Unexpected Florida: A complete guide to the Sunshine State’s secrets 

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Florida might be a magnet for theme park enthusiasts but there’s so much to explore beyond the gates of Disney World. The state is a magic kingdom all of its own – it’s just waiting for you to unlock it. Whether you’re in search of a journey through United States’ history, an exciting culinary adventure, or a wild nature-based escape, you’ll find hidden gems in every corner of the Sunshine State. Uncover some of Florida’s off-the-beaten-track treasures with our comprehensive guide.  

FLORIDA PANHANDLE 

Best for: Outdoor adventure, wild beaches, Old-World charm 

One of Florida’s best-kept secrets, the Panhandle lies to the northwest of the state, fringing the emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico with dazzling, sugar-white beaches. Home to artsy coastal communities and beautiful beachfront state parks, the Panhandle has no end of distractions to tempt you away from your sun lounger.     

Pensacola

Pensacola lies at the western end of the Panhandle and sets the bar high with its pristine beaches, lively oceanfront eateries and its historical landmarks honouring the region’s mix of Indigenous American, European and African American heritage. Five flags have flown over the bayside city since Spanish Conquistador Don Tristan De Luna landed in 1559 to colonise the northern Gulf Coast, with each nation – including France, the UK and Spain – leaving its mark on the region’s food and culture.

The Voices of Pensacola multicultural centre highlights the city’s diversity, while the Belmont-DeVilliers Cultural Heritage Museum celebrates the city’s historic African American neighbourhood. And after a day exploring, join the locals at the Sandshaker Lounge for a vivid sunset and a glass of Pensacola Beach’s signature drink, the Bushwacker.

Panama City Beach

Regularly making the USA’s best beaches list, Panama City Beach has 43km of sparkling sands. It also has dozens of artificial reefs, providing an underwater playground for divers and snorkellers. Hop on the Shell Island Shuttle to kayak, swim or snorkel on nearby Shell Island, or sign up for a guided boat tour to give yourself a chance to spy bottlenose dolphins offshore.

A stopover for migrating birds and butterflies, St. Andrews State Park offers overnight camping and glamping, as well as daytime adventures of the swimming, surfing and snorkelling kind. Another wild option is Camp Helen State Park, which is bordered by the Gulf of Mexico and Lake Powell – Florida’s largest coastal dune lake. It offers hikers and wheelchair users the chance to see resident white-tailed deer, squirrels and opossums on its accessible trails.

Destin-Fort Walton Beach

Old World hospitality, calm Gulf waters and squeaky, soft sand make Destin- Fort Walton Beach the ideal place for a slow-paced adventure. The coastal waters here take on a bewitching emerald shade that is best enjoyed among the wild beaches and nature trails of Henderson Beach State Park. Afterwards, you can fuel up on fresh-from-the-ocean seafood at one of the local restaurants you’ll find along Okaloosa Island’s Boardwalk, a glittering array of entertainment and dining that runs along the coast.

Sign up for something new, such as surfing or kiteboarding. Lessons are available for all levels of experience. Try parasailing for a bird’s eye view of the beach or snorkelling, which could even bring you face to face with a turtle. Back on land, the Boardwalk has plenty of casual restaurants that will welcome you and your board shorts in, however salty you are.

Other highlights

A stone’s throw from Destin and Panama City Beach, you’ll find Cypress Springs, a natural spring just off the Intercoastal Waterway, which is a favourite for visitors who come here to kayak, paddleboard and swim in the constant 21 degrees Celsius water.

At Grayton Beach State Park, one of the stops along the Great Florida Birding Trail, visitors can search for shorebirds, bald eagles and osprey, before camping or staying overnight in one of the park’s cosy cabins. And in the neighbouring beach community of Seaside, which scooped a starring role in the Jim Carrey film The Truman Show, take a spin around the gourmet food trucks of Airstream Row on Highway 30A, before a wander around the town’s picturesque neighbourhoods and pastel-coloured homes.

NORTH FLORIDA

Best for: Southern charm, natural drama, unique wonders

Lying just below the Georgia state line, Florida's north central region shares its neighbour's easy southern charm, with its quaint main streets and historic homesteads set against a backdrop of oak trees cloaked in Spanish moss. Let yourself succumb to the region’s charms as you slide into a slower pace of life.

