Have Breakfast With The Animals At Lowry Zoo
If you want to meet even more animals, non-profit Zoo Tampa has been voted the #1 family-friendly zoo in the US. Here you can meet everyone from friendly koalas, penguins and elephants to the extremely rare Indian rhino.
They also offer a range of activities including fitness classes, comedy shows, talks and toddler Tuesdays. They also host a regular event called breakfast with the animals, which combines an art class, mimosas, pancakes and close encounters with some of the planets most iconic creatures.
Meet Sea Turtles At The Loggerhead Marinelife Center In Juno Beach
Turtle undergoing rehab at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Address: 14200 US-1, Juno Beach, FL 33408 | Phone: 561-627-8280 | Website | Hours: 10 am 5 pm daily | Entrance: Suggested $5 donation per visitor
One of my favorite things to do in South Florida is to visit Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Its jaw dropping to see the sheer size, resilience, and cuteness of the turtles as they rehab from injuries and illnesses.
After spending an hour or two in the center, be sure to stop at the playground for the kids before heading down to one of the most beautiful beaches in South Florida for the afternoon. Oh, and if you have extra time in the area, be sure to check out any of the awesome Jupiter area activities on my list of the best things to do in Jupiter, FL.
Discover The Ancient Spanish Monastery
A welcomed change of pace from the wild South Beach and Downtown areas, the Ancient Spanish Monastery and its gardens offer a chance to relax as you stroll through the well-manicured grounds.
Originally built in Spain in 1141 and later brought to Miami in the 1960s, the Ancient Spanish Monastery is an absolute must-visit landmark for any history buff.
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Dive Into Biscayne National Park
Biscayne National ParkWhile Everglades National Park gets most of the attention, hiking the Everglades any time of year sounds like a mosquito buffet to us. But, little known fact: Dade County has the unique distinction of being the only county in America with not one but TWO National Parks. The other one, Biscayne National Park, is mostly underwater and thus best experienced by snorkeling or paddling through its mangrove islands and series of mysterious shipwrecks. The park is also now offering scuba tours, where you can get up close and personal with the coral reefs, sharks, tropical fish, and century-old boats that make Biscayne so special.
Southern Florida: Calusa Nature Center And Planetarium
The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is a park, museum, planetarium, and so much more. Located on 105 acres in Fort Meyers, the Calusa Nature Center offers various exciting activities and exhibits for its visitors to learn about the natural history of Southern Florida. Guests can meet some of the center’s resident animals, including skunks, raccoons, and the inhabitants of the Butterfly and Audubon Aviaries, which feature birds of prey like hawks, eagles, and owls. In the museum, guests can learn about native Florida wildlife and then take to one of the three nature trails at the center to see some with their own eyes. The Calusa Nature Center and Planetarium is open seven days a week.
3450 Ortiz Avenue, Fort Myers, FL 33905, Phone: 239-275-3435
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Head To The Hollywood Boardwalk
While in Hollywood, the number one thing to do is check out the Hollywood boardwalk. You can walk, bicycle, or rollerblade the famous 2.5 mile long Hollywood boardwalk. We rented bikes and it was the perfect way to explore the whole boardwalk without having to walk the entire thing. Bars and restaurants line the other side of the street, so when you get thirsty and hungry you wont have far to go.
Get A Taste Of Bavaria In Helen
Helen, Georgia
Despite housing just 430 residents, Helen, Georgia consistently remains the third most visited city in the entire U.S. state. The charming mountain village lies nestled alongside a bubbling river just an hour and a half north of Atlanta and is best known for its Bavarian architecture, authentic German cuisine, and quirky shops. Anyone who visits instantly falls in love. You can watch live glass-blowing and pottery demonstrations or even shop for handmade wooden toys as theyre crafted right before your eyes. The nearby Dukes Creek helped launch the American Gold Rush, and mining for gold and gemstones is still a popular tourist activity in the town today.
Before you leave, you must try the homemade fudge from Hansel and Gretel Candy Kitchen. They offer over 20 different flavors, including my favorites Amaretto Almond, Chocolate Raspberry, and Peanut Butter. I also recommend you dine at the Troll Tavern a cozy restaurant that sits under a bridge and provides scenic riverfront dining. Helen is one of the most delightful places to visit in Georgia, and I hope youll include it on your bucket list during your next trip to the southeastern United States.
See more about things to do in Helen by Jillian at Adventure Dragon
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Cheap Things To Do In Florida: Statewide
Enhance your road trip by cruising one of Floridas designated scenic highways. Floridas Scenic Highways Program established to raise awareness of Floridas historic resources offers a guide to the best drives through the Sunshine State to any destination.
