From shopping to museum-hopping, tropical rambles to sunbathing on sugar-sand beaches, there’s nothing quite like a holiday to the Sunshine State.
Whether you’re visiting for its natural wonders or family-friendly fantasy at Florida’s theme parks and attractions, make sure to add these exciting activities to your itinerary.
Theme parks
Whether you want to experience the magic at Walt Disney World, release your inner film buff at Universal Studios Florida, or walk through lands of actual LEGO creations at Legoland, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Orlando, the theme park capital of the world.
You could easily spend your entire holiday exploring all things movie magic at the six-park Walt Disney World Resort, where 40 square miles of rides, shows and attractions keep the young and the young-at-heart happy.
In 2025, the park is celebrating its 70th birthday, and you can expect special entertainment, new merch and an extra dose of that Disney magic to take over from 16 May.
More film fun awaits at Universal Orlando Resort, which is also seeing big things in 2025. On 22 May, Epic Universe opens its doors to reveal five enchanting new worlds, including the highly anticipated Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic, and How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk.
It joins the beloved Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay and the Universal CityWalk entertainment complex to offer five out-of-this-galaxy holidays in one.
More film fun awaits at Universal Orlando Resort. Get four out-of-this-galaxy vacations in one at Universal Studios Florida, Islands of Adventure, Volcano Bay, and the Universal CityWalk entertainment complex.
Been to the big hitters? Try Busch Gardens in Tampa, a fabulous theme park that offers thrilling rides as well green outdoor spaces far and wide. This park is also home to animals from all over the world, making it a fantastic family day out for thrill-seekers and animal lovers.
Zoos and aquariums
Zoos in Florida are truly interactive experiences, filled with fun encounters with native species, such as manatees and alligators, as well as not-native animals such as giraffes, elephants, penguins and zebras. At the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society, for example, you can get close to the animals along lush, shaded paths, while at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, dark, cave-like tunnels act as the viewing area to watch manatees floating through their habitat and eating lettuce.
To discover more underwater worlds, head to one of Florida’s many aquariums – no matter where you stay in the Sunshine State, you’re sure to be close to one! If you’re in Central Florida, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is anything but typical; it’s a working hospital focused on rescue, rehabilitation and release, and activities include boat tours as well as animal care experiences.
In the south, the historic Key West Aquarium’s touch tank introduces little ones to conchs, sea stars, giant hermit crabs and more, and even allows you to gently pick them up. In the quiet town of Panacea in the north, you’ll find Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratories, a nonprofit that studies endangered species and provides marine life to schools and research laboratories.
Entertainment
From shopping and sports to theatre and fabulous dinner shows, Florida has it all.
Whether you’re looking for entertainment, a delicious meal or both, Orlando has amazing family-friendly dinner shows that will keep everyone smiling throughout the night. The Sleuths Mystery Dinner Show puts your family’s detective skills to the ultimate test with a “whodunit” plot twist with every meal, while the Outta Control Magic Comedy Dinner Show serves all-you-can-eat pizza and popcorn alongside all-you-can-laugh moments.
If you’re a sports enthusiast, you’ll never be bored in Florida. Try a new watersport or work your way around a pristine golf course, and don’t miss the chance to see world-class sport played out at a hockey, baseball or football game.
Want to shop ‘til you drop? The Sunshine State does that too, jam-packed with quirky boutiques and indie shops, as well as prestigious luxury shopping centres and colossal discount outlets.
Museums
Culture buff? You’ll be spoiled for choice in Florida.
Art enthusiasts will love the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. It’s the official state art museum for Florida, containing 21 galleries filled with work from European masters, incredible contemporary art and hundreds of antiquities from across the globe.
The Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West is another fascinating pick. A US National Historic Landmark, this museum dedicated to the revered author is fascinating and flamboyant, surrounded by lush gardens and filled with 18th-century Spanish furniture.
If you’re holidaying with the kids, visit the Glazer Children’s Museum or the Miami Children’s Museum. All installations are designed with little imaginations in mind, such as the mini interactive bank at the Glazer Museum and the Castle of Dreams at the Miami Children’s Museum. The Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa and SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology in Orlando are also hits with kids.
The Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral appeals to all ages. The hub of the nation’s human space program, here American astronauts confronted and overcame the challenges of space flight, conquered the moon, and set out aboard scores of shuttle flights to launch – and repair – satellites and build the International Space Station. If you’re lucky, you may even be in town to see a live rocket launch!
Day trips
There’s nothing more iconic than an American road trip, so why not hire a car and enjoy the freedom of the open road on your Florida holiday?
Just like a good brunch, the Sunshine State has a bottomless list of things to try, from thrilling theme parks to majestic wildlife and natural wonders, and you can see a bit of it all with a car at your disposal.
Cruise down Ocean Drive, with its swaying palm trees, flashy cars and attractive art deco buildings, to feel like you’re in a movie and be sure to hit up one of its almost 200 state parks – a great spot for nature lovers is Biscayne National Park, where there are vibrant coral reefs to explore, as well as an abundance of wildlife, including dolphins and sea turtles. Dry Tortugas National Park in the Gulf of Mexico also makes for an excellent day out. Here, you will find more coral reefs, as well as sandy beaches and the 19th-century Fort Jefferson.
If you’re hoping for a holiday filled with peace and serenity, try heading out on a boat trip to the idyllic Grand Bahama, which is just a two-hour ferry ride from Port Everglades.
