When we mention Florida, the first things that spring to mind are probably its mind-blowing theme parks and 825 miles of sandy beaches. While these are definitely top reasons to visit Florida, the Sunshine State is bursting with more budget-friendly things to see, do and discover.
In partnership with VISIT FLORIDA
There’s plenty to keep every member of the family entertained: from snorkelling with manatees to watching rocket launches. Here are some of the best things to do in Florida – without breaking the bank.
Ride an airboat through the Everglades
Smack bang on the southern tip of Florida, Everglades National Park is a sprawling wetland that’s home to mangrove trees, subtropical marshland and lots of alligators. The best way to explore the park – and to meet its animal inhabitants – is to take an airboat tour.
These shallow boats are powered by aircraft engines so they look as if they have a huge fan on the back. Most of the Everglades boat tours often include access to wildlife shows as well.
Swim with manatees in Crystal River
Crystal River is home to one-sixth of Florida’s manatee population, and is the only place in the state where you can legally swim with them. If you’ve not heard of Florida’s official state sea mammal yet, you’re in for a treat. These slow-moving and gentle creatures, close relatives of elephants, are adorable.
Snorkelling with manatees is a wonderfully authentic experience, as you’re joining them in their natural habitat. If a manatee swims over and interacts with you, it’s because they’re genuinely curious and want to play with the fun humans – not because they’re being bribed with food. Swimming in the springs with these creatures is a relaxing way to spend a day, and you might be lucky enough to spot dolphins too.
Watch a rocket launch Cape Canaveral
The Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral has been the main lift-off point for human voyages into space since 1968. There are still regular rocket launches – you can check for them on the centre’s events calendar – and public viewing platforms where you can watch. It’s not too expensive, either: catching a live launch from the Apollo/Saturn V Center costs as little as $20.
If you’re not lucky enough to visit during a blast off, you can still learn all about outer space at the centre’s comprehensive museum. There are also regular Q&A sessions and talks with real live astronauts.
Take a family photo at the Southernmost Point buoy
Nothing beats a good photo opportunity during a family holiday, so take a trip to Florida’s Key West and snap a shot at the multicoloured buoy. It marks the southernmost tip of the continental USA and is just 90 miles from Cuba – something to brag about after the summer holidays.
This is one of the island’s most photographed spots, but there are plenty of other things to see and do in Key West – such as making friends with the six-toed cats at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum, mingling with butterflies at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory or simply strolling along Duval Street with its colorful wooden homes.
Meet mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
You can’t go to America without stopping in at a quirky roadside attraction, and one of the best is Weeki Wachee Springs State Park. It boasts America’s deepest underwater cave system, and is home to a 400-seat submerged amphitheatre – where guests can watch real live “mermaids” perform underwater.
The crystal-clear springs provide the perfect place to cool off from the Florida sun, and the park’s Buccaneer Bay makes it extra fun for children. This spring-fed waterpark has four slides that plunge into the natural, chlorine-free waters, with a sandy beach by the side where you can relax with your novel.
Admission to the park is just $13 for adults, $8 for children up to 12, and free for under 5’s, making it a wallet-friendly way to enjoy a theme park experience.
Step right up at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Florida’s official state art museum has its fair share of highbrow galleries with European, contemporary and modern art, but the most fun section is its Circus Museum. Here you can learn all about the history of the circus and what life was like for the performers, and take part in interactive exhibits. Walk the tightrope, pose with a roaring (fake) tiger and squeeze the whole family into a clown car.
Catch your own dinner in the fishing capital of the world
With 11,000 miles of rivers and streams, more than 1,800 miles of coast, and a whopping three million acres of lakes and ponds, Florida is a dream destination for fishermen (and women). Fishing with kids in Florida gets you and the family out into the great outdoors, giving you a peaceful space to spend quality time together.
Simply throw in your line, relax, and chat about the big questions in life. Big bonus if you manage to catch a fish – that’s dinner sorted.
Learn to Stand-Up Paddle Board
With its smooth waterways, Florida is the ideal destination to try stand-up paddle boarding – a water sport that’s been taking the world by storm. It’s not as adrenaline-packed as surfing, but it’s still a pretty good workout.
To do it, simply stand on your paddle board and gently move yourself along with an oar. As you gently swoosh through the water you’ll get a great view of Florida’s unique plants and wildlife – mangrove trees, bald eagles and even manatees. Because it’s so gentle, it’s a great introduction to water sports for kids.
Try it in St. Augustine – a historic city you can paddle-board through – or in the calm waters just off Naples Beach.
A holiday to Florida can be packed with adventure – and cheaper than you think. Check out the cheapest deals to Florida during the school holidays.
