Posted on Friday, 13 May 2022

Florida has so many fabulous visitor attractions and activities, and yet many families centre their trip here around a little mouse with big ears.

And while there's no doubting the thrill of Orlando's Walt Disney World Resort, focusing entirely on roller coasters and foot-long hot dogs means missing out on a whole lotta fun.

So what other Florida sights and attractions are there? Here are a few ideas...

Tampa Bay

When it comes to what to do in Florida, the Tampa Bay area is a great place to start.

Saunter down the revamped Tampa Riverwalk to Sail Pavilion - where you’ll see lots of cutting-edge architecture, gleaming yachts and clear waters.

Paddle boarding along Tampa's glamorous waterfront also comes highly recommended, and if you get tired you can simply sit on the board and admire the views.

Coast bike share

All you need to explore the Tampa Bay area on two wheels is a smartphone on which to download the HOPR app, and a credit card.

Simply choose a bike at a HOPR stand, scan the QR code, check the brakes are working - and off you go.

It costs $20 for a Day Pass, or $1 per ride and 25c per minute thereafter.

Electric bike hire in Florida

HOPR also offers electric bike hire at $35 for a Day Pass, or $1 per ride plus 35c per minute thereafter.

You can use both modes of transport on the Tampa Riverwalk, which runs 2.5 miles from Hillsborough River to Garrison Channel, which handily connects all of the key attractions in downtown Tampa.

Watch the Florida Panthers or Tampa Bay Lightning

Many Floridians love nothing more than to watch either Florida Panthers or Tampa Bay Lightning - the two Florida NHL teams - do their thing.

Watching either team is sure to be an intense and memorable experience. The atmosphere at top flight hockey games is invariably electric, and you can enjoy a hotdog and beer as you watch the action. And despite the passion supporters have for their respective teams, things never get out of hand.

You'll quickly discover that many supporters want to get on the 'Kiss Cam' - whether such a public display appeals to your British sensibilities (or is appropriate to your particular travel group), are questions only you can answer!

The Florida Panthers play at the FLA Live Arena, while Tampa Bay Lightning play at the Amalie Arena.

Even if you're not a hockey fan, there's a good chance you'll love the experience, and for Brits it’s one of the most unique things to do in Florida (since most of our compatriots stick to Walt Disney and Universal Studios!).

Busch Gardens

This verdant theme park comprises 10 Africa-themed gardens, each with its own atmosphere - and more importantly, roller coasters.

But it’s not just fun rides - you can also meet various exotic animals and enjoy a variety of live shows and performances on a visit to Busch Gardens.

While the park is entirely walkable, you'll need to do a little planning to get the most out of your visit - especially if you want to catch some of the bigger shows.

And if you particularly dislike queueing, aim to get your rollercoasting done in the morning, when queues (or 'lines') are shorter.

The Egypt-themed garden features a unique 'spin coaster' named Cobra's Curse - complete with a 70ft vertical lift and an 80ft snake.

Pantopia, meanwhile, boasts a 335ft-high drop tower that sees riders hurtle earth-wards at 60mph. There's also a huge array of shopping, entertainment - and animal-themed restaurants.

Indeed, one of the best aspects of Busch gardens is the food: grab an ice-cream from one of the many Dippin' Dots carts, or treat yourself to a bite at the Zambia Smokehouse or the Dragon Fire Grill.

The sheer range of scenery, activities and food place Busch Gardens near the top of Florida’s sights and attractions.

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Ybor City

Ybor takes its name from the 19th Century cigar magnate Vicente Martinez-Ybor and was once a centre of cigar-making (many thousands we once employed in the industry). You can still buy Ybor-made cigars, but restaurants and nightlife are more important to the local economy these days.

Eateries are filled with those on business luncheons during the day, while bars and clubs attract revellers at night.

Ybor is a pleasure to walk around, thanks to its original red brick buildings and wrought iron balconies. And running through the city’s centre is 7th Avenue, which comes alive in the evening.

For some Cuban-Spanish-inspired cuisine, head to the Columbia Restaurant, which since 1905 has expanded into a vast 1,700-seat sandwich restaurant. You can also enjoy large authentic paellas and plenty of top-notch sangria.

Just as elsewhere in the States, you'll find the service at Columbia is excellent, with tuxedo-wearing waiters eager to attend to your every need.

Anna Maria island

To guarantee some time away from the thronging crowds, you might head to the small island of Anna Maria - located seven miles off Florida's west coast.

With only 8,000 inhabitants Anna Maria island is very laid back with the friendliness of a country town. Fast food chains are banned and the streets are clean and graffiti-free.

While adrenaline thrills are hard-to-find on Anna Maria, one of the dead-certs is a horse ride through the sea. The horses can go in surprisingly deep, resulting in what some locals call 'horse-skiing'. While thrills are assured, it does cost $130 per person - which would be a very costly afternoon out for a family of four!

Boat trips are also popular - with the experience of spotting a dolphin almost assured.

