I grew up 25 minutes away from Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando, but I was not an amusement park regular despite the proximity.
Like me, some locals suggest skipping the parks amid skyrocketing admission prices in favor of other attractions that are a bit more economical.
Besides amusement parks, visitors can branch out to attractions like airboat tours in the Everglades, beautiful golf courses, a plethora of shopping centers, and exciting nightlife.
After amusement parks, the second most popular attraction in Florida is the beach, in my opinion. Per the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, there are 825 miles of beaches across the state, so feel free to explore all the smaller coastal haunts Florida offers.
Some smaller beaches, like Gasparilla Island, located in Southwest Florida, have great fishing nooks and are the epitome of calm since they don’t receive the same foot traffic as more popular beaches like Daytona.
Florida has more than 80 distinct ecosystems and is known for its gorgeous views and unique biodiversity. Tourists can see the manatees at local spots like Blue Spring State Park in Orange City or discover marine life at high-tech aquariums like the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium in Sarasota.
For history buffs, I suggest visiting Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral or St. Augustine, and the Florida Keys, which sit at the very bottom of the state, have unparalleled views.
Tourists may be tempted to touch sea turtles or manatees, but they shouldn’t. Marine turtles, manatees, and other animals are protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act.
I also wouldn’t get too close to sharks or wandering gators. Tampa Bay local news station WTSP reported in April 2022 that encounters between humans and local wildlife can sometimes turn deadly.
Orlando and Miami are welcoming cities with unlimited sunshine, but Florida has more than 400 cities, towns, and villages, each with its own style.
Tampa’s Ybor City neighborhood is a favorite of mine when I’m craving delicious Cuban food. The area is also known for its wild chickens, and the annual Strawberry Festival is 30 minutes away from Tampa in Plant City. NASCAR fans will want to stop by the Daytona International Speedway during race season, located in Daytona Beach.
After a long day of exploring one attraction after another, a quick McDonald’s run and heading back to the hotel sounds relaxing — but you’ll miss out on the diverse culinary scene.
Although some Floridians will deny it, the state is in the American South and has excellent southern eats, especially in central and northern Florida. Also, the state’s proximity to Latin America and the Caribbean means plenty of cuisines.
Orlando has a neighborhood called Mills 50 — formerly called “Little Vietnam” due to the Vietnamese stores and eateries — where all the locals eat.
From littering to disturbing the public, some visitors visit Florida to lose inhibitions but forget that families live there. As a result, some local governments, including Miami Beach, imposed curfews and enacted new rules to curb out-of-control spring breakers.
