Greatest Hits and Fresh Finds: A Guide to Known and New Florida Experiences

By Lauren Tjaden

Blockbuster theme parks where dragons soar, miles of dreamy beaches, and natural wonders like the Everglades—all bathed in sunshine—are but a few of Florida’s favorite experiences. They’re tied and true, well worth visiting—and revisiting.

But the Sunshine State also offers adventures that are new or under-the-radar. Here, you can discover ink-black night skies where the Milky Way shines bright; meet fearsome wolves that invite you into their pack; and tackle a giant, inflatable water obstacle course.

Come along for this tour of Florida’s most celebrated treasures and hidden gems to find your perfect fit.

Orlando and Kissimmee | Miami | Tampa | Jacksonville | Panama City Beach | Fort Lauderdale | The Florida Keys | Cocoa Beach | Sarasota

Orlando and Kissimmee

Known

The roller coasters that tower over the City Beautiful’s theme parks are legendary, with beloved favorites that include SeaWorld’s Mako, Orlando's tallest and fastest roller coaster; Universal’s Incredible Hulk Coaster, a green monster celebrated for its upside-down, zero gravity roll; Legoland’s Coastersaurus, a kid-friendly, giggle-worthy wooden coaster; and Disney World’s Expedition Everest, a classic with state-of-the-art theming.

New

Weeki Wachee
Watch enchanting live mermaid shows; discover Buccaneer Bay, a water park set in a crystalline natural spring; and kayak the pristine Weeki Wachee River.

Kings Landing
Explore the gin-clear water of Rocks Springs Run atop a stand-up paddleboard or kayak. Choose from self-guided rentals, adventure tours and star-studded nightly escapes.

Safari Wilderness Ranch
Tour through large herds of exotic animals aboard a camel or in a safari vehicle. Experiences include letting adorable ring-tailed lemurs nibble grapes from your fingertips.

Florida Children's Museum at Bonnets Springs Park
Bring the kids to this hands-on, sensory-friendly museum, delivering two floors of interactive galleries geared towards different ages.

Camp Margaritaville RV Park
This RV park promises a license to chill, offering cabana cabins, a tiki bar, fire pits, pools, an entertainment stage, a playground, and dog parks.

Ocala Adventures
Famed as ‘The Horse Capital of the World,’ Ocala invites you to explore its Horse Fever -- Painted Statue Trail; meet a gentle giant at Grand View Clydesdale Farm; or paddle the river at Silver Springs State Park, where you might spot a manatee.  

Alpaca Yoga
Stretch, breathe and find your Zen in the calming presence of LunaSea’s alpacas, including its adorable babies.

Showcase of Citrus Monster Truck Tour
This U-pick grove welcomes guests aboard monster trucks to discover native woodlands and citrus groves, with opportunities to feed exotic animals.

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve Camping
Camp or glamp surrounded by 54,000 acres of prairie-- and look up into the inky black night sky, so dark that you can spot the Milky Way without a telescope. 

Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures
Get wild on an exhilarating airboat adventure and explore the headwaters of the Florida Everglades.

Orlando Science Center
Experiment with chemicals or tools, watch live demos, and spark your imagination with interactive exhibits.

Westgate River Ranch
Gallop over to this dude ranch, complete with a rodeo, for outdoor adventures and luxury glamping tents, wagons and teepees.

Cocoa Beach
Catch some waves, check out Cocoa Beach's celebrated pier; and be amazed by Ron Jon's, the world's largest surf shop.

Wild Florida Adventure Park
Thrill to an airboat ride through the headwaters of the Florida Everglades and sample swamp delicacies at the Chomp House.

Miami

Known

Nothing’s more iconic than Miami’s beaches, a playground of candy-colored lifeguard stands, sunshine and beautiful people. Visit legendary South Beach, with its cityscape of Art Deco architecture, to be at the heart of the action; opt for Mid Beach or North Beach for a more relaxed experience; or get the ultimate tan at Haulover Park Beach, Florida’s oldest officially recognized nude beach, where nothing needs to come between you and the sun.

New

Wynwood Walls
Dazzle your eyes at this globally renowned street art museum, showcasing cutting-edge works from leading fine artists, graffiti writers and muralists from around the globe.

Butterfly World
Stroll through a lush rainforest populated by 20,000 live, exotic butterflies and birds from all over the world.

Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center
Touch stingrays; learn about sharks and sea turtles; and explore interactive exhibits and aquariums.

Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast
Keep the kids smiling with bright, imaginative exhibits that include a Mail Stop, Vet Clinic, Baby Beach House, and Town Market.

Martin County Beaches
Soak up the sun on miles of peaceful, uncrowded beaches with a backdrop of natural sand dunes.

Kayak Florida Bay
Visit Key Largo for a dreamy paddle through the Bay’s blue-green waterways, a mecca for fishermen, bird watchers and wildlife lovers.

Snorkel Pompano Beach
Be awestruck by Pompano Beach’s reef, sited a mere 100 yards offshore and famed for its clear waters and vibrant marine life.

