Fun Things to Do in Florida

30A

You've probably seen 30A bumper stickers or magnets on the road, as this popular stretch of beach welcomes visitors from across the country. Located in South Walton County in the Florida panhandle, between Destin and Panama City Beach, 30A is filled with live music, shopping, dining, fishing, state forests, and more.

Barton G - Miami Beach

Stimulate all your senses at this quirky, cool Miami restaurant. Kids will never get bored during this immersive dining experience! Hint: The Marie Antoinette dessert is a clever use of sugar.

Bonnet Springs Park - Lakeland

Dubbed "Central Florida's Central Park," this FREE outdoor attraction is a hidden gem that makes use of Florida's natural beauty. In addition to majestic climbing trees and picturesque trails, families can make their way indoors to the Florida Children's Museum (the museum does have an admission fee). 

Bok Tower Gardens - Lake Wales

Bok Tower Gardens offers beauty and lush views for visitors of all ages. Make sure to visit the Singing Tower and catch the carillon concerts at 1pm and 3pm daily. There's also awesome events happening throughout the year so check out the online calendar.

Get close to Mother Nature by bringing kids to the Brevard Zoo. Photo by Charlotte B

Brevard Zoo - Melbourne

Bring kids to the Brevard Zoo to meet over 800 animals from around the world, in addition to cool features like animal feedings, kayak tours, train rides, aerial adventures, and more cool things to do.

Butterfly World - Coconut Creek

Home to more than 20,000 live butterflies, Butterfly World is the world's largest butterfly park. Check out the aviary and bug museum during your visit as well.

Cafe Tu Tu Tango - Orlando

This must-visit restaurant is part of Orlando's International Drive and celebrates the fusion of art and food with beautifully prepared food served in a gallery-like setting.

Castillo de San Marcos - St. Augustine

This national monument was originally built by the Spanish to defend Florida and the Atlantic trade route. Take a tour of the oldest masonry fortification in the continental United States during a visit to St. Augustine.

Clearwater Beach

This family-friendly beach city is a must visit during a Florida vacation. Check out Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Pier 60, parasailing, pirate cruises, and other beach-related activities.

Cocoa Beach

Voted as one of the top surfing cities in the U.S., Cocoa Beach is the perfect beach town for outdoorsy kids. Walk the pier, go to space, make friends with dinosaurs, and do much more.

Cox Science Center and Aquarium - West Palm Beach

Kids love this science museum in West Palm Beach, with its awesome interactive exhibits -- Explorers Cove, Observatory, Aquariums of the Atlantic, Hidden World of Everglades, Engineers on a Roll, and more. Cox Science Center is part of the ASTC Passport program, which allows free general admission to other ASTC members who travel 90 miles outside their local area of residency.

Daytona Beach

Hit the beaches or avoid the sand completely at water park Daytona Lagoon, take a boat tour, feel the speed at Daytona International Speedway, walk the pier, and take in a concert at the famed Daytona bandshell.

Destin

Enjoy Florida's panhandle and make a trip to Destin, FL! Kids love the "Emerald Coast" because of the soft, sandy beaches and nonstop outdoor water activities. If you need to get out of the sand, enjoy lots of things to do at Baytowne Wharf, Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, Emerald Coast Zoo, and more. 

Everglades National Park - Homestead

A trip to Florida isn't complete without a visit to the Everglades, an important habitat for rare and endangered species. Take an airboat tour through the swampy mangroves of the Everglades -- just watch out for the gators!

Pensacola

My kids are obsessed with visiting this Gulf Coast city, especially when we get close to Alabama and can straddle the statelines. The beaches here offer sugar sand and gorgeous turquoise water, as well as fun festivals, wonderful nature preserves, and kid-friendly attractions.

Florida Keys

Travel to the southern tip of Florida to the Keys, a 125-mile stretch of 800+ island! There are so many things to do with kids, including feeding tarpon, swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, and much more! 

Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale has more than seven miles of blissful beach, so spend the day under the sun at great spots like Hollywood. Known as the "Venice of America," Fort Lauderdale's system of canals allow visitors to use narrated water taxis to sightsee. 

Gainesville

Get close to the butterflies at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, see the Florida Museum of Natural History, and more.

Gatorland - Orlando

You can't visit Florida without saying hi to its scaliest residents! Head to Orlando's Gatorland and get up close and personal to these toothy reptiles -- check out gator shows, the Gatorland Express Train, a petting zoo, and more.

Gideon's Bakehouse - Orlando

Enjoy the ultimate chocolate chip cookie at either of Gideon's two Orlando locations. The reason this one made the list is that Gideon's does NOT ship or deliver, so the only way to sink your teeth into these sweet treats on Florida turf. 

Homosassa Wildlife Park- Homosassa

Take a boat tour, meet Lu the hippo, check out the Fish Bowl Underwater Observatory, and perhaps catch a glimpse of visiting manatees.

ICON Park - Orlando

This entertainment destination is great for both parents and children! Besides attractions like the Orlando Eye Ferris wheel, carousel, Madame Tussauds, museums, and more, there's also tons of weekly events, shops, restaurants, and live shows.

Inflatable Water Parks - Multiple Locations

The only thing better than a refreshing Florida water park is an inflatable one! Sitting in various bodies of water throughout Florida, these bouncing attractions allow kids to unleash their wild side among slides, climbing structures, and swings.

Jacksonville

During a trip to Florida, make time to visit the state's biggest city: Jacksonville! Kids love this destination for the Jacksonville Zoo, Adventure Landing water park, Museum of Science and History, beautiful state parks, and more.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex - Merrit Island

Don't be imitated by the 144,000-acre complex -- the attractions are close together. Check out modern-day spacecraft, chat with astronauts, ride the bus tour, and so much more.

