Florida is a sunny wonderland that makes is popular with RVers…especially during the winter months when much of the rest of the country is cold and snowy. But it’s a great destination year-round, with tons of options for a Florida bucket list.
The travel list below includes our favorite Florida bucket list ideas. Pick and choose from these options to build a Florida bucket list of your own.
Biscayne National Park
Biscayne is very near the big city of Miami, but it feels like a completely different world. Here you’ll find gorgeous blue-green waters, incredible fish, colorful coral reefs, and stories from 10,000 years of human history. You’ll also see evidence of pirates and shipwrecks, and local wildlife roams freely.
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
Castillo de San Marcos will take you back in time. This national monument is located in the country’s oldest city, St. Augustine, and is itself the oldest masonry fort in the continental U.S. It was built to defend trade routs between the Atlantic Ocean and Florida and holds more than 450 years of history. Make sure to see the canon firing while you’re visiting.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Dry Tortugas is almost entirely made up of open water. Seven small islands dot the water and are accessible only by boat or seaplane. Here you’ll find Fort Jefferson, bright blue waters, coral reefs, beautiful marine life, and a huge variety of birds.
Everglades National Park
Everglades National Park is home to a huge number of creatures, including lots of alligators that can be seen sunbathing out in the open. Other animals you might see here include manatees and Florida panthers. You can also explore the wetlands and various ecosystems via airboat, kayak, or on foot on the park’s hiking trails.
Swim with Dolphins at Discovery Cove
Dolphins are extremely smart creatures and are playful and fun to hang out with. Experience this for yourself at SeaWorld’s Discovery Cove in Orlando.
Enjoy Crab Legs at Bayou Bill’s Crab House
Bayou Bill’s Crab House in Panama City Beach is the perfect place to enjoy fresh Florida seafood. This restaurant is known for their crab legs, but they have a varied seafood menu of bayou-inspired dishes.
Check Out the Sunken Gardens
The Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg are a tropical paradise. Stroll the hidden paths of these gardens as you take in the exotic plants, sparkling waterfalls, and other natural beauty.
Take a Trip to Walt Disney World Resort
Walt Disney World Resort is one of the best theme park resorts in the world. Be sure to get a picture in front of the castle at Magic Kingdom, go on a safari in Animal Kingdom, see Anna and Elsa in Epcot, and escape into the world of Star Wars in Hollywood Studios.
Tour the Bonnet House
The Bonnet House Museum & Gardens was once the home of artist Frederic Clay Bartlett and is an impressive historic estate with a lovely garden. The museum is dedicated to historic and environmental preservation.
Learn Something New at the Clearwater Aquarium
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a favorite of many Florida residents and visitors. The dolphins who were featured in the movie Dolphin Tale live here, and guests are invited to get up close and personal with them. There are lots of other animals to learn about at the aquarium as well.
Blast Off to the Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center is home to exhibits on the history of space exploration, along with exhibits sharing what is going on currently and what to expect from future expeditions. If you’re lucky, you might even get to see a rocket launch during your visit.
Meet a Wolf at Seacrest Wolf Preserve
The Seacrest Wolf Preserve in Chipley is a hidden gem that works hard to protect these beautiful animals. A visit to the preserve allows you to meet some wolves and lets you contribute to the organization so they can continue their work.
Catch a Race at the Daytona International Speedway
Visiting the Daytona International Speedway for a race is definitely an adrenaline rush! But even if you’re at the speedway when there’s no racing on the calendar, there’s plenty to see. Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the speedway including access to Pit Road and the garages. You can also visit the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
Become a Detective on the Murder Mystery Dinner Train
The Murder Mystery Dinner Train of Fort Meyers lets amateur sleuths channel their inner Sherlock. Help solve a murder mystery as you enjoy a delicious five-course meal, all while on a 3.5-hour train ride. Sounds like a combination to die for.
See the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum
If you head to Key West, be sure to visit the Hemingway Home & Museum. Learn about the writer, and find out about the cats who live on the museum grounds.
Try Your Hand at Kiteboarding
Kiteboarding is a fun way to experience the warm water and warm climate of Florida. Miami Kiteboarding offers lessons for all levels and even has rental equipment available, making it easy to give this sport a try.
Wander through the Dali Museum
A tribute to one of the greatest surrealist artists in the world, the Dali Museum of Saint Petersburg is a fun and interesting art museum. The grounds and the interior feature a huge number of works inspired by Salvador Dali, as well as many made by Dali himself.
Spend Some Time at Universal Orlando Resort
Universal is another of the best theme park resorts out there. If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, The Simpsons, or Jurassic Park you’ll enjoy a day – or several – at the park. Make sure to give yourself time to see both the parks, and if it’s hot out, you might want a water park day as well.
Attend the Sarasota Chalk Festival
Sarasota is one of our favorite cities in Florida, and the Chalk Festival held here each year is just as charming as the city itself. Both amateur and professional artists come together at this event to create spectacular street art.
Take a Bioluminescent Kayak Tour
In the hottest months, the waters of Florida’s Space Coast come to life with incredible bioluminescent creatures that make the water glow. Take a guided tour or set out in a kayak of your own to witness this magical phenomenon.
Swim With Manatees in Crystal River
If you’ll be visiting Florida during the winter, head to Crystal River. Here you can kayak or even swim with the manatees who head to these waters of the river to get warm.
Chow Down at the Destin Seafood Festival
The Destin Seafood Festival is an annual event that features some of the best seafood in the state, as well as plenty of fun and entertainment.
Join a Drum Circle at Siesta Key Beach
Every Sunday at sundown, Siesta Key Beach is filled with the sound of drums. People of all ages and backgrounds gather together to drum, sing, dance, and have a good time as they celebrate life and enjoy the ocean sunset together.
Go Tubing at Blue Spring State Park
Florida has some of the best springs in the country, and tubing is a popular way to enjoy the water. Blue Spring State Park is a great place to enjoy tubing, and it’s fun for the whole family. Because this spring is so popular, it does get crowded and can reach capacity, so plan to arrive early.
Pay a Visit to The Ringling
The Ringling is a Sarasota attraction that includes estate of John Ringling, his wife Mabel’s amazing art collection, the estate gardens, and a fun playground set under a banyan tree.
There is also a circus museum with an incredibly detailed miniature circus display. There is an onsite coffee shop, a cafe, and an adorable gift shop.
Watch the Weeki Wachee Mermaids
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park has a wide variety of things to see and do. However, the main attraction is the mermaid show, which features live performers who put on a performance for visitors young and old.
Florida really is a beautiful and magical state to visit, traveling by RV is a wonderful way to see the state. Check out our Florida rental RVs and book the perfect rig for your family getaway.