Little Havana
Indulge in gourmet ice cream at Azucar Ice Cream Company, then head across the street to Domino Park, where you’ll find the regulars sipping Cuban coffee and playing dominoes-- a tradition for more than 40 years.

Tampa

Known

A long-standing Tampa favorite, Busch Gardens combines scream-like-a-little-kid thrill rides, animal encounters, and family-friendly adventures. Another cherished tradition is strolling down the 2.6-mile Riverwalk, a gorgeous path that connects Heights Market at Armature Works, Curtis Hixon Park, Sparkman Wharf, and a myriad of attractions, bars, and restaurants.

New

Snorkel with Manatees
Splash over to Crystal River, where you can swim with these gentle giants in their natural habitat.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Built for fun, LEGOLAND boasts a Theme Park; a Water Park; SEA LIFE Florida; and three themed hotels.

Brooksville Kayaking
Paddle miles of unspoiled waterways in this Florida trail town.

The Depot District (Trail Depot)
Explore the walkways connecting Liberty Park and Wallace Brooks Park, lakefront parks sited along the Withlacoochee State Trail.

Beach Bliss
Revel in the white sands of Clearwater/St. Pete’s beaches, with gems that include legendary Clearwater Beach, family-friendly Madeira Beach, and charming Pass-a-Grille Beach.

The Columbia Restaurant
Savor Spanish-Cuban food, live music, and 120 years-plus of history at this Ybor City eatery.

The Dali Museum
Discover an extraordinary collection of masterpieces by the legendary artist Salvador Dalí, featuring his iconic melting clocks, inventive visual illusions, and avant-garde symbols.

Ybor City
This famed, historic Latin quarter serves up a vibrant recipe of restaurants, sidewalk cafes, and old brick cigar factories.

Pirates Cruise Madeira Beach
Set sail for a swashbuckling, authentic Gasparilla-style experience, promising a bounty of riveting pirate lore and stunning waterfront views.

Jacksonville   

Known

Over five miles of stunning riverfront; cultural attractions like the Museum of Science & History, the Ritz Theatre & Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville; as well as Sweet Pete's, a local candy factory with free tours, make downtown Jacksonville an enduring choice.

Jax’s 22 miles of beaches are likewise revered, promising a mecca for surfers, divers and fishermen. Offerings include pristine Boneyard Beach, peppered with the skeletons of massive driftwood trees; lively Jacksonville Beach with its 1,300-foot pier; and charming Neptune Beach, home to the area’s oldest bar.

New

Skateboard
Skate through history at the World’s oldest skatepark, a sprawling concrete complex featuring hills and a “snake run,” where you can choose from almost endless paths.

Treehouse Camping
Pull the covers up in a quirky treehouse or air-conditioned cabin at Camp Chowenwaw. Adventures include paddleboarding; fishing; hiking; and swimming in a nearby spring-fed pool.

Beach Horseback Ride
Listen to the sound of the surf from atop a horse on this glorious escapade with Equestrian Adventures of Florida.

Paddle Wheel Cruise
Journey into old Florida when you climb aboard the Barbara-Lee Sternwheeler for a cruise down the St. Johns River.

Lightner Museum
Be awed by art, architecture, history and design at the Lightner Museum, an iconic building in the heart of historic St. Augustine.

Columbia Restaurant
Treat yourself to award-winning Spanish-Cuban fare, served in a lavish dining room adorned with hand-painted tiles, art, and a Spanish-style fountain.

St. Augustine
Explore the historic district of the nation’s oldest city to wonder at sites like the Cathedral Basilica, the Governor’s House Cultural Center and Museum, and the Oldest House.

St. Augustine Treasure Hunt
Uncover the city’s iconic landmarks as well as its unknown treasures—hidden courtyards, secret gardens and unique shops-- while you solve riddles, discover clues and search for treasure.
 

Historic Forts
Visit the formidable Castillo de San Marcos, bristling with cannons; Fort Matanzas National Monument, accessible via a free passenger ferry; and Fort Mose Historic State Park, the first free African settlement in the U.S.

Picnic Party
Enjoy a pop-up picnic party at the beach or your favorite Jax park. Let Picnic Party Jacksonville, First Coast Picnics, or 904 Picnic Co. do all the work.

Panama City Beach

Known

Predictably sunny weather and 27 miles of sugar-white sand bordering clear, turquoise waters have made Panama’s City’s Beaches a long-standing ritual. Choose from idyllic St. Andrews State Park or Camp Helen State Park and nearly 100 beach access points. They include a designated dog beach near the Russell-Fields Pier and Schooners Last Local Beach Club, an eatery that shoots off an ancient cannon at sunset.

New

Florida Caverns
Trek through the otherworldly depths of Florida Caverns to discover a vivid palette of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones and draperies.

Airboating
All aboard! Airboat Adventures welcomes visitors on an educational, fun and thrilling quest to see native Florida wildlife in the backwaters of West Bay.

