36 Top Places to add to your Florida Bucket List
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Updated July 2024
Florida Bucket List Guide
When we moved to Florida in 2020, I became obsessed with visiting new places and exploring as much of Florida as we could. Luck fully, you do not have to do all the research of places to visit as I have created this list for you where you will find the ultimate Florida Bucket List Travel Guide. Get ready to embark on this unforgettable journey through the Sunshine State. In this guide you will explore mouthwatering culinary delights, exceptional state parks, historical sites, hidden gems where you can kayak or tube, and soak up the sun at some amazing beaches. This guide gives you details to help you plan your next vacation in Florida or expand your desire to explore more of Florida if you are currently a resident.
But first, bookmark this blog post to reference later!
1) Ichtucknee Springs State Park
What a great hidden gem where you can relax as you float down the springs on a tube, kayak, or paddleboard. You can enjoy the cool water at this park year-round as you explore the underground cave, swim in the refreshing spring waters, or hike the park’s forests before partaking in a scenic picnic along the riverbank. You can enjoy a picnic, scuba diving, snorkeling or bicycling at this park. This is the perfect location to connect with nature and unwind in Florida’s natural wilderness.
Hours: They are open 8am to sunset. Open 365 days a year. You do have to be off the river by 6pm.
Rentals: Tube rentals available within the park. Tube rentals can be done online. Reminder that food, coolers, fishing, pets, and radios are not allowed on the river.
Concessions, store, restrooms and shower station also available.
You can also enjoy Head Springs and Blue Hole Springs where you can swim in the cool water or enjoy an underground cave by diving (must be certified to dive).
More details can be found here on Ichetucknee Springs State Park.
2) ZooTampa at Lowry Park
ZooTampa at Lowry Park was voted one of the Top 10 Best Zoo’s. This park includes 56 acres and is home to multiple different animals to include animals relative to areas such as Africa, Florida, Asia, and Australia. Enjoy a close-up experience and animal encounter to learn more about the lives of the animals that call this zoo home.
ZooTampa is committed to animal rehabilitation and rescue to provide a natural environment and top medical care until the rescued animals can return to their home.
Entertainment includes a carousel, petting zoo, and Roaring Springs.
They offer different holiday events to enjoy throughout the year.
Hours: 9:30am to 5pm. Hours extended in spring and summer. Holiday hours vary.
Find more details on visiting ZooTampa HERE.
3) Honeymoon Island State Park
Honeymoon Island is known for its beautiful white sand and magical sunsets. This island is 4 miles long and has 3 miles of trail to explore through the pine forests. Multiple birds and small ground animals can be found on this island.
You can enjoy biking (rental available within the park), hiking, fishing, picnic, kayaking, surfing, swimming, weddings, beach access, and playground. Small seashells can be found on this island.
Restrooms, concessions, restaurant, shower rinse off station available.
Pets are allowed at the pet beach on the southern part of the island and on all trails.
4) Caladesi Island State Park
There is a fee to ride the Caladesi Island ferry from Honeymoon Island and is about a 15-20-minute ride. At the time of this writing, they offered a $1 off per person coupon on their web page.
There is a small fee if you arrive by your own vessel to the island.
Boat camping is available on this island for a small fee.
You can go hiking, fishing, relax on the beach or go swimming, paddling, picnics, and weddings.
Available for your convenience are restrooms, shower rinse off station, concession, visitor center, and restaurant.
Pets are not allowed on the beach or the ferry. No wagons or beach carts are allowed on the ferry.
Check out this blog post for more information on visiting Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island.
5) John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk
Address: 12902 Village Blvd, Madeira Beach
John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk in Madeira Beach is the perfect day trip that will include much needed beach time, shopping and eating at some amazing restaurants right along the water.
John’s pass was created in 1848 during a powerful hurricane that swept through the region, carving a narrow channel between Madeira Beach and Treasure Island along the Gulf Coast of Florida. The inlet was named after John Levique, a local sea captain and fisherman who was the first to navigate the newly created pass.
John’s Pass is a small fishing village and has over a hundred merchants and restaurants to explore. There are multiple outdoor activities you can take advantage of to include water sports, deep sea fishing, beach going and more.
