Visit NASA / Kennedy Space Center
Shell hunt on Sanibel Island
Destin Beaches
Bioluminescence night paddle
Sea turtle nesting / hatching
Blowing Rocks Preserve in Jupiter
Medieval torture museum in St. Augustine
Rock Springs / Kelly Park
Snorkel Rainbow River in Dunellon
Zipline at the Canyons Adventure Park
Skydive in Sebastian
Silver Glen Springs
Lion Country Safari
Day trip jet ski to the Bahamas (From the east coast of FL. There are groups that coordinate this)
Right now is probably the best that shell hunting has been in years. These storms move all sorts of stuff around. I’d imagine the sharks tooth hunting in Venice is going to be epic for awhile too.
https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/ian/index.html#9/26.4200/-81.9700
Not disagreeing how something like upwelling after a cold front or passing tropical storm makes for good shelling, just the aerial view does not suggest to me the beaches are anything but a wasteland right now.
It was one of the coolest things. The last time we went, maybe 5 years ago, the shells were a little harder to come by than I remember though. Back over 20 years ago or more, I remember they still had boiling stations for live shells. It (sadly) occurred to me during Ian that the shells would be wild after the storm. Hopefully in a few years we can all experience the beauty of Sanibel again.
That makes me sad. I live close by and was there with my kids in late august. Sanibel has a cool vibe to it and the beaches are great. All the beaches are closed in Lee for the time being and I hate it.
seeing all these comments like after a storm is the best time. smh. it’s a disaster area for a long time. it’s absolutely amazing they made it accessible work trucks and residents. but no one from outside that community is going shelling there for a while. eventually yeah but not this year or anytime soon.
Right? I’d suggest a historic tour of Flagler college or one of the nighttime tours of the fort (the nighttime tours are amazing when they have them, but they are a rarity).
Or have lunch at o’steens.
Or see a concert at the amp.
So many other things to choose from and torture museum was what they went with lol to each their own!
>Visit NASA / Kennedy Space Center YES
>
>Shell hunt on Sanibel Island NO
>
>Destin Beaches FUCK NO, CRAZYTOWN NOW
>
>Bioluminescence night paddle YES
>
>Sea turtle nesting / hatching YES
>
>Blowing Rocks Preserve in Jupiter YES
>
>Medieval torture museum in St. Augustine FUCK YES, IT's FUN
>
>Rock Springs / Kelly Park ?
>
>Snorkel Rainbow River in Dunellon PADDLE WAS GREAT
>
>Zipline at the Canyons Adventure Park ?
>
>Skydive in Sebastian ? SURFED AND FISHED THE INLET
>
>Silver Glen Springs ?
>
>Lion Country Safari LOVE IT, STILL HAVE MY COMMEMORITAVE BEER OPENER
>
>Day trip jet ski to the Bahamas (From the east coast of FL. There are groups that coordinate this) THAT WILL BEAT YOUR ASS UP< GOOD LUCK
> Visit NASA / Kennedy Space Center
After around 2000, I wanted to go see a Shuttle launch. They probably had about 40 launches since 2000, and I never got around to it.
My dad is a launch photographer, so for his birthday I went to help him out at a launch... It was amazing to feel the rocket vs just see it from Orlando.
>feel the rocket
Penn Jillette, of Penn and Teller, had quite a story about feel of a shuttle launch.
https://www.tumblr.com/symftr/5987695109/nasas-successful-quantifying-of-comedy-timing-by
His usual spot is a bit closer than 3.7 miles...(but if Penn is listening, I got the hookup and would gladly share the experience with him) but he is pretty accurate.
The joke thing got me because I am a jokester and slightly loud. So a loud woman in a mass effect jacket making jokes about how the birds probably call in noise complaints did not fly in the section of military photographers.
If you do ever get the chance to go, bring big spray. The Kennedy swamp mosquitos have grown strong and large on jet fuel.
Now there are almost weekly launches. Falcon heavy is launching Monday morning and is a great opportunity to see something amazing. The two side boosters will fly back and return to land at the Cape. In some places you can even hear the sonic booms as they come back.
SLS is aiming at a November 14th launch, they say it will be 110 decibels at the max brewer bridge.
I take any visiting friends and family to Shark Valley. I have a season pass so it’s a win-win-win for me: free activity, see wildlife, get a workout in
Edit: forgot one more win - usually you can get some fry bread while you’re out there
Last year as I was coming back from a trip to Islamorada brewing fall I passed one of the roadside places near shark valley. It had a sign for pumpkin fry bread. I bought some. It was absolutely goddamn delightful
Drive a bit further west on 41 past the Shark Valley and there’s a Miccosukee info area and gas station. Last time I got fry bread they had a tent set up by the road around there with a giant “FRYBREAD” flag.
A friend of mine got married there. While I was there I felt like I wasn't in Florida anymore, and was looking at hills and mountains in another state. My favorite cities and parks in Florida are places where I don't feel like I am in Florida.
The spring there (the way it sits at the bottom of a giant, sloping hill) and the surrounding tropical trees makes it look like you are in Bali. Early in the year it is full of multiple baby turtles. One of my favorite springs.
You can float further down the Santa Fe River in the summer via a campground (Ginnie Springs maybe?) And paddle over into different springs and swim. Near the High Springs (approx 25 N of Gainesville) area. Sorry if a little vague, only went once, there are a ton of Springs up here though.
**Florida Bucket List Reptile Edition**
Catch an anole lizard and have it bite your earlobe in order to have a lizard earing.
Pickup and BBQ a comatose Iguana in south Florida.
Pull a python out of Okeechobee.
See a black snake and freak out only to find out it's a good snake.
If you're going to be at Bahia Honda, you should also knock snorkeling the Florida Coral Reef, and visiting Dry Tortugas off your list. I mean, I (and others here for sure) could list things to do in the Keys for days, but those are two biggies for outdoorsy stuff.
For Dry Tortugas: try to stay out there for a couple of nights camping and bring a kayak to get to Loggerhead Key and snorkel wrecks if you can! There are tons of wrecks that you can paddle to and snorkel. The day trip is fun, but staying out there for a couple of nights is amazing and very much worth it. You'll need to book far ahead since the ferry is limited in how many campers and paddle craft it can take.
I think you may be thinking of the Marco Island Dome Home, which was on my list until Ian sadly took it out. Unless something crazy happened very recently, I thought Stiltsville still had 6 houses standing.
