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9 Best Places To Visit On Your Next Florida Vacation

Geoff Whitmore
Contributor
Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.
I cover travel rewards, my trips, and products.
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Florida is a top destination for many domestic and international travelers thanks to various entertainment attractions, including major theme parks, the warm weather and sandy beaches, and numerous cultures and cuisines to explore. With that in mind, Florida is a large state with many places worth visiting. To help you plan your 2024 travels, I’ve listed the best places to visit in Florida.

Best Places To Visit In Florida

Here are some of the best places to visit in Florida.

Tampa

  • Known For: Once one of the biggest manufacturers of Cuban cigars, Tampa is the home of Cuban sandwiches, Busch Gardens theme park, an extensive zoo, and several sports teams.
  • Weather: A humid, subtropical climate with a hot and humid season between May and October and mild and drier weather between November and April.
  • Must-See Attractions: Busch Gardens, The Tampa Bay History Center, the Imagine Museum (which features glass art from around the world), The Manatee Viewing Center, and a drive on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, with views of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, is also a must.
  • Must-Do Activities: NFL fans can see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NHL fans can cheer on the Tampa Bay Lightning, MLB fans can catch the Tampa Bay Rays, and USL fans can support the Tampa Rowdies. A visit to The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa is also a good idea.
  • Best Time Of Year To Visit: February, when the Gasparilla Pirate Festival takes place. Pirates from all over “invade” Tampa Bay, with hundreds of vessels surrounding the world’s only fully-rigged pirate ship. Over a hundred floats, then proceed to downtown Tampa.
  • Why Tampa? Visitors can enjoy beautiful beaches, exciting theme parks, sports activities, museums, animal-watching, and great dining options.

Orlando

  • Known For: Home to significant entertainment parks (over 12), including Disney and Universal theme parks, and considered “the theme park capital of the world.”
  • Weather: There is a mild climate, with plenty of sunshine and an average temperature of around 72°F. April through August tends to be hot and humid.
  • Must-See Attractions: Visit Walt Disney DIS World, which features Animal Kingdom and Epcot, Universal Orlando (Universal Studios and Universal Islands of Adventure are also part of it), the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and SeaWorld Orlando.
  • Must-Do Activities: The theme parks are world-renowned and shouldn’t be missed, but there are also several water parks to cool off. Harry P Leu Gardens, a 50-acre botanical garden, is another activity to enjoy when the weather isn’t too hot. The Orlando Science Center can be enjoyed when the weather is hot.
  • Best Time Of Year To Visit: October is good since the weather isn’t too warm but cool enough to enjoy the attractions with fewer crowds.
  • Why Orlando? Theme parks make up the many reasons this destination is a top attraction.

St. Augustine

  • Known For: It is the oldest city in the U.S., with plenty of history and beautiful beaches.
  • Weather: Expect a semi-tropical climate with lots of humidity in the summer and an average high of about 80°F.
  • Must-See Attractions: There are many museums to check out, including Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, which features a fortress, St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, and the Medieval Torture Museum.
  • Must-Do Activities: A visit to the tranquil Crescent Beach should be on your list, along with a visit to one of the state parks and a museum.
  • Best Time Of Year To Visit: March will be cooler with attractions and accommodations at a lower price.
  • Why St. Augustine? It is one of the most walkable cities in Florida. You’ll find shops, entertainment, and dining nearby regardless of where you stay.

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Ft. Lauderdale

  • Known For: Famous places like Las Olas Boulevard shops and gondola rides on the canals.
  • Weather: Expect a tropical rainforest environment, with an average high of about 77°F. The summer months will see more rain, and the ocean water stays warm year-round.
  • Must-See Attractions: Visit Las Olas Boulevard, which has white sand, many food and drink options, and shops. Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is also worth visiting, with a freshwater lagoon, fishing, and trails for hiking.
  • Must-Do Activities: Tour a gondola through the canals and visit the Fort Lauderdale beach.
  • Best Time Of Year To Visit: The summer is great if you enjoy the beach and want to soak up the sun. There are also many festivals to take part in during this time. But if you prefer to avoid crowds, the spring is a better bet.
  • Why Ft. Lauderdale? The stunning sandy beaches are a big draw to this destination.

