21 Best fun things to do in Florida in 2022

Florida is the Sunshine State, and the weather is perfect for year-round vacationing.

got theme parks and beaches, mountains and lakes, and everything in between. If you’re looking for a place to get away from it all, or if you’re looking for a place where there’s always something happening, Florida is the perfect place for you.

If you’re planning a trip to Florida, here are 21 things to do in Florida:

1. Everglades National Park

The Everglades is a national park in the southernmost part of Florida and is the largest national park in the contiguous United States. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including otters, alligators, and many different species of birds. The Everglades is a marshy area, and much of the park is only accessible by boat.

The Everglades National Park is a great place to visit for the whole family. You can see alligators, birds, and other animals right in their natural habitat.

The park covers 1.5 million acres and contains over 40 different ecosystems. There are also many different places to stay, including campgrounds, cabins, and resorts.

The Everglades is home to many endangered species such as the Florida panther and manatee.

2. Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park is located in Key West, Florida. The park is home to Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century fort that was used as a prison during the Civil War. Visitors to the park can snorkel and explore the reef, or relax on the beach.

 Dry Tortugas National Park is a great place to go if you want to see some beautiful scenery and get away from it all. The park is located in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico, about 70 miles west of Key West, Florida.

It’s a great place to take a boat trip or kayak tour, but you don’t have to go anywhere near the water to enjoy it—the park has plenty of hiking trails through its coral reef forests and mangroves.

Dry Tortugas National Park has no roads leading into it, so you’ll have to take a boat or plane there. If you’re flying, your best bet is Key West International Airport; then you can rent a car at the airport or take a taxi over to the harbor where you’ll board your boat or plane for your trip out to Dry Tortugas National Park.

3. Duval Street in Key West

Pietro Valocchi, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 Duval Street in Key West is a must-see for any first-time visitor to Florida. The street is lined with colorful houses, and the locals are known for their friendliness.

The street itself is named after David Shanks Duval, an early settler in Key West who was born in Tennessee but moved to Florida in 1822 to build a house near Fort Zachary Taylor.

Duval Street has been the center of Key West since its inception, and it’s where you’ll find a variety of shops and restaurants along with historic attractions like the Ernest Hemingway House and Museum.

In addition to its historical value, this street is also known as one of the most vibrant tourist destinations in the state of Florida. If you want to experience some of the best entertainment around or get yourself some souvenirs from your trip, then Duval Street should be on your list!

4. Salvador Dali Museum

Taty2007, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 If you’re looking for things to do in Florida, we recommend visiting the Salvador Dali Museum.

It’s located in St. Petersburg and houses a collection of Dali’s work that explores his fascination with surrealism. The museum is a great place to learn more about one of the most famous artists of all time, and it’s also just plain fun!

The museum has plenty of interactive exhibits, so you can get up close and personal with some of your favorite pieces. The museum also hosts classes, events, and other activities throughout the year.

The Salvador Dali Museum is an attraction dedicated to the works of the famous artist Salvador Dali.

It houses the largest collection of Dali’s art in the world. The museum features both permanent and temporary exhibitions and also hosts a variety of educational programs.

5. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, located in Miami, Florida, is a historic estate that was once the home of James Deering. The villa, which was built in 1916, is now open to the public as a museum. Visitors can explore the grounds, which include 10 acres of gardens, or take a tour of the house to learn about its history.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a historic house museum in Coconut Grove, Florida. It was built for James Deering by the world-renowned American architect, Addison Mizner. The house was completed in 1916 and was once the second largest home in the country.

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Vizcaya is famous for its architecture, including several buildings that were built for the Deering Estate; however, it is best known for its gardens. The estate’s gardens are one of the most important botanical collections in the world, containing over 1,000 species of plants from around the world. In addition to its gardens, Vizcaya also features a conservatory with an extensive collection of orchids.

website & Reservations: https://vizcaya.org/

Opening Hours: The museum is open Wednesday through Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

6. Wekiwa Springs State Park

Ebyabe, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 When you’re looking for things to do in Florida, you can’t go wrong with Wekiwa Springs State Park.

This beautiful state park is a great place to explore, hike, and relax. It’s located about an hour south of Orlando near Ocala.

