10 Things to Do in Florida Besides Visiting Theme Parks

Florida is, of course, known for its theme parks in Orlando, such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, but does Florida have more to offer? The answer is yes! Florida is so much more than just the theme park capital. The state boasts beautiful beaches, nature reserves, and much more! Our travel experts at Florivida have put together a list of the 10 best things to do in Florida outside of the theme parks!

1. Visit the beaches

Florida is also known for its beautiful, pearly-white beaches! Take the famous Miami Beach, for example, where you can enjoy a lively boardwalk lined with beach bars, the blue ocean, and a vibrant atmosphere! Or take Cocoa Beach, the perfect spot for surfing, located on the Space Coast near the Kennedy Space Center.

But the real hidden gems are definitely the beaches in Bradenton Gulf Islands. The beaches of Anna Maria Island are definitely worth a visit! For example, you can unwind at the tranquil Holmes Beach and enjoy some peace and quiet. Or you can head to the lively Manatee Public Beach, which features restaurants and a beach café. This is a beautiful, authentic area where you can relax after your theme park vacation before flying home!

2. Shopping

Florida is also a true shopper's paradise—from massive outlet malls featuring a variety of brands to local boutiques in the coastal towns, Florida has it all! For example, in Miami Huge shopping centers like Dolphall, offering true outlet prices in an indoor mall. You’ll find more than 240 stores here, featuring well-known brands like Nike, Adidas, Michael Kors, and many more! Florida is teeming with these kinds of huge shopping centers, such as in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Sarasota, and more! 

3. Airbout Tour of the Everglades

Another highlight of Florida is, of course, the beautiful Everglades. This is the best way to experience the stunning natural beauty Florida has to offer. For example, you can take a boat tour through the Everglades to do. An airboat is a flat-bottomed boat that moves forward thanks to a huge propeller at the back, allowing you to reach areas with shallow water to spot Florida’s wildlife. You can encounter countless animals here that you wouldn’t normally see in the wild, such as:

• American alligators
• Turtles
• Crocodiles
• River Otters
• Birds of Prey

Let a guide take you on a tour—they'll tell you all about the animals and know exactly where they're hiding in this beautiful nature reserve!

4. Enjoy American and Floridian cuisine

Florida also has a culinary side! From luxury Michelin-starred restaurants to classic American chains. For example, Orlando is home to the world’s largest McDonald’s, which even features an entire arcade and a playground over 6 meters high! It’s also home to favorite American chains like Chick-fil-A, Five Guys, IHOP, Olive Garden, and many more. 

In Florida’s coastal towns, fresh seafood is one of the highlights. They draw on authentic Caribbean flavors—that’s what Florida calls it: Floribbean cuisine! At these coastal towns, such as Bradenton Gulf Islands, you can also enjoy a complete experience with Dock & Dine or Catch & Cook. Dock & Dine is a concept where you can dock your boat right at the restaurant and enjoy a delicious, fresh meal! Catch & Cook is a concept where the restaurant prepares the fish you caught yourself, fresh right there for you! These are truly unique vacation experiences that you’ll remember forever! 

5. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

About an hour's drive from Orlando, you can also visit the Kennedy Space Center Check it out! This is NASA's official visitor center and the home of spaceflight's most famous and historic missions! For example, this is where the world-famous Apollo missions to the moon, featuring Neil Armstrong, took off from!

At this center, there are various activities to enjoy, such as interactive games, simulations, shows, and more! You can see the gigantic (used) rockets, learn all about the future of NASA, and touch real moon rocks! You can also watch actual launches up close from the Kennedy Space Center—be sure to check the schedule to see when these launches are taking place.

6. The State of Sports

Are you a huge fan of sports? Then Florida is the place for you! Take Miami, for example—it’s home to some of America’s most famous sports teams, such as the Miami Dolphins (an American football team) and the Miami Heat (a basketball team). In the United States, these sports are incredibly popular, and just watching a game is quite an experience. Soccer is also becoming more and more popular in America, partly thanks to Lionel Messi, who now plays for Inter Miami alongside Luis Suárez and Jordi Alba!

But Miami isn't the only place with big names. In the world of ice hockey and baseball, there's Tampa They stand out with the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Tampa Bay Rays. Golf is also a popular sport in South Florida, with its beautiful green courses!

