Florida has more to offer than theme parks and beaches. The Sunshine State offers some incredible cities full of weird and wonderful sights and attractions. Here are 6 best cities to visit in Florida, with tips for unique things to see in do.
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6 Best Cities to Visit in Florida
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Although not as massive as Texas, Florida is a big state, and there’s a whole lot of fun and sunshine packed into the southeastern peninsula. Spanning two time zones, the Atlantic Ocean borders the state on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other. It has hundreds of miles of beaches and all that lovely sunshine.
Florida tops the list of many as their next family vacation. But where to begin? We bring you six of the best cities to visit in Florida. This only gets you started on the places to see and amazing things to do in the Sunshine State.
Multicultural Miami, Florida
Miami is renowned for its beaches, but those that want to take a break from lounging on the sand can still find plenty of things to do.
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a taste of Europe in Florida. The Renaissance-style building is full of European artwork dating back to the 16th century and its décor is a sight to behold.
You can also take in a taste of Cuba. Little Havana is well worth a visit and there are plenty of salsa bars in the city for trying some salsa dancing.
Don’t forget to also check out Miami’s mighty “aquarium,” which is spread out over three levels. The Miami Seaquarium is a 38-acre oceanarium located near downtown Miami.
Need more inspiration? How about South Beach: Spring Break For Boomers
Cultural Experiences in Jacksonville, Florida
Florida’s largest city Jacksonville is teeming with cultural experiences. It has a number of museums worth visiting dedicated to science and the city’s historic railway.
There’s also Jacksonville Zoo, as well as the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary full of big cats, making this city perfect for animal lovers.
Connect with Nature and Rockers in Gainesville, Florida
Those wanting to connect with nature should visit Gainesville. It has a number of state parks and botanical gardens and also sports the peaceful Butterfly Rainforest.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Gainesville is also known for its rock music scene offering many venues such as 37 Main Gainesville to watch local talent. Gainesville is the birthplace of Tom Petty, Against Me! and two members from The Eagles.
Historic St. Petersburg, Florida
With so much to see and do, it’s no surprise that St. Petersburg is one of the 6 best cities to visit in Florida. Art lovers should make a point of visiting the Dali Museum full of the surrealist artist’s wacky work. The Museum of Fine Arts meanwhile offers some more traditional paintings from the past. Downtown St Petersburg is known for its historic European feel.
You can take many tours here including Segway tours, allowing you learn about history.
The city also sports a number of boat tours – it’s a great place for ogling at the millionaires and their yachts.
Tourist Hot Spot of Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a hotspot for tourists – it’s most popular attraction is acclaimed theme park Busch Gardens. But there are plenty of other things to do in the area. There are opportunities to swim with dolphins and even manatees nearby.
Those interested in the history of this city should also visit the Henry B. Plant Museum, which offers a taste of how the rich used to live in Tampa.
Oh So Much to Do in Orlando, Florida
If you have a list of best cities to visit in Florida, no list could be complete without mentioning Orlando. The Disney theme parks are the main attraction here along with other attractions like SeaWorld and the Kennedy Space Centre. This is only a tiny taster of what Orlando has to offer though.
There are multiple museums here, live shows and opportunities to see manatees and alligators. If you’re staying in Orlando, it’s well worth sparing some time for these extra attractions.
Miami is one of our favorite cities in the US! It feels like you’re in a different country with some of the best Cuban food outside of Cuba. This is a great list, Florida definitely has some awesome cities!
You’re right! While Disney is awesome, Florida does have some awesome cities offering cultural experiences like Miami.
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