The Old Florida Heritage Highway, a 48-mile stretch of U.S. 441 just south of Gainesville, offers access to a well-preserved section of Florida’s natural and scenic heritage with views of rural countryside. The Indian River Lagoon Scenic Highway, a 195-mile loop along the east coast from State Road A1A and U.S. 1, includes views of Titusville and the Canaveral National Seashore.
Python Hunting In The Everglades
The Everglades is a unique ecosystem filled with some of the coolest wildlife in the state. With alligators, Florida panthers, manatees, and more, the Everglades serve as a home for thousands of amazing creatures.
Unfortunately, there are a few invasive species that harm the native species of the Everglades, most notably the destructive Burmese pythons.
To help reduce the Burmese python problem, Florida promotes python hunting through The Florida Python Challenge. These challenges typically take place in both the summer and the winter. As a matter of fact, you can actually win cash prizes for helping to catch these non-venomous constrictor snakes.
> > > If your idea of an Everglades wildlife tour is more dolphins and birds than pythons, youll love this
2-Hour Everglades National Park tour with Everglades Area Tours as much as we did! < < <
Hunting pythons in the Everglades
Whether youre hoping to find Floridas version of Bigfoot or capture Burmese pythons in the Everglades, these unusual and weird Florida sites and attractions on the southwest coast wont disappoint and actually, some of them are just downright cool to see.
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Spend The Day At Cayo Costa State Park
This remote Southwest Florida barrier island of Cayo Costa is heaven on earth for nature-loving beachgoers and anglers and one of the best beaches in Southwest Florida. The island is a former fishing ground of the Calusa native Americans and has nine miles of undeveloped shoreline for swimming, snorkeling, shelling, fishing, and birdwatching. Explore along several walking and cycling trails that wind their way through the islands interior. The best part? Its only accessible by boat which means this pristine natural setting will stay this way forever.
Visit With Legendary Muppets And Sesame Street Characters
Atlanta, Georgia
In 1978, Atlanta, Georgia embraced puppets. Puppeteering is an art form that few truly appreciate in this day and age, but for those who do, the launching of the Center for Puppetry Arts in the heart of the city will make you as happy as a clam. It did for me.
While on your trip through Atlanta, be sure to stop in and tour the exhibits. Learn where puppetry began with such notable characters as Punch and Judy, Pinocchio, Gumby and Pokey, and more. Take an audio tour and learn how exactly to bring marionettes to life. Watch the daily film or take an educational workshop. The center is a world of imagination, creation, and storytelling all in one. Spend an afternoon here to marvel at the original creations, see props from the famed films, and take a stab at making your own creature. The choice is yours.
Once you learn more about the history of puppetry, make your way to area of the museum the Jim Henson section! Learn the background of the most renowned puppeteer in history and how his incredible characters and innovation became some of the most beloved of all time. See original Muppets, Fraggle Rock, Labyrinth, Dark Crystal and Sesame Street artifacts. And, with Carroll Spinney announcing his retirement this past October, why not pay Big Bird a visit and see just how incredible that costume is and how dedicated a puppeteer Spinney was for nearly 50 years portraying the giant and much loved avian.
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Go Diving Down To Vandenberg
Diving is such a fun thing to do in South Florida, we would go as far to say that Florida is one of the best places to go diving due to the clear waters!
Theres so many places to go diving in Florida, but we think Vandenberg is one of the best because its an actual sunken ship.
Vandenberg sank 8 miles off the coast of Key West in 2009. As time has gone on, it is now home to a coral reef 150 feet below the surface.
You will need an up to date SCUBA certification for this activity, so be prepared!
Go Pole Boating In The Everglades
Airboats are loud enough to warrant ear protection on a tour but step into the days of Old Florida and experience the tranquility of the Everglades on a guided pole boat tour in Big Cypress. This traditional mode of transportation was used by many a Gladesmen, and many still do. The ride is quiet and relaxing with the sounds of nature all around you.
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Unlimited Things To Do In South Florida: Go Passes
Florida has two different GoPasses, one for the Orlando area, and one for Miami/Fort Lauderdale. We didn’t want to have our whole trip be centered around theme parks, but we did zip up to Orlando for a couple of days to do Lego Land and a day at Disney World. Orlando is about 3 hours North and the Keys are about 3 hours South, so staying in Southern Florida really gives you the freedom to spend a few days in either direction.
The Go Miami Pass has a lot of great options for site seeing in South Florida, including boat tours, museums, aquariums, and a whole lot of other popular attractions in the area . The Go Orlando Pass also has some fantastic options, especially if your kids are wanting to do Lego Land or any of the aquariums.