But even if you watch the pennies, the fabulously un-busy, white-sand beaches will be rewarding enough, making Anna Maria Island one of the most relaxing things to do in Florida.

 

Wildlife spotting at Shingle Creek

The State of Florida has done an exceptional job of looking after its precious wildlife - as evidenced by the small inland river called Shingle Creek.

At Shingle Creek you can see creatures that have inhabited these parts for many hundreds of years - including eagles, herons and turtles.

Everglades

This vast 1.5 million-acre wilderness is one of greatest natural wonders in the world - let alone the States.

If time is tight, you'll need to decide whether you want to relax with a little alligator- or heron-watching; or get the blood pumping by kayaking mangrove canals, joining ranger-led adventures, camping in the backcountry or taking a bicycle tour.

The whole area feels truly wild - where else might you spy an alligator hunting for dinner in the moonlight? 

And don't worry - the likelihood of a Floridian becoming an alligator snack is roughly one in 3.1 million!

The Everglade admission fee for a pedestrian, cyclist or "human-powered paddle-craft" is a very reasonable $15 - for seven consecutive days.

Beach life: Florida Beaches

Florida is blessed with more than 1,300 miles of coast, much of which comprises long sandy beaches. Each coastal area has its own personality. The Keys is arguably the more relaxed of these, known as America's Caribbean thanks to the gas-blue waters that surround the famous archipelago.

The beaches of South Florida have a more Latin vibe, and then there's the Space Coast, so-named because it's the perfect spot to watch rocket launches from Cape Canaveral.

The finest sunset views are arguably found on the Gulf Coast beaches.

Devil's Den Cave

The Devil's Den was formed after the roof of an underground river collapsed, exposing the water through a 'karst window'. The temperature of this unique underground river is a constant 22 degree C, making it particularly pleasant to dive in. It is in fact operated as a SCUBA diving facility, but the general public can book visits too. It’s arguably one of the most unique things to do in Florida.

Human remains have also been found in the site - dated to about 7,500BC!

 

Bok Towers

For some peace and quiet surrounded by nature, head to Bok Towers on Lake Wales. The vast 250-acre 'contemplative garden' is bursting with colour, comprising all manner of flowers and trees - plus plenty of art!

It also features an iconic 205-foot Singing Tower with carillon bells. Built in the Gothic Revival style, the tower gives the surrounding gardens a distinctly European feel.

If you want a little activity after your garden stroll, there's the nearby Pine Ridge Trail and Pinewood Estate to hike in.

 

Credit: Alexander - stock.adobe.com

Universal Studios

OK - if you’re reading this article, you may not be in the market for a trip to Disney World, so visiting Universal Studios is unlikely to be on your bucket list either. However, even if you're a somewhat 'anti-theme park', this attraction may surprise - in a delightful sort of way.

You'll find Harry Potter and Marvel characters galore across Universal Studios' three parks: Universal, Islands of Adventure, and Volcano Bay.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter straddles two of the parks, and is connected by the unmissable Hogwarts Express (but you need to have the applicable pass to cross into the other park!). Whether you’re seven or seventy, Un9versla Studios is one of the best things to do in Florida.

Dome Houses

If you find yourself on or near either Cape Romano island or Marco island, set aside an afternoon to visit Florida's Dome Houses - six dome-shaped homes built on stilts and surrounded by water.

The beach on which the homes were originally built in the 1980s eventually washed away and the occupants left. Today, a variety of bird species have made the dome-homes their place of abode.

A truly mysterious place.

 

Kennedy Space Center

Whether you're a sci-fi superfan or have no interest in space, you're sure to be blown away by the Kennedy Space Center.

Covering 140,000 acres, this highly visited location includes the Early Space Exploration exhibit, alongside a 90-minute bus tour of the Apollo/Saturn V Center, and, last but not least, the awe-inspiring Atlantis exhibit, where you can gaze up at the scorched fuselage of a shuttle that has 126,000,000 miles under its belt.

 

Sunken Gardens, St Petersburg City

Located in the heart of bustling St Petersburg City, the Sunken Gardens are home to a diverse range of tropical plants from the region.

Explore meandering pathways and come across stunning flowers, waterfalls and flocks of flamingos.

Sunken gardens are created below sea level so they capture more moisture and help plant life flourish.

 

But, if you must...

Credit: JHVEPhoto - stock.adobe.com

Walt Disney World

Yes, we had to include it - after all, it's one of the greatest theme parks in the world. 

Walt Disney World Florida features four separate parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney's Animal Kingdom), two waterparks, several golf courses, and dozens of Disney-themed hotels.

Despite the park being more than 50 years old, it's always updating its rides. One of the finest is arguably Avatar Flight of Passage. Even queuing for this 3D simulator (with 4D effects) is a pleasure, since the line is set in stunningly detailed gardens and cave network. And just wait until you get on the ride!

While there are many, many other reasons to visit Florida, it seems a pity to come so far and not visit this legendary park.

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