15 Florida Things Everyone Should Do Before They Leave the State

Florida isn’t just about theme parks and beaches — though those are pretty great too. From wild encounters with manatees to road trips over ocean bridges, this state packs in experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Before you pack up and head out, make sure you’ve checked off these unforgettable Florida adventures that capture the true spirit of the Sunshine State.

1. Road-trip the Overseas Highway to Key West

That ribbon of asphalt stretching across endless blue water feels like driving straight into a postcard. The Overseas Highway links mainland Florida to Key West through 42 bridges and dozens of tiny islands, each one more beautiful than the last.

Stop in Marathon for fresh seafood or Bahia Honda for a beach break. The Seven Mile Bridge alone is worth the trip — nothing but ocean on both sides.

Time your arrival in Key West for sunset at Mallory Square, where street performers and travelers gather nightly to watch the sky turn electric.

2. Watch a Rocket Launch at Kennedy Space Center

Feeling the ground rumble beneath your feet as tons of metal and fuel blast toward space is something movies can’t capture. Kennedy Space Center offers public viewing areas where you can witness launches just miles away from the pad.

Walk beneath a massive Saturn V rocket, meet an astronaut, or tour the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit. Check the launch schedule ahead of time — they can shift, but when one goes off on time, you’ll never forget that roar and the trail of fire climbing into the blue.

3. Airboat the Everglades

Skimming across shallow water at high speed while sawgrass whips past on both sides is pure adrenaline mixed with nature. Airboat tours take you deep into the Everglades, where alligators sunbathe on muddy banks and herons pick through the shallows.

Your guide will cut the engine in quiet spots so you can hear the swamp come alive. Frogs croak, birds call, and if you’re lucky, a gator will glide silently by.

Wear sunscreen and bring a hat — there’s zero shade out there, but the thrill of it makes you forget the heat.

4. Swim or Paddle a Crystal-Clear Spring

Florida holds more natural springs than anywhere else on Earth, and they’re nothing short of magical. The water stays a constant 72 degrees year-round, glowing blue like liquid sapphire under the sun.

You can snorkel, paddleboard, or just float while tiny fish dart around you. Popular spots like Ginnie Springs and Rainbow Springs get busy on weekends, but weekday mornings feel like your own private paradise.

Pack a waterproof camera — the underwater clarity is unreal, and you’ll want proof that water this blue actually exists in Florida.

5. See Manatees in the Wild

These gentle giants migrate to warm-water springs and power plant outflows every winter, creating one of Florida’s sweetest wildlife encounters. Crystal River and Blue Spring State Park are manatee magnets when temperatures drop.

From a kayak or paddleboard, you might spot dozens lounging in the shallows, rolling lazily or munching on seagrass. They’re curious and sometimes swim right up to investigate, though you’re not allowed to touch.

Bring a respectful distance and a sense of wonder — watching a thousand-pound sea cow nurse her calf is ridiculously heartwarming.

6. Take a Sunset Cruise (Any Coast)

Whether you’re on the Gulf or Atlantic side, Florida sunsets turn the sky into a living painting every single evening. Sunset cruises let you watch the show from the water, with dolphins often jumping alongside the boat.

Most tours include drinks and snacks, so you can sip something cold while the horizon catches fire. The Gulf Coast is famous for its oranges and pinks, while the Atlantic offers dramatic cloud formations.

It’s a moment that slows everything down — no phones, no rush, just you and the most beautiful sky you’ll see all year.

7. Spend a Day on a Best-in-the-U.S. Beach

Florida beaches regularly top national lists, and once you sink your toes into that sugar-fine sand, you’ll understand why. Clearwater, Siesta Key, and South Beach each offer their own vibe — from laid-back Gulf calm to Atlantic surf energy.

Pack a cooler, grab a beach umbrella, and claim your spot early. Spend the day swimming, reading, or just watching pelicans dive-bomb for fish.

A full beach day here isn’t just relaxing — it’s a Florida rite of passage, complete with salty hair and sun-kissed shoulders.