Tallahassee

2024 marks the bicentennial of Florida’s state capital, but there’s always something happening here. There are unexpected delights too, such as rolling hills and autumn foliage colours to rival even New England. Visit the accessible Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park or Lafayette Heritage Trail Park to roam beneath a forest canopy of fiery red and glistening gold, or explore Apalachicola National Forest, which puts on a spectacular autumnal display.

With over 1,100km of scenic trails to hike, bike, run, paddle or ride, Tallahassee is a magnet for outdoor adventurers, while food lovers can dive into the city’s Southern-inspired cuisine, or soak up some Floridian flavours at Saturday’s Tallahassee Downtown Market in Ponce de Leon Park from March to November.

Lake City

Lake City is one of the state’s many hidden gems. It is known as ‘Florida’s Springlands’, thanks to its crystalline spring-fed pools, which stay a balmy year-round 22.2°C. This tranquil spot on the Suwannee River has a laid-back and friendly Downtown, while it draws snorkellers, swimmers and kayakers to its idyllic, forest-fringed lakes and water holes in state parks such as Ichetucknee Springs, Gilchrist Blue Springs and Fanning Springs – a stark contrast to the theme parks of Orlando.

This watery wonderland is one of Florida’s most important birding destinations, with rare species including the red-cockaded woodpecker and Bachman’s sparrow. Check out the Four Rivers Audubon Society’s ‘Alliwalks’ at Alligator Lake Park, which offer the chance for visitors and locals to spot ’gators and more.

Cedar Key

Named after the abundance of cedar trees that once covered the barrier islands of the Gulf of Mexico, the city of Cedar Key lies on the island of Way Key, an hour’s drive from Gainesville on the water-hopping Florida State Road. You’ll find plenty of old-time Florida charm to wander in this quaint fishing town – one of the state’s oldest – which lies off the Nature Coast. Visitors can take a boat out to catch sight of the bottlenose dolphins in the turquoise waters of the Gulf, or kick back and stroll the island’s small sandy beach.

The waters here are particularly good to explore by kayak. The 13 isles of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuge, which were once used as fishing camps by the First Peoples, are now a haven for 20,000 nesting birds, including roseate spoonbills.

Other highlights

Florida’s north is rich in Indigenous culture, and the city of Alachua has tours that reveal the stories of the region’s first settlers, the Timucua, and explore the heritage homes of Downtown, which feature on the National Register of Historic Places.

A short drive from the region’s freshwater springs, San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park was used by Indigenous Americans for thousands of years, and it is one of the largest remaining hardwood forests in the state, offering miles of off-road biking and horse-riding trails through woodlands where white-tailed deer, grey foxes and bobcats roam. And in Madison, you’ll find hiking, canoeing and kayaking trails along the Aucilla, Suwannee and Withlacoochee Rivers.

THE FIRST COAST

Best for: Laid-back lifestyles, urban heritage, abundant nature

Florida's far north is home to the nation's oldest settlement, St. Augustine, and the state’s most populous city, Jacksonville. But there are also myriad lesser-known gems here, including impressive forts, unspoilt beaches, elegant historic homes, Indigenous American cultural sites and laid-back islands where you can learn to ride the waves or explore on a horse-riding experience.

St. Augustine

With its atmospheric, brick-lined back streets, homely ‘Old Florida’ hotels and landmarks from America’s Gilded Age, it’s easy to see why visitors fall in love with St. Augustine.

The oldest continuously occupied settlement of European and African- American origin in the United States has history at every turn. Take a rejuvenating sip from the eternal spring at the legendary Fountain of Youth National Archaeological Park, which marks the Spanish landing in 1513 and the impact it had on the region’s original inhabitants, the Timucua.

Visit the imposing Castillo de San Marcos, a 17th-century fort overlooking the Matanzas River, or climb the 219 steps to the top of the St. Augustine Lighthouse for impressive 360-degree views of Matanzas Bay and the Atlantic.

Jacksonville

Lying on Florida’s north-eastern coast, Jacksonville – or ‘Jax’, as it’s known to locals – has plenty of surprises for visitors. With the largest urban park system in the country and 35km of golden sand, it’s perfect for active escapes, with great breaks for surfing and more than 30 offshore reefs and dive spots along the Atlantic coast.

