Renowned for its sunny beaches, glitzy coastal cities, and tropical atmosphere, South Florida offers fantastic getaway options. With world-class art and culture, exciting water sports, and protected wildlife areas, the region entices travelers seeking both relaxation and adventure. This guide covers the very best attractions and activities for an unforgettable South Florida vacation.
Key West – Florida’s Island Paradise
Beautiful Florida Keys along the shoreline with lounge chairs and gulf view.
Key West anchors the southern end of the Florida Keys island chain, located 140 miles from Miami. With its laid-back vibe, beautiful beaches, fascinating heritage, and underwater treasures, Key West tops the list of must-visit Florida destinations.
Take in the Views from Mallory Square
This lively waterfront plaza hosts nightly sunset celebrations with street performers, food carts, and crowds cheering on the sinking sun. Grab a front-row harbor viewpoint and watch the changing colors over Sunset Key.
Tour the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum
The famous writer’s Key West residence is filled with Hemingway artifacts and six-toed cats descended from his own feline companions. Stroll the lush tropical grounds and visit his writing studio where he penned classics.
Soak Up History at the Key West Cemetery
Wander this sprawling 19-acre cemetery to find unusual above-ground crypts influenced by past epidemics. Read the humorous and sometimes quirky gravestone epitaphs honoring the diverse residents. Listen for the nightly “laughing” tree.
Rent a Bike and Cruise Around the Island
Bike rentals make it easy to explore attractions and beaches around the 4-mile-by-1-mile island. Pedal past pastel-hued cottages, catch glimpses of Key West’s famed free-roaming chickens, and feel the warm island breeze.
Snorkel or Dive the Florida Reefs
The only living coral barrier reef in the continental US encircles shallow waters off Key West, granting access to colorful fish and marine life. Snorkel right off the beaches or join boat charters that reach deeper reef sections.
Miami – Cosmopolitan Hub of South Florida
Beautiful Miami Beach fish eye cityscape with palm trees and art deco architecture.
Greater Miami sprawls across a glittering coastline encompassing famous South Beach, downtown, Little Havana, arts districts, and major entertainment venues. The fusion of Latin American and Caribbean cultures creates a rhythmic tropical energy unique to Miami.
Ocean Drive & Art Deco Historic District
This vibrant stretch of South Beach pulses to the beat of lively hotels, bars, and nonstop action. Take in the iconic pastel-hued architecture that makes the area famous.
Pérez Art Museum Miami
Miami’s modern art museum overlooks Biscayne Bay with an expansive sculpture garden, tropical plantings, and dynamic multi-cultural exhibits. Don’t miss special light installations under the overhanging canopy.
Little Havana
Image Little Havana Visitors Center Miami Calle Ocho 8th street
Calle Ocho serves as the vibrant heart of Miami’s Cuban community. Live music spills from cigar shops, Domino games spread across tables in Maximo Gomez Park, and Latin flavors season the air.
Everglades National Park – Wetlands Wilderness
Spanning 1.5 million acres just west of the Miami metro, the vast Everglades consist of sawgrass marshes, cypress swamps, pinelands, and estuaries. Abundant wildlife inhabits the diverse wetland ecosystems. Visitors can experience both untamed wilderness and Old Florida history.
Airboat Rides
Skim across the “river of grass” on an exciting airboat ride to spot alligators, turtles, wading birds, and other wildlife that call this watery wilderness home.
Shark Valley Bike Trail
Pedal or tram this 15-mile loop road through sawgrass prairie to potentially see alligators, herons, ibis, turtles and other species along the way. Observation towers offer panoramic views.
Big Cypress National Preserve
Adjacent to the Everglades, Big Cypress protects a mosaic of habitats including towering bald cypress trees draped in Spanish moss. Hike through wet prairies, forests and springs.
Biscayne National Park
Just off the Miami coast, this oceanic national park encompasses living coral reefs, island forests, mangrove shorelines, and marine life like sea turtles, manatees, and over 500 fish species.
Fort Lauderdale – Yachting Capital of South Florida
Fort Lauderdale shines with over 300 miles of inland waterways, lined by extravagant homes, lush tropical foliage, and Europe’s largest marina system. Often called the “Venice of America”, the city celebrates boating life along with arts and culture.
Walk Las Olas Boulevard
Stroll this lively thoroughfare of boutiques, sidewalk cafes, galleries, and historic architecture dissected by graceful Royal Palm trees. Watch for yachts and boats cruising the Intracoastal.
Bonnet House Museum & Gardens
Wander through this 1920s plantation-style estate to admire art collections and orchids alongside native wildlife like tortoises, herons and egrets on the estate grounds.
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park
Escape into this tranquil preserve encompassing tropical hammock, freshwater lagoon, and over a mile of beachfront flanking the Atlantic. Hike, canoe, or simply sunbathe.
Butterfly World
Step into a rainforest dome filled with thousands of butterflies flitting amidst tropical blooms at Coconut Creek’s Butterfly World – North America’s largest butterfly aviary featuring native and exotic species.
South Beach – Glamorous Oceanfront District of Miami
Miami Beach, Florida Moving traffic hotels and restaurants at sunset on Ocean Drive, world famous destination for it’s nightlife, beautiful summer weather and pristine beaches
The vibrant oceanfront neighborhood of South Beach serves as Miami’s cultural hotspot, renowned for its Art Deco architecture, chic hotels, designer boutiques, buzzing nightlife, and bustling boardwalk facing powdery white sands.
Ocean Drive
Take a stroll or cycle down the main tourist strip to admire pastel-hued Art Deco beauties like the Carlyle, Tides, and Breakwater hotels set against turquoise waves.
Española Way
Wander this charming promenade modeled after Spanish Village architecture and lined with flowers, fountains, and sidewalk bistros perfect for people watching.
