The grande dame of Florida’s attractions, Walt Disney World Resort is made up of four theme parks: Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The whimsical, 189-foot (58m) high Cinderella Castle is the Magic Kingdom’s best-loved spot, while Hollywood Studios has oodles of blockbuster-themed amusements (Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge is a highlight). Plenty of hotels, restaurants, golf courses and leisure areas stud the complex too.
This large centre is divided into a series of 'mission zones'. There’s the Heroes and Legends exhibition, a shrine to some of the world’s greatest astronauts, and an area dedicated to the famed Space Shuttle Atlantis, whose maiden voyage was in 1985. There are special events including rocket launches and fun space simulation experiences too.
A vast area of protected wetland in southern Florida, Everglades National Park is an oasis for hundreds of plant and animal species, including the endangered Florida panther and the American alligator. The park itself, laced with hiking, biking and kayaking trails, protects about 20% of the sprawling Everglades (which extend over millions of acres in their entirety). It's worth climbing up the Shark Valley Observation Tower for incredible views across the park.
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This bold amusement park has all manner of LEGO-themed rides, shows and amusements to keep both little and big kids entertained. Visitors can take a trip to Miniland USA, where some of America’s key cities are built in miniature form. The youngest members of the clan will love riding the dinosaur-themed 'Coastersaurus' and going on a safari trek in search of some elusive LEGO animals.
Three different theme parks sit side by side at this mammoth resort. The lauded Wizarding World of Harry Potter spans two of them (Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure) – it's a gargantuan site dedicated to the fantasy series, with spots such as Diagon Alley and Gringotts Wizarding Bank painstakingly recreated. Other crowd-pleasers include a host of attractions dedicated to Marvel superheroes and a water park named Volcano Bay, with giant slides and raft rides.
The celebrated collection here contains more than 2,000 works by Salvador Dalí. The museum opened in 1982 and was moved to its current, striking building in 2011. Items on display span much of Dalí’s career, from his bold bronze sculptures to his expressive oil paintings. There’s also a virtual reality experience that allows visitors to step into 'Archeological Reminiscence of Millet's Angelus', one of Dalí's famous surrealist paintings.
Dry Tortugas is at once a marine park and a site of deep historic significance. Its watery, 100-square-mile (259sq km) expanse is studded with seven little islands and is a fabulous spot for snorkelling: delicate coral, abundant marine life and crumbling shipwrecks are all hidden beneath the water’s surface. Fort Jefferson is within park borders too – situated on Garden Key, it’s a 19th-century fort that was built to protect a deep-water anchorage.
Those with a need for speed should make for the revered Daytona International Speedway. Daily tours explore the site and true thrill-seekers can book onto a NASCAR Racing Experience where they'll be taken for a few dizzying laps around the track by a professional racing instructor. Visitors can also learn about motor-racing greats at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
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The late American writer Ernest Hemingway lived here in the 1930s and the house remains a tribute to him and his work. It’s a graceful, Spanish Colonial building, with much of the novelist's 17th- and 18th-century furniture on display inside. The study where Hemingway worked is also beautifully preserved. Visitors can take a 30-minute tour of the house and grounds and learn about his life and legacy.
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This preserve has protected 729,000 acres of the Big Cypress Swamp since 1974. Visitor centres house detailed displays covering the swamp’s ecosystem and history, and trails wiggle through the wilderness. Once you've swotted up, head out for a hike, or follow paddling routes along mangrove-lined waterways. There are ranger-led activities too.
The Ringling complex in Sarasota comprises three institutions: the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum and Ca’ d’Zan. Beginning life as John Ringling’s private collection, the first is an Aladdin’s cave of paintings, including works by Rubens and Velázquez. Ringling was a circus owner himself, and the Circus Museum displays colourful parade wagons, costumes and posters. Last but not least is Ca’ d’Zan, the lavish house that Ringling lived in (the name means 'home of John' in Venetian dialect).
