What to do in Florida
Whether it’s relaxing beaches, nightlife, family fun, or outdoor adventures, Florida has it all. Known for its abundant sunshine and world-famous attractions, the state is also appealing for its array of delicious dining options. In this article about what to do in Florida, find a road trip that will take you from Orlando flavors for the whole family to Miami Cuban cuisine.
Orlando: theme parks & casual snacks
Disembark at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and book a car service. Orlando is best known for its variety of theme parks that some people dream of visiting their entire lives: Walt Disney World Resort, SeaWorld Orlando, Legoland Florida and Universal Orlando Resort.
Let our chauffeur drive you to your theme park adventures at Universal CityWalk’s Hot Dog Hall of Fame, which serves hot dog variations including New York-style sauerkraut, poppy-seed bread in style of Chicago, and bratwurst in Midwestern style. A little off the beaten path, R&D Soul Food Kitchen serves homemade food, including roast chicken, fried pork ribs and southern side dishes (mac and cheese, kale). Don’t forget to order a slice of homemade cake for dessert. Grilled cheese sandwiches and hamburgers are reinvented at Toasted, near Winter Park. The menu features unexpected versions like grilled cheese stuffed with shredded pork and turkey burgers in Vietnamese carrot pickles.
Take a quick trip to Gatorland to spot hundreds of American alligators, including rare albino alligators, or get to Blue Springs State Park to watch manatees swimming in the fountains. Ready to continue and find more tips on what to do in Florida? The space coast comes next.
Space Coast: Where Space Exploration Started
After the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, you’ll be surprised to find that the beach is just 45 minutes east of Orlando. Florida’s space coast is where Apollo 11 launched Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong to the Moon from Kennedy Space Center. In this visitor complex, you can see the original Saturn V rocket, the Atlantis space shuttle and the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Nearby, discover nice beaches such as Canaveral National Seashore, where you can take a guided canoe tour around Mosquito Lagoon, watch sea turtles nesting in the sand and even watch the sea. a rocket launch (check launch schedule). The area’s must-see restaurant is Dixie Crossroads in Titusville, a local favorite famous for its shrimp and crawfish, which look like a small lobster. To the south, Cocoa Beach is the perfect spot to splurge on a coastal hotel before continuing south towards Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale and its waterfront restaurants
The Intracoastal Waterway, which runs along the entire East Coast, will accompany you on your journey to Fort Lauderdale. Get your swimsuit ready, the beaches here are absolutely beautiful, starting with the iconic white “wall of waves” where Las Olas Boulevard meets the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the beach, then walk the 17 blocks of Las Olas towards the city center and pass several shops, bars, restaurants and nightclubs. From Las Olas, you can take a water taxi to explore the city’s extensive network of channels. The highlight is watching the gigantic mansions and yachts along Millionaires’ Row. The water taxi makes several stops around town for shopping, dining and entertainment. This should definitely be on your list of what to do in Florida.
From elegant beachfront restaurants to hidden gems in marinas, be sure to dine by the water. If you’re a seafood lover, the Rustic Inn Crabhouse will satisfy your cravings for oysters, clams, lobster, fish and of course crabs. Spend the night in Fort Lauderdale, then finish your road trip in Miami.
Miami: the flavors of Cuban culture
You can almost smell the aroma of café con leche and pastelitos (Cuban coffee and sweets) when you arrive in Miami, 45 minutes south. Miami is one of those destinations you need to visit at least once in your life. With nightclubs in South Beach, trendy shopping in the Design District and colorful graffiti art in Wynwood, there’s no place like it. When we think about what to do in Florida, Miami is one of the first places in mind.
What will be most obvious, especially to first-time visitors, will be Cuban culture diluted in language, music, art, and cuisine. Visit Little Havana for Cuban coffee, then see locals playing dominoes at Maximo Gomez Park. At El Palacio de Los Jugos, complement a pressed sandwich with refreshing fruit juice.
Across Biscayne Bay is South Beach. Main Street offers ocean views and is filled with historic art deco buildings, sidewalk cafes and bars. Sample authentic Caribbean dishes such as akra (mango dumplings) and griyo (fried pork chunks) at Tap Tap Haitian Restaurant, or have a homemade Cuban meal at Puerto Sagua Restaurant. There is also breakfast and strong Cuban coffee, in case you want to refresh yourself a little after a night out.
Miami International Airport (MIA) and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) are both prime locations for your flight home.
If you still need more tips about what to do in Florida check our articles about Boca Raton, Palm Beach, Key West and much more in our blog!