7. Florida's Nature Areas

As mentioned earlier, Florida is the perfect place to explore nature. Here are a few more examples of beautiful nature areas you can visit in Florida:

• Crystal River – This is one of Florida’s most unique nature destinations, entirely dedicated to the famous Florida manatees. It’s also one of the few places where you can legally swim with these fascinating animals!
• Robinson Preserve – This nature reserve on the coast of the Bradenton Gulf Islands features beautiful mangroves, hiking trails, and lookout points where you might spot manatees, dolphins, and birds! From the lookout points, you’ll also have a fantastic view of Tampa Bay! 
• Biscayne National Park – The perfect spot south of Miami for snorkeling among colorful coral, alongside sea turtles and tropical islands. You can also take a boat tour here to spot the sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees in this area!

8. Florida's Nightlife

Florida can still be very lively and vibrant in the evenings and at night! Of course, the leader in nightlife is Miami, Florida’s party capital. Here you’ll find clubs, rooftop bars, lounges, and outdoor patios in the various neighborhoods! But aside from the theme parks, you have Disney Springs and Universal CityWalk where you can enjoy an entertaining evening—even without an admission ticket—with great restaurants, outdoor seating, live music, and more! Places like the Hard Rock Café and House of Blues, where you can enjoy all the entertainment and music while savoring a bite to eat and a drink!

Old Town Kissimmee It’s also one of those entertainment districts that isn’t connected to any of the theme parks, but where you can really have a great time for an evening! Here, you’ll immediately get a taste of that classic American atmosphere with the cars, events, carnival rides, country music, and live bands.

9. Water Activities

With its stunning natural scenery, beaches, and warm weather, water activities are a must during your trip to Florida! For example, in nature reserves, you can go kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or take an airboat tour to spot wildlife from the water and enjoy the breathtaking scenery! 

The beaches also offer a variety of water activities, such as jet skiing or a beautiful boat trip to see dolphins, manatees, and sea turtles! Snorkeling is also very popular along the Florida coast; here you can see stunning, colorful coral reefs and, of course, beautiful fish. In addition, there are popular beaches for surfers where you can take surfing lessons or, if you’re an experienced surfer, seek out a challenge!

10. Go on a cruise!

Florida is home to several popular cruise ports, such as Port Canaveral on the Space Coast and Port Miami in Miami! Complete your Florida trip with a cruise to the Bahamas or other nearby Caribbean islands!

View Our cruises with Royal Caribbean Whether or not there's Disney magic on board, this trip with Disney Fantasy a good option. 

The Bahamas: A tropical paradise near Florida

A tropical paradise in the Atlantic Ocean with more than 700 islands: the Bahamas are one of the most popular cruise destinations in the Caribbean. Thanks to their convenient location near Florida, you can often reach them in just one day by boat from various ports. Want to learn more about the islands, the climate, and what there is to do? Then check out the official website of the Bahamas.

The bustling capital city of Nassau is a wonderful place to explore. Shop in colorful markets or the main mall, or take an island tour to sights like the historic Queen's Staircase. Prefer a little more action? Then visit the impressive Aquaventure Water Park at Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, full of slides, pools and a lazy river.

Practical Tips for Florida

• Rent a car – A rental car is definitely recommended for a road trip through Florida; it gives you complete freedom during your trip and means you won’t have to rely on taxis or public transportation! At the Florivida Tours of Florida It's already included!
• Plan Popular Activities – Work with one of our travel experts to plan all the activities you might want to do during your trip through Florida. You can also easily book tickets for the various activities as part of your trip. 
• Combine a trip to Orlando with a few days at the beach – Combine Orlando’s theme parks, such as Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort, with a few days at the beach! That way, you can explore both sides of Florida and relax after spending a few days at the theme parks.
• Sunset – Visit the beaches of the Bradenton Gulf Islands and Miami at sunset for a stunning view of the ocean. The sunsets from a cruise ship are also truly unique!
• Kennedy Space Center – Plan your day at the Kennedy Space Center wisely! Read an (online) appointment How our travel expert Iris planned her day, and her tips and tricks for making the most of your day. 

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