The park features a wide range of natural habitats including pine Flatwoods, scrub, prairie, and oak hammocks as well as opportunities for hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.

There are also picnic areas available if you want to just sit back and enjoy the scenery.

If you’re looking for a day trip that offers plenty of activities without being too crowded or expensive, Wekiwa Springs State Park is worth checking out!

7. Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach during Spring

Panama City Beach is one of the best places to visit in Florida. The beach is beautiful and the wildlife is amazing. There are many places to visit in Panama City, but the beach is one of the best.

It’s known as the “world’s most beautiful beaches,” and it’s no exaggeration! The beachfront has been ranked as one of the best in America by TripAdvisor, with 75% of its visitors saying that they would return.

In addition to its beautiful beaches, Panama City Beach is also home to a variety of activities and attractions. You can enjoy water sports like jet skiing and parasailing, or take a ride on an airboat tour.

If you’re looking for something more relaxing, consider taking an hour-long massage on the beach or shopping at one of the many outlet malls located within walking distance from your condo rental.

If you’re looking for something fun to do during your trip to Panama City Beach, consider visiting one of the many attractions that call this city home. Whether you’re a fan of water parks or museums, there are plenty of options available—and don’t forget about our famous white sand beaches!

Things to do in Florida for couples?: Read our article here

8. Miami Beach

Miami Florida

Miami Beach is a perfect place to visit if you want to feel like you’re living in a movie. It’s got everything from the beach to the art deco district, and it’s just an hour away from Orlando.

Start your day with a walk through one of our beautiful parks—there are tons of them! You can take a stroll down Ocean Drive and see some of the most amazing architecture in Florida, or head over to Lincoln Road Mall and shop at some of our most famous stores.

If you’re looking for something more active, there are plenty of opportunities for all kinds of sports here. You can take a swim lesson at the hotel pool, or play tennis on one of our many courts. If tennis isn’t your thing, there are also basketball courts, soccer fields… even bowling alleys!

After all that activity, it’s time to relax! Head back toward Ocean Drive and treat yourself to some delicious food at one of our many restaurants. The choices range from fine dining to casual dining—and everything in between!

9. Walt Disney World

Spmartin15, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

If you’re looking for things to do in Florida, there’s no better place to start than the Magic Kingdom. You’ll find four different parks: The Magic Kingdom, EPCOT (a park dedicated to learning about the world and its cultures), Disney’s Hollywood Studios (a park focused on movies), and Animal Kingdom (a park centered around animals).

Each park has rides, shows, and attractions that are sure to delight kids of all ages!

Every year, millions of people visit the park to experience the magic of Disney. If you’re looking for a fun-filled vacation, Walt Disney World should be on your bucket list.

There are many different spots to explore in the park, so you’ll never get bored. Plus, there are plenty of other great places to visit in Florida, so you can make the most of your trip.

10. Neptune Memorial Reef

This is the place you want to explore if you are interested in what happens to us when nature takes over.

This place is a real gem. It’s located 5.2 km from the coast of Key Biscayne, Florida.

It is one of the largest artificial reefs in the world and is a popular attraction for scuba divers and snorkelers. The reef is home to a variety of marine life, including fish, turtles, and sharks.

You can spend an afternoon here walking along the beach, swimming in the warm water, or exploring the natural formations that make up the reef itself. You’ll be amazed at how many creatures there are living in this diverse ecosystem and you can even take a tour through the mangroves if you want!

Neptune Memorial Reef makes you feel more connected with nature because it helps us imagine what might happens to everything once being buried under tons of soil or burned into ashes, we get to live on as part of an underwater ecosystem that supports life above water as well as below.”

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11. Universal Studios Orlando Florida

This theme park is an absolute must-see destination for any traveler to the Sunshine State.

The theme park is full of fun rides, shows, and attractions based on some of your favorite movies and TV shows. 

Orlando is one of the best places to visit in Florida, and Universal Studios Orlando is one of the best things to do while you’re there.

You can see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, give your kids a thrill at Universal’s Islands of Adventure, or just ride the amazing rides. Ride the Hogwarts Express train through Hogsmeade Village and Diagon Alley.

