The Ultimate Florida Bucket List Highlighting The Best Of The State

1. Key West

While it might sound like a cliche, Key West really does have something for everyone. It's scenic, historic, funky, fun, and charming all rolled into one.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: Key West, FL

2. Gulf Islands National Seashore

Flickr/Marcus Calderon

Florida lays claim to quite a few of the best beaches on the planet, but for the sake of not making this list 500 places long, we chose the Gulf Islands National Seashore. Bright green waters and snow-white sands as far as the eye can see.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: Okaloosa, FL

3. Florida Caverns State Park

Flickr/Scott Shawcroft

Air-filled caves are not very common here in the flattest state in the country. Most of our caves can only be explored underwater, and the Florida Caverns are the only air-filled caves in Florida that offer tours for visitors. If you haven't been to this state park in the Panhandle, it's definitely worth a visit.
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Address: 3345 Caverns Rd, Marianna, FL 32446

4. Florida Reef

Jerry Reid, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service via Flickr/eutrophication&hypoxia

Did you know that Florida is home to the world's third-largest coral reef? Visit Biscayne National Park, John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary to explore its otherworldly beauty.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: Florida

5. Everglades National Park

Flickr/Rick Schwartz

An oldie but a goodie, the Everglades consists of more than a million acres of the biological diversity and natural beauty that Florida was famous for long before its theme parks and vacation spots.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: Florida

6. Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Flickr/Jorge Elias

This European-inspired estate was the winter property of agricultural industrialist John Deering. Today, it is a museum full of art and antiques, as well as a National Historic Landmark. But visitors love it just as much for its 10 acres of beautiful gardens on the Biscayne Bay.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: 3251 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33129

7. St. Augustine

Flickr/Scott Smith

You can't die in Florida without having ever visited the country's oldest city (as well as one of its coolest). Enjoy the history, architecture, ad charm that this old city offers.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: St. Augustine, Florida

8. Torreya State Park

Flickr/johnandmary.F

Although all of our state parks deserve your attention, Torreya is a real gem. This scene probably looks unusual for Florida, and that's because it was taken from a 150-foot high bluff. This park in Northwestern Florida is also home to the very rare tree for which it is named. This is about as magical as it gets.
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Address: 2576 NW Torreya Park Rd, Bristol, FL 32321

9. Bok Tower Gardens

Flickr/Ricardo Mangual

Bok Tower Gardens in Central Florida is right out of a fairy tale. The 205-foot tower is not only a work of art, it holds some of the world's finest carillon bells. The surrounding gardens are lush and romantic. It's definitely in the running for the best place to propose in Florida.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: 151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853

10. Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

Flickr/stu

This museum is actually a 55-room Beaux-Arts-style mansion, built by oil tycoon and Florida-lover Henry Flagler. This jaw-dropping historic home is full of stunning artwork and antique furniture you probably don't get to see much.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: 1 Whitehall Way, Palm Beach, FL 33480

11. Myakka River State Park

Flickr/Walter

A local favorite, this park near Sarasota has a river and two lakes, so water-related opportunities are plentiful. It's home to many diverse environments and has something for everyone.
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Address: 13208 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241

12. The Ancient Spanish Monastery

Flickr/Brook Ward

How does a 12th-century Spanish monastery end up in Florida? Well, it was purchased in the 1920s by newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst, whose plans of moving it to California were sidetracked by shipping complications. It ended up in storage for decades until it was purchased again in the '60s and moved piece by piece to North Miami Beach.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: 16711 W Dixie Hwy, North Miami Beach, FL 33160

13. Ocala National Forest

Flickr/Jaine

This underrated park in Central Florida has some of the most picturesque springs and trails in the whole state. Don't overlook this lovely park because of its relatively small size.
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Address: Ocala, Florida

14. Stuart

Flickr/Mitch Kloorfain

This small town on Florida's Treasure Coast was recently named one of Esquire Magazine's 50 Coolest Small Towns in America. Visitors will adore this town for its world-class fishing and the historic downtown area.
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Address: Stuart, Florida

15. Coral Castle

Flickr/lancearoundorlando

Coral Castle is a monolithic structure made to look like a castle, complete with huge furniture and sculptures. It was constructed using tons of coral-formed limestone. The weird thing is that how it was built remains a mystery to this day. Its creator claimed to have sourced, moved and carved all of the giant stones by himself.
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Address: 28655 S Dixie Hwy, Homestead, FL 33033

16. Venetian Pool

Flickr/socialBedia

This is not the backyard pool you grew up with. This is not even like the ridiculous pool you saw at that fancy hotel that one time. This is the country's largest freshwater swimming pool and the only swimming pool on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in the '20s in a coral rock quarry in the style of Venice, Italy. It' is truly a swimming experience unlike any other.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: 2701 de Soto Boulevard, Coral Gables, FL 33134

17. Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortuga

Flickr/Evangello Gonzalez

This unfinished island fort sits about 70 miles west of Key West, so you can visit both on the same trip. The masonry plus the beauty of its natural surroundings is touched with a haunting quality you won't soon forget.
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Address: Key West, FL

18. Spook Hill, Lake Wales

Flickr/Richard Elzey

Whether you believe it's the haunted site of an epic battle or just some kind of illusion, you'll agree Spook Hill is a weird spot. If you put your car in neutral at the bottom of the hill, it will appear to roll uphill.
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Address: Lake Wales, FL 33853

19. The Dali Museum

Flickr/Matthew Paulson

Fans of the surreal will fall head over heels for this unique museum. It houses the largest Dali collection outside of Europe. Enjoy spectacular exhibits for a day filled with culture and art.
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Address: 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

20. Washington Oaks Gardens State Park

Flickr/oliver.dodd

This state park is not just a hidden gem but a crown jewel, with gorgeous formal gardens and shorelines decorated with coquina formations, not to mention the incredible live oaks.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: 6400 N Ocean Shore Blvd, Palm Coast, FL 32137

21. Disney World

Flickr/Christian Lambert

Of course, if you're writing about the ultimate Florida bucket list, you can't leave off the Magic Kingdom. Even if you're 99 years old, this place can make you feel young again.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: Orlando, FL

22. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

Flickr/Alícia Roselló Gené

Florida is probably the only state with mermaids on its payroll. But the mermaid shows at Weeki Wachee aren't just cool, they're an enchanting display of Florida's natural (and supernatural) charm.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, FL 34606

23. Solomon's Castle

Flickr/Sam Howzit

Incredibly, this more modern-looking castle was also built by a single individual. This one, however, was made by an artist and houses tons of his unique, and sometimes hilarious, artwork. Rumor has it he also built an excellent restaurant here in the shape of a ship.
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Address: 4533 Solomon Rd, Ona, FL 33865

24. Rainbow Springs State Park

Greg Workman via Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife

This park in Dunnellon has been drawing visitors for decades with its crystal blue waters. It's nearly impossible to find natural waterfalls in Florida, but the man-made ones at this park are a lovely substitute.
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Address: 19158 SW 81st Pl Rd, Dunnellon, FL 34432

25. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

www.wikipedia.org

Visitors to this museum in Delray Beach learn about Japanese culture in a serene setting, through art, tea ceremonies, food, and classes. The festivals at this museum are especially amazing.
Click here for more information about this Florida attraction.
Address: 4000 Morikami Park Rd, Delray Beach, FL 33446

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