Key West

We already have the Florida Keys mentioned above, but it's impossible not to spotlight the famed Key West! Located closer to Cuba than to Miami, this subtropical paradise offers laid-back vibes with natural beauty, cultural diversity, and lots of fun.

Lion Country Safari - Loxahatchee

Located in Palm Beach County, this cool safari spans over 300 acres of natural area and homes hundreds of animals.

Miami

There's too much to do in Miami to squeeze into this article, so we will let you use our Miami itinerary to focus on your interests. Must-visit highlights for kids? Check out public, go shopping, get enjoy the colorful cultures in the area, and of course, spend time at the beach. 

Naples

Located on the Gulf Coast side of South Florida, Naples is a fun beach town with miles of pristine shores. Families will love visiting Naples Botanical Garden, Golisano Children's Museum, and more.

Natural Springs - Multiple Locations

There are more than 700 natural springs in Florida, including several freshwater springs perfect for swimming. These spring-fed swimming holes are crystal clear and remain 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, making them extremely popular for both residents and tourists alike. 

Panama City Beach

Dig your toes into the soft white sands of the beaches of Panama City! Kids will love these sun-kissed beaches, as well as a zoo, marine park, mini golf, bowling, Skywheel at Pier Park, and more.

Pirates Dinner Adventure - Orlando

Enjoy a swashbuckling meal at this interactive dinner show. The fun is set aboard an 18th-century ship with 40-foot masts, anchored in a 300,000-gallon indoor lagoon(!), complete with night sky lighting. You may even see a mermaid hidden in the depths below!

Sandbars - Various locations

Spend an afternoon on a sandbar, surrounding by shallow, safe waters. Families can explore, beachcomb, and enjoy this unique view of the ocean.

Scalloping - Various locations

Scalloping involves traveling by boat and snorkeling in shallow waters to collect bay scallops. Check out our scalloping guide to find out which Florida spots are great for finding these shellfish.

Silver Springs State Park - Silver Springs

Take a glass-bottom boat tour through the Silver Springs State Park (or get into the action on your own kayak) and explore the beauty of the surrounding nature.

St. Augustine

Located about an hour south of Jacksonville, St. Augustine is a charming, historical Florida city with great views and lots of things to do. Enjoy the great outdoors with beaching, swimming, biking, fishing, boating, and more.

See Manatees - Various locations

Catch a glimpse of these gentle "sea cows" as they pass through gorgeous Florida waterways. The best time to see manatees in Florida is in the winter, from November through March.

Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is bursting with fun things to do for kids, including Busch Gardens, ZooTampa, Adventure Island, Tampa Riverwalk, and a quick drive to nearby beaches.

T-Rex Cafe - Lake Buena Vista

Where else can you dine with dinos?! Take the kids to T-Rex Cafe at Disney Springs and enjoy a prehistoric meal with a massive T-Rex overlooking the whole meal.

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park - Spring Hill

This natural spring is part swimming hole, part aquatic theme park -- complete with mermaid shows, water slides, and underwater caves. The famouse Mermaids of Weeki Wachee perform live in a submerged theater, including their newest show, The Little Mermaid.

West Palm Beach

South Florida's famed West Palm Beach has tons of outdoor activities and attractions for kids, including animal sanctuaries, Shark Wake Park and Rapids Water Park, boating, as well as museums, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, and so much more.

Fun Things to Do in Florida: Theme Parks 

The stormtroopers at Rise of the Resistance in Hollywood Studios are terrifyingly awesome! Photo by the author

Walt Disney World - Orlando

Join Mickey, Minnie, and all their friends at the "Happiest Place on Earth!" In addition to the tried-and-true attractions, like It's a Small World and Haunted Mansion, Disney unleashed majorly new rides like TRON Lightcycle Run and Tiana's Bayou Adventure. Also, check out Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney Springs, 

Universal Orlando Resort - Orlando

Universal is the ultimate theme park for thrill seekers, movie fans, and older kids who may have outgrown the Disney magic. And Universal Volcano Bay welcomes water park enthusiasts. Get ready because Orlando will open its newest park, Epic Universe, in May 2025! 

Guests of all ages will enjoy attractions at SeaWorld Orlando. Photo courtesy of SeaWorld Orlando

SeaWorld Orlando - Orlando

Go under the seas...or next to them by visiting SeaWorld Orlando! Enjoy unique animal experiences, roller coasters, fun shows, and even a chance to feed dolphins!

LEGOLAND Florida Resort - Winter Haven

Build a vacation of fun with these building blocks of fun! Kids of all ages will love more than 50 rides, shows, and attractions, as well as water slides at the water park, and three themed hotels.

Peppa Pig Theme Park - Winter Haven

Younger visitors to Florida will love the new Peppa Pig Theme Park with age-appropriate rides, play areas, and shows.

Dezerland Park Orlando - Orlando

Take kids to this indoor amusement park, featuring the longest indoor karting track and the largest pinball arcade in Florida. That's just some of the 20+ attractions at Dezerland.

Fun Spot America - Orlando and Kissimmee

Enjoy the thrill of a theme park with lower entry price and shorter lines. Fun Spot America has two Florida locations with classic carnival and fair attractions and fun treats.

Busch Gardens - Tampa Bay

This Central Florida theme park is a cool combination of thrilling rides and roller coasters and animal encounters.

Aquatica Orlando - Orlando

Cool off during Florida's sweltering summer months by visiting SeaWorld's amazing water park, Aquatica Orlando.