The St. Johns River, which flows through the city, offers a diverse range of waterfront ‘dock and dine’ eateries. There is also an accessible Riverwalk and three adaptive kayak launch sites that are suitable for wheelchair users.

A summer visit is ideal for spotting bottlenose dolphins in the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, while spring brings with it an opportunity to walk with fireflies. However, the hiking trails offer great birding all year round.

Amelia Island

With its beachside resorts, historic homes, 21km of pristine shoreline and oak-lined avenues swaying with Spanish moss, Amelia Island is where Floridians head to get away from it all. In a state that boasts some iconic stretches of sand, including Miami’s South Beach and the Palm Beaches, this laid-back slice of paradise on the Atlantic more than holds its own.

Don’t forget your binoculars, though. Amelia Island is filled with birdwatching spots, including Spoonbill Pond at Big Talbot Island State Park and Egans Creek Greenway, which yields sightings of ibis, heron and egret.

The city of Fernandina Beach has plenty of boutiques, antiques and gift stores along its historic Centre Street, as well as the state’s oldest pub, The Palace Saloon. You’ll also see stunning Victorian homes lining the boulevards beyond. Traditional horse-drawn carriages take you on tours past these historic homes, as well as scenic plods along the dune-fringed beaches.

Other highlights

Florida’s First Coast has plenty beyond its main hubs. The sulphur springs of Green Cove first drew steamboats and trains laden with visitors in the 19th century. Back then, visitors sought out its reputed therapeutic remedies. It’s remained a hotspot (no pun intended) ever since, and its warming waters offer a relaxing soak, whether you have aches and pains or not.

Dive deeper into Jacksonville’s mix of wild parks, world-class galleries and museums, while its range of culinary tasting tours showcase the best of northern Florida’s flavoursome cuisine.

The Atlantic coast is a hotspot for marine life too, with manatees and dolphins sighted offshore, migrating northern right whales arriving in the winter, and turtles nesting on the beaches between March and October.

CENTRAL WEST

Best for: Watery wonders, urban buzz, wildlife encounters

Florida’s east coast may have the bright lights of Miami and Fort Lauderdale, but you’ll find urban adventures every bit as exciting in the lesser known cities of the Central West, where you can take a stroll along Tampa Bay’s Riverwalk, hit an arts festival or kayak the mangroves in St. Pete-Clearwater.

Tampa Bay

All the best American cities have a streetcar, and Tampa’s Teco Line Streetcar makes exploring this west-coast hotspot a breeze. It links downtown Tampa with Ybor City, the famous Latin Quarter that was once known as the Cigar Capital of the World. Head to Ybor City State Museum, housed inside a 1920s bakery, to explore exhibits on the cigar industry and the district’s immigrant communities. Cuban torcedores still make hand-rolled cigars in shops along Seventh Avenue, just as they have done since 1885, while former cigar factories have been repurposed as contemporary restaurants and bars.

For sweeping views of the Hillsborough River and fine panoramas of Tampa Bay, the Tampa Riverwalk can be explored on foot or by bike. An ‘Accessible Tampa Riverwalk Pass’ offers experiences for people of all abilities, ranging from museum entry to a tour of the American Victory Ship.

St. Pete-Clearwater

Boldly boasting some of America’s best beaches, St. Pete-Clearwater lies on Florida’s dreamy Gulf coast. With miles of soft white sand that slopes gently into the tropical emerald-green sea, this is paradise for swimmers and snorkellers, while paddlers can hire a kayak to explore the mangrove tunnels of Caladesi Island State Park.

Spring and summer is all about sun-soaked enjoyment; in autumn, St. Pete keeps the good times alive with a host of Halloween and fall festivals, events and exhibitions, including the Clearwater Jazz Holiday and the Shine Mural Festival. October’s Taste of the Beaches offers a week-long tasting tour of the region’s coastal restaurants, distilleries and bars, while lively weekend markets bring locals and visitors together for plenty of food, music and entertainment.

