Florida is infamous for many things when it comes to attractions.
You have Walt Disney World, Miami, the Paradise Coast, HarborWalk Village as well as the attractions in Destin, and of course, all of the other beaches surrounding such a diverse state. But what is it like to step off the beaten path on a Florida holiday?
Where do the locals go for their weekend getaways when they don’t have the time and/or budget to go to the neighboring island of the Bahamas?
As a born & raised Floridian, I’ve listed some of the top destinations/things to do in Florida that are considered a little more “off the beaten path”…something that we all crave so much while traveling!
Top overlooked attractions in Florida
Visit a fishing village
Many people don’t realize that Florida has many quaint fishing villages, right off the Gulf of Mexico. My personal favorite is Cedar Key, home of the Black Dog Bar & Tables. If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway, these are the small towns to hit up.
With an occasional seafood festival coming to town, the place can really fill up with locals passing through to enjoy fresh shellfish, cool beers, smooth wine & a tranquil Gulf Coast sunset.
Hiking on the Florida Trail
Most people don’t realize that, apart from the hot and humid summers which are perfect for family trips to the beach, Florida has fantastic weather for outdoor sports. More specifically: hiking & backpacking.
Spanning from the deep-deep South all the way North through Tallahassee, the Florida Trail offers 1,300 miles of backcountry terrain. The most popular hot spots include the Ocala National Forest, the Big Cypress National Preserve & the Gulf Islands National Seashore in Pensacola. If you really want to visit the real Florida, go for a hike.
Get a thrill at a theme park
Millions of people visit Florida every year to simply visit the theme parks. And there’s no wonder why they’re a hell of a lot of fun! And you want to know my little secret? Local Floridians do the same thing.
Between Busch Gardens exotic wildlife & wild rides, Disney Worlds magical theme park and SeaWorlds attractive water shows, these are the places to be.
(Note to Bloggers: Did you know that if you have a certain amount of followers on specific social networks, you can get 2 FREE tickets to most theme parks in Florida?)
Go to an Alligator Farm and/or Zoo
Just like Arizona’s Phoenix Zoo, Florida has some fantastic places to see the local native wildlife as well.
The real side of Florida is quite diverse in its exotic wildlife. Some of the most famous are the North America Alligator, White-Tail Deer & of course a plethora of venomous and non-venomous snakes.
Skydiving, Zip-Lining or Cave Diving
Believe it or not, Florida has some pretty awesome adventure activities for just about every skill level. Between skydiving over sunny beaches, zip-lining through massive oak trees and cave diving into the natural 72-degree aquifers, you’re sure to find something to get your blood pumping.
What is one attraction in Florida you’ve always wanted to visit that is often overlooked?
I’ve never been to Florida, but this list makes me want to. Free tickets for followers?! That is crazy.
Yeah it’s insane what kind of deals you can find on the internet and/or by simply confronting major companies. I mean, come on…who wouldn’t want free tickets to Busch Gardens?! The place is rad! 😉 lol
Oh, it looks SO warm and wonderful there!
Florida is WAY warm and comfortable! That’s why I love it!
amazing pictures i love florida.
I like a lot of nature trip together with my family. Visiting a fishing farm and fishing is really a very relaxing activity. I also like to hike to different trails together with my family. One of the things I love to do in Branson is hiking. It would be a great experience to visit the trails of
Florida together with my husband and my kids!
You would have a great time with your family that’s for sure! Try to plan a hiking trip around the fall/winter season so that you don’t get too hot. Also, keep in mind all the other activities that you can do in Florida as well! 😉
Hi Ronald,
I am from NY and I have spent over 30 years going down to Florida at least a dozen times a year and love the weather, people great sunsets and food….and reading your write up about Florida has made me even more excited to move down there in the very near future… 🙂
I will venture off to experience what you have shared …..for sure.
Thanks …..Suzanna
You’re welcome Suzanne! I’m always happy to share some of those off the beaten path places the most people overlook. As a born Floridian, feel free to ask me anything and I’ll try to show you the best of the best! 🙂
I had a great time in Florida on a family holiday years ago when I was about 10. Although I absolutely loved Disney World and the Kennedy Space Centre, I agree with you that there’s a lot more to Florida than just the world famous tourist attractions.
A highlight for me was a boat trip through Wakoola (sp?) Springs, where we saw alligators! Afterwards we went for a swim in the freezing cold water. My little cousin got stranded on a pontoon thing when he realised there was no net preventing the alligators from getting into the swimming area!
I also loved spending a few days on St George’s Island near the town of Apalachicola (also worth visiting!), staying right on the beach in a tall skinny house that swayed in the wind.
That sounds like the perfect getaway Bonny! My heart has always laid true to Florida (despite all the other cool places in the world I’ve been to and have yet to visit)! Oh and btw, I wouldn’t worry about the Gators too much. Most of the time they’re more afraid of you then you are of them. I used to be a wildlife handler and have MUCH hands on experience with them.
Even once swam alongside one while trekking through the Ocala National Forest (along with a rattlesnake and other creatures). Now that was a crazy experience! 😉