Whether you live in Florida or not, there are several places here that deserve a spot on your bucket list. There are tons of incredible things to see here, so we had to make some very difficult decisions to get this list down to a manageable size. Here are the top 18 places in Florida (in no particular order) that you have to see before you die:

  1. The Keys

commons.wikimedia.org You might be surprised how many Floridians haven’t been to the Keys. (Florida is a very large state, so it’s not exactly close to everyone.) The Florida Keys are so cool, unique and full of natural beauty. There’s truly something for everyone.

  1. Everglades National Park

Flickr/Miguel Vieira This one is probably a no-brainer. This park is one of the few places where we can see Florida as it was long before development.

  1. Coral Castle, Homestead

Flickr/lancearoundorlando Built by a single man in the 1920s, this castle is a real testament to love and determination. It also makes a really fun day trip.

  1. Ocala National Forest

Flickr/Jaine Some of our most breathtaking trails and natural springs can be found here.

  1. Dali Museum, St. Petersburg

Flickr/Matthew Paulson The work of this strange and fascinating artist does not disappoint.

  1. Weeki Wachee

Flickr/Alícia Roselló Gené The mermaid shows at Weeki Wachee aren’t just cool, they’re an enchanting display of Florida’s charm.

  1. Bok Tower Gardens, Lake Wales

Flickr/Ricardo Mangual This singing tower in Central Florida is beautiful, and so are its surrounding gardens.

  1. Torreya State Park

Flickr/Scott Zona This park in northwestern Florida is one of the most scenic places in the state. The park is renowned for its high bluffs and the rare tree for which it’s named.

  1. St. Augustine

Flickr/Doug Kerr St. Augustine is the nation’s oldest city, so of course, it’s full of history. But it’s also full of awesome restaurants, fun things to do, and Anastasia State Park. Every Floridian should visit St. Augustine at least once.

  1. De Leon Springs State Park

Flickr/John Wood Not only is this park famous for its springs, it’s famous for its unique and very popular Sugar Mill Restaurant, where guests make their own pancakes at the table.

  1. Solomon’s Castle, Ona

Flickr/Sam Howzit This is another castle built by one man, but this one was made by an artist and houses tons of his really unique art. Rumor has it there’s also a delicious restaurant here.

  1. Siesta Key

Flickr/Ryan McKee This barrier island in southwest Florida is full of otherworldly beauty, including the whitest sand in the world at Siesta Beach.

  1. Bern’s Steak House, Tampa

Lara Cerri via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor Bern’s is a local landmark for a good reason. Not only is it delicious, but Bern’s has the largest wine list in the world. Plus, everyone who dines at Bern’s is welcome to tour the cellar after dinner.

  1. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park, Micanopy

Flickr/Wes Lindberg This park near Gainesville is not just a scenic state park; it’s home to wild birds, alligators, horses and bison.

  1. Rainbow Springs State Park, Dunnellon

Greg Workman via Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife They may be man-made, but the prettiest waterfalls you’ll find in Florida are at Rainbow Springs State Park. The crystal-clear water is perfect for canoeing, kayaking, swimming and snorkeling, too. For a natural (but possibly less scenic) waterfall, check out Falling Waters State Park in Chipley, instead.

  1. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, Delray Beach

www.wikipedia.org Learn about Japanese culture in a serene setting, through art, tea ceremonies, food and classes. The festivals at this museum are especially amazing.

  1. Florida Caverns State Park, Marianna

commons.wikimedia.org A lot of people don’t even know we have caves (that aren’t underwater) in Florida. This state park showcases the only air-filled caves you can tour in Florida.

  1. Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World, Orlando

Flickr/Christian Lambert Of course, if you’re really writing your bucket list, you can’t leave off the Magic Kingdom. Even if you’re not a kid anymore, this place will make you feel young again, at least for a little while.

Did you agree with this list? Are there any places you would add (or remove)? What’s your Florida bucket list? Please share your comments with us below!

commons.wikimedia.org

You might be surprised how many Floridians haven’t been to the Keys. (Florida is a very large state, so it’s not exactly close to everyone.) The Florida Keys are so cool, unique and full of natural beauty. There’s truly something for everyone.

Flickr/Miguel Vieira

This one is probably a no-brainer. This park is one of the few places where we can see Florida as it was long before development.

Flickr/lancearoundorlando

Built by a single man in the 1920s, this castle is a real testament to love and determination. It also makes a really fun day trip.

Flickr/Jaine

Some of our most breathtaking trails and natural springs can be found here.

Flickr/Matthew Paulson

The work of this strange and fascinating artist does not disappoint.

Flickr/Alícia Roselló Gené

The mermaid shows at Weeki Wachee aren’t just cool, they’re an enchanting display of Florida’s charm.

Flickr/Ricardo Mangual

This singing tower in Central Florida is beautiful, and so are its surrounding gardens.

Flickr/Scott Zona

This park in northwestern Florida is one of the most scenic places in the state. The park is renowned for its high bluffs and the rare tree for which it’s named.

Flickr/Doug Kerr

St. Augustine is the nation’s oldest city, so of course, it’s full of history. But it’s also full of awesome restaurants, fun things to do, and Anastasia State Park. Every Floridian should visit St. Augustine at least once.

Flickr/John Wood

Not only is this park famous for its springs, it’s famous for its unique and very popular Sugar Mill Restaurant, where guests make their own pancakes at the table.

Flickr/Sam Howzit

This is another castle built by one man, but this one was made by an artist and houses tons of his really unique art. Rumor has it there’s also a delicious restaurant here.

Flickr/Ryan McKee

This barrier island in southwest Florida is full of otherworldly beauty, including the whitest sand in the world at Siesta Beach.

Lara Cerri via Flickr/VISIT FLORIDA Editor

Bern’s is a local landmark for a good reason. Not only is it delicious, but Bern’s has the largest wine list in the world. Plus, everyone who dines at Bern’s is welcome to tour the cellar after dinner.

Flickr/Wes Lindberg

This park near Gainesville is not just a scenic state park; it’s home to wild birds, alligators, horses and bison.

Greg Workman via Flickr/Florida Fish and Wildlife

They may be man-made, but the prettiest waterfalls you’ll find in Florida are at Rainbow Springs State Park. The crystal-clear water is perfect for canoeing, kayaking, swimming and snorkeling, too. For a natural (but possibly less scenic) waterfall, check out Falling Waters State Park in Chipley, instead.

www.wikipedia.org

Learn about Japanese culture in a serene setting, through art, tea ceremonies, food and classes. The festivals at this museum are especially amazing.

A lot of people don’t even know we have caves (that aren’t underwater) in Florida. This state park showcases the only air-filled caves you can tour in Florida.

Flickr/Christian Lambert

Of course, if you’re really writing your bucket list, you can’t leave off the Magic Kingdom. Even if you’re not a kid anymore, this place will make you feel young again, at least for a little while.

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