Florida Travel Guide: Top Places to Visit & Hidden Gems

You type "place to go in Florida" into Google and get a million listicles. Theme parks, beaches, repeat. After a decade of exploring the Sunshine State—from getting lost in the Everglades to finding the perfect, crowd-free Gulf Coast spot—I've learned that most guides miss the point. They tell you what is there, not how to experience it or, more importantly, how to avoid the classic tourist traps that drain your wallet and energy. Florida isn't just one destination; it's a collection of wildly different worlds. Your perfect trip depends entirely on what you want to feel: theme park magic, untamed nature, cosmopolitan energy, or small-town charm on a sugar-sand beach.

This guide cuts through the noise. We'll cover the icons you can't miss, the natural wonders that define the state, and a few spots where you might actually mingle with locals instead of other tourists. I'll include the practical stuff—addresses, ticket hacks, driving times—so you can stop researching and start planning.

How to Plan Your Florida Trip Based on Your Interests

First, be honest with yourself. Are you here for thrills, relaxation, or exploration? Picking the right region saves hours of driving. Florida is big; Miami to Pensacola is a 12-hour haul.

The Must-Visit Icons of Florida

These are the heavy hitters, the places that define Florida for most visitors. They're popular for a reason, but you need a strategy.

Walt Disney World Resort, Orlando

Let's get real. A day at Disney is a masterclass in logistics, not just magic. The biggest mistake? Trying to do all four parks in two days. You'll spend more time in lines and on buses than enjoying anything.

Address: Bay Lake, FL 32830. It's a massive complex.
Ticket Strategy: Single-day tickets start around $109-$159 depending on the date. Multi-day tickets drop the per-day cost significantly. Buy your tickets online in advance. The line to buy tickets at the gate is soul-crushing. Consider Genie+ if you hate waiting, but study how it works before you go—it's a paid FastPass system that confuses everyone on day one.
Pro Tip: The best time to ride popular attractions is during the first two hours after opening or the last two hours before closing. Most families with young kids bail after the afternoon parade, leaving lighter crowds in the evening.

Miami Beach & South Beach

It's iconic, it's glamorous, and the sand is genuinely beautiful. It's also packed, expensive, and the traffic on Ocean Drive is insane. For the classic art deco photo, it's a must. For a relaxing beach day, look elsewhere.

Getting There: Fly into Miami International (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood (FLL), which is sometimes cheaper and only a 30-45 minute drive to South Beach.
Parking: A nightmare and expensive. Use a parking app like ParkMobile or, better yet, use the Miami Beach trolley (it's free) or ride-share.
What to Do: Walk the Art Deco Historic District (centered around Ocean Drive and Collins Ave), people-watch at Lummus Park, and explore the Española Way pedestrian mall for cafes.

Key West

The end of the road. The 4-hour drive from Miami down the Overseas Highway (US-1) is an attraction in itself. Key West is quirky, historic, and has a fantastic sunset celebration tradition at Mallory Square.

Address: You drive to the end of US-1. Literally.
Don't Miss: The Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square (get there early), the Hemingway Home (look for the six-toed cats), and a slice of Key Lime pie on a stick dipped in chocolate. I prefer the one from Kermit's.
Real Talk: It's a party town, especially on Duval Street at night. If you want a quiet, romantic Keys experience, consider staying in one of the Middle Keys like Marathon or Islamorada instead.

Beyond the Theme Parks: Florida's Natural Wonders

This is the Florida that often surprises visitors. The state has more than 1,300 miles of coastline, the largest subtropical wilderness in the US, and springs that pump out crystal-clear 72-degree water year-round.

Everglades National Park

It's not just a swamp. It's a slow-moving "river of grass" teeming with life. The mistake most make is just driving the main road (Tamiami Trail) and stopping at a commercial airboat tour outside the park. To really see it, you need to get on the water inside the national park.

Main Entrance (Shark Valley): 36000 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33194. This is the most accessible from Miami.
What to Do: Take the tram tour at Shark Valley for an overview, or rent a bike. For a more immersive experience, drive to the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center (40001 State Hwy 9336, Homestead, FL 33034) and take the boat tour from the Flamingo area or kayak the Nine Mile Pond trail.
See Wildlife: Alligators, birds, turtles. You are guaranteed to see gators at Shark Valley, especially in the dry season (December-April).

The Springs of North Florida

This is my top recommendation for a unique, non-beach Florida experience. Places like Ichetucknee Springs or Rainbow Springs are where locals go to beat the heat. The water is a constant, refreshing 72°F (22°C) and unbelievably clear.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park: 12087 SW US Hwy 27, Fort White, FL 32038.
The Experience: Rent a tube and float down the Ichetucknee River. It's a peaceful, 2-3 hour float through a pristine forest. No motors, no development—just you and nature.
Heads Up: They limit the number of tubers per day. Get there early, especially on summer weekends. The tubing season typically runs from late May to early September.

Dry Tortugas National Park

This is the ultimate hidden gem, though it's logistically challenging. It's a remote island national park 70 miles west of Key West, accessible only by ferry (2.5 hours) or seaplane. It features the massive, unfinished Fort Jefferson and some of the best snorkeling in the country.

How to Get There: The Yankee Freedom III ferry departs from Key West. The trip is expensive (around $200 per person) and books up months in advance.
Is It Worth It? If you love history, isolation, and incredible blue water, absolutely. If you get seasick easily or are on a tight budget, it's a big commitment.

Florida's Hidden Gems: Where the Locals Go

Want to escape the international crowds? These spots offer authentic Florida charm without the overwhelming commercial feel.

St. Augustine

It gets mentioned sometimes, but rarely as a primary destination. That's a mistake. As the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental US (founded in 1565), it oozes history. Walk the cobblestone streets, tour the Castillo de San Marcos (a 17th-century Spanish stone fort), and get ice cream at a shop that's been there for a century.

Address: The historic district is compact and walkable. Park at the Historic Downtown Parking Facility at 1 Cordova St.
Local Favorite: The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is kitschy but fun. The Alligator Farm is a surprisingly excellent zoological park.

Anna Maria Island (Gulf Coast)

For that postcard-perfect, quiet Gulf Coast beach town vibe, skip the crowded Clearwater and head to Anna Maria Island, just south of Tampa Bay. No high-rises are allowed, the pace is slow, and the sunsets over the Gulf are breathtaking. Rent a golf cart to get around.

Getting There: Fly into Tampa (TPA) or Sarasota (SRQ). It's about an hour's drive from Tampa.
Beach Access: Bean Point at the north tip is stunning and less crowded. Coquina Beach on the southern end has great facilities.
Eat: The Sandbar Restaurant for dinner right on the beach. Get a table on the sand.

Mount Dora (Central Florida)

In the middle of theme park chaos, this quaint lakeside town near Orlando feels like a different universe. It's known for its antique shops, charming inns, and a beautiful, walkable downtown. Perfect for a half-day escape if you need a break from the sensory overload of the parks.

Address: About 40 minutes northwest of downtown Orlando.
Do: Browse the shops on Donnelly Street, take a scenic boat tour on Lake Dora with Premier Boat Tours, and visit during one of its famous festivals (like the Arts Festival in February) if you can.