Florida is chaotic, humid and occasionally home to headlines that sound completely made up. And yet? We keep coming back!
Because beneath the alligator memes and slightly questionable spring break decisions lies a state packed with dreamy beaches, outrageously good food, world-famous theme parks and enough sunshine to convince you that SPF 50 is, in fact, a personality trait.
Whether you’re chasing rollercoasters in Orlando, vegan brunches in Miami or tropical sunsets in the Keys, here’s your ultimate guide to the very best places to visit in the Sunshine State:
Let’s be honest: for a lot of people, Orlando is Florida.
This is the land of childhood dreams, dramatic queue times and spending an alarming amount of money on themed snacks shaped like cartoon characters. But honestly? It’s worth every second!
First up: Walt Disney World Resort. Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, you will probably cry during the fireworks show (despite insisting you’re “not really a Disney person”). Between Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, Disney basically serves four different flavours of escapism! Whoohoo!
Then there’s Universal Orlando Resort: home to rollercoasters, cinematic chaos and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where millennials collectively lose their minds over butterbeer (yepp, they have a vegan version now) and Hogwarts Castle. Islands of Adventure has some genuinely brilliant thrill rides, whilst Universal Studios Florida leans heavily into movie magic and immersive attractions.
Whether you’re chasing rollercoasters in Orlando, vegan brunches in Miami or tropical sunsets in the Keys, here’s your ultimate guide to the very best places to visit in the Sunshine State:
Orlando: Rollercoasters and Cinematic Heaven
Let’s be honest: for a lot of people, Orlando is Florida.
This is the land of childhood dreams, dramatic queue times and spending an alarming amount of money on themed snacks shaped like cartoon characters. But honestly? It’s worth every second!
First up: Walt Disney World Resort. Yes, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s crowded. Yes, you will probably cry during the fireworks show (despite insisting you’re “not really a Disney person”). Between Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom, Disney basically serves four different flavours of escapism! Whoohoo!
Then there’s Universal Orlando Resort: home to rollercoasters, cinematic chaos and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where millennials collectively lose their minds over butterbeer (yepp, they have a vegan version now) and Hogwarts Castle. Islands of Adventure has some genuinely brilliant thrill rides, whilst Universal Studios Florida leans heavily into movie magic and immersive attractions.
Honestly, Orlando is exhausting in the best possible way. Which is exactly why many travellers book a stay in Orlando vacation rentals instead of squeezing themselves into tiny hotel rooms after 14-hour theme park marathons (highly recommended).
Plot twist! Orlando’s vegan food scene absolutely slaps: Ethos Vegan Kitchen in Winter Park is legendary for giant comfort-food portions that somehow make you forget meat ever existed (we’re talking creamy pasta, stacked burgers and desserts capable of healing emotional damage caused by rollercoaster queues). Then there’s Market on South, where plant-based comfort food meets dangerously good doughnuts from Valhalla Bakery - believe me, one visit turns into three very quickly. Even Disney deserves credit here: vegan options inside the parks have improved massively, meaning you no longer have to survive on chips and disappointment.
Miami feels like somebody turned the saturation filter up on real life.
South Beach is all pastel lifeguard towers, bronzed rollerbladers and people casually looking like they belong on magazine covers before breakfast. The water is absurdly turquoise, the cocktails are expensive, and somehow everyone still looks fantastic despite the humidity (how do they do it?)
But Miami isn’t just beaches and influencer photo shoots: the Wynwood Arts District is packed with enormous murals, independent galleries and trendy cafés where iced matcha practically counts as a local currency.
Vegan Food in Orlando? Simply Amazing!
Plot twist! Orlando’s vegan food scene absolutely slaps: Ethos Vegan Kitchen in Winter Park is legendary for giant comfort-food portions that somehow make you forget meat ever existed (we’re talking creamy pasta, stacked burgers and desserts capable of healing emotional damage caused by rollercoaster queues). Then there’s Market on South, where plant-based comfort food meets dangerously good doughnuts from Valhalla Bakery - believe me, one visit turns into three very quickly. Even Disney deserves credit here: vegan options inside the parks have improved massively, meaning you no longer have to survive on chips and disappointment.
Miami: Where Everyone Suddenly Becomes Hotter
Miami feels like somebody turned the saturation filter up on real life.
South Beach is all pastel lifeguard towers, bronzed rollerbladers and people casually looking like they belong on magazine covers before breakfast. The water is absurdly turquoise, the cocktails are expensive, and somehow everyone still looks fantastic despite the humidity (how do they do it?)
