Florida, also known as “The Sunshine State,” is renowned for its strong emphasis on tourism. The state’s beautiful beaches stand out as one of the top attractions, drawing numerous tourists. Additionally, Florida boasts some of the most famous theme parks globally, such as Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld.
However, beyond the well-known tourist spots, Florida hides some hidden gems in secluded areas that are truly worth exploring. Regardless of personal preferences, Florida has something unique to offer for every type of traveler.
Top Tourist Attractions in Florida
8. Amelia Island
Amelia Island stands as one of the southernmost islands among the Sea Islands, which form a series of barrier islands extending from South Carolina to Florida.
Nestled within Amelia Island is Fernandina Beach, an enchanting village known for its shrimping industry, featuring a picturesque landscape of 50 blocks filled with historic structures, delightful dining establishments, distinctive bed and breakfast accommodations, and a total of six golf courses.
7. Castillo de San Marcos
Situated in St. Augustine, the Castillo de San Marcos is the oldest masonry fort in the United States. It’s hard to believe that this fortress was constructed in the late 1600s when you see its impressive condition at the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.
The fort’s remarkable durability can be attributed to its strategic design. Each corner features a diamond-shaped rampart, maximizing its firepower, while its walls are a formidable 14 feet thick, reducing its susceptibility to attacks.
St. Augustine itself is a small and enchanting city, renowned as the oldest European settlement in the United States, offering a delightful blend of romantic ambiance and old-world charm.
6. Universal Orlando Resort
Universal Orlando Resort stands as the primary contender to Disney, boasting the title of the largest among the Universal Studios Theme Parks.
This expansive destination comprises two main theme parks: the original Universal Studios Florida and a second park known as Islands of Adventure. Additionally, visitors can explore CityWalk, a lively complex featuring nightclubs and restaurants, as well as choose from three resort hotels for their accommodation needs.
Established in 1990, Universal Studios Florida offers a unique experience where guests can “Ride the Movies.” The park immerses visitors in a captivating environment resembling movie sets, featuring rides, shows, and attractions inspired by popular films, television shows, and music productions.
On the other hand, Universal’s Islands of Adventure presents a diverse array of adventures across seven distinct “islands.” Visitors embark on their journey at the Port of Entry and proceed to explore each island, each boasting its own captivating theme and attractions.
5. Fort Lauderdale Beach
Fort Lauderdale, situated on the Atlantic coast, is often referred to as the “Venice of America” because of its extensive and intricate network of canals.
The city is renowned for its beautiful beaches and vibrant boating culture. While it used to be a popular destination for spring breakers, Fort Lauderdale has evolved into a trendy and refined urban center.
At the heart of the beach area lies Fort Lauderdale Beach, which features a pristine and modern promenade that runs alongside the shoreline, separating it from the charming low-rise hotels, eateries, and beachside shops.
4. Kennedy Space Center
The Kennedy Space Center has served as the primary launch site for all manned space missions in the United States since 1968. Currently, it is utilized as a launch site for unmanned rockets as well.
Apart from its significance in space exploration, the Kennedy Space Center is a popular tourist destination in Florida. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers various attractions such as museums, movies, a rocket garden, and guided bus tours of essential shuttle preparation and launch facilities.
In preparation for rocket launches, the Visitor Complex also offers “launch passes” for sale. However, it’s important to note that due to safety regulations, the closest viewing area is at least 4 miles away from the launch site, often even farther.
3. Key West
Key West, situated in the continental United States, is renowned for being the southernmost city. Interestingly, it is actually closer to Havana than to Miami.
In its earlier days, Key West held the distinction of being the largest town in Florida and thrived on the treasures salvaged from shipwrecks. However, as navigation improved and shipwrecks decreased, the town experienced a decline in the late 19th century.
While Key West has undergone extensive restoration and revitalization to cater to the approximately one million annual tourists, it has managed to preserve its unique character and seclusion, setting it apart from the rest of Florida.
Notable attractions for visitors to Key West include the former residence of renowned author Ernest Hemingway, the Southernmost Point, the lighthouse, and a variety of drinking establishments.
2. South Beach
Prior to Miami Vice, South Beach was a location where criminal activities confined residents indoors during the night, and hotels remained largely unoccupied. However, in the late 1980s, the popularity of the TV show sparked a revival in South Beach, attracting numerous professionals from the fashion industry to settle in the area.
Presently, South Beach has transformed into the most sought-after and affluent region of Miami Beach, ranking among the top tourist destinations in Florida. The area is renowned for its trendy clubs, vibrant nightlife, and iconic art deco architecture.
1. Overseas Highway
The Overseas Highway, also known as U.S. Highway 1, is a road that connects the mainland of Florida with the Florida Keys. It spans a distance of 127.5 miles (205.2 km) over the Gulf of Mexico, starting from Key Largo and passing through Islamorada, Marathon, the Lower Keys, and finally reaching Key West, the most remote and famous island in the chain.
Originally, this route was used by a railroad known as the Overseas Railroad, which was completed in 1912 but was severely damaged by a major hurricane in 1935.
In 1938, the current highway was opened, featuring a nearly seven-mile-long bridge called the Seven Mile Bridge. This iconic bridge has gained recognition through its appearances in movies like True Lies, 2 Fast 2 Furious, and Mission Impossible III.