St. Petersburg

Known by locals as ‘The Burg’ and often shortened to St. Pete, this city lies between the Gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, and holds the record for the ‘most consecutive days with sunshine’ at 768 days. This sun-kissed spot is the ideal destination for travellers who like to combine their beach time with a little culture, nature and some great dining.

Downtown offers excellent local restaurants and boutiques to enjoy, along with the Salvador Dali Museum and The Chihuly Collection, which showcases incredible pieces by glass artist Dale Chihuly.

The new St. Pete Pier is the perfect place for a swim, cycle or stroll, while Fort de Soto Park’s paved nature trails and beaches are accessible to everyone, including those using a wheelchair. Kayaking offers paddlers the opportunity to glide beyond the beach to see manatees, bottlenose dolphins and turtles.

Other highlights

The Central West region embraces diversity, and it welcomes LGBTQ+ travellers to urban ‘gayborhoods’ such as St. Pete’s Grand Central District, Dunedin and Gulfport. Here you’ll find friendly local communities and the biggest Pride event in Florida. Elsewhere, Sunset Beach in Treasure Island draws mainly LGBTQ+ beachgoers to its array of tiki huts, restaurants and bars.

There’s no shortage of good places to eat, either. Two of Tampa’s restaurants –Scandinavian-inspired Ebbe and Japanese Kōsen – were awarded prestigious Michelin stars in 2024’s Michelin Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa. A further four – Streetlight Taco, Psomi, Gorkhali Kitchen and Rooster and the Till – were recognised with a Bib Gourmand, making it worth booking a table in advance now everyone knows how good they are.

FLORIDA KEYS

Best for: A care-free escape, marine magic, Floribbean flavours

With more than 1,700 islands, the Florida Keys archipelago curves for 350km from just south of Miami to the Dry Tortugas islands. Known as the ‘Highway That Goes To Sea’, the US Highway 1 connects these sun-drenched isles across 42 bridges, finishing at legendary Key West.

Key Largo

Star of the eponymous Humphrey Bogart film (and the Beach Boys’ love- to-hate-it classic, Kokomo), Key Largo lives up to its reputation as a US idyll. The northernmost isle of the Florida Keys is just over an hour’s drive south of Miami International Airport and is the gateway to the islands.

It is also the entry point to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the first undersea park in the United States. Lying adjacent to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, this is a magnet for snorkellers and divers wanting to explore the only surviving coral reef in the US. Non-swimmers can join a guided tour or board a wheelchair-friendly glass-bottom boat for a glimpse of this underwater gem.

Islamorada

If you love being on the water, the next stop on your Florida Keys adventure is hard to beat. Islamorada is one of the Keys’ most breathtaking boating centres, and nothing compares to sailing the archipelago’s turquoise seas. Incredible marine life abounds here, and a kayak or stand-up paddleboarding session through the mangroves offers opportunities to see bottlenose dolphins, turtles or West Indian manatees – gentle mammals that feed on the island’s seagrass beds.

Historical sites like the offshore Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park and Indian Key Historic State Park reveal stories of the region’s past inhabitants, from Indigenous Americans to European settlers. Elsewhere, Robbie’s restaurant is a Keys’ institution, offering eco and sunset tours and the chance to feed wild tarpon fish from the deck.

Key West

Cool and quirky Key West is one of those places people visit and never want to leave. With its Cuban and Caribbean-infused American cuisine, tropically inspired historic guest houses and exciting water sports on its doorstep, it’s easy to understand the island’s magnetic allure.

The most southerly city in the continental United States has long been a favourite bolthole for creatives, hosting writers including Tennessee Williams and Ernest Hemingway, whose Spanish-style home is open for daily tours, while the annual Key West Songwriters Festival is the largest festival of its kind in the world.

Join the nightly Sunset Celebration at Mallory Square, or sign up for a ‘sip and sail’ cruise, keeping a look out for the mysterious ‘green flashes’ that light up the horizon at sundown.

Other highlights

With sunny days to enjoy outdoor adventures on the beach or the water, and warm evenings made for tropical sundowners and oceanside dining, the Keys offer a laid-back, rejuvenating escape with a unique ‘Floribbean’ vibe.