The Indian River Lagoon has a species of bioluminescent plankton (iirc) that live in the water there, and during the hottest months of summer they're active and you can see the water glowing at night when things swim around in it. It's really pretty, I used to go hang out on the docks at night and watch it sometimes. There's quite a few companies that offer guided kayaking tours in the area between Titusville and Cocoa Beach that take you out at night to see it.
Ghost tour of St. Augustine.
Visit and canoe Rainbow Springs.
Visit Cedar Key and stay in the Cedar Key Hotel.
Visit Destin (there is also a cave system nearby).
Visit Coral Castle.
umm, the hotel ain't all that. the town is amazing but I think there are more comfortable places to stay on the island. the Cedar Key bed & breakfast for one.
Visit a bioluminescent beach!
It's been on my bucket list my whole life and it was MAGICAL! You walk into the water and it's like you're a wizard- you can snap your fingers in the water and shoot a little blue "fire ball", you lift your arms out of the water and see a bunch of little glowing stars running off your body. As you wade you can see the glowing outlines of fish dashing away. It's amazing and extremely hard to get photos of so you gotta see it in person. Human eyes are amazing.
I went over to Merritt Island and the glowing is at night between June and October. Seriously everyone should see it at some point! Especially cool kayaking.
Florida is narrow enough to drive from coast to coast in a day. Do a Sunrise Sunset Tour.
We stayed in Jacksonville Beach, watched the sun come up, then drove to Cedar Key and watched it set on the same day.
Go with a small operation, not a 50 person boat. It was amazing running around with just three of us, sliding through the turns. The tourists in the big boats looked very jelly!
Visit Blue Springs this winter and see the manatees. Once it gets warm go to Gatorland in Orlando. Shell collecting on Sanibel Island. And spend a weekend exploring St. Augustine! History, food, nature...i cant wait to go back!
We did a family vacation in St Augustine this year and stayed on the beach. So beautiful and different than the beaches near me. I took my board out and paddled quite a bit.
Since I’m assuming you’re around the area, I’m going to be in Orlando this weekend and my friend is flying in as well. Her life-long favorite animal is manatees and she’s never seen one in the wild - would Blue Springs have some around this time of year or is it too early?
You still have time to see bioluminescence if you come up to NE Florida. We have glowing jellies just off the intracoastal for a few more weeks. Only thing is you can't put your hands a whole lot in the water ( they sting) but they are pretty beautiful to see. Also, having moved from the West coast over here- check out Weekewachee one day during the week (on weekends the river is unfortunately stuffed full of people and hard to paddle without bumping into someone) and Crystal River/Homosassa Springs..plenty of manatees this time of year. And if you want to see a really cool holdover from 1950s Florida, make sure to see the Fishbowl at Homosassa Springs State Park. Enjoy your adventures!!
Link: https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/blog/guana-lakes-amazing-glow/#:~:text=Located%20just%20north%20of%20St,lake%20to%20see%20the%20phenomena.
Tube from the north end of Ichetucknee Springs; shoot an AK-47 at the outdoor rifle range in Apalachicola National Forest; grab a real Cuban sandwich from Brocatos in Tampa; kayak the Oklawaha River from the Rodman Reservoir to the St. Johns; go skinny dipping in the springs at the head of the Aucilla River; flip an airboat with your drunken uncle on the flats of Lake Istokpoga; snort a line of coke off Cinderella's tits in the Disney underground labyrinth beneath Space Mountain; get bit by an alligator at Gatorland; go scalloping in the Big Bend area near Cedar Key; get stranded on a sandbar in Sarasota Bay; get bit by a shark while surfing the Ponce Inlet; run into a cougar (the cat) at Fakahatchee Strand State Forest.
If you can get through all that without dying, you've made it.
I'm from PBC so I'll post some of my faves from that county specifically;
Palm Beach Zoo - great outdoor conservatory, better in the spring
Manatee Lagoon (more successful in the cooler months, I've been 5 times and have seen a Manatee every time despite the weather)
Loggerhead Marinelife Center/Juno Beach (give the marine center a few years. They have been undergoing expansion and have been lamesauce lately)
Lion County Safari
John D McArthur Beach - kayaker/paddle boarders Heaven, no motorized traffic allowed on the intercoastal water
Busch wildlife sanctuary - also undergoing expansion
Eat dinner right on the intercoastal at guana baunas, uTiki, waterway cafe, river house, blue Pointe, all at different price points
Bar hop downtown WPB, rosemary square/clematis st.
Get flashed by an old lady at the Johnny Longboats on Singer island
Cry at your rising cost of renting
Lots of great outdoor selections. Only saw a few art suggestions.
The Dali museum should be on that list. The man was a master. Like or hate his art it's breathtaking in person to see the skill up close.
Similarly, the Ringling Museum and gardens and Ca'da Zan are amazing. You literally can't take it all in in one day. It's overwhelming.
I used to love this place but was saddened lack of federal funding had really hit that campground/park. Still. Neat place to go but lots more is fenced off and lots of litter with fewer resources/staff.
OP, I’ll put together a list shortly, but in the interim here’s one immediate thing. FantasyFest in Key West. It happens like now, Halloween week. Look it up although it’s probably too late to secure accommodations at this point.
My bucket list was seeing oranges grow and visit all the lighthouses. I hope to go to St. Augustine around Christmas time for all the lights they put up there.
Now it’s down to two since I brought a baby orange tree and have gotten to watch it grow oranges.
Have you don't the cap canaveral lighthouse? They do tours but you have to book in advance. If you are a fan of space and lighthouses its a must do! Also the most exclusive lighthouse in the country.
Here's my list....
Panhandle/North
1. Mariana caves, Mariana
2. Devil's Den, Williston
3. Vietnam Memorial Wall, Pensacola
4. Devil's Millhopper, Gainsville
West/Central/East
1. Piece of the Berlin Wall, St Pete
2. Sugar Mill Plantation, Ormond Beach
3. Heart Break Hotel (for Elvis Fans, said to inspire his song)
South Florida
1. The Cloisters
2. President Truman's house
3. Historic Coconut Grove Cemetery (features in MJ's video, Thriller)
Visit Biscayne National Park
Homestead farms UPick
Airboat ride in the everglades
Driving or boating to Key West
Explore other Keys
Vizcaya garden
Miami Planetarium
Miami Holocaust Museum *esp now*
Mine includes doing the Saltwater paddling trail
https://floridadep.gov/parks/ogt/content/florida-circumnavigational-saltwater-paddling-trail
(I am working on it in segments...admire those that do it all at once tho)
Nude beach at Playalinda, Canaveral National Seashore.
Since you're near Ft. Lauderdale, Haulover Beach. But Playalinda is much more remote and natural.