A visit to this Spanish fort, the oldest masonry fort on the US mainland, offers an insight into a tumultuous portion of history. Building began in 1672, and it was intended to protect the people of St Augustine from siege. The fort was attacked multiple times by the British, with the first invasion in 1702. Today visitors can wander the preserved fortress where modern exhibitions bring its past to life.
More than 150 restored military aircraft are on display here at the world's largest naval aviation museum. Visitors can spot Que Sera Sera, the aircraft that made the first landing in the South Pole back in 1956 – and they can get as close as possible to a ride themselves with one of the hi-tech flight simulators or in the Giant Screen Theater.
South Beach (affectionately nicknamed SoBo) is both a glamorous Miami neighbourhood and a gorgeous white-sand crescent. It's dotted with great surf spots, beach volleyball courts and sidewalks perfect for a lazy stroll. The district also has a huge store of Art Deco and Miami Modern architecture – take a walking tour with the Miami Design Preservation League to learn more.
This park is home to one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. There are plenty of hiking trails and safe swimming spots dotted throughout the park, and visitors can take a glass-bottomed boat tour, keeping their eye out for birds and the occasional alligator.
Located in the state capital of Tallahassee, this fascinating museum delivers a sweeping view of Florida's history. Permanent exhibits explore the state’s role in the Civil War and the Second World War, with military artefacts from the 1830s to the present, while the Risner Fine Art Collection holds works depicting Florida from more than 100 artists. It's temporarily closed for renovations.
Biscayne National Park in the Florida Keys holds many a natural and man-made treasure – and the island of Boca Chita, with its historic lighthouse and gentle hiking trail, remains one of the most popular spots. From the viewing deck of the 65-foot (20m) lighthouse, you can drink in vistas of the ocean, surrounding islands and downtown Miami. Other park highlights include the Maritime Heritage Trail, an underwater course of marine life, shipwrecks and precious coral reef.
One of the most varied art museums in the state, this Orlando institution dates back to 1924. The Art of the Ancient Americas exhibits are a must see – they showcase artwork and relics like pottery and ceremonial items from a time before European settlement. The huge store of African art, featuring intricate textiles, and the vast display of contemporary work, are also reasons to stay a while.
These St Petersburg gardens began as a passion project by green-fingered local plumber George Turner. In 1903, he bought this site and drained the vast lake that was once here. In the boggy area that remained, Turner planted his tropical 'sunken' garden and it has been preserved ever since. A flock of preening flamingos now also call the gardens home, as do a host of pretty birds and butterflies.
In waters just beyond the Florida Keys, this delicate reef seeps into Biscayne National Park, among others, and is made up of many different species of coral. A range of glass-bottomed boat and snorkelling tours explore its various parts, but be sure to do your research before you set out and choose a reputable company.
Lovers of the finer things in life should make for this opulent mansion in Miami, once the winter bolthole of millionaire James Deering. The villa was built between 1914 and 1922 and today it's a National Historic Landmark. Visitors can enjoy the graceful Italianate architecture, the manicured gardens and Deering’s enviable collection of world artworks.
Silver Springs State Park touts itself as Florida’s first tourist attraction, preserved as a natural landmark since the 1870s. A tour of the park on a historic glass-bottomed boat remains a well-loved activity, while popular concerts are typically held through the spring and summer.
After dizzying themselves in Orlando’s theme parks, visitors can exercise the grey matter at this interactive science centre. The four floors heave with displays, covering topics from dinosaurs to the solar system. Budding astronomers can get a glimpse of outer space at the observatory too.
This stylish museum in Miami Beach focuses on contemporary art. It was opened in 1964 and has been burgeoning ever since. The Bass houses permanent and temporary collections, with avant-garde installations by modern greats like Jim Drain and Sylvie Fleury. The Art Outside programme also sees colourful sculptures and public art dotted across The Bass’ Collins Park campus and beyond in Miami Beach.