Across from John’s Pass is Madeira beach which makes it very convenient to visit both in one day.
For a more detailed post on Madeira Beach and John’s Pass visit my blog.
6) Three Sisters Springs
We rented our kayaks from Crystal River Kayak Company and Dive Center so we could enjoy kayaking the crystal-clear waters of Crystal River. Address: 1422 SE US Highway 19, Crystal River
Three Sister’s Springs has several locations where you can access the springs. If you have your own kayaks/boats you can choose a public launch location such as Kings Bay Park or Hunter Spring’s Park. Three Sisters is open from sunrise to sunset.
Once you get to the entrance to Three Sisters, you can only take Kayaks or float into this area. This is a protected area for the manatees by the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. There are guards there to make sure the area is protected. During manatee season, November 15 to March 31, you cannot take kayaks into this area for protection of the manatees.
Three Sisters Springs is a beautiful area, and the water is a cool 73 degrees year-round. You can swim and go snorkeling in the spring. If you go when they are closed, you can still kayak the Crystal River’s waterways.
More details on Three Sisters Springs can be this park can be found on my blog
Recommended items for kayaking Crystal River
7) Clearwater Beach
This area is touristy and usually pretty crowded, but it defiantly needs to be on your list of places to visit in Florida. Clearwater beach is a relaxing place full of soft white sand on this laid-back beach with amazing culinary options.
Clearwater beach is rated the #1 beach in the US. Once you step onto this beach you will understand why. The sand is so soft, white and always clean. The atmosphere is always relaxing despite the amount of people that might be on the beach. The weather is typically warmer in this area, and you will definitely need sunscreen while you enjoy the ocean view.
You can rent chairs and cabanas at this location and don’t forget to stay for a sunset which are absolutely stunning! You will not be disappointed!
There are so many shops to visit while in Clearwater. Shops include Ron Jon Surf Shop, Surf Style, to multiple other clothing stores, beach wear, food and sweets, and more. Take time to browse the shops and buy a few souvenirs while visiting this top-rated beach.
Our favorite restaurants in Clearwater
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill on the Beach.
We love this restaurant and the atmosphere it provides us while we eat on the beach. We have eaten at Frenchy’s several times. The food is always great, staff is friendly, and you can eat inside or right on the beach while enjoying your toes in the sand.
Address: 7 Rockaway Street, Clearwater
Food includes fresh seafood, salads, soups, kids’ menu, sandwiches, burgers, tacos, ribs, and more.
Marina Cantina Tequila Bar and Grill
Head over to eat at the Marina Cantina. Sitting on the top deck that overlooks the Bay has amazing views you won’t want to miss. They have fire pits going to keep you warm in the cooler weather as you enjoy this vibrant atmosphere. This restaurant has a Mexican fusion and includes the freshest seafood.
Address: 25 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater
Food includes Salads, appetizers, tacos, quesadillas, seafood, kids’ menu, desserts, and daily specials.
More favorite places to eat in Clearwater and details on this blog post
Pier 60
Pier 60 is an iconic place to visit and take a picture in Clearwater. This area has a shaded playground for younger kids and restrooms nearby. There are street performers nightly for you to enjoy.
This leads you to the 1,080-foot pier where you can view the surrounding area with telescopes and do some fishing. On the pier there is a bait house for your fishing needs to include bait, drinks and souvenirs. There are staff there to help you with your fishing needs, there is a small fee to fish.
8) St Augustine
St Augustine can be done in a day trip but in reality, there is so much more to do here that it would take several days to see it all. This city is full of brick streets, old buildings, amazing restaurants, an old fort, lighthouse and horse drawn carriage rides. This is one of the oldest cities in the nation.
Walk down St George Street where there is an overwhelming number of shops to look at and explore. This area has an old-world charm with its brick streets and stacked buildings lined up together.
Visit Castillo de San Marcos to see the historic fort. Tours available for a fee. You can visit the outside grounds for free. Fee for parking is available on site.