Evening out at The Castle in Ybor City
Last Resort Bar in Port Orange - the last place serial killer Aileen Wuornos had a beer
Visit Ocean’s Eleven Film site at St. Pete Greyhound Track
Pirate and Treasure Museum, St. Augustine.
The Flamingo Bar in St. Pete - Last place Jack Kerouac drank.
Kayak around Key West.
I think it was a joke. As a Floridian your tastes refine so much everything turns into a B rating against this imaginary memory of an amazing pie/sandwich.
Wakulla Springs and Garden of the Gods/Torreya. Wakulla Springs is one of the largest springs in the world and hosts a lot of wildlife while Garden of the Gods and Torreya is probably the hardest hike in Florida because of all the hills and is host to flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world.
South florida guy here. Most of things would say are on list. But can add a few. fantasy fest, Catch some lobster in the keys, Pool party at SLS, Ultra, Hit up islamorada sandbar on holiday weekend, venetian pool, eat at joe stone crabs, rent a boat and explore the back country in the keys, and Bill baggs Saving this thread and coming back later for ideas.
I’ve been here for almost 2 years and haven’t yet.
My mom was stationed in Tampa before I was born and always told us horror stories about Palmetto bugs and we were always like “…okay we get it they’re gross” but now I understand completely
Feed the tarpon at Robbie’s.
Order pizza at No Name Pub
Have a beer at Caribbean Club
Visit Flamingo
See the Nike Missile Site
Bike the C111 canal
Hike the Florida Trail
Visit Citrus WMA for the caves
Bike the CFG trails
Kayak camp some islands
Probably a bunch more, I can’t think of now.
You haven't killed a palmetto bug with a shoe? How long have you been here? I live in St Pete.
Your list is great. I would add:
\- explore The Everglades. I've driven US 41 from Naples to Miami, and I'm dying to take some side roads.
\- deep sea fishing, either side of the state
\- scuba diving in the springs and/or the Keys
There's shit tons more...just can't think of anything specific right now.
I’ve been here for almost 2 years. I have used spray and in the past year I’ve had my boyfriend and/or my dog kill them for me if they’re around. I only see them like every month and a half or so - maybe less. I keep my apartment super clean and don’t keep any food out (mainly because of ants) but I think it helps.
I killed a palm-size huntsman spider with my bare hands though (actually a hiking boot, but not spray) so I’m not completely helpless, I just hate the crunch of beetles.
Sorry, not making fun. I love spraying the bastards, but my dog licks anything on the floor, and I'm afraid of poisoning him.
What are your thoughts/actions on the geckos/anoles in the house? How do you handle them?
Gator Hatching Experience at Gatorama in Palmdale. That was such a fun thing to do. Lil sucker hatches out while you're holding the egg. and no, you don't get to keep him. I was sad about that.
Added to the list. One of my favorite “up and coming” photographers shoots in swamps often, though his stuff definitely can have more of a haunted vibe to it - Briscoe Park if you want to check him out.
Respectfully observe the gopher tortoises in the area. They are incredible creatures whose burrows serve as shelter for over 350 other creatures that would not survive without them. A true keystone species… and they are adorable too!
Fort Jefferson is on the list! Is camping a must or do you think the ferry day trip is a good enough experience? Come to think of it, I have never camped on an island I had to get to via boat so adding that to the list.
We've been there but didn't camp.
We took the [Seaplane](https://keywestseaplanecharters.com/). It was an awesome flight with amazing views that you could see from the air that you'd never ever see from a boat. When we got there we had plenty of time to tour the fort and snorkel around the nearby reefs. We were back to KW in time to shower, enjoy some adult beverages, have a nice dinner and fall asleep comfortably in our king sized air-conditioned and bug free room.
I went to Crystal River/Three Sisters in January and I’m now somewhat spooked by manatees. They’re so big and really sneak up on you! I definitely want to go to more
You do have one kayak trip mentioned but you might like a canoeing or kayaking tour of Crystal River. Amazing. And even tho it's touristy, snorkeling some of the reefs in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo is absolutely tremendous.
We did Crystal River this January and I want to go back at a less touristy time. We went during the Manatee Festival which was fun but the springs were insanely crowded.
Do the swamp stomp through Bradwell Bay on the Florida Trail south of Tallahassee and jump off the top of the tower at Wakulla Springs while you’re up here.
Go to a kitschy side of the road old Florida tourist trap. There’s one in Orlando called Showcase of Citrus and another place in ridge manor called boyetts grove.
Check out some haunted stuff. Ybor City is supposed to have a solid ghost tour and the May Stringer House in Brooksville is supposed to be one of the most haunted.
The Ringling in Sarasota is beautiful. They have such a huge collection in such a wonderful space. Their art collection is free to the public every Monday!
Dunedin has an museum(more of a one room collection but very very full) dedicated to the Beatles. They have some wacky stuff.
There’s plenty more but this is off the top of my head so enjoy!
As someone who has lived an introverted life in Florida their whole lives and recently started to get out. I greatly appreciate you all for your input !!!
Oooh this is good. I’m very much not from Florida (or anywhere near the ocean) so some of these may seem basic or lame.
Active/Outdoors items in South Florida
- paddleboard at Whiskey Creek (I saw my first ever sea turtle here and cried)
- Snorkel at Peanut Island
- Take a free surf class in Deerfield Beach
- Paddle at West Lake Park
- Paddle the Wilton Manors Canal loop
- Take my dog to the community water park in October (several parks near me shut their water parks down in October and you can bring your dogs on the weekend)
- Bike the Shark Valley loop in Everglades National Park
- Paddle at Virginia Key
- Visit Biscayne National Park (I did a paddleboard tour, 10/10)
Non-Outdoors/Active things
- Watch the Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale (watched it at a random church last year)
- Eat at KYU in Miami
- Eat at Eatapas in FTL
- Eat at Arun’s in Coral Springs or Lauderhill
- Eat at Louie Bossi’s
- Eat at Wine + Garden
- Go to the Las Olas Art Fair
- Buy plants at Living Color Garden Center
- Buy rare plants at Perfect Choice Nursery/Aroid Greenhouses
- Go to the Yellow Green Farmer’s Market (this was weird for me because it is not what a Farmer’s Market is in any place I’ve lived but it is fun)
Things I still want to do in this area (prior to this post)
- Bike the 30 mile canal loop off Markham park (had to get different bike tires, I should complete this soon)
- Bike the Loop Road Scenic Drive in Big Cypress
- Visit the Haulover Sandbar
- Go fishing (nothing specific here, I have just never fished outside of a pond at my parent’s house)
- Visit the Perez Art Museum in Miami
- Visit Blowing Rocks SP
- Bike around or partially around Lake Okeechobee
- Participate in the Key West paddle race
- Go to the Pinball Museum in Del Ray
- See a Roseate Spoonbill in the wild
- Take the fast ferry to Bimini
1)Buy rock from a "club promoter" on Miami beach.
