The 25 Best Things to do in South Florida

Last updated: July 22nd, 2024 | Originally published: July 22, 2024

The Best Fun Things to do in South Beach Florida

This 90-mile stretch of the Atlantic Coast is one of the most densely populated parts of the entire United States. The reason why is obvious: It is the only tropical climate in the U.S. outside Hawaii. Only here will you find bright blue water, palm trees, and soft, sunny beaches in abundance. And that’s not all you’ll find in these parts. In this article we’ll discuss the 25 best things to do in South Florida.

Also known as The Gold Coast, The Tri-County Area, the Miami Metropolitan Area, and various permutations of SoFlo, South Florida is an paragon of hammocks in the wind, a shrimp in every pot, and Ferraris on parade. We’re not saying that’s true or anything. What we’re saying is…

You will have opportunities for a well-rounded vacation beyond perhaps what you expect. There is more to this region than greenbacks, hardbodies, and vodka tonics, indeed.

In South Florida you’ll have your pick of beaches and bars, but the botanical gardens, animals rescues, lighthouses, art houses, and exquisite mansions offer something beyond the sunburn and a hangover Florida experience. And even if that’s all you seek, the excursions recorded here could only enhance your getaway.

We stand by this list: These are the best things to do in South Florida. There were a couple of places we intended to visit and ran short on time, they are listed at the end. Also, there are some excursions that we do not recommend. You will find these at the end as well. And be sure to read our Honest Conclusion, as always, so you know a few things we might have held back.

We hope you enjoy the list and that it’s helpful when planning your vacation!

Must Do: Things to do in South Florida

1. Vizcaya

The gilded age was a glorious era where wealthy men built incredible things. The Biltmore, Hearst Castle, and the Vizcaya are prime examples of gilded age mansions. James Deering inherited his money from his father, and this is where he threw his parties. The gardens are charming and endlessly walkable, and the waterfront milieu is one of a kind.

2. Fort Lauderdale Beach

Las Olas is the best beach in South Florida. The sand is soft, the ocean is brilliant, and the backdrop is fancy and fun. Not only is this the most beautiful place on the coast, but Fort Lauderdale accommodates visitors better than all the other towns.

3. West Palm Beach Green Market

The WPB Green Market is the best outdoor market we’ve seen in our USA travels. The setting is lovely in downtown West Palm Beach. The crowd is vibrant. The stalls have a wide variety of foods and crafts. At Christmas they build a gigantic sandcastle named Sandi and everyone gathers to celebrate.

Learn more about Visiting West Palm Beach HERE.

4. Flagler Museum

The Flagler Museum is another spectacular Gilded Age Mansion in South Florida. Henry Flagler was the brains behind Rockefeller’s Standard Oil, and is mostly responsible for developing this part of the country. The interior of the Flagler is exquisite far beyond the Vizcaya, yet it lacks the gardens and oceanfront ambience that makes the Vizcaya one of a kind.

5. Las Olas Boulevard

Most towns have a main street when all the shopping and restaurants cluster together, and oftentimes they are prefabricated and less-than-interesting. Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale is the best one we’ve found. Equal parts fancy and chill. There were parrots singing in the trees!

6. Everglades National Park

The Florida Everglades are the 3rd largest National Park in the contiguous United States at 1.5 million acres. The surround preserves add an additional 4.5 million acres. Therefore, touring the Everglades is no easy task. We recommend going to the Florida Bay “Flamingo” part of the park. Here you’ll see all the habitat has to offer, with gators, manatees, and flamingos highlighting the park.

If beautiful beaches and postcard blue water are your thing, have a look at our Complete Guide to the Emerald Coast, aka, the Florida Panhandle.

Should Do: Things to Do in South Florida

7. Juno Beach & Pier

Juno Beach is one of the most relaxing beaches in South Florida. If you’re looking for that perfect place to watch the sun rise, this is it. If you’re into fishing, the Juno Beach Pier is a local hotspot for bluefish, Spanish mackerel, pompano, croaker, whiting, etc. The setting is serene and uncrowded beside the pier. Juno Beach and Jupiter, Florida are a well-kept secret.

8. Flamingo Gardens

Part botanical garden, part zoo, the Flamingo Gardens were our favorite animal excursion in South Florida. There are over 3000 species of native plants including some of Florida’s largest trees. Be sure to take the narrated tram tour through some of the last natural jungle in Florida.

Learn more about the things do do in Fort Lauderdale HERE.

9. Miami South Beach & South Point Park

This is the quintessential beach of South Florida. The water and sand quality are satisfying, and the beach is close to the historic district of Miami Beach.

