Florida Travel Guide: Hidden Gems & Bucket List Spots

By The Backseat View

Hello Sunshine!

Florida is a state shaped by sunshine, water, and beaches. Stretching between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the Sunshine State offers everything from tropical beaches and wetlands to historic cities and vibrant theme parks. With a climate that invites outdoor living year-round and a mix of cultures, Florida delivers a dynamic travel experience unlike anywhere else in the country.

Florida Travel Guide

If you want uncrowded beaches, a tea party with REAL Mermaids, the best Key Lime Pie in all of Florida, or to feed elephants and tigers, this is your guide. Let’s start with the best things to do in Florida, then move on to the hidden gems and unique Florida experiences, like Pirate Parades.

Iconic Florida Attractions

Let’s explore the Best Things to DO in Florida!

• Walt Disney World – The world’s most famous theme park destination, drawing visitors of all ages. I’ve been over twenty times and have plenty of Disney Magic advice. Don’t miss 45 Disney Tips, an Inside Guide to Disney Dining, Guide to Christmas Magic across the parks, and a sneak peek at the Disney Resort Guide to help you plan a Disney vacation.
  

• Epic Theme Park, along with the other two Universal Parks. 25 Universal Orlando Insider Tips & Proven Itineraries will improve your vacation by helping you prepare and save time. It’s my favorite theme park in the country.

• Kennedy Space Center – A gateway to America’s space exploration history. The Kennedy Space Center is outstanding, and we loved the exhibits.
  
• Everglades National Park – A vast subtropical wilderness of sawgrass marshes and slow-moving waterways. You really need to see this for yourself.

• South Beach – Miami’s iconic stretch of sand, known for its Art Deco architecture and lively atmosphere. This is definitely the biggest beach party.
  
• Florida Keys & Overseas Highway – A scenic drive linking tropical islands over turquoise waters with the best key lime pie found at Blue Heaven. The Florida Keys Travel Guide explores the quirky, colorful, and tropical paradise known as The Keys. The clear blue water draws visitors from all walks of life to snorkel and fish. Between sunrise and sunset, the time is filled with adventure.
  

Florida Beaches

• Florida Beaches – Everyone has a favorite. I prefer 30A’s Seaside and Grayton, Captiva Island, or Naples for a week of rest and relaxation. Off the path of obvious beaches is St. Pete’s Pass-a-Grille Beach for old Florida charm. Caladesi Island State Park near Clearwater and North Captiva Island are accessible only by boat so they are never crowded.
• 10 Unforgettable Reasons to Fall in Love with Captiva from the beaches, dolphins, manatees and fish it’s a nature lover’s paradise.
• Grayton Beach Guide for a low key, laid back uncrowded beach vacation.
• Discover the 10 Iconic Experiences to Seaside’s simple and beautiful life.
• Naples is where elegance and expense meet with sunshine and saltwater. Literally, every part of the city is beautiful, so let’s take a glimpse into the life of the wealthy in the Naples Travel Guide.
  

Florida’s Hidden Gems

• Dry Tortugas National Park – A remote island park featuring crystal-clear water and historic Fort Jefferson off the coast of Key West. It’s worth the long boat ride or short flight for the snorkeling.
  

• St. Augustine – The oldest continuously inhabited European settlement in the United States. The history and the beach make it one of my favorite beach towns.
  
• Crystal River – Famous for its clear springs and resident manatees in the winter.
  
• Apalachicola – A historic fishing town with Old Florida charm, with incredible seafood. I also like Mount Dora for antique shops, festivals, and lakefront views. Cedar Key also escapes the crowds while maintaining its charm.
  
• Ginnie Springs – A popular freshwater spring for swimming, snorkeling, and diving located in northern Florida. There’s also a similar Devil’s Den Prehistoric Springs, an hour south of Ginnie Springs.
  
• Blowing Rock Preserve– This 73-acre conservation area is just south of Juniper on the Atlantic coast. During high tide, the mile-long rock formation can shoot water 50 feet into the air. In low tide, explore the tide pools.
  

Best City to Visit in Florida

Miami versus Orlando

Miami blends international flair with coastal beauty. Its neighborhoods showcase art, fashion, music, and cuisine influenced by Latin America and the Caribbean, while its beaches and nightlife make it one of the most vibrant cities in the country.

While Miami is flashy, I’m an Orlando girl, so I’m going to spend my time at Disney and Universal. Orlando is more family-friendly and only an hour from Coco Beach.

Best Small Town in Florida

St. Augustine

With cobblestone streets, Spanish colonial architecture, and centuries of history, St. Augustine offers a timeless atmosphere rarely found in the United States. It’s one of the best towns in all of America, one of my favorites. Try the Nation’s Oldest City, St. Augustine, to escape the crowded beaches. The Top 15 Attractions of St. Augustine Travel Guide explores the forts, pirate museums, beaches, and restaurants.

Best Nature Experience

Everglades National Park

Exploring the Everglades—by airboat, kayak, or boardwalk—reveals a one-of-a-kind ecosystem. This subtropical wilderness is home to alligators, wading birds, and mangroves, offering an immersive look at Florida’s natural heart.

Best Animal Encounters

Florida has ALL the animals, so it’s impossible to list everything.

• Kayaking with Manatees in Crystal River in winter.
  
• Alligators in the Everglades on an airboat tour. We went with Captain Jack, and I think everyone should experience the magic of the Everglades.
  

