Florida is one of the most popular destinations for among travelers. Between the beautiful beaches, picturesque weather all year, and no state income taxes, Florida is top location for solo travelers, travelers who bring the whole family, or anyone in between! With so many theme parks, tourist attractions, and professional sports teams, your time in the Sunshine State can get costly quickly. That doesn't have to be the case, though! Check out these ideas for free and fun activities you can find in Florida (besides visiting a beach because, duh):
Explore 55,000 Acres of Florida's Nature Preserves
Florida is filled with beautiful nature preserves that are filled with tons of birds and the perfect chance to see a gator in their natural habitat! Experience Florida like you've never seen before at one of the wildlife refuges around the state where you can stroll through the trails or keep in the comfort of your car. Some of the most popular nature preserves include the Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach, the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive near Orlando, Circle B Bar Reserve Park in Lakeland, or the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge along Florida's Space Coast!
Watch The Blue Angels at a Museum
Florida is home to a plethora of museums all over the state, many of which are free all year-round! Be sure to check out your local museums and see if they have any free weekends like Orlando, which offers free access on the first weekend of every month. Some of the most popular free museums include The Florida Museum of Natural History, The Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, The Holocaust Memorial, and The National Museum of Naval Aviation (where you can what the Blue Angels practice!). Find a full list of free museums here!
Visit a Beach, Fort, and Botanical Gardens In The Keys
The Sunshine State's weather is perfect for tropical botanic gardens to flourish, and there are many free gardens around the state! One of the most popular gardens is the West Martello Gardens and Fort in Key West, which features both a blooming garden and a historic Civil War era fort that you can explore. Another gorgeous botanic gardens in Florida is the Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo, which is in the Tampa Bay area. This garden fills an epic 182-acres with blooming flowers and exotic flora and fauna. Not to mention, they're pet friendly!
Explore an Award Winning Farmers Market
Florida is home to loads of farmland that produce delicious fresh produce, which you can find at local farmers markets on the weekends! No matter where you are in the state there's almost always a farmers market in your community or a community near you. Some of the most popular farmers markets in the state include the Jacksonville Farmers Market, the Lakeland Downtown Farmers Curb Market, the Sanibel Island Farmers Market, and the Winter Garden Farmers Market. These markets are the perfect way to spend a sunny Saturday or Sunday Morning!
Kayak Kelly Park's Natural Spring
With a shining sun almost all year-round, Florida can get hot and humid during the summer! Cool off in one of the many fresh natural springs around the state or take a kayak out for a spin to look for some manatees. Many natural springs are located in state parks which often have an entry fee of a few dollars, but there are a few awesome spots that are free for all. Check out the Little River Springs, Royal Springs, Kelly Park/Rock Springs, Wacissa Springs East of Tallahassee, or Rum Island Spring on the Santa Fe River!
Bike Over 50 Miles Of Paved Trails
Florida weather is ideal for biking or walking all year round, so you can make it your mission to trek some of the awesome trails! Central Florida offers the West Orange Trail which is made of over 20 miles of paved paths, with a majority of the trail fallowing along abandoned railroad tracks, a highlight of biking through downtown Winter Garden a picturesque small town filled with character, and plenty of fun stops along the way. If you're further south you can check out the Pinellas Trail which is almost 38 paved miles of low-stress cruising through Pinellas County, stretching from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs! If you're looking to get off the paved trails, there are more than 1,400 miles of National Scenic Trails in Florida, so there's plenty to explore near your assignment.
If you're ready to start making memories in the Sunshine State or you need more information, reach out today!