In 1672 ground was broke to begin the construction of this structure to replace wooden forts previously standing in this spot for defense against the pirates which attacked the town in 1668. This national monument has a lot of history, it is fun to imagine what it would have been like during the time this was built. We were able to explore the grounds and take in the history as you view the stones used to build this monument and the massive moats and areas for the cannons. Surrounded by the sea makes this a beautiful location.
Visit the St Augustine lighthouse for a great view of the surrounding area. There is a fee to visit this lighthouse. Ghosts and sunset tours available for an additional fee.
There are 219 steps to reach the observation deck at the top of the lighthouse. There were several landings to stop at and rest on the way up to the observation deck. Once at the top the view was spectacular! You must stop here while in St Augustine.
Check out my blog post for more St Augustine details.
9) Silver Springs State Park
Silver River is a five-mile trek which is encompassed within the 4,000-acre park of Silver Springs State Park. Silver Springs and the surrounding area are very beautiful to visit. The crystal-clear springs with its abundance of aquatic life and surrounding lush trees were so peaceful as you spend time on the water kayaking and viewing wildlife, and it wasn’t crowded at all.
Address: 5656 E Silver Springs Blvd, Silver Springs
Kayak/canoe/SUP rentals are available at the park. Life jackets are available for rentals, or you can bring your own vessel and life jacket to the park.
Things to do include a museum, glass bottom boat tours, hiking, kayaking, shopping or visiting the local restaurant.
You can often see manatees and Rhesus Monkeys along the water route.
Camping is available. There are cabins, RV and tent spots to stay the night within Silver Springs State Park. Camping reservations can be made online.
More details of Silver Springs State Park this park can be found on this blog post
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10) Edward Medard Conservation Park
You will enjoy the hardwood trees upon hills where erosion over the years began to expose the roots of these trees. The exposure provides the opportunity to explore the roots like an amazing maze system while climbing can be enjoyed by all.
Address: 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City
Things to do: This park has a lot to offer for your enjoyment. There is a place to launch your kayak or canoe in the 700-acre reservoir. You can also rent these vessels at the park. Playground, picnic shelters, disc golf, fishing, barbecue grills, beach volleyball, kayaking, 3-mile trail for hiking, boating, and clean restrooms and showers. They have a trail where you can bring your own horse and trail ride.
Campground available with 42 campsites on first-come first-serve basis. They serve RV and tent camping. Sites have a picnic table, electricity, fire ring, and water.
For more details on Edward Medard Conservation Park visit this blog post
11) Blowing Rocks Preserve
Enjoy your day at Blowing Rocks Preserve. The views at this location were absolutely stunning. It was such an amazing site to see the rocks protruding into the ocean and being able to explore this area as we walked up and down the shore. You can pick up seashells and watch the waves crash up onto the rocks next to the beach. If you go during high tide, you will get of a more dramatic effect of this.
Address: SR-A1A, Jupiter Island
Things to do include swimming, snorkel, fish, paddle board, trail walking or just sit on the beach and enjoy the views. This park has 5 trails that are less than a mile each to explore.
Check out this post on Blowing Rocks Preserve for more details
12) Beer Can Island (Greer Island)
This island is located on Longboat Key which is 45 minutes north of Siesta Key beach. There is also a Beer Can Island in Tampa so make sure you google the right beach. It is also known as Greer Island. This is not actually an island although it was in the past.
This island is known to provide beach access for boaters. Over the years, boaters were known to leave beer cans on the island therefore it gets its name.
This beach use to be lined with beautiful driftwood. A few years ago, the area was cleaned up of most of the driftwood for preservation of the beach and to allow access for boaters. But they did however leave a small section of the driftwood still on the beach on the northern end which makes for an amazing back drop for your pictures.
Mangroves line the beach and provide an excellent opportunity to go hiking or hang a hammock on the tree and enjoy the ocean sounds as you relax.
More details on Beer Can Island this beach can be found on this blog post
13) Fort Myers
When we visited Fort Myers, we completed a self-guided food tour of the area. A self-guided food tour while in Fort Myers offers many wonderful food options to choose from. You will enjoy the many places to eat on your trip to Fort Myers. There is some great ice cream, Mexican food, Italian pizza choices and more.
