Exploring Florida: Beyond Disney

The Sunshine State

Florida makes for an amazing family holiday destination. The beautiful weather, friendly locals and of course Disney all make it such a great area to visit. However, there’s so much more to the Sunshine State than just the Disney parks. And while Walt Disney World Resort is a favorite destination for my family, we still have a bucket list of other destinations to visit within The Sunshine State. If you’re planning a trip and want to do something different than the theme parks, or perhaps want to mix up your holiday a little, here are some ideas for other things you could do while you’re there. All of the following are perfect for families for exploring Florida Beyond Disney.

Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and shallow estuary in Florida, connected to the Gulf of Mexico. It’s known for being a great city for all ages and tastes, from families to outdoor adventure seekers, foodies, and wine connoisseurs. Downtown is packed with new fusion-cuisine dining options, craft cocktail and beer bars, and regular festivals, concerts, and events. You have all kinds of museums, parks, and shopping opportunities, so everything you’d possibly need making it the perfect place to spend a day of your vacation.

Add a visit to Busch Gardens to ride roller coasters, or go to Lowry Park Zoo, Florida Aquarium, and Big Cat Rescue to get up close and personal with all kinds of interesting animals. There is no shortage of things to do in Tampa Bay, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

Miami Beach

Miami Beach is more than just a beach. It’s an entire island city which is connected to the mainland of Miami by bridges. You can find stunning stretches of sand and enjoy beaches such as North Shore Open Space Park to Lummus Park and South Pointe Park. Look into pontoon boat rentals and spend time on the water, soak up the sunshine on the beach and bring a picnic with you. Take in the beautiful early-20th-century architecture along Ocean Drive, which was built in the Art Deco Historic District. With its pretty pastel-colored buildings it’s a beautiful place and well worth a visit. 

Key West

Another wonderful destination is Key West. This is a part of the Florida Keys at Florida’s southernmost point. It’s well known for it’s pastel-hued, conch-style houses and incredible coral reefs. Here you can see sharks, swim with wild dolphins, or visit the Florida Butterfly and Nature Conservatory if you want to get a close look at some of flora and fauna in the state. Key West is packed with things to do. Swing by Mallory Square for some retail therapy. This waterfront plaza is complete with shops and restaurants (and makes a great place to watch the sunset!). Check out the parks, beaches and perfect your tan in the tropical sunshine. 

East Coast

Since there are so many fantastic beaches along the east coast of Florida, we can’t forget to mention this part of the state. While my family has been to a few, there are many more to visit and explore. Vero Beach is secluded and relaxing (and there is a Disney resort there). St. Augustine is a history buffs dream. This town has a great beach, but the museums, fort, and shopping will make you want to run back to this destination over and over again. 

Additionally, Cape Canaveral is a must-visit location. While there, make sure to visit the Kennedy Space Center. If you can plan your trip around seeing a rocket launch, you will not be disappointed. Furthermore, relaxing on the natural beaches in the area will make this area a great vacation destination.

You can literally spend years in the State of Florida, and there will always be more to see. Have you been to the Sunshine State? Was it on a Disney holiday, or did you go somewhere else?