Worlds away from the bright lights and theme parks of Orlando’s resorts, this is one of Disney’s lesser-known attractions. A natural preserve covering 11,500 acres, it serves as a habitat for over 1,000 species. It’s made up of lush grasses and wetlands, and a brilliant interpretive trail winds through its expanse.
This family-friendly museum is dedicated to telling the story of piracy through the ages. Visitors will come across a real antique treasure chest, see the world’s oldest wanted poster and hear swashbuckling tales of times gone by. It's possible to explore the museum independently or book onto a tour.
On the approach to this strand, an arched sign proudly introduces it as the “world’s most famous beach”. It stretches on for more than 20 miles (32km), with a retro boardwalk and a historic pier filled with kitsch attractions. In parts, it's possible to drive a car right out onto the sand.
This unique attraction is among the world’s largest man-made reefs, a little over three miles (5km) off the coast of Key Biscayne. The first completed instalment is a tribute to the legendary lost city of Atlantis and is intended as a unique habitat for marine life to flourish. Visitors can arrange to dive the reef through one of its partner organisations – the Tarpoon Lagoon Diving Center comes recommended.
The elegant Singing Tower is the star of this garden close to Lake Wales. It towers at more than 200 feet (61m) and protects an antique carillon made up of 60 bells, which ring out at 1pm and 3pm daily. Draping oaks and lush pines characterise the rest of the grounds, while the dinky visitor centre explores the life of author Edward W. Bok, the gardens’ founder.
The region’s maritime history is chronicled at this fascinating site. Beginning life as a Spanish watchtower, the landmark eventually became Florida's first lighthouse, characterised by its bold black and white stripes. Some 219 steps wind to its summit, from which you can take in panoramas of historic St Augustine and beyond. Exhibits here include award-winning Wrecked, which tells the story of a 1782 British shipwreck discovered in nearby waters.
It doesn’t quite reach the heady heights of Walt Disney World, but this family-owned theme park is worth a visit all the same. The rides are bold and brash, ranging from White Lightning, a soaring wooden roller coaster, to a twirling classic carousel. There are now two locations in Florida: the original park in Orlando, plus one in nearby Kissimmee.
This cultural centre in Tallahassee originally belonged to African-American John G Riley. He was born into an enslaved family in 1857 and later became a teacher and a civic leader. Today, his home is included on the Florida Black Heritage Trail. Exhibitions focus on African-American heritage and the Reconstruction era, a pivotal portion of history following the Civil War.
More than 180,000 items are held at this museum, which offers an insight into the traditions of the Seminole people, who are native to Florida. The museum opened in 1997 and is tucked deep into the Everglades. It's made up of five galleries, displaying clothing, tools and artwork from the Seminole people. Outside, a wooden boardwalk, studded with further information boards, weaves through the trees.
This public swimming pool has found its way onto the National Register of Historic Places. Dating right back to the 1920s, it’s as much a beauty spot as it is a leisure facility. A pair of waterfalls gush into the pool, which is dotted with secluded grottos and two ornate lookout towers that watch over the city of Coral Gables. The pool is open from March through to November, so get your bathing suits ready.
One of the Sunshine State’s wackiest attractions, this castle is the handiwork of local artist Howard Solomon, a self-professed sculptor, painter, author and 'builder of dreams'. The fortress itself is made from aluminium printing plates and there are plenty more works by the eccentric artist on display across the site – most are models and sculptures made from recycled materials.
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This pretty park sits in downtown Orlando, overlooked by the city’s skyscrapers. It's dominated by its namesake, Lake Eola, whose glassy expanse is dotted with both real and paddleboat swans. The path that loops around the lake is almost a mile long and walkers are just as likely to see locals on their lunch break as they are tourists drinking in the view.
Housed in the former customs office, this museum offers a fascinating insight into the rich history and culture of the Keys. A bold red-brick confection, the building itself draws the crowds (and their cameras). Inside, the exhibitions are spread across two floors, showcasing art and telling local tales.