Check out my blog post on Fort Myers for more details on the food options in Fort Myers.
There are multiple beaches close by that you can enjoy while in this area. You can visit the homes of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford who called Fort Myers home in the winter months.
14) Everglades National Park
Take a tour of one of three National Parks in Florida. This park is home to numerous rare species to include crocodile, panther and manatees. There are multiple animal and plant species found in the Everglades that are not found anywhere else on the planet. They also have a large selection of mangroves that you can also enjoy while kayaking.
Things to do include bird watching, bicycling, hiking, ranger led programs, boating, canoe and kayaking, fishing and other outdoor activities.
Camping is also available within the park.
15) Tampa Riverwalk
Riverwalk is one of my favorite places in Florida. It is a walkable district that offers many different things to do. It is such a foodie area with so many restaurants to choose from. But it isn’t all food. There are multiple other things to do in this area such as kayaking, boat tours, hiking and multiple events throughout the year.
There is a 2.6-mile walking path along the Hillsborough River that make up the Riverwalk district that you can walk, bike, run or take your pet for a stroll.
Some of our favorite places to eat in Riverwalk include Jeni’s Ice Creams, Ulele and check out Armature Works for multiple eating options.
This area offers some great events all year long from music to food trucks, to art festivities, brewery events and more. There is always something to do within this area for entertainment. Many events are kid friendly.
Address: Armature Works 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa. This will take you to Armature works and from there you can find parking and can walk to the multiple other places and events. Other parking is throughout this area. Most are fee-based parking.
Check out more details and all of my favorite places to eat in Tampa HERE.
16) Robert is Here Fruit stand
Robert is Here Fruit Stand and Farm has such a unique start to his story. When Robert, the owner, was six years old he sat at the same corner his stand is now and started selling his father’s cucumbers. His first shot at trying to sell fruit didn’t go so well. He told his dad that no one came to visit. His father, thinking no one could see him sitting there, placed a sign that read “Robert is Here”. By noon, he had sold all of the cucumbers.
He continues his legacy of selling rare exotic and tropical fruit at his fruit stand daily. You will find the most unique fruits and some you can’t pronounce. Most are grown on his farm while some are imported from other countries. Robert is happy to share his knowledge of the items he sells in his shop. He is very knowledgeable about the items he sells.
Address: 19200 SW 344 Street, Homestead. Near Miami.
Other available food items include jams, jellies, jerky, ostrich egg, dressings, honey, condiments, salsa, pickles, candies, dips, rubs, seasonings, and more.
Outside you will find a small area with birds, goats and chickens. During the winter months you might find a live band on the weekends out in the courtyard.
Check out more details on Robert is Here Fruit Stand can be found on this blog post
17) Busch Gardens
This is such a fun amusement park to visit that includes thrill rides and animal experiences. They recently have added two new thrill rides which are super fun to enjoy. This park also features live animals something unique and not typically found in amusement parks. This area is located in Tampa and offers rides, entertainment, food, shopping, animal encounters and more. Multiple events happen through the year. There is a fee to enjoy the rides and an additional fee for parking.
They also have an amazing Howl-O-Ween event during Halloween that is extremely popular due to its amazing thrills and scare zones.
Adventure Island Waterpark is also part of Busch Gardens and offers a wonderful way to cool off in the hot summer months.
18) Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Orlando
When in Florida, you must visit the theme parks in Orlando. Yes, that means the Disney area! There are multiple other parks to enjoy in this area such as Universal Islands of Adventure and Universal Orlando which are our favorites. Teens will especially love these parks. Kids will enjoy the experience at Diagon Alley from Harry Potter, ride the Simpson’s ride, take the Hogwarts train (if you pay for both parks on the same day), take a wild ride with the cast of Fast and Furious or help Spiderman save the world and so many more thrill rides and 3D rides.
This park has some amazing 3D rides that all will enjoy. There are free lockers to keep your things in while you experience the rides (smaller lockers only, the larger lockers are available for a small fee). Many different places to eat and shows to enjoy allowing you to get away from the heat.
Definitely add these two parks to your must-see list with teens.
