10 Best Kept Secrets: Florida Travel Adventures
This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn a small commission when you click on the links at no additional cost to you!If you're looking for a perfect getaway, Florida is the place to be! Whether you want to soak up the sun at one of its many beautiful beaches, explore a plethora of exciting theme parks, or experience its vibrant culture and rich history—Florida offers something for everyone. In this blog post, we'll take a look at some of the best things that Florida has to offer so that you can make your vacation dreams come true. We’re saving our favorite secret spot for last!
So grab your sunscreen, pack your bags, and get ready to start exploring all the amazing places Florida has to offer!
The Blue Angels
We hit up Big Lagoon State Park and were able to watch the Blue Angels for free from our RV roof. If you haven’t seen one of their air shows, we highly recommend it! They practice 2 times a week and have several shows throughout the year.
The Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo happens around April in Lakeland, Florida and they also do a beach show later in the year. Check out their schedule and find more information here!
Everglades Airboat Tour
Next up, an Everglades Airboat tour.
This is such a great opportunity to see Florida’s wildlife, in an exhilarating way! We’ve seen regular tours for around $50 per person, and it is well worth it for this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We opted for a private tour with Down South Airboat Tours and we enjoyed every minute of our trip! The price tag for our specific trip was around $280 + tip; don’t forget to tip your guides.
Of course, this pricing can vary depending on how many people are in your group, the nature of your tour, etc., so be sure to reach out or check out their website in advance when you are making plans!
Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring
Scuba diving or snorkeling, anyone?
Head to Devil’s Den in Williston, Florida. Devil’s Den is a privately owned 50-foot-deep sinkhole with the sun pouring in from the top! There is an RV park nearby as well as lodging. We chose to scuba dive, but you can also snorkel, and based on our experience, most of the must-see is at the top. Unless you’re into diving in the dark, snorkeling is the way to go!
Don’t take our word for it though, head over to their website to see all their offerings and pictures!
The Florida Keys
Slow it down and hang out in the Florida Keys! Being in the Florida Keys is a fantastic tropical vacation without having to leave the States! Clear water, sandy beaches, sunshine, and all the activities you could dream of; there is something to do for everyone here.
One thing of note is that prices will be higher, especially in peak season, so be prepared. Look into the shoulder seasons to save money. We spent almost 2 weeks at Bahia Honda State Park for a low price! We’ll show you how to get reservations without booking in advance!
Silver Springs State Park
Speaking of State Parks, Silver Springs is up next!
For this venture, we took our inflatable paddle boards out and got to experience crystal-clear waters & wildlife. Silver Springs is well known for their glass-bottom tour boats and monkeys!
They offer hiking, paddling, boat tours, rentals, shuttle service, and restaurants. For paddling your own boat, there is a $4 launch fee plus an entrance fee of $2 per person. We have a video with some awesome footage or you can visit their website here for additional information!
Tired of reading and want to get even more details? Watch our video below ⬇️
Saint Augustine
Up next; the oldest city in America.
Although some may consider this to be a tourist trap, it does not take away from the city’s beauty and history! If you don’t mind the extra hustle and bustle of a populated area, add St. Augustine to the list to explore.
They have amazing restaurants, history, and shops to check out! One thing of note is during peak season, you may want to make reservations for dinner. Want the full scoop and itinerary, check out Plan Ready Go’s itinerary over on their website!
Crystal River Manatees
One of our bucket list items finally got checked off during our time in Florida!
We have always wanted to swim with manatees and here in Crystal River, we were able to enjoy that experience. We opted for the Fun-2-Dive company to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. They provided all of the gear which made for an easy in-and-out activity; instead of sweating the packing list, we just showed up and had a blast!
The manatees begin arriving in the area in the winter months, so be sure to check out this blog to figure out the best time to plan this trip!
Kennedy Space Center
The Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral is next and this activity is great for all ages!
We highly recommend going on a launch day, but beware; it will be crowded. This blog from the Kennedy Space Center does a fantastic job of giving details on how to watch the rocket launch. The Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area is well worth the extra expense as it is the closest point you can be to the launching!
Find all the details and activity options here!
Gulf Coast Beaches
Can’t make it to the Florida Keys? The Panhandle Gulf Coast has you covered!
Specifically, 30A Highway which runs near Destin to the Rosemary Beach area. The water is nice and clear, the reef was accessible by swimming out which made for a nice solo dive trip. We talk a good bit about our time in this video if you’re interested in more details about this area!
There are hundreds of campgrounds in the area if you decide to hit this location with an RV.
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Check out Harvest Hosts, they boast over 4,000 farms, wineries, attractions and more for overnight camping options!
Kings Landing - Apopka
Photo by Jacksonville Beach Moms on Unsplash
Photo by Jacksonville Beach Moms on Unsplash
Our final and favorite recommendation is drum roll, please… Kings Landing in Apopka, Florida.
Rock Springs Run feeds the Wekiva basin for this remarkable natural beauty! This paddle board venture was quiet and peaceful, and the water was so clear, once you got away from the launching dock. Reservations are required and they are open 7 days a week! On their site, there is a list of rules and pricing information. This is a great time to familiarize yourself ahead of your trip so you can adequately plan. Kings Landing also has a few river clean-up events throughout the year. You can find all the information, including rules and fees here on the Kings Landing webpage!
Whether you’re a hotel go-er, RVer, or Vanlifer- these adventures are made for you! As you can see, Florida boasts a diverse offering when it comes to outdoor adventures. We hope that you get to see all the amazing places the Sunshine State has to offer. Safe travels!
Tag along our paddle boarding adventures from Kings Landing, Apopka, Florida in this video!