But Miami isn’t just beaches and influencer photo shoots: the Wynwood Arts District is packed with enormous murals, independent galleries and trendy cafés where iced matcha practically counts as a local currency.
Meanwhile, the Pérez Art Museum Miami delivers sleek contemporary art with waterfront views that scream “successful main character”.
Miami takes plant-based dining very seriously: Planta South Beach is the spot for chic vegan sushi and aesthetic interiors that practically beg to be photographed, whilst Love Life Café does comfort food with a wellness twist. There's also a place called Vegan Cuban Cuisine which proves that you absolutely can veganise Cuban classics without sacrificing flavour - yaay! Basically, if your ideal holiday includes tacos, smoothies and morally superior brunches, Miami has you covered.
If you can, try to time your trip around Art Basel Miami Beach in December, when the city transforms into a giant open-air gallery filled with artists, celebrities and people wearing extremely confusing outfits (it's worth visiting just for these).
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival is another major event, bringing together chefs, cocktails and enough food to make stretchy waistbands feel essential.
Driving through the Florida Keys feels like starring in your own beachy road-trip film: the Overseas Highway stretches across the ocean water with tiny islands popping up like little tropical pit stops. Windows down, sunglasses on, your favourite holiday playlist blasting - in other words, absolute perfection!
Miami’s Vegan Scene Is Genuinely Incredible Too!
Miami takes plant-based dining very seriously: Planta South Beach is the spot for chic vegan sushi and aesthetic interiors that practically beg to be photographed, whilst Love Life Café does comfort food with a wellness twist. There's also a place called Vegan Cuban Cuisine which proves that you absolutely can veganise Cuban classics without sacrificing flavour - yaay! Basically, if your ideal holiday includes tacos, smoothies and morally superior brunches, Miami has you covered.
Cultural Events Worth Planning Around
If you can, try to time your trip around Art Basel Miami Beach in December, when the city transforms into a giant open-air gallery filled with artists, celebrities and people wearing extremely confusing outfits (it's worth visiting just for these).
The South Beach Wine & Food Festival is another major event, bringing together chefs, cocktails and enough food to make stretchy waistbands feel essential.
The Florida Keys: Tropical Chaos But Make It Cute
Driving through the Florida Keys feels like starring in your own beachy road-trip film: the Overseas Highway stretches across the ocean water with tiny islands popping up like little tropical pit stops. Windows down, sunglasses on, your favourite holiday playlist blasting - in other words, absolute perfection!
Key West is the crown jewel here: quirky, colourful and permanently relaxed. You’ll find pastel cottages, roaming chickens, live music bars and sunsets dramatic enough to make strangers clap (they actually do).
I'd also definitely recommend visiting the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum for literary history and six-toed cats, then heading to Mallory Square for the nightly sunset celebration where street performers, musicians and tourists all gather together like one giant beach party.
For nature lovers: it's worth checking out Dry Tortugas National Park, that one is pure bucket-list material with crystal-clear water, coral reefs and snorkelling that looks straight out of a travel advert.
Tampa and St Pete are criminally underrated. Here's why:
Tampa, for one, blends Cuban heritage with rooftop bars, waterfront views and again, excellent food (check HappyCow for the vegan places, there's plenty). Ybor City, the historic cigar district, feels especially lively at night with its Latin music, neon lights and energetic atmosphere.
Across the bay, St Petersburg has quietly become one of Florida’s artsiest cities: the Salvador Dalí Museum is brilliantly surreal, whilst the city itself is full of murals, independent boutiques and beach bars serving frozen cocktails dangerously well (gotta watch your liqueur over there).
It's also worth mentioning that the nearby Fort De Soto Park offers stunning beaches without the overwhelming crowds, plus kayaking trails and wildlife spotting opportunities if you temporarily decide to become an outdoorsy person (exercise is great after cocktail hangovers).
Here are our top picks: Siesta Key has soft white sand so unreal it genuinely feels edited. But the beach stays cool beneath your feet, the sunsets are gorgeous and the overall vibe is, well, “retired millionaire meets beachy paradise” I guess. Clearwater Beach also has that classic Florida energy (again, white sand, calm water and sunsets that make everyone suddenly stop talking and pull out their phones simultaneously).
I'd also definitely recommend visiting the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum for literary history and six-toed cats, then heading to Mallory Square for the nightly sunset celebration where street performers, musicians and tourists all gather together like one giant beach party.