Gainesville

  • Known For: University town with year-round springs and animal conservation.
  • Weather: Prepare for humidity at this destination, with July being the hottest month. Late fall, winter, and early spring occasionally have lows around 32°F.
  • Must-See Attractions: The Florida Museum of Natural History and its Butterfly Rainforest should be on the to-see list. The Kanapaha Botanical Gardens are also worth a visit.
  • Must-Do Activities: Hike or bike the many trails and see what of the many local wildlife you can spot. Visit the river at Ichetucknee Springs State Park for a relaxing time.
  • Best Time Of Year To Visit: Spring is the best time to visit, as you’ll see the plants blooming without worrying about heat or excessive rain.
  • Why Gainesville? This destination can be cheaper than others and is located in north Florida. Freshwater springs and many trails make this one of Florida's prettiest places to explore.

Key West

  • Known For: It is the southernmost point in the U.S., with nature attractions and iconic shopping spots.
  • Weather: The weather is warm and sunny for much of the year, with high humidity in the summer and fall months.
  • Must-See Attractions: Visit the Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park and walk one of the trails or participate in one of the water sports. The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a great stop filled with butterflies and birds.
  • Must-Do Activities: A shopping trip through Duval Street, which runs from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean, is worth walking or dining at. Climbing up the steps to the Key West Lighthouse's top will allow you to take in the scenery. Snorkeling to experience the coral reefs is a top attraction. Don’t forget to stop at the free Southernmost Point of the Continental U.S.A. landmark.
  • Best Time Of Year To Visit: April is a great month to visit since the weather isn’t too hot, the crowds aren’t too big, and you’ll avoid hurricane season.
  • Why Key West? Coral reefs are some of the most popular reasons to visit, as are the bright houses. Key West is also only 90 miles from Cuba and a stop for many cruise ships.

Sanibel Island

  • Known For: Known as “the seashell capital of the world," there are 15 miles of beach with bike paths and diverse wildlife refuges.
  • Weather: Subtropical weather, complete with daily late spring and summer thunderstorms, can be expected, with an average high of about 75°F.
  • Must-See Attractions: Bowman's Beach Park has kayaking and the chance to watch wildlife, while Bowman's Beach is a great place to find seashells.
  • Must-Do Activities: Look for seashells, play golf, go boating or fishing, and visit one of the many wildlife refuges.
  • Best Time Of Year To Visit: Surprisingly, May is a great time to visit, with warmer weather and fewer crowds because it is the island's low season.
  • Why Sanibel Island? Because the island is a barrier island that's east-west oriented, it’s a great place to get seashells (there are over 250) and stay at popular resorts. It’s also a more quiet destination than others on this list.

Cape Canaveral

  • Known For: Space attractions, including the home of the United States Space Force and Kennedy Space Center, plus Manatee Sanctuary Park and deepwater port.
  • Weather: The average temperature is 81°F, and the lows are usually <60°F.
  • Must See Attractions: Visit the Kennedy Space Center to fully appreciate the marvels of space. There’s also the highly-rated Wizard of Oz museum.
  • Must-Do Activities: Stop at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum and the Launch Complex 34. If you’re lucky enough to visit when a rocket is launching, visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for the best views.
  • Best Time Of Year To Visit: Spring and fall are good times due to the mild weather and fewer people.
  • Why Cape Canaveral? Known as the “Space Coast,” this destination is famous for being the launchpad for several space missions and trips to the moon.

Miami

  • Known For: Beautiful beaches, diverse culture, thriving nightlife, great food.
  • Weather: Miami doesn’t get too cold, with the average temperature in the winter at 68°F. The summer can heat up but not too much, with an average high of 88°F.
  • Must-See Attractions: Vizcaya Museum and Gardens features a tribute to the Italian Renaissance, Wynwood Walls (30+ spray-painted murals), and the surrounding district has food and art to explore. Plus, a visit to the Miami Everglades National Park should be on the list. Sports fans may also want to cheer on one of the many Miami-based teams. Paradox Museum is also a fun time.
  • Must-Do Activities: Interact with animals at the Zoological Wildlife Foundation, shop at Dolphin Mall (Miami’s largest outlet mall), rent a jet ski, take a sailing trip, and stop at Little Havana for food and dancing at a nightclub.
  • Best Time Of Year To Visit: Visit between November and March for better prices and fewer crowds.
  • Why Miami? Miami has various options, including diverse culture, nightlife, plenty of water and outdoor attractions and activities, sports teams, shopping, and many places to eat and drink.

Summary

While there is something for every type of traveler in the Sunshine State, there is also a lot to do. You can’t go wrong with the destinations listed above, as there’s plenty to see and explore for all types of travelers.

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Geoff Whitmore
Geoff Whitmore