SkyWheel
SkyWheel urges you to “Elevate your beach experience with the best views in Panama City Beach” on this observation wheel, towering nearly 200 feet above Pier Park.

Glamping at Topsail
Be awed by breathtaking coastal dune lakes and serene beaches. Be spoiled with luxe tents complete with comfy beds and thoughtful amenities.

Seacrest Wolf Preserve
Embark on a walking journey through the habitats of Gray and Arctic Wolves to become part of the pack and learn about this amazing species.

Fort Lauderdale

 Known

The "Venice of America" delivers blockbuster arts, culture, and events, but nothing is a greater draw than its beloved 24 miles of golden sandy shores. Lively Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood beaches boast restaurants, bars, and live entertainment; Dania Beach and Hillsboro Beach offer kicked-back relaxation; and family-friendly Deerfield Beach features a 1,000-foot-long international fishing pier that stretches out over the waves.

New

Tigertail Aqua Challenge
Tackle an inflatable water obstacle course and playground that includes a climbing wall, trampoline, jungle gym, gigantic bouncing dome and a freefall climbing wall with a slide.

Flamingo Gardens
Hand feed flamingos, take a tram tour, listen to keeper talks, and watch wildlife encounter shows at this botanical garden and Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Airboat the Everglades
Tour the “River of Grass” at Sawgrass Recreation Park, where adrenaline and education are on the menu.

Snorkeling
Snorkel or dive through wrecks and reefs—just a few hundred feet offshore—at Pompano Beach and Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.

The Florida Keys

Known

Here, time honored traditions include visiting Bahia Honda State Park, where you can curl your bare toes into the sands of the Keys’ finest beach; getting your picture taken at Southernmost Point – which, as its name implies, is the southernmost point of the continental United States; and investigating the quirky, charming streets of Key West on foot or bicycle.  

New

Kayak the Backcountry
Paddle through a quiet world, far from civilization, in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. In this wonderland of remarkably shallow, clear water, favorites include John Pennekamp State Park, Long Key State Park and Curry Hammock State Park.

Swim with Dolphins
Meet, touch and even get a tow across the saltwater from the bottlenose beauties at Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder.

Florida Bay Kayak Tour
Escape to Key Largo for an unforgettable paddle through the Bay’s stunning blue-green waters, a paradise for fishermen, bird watchers, and wildlife enthusiasts.

Hand Feed Massive Tarpon
Let one of the “Silver Kings” at Robbie’s Marina in Islamorada slide its mouth over your fingers to grab a minnow-- a spine-tingling experience.

Cocoa Beach

Known

It doesn’t get more classic than Cocoa Beach and surfing by the pier, where the consistent, gentle waves and shallow bottom are ideal for beginners. After riding the waves, head next door to Ron Jon Surf Shop, with bragging rights as the ‘World’s Largest Surf Shop.’

New

Bioluminescent Kayaking
Embark on a paddling journey through shimmering blue-green water where dolphins, rays and manatees are mysteriously illuminated under Florida’s vast night sky.

McKee Botanical Gardens
Explore diverse, extraordinary botanical collections. The little ones will love the children’s garden, complete with a Monkey Bridge, instruments, and rope slide.

Ziplining and a Canopy Walk
Brave the challenges on a Canopy Walk over monkeys, jaguars, and giant otters. If you dare, zipline over scenic wetlands.

Fort Pierce Beach Day
Spend the day playing Pepper Park Beach, a kicked back stretch of sand with family-friendly amenities. Shallow nearshore reefs make for great snorkeling and diving.

Mangrove Tunnel Kayaking
Paddle through the Thousand Island Mangrove Tunnel. Keep your eyes peeled for manatees and dolphins.

Cocoa Beach Skate Park
Tackle open bowls and a street course complete with stairs, a half-pipe and abundant cement inclines—perfect for tricks and flips.

Sarasota

Known

Folks from near and far come to celebrate Sarasota area beaches, which include award-winning Siesta Key, with its pure white sand and crystalline waters; Venice Beach, famed as the Shark Tooth Capital of the World; and Blind Pass Beach, a quiet gem for hunting fossilized shark teeth, shelling, and watching the sunset. 

New

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium
Say hello to sharks, sea turtles, otters, seahorses and sea jellies; explore coral reefs; and peek into the labs.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Stroll through botanical bliss spread across 45 acres of bayfront sanctuaries.

The Circus Arts Conservatory
Join the Circus! Kids as well as the young-at-heart can enjoy a hands-on experience in a circus arts class, offered throughout the week for all experience levels.

Fort Myers
Venture south for a stay at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort and Spa Resort, complete with its own water park; visit Lovers Key State Park, where you can take a Tram Tour to the pristine beach; and cap off the night at Backyard Social, with yummy food trucks and games to keep the whole gang smiling.

Sarasota Art Museum
Treat your eyes at the Sarasota Art Museum, offering 15,000 square feet of galleries.