8. Visit St. Augustine’s Historic District

America’s oldest continuously occupied European settlement still hums with old-world charm. Cobblestone streets wind past centuries-old buildings, Spanish forts, and hidden courtyards dripping with bougainvillea.

Castillo de San Marcos, built from coquina stone in the 1600s, sits right on the water and offers sweeping views. Wander St. George Street for shops, cafes, and street performers, or take a ghost tour after dark — the city’s haunted reputation is well-earned.

9. Go Shelling on Sanibel or Captiva

Sanibel and Captiva islands curve just right to catch shells from the Gulf, making them a beachcomber’s dream. Early mornings after high tide, the sand is covered in treasures — conch, scallops, sand dollars, and lightning whelks.

Locals call the hunched-over search position the “Sanibel Stoop,” and you’ll find yourself doing it without thinking. Bring a mesh bag and be patient — the best finds take time.

10. Do a Wildlife Day in the Keys or a Coastal Refuge

Florida’s coastal ecosystems teem with life — dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, herons, and roseate spoonbills all call these waters home. The Keys and refuges like Merritt Island or J.N. Ding Darling offer kayak trails and boardwalks that put you right in the action.

Paddle through mangrove tunnels and you might spot a nurse shark gliding below or a tarpon rolling at the surface. Bring binoculars for bird-watching — Florida’s diversity is stunning.

Half the magic of Florida isn’t man-made; it’s wild, alive, and unforgettable.

11. Eat Cuban in Miami’s Little Havana

Calle Ocho pulses with Latin music, cigar smoke, and the smell of fresh cafecito brewing on every corner. Little Havana is Miami’s beating cultural heart, where Cuban traditions thrive loud and proud.

Order a ventanita espresso and a pastelito de guayaba from a walk-up window, then people-watch from Domino Park. The food is authentic, affordable, and delicious — think ropa vieja, tostones, and flan that melts on your tongue.

This isn’t just a meal; it’s a full sensory dive into a culture that’s shaped Florida’s identity for generations.

12. Take a Glass-Bottom Boat Ride

This old-school Florida attraction never gets old. Glass-bottom boats glide over springs and rivers, letting you peer into underwater worlds without getting wet.

Schools of fish dart below, turtles paddle lazily past, and if you’re lucky, a manatee might cruise by. The guides share stories about the springs’ history and ecology, making it educational without feeling like school.

It’s a throwback experience that feels timeless — perfect for families, couples, or anyone who wants to see Florida’s aquatic beauty up close without a snorkel mask.

13. Catch a Theme Park Day at Least Once

Love them or not, theme parks are woven into Florida’s identity. Disney World, Universal, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens — each offers a different flavor of escapism and adrenaline.

You don’t have to be a fanatic to appreciate a day of roller coasters, parades, and overpriced churros. The energy is contagious, the rides are world-class, and the people-watching alone is worth the ticket.

Go once, even if just to say you did. It’s a slice of Florida culture that millions travel across the globe to experience.

14. Walk a Charming, Car-Free Town

Florida does walkable charm better than most people realize. Towns like Seaside, Mount Dora, and Winter Park invite slow exploration on foot, with no traffic to dodge or parking to hunt.

You’ll find boutique shops, sidewalk cafes, art galleries, and tree-shaded streets perfect for wandering aimlessly. Key West’s Old Town is the ultimate strollable neighborhood, packed with history, quirky bars, and colorful Conch houses.

These towns remind you that Florida isn’t all highways and strip malls — there’s real character tucked into quieter corners.

15. Try Florida’s Signature Seafood

Eating seafood in Florida isn’t just dinner — it’s a connection to the Gulf, the Atlantic, and centuries of coastal tradition. Stone crab claws with mustard sauce are a winter delicacy, while fresh grouper sandwiches are available year-round at dockside shacks.

Head to the Forgotten Coast for Apalachicola oysters, or try conch fritters in the Keys. Everything tastes better when it’s caught that morning and served with a water view.

Skip the chains and find a local spot where fishermen unload their catch — that’s where the real Florida flavor lives.