Not far from downtown Orlando, these gardens are a tranquil refuge from the city’s raucous theme parks. They spread over 50 acres, with a fragrant rose garden, a steaming tropical zone and a vegetable patch. The little Leu House Museum is a preserved 19th-century home, protected by the National Register of Historic Places and open to the public.
This Orlando museum is a treasure trove of national art, including a range of rotating displays and a beautiful sculpture garden. The permanent collection is continually growing, boasting works from renowned realist artist Bo Bartlett and contemporary sculptor Barbara Sorensen. The museum’s pride and joy is a store of works by Earl Cunningham, a self-taught American folk artist from the 20th century who specialised in painting landscapes.
You’d need weeks to explore this expansive preserve, filled with wetlands, diverse wildlife and several historic sites. Those who only have a day should begin with the Kingsley Plantation: hundreds of enslaved people lived and worked on this estate, once owned by Zephaniah Kingsley, and visitors can hear their stories across the house and grounds. Fort Caroline is another popular spot.
Orlando’s topsy-turvy WonderWorks building is quite a sight, and the fun continues through the doors. The centre is divided into multiple wonder zones: there's a Space Discovery area, with simulators and an astronaut training challenge, plus a Natural Disaster zone, which looks at the world’s wildest weather. There’s also a WonderWorks in Florida's Panama City Beach (as well as in South Carolina and Tennessee).
This unique sculpture garden was carved by Latvian native Edward Leedskalnin. He worked on it from 1923 to 1951, sculpting more than 1,000 tonnes of coral rock into all manner of curious shapes – still very little is known about the techniques he used. Visitors can usually take an independent tour of the castle and admire Leedskalnin's handiwork for themselves.
This museum in Fort Lauderdale has many a feather in its cap, with its exhibits dipping into natural history, the sciences and meteorology. Top attractions include a simulated airboat ride through the swampy Everglades and a peek into Florida’s prehistoric past. The centre’s prize attraction is its IMAX theatre, which shows both Hollywood blockbusters and short documentary films.
A highlight of Miami's hip Wynwood district, this open-air gallery features giant murals painted by renowned international street artists, plus a medley of psychedelic sculptures. Paved paths lined with palm trees wiggle through the artworks, and there are a series of temporary contemporary gallery exhibits too.
Come winter, the turquoise waters of Three Sisters Springs are home to some of the Sunshine State's most beguiling residents. West Indian manatees, who spend much of the year in the Gulf of Mexico, migrate to these warmer waters when temperatures drop. It's one of the few places where it's possible to snorkel in the same waters as these gentle giants and you can also watch them from a viewpoint overhead.
This fascinating subterranean world was formed over 38 million years and today it's a riot of chambers, passages, stalactites and stalagmites. It's been open to the public since 1942 and you can take a guided tour with a park ranger. There's plenty to do above ground too: paddle on the Chipola River, take to a biking or hiking trail, or overnight at one of the 38 campsites.
This facility in the Florida Keys is a working hospital dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of hawksbill, green, Kemp's Ridley, loggerhead and leatherback sea turtles. A visit begins with a series of exhibits, which detail everything from the turtles' biology and nature to the challenges facing them today. You can then meet some of the current patients on a guided tour of the complex.
American industrialist and oil magnate Henry Flagler is best known as a pioneer of resorts and railroads, and you can learn more about the man at his former Palm Beach winter retreat, Whitehall. The sumptuous Gilded Age mansion was built by Carrère and Hastings, who were also the brains behind the New York Public Library. Now guided tours are on offer from Tuesday to Saturday, leading visitors through elaborate rooms with columns, intricate moulding, priceless artworks and antique furniture.
A relatively new addition to the city’s lengthy list of attractions, The Wheel at ICON Park (previously Orlando Eye) claims to be the biggest observation wheel on the east coast. It’s 400 feet (122m) tall at its highest point, so larger-than-life Orlando will look unusually small. The sunset views are truly awesome.
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