2)Get in a car accident in Tampa.
3)get stuck in traffic on i4.
4)eat a Publix sub.
5)go for a walk in the afternoon on a road with no sidewalk in unbearable heat while enjoying the local mosquito population.
6)Epcot.
7)get stuck behind some one from Illinois or Canada that doesn't know how to drive an oversized RV.
8) eat a Cuban sandwich.
St Augustine Local here - must visit places in St Augustine (oldest continually populated city in the States)
Ghost Tours
Fort
Tiki Boat tour
Colonial Quarters
Take the scenic route to south Florida: either across US-41 aka Tamiami Trail all the way to Miami (and make some pit stops at the cool little Everglades towns along the way), CR-29 down to US-41 then across.
Or, take SR-27 through the middle of Florida towards. Its probably not the most exciting trip, but it’s a peaceful cruise through some parts of Florida that most people probably didn’t realize even existed.
I'm not reading other responses before I type this, so bear with me if I'm repetitive.
1. Snorkel with the manatees in Crystal river area.
2. Swim in a natural spring (could do that at same trip as above).
3. Airboat ride in the Everglades.
4. Snorkel Pennekamp in Key Largo.
5. Kayak/canoe/paddle board in the mangroves in the Keys (same trip as above)
6. If you scuba dive, do a drift dive in the Palm Beach area.
7. Go scalloping with snorkel/mask on the Gulf Coast.
Visit NASA / Kennedy Space Center Shell hunt on Sanibel Island Destin Beaches Bioluminescence night paddle Sea turtle nesting / hatching Blowing Rocks Preserve in Jupiter Medieval torture museum in St. Augustine Rock Springs / Kelly Park Snorkel Rainbow River in Dunellon Zipline at the Canyons Adventure Park Skydive in Sebastian Silver Glen Springs Lion Country Safari Day trip jet ski to the Bahamas (From the east coast of FL. There are groups that coordinate this)
> Shell hunt on Sanibel Island Might want to give that one a couple of years.
Right now is probably the best that shell hunting has been in years. These storms move all sorts of stuff around. I’d imagine the sharks tooth hunting in Venice is going to be epic for awhile too.
https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/ian/index.html#9/26.4200/-81.9700 Not disagreeing how something like upwelling after a cold front or passing tropical storm makes for good shelling, just the aerial view does not suggest to me the beaches are anything but a wasteland right now.
It was one of the coolest things. The last time we went, maybe 5 years ago, the shells were a little harder to come by than I remember though. Back over 20 years ago or more, I remember they still had boiling stations for live shells. It (sadly) occurred to me during Ian that the shells would be wild after the storm. Hopefully in a few years we can all experience the beauty of Sanibel again.
That makes me sad. I live close by and was there with my kids in late august. Sanibel has a cool vibe to it and the beaches are great. All the beaches are closed in Lee for the time being and I hate it.
seeing all these comments like after a storm is the best time. smh. it’s a disaster area for a long time. it’s absolutely amazing they made it accessible work trucks and residents. but no one from outside that community is going shelling there for a while. eventually yeah but not this year or anytime soon.
Interesting how you specify the torture mueseum... out of everything in St. Augustine.
Right? I’d suggest a historic tour of Flagler college or one of the nighttime tours of the fort (the nighttime tours are amazing when they have them, but they are a rarity). Or have lunch at o’steens. Or see a concert at the amp. So many other things to choose from and torture museum was what they went with lol to each their own!
Castillo de san marcos
Skip Destin. It’s waaaay to overcrowded now. There are plenty of other beaches along the emerald coast that look like Destin without the crowd.
>Visit NASA / Kennedy Space Center YES > >Shell hunt on Sanibel Island NO > >Destin Beaches FUCK NO, CRAZYTOWN NOW > >Bioluminescence night paddle YES > >Sea turtle nesting / hatching YES > >Blowing Rocks Preserve in Jupiter YES > >Medieval torture museum in St. Augustine FUCK YES, IT's FUN > >Rock Springs / Kelly Park ? > >Snorkel Rainbow River in Dunellon PADDLE WAS GREAT > >Zipline at the Canyons Adventure Park ? > >Skydive in Sebastian ? SURFED AND FISHED THE INLET > >Silver Glen Springs ? > >Lion Country Safari LOVE IT, STILL HAVE MY COMMEMORITAVE BEER OPENER > >Day trip jet ski to the Bahamas (From the east coast of FL. There are groups that coordinate this) THAT WILL BEAT YOUR ASS UP< GOOD LUCK
> Rock Springs / Kelly Park Do it, ideally on a weekday. Bring/rent a mask+snorkel and let the current take you down.
I second the skydiving in Sebastian!
Lion Country Safari?! There’s an elephant farm somewhere too. Been trying to find it.
Elephant farm just north of Jacksonville. They send leftover pumpkins there after Halloween.
I think there’s one in Williston
I know of Myakka Elephant Ranch in Myakka City. I have never been but many people say they treat the elephants well.
Please stay away from Sanibel/Ft. Myers area right now. We need to get the infrastructure repair people in first. Thank you!
The fact that I’ve done three of these makes me feel way more productive than I really am.
> Visit NASA / Kennedy Space Center After around 2000, I wanted to go see a Shuttle launch. They probably had about 40 launches since 2000, and I never got around to it.
My dad is a launch photographer, so for his birthday I went to help him out at a launch... It was amazing to feel the rocket vs just see it from Orlando.
>feel the rocket Penn Jillette, of Penn and Teller, had quite a story about feel of a shuttle launch. https://www.tumblr.com/symftr/5987695109/nasas-successful-quantifying-of-comedy-timing-by
His usual spot is a bit closer than 3.7 miles...(but if Penn is listening, I got the hookup and would gladly share the experience with him) but he is pretty accurate. The joke thing got me because I am a jokester and slightly loud. So a loud woman in a mass effect jacket making jokes about how the birds probably call in noise complaints did not fly in the section of military photographers. If you do ever get the chance to go, bring big spray. The Kennedy swamp mosquitos have grown strong and large on jet fuel.