Beyond the beach, there’s plenty more to enjoy, including the National Key Deer Refuge at Big Pine Key, which protects one of the world’s smallest and rarest species of deer. Daily tours visit rescued marine turtles at The Turtle Hospital in Marathon, while the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory is worth visiting for its hundreds of free-flying butterflies.

For a truly special Keys experience, take a boat or helicopter to the remote Dry Tortugas National Park from Key West to enjoy some of the best diving and snorkelling in the USA.

WILD SOUTH 

Best for: Wild waterways, slow travel, local culture

Shorts and sandals at the ready. Once you’ve hit the laid-back coastal towns and sugar-white beaches of the wonderfully wild south, it’s time to park your troubles, take it easy and soak up this beautiful – and accessible – stretch of the sunshine coast.

Bradenton

Pastel-hued beach houses, ocean- inspired boutiques and a thriving local arts community entice visitors to stay a little longer than planned in Bradenton, which lies on Florida’s west coast.

Rent a bicycle to explore, or try kayaking or paddleboarding from Anna Maria Island, before heading to a toes-in-the- sand dining spot like Coquina Beach Cafe or Sandbar Seafood & Spirits, where you can enjoy sustainable, locally sourced dishes served up with delicious views of the Gulf of Mexico.

Bradenton is a hub for artists, too, with public sculptures and murals lining the town’s streets, and evening walks hosted by the Village of the Arts, which include live music, great food and the chance to meet local artists in their unique, candy-coloured studios.

Fort Myers

Home to the elegant winter estates of the inventor Thomas Edison and Ford Motor Company founder Henry Ford, Fort Myers offers plenty for history buffs to sink their teeth into, as well as lovers of the great outdoors. The estates of both men are open year-round, letting you visit more than eight hectares of historical buildings and gardens, including the 1928 Edison Botanic Research Laboratory and a museum.

Like many of Florida’s shores, Fort Myers Beach offers free beach wheelchairs, making it accessible to all, while accessible historical tours of Downtown reveal the story of the city’s transformation from cattle town to booming beach resort. In Estero Bay, the Mound House displays a 2,000-year-old Calusa shell mound and runs eco-friendly kayak tours that honour the heritage of this ancient Indigenous people.

Sarasota

With its warm, sunny climate, Florida is a year-round destination. During quieter seasons, however, visitors can immerse themselves in the laid-back local lifestyle for which the state is famed. An hour south of Tampa, Sarasota is one of those places where, from your first stroll and coffee stop, you know you could live there.

It’s got it all: exquisite Floridian fine dining; elegant art galleries; intimate lounge bars; world-class opera, theatre and dance performances; and some of Florida’s most idyllic beaches, just a stone’s throw away on the Gulf of Mexico. Weekly outdoor event Fresh Fridays Downtown Sarasota showcases live bands and local eateries from October to May, or enjoy the year-round delights of the St. Armands Circle, a cultural and culinary hub right in the heart of the city that never fails to please.

Other highlights

With wheelchair-accessible wooden boardwalk trails, the JN ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge is one of many spectacular natural attractions on Sanibel, a barrier island reached by crossing a 5km causeway from Fort Myers. With the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the USA, the refuge is a haven for migratory birds, including roseate spoonbills, while boat tours from neighbouring isle Captiva head out each evening in search of dolphins.

Another of the south’s barrier islands, Siesta Key, regularly scoops ‘No 1 Beach in the USA’ accolades for the dazzling 99% quartz sand at its Siesta Beach. The island also has a free Breeze Trolley that transports visitors to the boutique shops of South Village or the casual contemporary restaurants and tropical-flavoured local bars of Siesta Key Village.

SPACE COAST

Best for: Lunar landmarks, vibrant towns, natural splendour

Home to the United States' shuttle launch site at Cape Canaveral, this 115km stretch of Central Florida’s eastern coastline brings visitors one step closer to outer space, while its other star attractions make crossing adventures off your bucket list as easy as 3...2...1... blast off!

Cape Canaveral

You’ve probably seen a rocket launch before on the news, and at Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, visitors can get a front-row seat to this thrilling spectacle, watching shuttles take off at a safe distance from the launching pad.

