Florida is a family-friendly destination from top to bottom full of sunshine, fun, and adventure. Although it might be best known for its theme parks, the Sunshine State has so much more to offer! Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a full-blown family vacation, there’s no shortage of unforgettable experiences for your Florida trip. We love to spend part of our winters in Florida, so over the past few years of RV life, we’ve compiled a great list of the best things to do in Florida. And although we love theme parks, we’re going to focus on sharing only things to do in Florida other than Disney World, from beautiful beaches to natural springs fill of wildlife.
No matter where you are in Florida, there’s an adventure around every corner. Florida’s diverse attractions ensure your kids will have a blast while discovering new experiences. Here are the most fun things to do in Florida with kids. Get ready to plan a trip your family will never forget!
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Things To Do in Destin Florida
Bike through Destin – The parallel bike path to Scenic Highway 98 is a great way to get around Destin. Beach rental shops are everywhere.
Bike Timpoochie Trail – This 18 mile bike path follows County Highway 30A, connecting Santa Rosa Beach, Grayton Beach, Seaside, Alys Beach, and Rosemary Beach.
Paddle – If the water is calm, paddling and kayaking are such fun things to do in Destin Florida.
Rent a Boat or Jet Skis – Spending time out on the water is what you came to Destin for, right?
Destin Harbor Boardwalk – This bustling area is full of shops, restaurants, and boat tours.
Waterfront Restaurants – Eating outdoors is one of the best things to do in Destin Florida with kids. Two great choices for family-friendly restaurants at The Gulf and Lulu’s.
Boardwalk at Okaloosa Island – Fireworks show every Wednesday through the summer months as well as a few special holiday shows throughout the year.
Big Kahuna’s Water and Adventure Park – Your kids will tell you this is one of the best things to do in Destin Florida.
Things To Do in St Augustine Florida
There are so many fun things to do in St Augustine Florida with kids! Start out at the St. Augustine Visitor Center to see the free exhibits inside and grab a map.
St. Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum – This place looks so cool! It’s sure to be a favorite stop for families with kids.
Castillo de San Marcos – Tour the old fort and enjoy the view over the water of the Bridge of Lions. If you have an America the Beautiful National Parks Pass, entry is free.
City Gates – These stone pillars on the north side of St George Street are the historic access point to old St. Augustine.
Aviles Street – Walking the nation’s oldest street is one of the most iconic things to do in St Augustine Florida.
Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse – Stop for a quick photo or pay for a tour of this little museum and garden. If your family enjoys historic sites, this is just one of the many historic things to do in Saint Augustine Florida.
Villa Zorayda Museum – The architecture of this building is incredible and worth a visit for that alone! Some other beautiful buildings worth walking or driving by are City Hall, Flagler College, Cathedral Basilica of St Augustine, and Plaza de la Constitución.
St. Augustine Beach – A great place for a beach rental.
Anastasia Beach – A quieter spot than St. Augustine Beach, this is one of our favorite things to do in Saint Augustine Florida.
St. Augustine History Museum & Oldest Store Museum Experience – This place has a little more of a touristy vibe, but it looks like a place my kids would love.
Mayday Ice Cream – Getting ice cream is of course one of our favorite things to do in Saint Augustine Florida.
Old Town Trolley Tour – Taking a trolley tour is a great way to get a feel for St. Augustine and allows you to visit many local sites without having to worry about finding parking nearby. Many of the tour stops are additionally ticketed items like museums.
Things To Do in Orlando Florida
Everybody knows that Disney World and Universal are two of the best things to do in Orlando Florida with kids. But what else is available in this area? Popular attractions like the Crayola Experience, Cirque du Soleil, and waterparks are all popular things to do in Orlando Florida with kids. From zoos and aquariums to unique experiences like Wonderworks, Gatorland, and dinner shows both on and off Disney property, there’s always something fun to do in Orlando. But let’s focus on a couple of highlights from the Orlando area:
Kennedy Space Center – We are so excited to spend a couple days here once the kids are just a bit older. This has got to be one of the best things to do in Florida other than Disney!
Kelly Park – This beautiful Florida spring is a popular tubing spot and one of the best things to do in Orlando Florida with kids.
Kayak Rock Springs – Paddle the shallow Rock Springs Run.
Wekiva Island – Another popular paddling spot north of Orlando.
Airboat Ride in Kissimmee – Did you know you can see alligators on an airboat tour outside of the Everglades?
