Best Things To Do in Florida

For many visitors, Florida and Disney are inseparable and are the main reason why millions of tourists flock to this part of the United States every year. Walt Disney World Resort is arguably the most famous theme park in the world. With four distinct zones and two water parks, this 40-square-mile complex has not just something, but everything for everyone! The Magic Kingdom, dominated by Cinderella's castle, must be etched in the minds of almost every child. This part of the park brings cartoon characters to life, turning fantasy into reality. Young and old alike can enjoy immersive, fictional worlds and thrill rides such as Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. There are plenty of themed restaurants and, if you're lucky, you might even get to dine with Mickey Mouse. When you've finished with the fiction, why not go and meet the real thing at Animal Kingdom? See thousands of animals in tastefully designed representations of their natural environment, learn about their lives and get up close to the staff on special behind-the-scenes tours. Of course, this being Disney, thrills are not far away: help track down poachers in Safari or fly over the park on the back of a banshee. Epcot is a celebration of global community and science. Food, culture and architecture from 11 countries are showcased in the World Showcase and special events are held throughout the year. Adventure opportunities include a hang-gliding trip around the world or a musical journey into the world of Frozen. The science section offers educational insights into the world of today and tomorrow, and you can take time to design and take part in a virtual car ride or join a simulator shuttle to the stars. Disney's Hollywood Studios is a collection of rides and shows that take you into the world of the movies. Take control of a Millennium Falcon, join Mickey and Minnie's Fugitive Train or shrink down to toy size and hop on Slinky Dog as he travels through Toy Story Land. Whichever you choose, you're sure to have fun.

Universal Orlando Resort is an epic celebration of all things cinema, immersing you in a world where fantasy and reality blend to create an intoxicating assault on the senses. Divided into four main areas, the complex offers film buffs of all ages the chance to indulge in a range of spectacular movie and TV-themed activities. The complex is accessed via Universal CityWalk, a noisy and flamboyant collection of shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues that remain open long after the rides have closed. Buy official souvenirs or branded merchandise, sample authentic Mexican or Italian dishes or relax, sip a cocktail and enjoy the best shows - whatever you choose, you won't be disappointed. Of course, the main event for most visitors is the Islands of Adventure section. Spin 360 degrees while travelling at 67mph on the Hulk ride or take a trip over Hogwarts School on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride. In fact, Harry Potter fans are well catered for here with themed shops and restaurants where you can enjoy Green Eggs and Ham before choosing the perfect wand at Ollivanders. The little ones are not left out, with a host of rides and shows designed to keep them entertained. The studios themselves are not to be missed. Stroll through the backyards of famous films and shows while meeting and interacting with your favourite characters. Hop on the Men in Black ride to protect the Earth from rampaging aliens, or take the youngsters on a fantastic ride through the night sky with ETs. If you're feeling peckish, grab a Krusty Burger at Simpsons Fast Food Boulevard. Finally, when you've finished with the fast-paced world of the movies, relax at Volcano Bay, Universal's themed water park. Relax at Waturoi Beach, where the surf is always up, or float down the gentle Kopiko Wai River. Those who still need an adrenaline rush won't be disappointed either, as there are plenty of rides designed to get the pulse racing once more.

Florida is famous for its theme parks and adrenaline-fuelled rides, but how about the ultimate adventure - space travel? Located on Merritt Island, around 80km east of Orlando, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex showcases man's relationship with space exploration in all its glory.

Divided into 'mission zones', visitors can explore the history of space travel through displays of real equipment, video footage and interactive experiences. Visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame to discover the bravery of the personnel who piloted the first rockets or how they were guided by the Mission Control Centre. You can even ask questions of a real astronaut during a live presentation in the Theatre of the Universe.

Why not take the time to explore the moon through a life-size mock-up of the lunar surface with Lunar Module 9 as the centrepiece, you can even touch a real moon rock; and if that's not enough, immerse yourself in those last thrilling moments when we landed and set foot on the moon for the first time.

The fun doesn't stop there: test your astronaut skills in a state-of-the-art simulator, experience lift-off in the Shuttle Launch Experience or explore the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

No visit to South Florida is complete without taking the time to explore Everglades National Park. Characterised by shallow marshy waters, sawgrass swamps and mangrove forests, the Everglades region is actually a 60-mile-wide, 100-mile-long slow-moving river that is home to many native animal species, including, of course, the alligator. The best way to discover this 'river of grass' is to book an inflatable boat trip with one of the many licensed companies operating in the area. Whichever you choose, you'll be delighted to watch your experienced pilot navigate the swamps in his flat-bottomed craft, while expertly describing the wildlife and history of the area. You'll get a close-up look at wild gators in their natural habitat and feel the adrenaline rush as the captain shows you what his boat can really do. Excursions usually last around an hour and the price usually includes entry to an associated animal sanctuary, where a variety of animals are on display, depending on the location chosen. All sanctuaries offer educational introductions to the conservation work being undertaken in the Everglades, as well as alligator shows where you can learn more about these magnificent ancient animals; children will be particularly delighted as they will be invited to hold baby alligators and other animals.

Located in Jacksonville, Florida, the zoo and gardens are a showcase for over 2,000 animals and 1,000 plants. The 122-acre site is divided into geographically themed areas where wildlife is carefully housed and displayed in settings representative of their natural habitats. The zoo has several award-winning exhibits, including the 'Range of the Jaguar', where these majestic animals can be seen fishing for food in a series of specially constructed ponds. The zoo is also actively involved in over 50 conservation projects.

