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Florida isn’t just Mickey ears and Cinderella castles. It’s a playground for everyone, from wildlife lovers and beach bums to space enthusiasts and night owls.
From sipping cocktails in an Art Deco bar in Miami, watching rockets blast into space, lounging on a dreamy beach on the Gulf Coast, or skimming across sawgrass in the Everglades spotting alligators, this state has a lot to offer beyond the parks. And it’s not called the ‘Sunshine State’ for nothing – it’s a great all-year-round destination.
From an iconic Florida road trip to a wider USA multi centre holiday, we can shape your holiday exactly how you want it.
Which part of Florida should I visit?
Florida has much more to offer than theme parks, and the best area to visit really depends on the kind of holiday you’re after. Here’s a quick guide to what each part of Florida does best.
- The Everglades: Wildlife, airboat rides and outdoor adventure
- Orlando: Theme parks, family attractions and shopping
- The Florida Keys: Island hopping, snorkelling and scenic road trips
- Atlantic Coast: Surf beaches, lively seaside towns and Kennedy Space Center
- Gulf Coast: White-sand beaches, gentle waters and relaxed resorts
- Miami: Beaches, culture, food and nightlife
- St. Augustine: History, character and old-world atmosphere
The Best Places to Visit in Florida
The Everglades: Wildlife spotting & Airboat adventures
The Everglades is unlike anywhere else on Earth. It’s not a swamp, as many people think, but a slow-moving ‘river of grass’ that spreads across 1.5 million acres of southern Florida. South Florida is the only place where American crocodiles and alligators live side-by-side in the wild. Added to that, over 360 species of birds, 40 species of mammals, and more than 300 species of freshwater and saltwater fish – it’s easy to see why it’s often called one of the world’s great ecosystems.
There are several ways to experience the Everglades. The classic approach is by airboat ride (think Gentle Ben, if you’re old enough to remember!). Skimming across the sawgrass, you’ll have a guide who knows exactly where to spot wildlife and can help you spot alligators, turtles, herons and egrets hiding in the landscape. If you prefer something quieter, a kayak or canoe trip lets you glide more gently through the mangroves and narrow waterways. If you’d like to keep your feet on terra firma, the Anhinga Trail is a 0.8-mile walking trail and one of the park’s best places to spot alligators, turtles and wading birds. Cycling is another option, and Shark Valley (not home to any sharks, by the way!) features a 15-mile loop with an observation tower at the halfway point, offering great views across the sawgrass.
Top tip: If you don’t have time to venture all the way to the Everglades on your Florida holiday, Lake Tohopekaliga (Lake Toho) near Kissimmee offers a taste of it, with airboat rides and opportunities to spot alligators, birds, and other wildlife just a short drive from Orlando.
Orlando: Disney Magic & Shopping
We can’t talk about Florida without mentioning theme parks – and Orlando is the heart of it all. Once you’ve experienced how the Floridians do theme parks, you’ll never look at Alton Towers in quite the same way!
Orlando boasts some of the best theme parks in Florida. Walt Disney World has four parks, including Magic Kingdom and EPCOT, while Universal Orlando combines big-name rides and attractions from Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World and more. SeaWorld is another option, and if you’re visiting in summer, the city’s water parks are a great way to cool off.
Orlando isn’t just about theme parks though – it’s also a shopper’s paradise. Take your pick from the Mall at Millenia, the Florida Mall, Premium Outlets, and more. There are almost endless shops where you can find big-name discounts – and all in air-conditioned comfort!
The Florida Keys: Island paradise & the ultimate road trip
Right at the southern tip of Florida lie the beautiful Florida Keys. Just south of Miami, they’re reached by the state’s most scenic drive, the famous Overseas Highway. With 42 bridges along its 113-mile route, you’ll enjoy views of turquoise waters, coral reefs and endless skies as you hop between the islands.