Dragon at Diagon Alley at Universal in Florida
Gringotts Bank from Harry Potter at Universal in Florida
19) Myakka River State Park
Myakka River State Park located in Sarasota. The Myakka River flows through the park which is surrounded by prairie, wetlands, hammocks and pinelands.
This park is nicely kept and is a peaceful place to spend a few hours. You will definitely enjoy the Canopy Walkway at Myakka. This is what you see in the pictures below. This is a walkway 25 feet above ground suspended over hammock trees. You can also climb up the 75-foot tower to look above the treetops at the surrounding prairie.
Things to do include biking, fishing, boating/canoe/kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, geo caching, boat tours, gift shop, cafe, playground.
Make Camping reservations can be made online.
20) Hillsborough River State Park
What I love about this park is it is a smaller park but has a lot to offer. There are multiple hiking trails along the river, you can kayak this area, there are picnic shelters and a playground for the kids to enjoy or go fishing.
If you want to enjoy the tranquility of this park over several days, you can also camp at this park. This park offers electric and water sites. Each site comes with a picnic table and fire pit. Restrooms and playground nearby.
Address: 15402 US 301 North, Thonotosassa
21) Anna Maria Island
This is an amazing location to enjoy some delicious food and end the night with a beautiful sunset. Some of our favorite restaurants on Anna Maria Island are: (Hours vary by location)
The Donut Experiment
Poppo’s Taqueria
North Shore Cafe
Pizza Social
Two Scoops Ice cream
Ugly Grouper
Daiquiri Deck
With white sandy beaches, a multitude of seashells to collect, manatee and dolphin viewing and home to sea turtle nesting, this island is sure to be a new favorite vacation spot.
Beach hours: sunrise to sunset
CHECK OUT MY BLOG POST ANNA MARIA ISLAND FOR A DETAILED LIST OF THESE LOCATIONS
Set sail toward Compass Island as your captain takes you on an unforgettable ride as you enjoy the company of dolphins swimming by.
22) Tampa Bay Rays Baseball
You have to make a point to stop at the Tropicana Field to watch at Tampa Bay Rays professional baseball game. One unique thing about this park is they have actual sting rays you can view and touch while watching the game which the kids will absolutely love.
This beautiful park is enclosed to help stay cooler on a hot summer day. You can enjoy watching the game from the seats or find some bar seating to enjoy a meal while watching the game. There are several food venders and gift shops throughout.
Food tends to be more expensive in a ballpark but that is typical at any professional ball field you visit. Grab some ice cream and take home a small souvenir baseball helmet.
23) Aquatica Orlando
Aquatica Orlando waterpark is one of my all-time favorite water parks. It has some amazing slides to enjoy but my all-time favorite thing to do was the Roa’s Rapids. I enjoy a lazy river from time to time, but have you ever been to a racing lazy river? This park features an action river that lets you glide through the water in fast action. If you wear a life jacket you can just put your feet up and let the power of the water guide, you quickly through this area. It is so Fun!!!
There are many other rides to enjoy, a large kiddie area, food to eat, and souvenirs to buy.
Tickets are $99 each but they often have sales where tickets are half price so check their website often for deals. (2023 prices)
Park hours vary throughout the year. Check their website for current hours.
Address: 5800 Water Play Way, Orlando
Check out my blog post on visiting Aquatica Orlando waterpark for more details.
24) SeaWorld Orlando
Sea World provides one more opportunity for fun in the Orlando area. You can experience multiple rides, shows and performances, animal encounters, Sesame Street land for the little kids, shopping and many restaurants to choose from.
They offer multiple events throughout the year so check their website often for those opportunities.
Address: 7007 Sea World Drive, Orlando
25) Universal CityWalk Orlando
CityWalk is next to Universal and has multiple shopping opportunities and entertainment to include mini golf for you to enjoy. There is a fee to park and this area provides the entrance into Universal as well. Free parking after 6pm except during certain events.
Restaurants we tried and loved were Chocolate Emporium for their delicious shakes, (see below) and Cowfish for their sushi and burgers, YUM! Reservations can be made online for the restaurants but not required. Other restaurants include Hard Rock Cafe, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, NBC Sports Grill and Brew and many more.