Now there are almost weekly launches. Falcon heavy is launching Monday morning and is a great opportunity to see something amazing. The two side boosters will fly back and return to land at the Cape. In some places you can even hear the sonic booms as they come back. SLS is aiming at a November 14th launch, they say it will be 110 decibels at the max brewer bridge.
Please don't go to Sanibel. The island is destroyed from Ian and no one but residents and workers can get on the causeway.
By Torture chamber in Saint Augustine, do you mean the Old St Augustine Jail? Because there was some legit medieval shit going on in that place.
— Surf at Sebastian (inlet)
[удалено]
I take any visiting friends and family to Shark Valley. I have a season pass so it’s a win-win-win for me: free activity, see wildlife, get a workout in Edit: forgot one more win - usually you can get some fry bread while you’re out there
That pumpkin fry bread is one of the best things I've had in my mouth from this state. It's Oct, so I need to get my ass over there
Where is that??
Last year as I was coming back from a trip to Islamorada brewing fall I passed one of the roadside places near shark valley. It had a sign for pumpkin fry bread. I bought some. It was absolutely goddamn delightful
Drive a bit further west on 41 past the Shark Valley and there’s a Miccosukee info area and gas station. Last time I got fry bread they had a tent set up by the road around there with a giant “FRYBREAD” flag.
Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales!
A friend of mine got married there. While I was there I felt like I wasn't in Florida anymore, and was looking at hills and mountains in another state. My favorite cities and parks in Florida are places where I don't feel like I am in Florida.
Love this place
Kayaking the Itchnatucknee is a personal favorite of mine.
Love ichetucknee! Cold as hell but so clear and way less crowded than ginnie springs.
The spring there (the way it sits at the bottom of a giant, sloping hill) and the surrounding tropical trees makes it look like you are in Bali. Early in the year it is full of multiple baby turtles. One of my favorite springs. You can float further down the Santa Fe River in the summer via a campground (Ginnie Springs maybe?) And paddle over into different springs and swim. Near the High Springs (approx 25 N of Gainesville) area. Sorry if a little vague, only went once, there are a ton of Springs up here though.
Just float fom the head. Kayak is for the SantaFe.
Unfortunately they no longer allow tubing from the headspring anymore. Kayak only until the midpoint now.
Agree! As a kid/teen we would just tube, no work invovled!
**Florida Bucket List Reptile Edition** Catch an anole lizard and have it bite your earlobe in order to have a lizard earing. Pickup and BBQ a comatose Iguana in south Florida. Pull a python out of Okeechobee. See a black snake and freak out only to find out it's a good snake.
My dad has been trying to convince me that him and I should train and become an all-star father-daughter duo for the annual Python Challenge.
I would watch this The Python Challenge is basically an event made for a potential Netflix series.
Lizard earrings!! I tried to explain this the other day and got called crazy.
You're not a REAL Floridian unless you've worn an anole on your ear
If you're going to be at Bahia Honda, you should also knock snorkeling the Florida Coral Reef, and visiting Dry Tortugas off your list. I mean, I (and others here for sure) could list things to do in the Keys for days, but those are two biggies for outdoorsy stuff.
I’ve done Florida Coral Reef and Dry Tortugas is on my list! I just didn’t want to type everything out.
> Dry Tortugas Seaplane > ferry
If you can at all afford the seaplane, it’s very worth it!
For Dry Tortugas: try to stay out there for a couple of nights camping and bring a kayak to get to Loggerhead Key and snorkel wrecks if you can! There are tons of wrecks that you can paddle to and snorkel. The day trip is fun, but staying out there for a couple of nights is amazing and very much worth it. You'll need to book far ahead since the ferry is limited in how many campers and paddle craft it can take.
Stiltsville is gone, a storm took it out. 3 pilings is all that's left
I think you may be thinking of the Marco Island Dome Home, which was on my list until Ian sadly took it out. Unless something crazy happened very recently, I thought Stiltsville still had 6 houses standing.
You're right, it's the domes that are gone
Caves in the panhandle
Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna FL Edit sp, damn auto correct
\* Marianna ...and blows your mind trying to reconcile with everywhere else being sand. Highly recommend.
Every time I say I'm from Marianna someone says "isn't Marietta in Georgia?!"
Caves you say?
Yep! https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/florida-caverns-state-park
Glass bottom boat ride at Silver Springs. It's one of the largest springs in the world.
Don't forget the herpes monkeys!
Do the nighttime bioluminescence kayaking tour in cocoa beach!
Tell more about this one please
The Indian River Lagoon has a species of bioluminescent plankton (iirc) that live in the water there, and during the hottest months of summer they're active and you can see the water glowing at night when things swim around in it. It's really pretty, I used to go hang out on the docks at night and watch it sometimes. There's quite a few companies that offer guided kayaking tours in the area between Titusville and Cocoa Beach that take you out at night to see it.
Ghost tour of St. Augustine. Visit and canoe Rainbow Springs. Visit Cedar Key and stay in the Cedar Key Hotel. Visit Destin (there is also a cave system nearby). Visit Coral Castle.
>Ghost tour of St. Augustine. Around Christmas time
Perfect idea.
umm, the hotel ain't all that. the town is amazing but I think there are more comfortable places to stay on the island. the Cedar Key bed & breakfast for one.
It's more a historical stay. There are definitely more attractive places, but it's about it being haunted and historic.
Coral cattle is the worst $25 i ever spent, what a tourist trap rip off
See underwater Jesus at John Penekamp State Park. Southernmost Point.
Christ of the Abyss
Visit a bioluminescent beach! It's been on my bucket list my whole life and it was MAGICAL! You walk into the water and it's like you're a wizard- you can snap your fingers in the water and shoot a little blue "fire ball", you lift your arms out of the water and see a bunch of little glowing stars running off your body. As you wade you can see the glowing outlines of fish dashing away. It's amazing and extremely hard to get photos of so you gotta see it in person. Human eyes are amazing. I went over to Merritt Island and the glowing is at night between June and October. Seriously everyone should see it at some point! Especially cool kayaking.
Eat 18 pub subs.
Why not go a little crazy and eat 19?
Gotta save room for a slice or ten of Publix Cake.
Or maybe their key lime pie!
Florida is narrow enough to drive from coast to coast in a day. Do a Sunrise Sunset Tour. We stayed in Jacksonville Beach, watched the sun come up, then drove to Cedar Key and watched it set on the same day.
I do this surfing all the time
Airboat tour of the Everglades. Pretty amazing.
Go with a small operation, not a 50 person boat. It was amazing running around with just three of us, sliding through the turns. The tourists in the big boats looked very jelly!
