50 Things to See and Do in Florida

Florida is known for its warm weather, beaches and theme parks, but the country's third-most populous state is full of activities, sites to see and amazing food. The following locations, activities and foods are loved by Florida residents and tourists alike.

We'll start with the biggest no-brainer on the list. Everyone should experience Disney at least once, and with so many new features each and every year, Mickey and company will have you coming back for more.

Sure you can (and should) stop for orange juice as you cross the border, but why not go straight to the source?

Once Universal added The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the competition between them and Disney heated up in a big way. Why choose? Visit both.

Fun for creative kids of all ages, LEGOLAND is an absolute blast and gets bonus points for being absolutely fantastic for children with sensory disorders.

Whether you're touring the facility or catching a launch, you'll have a fantastic time that is out of this world.

No longer just the beer-lover's destination the name implies, Busch Gardens is a fun and thrilling time for the entire family.

The idea of a drive-through safari isn't entirely foreign to most tourists, but Lion Country Safari was the first 'cageless zoo' in the U.S. and tops all imitators.

Both fun and informational, Gatorland brings you closer to Florida's most dangerous wildlife.

Or, if you'd rather be the predator than the prey, enjoy some delicious gator tail. It's cliche to say it tastes like chicken, but some cliches are there for a reason.

More than just the Orca shows, SeaWorld is constantly reinventing itself with new attractions.

Almost 30 years before SeaWorld, Marineland was founded to bring Florida residents and tourists closer to Dolphins and other sea animals. To this day, the attraction is committed to marine life preservation.

There's a reason South Beach is known around the world as a party destination. If you're up to it, head to A1A, Beachfront Avenue where the girls are still hot wearing less than bikinis and the rock man lovers are still driving Lambourginis.

The water is consistently mild and the white sand beach is among the nicest in the world. Stay right on the beach for sunrise views over the inlet and sunset views over the Gulf of Mexico.

Many beaches say they're pet-friendly, but dog owners know the rules, regulations and permits that many locations demand. Flagler Beach has one of the last true dog beaches in the U.S.

Maybe you're more interested in a friend with four wheels than four legs. If so, cruise down Daytona Beach and blast some music while you're at it.

Of course, Daytona is even better with the roar of an engine. That could be the roar of the Daytona 500 or one of the many races at the speedway. Or, maybe it's from the many motorcycle festivals. Either way, hear it for yourself.

One of the most fun and funky places on the planet, Duval Street is great during the day and really comes alive as the sun goes down.

While you're down in Key West, grab a slice of the most Florida dessert there is. Pro Tip: the best Key Lime Pie is never dayglo green!

From fishing and airboat rides to just walking around and enjoying the swampland, Florida nature doesn't get any better than this.

One of the most remote places in Florida, Dry Tortugas might also be one of America's most underrated National Parks. It's an absolute must-visit-especially if you're into snorkeling or diving.

Salvador Dali's whimsical nature lives on at this child-friendly museum in St. Pete.

While you're over in the Tampa area, grab a Cuban Sandwich where they were made famous. Real Floridians also know the medianoche which is the same sandwich on a sweeter, softer bread meant for enjoyment at the end of a long night drinking.

Check out the oldest European settlement in North America to take a walk down St. George Street and even grab a drink from the "Fountain of Youth."

The warm climate brings baseball teams from all around to prepare for the season. Better yet, the players and games are far more accessible, and a short drive can bring fans in contact with all sorts of teams.

The former winter home of James Deering, who made his fortune selling harvesting equipment, Vizcaya is now a National Historic Landmark and accredited museum. Just minutes from Miami, it's a beautiful oasis worth repeated visits.

A curious limestone structure created by Edward Leedskalnin. The Latvian artist was only five feet tall and weighed only 100 pounds, but carved 1,100 tons of coral rock with no outside help or machinery of any kind.

One of the largest museums in Florida, this interactive and interesting behemoth is great for kids of all ages.

Key West is a destination with hundreds of reasons to go, but this family photo op at the southernmost point of the continental US is a must-stop.

