solitude can escape to the Miami Beach Botanical Garden, a free tropical oasis featuring meandering paths, native plants and curated gardens. And for those who energize after dark, Miami's packed bars and clubs epitomize wicked all-nighters.

Magic City scores big with foodies, too, who savor its tasty cuisines enhanced by strong Cuban and Caribbean flavors. And while the neon promenades of Miami’s beaches garner much of the attention, the Design District is worth a visit. Wynwood is the city’s heart of art and culture, home to numerous galleries and studios, with spectacular street art at Wynwood Walls and the Museum of Graffiti.

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Detour: A world apart yet only 50 miles away, the Everglades is a very different kind of wildness. Airboat, camp or take scenic drives to see gators and other exotic wildlife.

2. St Augustine

Best for history and architecture

Wander down cobblestone streets in St Augustine, which was settled by the Spanish in 1565. The facades of Old Town buildings reflect the Spanish colonial and Renaissance revival eras. Its main thoroughfare, St George Street, is packed with charming boutiques, tacky souvenir shops and restaurants overlooking the glimmering waters of the Matanzas River. If museums, galleries and churches are up your alley, there are plenty of those nearby as well. From the unspoiled sands of Anastasia State Park to the coquina watchtower of Fort Matanzas, Anastasia Island offers plenty of shoreside fun for beachgoers visiting Northeast Florida.

St Augustine is a haven for history lovers, from witnessing live reenactments at the Castillo de San Marcos to sipping from the Fountain of Youth. Even the eateries are rife with history, like the Columbia Restaurant, which serves Spanish dishes that have been on the menu for more than a century.

3. Orlando

Best for theme parks and family activities

A place where dreams come true, Orlando is a cosmopolitan city sprinkled with pixie dust. Sure, there's serious business going on here, but you wouldn't know it basking inside a sun-kissed swan paddle boat on Lake Eola, surrounded by towering skyscrapers in the heart of downtown.

Orlando is the ultimate in family fun. The promise of the Disney and Universal theme parks (plus the world’s largest McDonald’s) will keep kids awake weeks before arriving. There's also a chocolate museum, car museum and ICON Park, an entertainment complex with restaurants, live music, an aquarium, a celebrity wax museum and the towering Orlando Eye.

When you really need a break from all the crowds and chaos (and you will), stroll or cycle along Orlando’s Urban Trail to the tranquil Harry P Leu Gardens, or relax in the sculpture garden at the Mennello Museum of American Art.

Detour: Just north of the city proper, Winter Park has boutique shops, cozy cafes, art and history museums, and the Winter Park farmers market every Saturday. See the area on a boat tour, or explore the impressive collections at the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art.

4. Vero Beach

Best for calm, romantic getaways

For a more sedate experience, visit this skyscraper-less beach town 150 miles north of Miami. There's little in the way of nightlife, but many find it a delightful reprieve. Embrace each new day with meditative yoga, digging your toes into warm sand as the sun rises over the ocean, at pop star Gloria Estefan's Costa d'Este resort (nonguests are welcome). Grab an award-winning burger at Casey's Place, a throwback to the outdoor burger shacks of the 1970s, and learn the juicy history of Florida oranges at the tiny Indian River Citrus Museum. For beachside cocktails and a dash of maritime history, The Boiler encourages evenings (or afternoons – it opens early) of conversation by the bar’s entrancing aquarium.

Detour: Visit the A.E. Backus Museum and the Highwaymen Museum in nearby Fort Pierce and become instant fans of this Florida landscape artist and the talented Black painters he inspired.

5. Fort Lauderdale

Best for tantalizing beaches and boating

Blessed with an impressive stretch of white sand beaches and carved with canals, Fort Lauderdale is heralded as the yachting capital of the world. Its annual boat show in late October is the largest in-water boating show. Stroll the Riverwalk, stop for a beer at the legendary Elbo Room, watch mermaids perform during an underwater brunch, or shop and dine along Las Olas Blvd.

Detour: Take a narrated water taxi tour to Hollywood Beach's lively Broadwalk, passing the mansions of the rich and famous along your journey. Buy an express pass or a hop-on, hop-off day pass with 11 scenic stops to enjoy.

6. Key West

Best for barhopping and snorkeling

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Rows of pastel yellow, pink and green homes with gingerbread trim complement Key West's crystal-clear turquoise waters. It's no wonder that celebrated author Ernest Hemingway chose to settle in this Caribbean-style jewel in the late 1920s (don't miss the museum at his former home).