The northern part of the zoo is devoted to Africa. This area is dominated by a 1,400-foot-long elevated walkway from which you can look out over the 'African plains' and observe antelopes, zebras, elephants, lions, to name but a few, all in a natural-looking environment. Savanna Blooms is a two-acre South African garden and oasis, while Giraffe Overlook allows you to look giraffes in the eye from a spectacular elevated viewing platform. Encounters with primates in the African forest complete this part of the park.

Wild Florida celebrates the state's natural flora and fauna and includes a reptile house, while the Australian Adventure is home to hand-fed red kangaroos, wallabies and lorikeets. The delights of Asia are represented by the magnificent Monsoon Garden and the amazing Tiger Country exhibition. There are many other free exhibitions and interactive areas to explore and visit, including a children's play park. We recommend devoting a full day to exploring this wonderful park.

Feel ‘the need for speed’? Then head to Daytona Beach on Florida's east coast to visit the Daytona 500 International Speedway. Join 100,000 other spectators in one of the many grandstands around the 480-acre site and watch NASCAR, motorbike, car or truck racing on one of its many exciting circuits. Most of the circuits have stunning banked corners which, combined with clever track design, mean you can see 90% of the piste from any seat in the grandstands. Outside of race days, there's still plenty to do, with tours ranging from 30 minutes to three hours. Explore the piste and pits, Gatorade Victory Lane or take in the views from the seventh-floor Frontstretch Suite. For the more adventurous, why not opt for a driving experience? Let yourself be driven around the circuit at speeds of up to 165mph (ca. 266 km/h), or pay a little more and get behind the wheel of a 600hp NASCAR. Other packages allow you to complete several laps of the piste behind the wheel of an exhilarating supercar such as an Aston Martin, Lamborghini or Ferrari. So why not unleash the hidden Lewis Hamilton and burn some rubber at Daytona Speedway?

If you're looking for a break from being propelled at breakneck speed through incredibly tight bends and gravity-defying drops, why not head to St Augustine to quicken your pulse in more traditional conditions? Located south of Jacksonville on the east coast, St Augustine is one of the oldest European settlements in the US and has a long history of macabre incidents that have provided fertile ground for macabre paranormal activity. There are many walking and trolley tours, all guided by experts, that will take you through the spooky happenings around the city's many historic buildings. You'll no doubt explore the darkest corners of the Huguenot cemetery, the Castillo de San Marcos fort and hear the many tales of woe experienced by the inmates of the old prison. Other highlights include churches, a former military hospital and the oldest street in America, all good places for ghostly encounters. Some tours use skilled storytellers to bring the tales to life, while others are equipped with infrared cameras and other paranormal detection devices so you can have your own ghostly encounter.

Dry Tortugas National Park is a small group of coral islands that together form the westernmost point of the Florida Keys. Located 70 miles west of Key West, the park is a virtually untouched haven for marine wildlife that takes full advantage of the colourful coral reefs. Tropical birds also flock to these isolated lands to breed. The massive brick structure of Fort Jefferson dominates the area. Built in the second half of the 19th century from over 16 million bricks, it is a truly impressive sight. The park is only accessible by seaplane or boat and attracts around 63,000 visitors a year, who immerse themselves in this rare blend of history amidst an unspoilt tropical landscape. As well as the fort, there are many stories of shipwrecks and piracy, with rumours of hidden treasures to be discovered. Perhaps that's why snorkelling and scuba diving are popular pastimes here. For those looking for a night out with a difference, why not consider camping in the park at one of its eight 'base' campsites on Garden Key.

The impressive Salvador Dali Museum houses more surrealism-inspired Dali masterpieces than any other museum in the world in stunning glass and concrete building in Saint Petersburg. This collection includes oil paintings, watercolours, drawings, graphics, photographs, sculptures and objets d'art, which are regularly rotated through contemporary exhibitions. Several famous large-scale paintings, such as Christopher Columbus's Discovery of America, The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory and The Hallucinogenic Toreador, are on permanent display. The museum hosts a wide range of activities, including live performances, interactive workshops, films, lectures and fundraising events. It's a truly living celebration of the life and work of this important and entertaining artist. The museum also hosts guest exhibitions featuring works by artists of similar style, actively encouraging appreciation of this intriguing art form.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort goes head-to-head with Orlando's other theme parks, offering attractions and rides based around the famous bricks. The park is aimed at families with young children, but rest assured there's plenty of fun to be had whatever your age. LEGOLAND theme park has over 50 rides and a wide range of shows, attractions, restaurants and shops. Miniland USA features replicas of major cities such as New York, Las Vegas and Washington, as well as Florida in all its glory. Pirate- and Star Wars-themed sections offer thrills for all ages, while Duplo Valley is a gentler experience for younger children. And for aspiring drivers aged between 6 and 13, don't forget to visit the Ford Jr Driving School to get your official LEGOLAND driving licence (provided you pass the test, of course). Opening in February 2022, the Peppa Pig theme park is the latest collection of rides. It's designed to offer the very youngest members of the family their first theme park experience, with attractions with exciting names like Grandad Dog's pirate ship, Daddy Pig's rollercoaster and Grampy Rabbit's dinosaur adventure, plus many more. Finally, when the temperature starts to rise, cool off in the LEGOLAND water park: you can float on the Lazy River, take your pulse in one of the exhilarating tubes or relax and watch your kids have fun in the Duplo Splash Safari water playground.