You can see the full list of Orlando attractions here, but the cool thing about these passes is that they are all-inclusive. Meaning, if you get the 2-day pass, you can do as many of the attractions as you want for those 2 days, or if you get the 5-day pass you could probably hit almost all of the things you are interested in.
The savings can really add up depending on what you are doing. If you think you might go up to Orlando, you could probably get just that pass and also use it in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area because it has activities for both listed. If you aren’t going to jet up to Orlando, I would just get the Miami pass.
Experience Miamis Most Exhilarating Boat Ride
Ready for a thrilling ride through Miami that represents the true Miami Vice style?
Then a high-octane boat tour one for of spins, drifts, jumps, and rapid stops, is exactly what the doctor ordered.
Not only will you be zooming out into the ocean, but youll also be greeted with a flawless skyline view from the water.
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Indulge In A Little Retail Therapy
While youre in the area around the Henry B. Plant Museum, you should definitely go for a wander in historic Hyde Park, one of Tampas coolest neighborhoods. Bordering the University, this community is full of glorious old houses, cool hangouts and some of the best shopping in Tampa.
Open-air mall Hyde Park Village is a good place to start with its mix of high-end chain stores and independent boutiques, as well as beauty parlors and eateries. If your feet need a break, take a stroll up SoHo to decompress in one of its many bars and cafes.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth With Key Lime Pie
Key West, Florida
When we visited Florida we had one specific cake on our food bucket list. Key Lime pie is an iconic dish famous in southern Florida and named after the small citrus fruits that were introduced to the area by Henry Perrine in the 1830s. While this tart and creamy dessert can be found on every menu in the Sunshine State, you absolutely must try it in the Florida Keys!
We planned a road trip from Miami to Key West, and if you believe that its too much trouble, think again! Theres nothing better than enjoying a large slice of key lime pie while sitting by the ocean in Mallory Square !
The thing that sets the key lime pie in the Keys apart from the others is the use of real key lime juice. This small, green fruit offers an intense tartness and a mouthwatering scent. Most restaurants, from Key Largo to Key West, only use the very best lime for their pies. The most famous place for key lime pie in Key West is the Key West Key Lime Pie Company. If you are planning to visit during the peak season, get ready to stand in line even for up to one hour to get your slice of key lime pie! Thats how good it is! These pies won several national awards and are made fresh daily using real key lime juice and handmade graham cracker crust.
Time to add it to your foodie bucket list!
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Ride The Sea Bridge Highway To Floridas Southernmost Point
Floridas Southernmost Point the southernmost point in the Continental United States is one of the top places to visit in Florida to get a good geographical handle on your travels. Also known as The Seven Mile Bridge it connects Knights Key in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys. It will take you right through the Florida Keys on the top of dozens of shade of tropical blue waters.
Day Trip To Bahamas Vacation On Swimming Pig Tours To Pig Beach
One option you have while in South Florida is to do a one day cruise to Bahamas. Staniel Cay day trips with Bahamas Air Tours will take you from Florida to swimming pigs you see on Instagram in less than 90 minutes! Not to mention, you will get some of the most surreal aerial views of the Bahamas Out Islands that you could ever imagine.
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Tantalize The Tastebuds In Miamis Little Havana
An absolute must-visit for anyone who even remotely considers themselves a foodie, Little Havana brings together all the best Cuban flavors and American flavors and fuses them together in a delectable package.
The best way to try all the specialties is with a culinary walking tour of Little Havana where youll discover all the famous Cuban dishes.
If youre looking to venture off-the-beaten-path and sample unique cuisine from the best Cuban restaurants in Miami, look no further.
Get The Go Miami Card
While the Go Miami Card isn’t free itself, purchasing the card will permit you access to countless attractions, which will save you time and money.
The All-Inclusive Pass gives you access to 30 different attractions, with no additional fees.
These attractions include the Hop-On-Hop-Off Big Bus, the Miami Sea Aquarium, the Miami Zoo, an Everglades Alligator Farm & Airboat Tour, a Biscayne Bay Boat Cruise and so many more!
They also offer an Explorer option and a Build Your Own Pass option as well.
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Florida Museum Of Natural History
Kyle S Lo / Shutterstock
Of all the fun and unique tourist spots to visit in Florida, the last thing youd expect to see on the list is a stuffy museum.
After all, what exciting activities could there be in such a place?
The Florida Museum of Natural History, however, may just change your mind.
Home to all sorts of incredible exhibits, the museum is a marvel to look at no matter what time of the year.
Drop by to check out all sorts of fossils, or even the butterfly rainforest exhibit!
Address: 3215 Hull Rd, Gainesville, FL 32611, United States
Want to explore Gainesville more? Heres what to do in Gainesville!
