Given its natural and cultural diversity, there are many fantastic places to visit in Florida. From beaches and cities to islands and swamps, the Sunshine State has a little something to offer everyone.
Depending on where you are, it can also be a great place to enjoy day trips – even international ones.
Read on to learn about five cool places to visit in Florida.
Places to Visit in Florida: 5 Top Florida Attractions for Families
1. The Exumas
While it might not be within Florida (or even the United States), the Exuma Cays should be on the itinerary of anyone in the South Florida area.
The Exumas are a chain of 365 islands found in the 700 islands of the Bahamas. The region is famous for its beautiful beaches, stunningly-blue water, and the Exuma Pigs.
A Pig Island tour is one of the many fun things to do in Florida.
While tourists looking for places to visit in Florida can take the ferry to Freeport or Bimini, traveling to the Exumas by plane on a day trip is the best option.
On a Swimming Pigs Island day trip, expect to visit:
- Staniel Cay, the beautiful island you fly into
- The Exuma Pigs
- Nurse sharks
- Endangered iguanas
- Snow-white sandbars
- Underwater caves
- An underwater plane wreck
All of those sites make a Pig Island tour a great option for anyone searching for fun things to do in Florida.
2. Everglades National Park
Another one of the best places to go in Florida is Everglades National Park.
Located on the Southern tip of Florida, the park is a 1.5-million-acre wetland preserve. It features several distinct biomes such as marshes, coastal mangroves, and pine flatwoods.
Given the diversity of habitats, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Everglades are also an incredible location to see all sorts of animals – both on land and in water.
Wildlife lovers looking for things to do in Florida should visit the majestic Everglades.
Depending on when you visit, you might be able to see:
- Leatherback turtles
- West Indian manatees
- Florida panthers
- The American alligator
- The American crocodile
- River otters
- Water birds
- And many other species
The chance to see rare and exciting animals makes the Everglades one of the top Florida attractions for families.
3. Miami
Miami is one of the best places to visit in Florida no matter your travel interests. It has everything from nightlife and fine dining to history and beaches.
Most of the action takes place along the famous beaches. From there, you can lounge around in the sand, have a delicious dinner, go shopping, then party the night away in 24 hours.
Anyone looking for cool places to visit in Florida should head to Miami.
Miami also has many great cultural sites. Make sure to poke around the neighborhoods in Little Havana and go sightseeing at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
Given its location on the southern coast of Florida, Miami is also a great place from which to embark on day trips. From a trip to Swimming Pigs Island to a tour of the Everglades, it serves as a great regional transit hub.
4. Key West
If you keep going south from Miami you’ll arrive at Key West, another one of the many cool places to visit in Florida. While all of the Keys are worth a visit, Key West in particular is a must-see.
Key West may be tiny, but it’s one of the most culturally-colorful parts of the entire country. It has fantastic restaurants, bars, and events throughout the year.
Key West is full of fun Florida attractions for families, couples, and group travelers alike.
The area also houses all sorts of natural beauty. It’s the southernmost point of the continental United States, and the waters around the Keys are home to coral reefs, schools of tropical fish, dolphins, sharks, and many other creatures.
Key West is one of many great Florida attractions for families, as well as for groups of friends and other travelers.
5. Fort Lauderdale
Whereas Miami offers excitement and adventure, Fort Lauderdale is a bit quieter and more refined. Known as the “Venice of America” on account of its many canals, there are many cool places to visit in Florida within Fort Lauderdale.
From Stranahan House and Bonnet House to History Fort Lauderdale, there are many historical and cultural sites worth touring.
Stranahan House is one of the many cultural highlights of Fort Lauderdale.
Travelers can also hop on a water taxi to see the city from its many canals. Besides learning more about the city, water taxis also bring you past many great restaurants and bars.
Like Miami, the Fort Lauderdale area also offers limitless travel opportunities to nearby places. Make sure to sign up for a Pig Island tour while you’re there!
Fun Things to Do in Florida: Swim with the Exuma Pigs
Whether you’re traveling solo, with your partner, or with a family, one of the best places to visit in Florida actually requires you to leave the state.
A Pig Island tour flies you out from South Florida to spend the day in the stunning Exuma Cays. From the Swimming Pigs to nurse sharks, the trip will be a highlight of any Florida vacation.
Contact us to start planning your Swimming Pig tour today.