There’s something for everyone at Universal Studios Orlando, so be sure to add it to your list of things to do in Florida!

Website/Reservations/Tickets: www.universalorlando.com

Address: 6000 Universal Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819, United States

12. Kennedy Space Center

 There’s no shortage of cool things to see in Florida, and Kennedy Space Center is no exception. It’s a little bit outside of Orlando, so it’ll take you a little while to get there from the hotel, but it’s worth it.

The Kennedy Space Center is one of the best activities in Orlando. It is a space shuttle and space travel facility. It was created in 1962 and has been used by many countries for their space programs. The Kennedy Space Center is also a great place to learn about space and space travel.

You can tour the launch pads where space shuttles used to blast off from, as well as Discovery and Atlantis the two remaining shuttles that were retired after the shuttle program ended in 2011.

Not only that, but you can see actual pieces of the shuttles themselves! They have an exhibit called “Space Shuttle Atlantis” with pieces of the shuttle on display inside (like actual tiles). You can also see one of the engines that were used on each shuttle when they launched into space.

If you’re really into space stuff, there’s an IMAX movie theater at Kennedy Space Center with a bunch of different movies about space exploration. One of them shows what it would look like to fly around in outer space and another one takes you through how astronauts train for their missions.

Tickets and Reservations: www.kennedyspacecenter.com

13. Salvador Dali Museum

The Salvador Dali Museum is a museum in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States, dedicated to the work of Salvador Dalí. It houses the largest collection of Dalí’s works outside of Europe.

The museum was founded in 1982 by A. Reynolds and Eleanor Morse, who was inspired by a visit to the Dalí Theatre-Museum in Figueres, Spain.

The museum’s collection includes over 2,000 works by Dalí, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, films, and an extensive archive of documents.

Address: 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States

Tickets and Reservations: thedali.org

14. Castillo de San Marcos

Emilio J. Rodríguez Posada, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the United States. It was built by the Spanish between 1672 and 1695 to protect St. Augustine, Florida from attacks by pirates and privateers.

The fort has been involved in all of America’s wars since its construction, including the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. It is now a National Monument managed by the National Park Service.

Today, it’s a museum and a National Monument of the United States. The tour takes you through the living quarters, kitchens, and storerooms all of which are very well preserved. You’ll also learn about the history of St Augustine, Florida’s oldest city.

Website: www.nps.gov/casa/index.htm

Address: 1 S Castillo Dr, St. Augustine, FL 32084, United States

15. Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory

four flamingos
Flamingos having Fun

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a gallery of living butterflies from around the world. The conservatory is home to over 50 different species of butterflies, as well as other exotic animals such as lizards, turtles, and birds.

Visitors can stroll through the tropical gardens and admire the beauty of these creatures up close.

The Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory is a butterfly zoo located in Key West, Florida.

The conservatory houses over 50 species of butterflies in a tropical environment. The conservatory also has a variety of birds, plants, and reptiles.

Dry Tortugas National Park Dry Tortugas National Park is a national park located in the Dry Tortugas, an island group in the Gulf of Mexico.

The park is home to Fort Jefferson, a 19th-century fort that was used as a prison during the American Civil War. The park also includes the Dry Tortugas Ecological Reserve, which is home to a variety of plant and animal species.

Ticket Price:

  • General Admission –              $15.00
  • Local (Monroe County) –      $13.00
  • Seniors 65+ and Military –   $12.00
  • Children 4-12 years –             $11.00
  • 3 years and under –                Free

Address: 1316 Duval St, Naval Air Station Key West, FL 33040, United States

16. Busch Gardens Tampa

If you’re looking for something to do in Florida, look no further than Busch Gardens! This is the perfect place to have fun and learn about nature. The park is over 335 acres, so there’s plenty of room to explore.

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The park has rides that are sure to get your adrenaline pumping. If you’re not feeling up to one of those rides, don’t worry—there are plenty of other things to do here! You can go on a safari ride or even see animals up close in their habitats.

If you want some time away from the crowds, there are lots of paths with beautiful scenery that won’t be as busy. If you want something more active, check out the petting zoo and see what animals live in Florida!