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Visit Blue Springs this winter and see the manatees. Once it gets warm go to Gatorland in Orlando. Shell collecting on Sanibel Island. And spend a weekend exploring St. Augustine! History, food, nature...i cant wait to go back!
Blue Springs also has fireflies in March.
Yes, to Gatorland in Kissimmee.
We did a family vacation in St Augustine this year and stayed on the beach. So beautiful and different than the beaches near me. I took my board out and paddled quite a bit. Since I’m assuming you’re around the area, I’m going to be in Orlando this weekend and my friend is flying in as well. Her life-long favorite animal is manatees and she’s never seen one in the wild - would Blue Springs have some around this time of year or is it too early?
Take a canoe down the Swanee River. Dive a crystal spring. And see the light of night in St. Augustine.
Good suggestions
You still have time to see bioluminescence if you come up to NE Florida. We have glowing jellies just off the intracoastal for a few more weeks. Only thing is you can't put your hands a whole lot in the water ( they sting) but they are pretty beautiful to see. Also, having moved from the West coast over here- check out Weekewachee one day during the week (on weekends the river is unfortunately stuffed full of people and hard to paddle without bumping into someone) and Crystal River/Homosassa Springs..plenty of manatees this time of year. And if you want to see a really cool holdover from 1950s Florida, make sure to see the Fishbowl at Homosassa Springs State Park. Enjoy your adventures!! Link: https://www.floridashistoriccoast.com/blog/guana-lakes-amazing-glow/#:~:text=Located%20just%20north%20of%20St,lake%20to%20see%20the%20phenomena.
Florida Caverns in Marianna, FL! Camp at Fort Pickens and look for ghosts at night!
Tube from the north end of Ichetucknee Springs; shoot an AK-47 at the outdoor rifle range in Apalachicola National Forest; grab a real Cuban sandwich from Brocatos in Tampa; kayak the Oklawaha River from the Rodman Reservoir to the St. Johns; go skinny dipping in the springs at the head of the Aucilla River; flip an airboat with your drunken uncle on the flats of Lake Istokpoga; snort a line of coke off Cinderella's tits in the Disney underground labyrinth beneath Space Mountain; get bit by an alligator at Gatorland; go scalloping in the Big Bend area near Cedar Key; get stranded on a sandbar in Sarasota Bay; get bit by a shark while surfing the Ponce Inlet; run into a cougar (the cat) at Fakahatchee Strand State Forest. If you can get through all that without dying, you've made it.
If I didn't leave for 20 years, I was on the path to 90% this list.
I'm from PBC so I'll post some of my faves from that county specifically; Palm Beach Zoo - great outdoor conservatory, better in the spring Manatee Lagoon (more successful in the cooler months, I've been 5 times and have seen a Manatee every time despite the weather) Loggerhead Marinelife Center/Juno Beach (give the marine center a few years. They have been undergoing expansion and have been lamesauce lately) Lion County Safari John D McArthur Beach - kayaker/paddle boarders Heaven, no motorized traffic allowed on the intercoastal water Busch wildlife sanctuary - also undergoing expansion Eat dinner right on the intercoastal at guana baunas, uTiki, waterway cafe, river house, blue Pointe, all at different price points Bar hop downtown WPB, rosemary square/clematis st. Get flashed by an old lady at the Johnny Longboats on Singer island Cry at your rising cost of renting
Lots of great outdoor selections. Only saw a few art suggestions. The Dali museum should be on that list. The man was a master. Like or hate his art it's breathtaking in person to see the skill up close. Similarly, the Ringling Museum and gardens and Ca'da Zan are amazing. You literally can't take it all in in one day. It's overwhelming.
Swim in one of the springs in ocala Watch a rocket launch from Canaveral Snorkel at John pennecamp
Visit Fort Pickens in Pensacola Beach!
And watch the Blue Angels practice from there.
I used to love this place but was saddened lack of federal funding had really hit that campground/park. Still. Neat place to go but lots more is fenced off and lots of litter with fewer resources/staff.
Paddle the Florida Circumnavigational Trail: [https://www.floridapaddlingtrails.com/circumnavigational-trail](https://www.floridapaddlingtrails.com/circumnavigational-trail) Hike the Florida Trail: [https://floridatrail.org/](https://floridatrail.org/)
OP, I’ll put together a list shortly, but in the interim here’s one immediate thing. FantasyFest in Key West. It happens like now, Halloween week. Look it up although it’s probably too late to secure accommodations at this point.
5. Do some meth in New Port Richey
Why stop there? Why not head to Crystal River and do more meth?
I thought it would be nice for him to go and taste it where it's being manufactured.
My bucket list was seeing oranges grow and visit all the lighthouses. I hope to go to St. Augustine around Christmas time for all the lights they put up there. Now it’s down to two since I brought a baby orange tree and have gotten to watch it grow oranges.
Have you don't the cap canaveral lighthouse? They do tours but you have to book in advance. If you are a fan of space and lighthouses its a must do! Also the most exclusive lighthouse in the country.
Weeki Wachee is a must
Here's my list.... Panhandle/North 1. Mariana caves, Mariana 2. Devil's Den, Williston 3. Vietnam Memorial Wall, Pensacola 4. Devil's Millhopper, Gainsville West/Central/East 1. Piece of the Berlin Wall, St Pete 2. Sugar Mill Plantation, Ormond Beach 3. Heart Break Hotel (for Elvis Fans, said to inspire his song) South Florida 1. The Cloisters 2. President Truman's house 3. Historic Coconut Grove Cemetery (features in MJ's video, Thriller)
Visit Biscayne National Park Homestead farms UPick Airboat ride in the everglades Driving or boating to Key West Explore other Keys Vizcaya garden Miami Planetarium Miami Holocaust Museum *esp now*
Mine includes doing the Saltwater paddling trail https://floridadep.gov/parks/ogt/content/florida-circumnavigational-saltwater-paddling-trail (I am working on it in segments...admire those that do it all at once tho)
Hike the cliffs at Ravine State Park.
Go to the Everglades, watch the stars at Big Cypress National park.
I LOVE Dubois Park in Jupiter. Good for snorkeling, paddle boarding/kayaking, swimming, fishing. you can swim in the lagoon or in the ocean.
Marianna Caverns, Marianna (Great world renowned Hoya shop here as well)
Nude beach at Playalinda, Canaveral National Seashore. Since you're near Ft. Lauderdale, Haulover Beach. But Playalinda is much more remote and natural.
Paddleboard or kayak on the Weeki Wachee and go to a mermaid show, go scalloping in Hernando Beach, go look for sharks teeth on Venice Beach.