There is a Harry Potter store for your shopping needs plus many other places to shop.
There is a movie theater to enjoy the latest movies. TIP: If you go to the movies and purchase two tickets or more during a matinee time they will reimburse you for parking. Bring paid parking ticket to the booth for proof of purchase for reimbursement.
Address: 6000 Universal blvd, Orlando
26) Fort De Soto Park
This park offers a lot of history of the old fort and military post that is open for visitors to explore. You can see the older fort that shows off from out of the water’s edge for you to enjoy.
This beach also has 3 miles of beautiful beach to enjoy, and you can pick up some small seashells as you walk along the beach.
Other things to do at this park include fishing, boating, picnics, food concessions, playground, souvenir shop, trails, and bike riding (bike rentals within the park).
You can also take the ferry for a fee to Egmont Key or Shell Key Island to enjoy some solitude or hunt for more seashells.
Dog park and beach are within Fort De Soto
Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde
Camping is also available at this park. 236 sites contain all the amenities from water, electricity, picnic tables, washer/dryer, dump, restrooms, showers, playground and store.
27) St Pete Beach (Pass-a-Grille)
I love Pass-a-Grille for its quiet, less crowded beach. This is part of St Pete beach but if you go to the end of the island you will end up at Pass-a-Grille beach which has the amazing soft white sand, warm ocean water and less people.
This area is recommended if you want to avoid the crowds but still collect multiple seashells and enjoy the sun and sand. Dolphins can be spotted while swimming which makes this area even more fun.
You can also enjoy shopping, restaurants, tennis courts, roof top bars and more all within walking distance.
28) Sarasota Farmer’s Market
Farmer’s Markets can offer a wide range of things to purchase such as farm fresh produce, yummy sweets, locally made handmade items, live entertainment and more. I enjoy the vibe of farmers markets and love to support local families. There are a lot of farmers markets in the area so do a google search to find one near you.
Sarasota’s Farmers Market is open year-round every Saturday, rain or shine. 7am to 1pm.
Address: N Lemon Ave, Sarasota
29) Lake Eola Orlando
Lake Eola is located in downtown Orlando. There is a 0.9-mile path around the lake where you can leisurely stroll as you enjoy the scenic view of this beautiful lake.
Things to enjoy at this park include swan shaped paddle boats for a fee, bird viewing, concerts or movies in the amphitheater, or enjoying local restaurants in the surrounding area.
Other events throughout the year:
International Food on Wheels Festival is located in Lake Eola yearly in April. This offers a great selection of food trucks and small trinket vendors for you to enjoy.
You can also find weekly Orlando Farmer’s Market here on Sunday’s from 10 am to 3pm.
Swan shaped paddle boats can be rented for a small fee on a first come first served basis.
Yoga in the Park
Address: 512 E Washington Street, Orlando
Read more details on International Food on Wheels Festival HERE.
30) Siesta Key Beach
Siesta Key is a favorite beach for any sand lover. The sand here is some of the softest, whitest sand I have ever seen. You can spend hours here enjoying the ocean view and digging your toes into the beautiful soft sand. This beach was ranked the #2 beach in 2023 and you will see why once you visit this beach.
There is a large parking lot right next to the beach and concession stands with restrooms. From this area you can also walk to the many different restaurants and shopping to meet your vacation needs.
31) Ybor City
This quaint little city has so many unique restaurants to choose from that you could eat here daily for a week and still not see them all. This city is located right next to Tampa and offers a variety of foods to choose from. Some of our favorites include:
Zydeco Brew Werks for great burger and brews. Closing permanently in 2024.
Chill Bros Scoop Shop for a variety of unique ice cream flavors
La Segunda Bakery for the yummiest breads and sweets
Find a place to park (for a fee) and walk the city streets. Oh, and don’t mind the chickens who run the streets. They are friendly.
32) Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is another favorite island beach in Florida. Due to Hurricane Ian this area changed drastically in 2022. Although there was much devastation to this area after the hurricane, the lighthouse never gave up and is still standing today. It did lose a leg which was repaired but amazingly the lighthouse didn’t get destroyed!