9. Dubois Park / Jupiter lighthouse

This is perhaps the nicest park on the South Florida coast. Walk all along the southern side of the Jupiter Inlet and take in the views of the passing boats on your way to the beach. In the background is the Jupiter Lighthouse, which ties the whole scene together.

11. Miami Beach

On one hand, the surface appeal of Miami Beach’s Historic District is undeniable. The hotels are from another era and the city places antique cars along the A-1-A Highway. Upon closer inspection you’ll find the town is plagued with a Deja Vu Stripper / Carnival Cruise patronage that cheapen everything.

12. Loggerhead Turtle Refuge

Loggerhead Marinelife Cente r is a popular nonprofit focused on ocean and sea turtle conservation. A dozen or so tanks (shown above) house turtles that are in various stages of rehabilitation due to accident or injury. When ready they will be released into the ocean or a more appropriate facility. You’ll also enjoy shark feedings, jellyfish under black lights (very cool), and an assortment of creatures in tanks.

If you love to travel, or love the idea of traveling more, better, or different, we have something we would like to give you. It is our professionally designed e-book and it is FREE of charge. We think it’s pretty great, and we’re pretty sure you’ll like it, too. It’s called, “Cultivating a Lifetime of Travel”. Click HERE. and we’ll send it on over!

13. Norton Museum

The Norton Museu m is one of the best art museums in South Florida. It was founded in 1941 by a wealthy couple that turned their private art collection into a museum. The Museum’s permanent collection now consists of more than 8,200 works, include Monet, Degas, Van Gogh, Raphael, O’keeffe, Pollack, and much, much more.

14. Red Reef Beach and Park

Red Reef Beach is one of our favorite beaches in South Florida. It is similar to Las Olas Beach in sand and water, yet it is smaller and secluded from commerce. If you like sitting on beaches this is one of the best things to do in South Florida.

15. Bonnet House

Chicago artist Fred Bartlett wanted a winter home for his family where they could pursue their artistic talents. The home was built in a Caribbean plantation-style architecture which fits well in the surroundings. T our the Bonnet House family compound with a tour guide or just walk around the property. It’s a block from the beach in Fort Lauderdale.

16. Blowing Rock National Preserve

This is the hidden gem in Jupiter, Florida. You’ll want to visit when at low tide to see the waves crash against the coral banks. Here’s a tide chart to help you plan. Be sure to wear durable shoes and leave unsteady family members at home, because the coral is sharp and unforgiving. And you’ll have to walk a half-mile down the beach from the parking lot. Here’s a MAP.

17. Bill Baggs State Park on Key Biscayne

This is a large state park with substantial opportunity for water sport rentals. The highlight of the park is the lighthouse. Stroll the beach or rent a kayak and trace the perimeter of the park for one of the most fun things to do in South Florida.

18. Manatee Lagoon

One of the best places to observe manatees is M anatee Lagoon in West Palm Beach, Florida. This is not a zoo or a rescue but a common place for them the beasts to gather, so the manatees may not be available from one day to the next. The facility is full of interactive exhibits and is great for children, so even if you don’t see manatees you’ll enjoy yourselves.

19. Mizner Park

Mizner Par k is Boca Raton’s version of Las Olas Boulevard — a delightful park surrounded by shopping and restaurants. The Boca Raton Museum of Art is here, as well as a cultural center, an amphitheater, and an assortment of Ferraris, Bugattis, and other trappings of immense wealth.

Could Do: Things to do in South Florida

20. Mounts Botanical Garden

Once you step off the beach, South Florida can feel like a concrete jungle. The multitude of highways and Freeways and gas stations drag the ambiance down. Enter Mounts Botanical Garden, a 20-acre oasis amidst the traffic chaos. Get lost in these tropical gardens for a couple of hours. It’s the next best thing to sitting on the beach.

Not sure where to stay in South Florida? Check out our 6 B est Cities in South Florida article. Spoiler Alert: We don’t actually like all of them.

21. Busch Wildlife Refuge

The B usch Wildlife Sanctuary has over 40 years of dedication to the protection and conservation of Florida’s wildlife and natural resources. Their mission is two fold: Wildlife rehabilitation and environmental education. To the undiscerning person this is a small zoo with some amazing animals (a bear, panther, etc.). It takes an hour or two to see it all. Best of all, its free!

22. Boca Raton Art Museum

The Boca Raton Museum of Art was founded in 1950. Before becoming a museum it was an art school, an art guild, and a library. The collection includes many beautiful pieces on the inside, and an outdoor sculpture garden behind the facility.

