Florida is the southeasternmost state in the United States and one of the country's largest states. It's flanked by the Atlantic Ocean on the east side and the Gulf of Mexico on the west. The beautiful state offers a diverse range of family-friendly attractions, from natural wonders to theme parks to adrenaline-pumping sporting activities as well as some great family-friendly accommodation.
Caribbean Cruise
Miami is one of the most popular vacation spots in the U.S. Miami Beach is located on an island linked to mainland Florida by several bridges, and it's famous for its golden sand and art deco buildings, often featured in movies and TV shows.
If you’re looking for sun and sand, head over to South Beach. Here, you can spend your days relaxing on the beautiful beaches or take a stroll along Ocean Drive to admire the colorful Art Deco buildings. Don’t forget to visit Lummus Park and enjoy its stunning views of Biscayne Bay. Miami is a popular cruise port, too, and you can embark on a Caribbean cruise from here.
For those looking for a little more adventure, explore Zoo Miami, Jungle Island, or one of Miami's many theme parks. Shopping enthusiasts can check out the many designer boutiques in Miami's Design District or take a stroll through Bal Harbour Shops. Apart from the obvious attractions, there are many hidden gems in Miami too.
The Kennedy Space Center is located in Cape Canaveral, about an hour away from Orlando. Many of the most important space shuttle launches in American history, such as Saturn V and Apollo 4, took place here. You can take a bus around the huge complex and visit various displays and exhibitions, like NASA's launch complex and the Astronaut Hall of Fame. If you're lucky, you may even see a rocket launch. The centre has also been featured in movies like Apollo 13 and Tomorrowland. This is a must-visit for aspiring astronauts and all those that are fascinated by outer space.
Wishes! Night-time Spectacular
Orlando boasts two of the most famous theme parks in the world, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort. Walt Disney World consists of four massive parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios. Visiting this incredible theme park is guaranteed to make you feel like a child again. Universal Orlando Resort has some thrilling rides, too, but it's best known for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, a must-visit attraction for Harry Potter fans.
The Florida Keys are a string of tropical islands off the southern tip of Florida. Calm, clear waters surround the Florida Keys and the only living coral reef in the United States. They make for a great vacation destination for visitors of all ages. The keys are especially known for their water activities, such as fishing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and boating.
EverBank Field is an American football stadium and home of the Jacksonville Jaguars, of the National Football League. It can seat almost 70,000 people, and it's also one of the top tailgating stadiums in the United States. Before kickoff, football fans fill nearby parking lots to grill and get pumped for the big game. College games, concerts, and other events also happen here. If you are attending an event here, you can stay at these hotels near EverBank Field.
Florida is a wonderful place for nature lovers. In Everglades National Park, the second largest national park in the country, you can spot wildlife during a boating trip, have the unique opportunity to get close to a wild alligator in the swamplands, or see a nesting sea turtle. You can also see otters, crocodiles, turtles, and even panthers.
These are just some of the wonderful things to do in Florida . Be sure to add this beautiful and diverse state to your itinerary when visiting the USA.
Stay in these luxury resorts and hotels in Florida or find more accommodation in Florida.
What are your favourite things to do in Florida ?
Disclosure: 13
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
Very useful information. Iv only ever been to Florida once as I'm from Manchester, England but it was the best experience of my life. I only managed to visit the Disney theame parks but I would love to one day go back and maybe visit the other places you listed. Thanks for sharing 🙂