Beyond the brochure: Hidden gems and activities in Florida

The great world destination known for its luxurious beaches, rich cities, and cruises is much more than what we have listed. Florida hides many hidden gems and beautiful activities that a huge number of tourists did not even know it had. That is why we have prepared for you a list of interesting places that you can visit that will allow you to fall in love with Florida even more.

Florida Caverns
This national park offers an irreplaceable experience to everyone who sets out to explore its area. Huge caves are amazing because of the number of stalactites, stalagmites, and streams that were created by the long-term erosion of the limestone rock, which makes the environment in the cave special. You have two hiking trails where you can go directly into the cave with one path and the other through the forest and streams. Tourist tours of this national park are conducted from Monday to Thursday, from 8 in the morning until sunset. The park has a beautiful area where you can go on a picnic with your family, and it also has areas where you can camp, which makes many opportunities for good enjoyment. Those of a peaceful nature can rent a boat on the Chipola River and enjoy it.

Merrit Island
It’s no wonder that the most beautiful places are protected by law and introduced as nature reserves, including this place, which is known as the largest natural barrier island in the USA. This is a beautiful place for recreation, and in addition to providing health to your body, you will also see many beautiful animal and plant species. One of the things near this island that leaves the biggest impression is the Florida Bioluminescent Kayaking Tour, which, on evening tours, allows you to see an extraordinary sight of a multitude of single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates. These single-celled organisms are specific in that they collect light during the day and emit it in the evening, which gives a beautiful luminous effect of blue color. This place is very specific because of this in America, and there are not many locations in the world with this kind of offer. It is important to book the tour as soon as possible because the tickets sell out quickly. Most of the tours are active only on summer days because that is when the presence of these luminous organisms increases.

St. Augustine
This place is the oldest city in the USA, and it is still continuously inhabited and characterized by Spanish culture and architecture.

This city is located in the northeastern part of Florida and was created in 1565 due to the needs of Spanish explorers. A beautiful beach decorates this place and makes it even more special. The architecture is exceptionally preserved, so in the old part of the city, you can see exceptionally well-preserved cathedrals, a fortress, and a lighthouse that are characterized by Spanish culture. Also, this city offers various festivals that have already become a tradition and provide this city with delight for all who visit it.

Pelican Island
Pelican Island is a national animal sanctuary and also the oldest animal sanctuary in the entire USA. It was established in 1903 at the initiative of Theodore Roosevelt. It is located on a small island in the nearby river and is home to many species of animals, such as mammals, including dolphins, sea otters, and raccoons, as well as different types of birds, including pelicans, falcons, and herons. You can also see larger animals, such as sharks and dolphins, and meet turtles, alligators, and snakes. This reserve has a bird-watching tourist attraction that gives you the chance to watch many interesting species of flying creatures. You have several hiking trails with a beautiful view at your disposal, and with a fishing permit, you can indulge in relaxing fishing. You can visit this place every day from 8 am to sunset, and the good news is that the entrance is free. You will not find parking at this place, so it is better to park somewhere nearby.

Dry Tortugas
This is another well-preserved national park that is enriched with beautiful cultural and historical content, the most important of which are the remains of old fortresses and houses that have been there since the Spain colonization. The marine life of this place should be singled out as one of the best experiences you can get because of the beautiful sea reefs, and you can see everything because this park is a popular diving destination where you can find more such offers. The park consists of many islands that are special in their own way. Some have beautiful beaches with a lighthouse, while others are home to centuries-old fortresses. Camping in these places is becoming more and more popular, and it is one of the ways to experience this in an even better way. The park is open year-round and is not intended as a place for picnics and barbecues, so be aware of that when arriving by yacht or seaplane from Key West, which is 70 miles away.

Museum Salvador Dali
This museum is a beautiful piece of architecture located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The museum is the right place to visit with the family because the management of the museum organizes different types of activities, such as interactive workshops, lectures, and films. This museum is home to more Dali works than any other in the world. It has over 100 drawings, 1300 photographs, many sculptures, and a rich archive of books.

Coral Gables
This city is known as a beautiful city that exudes beautiful wide boulevards and preserved historical culture. The first thing you should do when you arrive is to walk along those long boulevards and admire the beautiful architecture of the entire city. You can enjoy the irresistible Cuban cuisine, which is a real treat for all food lovers. The sport of surfing is well developed on the beaches of this city, and with the beautiful winds, you can try to indulge yourself in surfing and enjoy yourself. Unique butterfly exhibitions are possible as part of botanical tours that can be organized, and transportation is very well coordinated with the city tram.

Surfing, diving, kayak tours, different types of food, many types of animals, and beautifully preserved architecture are just some of the many contents that this state in the USA offers us, and to enjoy it as much as possible, you should try to find as many places like this that are hidden gems of this state. We hope that this list was helpful to you and that you will be able to get an experience that you will remember throughout your life.

The article Beyond the brochure: Hidden gems and activities in Florida first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.