Browse the marketplace for trinkets at Mallory Sq, then catch the hop-on, hop-off trolley to tour the island’s most popular sights. Just a short walk from the Southernmost Point of the continental USA, Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park is perfect for a sun-soaked afternoon of swimming, fishing, paddling and snorkeling. Though the village is laid-back by day, a festive party vibe dominates at night. (Some dive bars along Duval St get rowdy, so avoid staying in Old Town if you want to sleep.) Key Lime Pie Co bakes up some of the country's best, and Conch Republic Seafood Company serves killer conch fritters, another Key West delicacy.

Detour: Ferries and seaplanes shuttle from the Florida Keys to the secluded Dry Tortugas National Park, which has some of the world's greatest snorkeling around the shallow Florida Reef.

7. West Palm Beach

Best for shopping and bargain hunting

West Palm Beach's palm-lined boulevards welcome visitors to some of Florida's best shopping. At the heart of it all is City Place, a shopping, dining and entertainment complex featuring brand-name retailers and specialty boutiques; fill your bags, then relax by the central fountain. Don't miss the spectacular GreenMarket, a downtown farmers market with more than 120 vendors every Saturday morning (October to April). Sixty additional flea market booths leading up Clematis St certify it as a bargain hunter's utopia.

Detour: Take a 10-minute ferry ride to nearby Peanut Island, where crystal clear waters promise a captivating underwater adventure. It's all the more extraordinary for being the location of a nuclear bunker built for JFK, though that's closed to the public.

8. Canaveral National Seashore

Best for bioluminescence and rockets

Directly east of Orlando (about an hour's drive), Canaveral National Seashore rests on the longest stretch of undeveloped beach on Florida’s Atlantic coast. The barrier island is a sanctuary for thousands of plant and animal species, from the windswept shores to the tangled mangroves along the lagoon. From June to October, Mosquito Lagoon and Indian River Lagoon emit a mystical blue-green bioluminescent glow, a spectacular living light show as tiny creatures called dinoflagellates react to the movements of boats and animals. Book a guided bioluminescent kayak tour for a truly magical experience.

Many visitors make their way to Canaveral for a different type of observation. Known as the Space Coast, the area provides prime locations for catching a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral. Playalinda Beach is a local favorite for public viewing. For the best experience, watch a launch from Kennedy Space Center. During your visit, discover what it’s like to explore space with interactive exhibits, stand in the shadow of the space shuttle Atlantis and maybe even chat with a real astronaut.

9. Scenic Highway 30A

Best for a coastal drive

Along the Florida Panhandle between the condos of Destin and the spring break hub of Panama City Beach, Scenic Highway 30A is an idyllic stretch that connects a series of quaint beachside towns. Along the corridor, you’ll encounter Old Florida architecture, sugar white beaches and coastal dune lakes, a geologic rarity found in only two places in the USA. Travel down the highway by car or bike, overlooking the sparkling emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico and soaking in the distinct charms of each town.

Take some time to explore the trails and coastal dune lakes of Grayton Beach State Park, the perfect place to swap your car for a kayak to paddle across the calm, clear waters.

10. Pensacola

Best for learning to surf

With emerald green waters kissing 18 miles of powdery sand, Pensacola's spacious beaches are heaven to those seeking a getaway. The unspoiled terrain of Gulf Islands National Seashore, the largest stretch of protected coastline in the US, extends from both sides of Pensacola Beach, a haven for water sports enthusiasts. Its warm waters and gentle summer waves make it perfect for learning to surf.

The city itself feels like a cross between an urban hub and a chill beach town, with award-winning restaurants and chic boutiques. Seville Quarter, a former cigar warehouse complex, is packed with busy bars and trendy restaurants. Seville Square, a small park, hosts music, food and art festivals throughout the year.

Detour: Dolphins regularly swarm the warm coastal waters off nearby Destin. Several local operators offer guided excursions to observe these splendid creatures from a safe distance within their natural environment. For closer encounters with dolphins, stingrays and other aquatic life, plan a visit to the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach.