• Dolphin Research Center & Dolphin Life are both in the Keys, and I loved the up-close experiences.
  
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom is the best zoo.
  
• Disney’s Discovery Cove for swimming with dolphins, snorkeling with tropical fish, and rays. It’s phenomenal, worth EVERY dollar.
  
• McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary is like visiting a slice of heaven. Reservations are made way in advance, and it’s worth every dollar to feed tigers.
  

• Myakka Elephant Sanctuary in Sarasota for elephant interactions. Who knew you could pet elephants in Florida?
  
• There’s also The Catty Shack Ranch, Octagon Wildlife Sanctuary, and Busch Wildlife Sanctuary.
  
• Aquariums begin with The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Daytona, Clearwater, St. Augustine, Fort Walton, Boca Raton, Key West, Sarasota, and Orlando, also have aquariums. My favorite is probably the smallest, the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters in Marathon. We fed nurse sharks, rays, and basically every creature there with an interaction option.
  

• Safaris begin with Animal Edventure Park & Safari in Boyton near Boca Raton and Lion Country Safari in Loxahatchee, only 30 minutes away.
  
• Safari Wilderness in Lakeland and the Giraffe Ranch in Dade City, with monkey and sloth feeding, is an hour outside Orlando and Tampa.
  

Unique Things to do in Florida

• Driving the Overseas Highway through the Florida Keys is breathtaking.
  
• Watching a rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center. The rocket launch was surreal, and the level of WOW is off the charts.
  
• Swimming in natural freshwater springs.
  
• Snorkeling coral reefs off Key Largo. However, the reefs are dying, so experiences may vary.
  
• The Ringling has art, circus history, and beautiful grounds. Sarasota is Home to the Best Beach in America, the Ringling Museums, Spring Baseball ,and made the National Geographic Best Places in the World List.
  

• Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales is a 250-acre garden with a 205-foot Singing Tower with a 60-bell carillon and hiking trails. The 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion offers tours. It’s about 90 minutes from Orlando.
  
• Live Mermaid Shows in Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, along with a river boat cruise and a water park. They even have Mermaid tea parties. It’s near Clearwater or two hours from Orlando.
  

Best Time to Visit Florida

• November to April offers the most comfortable temperatures and lower humidity.
• Summer months bring heat and afternoon storms, while hurricane season runs from June through November.
• Disney is its own version of Florida, and the exact Best Times to visit are in my Disney links, May and September.
• Let’s look at other big festivals:
• Art Basel Miami Beach in December is one of the most famous art festivals in the world.
• South Beach Wine & Food Festival in February is one of the largest in the US.
• The Florida Strawberry Festival in March is massive with concerts.
• Gasparilla Pirate Festival in Tampa during January is one of the largest parades in the US.
• Daytona Bike Week in March is a massive motorcycle rally.
• There’s also Rockville, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Fantasy Festival, and the Florida Keys Seafood Festival.

Florida Itinerary

There’s no way to visit all of Florida in 7 days. I would pick a favorite area and enjoy my vacation. Disney, Universal, and the Kennedy Space Center are an easy week, and the Florida Keys are a week. Honestly, there’s nothing better than an empty schedule for a beach week. So, if you had to do Florida in 10 days, this would be my plan.

Day 1: Orlando :
Visit Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. I have 45 Disney Tips, an Inside Guide to Disney Dining, a Guide to Christmas Magic across the parks, and a sneak peek at the Disney Resort Guide to help you plan a Disney vacation.

Day 2: Orlando

Visit Walt Disney’s Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios

Day 3: Orlando

Visit Universal’s Epic park. 25 Universal Orlando Insider Tips & Proven Itineraries will improve your vacation by helping you prepare and save time.

Day 4: Kennedy Space Center
Drive an hour and explore space exhibits and nearby Cocoa Beach.

Day 5: Miami
Dive four hours and discover South Beach, Little Havana, and Wynwood.

Day 6: Everglades National Park
Take an airboat tour with Everglades Alligator Farm, then drive the two hours on down to Marathon. If time allows, catch the 2 or 3 pm snorkeling stop at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo.

Day 7: Florida Keys
Enjoy Marathon by booking a fishing charter, visiting the Dolphin Research Center, or the Turtle Hospital. The Florida Keys Travel Guide explores the quirky, colorful, and tropical paradise known as The Keys. The clear blue water draws visitors from all walks of life to snorkel and fish. Between sunrise and sunset, the time is filled with adventure.

Day 8: Key West
Drive the hour to visit historic sites, relax at the beach, and enjoy a sunset celebration at Mallory Square. Have a reservation for the best Key Lime Pie in ALL of the Keys at Blue Heaven.

Day 9: Florida Keys
Spend another day in Marathon on the beach, fishing, snorkeling, or start driving toward your flight destination.

Day 10: Home – Flights out of Miami

Next year Florida,

From sugar-white beaches to vibrant cities and natural escapes, Florida delivers far more than just theme parks. Whether you’re strolling the streets of Miami, exploring the historic charm of St. Augustine, or catching a sunset on a beach, the Sunshine State offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Thanks for reading my Florida Travel Guide!

If you want a few more vacation ideas, like my favorite uncrowded beaches without the Florida heat, I’ll give you Michigan’s Empire Beach and Acadia’s Beach in these guides.