Indoor/Outdoor Adventures
Whether you want to explore museums or natural landscapes, Florida has exciting excursions to satisfy scores of interests.
While its theme parks often attract all the attention, Orlando has oodles of things to do beyond rides and shows. Check the schedule at the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts, which hosts more than 300 performances every year, including Broadway productions, comedy shows and concerts. Or go to the Orlando Museum of Art, whose galleries house art from the ancient Americas, mesmerizing modern graphics and works by iconic American creatives such as Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams. And learn about Orlando’s African American community at the Wells’Built Hotel, a historic venue in downtown’s Parramore district that houses African art and artifacts and exhibits about the civil rights movement.
Calling all watersports enthusiasts: Jacksonville is a hot spot for kayaking, surfing and paddleboarding. Connect with one of the city’s many seasoned outfitters, who will hook you up with rentals and lessons. Or set out on your own from Jacksonville’s 1,100 miles of shoreline (more than any other city in America) or on one of its many creeks, lakes and rivers. Or if you’re a diver, there are more than 30 reefs off the area’s Atlantic Coast to explore.
Embark on a day trip to St. Augustine on Florida’s historic northeastern coast, about 40 miles south of Jacksonville. Founded in 1565, the city is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in the United States. Uncover the past on an Old Town Trolley Tour, which stops at sights such as Mission Nombre de Dios Museum, one of the oldest missions in the U.S.; St. George Street, located in the city’s heart; and the Potter’s Wax Museum, a quirky institution with more than 160 wax figurines of real and fictitious personalities. The trolly company also hosts ghost and jail tours for those seeking spine-tingling experiences.
For a taste of island living, plan an escape to the Florida Keys, a string of isles situated off the southern tip of the Sunshine State. Stay in Key West, whose palm tree–studded streets and clear waters have charmed the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and Robert Frost. There, travelers can choose from loads of splash-worthy excursions, from dolphin- and sunset-viewing expeditions to diving and snorkeling trips, or pop into the many intimate art galleries around town. Since the Keys are located within close proximity, it’s easy to expand your getaway to include multiple islands. Venture east of Key West to the Lower Keys, where tranquil white sand beaches and two wildlife sanctuaries await, or to Islamorada, dubbed “the sport fishing capital of the world.”
Multi-Day Itinerary Inspiration:
The Everglades National Park
A 130-mile road trip across south Florida from Naples to Miami is a great way to experience one of America’s greatest natural wonders: Everglade National Park. Stops along the way include Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park, where a boardwalk enables visitors to cross one of the largest royal palm and bald cypress swamps in the world; Big Cypress National Preserve, one of the best stargazing sites in the eastern U.S.; and portions of the Florida Birding and Wildife Trail.