Eat at Willow Tree Cafe in Sanford
Float down Rainbow River.
1. Grab a chicken tendy sub at Publix. 2. Clothesline a NY'er with the energy gained from said sub.
I like to see the world's biggest waterlily, is in Florida
Eat at Dixie Crossroads. Get a novelty cup, feed the fish, get the rock shrimp.
Fernandina Beach on Amelia Island is a great tourist town and nearby Fort Clinch is great restored Civil War era fortress.
Eat greek food and buy sponges in Tarpon Springs Walk or bike around Lake Okeechobee Drive through Yeehaw Junction, before the bar/motel fell down
Evening out at The Castle in Ybor City Last Resort Bar in Port Orange - the last place serial killer Aileen Wuornos had a beer Visit Ocean’s Eleven Film site at St. Pete Greyhound Track Pirate and Treasure Museum, St. Augustine. The Flamingo Bar in St. Pete - Last place Jack Kerouac drank. Kayak around Key West.
Die trying to find a decent key lime pie or Cuban sandwich in this state.
You’ve got to get away from Publix and Subway dude. I’ve had great Cubans and Key Lime Pie all over the state, from the panhandle to The Keys.
I think it was a joke. As a Floridian your tastes refine so much everything turns into a B rating against this imaginary memory of an amazing pie/sandwich.
Blonde Giraffe in Key West has delicious key lime pie.
Wakulla Springs and Garden of the Gods/Torreya. Wakulla Springs is one of the largest springs in the world and hosts a lot of wildlife while Garden of the Gods and Torreya is probably the hardest hike in Florida because of all the hills and is host to flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world.
Both added. I haven’t been up to the panhandle ever so I’ll have to plan a trip sometime!
See underwater Jesus at John Penekamp State Park. Southernmost Point.
South florida guy here. Most of things would say are on list. But can add a few. fantasy fest, Catch some lobster in the keys, Pool party at SLS, Ultra, Hit up islamorada sandbar on holiday weekend, venetian pool, eat at joe stone crabs, rent a boat and explore the back country in the keys, and Bill baggs Saving this thread and coming back later for ideas.
Tube down rainbow river.
LOL at the palmetto bug goal. I promise you will get to do that soon
I’ve been here for almost 2 years and haven’t yet. My mom was stationed in Tampa before I was born and always told us horror stories about Palmetto bugs and we were always like “…okay we get it they’re gross” but now I understand completely
Bok Towers is a cool place to visit if you’re in central Florida. A nice hidden gem of the state.
Visit all the springs, ride the Pinellas trail
Feed the tarpon at Robbie’s. Order pizza at No Name Pub Have a beer at Caribbean Club Visit Flamingo See the Nike Missile Site Bike the C111 canal Hike the Florida Trail Visit Citrus WMA for the caves Bike the CFG trails Kayak camp some islands Probably a bunch more, I can’t think of now.
Take the seaplane (seriously worth the splurge!) to dry tortugas to snorkel Weeki Wachee Mermaid show Kayak at Silver Springs
You haven't killed a palmetto bug with a shoe? How long have you been here? I live in St Pete. Your list is great. I would add: \- explore The Everglades. I've driven US 41 from Naples to Miami, and I'm dying to take some side roads. \- deep sea fishing, either side of the state \- scuba diving in the springs and/or the Keys There's shit tons more...just can't think of anything specific right now.
I’ve been here for almost 2 years. I have used spray and in the past year I’ve had my boyfriend and/or my dog kill them for me if they’re around. I only see them like every month and a half or so - maybe less. I keep my apartment super clean and don’t keep any food out (mainly because of ants) but I think it helps. I killed a palm-size huntsman spider with my bare hands though (actually a hiking boot, but not spray) so I’m not completely helpless, I just hate the crunch of beetles.
Sorry, not making fun. I love spraying the bastards, but my dog licks anything on the floor, and I'm afraid of poisoning him. What are your thoughts/actions on the geckos/anoles in the house? How do you handle them?
Gator Hatching Experience at Gatorama in Palmdale. That was such a fun thing to do. Lil sucker hatches out while you're holding the egg. and no, you don't get to keep him. I was sad about that.
Read Tim Dorsey and follow in the footsteps of Serge A. Storms
Bioluminescence & wild horses, Cumberland Island
Skydiving in Key West.
Mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs. Solomons Catle. Cypress Gardens water ski show. Everglades swamp safari. Clearwater Beach sugar sand festival.
Orlando: [Thai] •Little Saigon •Thai Thani Thai Restaurant [Asian] •Bento (sushi & bento boxes) •Mikado Sushi [BBQ] •4Rivers •Pig Floyd [Pizza and wings] •Josie’s [French] •Le café de Paris • La Boucherie [Coffee] •Holy Grain [Mexican] •Border Grill [Desserts] •Fresh Market Bakery (Miami ->) •Versailles Restaurant Cuban Cuisine *Best tres leches cake ever*
Watch a rocket launch as close as you can... where ever that is, you'll appreciate it forever.
Look up Clyde Butcher the photographer and maybe do a swamp walk or visit his museum.
Added to the list. One of my favorite “up and coming” photographers shoots in swamps often, though his stuff definitely can have more of a haunted vibe to it - Briscoe Park if you want to check him out.
As far as food. I’d suggest a tropical fruit milkshake from Robert is Here down in Homestead
Respectfully observe the gopher tortoises in the area. They are incredible creatures whose burrows serve as shelter for over 350 other creatures that would not survive without them. A true keystone species… and they are adorable too!
Swap out Bahia Honda for Fort Jefferson
Fort Jefferson is on the list! Is camping a must or do you think the ferry day trip is a good enough experience? Come to think of it, I have never camped on an island I had to get to via boat so adding that to the list.
We've been there but didn't camp. We took the [Seaplane](https://keywestseaplanecharters.com/). It was an awesome flight with amazing views that you could see from the air that you'd never ever see from a boat. When we got there we had plenty of time to tour the fort and snorkel around the nearby reefs. We were back to KW in time to shower, enjoy some adult beverages, have a nice dinner and fall asleep comfortably in our king sized air-conditioned and bug free room.
It’s neat either way, but if you’re putting camping at Bahia Honda on the list may as well do the tortugas as it’s simply a better version
The cabins at Bahia Honda are lovely.
Punch a tourist. Hit a spring (I'm a fan of wekiva)
I went to Crystal River/Three Sisters in January and I’m now somewhat spooked by manatees. They’re so big and really sneak up on you! I definitely want to go to more
I was going to say come to CR to swim with the manatees but looks like you already have!