Lincoln Road
Soak up South Beach’s energetic scene while browsing the eclectic shops, art galleries, restaurants and open-air stalls along this pedestrian-only corridor.
South Pointe Park Pier
Watch cruise ships pass under the Port of Miami while locals cast fishing lines off the pier jutting out into the turquoise bay at the south tip of Miami Beach.
Lummus Park Beach
Whether swimming, tanning, volleyball, or strolling the boardwalk, scenester-studded Lummus Park Beach serves as the place to see and be seen in South Beach.
Boca Raton – Coastal Retreat in Palm Beach County
aerial view to north of boca raton, florida, with atlantic ocean beach to the east and lake boca raton in foreground.
With its stunning coastline, upscale shops, respected art museum, and historic Mediterranean revival architecture, Boca Raton exudes resort-style elegance. The beach town strikes the perfect balance between lifestyle amenities, nature, and cultural offerings.
Gumbo Limbo Nature Center
At this stellar coastal environmental center, sea turtle rehabilitation, butterfly garden, and natural trails combine to create an enriching educational experience focused on regional ecosystems.
Sugar Sand Park
Kids love the Science Playground and carousel while adults appreciate the botanical gardens, arts center, amphitheater and observatory housed in this expansive community park.
Boca Raton Museum of Art
Don’t miss exhibits at this imaginative museum showcasing diverse mediums and artists, with a permanent collection focused on 20th century European and American masters.
Red Reef Park
Boca’s largest oceanfront park features surf-worthy waves, a scenic walking trail skirting the sandy shores, and peaceful spots for picnicking and swimming away from the bustling city beaches.
Mizner Park
With its central plaza, cultural center, shops, and dining, this distinctive downtown district both charms and entertains visitors and locals seeking an evening out or new experience.
Delray Beach – The Culinary Coastal Town of Palm Beach County
Delray Beach strikes the perfect balance between a laid-back seaside retreat and a cosmopolitan town dotted with cozy cafes, celebrated restaurants, indie boutiques, and cultural attractions. The lively downtown comes alive at night.
Atlantic Avenue
The bustling heart of town harbors blocks packed with lively bars, award-winning eateries, locally-owned galleries and stores, and events like Art & Jazz on the Avenue.
Cornell Art Museum
Housed in a 1913 home, the imaginative Cornell exhibits American contemporary works and pop art icons, including a signature Warhol collection.
Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens
Escape into tranquil Japanese gardens, koi ponds, bonsai and a museum illuminating influences of Japanese culture in Florida. Don’t miss seasonal events.
Wakodahatchee Wetlands
This wetland preserve north of town offers a sublime respite. Head out on the wooden boardwalk loop to spot an array of beautiful waterfowl and wading birds.
Delray Municipal Beach
Hang out like a local playing volleyball on the wide public beach, or pull up a lounge chair to gaze out at the aquamarine waves and swaying palms along the breezy oceanfront promenade.
Naples – Sophisticated Coastal Paradise on the Gulf Coast
With its sugar-white beaches, upscale resorts, fantastic shopping, fine dining, and exclusive offshore islands, Naples epitomizes tropical elegance on Florida’s Paradise Coast. The refined city also harbors celebrated nature preserves and iconic Old Florida attractions.
Tin City
This lively waterfront complex centered around a former 1920s tin warehouse building provides the perfect place to hop between shops, working artist studios, eateries, boat tours and attractions.
Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Forested boardwalks grant walkers an intimate experience with massive old growth bald cypress and colonies of wood storks and nesting Painted Buntings within the sanctuary’s ancient swamp ecosystem.
Naples Pier
Stroll Naples Pier to see anglers reeling in spectacular sunsets and views of Millionaire’s Row mansions in one of the most Instagrammable spots in the city. Pelicans glide and dive for fish below.
Everglades Day Safari
Sea Turtle and Alligator under the sun in the Everglades / Florida
For an immersive tour of the Ten Thousand Islands mangrove wilderness, climb aboard a small boat that darts under twisting branches of the primal Everglades ecosystem. Watch for dolphins, sharks and exotic birds along the way.
Third Street South Shopping
Browse the high-end boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and downtown attractions radiating out from this picturesque shopping district renowned for Its Mediterrean-style architecture.
Sanibel & Captiva Islands – Shelling Meccas of the Gulf Coast
Accessible from Fort Myers by scenic causeway, Sanibel and Captiva Islands lure visitors with 15 miles of beaches, prolific shelling, wildlife refuges, resorts, and small-town character. Bicycles are a preferred mode of transport.
Sanibel Lighthouse & Beach
Climb the 105 steps up this iconic striped lighthouse for fantastic views. Shorebirds flock as you beachcomb for prized shells and driftwood on the sandy shores below.
J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Birdwatchers flock to Sanibel’s acclaimed refuge where hiking trails, kayaking, and narrated tram tours provide wildlife viewing opportunities across 6,400 acres of mangrove wetlands.
Bowman’s Beach
Secluded Bowman’s Beach dazzles with its blinding white sand flats, untamed shoreline, and abundant seashells. Barrier dunes add to the remote ambience.
Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum
One of the few museums in the country devoted entirely to mollusks, this Sanibel gem displays shells from around the world, many rare and ancient. Hands-on exhibits teach about shells.
Captiva Beach
Spread out along wide open Captiva Beach, or explore south to quieter Green Flash Park at the island’s end to enjoy the coastline locals covet, away from Sanibel’s crowds.
From the flashy vibe of Miami to unspoiled coastal preserves, essential Keys stopovers to exclusive island enclaves, South Florida offers unlimited options for an engaging sunny escape. With this expertly curated list of the region’s premier attractions and activities, visitors can maximize their time exploring this diverse tropical destination.