23. Coral Cove Park

One of the nicest beaches on the South Florida coast is Coral Cove Park in Jupiter. The beach is named after the banks of coral found near the shore. Early morning walks here are perfect, and this is a popular place to throw a pole in the water and fish the surf.

24. Louis Bossi

If you walk along Las Olas Blvd. in Ft. Lauderdale the energy coming off this place is fantastic. Inside the restaurant the ambience is fun and the food is good. We opted to sit outside in the front to people watch. There are better restaurants in South Florida, but everybody eats at Louis Bossi. Because their menu is extensive, here it is to plan ahead.

25. Bayfront Park

Downtown Miami has a clean and active waterfront. Bayfront Park is a great place to walk, jog, or bring the dogs. There are shopping and dining opportunities, also. If you decide to come all the way to downtown Miami, which, you’re on your own if you do, might as well stop by this attractive park and promenade complex.

Bonus: Jupiter Donuts

Some of the best donuts of all time. Huge selection. LINK.

Things in South Florida to Do Next Time

Peanut Island

Peanut Island offers the best snorkeling in South Florida. The problem is the ferry is overpriced at $20-25/person.

Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

We aren’t sure what we’ll find here, but “historic” and “beach” catch our attention.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

This was our biggest regret. I simply cannot believe we missed a Japanese botanical garden. It somehow never made it to the top of the list.

Gumbo Limbo Nature Center

An animal rescue in Boca Raton. We hit a few of these rescues elsewhere, so this one never happened. We’ll stop by when we return.

Biscayne National Park

We skipped the National Park. Oh, boy. <awkward laugh>

Loxahatchee River Kayak

I struggled to motivate anyone to kayak this year. Seems we’re all kayaked out.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden

This one is pretty far south, another 25 minutes past Miami. We’ll catch it another time.

Skippable Things to do in South Florida

Clematis Street

You probably won’t skip this popular dig in West Palm Beach because the Green Market takes place here. Rather than avoiding it, we recommend tamping expectations. Clematis Street offers both shopping and unsavory folks puffing their weed right in the open. We read many reviews that made it sound special, which it is not.

Ann Norton Sculpture Garden — West Palm Beach

Not interesting enough for our time. Pleasant, but unremarkable.

Bayside Market — Miami

If our cruise ship dumped us at this lame, outdoor mall for tourists we’d be annoyed. Oh, wait. They did! It was just in another country. There is nothing worthy of mention here. Don’t bother.

Jupiter Dunes

A quiet, unremarkable place to take a walk amongst the protected dunes of Juno Beach. No offense, Jupiter Dunes. We’re glad they protected you.

Harborside Place

Upscale shopping and dining in Jupiter, Florida. Good restaurants but nothing special here.

Butterfly World — Boca Raton

This establishment has no justification to call itself “Butterfly World,” however it is priced as if every glorious butterfly on earth lives here. Lots of complaints online if you care to dive into another’s remorse and frustration.

Lion’s Country Safari

Ordinarily a drive-through zoo where the animals walk right up to your car windows would be one of the most fun things to do in South Florida. The problem here is, it costs $50 per person for an hour-long, self-guided tour.

Simple Math: Approx. $200 an hour = Terrible value for a family of four.

Miami Beach Botanical Garden

A small botanical garden a few miles from South Beach. This free park might be a good place for a lunch break if you work around here. Otherwise, don’t go out of your way to visit.

An Honest Conclusion for Things to do in South Florida

Alright, so the honest conclusion… Our family has differing views on what it’s like down here. One member, Monica, would move here one minute ago if we allowed it. She loves the beaches and the palm trees — that’s all she sees in South Florida.

On the other hand, I see everything that happens when you get 30 seconds away from the water’s edge. South Florida is stupid busy and feels more like a network of highways and freeways than a tropical getaway. Many of the neighborhoods are hidden behind walls of greenery, making those highways even more isolated and dull.

If you get a hotel, condo, etc., near a good beach and spend all your time there, South Florida can deliver a solid, tropical vacation. Add in a daytrip to the Vizcaya or the Everglades and you did well.

However, if you’re like me and you travel all over the region you picked to explore, you’re gonna see South Florida from many unflattering angles. I would recommend somewhere like the Emerald Coast (good link) of Florida because the water is bluer, the sand is whiter, and the vibe is chiller.

Thank you for stopping by our website! We are the Hoffmann family, a full-time RV family that has split residence in Seattle, Washington and San Antonio, Texas. We have special needs children that we homeschool, and work travel assignments for the Veteran Affairs Hospital. If you would like to learn more about us, check out our Start Here and Biography pages. In the meantime, God bless and travel happy!