Some best things to do:

  • Ride the coasters
  • Go on a safari ride
  • See the animals
  • See the shows

Address: 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612, United States

Tickets and Reszervations: www.buschgardens.com/tampa

17. Devil’s Den Spring in Florida

Devil’s Den Spring is a freshwater spring located in Levy County, Florida. The spring is part of the Devil’s Den State Park. The water temperature in the spring remains a constant 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius).

The spring is a popular destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. There are also picnic areas and hiking trails in the state park.

The water is very clear and clean, so if you’re feeling adventurous then you can swim through the cave. There are also several different trails you can take inside the cave, which will lead you through different sections of the Devil’s Den.

Devil’s Den Spring is a popular scuba diving destination in Florida. The spring is located in a sinkhole and is filled with crystal clear water. Visitors can see a variety of fish, turtles, and other aquatic life.

18. Ginnie Springs in Florida

It is a beautiful place to swim, snorkel and dive. The spring is located on the Santa Fe River and is fed by an underground aquifer. The water is crystal clear and very refreshing.

Ginnie Springs is a great place to visit if you are looking for a place to cool off in the summer heat. The spring is open year round and there are lifeguards on duty during the summer months. There is also a picnic area and a playground for the kids.

If you are looking for a place to go diving, Ginnie Springs is the place for you. There are several dive sites to choose from and the visibility is excellent. You can also find a variety of fish in the spring including bass, catfish, and bream.

If you are looking for a place to go snorkeling, Ginnie Springs has a great spot for you as well. The water is shallow enough that you can stand up and see all of the fish swimming around you.

Ginnie Springs is located in Gilchrist County, Florida. To get there, take I-75 north from Gainesville to Exit 451.

19. Ringling Museum in Florida

The Ringling Museum in Florida is one of the most popular museums in the state. The museum is located in Sarasota, Florida, and was founded by John Ringling.

The museum is home to a large collection of art, including paintings, sculptures, and other artifacts. The museum also has a library and a research center.

The Ringling Museum is open to the public from Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Admission to the museum is free for all visitors.

20. Bok Towers in Florida

Bok Tower is a National Historic Landmark in Lake Wales, Florida. The tower is a 205-foot (62 m) tall neo-Gothic style structure built on Iron Mountain, one of the highest points of peninsular Florida. It is surrounded by a 50-acre (20 ha) garden with fountains and sculptures.

Bok Tower was dedicated on February 1, 1929, by President Calvin Coolidge and is considered one of the best examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the United States.

The tower was built as a gift to the American people from Edward W. Bok, a Dutch immigrant who became a successful magazine editor and publisher in Philadelphia. Bok had been inspired by the gardens at Mount Wilson, California, and wanted to create something similar for America’s enjoyment. He hired Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., son of Frederick Law Olmsted who designed Central Park in New York City, to design the gardens at Bok Tower.

The tower is built of pink Georgia marble and carillonneurs play concerts on its 60-bell carillon daily. The gardens feature native plants as well as exotic species from all over the world. The gardens are open 365 days a year.

21. Clearwater Beach

Stepheneric9, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Clearwater Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Florida, and for good reason. It’s a great place to spend a weekend or even just a day.

The beach itself stretches for miles along the coast, with plenty of room to spread out and find your own personal space. You can also rent chairs and umbrellas if you don’t have your own, which is helpful because it’s often crowded on weekends and holidays.

Clearwater Beach is a unique destination that offers something for everyone. If you’re looking to relax and soak up the sun, you can rent a lounge chair and umbrella on the beach.

There are also plenty of restaurants, shops, and activities to keep you busy during your stay.

If you want an adventure, check out one of the many boat tours that leave from Clearwater Beach. You’ll see dolphins playing in the water and maybe even catch sight of a shark!

Clearwater is known for its gorgeous sunsets, so be sure not to miss them on your visit!

Final Thoughts

Florida is a great place to visit, and we hope that you can take some of our tips in order to make your trip more enjoyable.

Florida is a state with many amazing attractions and activities, so it’s hard for us to narrow it down! We hope our list has given you some ideas about what kind of fun things might suit your interests best, but if not then feel free to let us know how we can help.

we love hearing from readers who want more information on visiting new places or planning their next vacation.