Things To Do in Central Florida
Central Florida might not get a lot of buzz, but there are so many great state parks here! Floridians, don’t come for me here, but I’m lumping a pretty large region here together. Some of these spots are north of Orlando with others being south of Orlando or along the Gulf Coast. Consider this our catchall category.
Ichetucknee Springs State Park – We loved paddling here and they also have tubing during the summer months.
Rainbow Springs State Park – This park has a beautiful garden walk and crystal clear swimming area. Another great place to paddle with tube rentals seasonally.
Silver Springs – This paddle was one of our favorite things to do in Central Florida. We saw a manatee, a sea otter, and monkeys all on the same day! They also offer a glass bottom boat tour.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park – We can’t wait to visit, because we’ve heard the mermaid show is one of the most fun things to do in Florida with kids!
Manatee Springs State Park – This park has a small footprint and is great for paddling and birdwatching. We didn’t see any manatees here.
Blue Springs State Park – One of the best things to do in Central Florida in the winter is look for manatees. Blue Springs State Park often has so many that they post a daily manatee count! You can also take a boat tour here or rent kayaks.
Legoland – In addition to many amazing Florida state parks, Central Florida is also home to Legoland Florida!
Camping – If you’re interested in Florida state parks camping, there are so many state park campgrounds in Central Florida!
Thing to do in South Florida
Sanibel Island – A popular and beautiful beach destination for Floridians and tourists alike.
Everglades National Park – One of the most popular things to do in the Everglades is to bike or take the tram to the Shark Valley Observation Tower. And of course, people come here to see alligators.
Everglades Air Boat Tour – An airboat tour is one of the best things to do in Everglades National Park and a great family-friendly activity.
Biscayne National Park – Biscayne National Park snorkeling and scuba diving tours are very popular activities and both great ways to see the park. Another great option for touring this unique place is to paddle through the mangroves.
Loggerhead Marinelife Center – Visiting this sea turtle rehabilitation center is on our list for our next Florida trip!
Robert Is Here Fruit Stand – We have heard so many things about this spot! People say it is one of the best things to do in Florida when you’re near the Everglades! We can’t wait to try the milkshakes here!
Things To Do in Florida Keys
We already have a whole post on the best things to do in the Florida Keys, so we’ll just hit the highlights here.
Get Out on the Water – Undoubtedly one of the best things to do in the Florida Keys is to spend time on the water. Rent paddleboards, jet skis, or your own boat. Book a snorkeling excursion or a fishing charter. Choose your own Florida Keys adventure! Bonus points for enjoying a sunrise or sunset on the water.
Seafood Restaurants – Eating seafood is certainly one of the best things to do in Florida! In the Keys, you’ll find hogfish, grouper, snapper, mahi, stone crab, conch fritters, and more. Coconut shrimp was our kids’ favorite!
Key Lime Pie – Trying all the different key lime pie desserts is probably one of our favorite things to do in the Florida Keys.
Eco Discovery Center – One of the best things to do in Key West Florida is to visit the Eco Discovery Center. This science center is so well done and our whole family enjoyed it!
Curry Hammock State Park – Watch kiteboarders on a windy day. Or on a calm day, explore the mangroves with a kayak rental.
Bahia Honda State Park – We’ve spent the most time at this Florida Keys state park and we think it’s one of the best things to do in Florida with kids. You’re right near Marathon Key, which is very family-friendly. Be sure to walk to the old rail bridge while you’re here.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – Paddling the mangroves here is one of the most fun things to do in Florida with kids. There’s also a little free aquarium here where kids will enjoy a closeup look at local fish.
Camping – The Florida state parks camping in the Keys is incredible, but VERY hard to book!
Dry Tortugas National Park – If you have older kids who enjoy snorkeling, a visit to Dry Tortugas National Park is one of the best things to do in Key West Florida. Whether you book a seaplane flight or take the ferry, it’s going to be a memorable day!
In Florida, there’s an adventure waiting that goes far beyond the magic of theme parks. While Disney is always a favorite, some of our favorite memories have come from exploring the state’s hidden gems as a family. From Destin to the Everglades, these are some of our favorite things to do in Florida other than Disney. Whether you’re looking for excitement, nature, or a little of both, these family-friendly spots offer unforgettable fun and plenty of reasons to keep coming back.
Want even more Florida fun? Don’t miss the rest of our family-friendly Florida guides, tips, and hidden gems—there’s so much more to explore!
Fun Things To Do in Florida with Kids