11. Crystal River

Best for spotting manatees

The manatee is a cherished star of Florida wildlife and the official state marine mammal. Due to loss of habitat and boat collisions, Florida manatees are an endangered species, highly protected by both federal and state laws. Although the shy sea cows can be found in coastal waters in the Gulf and up the coast, Crystal River is the best place in Florida to witness the majesty of manatees as they gather during the winter months. The best time to visit if you want to see them is December to February, when the mammals move inland in search of warmer waters.

From hiking and bicycling to boating and fishing, Crystal River Preserve State Park is brimming with opportunities to experience local wildlife and learn about the diverse species that call the region home. Learn about the history of the area’s Indigenous communities at Crystal River Archaeological State Park.

12. Tampa Bay

Best for urban adventures

A bustling metropolis of business, culture and entertainment, Tampa boasts major attractions, including Busch Gardens, ZooTampa and the Florida Aquarium. The area is also home to some of Florida’s best beaches, from Clearwater to St Petersburg.

In downtown Tampa, take a stroll along the Riverwalk, then make your way to Sparkman Wharf for premier shopping, dining and events. Along the coast, splash along the white sand shores of Clearwater Beach or head up to Caladesi Island State Park for a natural retreat. Down in St Pete, families with young kids will want to spend some time at the Great Explorations children’s museum, while art lovers can check out the Dalí Museum’s extensive collection.

Detours: The charming town of Dunedin is a relaxing escape from the busy beaches and city center, with breweries, shops and a local artisan market. Slightly further north, find the historic sponge docks of Tarpon Springs. 

13. Daytona

Best for thrill seekers

Daytona is known for two things: beaches and racing. From adrenaline-pumping water sports to the high-octane spectacle at the Daytona International Speedway, this destination is a thrill seeker’s paradise. The hard-packed sands along Daytona Beach are great for cruising on an ATV, while the open ocean calls to surfers, paddlers and watercraft drivers. Parasailers glide high above the shores, while scuba divers explore below. Visitors can take their vacation to new heights in nearby DeLand, known as the skydiving capital of the world; whether it’s your first jump or your 50th, SkyDive DeLand offers diving experiences for all skill levels.

Detour: Near DeLand, visitors to the Reptile Discovery Center can experience a different type of thrill. The exhibit is home to dozens of the world’s most dangerous snakes. Observe a live venom extraction (a process that helps produce antivenom) and view alligators, lizards, tortoises and other reptiles along the nature trail.

14. Mt Dora

Best for a small-town retreat

Tucked between Orlando and Ocala National Forest is the quiet town of Mt Dora. The colorful architecture and picturesque lighthouse give this destination its fairytale charm. Donnelly Park is the town’s central hub, surrounded by the shops, restaurants and museums of the historic district. Allow plenty of time during your visit to browse the sprawling open-air Renniger’s Twin Markets, where you never know what vintage treasures you might find. The Lighthouse Walk leads to Mt Dora’s most famous landmark; the lighthouse at Grantham Pointe is the only inland freshwater lighthouse in the state.

15. Ocala National Forest

Best for inland adventures

While Florida’s major cities and beaches get a lot of attention, Ocala National Forest proves that there’s plenty to love about North Central Florida. This sprawling forest features natural pools, canoe runs, walking trails and ruins. Alexander Springs, Juniper Springs and Salt Springs all offer opportunities to connect with the natural world, whether camping, swimming, paddling, hiking, cycling, diving or snorkeling. This secluded destination provides a tranquil contrast to the bustle of Florida’s theme parks and coastlines.

Detour: For more natural wonders to explore, visit nearby Silver Springs State Park or take a dip in the prehistoric spring at Devil’s Den.

16. Fort Myers

Best for local arts and fishing

After the devastation wrought upon 7 miles of coast by a hurricane in 2022, the recovery in Fort Myers Beach is well underway. The bricked, palm-lined boulevards of the downtown River District are enhanced with colorful murals and artistic sculptures and dotted with bistros, cafes, galleries, museums and theaters. Deep-sea anglers reel in massive tarpon and swordfish nearby, while paddleboarders love navigating the gulf's calm, clear waters.

One of the best things to do is visit nearby Matlacha, a funky fishing village bursting with color at every turn. Also, don't miss Wonder Gardens, a lush botanical garden and animal rescue facility that first opened in 1936 and is still a throwback to Old Florida.

Detour: Nearby Sanibel Island boasts a motherlode of shells from almost 400 species, while Bonita Springs is a quiet enclave with cafes and microbreweries.