Beyond the mysteries of space, the region has plenty more to offer, with favourites including lively Cocoa Beach and the tranquil sands of Canaveral National Seashore, which has the longest stretch of undeveloped Atlantic coastline in the state. With wild dunes and ancient Timucua shell mounds, the sanctuary offers audio wheelchair accessible entry to beautiful Apollo Beach. Both Jetty Park and the Canaveral National Seashore are listed on the Great Florida Birding Trail, with the latter’s marshy scrub being a great vantage point to spy roseate spoonbills, ospreys and bald eagles.

Titusville

Under an hour from Orlando, Titusville is well positioned for watching one of the Space Coast’s rocket launches. It is also a great destination for lovers of the outdoors. The capital of Brevard County is home to a trio of biking trails and is popular with cyclists arriving for the Florida Coast-to-Coast Trail, Central Florida’s iconic long-distance ride.

The city’s historic downtown area has local gems that include the wheelchair-accessible not-for-profit arts organisation Titusville Playhouse, which has indoor and open-air stages hosting theatre and concerts. It also has assistive listening devices for guests who are hard of hearing. Be sure not to miss the American Space Museum and Walk Hall of Fame, where visitors can learn about the talented men and women who made travelling into space a reality.

Merritt Island

This little-known peninsula is home to Florida’s interstellar icon: NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre. A Certified Autism Center with accessible attractions and services, this immersive visitor complex has exhibits on the history of space exploration, with iconic space craft including the Space Shuttle Atlantis, a bone-shaking Shuttle Launch Experience simulator and meet and greets with real-life astronauts.

Nearby, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge protects over 50,000 hectares of coastal dunes, saltwater marshes and forests, and it is home to more than 1,500 species of flora and fauna, including thousands of migratory birds. May to October is turtle nesting season, with loggerhead, leatherback and green turtles all known to nest on the Space Coast’s unspoilt white-sand beaches.

Other highlights

If you’re visiting between June and October, you’re in for a treat. Join a kayak tour of Mosquito Lagoon, Banana River and Indian River Lagoon after dark to see the waterways light up with bioluminescence. This is caused by phytoplankton, which emit a blue-green glow when disturbed.

The 1,000 islands of Cocoa Beach on the Banana River are home to stars of the marine kind, and a kayak through the mangroves offers encounters with manatees and bottlenose dolphins. After your paddle, stop for a cocktail at a beach bar, watching pelicans soar overhead.

FLORIDA BY RAIL

Best for: Seeing Florida from a different perspective

Florida has always been a favourite destination for road- trippers, but the new Brightline rail system offers an exciting and super-accessible way to travel around the state by train. Connecting Orlando International Airport with the state’s southern beaches and Miami, there’s never been an easier way to explore.

The experience

Born from a strong commitment to accessibility and the belief that everyone should have the freedom to travel the Sunshine State, the new Brightline passenger rail system offers one of the USA’s most sustainable and inclusive ways to travel.

This includes enhanced digital accessibility, which makes the booking process a breeze; door-to-door pick-ups and shared shuttles; a seamless boarding experience, which includes accessible ramps and elevators; and thoughtful onboard design with designated seating for those with wheelchairs and other assistive devices. The Brightline rail system is setting the benchmark for accessible travel around the world.

The route

The Brightline has state-of-the-art stations in some of Florida’s most exciting, must-see cities, which makes it easy to plan an accessible, eco friendly holiday, whether you’re travelling alone, with friends or with family. Travellers will be adding to the impressive tally of three-million vehicles that the Brightline will be removing from Florida’s highways each year, while also getting a fantastic overview of the state as they speed from one destination to the next.

If you’re flying into Florida’s major gateway, Orlando International Airport, boarding the Brightline is a breeze. In just two hours you could be getting ready to soak up some rays or explore the museums of West Palm Beach, before travelling on to Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Aventura and Miami Central – the last stop, just three-and- a-half hours’ drive from Orlando.

With 16 daily round trips and hourly northbound and southbound departures, the Brightline is great if you’re starting your trip in Miami. A short ride north, you’ll find the beaches of Aventura, or ride a little further to take in a show in Fort Lauderdale, then go to Boca Raton for some arts, culture and 8km of Atlantic coast beaches. From 2026, a stop will be added in Stuart, on Florida’s Treasure Coast.