Parking in this area is steep at $5 an hour. (no parking fee for handicapped)
This area offers a wonderful restroom area, picnic tables, and fishing pier. Beach access is easy to get to and at low tide gives you plenty of area to swim. (fishing pier is being repaired due the damage from Hurricane Ian -2024)
We have found some of the best seashells in this area, shown below. And the sunsets are of course amazing as well. We also found a live starfish here once which was so cool.
Check out my blog post for more information on exploring Sanibel Island
33) Disney Springs
A smaller area but not lacking in fun! Disney Springs offers upscale shopping, exquisite food options, and fun. Try restaurants with a bowling alley inside or enjoy a view of the surrounding area up high in a hand painted hot-air balloon or floating in a car boat. This is located near Universal Studios which makes this a great option to visit while in the area. Free parking.
Hours are 10am to 11pm. Some store hours vary.
Address: 1486 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista
Want more information on visiting Disney Springs, visit my blog post for details
34) Baldwin Perk Cafe
Baldwin Perk Cafe is a cute coffee shop themed after the F.R.I.E.N.D.S TV show. They offer a huge variety of coffee and other drinks and several food options that include charcuterie boards, panini’s, waffles, flatbread pizzas, salads, cold sandwiches, wraps, croissant sandwiches, crepes and so much more. Don’t forget to take a picture on the famous orange couch. We tried the Famous Friends Breakfast which was a really good charcuterie board as seen below.
Hours: Monday to Saturday 6:30am to 10pm, Sunday 7am to 9pm
Address: 4833 New Broad St, Orlando
35) Florida State Fair
The Florida State Fair is an annual celebration of agriculture and entertainment that attracts visitors from all over the state. This event happens every February. It is exciting to see students and adults proudly showcase their animals in various shows and competitions. From showcasing their prize-winning cattle, pigs, llamas and goats to demonstrating their horsemanship skills displaying their dedication, hard work, and passion for their livestock. The fair provides the opportunity for exhibitors to learn lessons from responsibility, teamwork, while giving a sense of camaraderie with other participants.
Find other activities that will have you acting like a kid as you indulge in delightful fair foods (think yummy fried snickers and Oreos), carnival rides, entertainment, and animal shows. Mark your calendar for this yearly event.
Address: 4800 US Highway 301 North, Tampa
36) Straz Center for Performing Arts
The Straz Center for Performing Arts in Tampa is a cultural hub known for its world-class performances. With five distinctive theaters, the center hosts an array of productions ranging from ballet to opera and concerts that captivate audiences with its exquisite music and shows.
During our time at Straz Center we were able to see Phil Rosenthal who is the lovable witty man on Somebody Feed Phil, a Netflix series that showcases Phil’s love of food and travel as he eats his way through each new country he visits.
See more details of our visit with Phil Rosenthal HERE.
Address: 1010 N Wc Maciness Place, Tampa
Left picture from visittampabay.com
I am hopeful this Florida Bucket List Guide will inspire you to explore the Sunshine State’s diverse attractions and hidden gems. From indulging in mouthwatering eats and basking in the sun-kissed beaches to immersing yourself in cultural landmarks and natural wonders, each destination with unique experiences.
Whether you’re seeking thrills at an amusement park, tranquility at state parks, or historical sites, Florida many destinations promise unforgettable memories and endless possibilities for exploration.
Pack your bags and let the journey begin as you check off each of these destinations on your Florida Bucket List.
There is so much to do in the state which is one of the reasons we moved here. Not only were we tired of snow, but we knew having more sunshine in our lives would improve our mood. There’s a reason Florida is called the Sunshine State. There is sun almost every day of the year.
I will keep adding to this list as we explore new places. I want this to be your go to list when planning a Florida vacation or whether you live in Florida and are just looking for a new place to visit.
Reach out to me if you have any questions about places to visit in Florida.
Enjoy the journey,
Meet the author: Jennifer
I’m just a girl who loves to travel. My favorite travels have been traveling across the US in a campervan, visiting all-inclusive resorts in Mexico, marking National Parks off my list, & many smaller trips. I love to share my adventures to inspire others to travel more. If you can dream it, you can do it! Want the whole story?
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