For nature lovers: it's worth checking out Dry Tortugas National Park, that one is pure bucket-list material with crystal-clear water, coral reefs and snorkelling that looks straight out of a travel advert.
Tampa & St Petersburg: Florida’s Cooler-Than-Expected Side
Tampa and St Pete are criminally underrated. Here's why:
Tampa, for one, blends Cuban heritage with rooftop bars, waterfront views and again, excellent food (check HappyCow for the vegan places, there's plenty). Ybor City, the historic cigar district, feels especially lively at night with its Latin music, neon lights and energetic atmosphere.
Across the bay, St Petersburg has quietly become one of Florida’s artsiest cities: the Salvador Dalí Museum is brilliantly surreal, whilst the city itself is full of murals, independent boutiques and beach bars serving frozen cocktails dangerously well (gotta watch your liqueur over there).
It's also worth mentioning that the nearby Fort De Soto Park offers stunning beaches without the overwhelming crowds, plus kayaking trails and wildlife spotting opportunities if you temporarily decide to become an outdoorsy person (exercise is great after cocktail hangovers).
The Best Beaches in Florida (Because Obviously)
Here are our top picks: Siesta Key has soft white sand so unreal it genuinely feels edited. But the beach stays cool beneath your feet, the sunsets are gorgeous and the overall vibe is, well, “retired millionaire meets beachy paradise” I guess. Clearwater Beach also has that classic Florida energy (again, white sand, calm water and sunsets that make everyone suddenly stop talking and pull out their phones simultaneously).
Naples Beach is for travellers who prefer luxury hotels, quiet beaches and a slightly more sophisticated atmosphere. This place delivers understated glamour beautifully, as they say. Daytona Beach is a little louder, a little rowdier and packed with personality, mixing beach culture with motorsport history and spring break energy (ever seen that film with James Franco? It's worth a watch).
Florida isn’t all rollercoasters and beach clubs - it’s also home to some genuinely incredible nature!
Everglades National Park is wild, swampy and filled with alligators that somehow look both terrifying and deeply unbothered. Airboat tours are popular for a reason, though kayaking through the mangroves feels far more peaceful (but slightly less safe perhaps).
Crystal River offers the surreal experience of swimming with manatees - essentially giant floating potatoes with adorable faces that don't bite.
And if you fancy a slower day, Ichetucknee Springs State Park is famous for crystal-clear tubing rivers where you can lazily drift through paradise whilst (pretending you don’t have emails waiting back home).
Florida is gloriously extra: it’s rollercoasters and wildlife, glamorous beaches and bizarre roadside attractions, vegan brunches and chaotic humidity all rolled into one wildly entertaining destination.
One minute you’re sipping cocktails in Miami, the next you’re eating Mickey-shaped snacks in Orlando or spotting dolphins in the Keys. It’s weird, it’s wonderful and somehow, despite the sunburn, theme park exhaustion and occasional lizard sightings, you’ll probably leave planning your next trip back!
Florida’s Wild Side: Alligators Included
Florida isn’t all rollercoasters and beach clubs - it’s also home to some genuinely incredible nature!
Everglades National Park is wild, swampy and filled with alligators that somehow look both terrifying and deeply unbothered. Airboat tours are popular for a reason, though kayaking through the mangroves feels far more peaceful (but slightly less safe perhaps).
Crystal River offers the surreal experience of swimming with manatees - essentially giant floating potatoes with adorable faces that don't bite.
And if you fancy a slower day, Ichetucknee Springs State Park is famous for crystal-clear tubing rivers where you can lazily drift through paradise whilst (pretending you don’t have emails waiting back home).
Final Thoughts
Florida is gloriously extra: it’s rollercoasters and wildlife, glamorous beaches and bizarre roadside attractions, vegan brunches and chaotic humidity all rolled into one wildly entertaining destination.
One minute you’re sipping cocktails in Miami, the next you’re eating Mickey-shaped snacks in Orlando or spotting dolphins in the Keys. It’s weird, it’s wonderful and somehow, despite the sunburn, theme park exhaustion and occasional lizard sightings, you’ll probably leave planning your next trip back!
Flip-flops highly recommended, flamingo shirts optional, and the chaos? Well, probably inevitable! (Photo credits: Lance Asper, Freysteinn G. Jonsson, Antonio Cuellar, Bruce Warrington and Jametlene Reskp)
