10 Must See Places in Florida to Visit on Your Next Vacation

Must See Places in Florida: State Parks

Florida has one of the best, if not THE best, state park system in the United States. It has won the prestigious National Parks and Recreation Administration’s Gold Medal four times, more than any other state. Florida’s state parks preserve, protect, and showcase the best of Florida, from historic sites to unusual place or environmentally sensitive ones. The following state parks are some of our favorite. They represent some of the best must see places in Florida.

1. Florida Caverns State Park

This park in Marianna is one of the only air-filled caves in Florida which are accessible to visitors. Guided tours fill quickly, showing the popularity of the caverns. Little wonder, especially in the summer, because of the caverns’ cool air. Visitors to the park see stalagmites, stalactites, flowstone, and cave-drip formations in the caves. Outside of the caves, one can visit the lakes, springs, and bluffs which comprise the karst terrain of this part of Florida.

Florida Caverns State Park was acquired in 1935, and the Civilian Conservation Corps began widening the caves and building the visitor center shortly after. The park opened in 1942. It is home to many rare animals and plants which thrive in the unique ecosystems found in and around the caverns.

2. Falling Waters State Park

This park in north Florida is built around a 100-foot deep sink within which falls Florida’s tallest waterfall. At 73 feet, this waterfall starts as a stream that meanders to the edge of the sink then plummets to the bottom where it disappears into a cave. No one truly knows where the water goes from there.

Visitors to Falling Waters can explore the many fern-covered sinks found in the park along Sink Hole Trail, wander Wiregrass Trail through the park’s forest, or catch a ranger talk in the amphitheater.

3. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

This park in Florida’s Nature Coast has been one of Florida’s oldest roadside attractions since it opened in 1947. Weeki Wachee has always been best known for its mermaid shows. These shows take place in an underwater theater where guests can watch the mermaids swim, eat, and perform ballet acts in the freshwater spring.

There’s so much more to see at Weeki Wachee though. One of Florida’s first magnitude springs, the spring at Weeki Wachee is so deep the bottom has never been found. Buccaneer Bay is a waterpark within the state park with water slides, a dive platform, beach, and lazy river. Guests can also learn about the local wildlife, rent kayaks, or take a river boat cruise.

4. Silver Springs State Park

Florida’s first attraction, Silver Springs has attracted visitors since the 1870s. The world-famous glass-bottom boats have ferried passengers across the crystal clear waters to see wildlife above and below the river’s surface. Silver Springs is a group of artesian springs which feed the Silver River. Silver Springs is the largest artesian spring in the world.

Several movies and TV shows filmed at Silver Springs before it became a state park. Silver Springs State Park officially came into existence in 2013 when the formerly privately owned Silver Springs Nature Theme Park was taken over by the state of Florida and merged with adjacent Silver River State Park. Visitors today can take a glass-bottom boat tour, go kayaking, or hike part of the park’s 4,000 acres.

Unique Must See Towns in Florida

When you think of Florida towns, you probably think of places like Orlando or Miami. Maybe Tampa or Daytona Beach. Those are all beautiful, historic, fun-filled towns in Florida.

However, they are not representative of all Florida towns. Florida is filled with quaint, small towns boasting the quintessential downtown area. And some of Florida’s oldest towns are also the oldest in the country. Other towns are quirky and fun in their own unique ways.

5. Amelia Island

A barrier island off Jacksonville’s coast, Amelia Island offers up a cute, historic downtown area in Fernandina Beach, 13 miles of beach, historic Fort Clinch, and some of the freshest seafood in the entire country.

In fact, one of Amelia Island’s biggest festival is the Annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival. The history of Amelia Island can be found throughout Fernandina Beach, from the historic lighthouse to American Beach to Amelia Plantation.

6. St. Augustine

The history of St. Augustine as a European city dates back more than 450 years. It’s the oldest continuously-occupied European city in the US, and it has the landmarks to show for it. A visit to St. Augustine has to include the Castillo San Marcos, Fountain of Youth, Cathedral Basilica de St. Augustine, and St. George Street, all unique landmarks that make St. Augustine one of the best places to visit in Florida.

If history isn’t quite your thing, there is still a lot to do in this town. Though one of Florida’s oldest towns, the food scene packs quite a tasty punch, the beaches area wide, sandy, and perfect for a family day out, and the lighthouse offers 360-degree views of the entire area.

Must See Places in Florida: National Parks

Florida is home to 11 National Parks, 3 National Forests, 18 National Natural Landmarks, 46 National Historic Landmarks, 1 World Heritage Site, and 2 Wild and Scenic Rivers managed by the National Park Service.

The National Parks in Florida see nearly 9,000,000 visitors each year and are some of the most unique ecosystems and historical places in the United States. Like the state parks, we’d love to list them all and think they are all must see places to visit in Florida. However, these two are the most unique and popular.

9. Everglades National Park

The Everglades ecosystem exists in only one place – the Everglades. Nicknamed “the River of Grass”, the Everglades is more than a big swamp. It originally covered more than 3,000,000 acres made of up wetlands, rivers, creeks, and hardwood hammocks.

Rainwater flowed through the various waterways in the center of the state, making their way into the Everglades where all of that water slowly filtered through tens of feet of mud and hundreds of feet of limestone to fill Florida’s aquifers. The natural filtration system created a unique, diverse, and fragile ecosystem which can still be seen today.

Though the Everglades have been reduced to approximately 1/3 of what they once were, visitors enjoy seeing the various animals and plants that live there.

Visit the native Miccosukee tribe to learn about Native American customs in Florida. Take an airboat ride through the River of Grass. Paddle a kayak through the 10,000 islands. If you’re looking for a uniquely Floridian adventure, look no further than the Everglades.

10. Dry Tortugas National Park

Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this park sits in a remote location 70 miles west of Key West. It’s a popular day trip for those visiting Key West and seeking a different kind of tour. Camping, swimming, snorkeling, and birding are the most popular things to do once at the park.

Comprised of 7 islands across 100 square miles, Dry Tortugas National Park features a 19th century fort, Fort Jefferson, and brilliant aquamarine waters full of marine life. A ferry from Key West is available for day trippers and overnight campers.

This National Park is a stunning destination for photographers and wildlife lovers alike. A trip to Dry Tortugas is nothing short of amazing and promises many memories.

Final Thoughts on Florida Must See Places

Florida has more than 600 miles of beaches and is famous as the theme park capital of the world. And if the only you do in Florida is visit Orlando or one of the beaches, that’s great! Thanks for visiting!

However, if you want to see more of Florida, there many other great places to visit and activities to experience. Be sure to include one of these Florida must-see places, the very best places to visit in Florida.