For a thrilling and entertaining holiday, Florida is the ideal place to go. Owing to its pleasant weather, gorgeous shorelines, and extensive range of tourist attractions, it is understandable why Florida is so favoured by visitors from the US.
If you’re seeking to unwind on the beach, discover the history and culture of the area, or get your pulse racing with some thrilling activities, Florida can provide whatever you are looking for. From the vivacious nightlife of Miami to the peaceful beauty of the Everglades, here is a list of the best activities to do in Florida!
Magic Kingdom Park
Walt Disney World has become one of the most popular destinations in the world for the entire family, and it is considered essential for anyone travelling to Florida to explore Magic Kingdom Park. This attraction is well-known for its iconic rides such as the Haunted Mansion, The Jungle Cruise, and Space Mountain, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of the park.
If you want to join in on the fun, now is the perfect time to visit Walt Disney World and let your inner child (or your actual kids) have an amazing time. Your younger children will remember it for many years to come.
Discovery Cove
Located close to SeaWorld Orlando, Discovery Cove is an all-inclusive amusement park that has many offerings such as food, drinks, and opportunities to interact with animals. The main attraction of a visit is to swim with dolphins and get educated on their natural habits from experienced trainers. After interacting with the dolphins, visitors can meander through a lazy river on a float or go snorkelling with huge manta rays.
Hire a Yacht and explore Biscayne Bay
The city of Miami is famous for its Cuban-influenced architecture, nightlife and sits in the north end of Biscayne Bay. The south end though is included in Biscayne National Park and can be explored by hiring a yacht or through day trips. You can take advantage of daytime Miami yacht charters for a trip to see marine animals like fish, birds, sea turtles, manatees, dolphins, pelicans and crocodiles.
If you venture further you can see mangrove forests and the Florida Keys. There is also the coral reef and ship wrecks for diving and snorkelling, although they may be best explored on organised trips.
Disney Hollywood Studios
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, visitors can experience a galaxy far, far away by taking control of the Millennium Falcon at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge or enjoy a journey on Slinky Dog’s back in Toy Story Land. Those looking for a thrill can take a plunge on the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, which drops guests 13 stories in an elevator.
For a more relaxed day, guests can sample margarita flights at The Hollywood Brown Derby before heading to a live performance of Beauty and the Beast, located in the vicinity of the Brown Derby.
Universal Studios Florida
Universal Studios Florida houses Diagon Alley, a section of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It is where you can take a ride on the Escape from Gringotts, which gives people the opportunity to come face-to-face with the antagonists of the Harry Potter series and an enormous, fiery dragon. Other famous Universal attractions such as Alien Attack, E.T. Adventure, Men in Black and Revenge of the Mummy can also be found at Universal Studios Florida.
Universal Island of Adventure
Universal’s Islands of Adventure is a perfect theme park for people of all ages, regardless of whether they are travelling with kids or not. It features several themed areas inspired by popular movies and shows such as Jurassic Park, Marvel, Dr Seuss, and the magical Harry Potter.
The latest addition to the park is the Jurassic World Velocicoaster, where visitors can experience a thrilling ride with twists, turns, and loops as they attempt to avoid being caught by the Velociraptors.
Wynwood Art District
Miami’s Wynwood district is an increasingly popular area renowned for its stunning street art, often seen on the large walls of buildings known as the Wynwood Walls. The outdoor museum displays pieces from some of the world’s most renowned street artists.
Smaller galleries, craft breweries, shops, eateries, and bars are also scattered throughout the district, providing plenty of entertainment once the sun sets.
Everglades Airboat Tours
Visiting the Florida Everglades provides a rare opportunity to observe a wide variety of native animals in their natural habitat such as panthers, alligators, and snakes. An ideal way to explore the swamps is to take an airboat ride with a knowledgeable captain.
Airboat rides are not available in many other parts of the country, making this a special activity in Florida. As the boats move quickly, it is important to stay alert in order to get a glimpse of the amazing wildlife.
St. Augustine Ghost Tours
As the oldest city in the USA, it is not at all unexpected that St. Augustine is one of the most haunted locations in Florida. This means that it provides ghost tours on a trolley through some of the eeriest spots in the city such as the St. Augustine Lighthouse, graveyards from the 19th century, and an old schoolhouse.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Completing your experience at Walt Disney World is only possible if you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park. Even though many people assume this is only a zoo, it is much more than that. There are rides for travellers to go on a genuine African safari, a rollercoaster that takes you up “Mount Everest” and a time rover that takes you back to the days of dinosaurs. Moreover, you can gain knowledge about the conservation efforts of Disney, which are undertaken to help bring back different species and their habitats.
Kennedy Space Centre
If your children are passionate about space exploration, then take a day trip to the NASA and Kennedy Space Centre. There, you’ll get the opportunity to explore the launchpads from which the space shuttles took off, as well as the famous Space Shuttle Atlantis. You’ll even have the chance to observe modern rockets and find out about NASA’s upcoming project to study Mars.
Jax Ale Trail
Okay, not for kids but you deserve this. Jacksonville is a great destination for craft beer fans, and a great way to experience the breweries is the Jax Ale Trail. This self-guided tour takes you to various parts of the city while you sample award-winning beers and some local cuisine. Each brewery has a booklet that you can use on your journey; when you stop at a participating brewery, you will get a new stamp. Once the booklet is filled, you can submit it to Visit Jacksonville for a reward.