At the northern end, Key Largo is known for excellent diving and snorkelling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, while nearby Islamorada is famous for sport fishing. Further south, Marathon offers family-friendly beaches and the Turtle Hospital, as well as easy access to the spectacular Seven Mile Bridge.
For something quieter, Big Pine Key and the Lower Keys are great for wildlife and more secluded beaches. At the southern tip, Key West is the liveliest of the islands, with colourful architecture, water sports and busy Duval Street. Head to Mallory Square for its nightly sunset celebrations, or visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and its famous six-toed cats.
Florida’s Atlantic Coast: Surfing & Space Exploration
Florida’s Atlantic coastline has a little more buzz than the Gulf side, with waves that are often better suited to surfing and bodyboarding. Daytona Beach is the liveliest spot, famous for its motorsport history, while New Smyrna Beach has a quieter, more laid-back feel.
Further south, Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale are more upmarket, with designer shops, cafés and excellent dining alongside their beaches. Cocoa Beach, around an hour from Orlando, is another popular choice and is ideally placed for visiting Kennedy Space Center, where you can see historic rockets and spacecraft, discover NASA’s story and, if the timing is right, even watch a live launch.
Spring and autumn are generally the most comfortable times to explore the Atlantic Coast. Summer brings warmer water but hotter, more humid weather, while winter beaches tend to be quieter.
The Gulf Coast: Sunsets and Soft Sands
Florida’s west coast offers a very different vibe from the Atlantic side, with gentler waves, softer sand, and stunning sunsets. It is home to some of the best beaches in Florida. Clearwater Beach is one of the livelier resorts and only around two hours from Orlando, while nearby St Pete Beach offers a slightly more relaxed pace.
Further south, Anna Maria Island has a slower, more local feel, while Siesta Key is known for its incredibly soft white quartz sand. Nearby Sarasota is home to The Ringling, with art, circus history and beautiful gardens.
For somewhere more nature-focused, Sanibel and Captiva Islands offer wildlife, shell-covered beaches and a laid-back atmosphere, while Naples and Marco Island provide a more upscale Gulf Coast experience with stylish hotels, restaurants and golf.
Stingrays can be found in the Gulf’s shallow waters, so remember the local advice to do the “stingray shuffle” when wading, sliding your feet along the sand to warn any hidden rays.
Miami: Art Deco vibes & Colourful art
Miami is an exciting mix of Latin flair, American glamour and iconic Art Deco style. South Beach is the best-known area, with pastel-coloured hotels, white sand, rollerbladers along the promenade, stylish bars and nightlife that continues into the early hours. North Beach and Mid-Beach offer a quieter alternative while keeping you close to the action.
For a slice of Cuba, head to Little Havana and stroll along Calle Ocho, with its cafés, cigar shops, galleries and live Latin music. At Domino Park, locals still gather to play dominoes beneath the palms.
For something more creative, Wynwood is covered in huge colourful murals and street art, while Downtown and Biscayne Bay show off Miami’s more modern side. Add excellent restaurants, Latin-inspired food and stylish cocktail bars, and there’s plenty to keep you busy away from the beach.
St. Augustine: American History & Cobbled streets
Dating back to the mid-16th century, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied European settlement in the continental United States. Located near Jacksonville on Florida’s northeast coast, its compact historic centre is easy to explore on foot, with narrow streets lined by Spanish-style buildings.
The city is dominated by the impressive Castillo de San Marcos, while nearby St. George Street is lined with shops, cafés, galleries and small museums housed in historic buildings. For a break from sightseeing, Anastasia State Park offers beaches, walking trails and birdwatching. St. Augustine is particularly atmospheric in the evening, when lanterns light the old streets.
Discover it all on a Florida Road Trip
From wildlife spotting in the Everglades and thrilling theme parks in Orlando to the beaches of both coasts and island-hopping through the Florida Keys, Florida packs an incredible amount of variety into one trip. If you’d like us to help craft your perfect USA multi-centre holiday, please get in touch with our team.