The northernmost of the barrier islands that make up much of Florida's northeastern coast, Amelia Island has miles of amazing beaches and a fun, funky vibe with a slate of fun festivals.

Now part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Pickens was once the last line of defense for the communities along Pensacola Bay. Enjoy camping, fishing, swimming and plenty of history dripping from every stone.

One of the most popular attractions around Coral Gables, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is also one of the most beautiful locations in the entire state. From summer classes and events to music and more, this one-stop has something for everyone.

20 minutes north of Orlando lies a better lazy river than any theme park could ever offer! This beautiful state park is like an Oasis in the middle of Florida's urban jungle.

Like its sister shows in Basel and Hong Kong, Miami Beach's Art Basel experience is one never to be missed. It is peak Miami culture and draws amazing art and artists from across the world.

Just a short drive from the I-4 corridor and the hustle and bustle of the Orlando theme parks, this bird sanctuary and the botanical garden feels out of place in all the right ways. It is the perfect spot for some quiet moments and is a one-of-a-kind Florida experience.

The largest butterfly park in the world houses 20,000 live butterflies...enough said.

This Venetian-style home once belonged to John Ringling of circus fame and it puts on every bit the same kind of show its owner once did.

This house in Old Town Key West is open 365 days a year. Not only was it the place where Hemingway wrote famous pieces like "The Snows of Kilimanjaro," but it was also a filming set for the James Bond movie, "License to Kill."

Even though it opened in 2002, Gaylord Palms feels like a Florida institution that has been around forever. That's because it has almost 1,500 guest rooms and the second-most meeting space of any hotel in Florida. That it sits minutes from Disney and hosts some spectacular holiday celebrations only helps.

There are any number of small Florida towns that could be considered quaint, and more than a few are bordering on "hipster" these days, but the most interesting small town has to be Mount Dora, where there seems to always be some festival going on.

170 acres and 17 ecosystems-all dedicated to the flora and culture of the tropics and subtropics. This place is truly a singular attraction one can't find anywhere else!

More than 150 restored aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are a cool attraction all on their own, but this is also where the Blue Angels practice. So, see you there!

Every state in the Union has festivals and food is a big part of most of them. In Florida, though, those festivals can be year round which draws not only locals but food aficionados from across the country. Disney's Food and Wine Festival and the South Beach Wine and Food Festival are the two grandest.

One of the finest "street art" venues in the entire world, this area of Miami is a great place to spend a night walking around with plenty of fine spots to grab dinner and a drink.

While many falsely assign the Cuban to Miami, it's actually the Cuban Frita that is the signature sandwich of South Florida. Heavily spiced with a sweet and tangy sauce, the Frita is basically a hamburger with the fries on top. In truth, though, it is so much more.

Brewing is late to Florida, but in the past decade, the craft brew scene has become as good around the state as anywhere else in the country. Funky Buddha, Cigar City and Tomoka Brewing Company are just a few of the truly great.

PAMM has been open since 1984, but has operated in different locations and under different names. Currently, it sits in a 20-acre museum park in downtown Miami and houses 2,000 pieces of modern, contemporary and international art.

When the waters get colder in the Atlantic Ocean, Manatees move inland. This means hundreds of nature's gentle swimmers in the wildlife preserve at Crystal River-the only place in the United States where you can legally swim or snorkel with them.

Going to be blunt here...Florida is known for being the place people move to when they retire. What do you get when you have lots of people downsizing their houses or holding estate sales? You get an entire culture of flea markets you can't find anywhere else.

What used to be a country-wide phenomenon still lives in Florida thanks to the year-round favorable climate. The big bonus at drive-ins isn't just the nostalgia. Usually, it involves getting a double feature for far less than you would pay for a single movie at a regular theater.

There are any number of coastal cities in Florida which have fully embraced pirate culture. Our pick? Head to Clearwater and hitch a ride with Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise. Get the younger mateys officially certified as pirates while the adults manage to have just as much fun.