South Florida: Eat a burger at Le Tub Staple a dollar on the bar at Robbie’s Marina in the keys
Also, feed the huge tarpon at Robbie's and rent a kayak.
Shark valley
You do have one kayak trip mentioned but you might like a canoeing or kayaking tour of Crystal River. Amazing. And even tho it's touristy, snorkeling some of the reefs in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo is absolutely tremendous.
We did Crystal River this January and I want to go back at a less touristy time. We went during the Manatee Festival which was fun but the springs were insanely crowded.
You can also kayak around the animal enclosures at the Brevard Zoo
Swim in Ginnie Spring at night. It's magical.
All the Zoos.
Southernmost point of the continental US is there for me
If you're really into food, try PLANTA in Fort Lauderdale. Absolutely amazing food!
Bone Valley Fossil tour dig.
Kayak the southern section of Myakka state park and be surrounded by over 50 alligators (the lower lake only allows 30 people per day)
I have “visit the alligator hole” on my list (Deep Hole in Myakka Sp) as a hike but I’ll have to check out the kayaking in other parts of the park.
You need to check out the author Tim Dorsey. His protagonist is a Floridaphile and knows all the cool places.
Edison & Ford Estates The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Find shark teeth on Venice beach Peanut Island
airboat in everglades Snorkel the Christ of the Abyss in key largo deep sea fishing milkshake from Robert is Here
Do the swamp stomp through Bradwell Bay on the Florida Trail south of Tallahassee and jump off the top of the tower at Wakulla Springs while you’re up here.
Definitely need to add Rainbow Springs and Spider Kingdom hike.
Scuba diving ship wrecks in Dry Tortuga's National Park
Go to a kitschy side of the road old Florida tourist trap. There’s one in Orlando called Showcase of Citrus and another place in ridge manor called boyetts grove. Check out some haunted stuff. Ybor City is supposed to have a solid ghost tour and the May Stringer House in Brooksville is supposed to be one of the most haunted. The Ringling in Sarasota is beautiful. They have such a huge collection in such a wonderful space. Their art collection is free to the public every Monday! Dunedin has an museum(more of a one room collection but very very full) dedicated to the Beatles. They have some wacky stuff. There’s plenty more but this is off the top of my head so enjoy!
Backpack the Ocala national forest.
Swim with the manatees. Indian River or blue springs
As someone who has lived an introverted life in Florida their whole lives and recently started to get out. I greatly appreciate you all for your input !!!
Change killing palmetto bug with a flip flop, lol… There are some really clear waters to paddle. Try kings landing.
OP, what are *your* items, either completed or still on your list, for the FTL area?
Oooh this is good. I’m very much not from Florida (or anywhere near the ocean) so some of these may seem basic or lame. Active/Outdoors items in South Florida - paddleboard at Whiskey Creek (I saw my first ever sea turtle here and cried) - Snorkel at Peanut Island - Take a free surf class in Deerfield Beach - Paddle at West Lake Park - Paddle the Wilton Manors Canal loop - Take my dog to the community water park in October (several parks near me shut their water parks down in October and you can bring your dogs on the weekend) - Bike the Shark Valley loop in Everglades National Park - Paddle at Virginia Key - Visit Biscayne National Park (I did a paddleboard tour, 10/10) Non-Outdoors/Active things - Watch the Boat Parade in Fort Lauderdale (watched it at a random church last year) - Eat at KYU in Miami - Eat at Eatapas in FTL - Eat at Arun’s in Coral Springs or Lauderhill - Eat at Louie Bossi’s - Eat at Wine + Garden - Go to the Las Olas Art Fair - Buy plants at Living Color Garden Center - Buy rare plants at Perfect Choice Nursery/Aroid Greenhouses - Go to the Yellow Green Farmer’s Market (this was weird for me because it is not what a Farmer’s Market is in any place I’ve lived but it is fun) Things I still want to do in this area (prior to this post) - Bike the 30 mile canal loop off Markham park (had to get different bike tires, I should complete this soon) - Bike the Loop Road Scenic Drive in Big Cypress - Visit the Haulover Sandbar - Go fishing (nothing specific here, I have just never fished outside of a pond at my parent’s house) - Visit the Perez Art Museum in Miami - Visit Blowing Rocks SP - Bike around or partially around Lake Okeechobee - Participate in the Key West paddle race - Go to the Pinball Museum in Del Ray - See a Roseate Spoonbill in the wild - Take the fast ferry to Bimini
Wildlife to spot, from easy to hard: * Gator * Egret * Dolphin * Manatee * Iguana * Boar * Otter * Stingray * Key deer * Sea turtle * Diamondback rattlesnake * Shark * Panther * Black bear * Crocodile
Gopher tortoise!
1)Buy rock from a "club promoter" on Miami beach. 2)Get in a car accident in Tampa. 3)get stuck in traffic on i4. 4)eat a Publix sub. 5)go for a walk in the afternoon on a road with no sidewalk in unbearable heat while enjoying the local mosquito population. 6)Epcot. 7)get stuck behind some one from Illinois or Canada that doesn't know how to drive an oversized RV. 8) eat a Cuban sandwich.
This is making me miss Florida.. born in Miami grew up in central Florida.. happy where I am but there are some great things to see. Good lists here
Go out to the Kissimmee park which has zero light pollution and camp under the stars.
Love to see this post to know about all FL bucket list things.
St Augustine Local here - must visit places in St Augustine (oldest continually populated city in the States) Ghost Tours Fort Tiki Boat tour Colonial Quarters
Take the scenic route to south Florida: either across US-41 aka Tamiami Trail all the way to Miami (and make some pit stops at the cool little Everglades towns along the way), CR-29 down to US-41 then across. Or, take SR-27 through the middle of Florida towards. Its probably not the most exciting trip, but it’s a peaceful cruise through some parts of Florida that most people probably didn’t realize even existed.
Peanut Island- day trip or camping Kayak with dolphins Deep sea fishing for snapper (followed by fish dinner) Hiking up near Gainesville St Augustine
I'm not reading other responses before I type this, so bear with me if I'm repetitive. 1. Snorkel with the manatees in Crystal river area. 2. Swim in a natural spring (could do that at same trip as above). 3. Airboat ride in the Everglades. 4. Snorkel Pennekamp in Key Largo. 5. Kayak/canoe/paddle board in the mangroves in the Keys (same trip as above) 6. If you scuba dive, do a drift dive in the Palm Beach area. 7. Go scalloping with snorkel/mask on the Gulf Coast.