Florida is truthful overmuch much than theme parks and sandy beaches — it's a spot I've fallen successful emotion pinch complete the past 25 years for its gorgeous views, astonishing weather, and the excitement of ever uncovering thing caller to explore.
As personification who has lived successful Orlando for decades, I've traveled Florida from seashore to seashore and person learned of tons of hidden gems on the way.
Here are 7 places successful Florida nary tourer should miss.
Visiting St. Augustine feels for illustration stepping backmost successful time.
If you emotion history, St. Augustine, located connected the northeast seashore of Florida, is simply a dream destination.
Known arsenic the oldest continuously-settled metropolis successful the US, its ceramic streets and Spanish assemblage architecture carrier you backmost successful time.
Start pinch a circuit of the Castillo de San Marcos, a centuries-old fort overlooking the Matanzas River. Then, rotation done the shops and restaurants connected St. George Street.
Sanibel and Captiva Islands connection the cleanable relaxing getaway.
Sanibel and Captiva Islands connected Florida's Gulf Coast are the cleanable destinations for a slower-paced getaway.
Famous for their beautiful beaches and seashells, these islands are awesome for cycling and kayaking. I besides propose visiting the J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge connected Sanibel Island to spot manatees and colorful birds.
These islands connection a laid-back vibe pinch unthinkable sunsets and immoderate of the freshest seafood you'll ever taste.
There's much to Miami than the nightlife.
Stunning beaches, unthinkable nightlife, and a operation of creation and civilization make Miami a must-visit destination.
I urge exploring the colorful murals of Wynwood Walls, diving into Cuban civilization successful Little Havana, and strolling done the Art Deco buildings of South Beach.
Foodies will emotion Miami's Latin flavors and eclectic-dining scene, and of course, nary travel is complete without soaking up the sun connected Miami's pristine beaches.
For a quieter Miami experience, I propose heading to adjacent Key Biscayne aliases visiting the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens.
Orlando vacations are celebrated for a reason.
No database of Florida destinations would beryllium complete without mentioning Orlando. It's consistently 1 of the most-visited cities successful the US — and for bully reason.
Home to celebrated taxable parks for illustration Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld, Orlando is the eventual playground for families.
Beyond the parks, I urge spending the time pedaling connected a swan vessel connected Lake Eola aliases kayaking successful crystal-clear waters astatine the adjacent Wekiwa Springs State Park.
The metropolis besides has a thriving nutrient scene, making it a awesome destination for foodies.
There's truthful overmuch to do successful Key West.
Key West, which is location to the southernmost constituent successful the continental US, offers a laid-back vibe pinch plentifulness of character.
Visitors tin research Ernest Hemingway's home, indulge successful caller seafood, and sip cocktails arsenic they watch the sunset astatine Mallory Square.
For a quieter broadside of Florida, sojourn Mount Dora.
Known for its boutique shops, ancient stores, and waterfront views, Mount Dora is simply a charming mini municipality located little than an hr northbound of Orlando.
If you're visiting during the weekend, I propose heading to Renninger's Flea Market & Antique Center for unsocial finds and vintage treasures.
Don't miss a sunset vessel circuit connected the reservoir aliases a locomotion on Mount Dora's historical downtown streets. It's a quieter broadside of Florida that feels for illustration a measurement backmost successful time.
Florida's Emerald Coast is one-of-a-kind.
Known arsenic the Emerald Coast, the Florida panhandle is simply a must-visit destination. Its white-sand beaches, emerald-green water, and countless quaint formation towns make it an astonishing measurement to research immoderate of Florida's astir stunning locations.
Destin is 1 of my favourite spots successful this area. It's a paradise for formation lovers, pinch plentifulness of h2o sports, fishing, and family-friendly activities.
Just a short thrust from Destin, 30A features quaint seaside towns for illustration Seaside and Rosemary Beach, wherever you tin bask boutique shopping, outdoor concerts, and immoderate of the astir beautiful views successful Florida.
This communicative was primitively published connected January 28, 2025, and astir precocious updated connected August 31, 2026.
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Veronica Croes is simply a contributing writer for Business Insider.
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