Things to do in Florida: Attractions and places to visit

1. Miami and Miami Beach

There’s always something going on in Miami. Life’s raging here. The city is also synonymous with Florida. Almost more famous than Miami itself is the district Miami Beach with its 16 km long sandy beaches. Sports enthusiasts and sun worshippers will get their money’s worth here.

See and be seen on Ocean Drive, the promenade parallel to the beach. Beautiful houses in the Art Déco style can be visited in South Beach. The legendary nightlife in Miami and Miami Beach continues into the early hours of the morning. Countless bars and clubs provide a lot of variety.

2. Orlando and its theme parks

Orlando is one of the most visited cities in the USA. Thanks to the international airport, the city is very easy to reach. In addition to an impressive skyline of skyscrapers, the city centre impresses with beautiful parks and green spaces.

Whether roller coasters, animal adventure worlds or small parks for the whole family, there is something for everyone and fun and thrills are guaranteed. But also many museums and cultural institutions belong to the interesting sights. Orlandos Downtown is known for its good shopping facilities.

3. Sea World

A breathtaking combination of roller coasters and marine life in Sea World invites you to literally dive into the fascinating world of the oceans. The Orcas, the landmark of the amusement park, impress with jumps and daring tricks in spectacular animal shows.

At the same time there is a lot of interesting information about their habitat and their behaviour. In Sea World you can get closer to these majestic animals than anywhere else. Exciting rides with speeds of up to 118 km/h through the water worlds provide the ultimate thrill.

4. Excursion to the Everglades

Jungle-like swamps, dense mangrove forests, alligators and crocodiles – they are all trademarks of the Everglades, the third largest national park in the USA. The name means “grass river” and refers to the very wide and very shallow river that forms the branched network of watercourses. A particularly rich flora and fauna characterizes this southern area of Florida. Rare and endangered animal species have found their habitat in the Everglades. With canoes or so-called propeller boats nature enthusiasts can penetrate into the heart of this wild landscape. Various entrances in the east, north and west of the park promise an intensive visitor experience. The visitor centres provide interesting information and rent out canoes or camp sites.

5. Florida Keys and Key West

The end of the world. At least you could get the feeling if you take the over 161 km long Oversea Highway to get to Key West. The city lies on the island of the same name, which belongs to a chain of over 200 coral islands along the southern tip of Florida. Already the car journey is an experience. The road leads on up to 11 km long bridges across the sea and islands, always on the border between the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico. Key West is a lively little town with cozy bars and cafes that offer true joie de vivre. Also personalities like John Audubon or Ernest Hemingway found a home here at times.

6. Fort Myers

You can still find it in Fort Myers, the original Florida. Situated on the banks of the Caloosahatchee River, the city enchants with its southern state villas and the nearby fine sandy beaches of Fort Myers Beach. The inventor Thomas Edison and his friend Henry Ford fell in love with the city and set up a winter residence and laboratories in Fort Myers. Today its residence, together with other museums, is one of the city’s most popular sights. Fort Myers shows its romantic side on a boat trip on the river or into the Gulf of Mexico. It is also an ideal starting point for excursions to the Everglades or the neighbouring islands of Sanibel and Captiva.

7. Walt Disney World Resort

Bright children’s eyes and adults meeting the hero of their childhood again – in the theme parks of Disney World Resort new dreams are born every day. The complex south of the centre of Orlando is home to four different theme parks, each with its own way of taking visitors to a fantastic world.

In the Magic Kingdom Mickey, Donald and Co and the dreamlike fairytale castle of Cinderella are waiting. New worlds can be discovered in the model city of Epcot. Disney’s Hollywood Studios provide a glimpse behind the scenes and in Disney’s Animal Kingdom the animals are the stars.

8. Sanibel and Captiva Island

Those who want to escape the tourist streams, let themselves drift and appreciate the peace and quiet will find their luck on Sanibel and Captiva Island. The islands are located in the Gulf of Mexico and can be reached via a land bridge from Fort Myers. The islands themselves are traffic-calmed and the best way to get around is by bicycle. No building here may be higher than the highest palm tree.

Sanibel and Captiva Island were initially a single large island, but were separated by a hurricane. Both islands have long beaches of fine white sand that invite you to romantic walks in the sunset. A popular hobby of the islanders is the Shelling. The shells washed up on the beach are collected and put together to create amazing works of art.

9. NASA Kennedy Space Center

Higher and higher, further and further – NASA has written space history in the last century. In the Visitor Complex of the Kennedy Space Center this can be experienced up close. The areas of the museum were subdivided according to the individual space missions. Apollo, Gemini and the space shuttle generation are not to be missed. In the simulator of the “Shuttle Launch Experience”, visitors experience an almost real rocket launch on their own bodies.

The highlight of each visit is the bus ride through a part of the immense spaceport on Merrit Island that is normally closed to visitors. Possible exit points are the Launch Schedule & Status Center, not far from the missile launch ramps. This is the countdown to launch. Between a moon landing and a meeting with real astronauts, the KSC offers an unforgettable insight into the vastness of space.

10. Amelia Iceland

Although Amelia Island in northern Florida has been chosen as one of the best island destinations in the world, its sandy beaches are often deserted and invite you to enchanting solitary walks along the Atlantic coast. Nature lovers and those seeking peace and quiet will find what they are looking for here, as well as those interested in history.

Finally, the island is not without reason called “island of 8 flags”. Eight different states, including Spain, France and Mexico, owned the island at times and shaped its history. Today you dine here in the oldest inn and drink your beer in the oldest bar in Florida.

Best time to visit Florida

We recommend the following months as best time to travel for exploring the attractions and acivities of Florida:

January, February, March, April, May, November, and December

You can find more information about the weather, including all climate data, on our climate page for Florida.