An Insider's Guide for Exploring Florida's Coastline and Inland Gems

As the flattest state in the country, it’s no wonder Florida can pack in tons of adventures that anyone can enjoy. With over 1,300 miles of coastline, 11 National Parks, 175 State Parks, and global cuisine, Florida is the perfect destination for a getaway that absolutely everyone can enjoy.

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So where does one go to find the hidden gems, delicious food, and culture in the sunshine state? We tapped our favorite Floridian adventurers for insider guides to exploring Florida's wild beauty near its most popular cities.

Here are our outdoor experts' top recommendations for visiting every sunny nook and cranny of Florida.

Part 1: Wildlife & Biodiversity

Florida's seemingly endless, picture-perfect coastlines likely conjure up images of sparkling beaches, but there's also so much rich biodiversity and wildlife to explore throughout Florida. From wetlands to forests to natural springs, Florida is a nature lover's dream. 

Explore near Fort Myers, Florida

With its laid back island town feel, Fort Myers is the perfect gateway to numerous outdoor adventures and the ability to do some fun island hopping on Florida's west coast. It's a wonderful place to explore some of Florida's more under the radar outdoor treasures.

Winter Estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford

Outdoorsy Diva, Lauren Gay, shared with us that the Winter Estates of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford has 20 acres of botanical gardens on the property making it one of the most beautiful places in the state for nature lovers. There are over 2,000 plants and trees from 400 different species from 6 continents. Read the full Fort Myers Insiders Guide. 

Other nature-focused spots to visit near Fort Myers.

• If you’re looking to explore some of the wetlands, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve has over 3,500 acres of wetland that can be explored via a boardwalk.

• J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge boasts kayak tours and hikes where you can view unique wildlife and shorebirds.

Explore near Tampa, Florida

Hillsborough River State Park

Tampa's Hillsborough River State Park is the only location in the state where you can see class II rapids as well as suspension bridges, places to fish, and kayaks and canoes to rent for paddling. This state park is one of the best places to get away from the city and find some peace in nature. Read the full Your Insider Guide to Tampa Bay. 

Empower Adventures over Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve

Stretch your visit out a bit more and take your fun above the treeline -- Empower Adventures offers ziplining over more than 360 acres of the Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Nature Preserve. You'll need to make reservations, and Lauren assures us, "The landscape views are incredible from the platforms, and the staff is extremely friendly and helpful."

Explore in the Florida panhandle

The Florida Panhandle is the Northwestern part of the state and one of the most biodiverse regions which include many springs, subterranean streams, and rivers.

Ponce De Leon Springs State Park

Vanlifer, Erin McGrady, says that Ponce De Leon Springs State Park is a must-stop for its 68 degree, freshwater spring -- perfect for a midday dip -- and surrounding shaded trails for a pre or post-swim hike. The trail is short and winds along a river flood plain, so wear your boots and be prepared to get a little dirty. Read the full Florida Panhandle Adventures! 

Explore the Florida Keys

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park

Erin and her wife, Caroline, had an awesome experience along The Nature Trails at the Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park. There you can go for a hike and learn about some of the plants in the area. Read the full A Tropical Adventure in The Florida Keys!

Making an itinerary to explore the Florida wilderness? 

Check out this list of 8 awesome adventures throughout Florida:

• Hike The Gobbler Ridge Trail
• Paddleboard To Dog Island
• Hike Through The Econ River Wilderness Area
• Kayak Extreme Emerald Cut
• Take A Scroll Through Eureka Springs Park
• Explore Durbin Preserve
• Hike Little Talbot Islands Dune Ridge Trail
• Explore Guana State Park & Wildlife Preserve

Part 2: Water-Based Adventures

What’s a sojourn without honoring the time old tradition most Floridians and visitors alike take part in? The beaches are vast and plenty here so experiencing activities centered around water seems appropriate. The best time to go is during the off months (Fall + Spring) when tourists are less likely to overrun most of the spots you want to enjoy to its fullest.

These are some of our choice picks that don’t involve just lounging.

More fun in the Florida Keys

If freediving has always been something you wanted to try but were too timid, then The Florida Keys may be a good spot to get your newbie fins wet.

Scuba Instructor and Marine Biologist, Laura Palomino dove feet first into an underwater history lesson. You may be shocked to hear that the Greater Fort Lauderdale area is home to 76 shipwrecks and counting - with most of them being within recreational dive limits. Read the full Adventures in Ft. Lauderdale. 

Discover the only natural coral reef in the U.S.

What a better introduction to freediving than taking in the historical features below the water's surface in the form of a diving tour. Besides free diving for shipwrecks, you may also want to check out the coral reef tract, the only natural coral reef found in the country. The inner reef is only a short swim away from the shore and could be the perfect add-on to any diving excursion.

Fort DeSoto State Park Beach in Tampa Bay to Egmont Key State Park or Shell Key Preserve

Florida native and adventurer Sarah Fay, shares her favorite spot for a unique beach visit complete with long stretches of white sand-the Talbot Islands- Big Talbot and Little Talbot Island State Parks in Jacksonville, should be on your list of beaches to visit. Both are uncrowded and have tons of activities like birdwatching, photography, cycling, hiking, and camping. Big Talbot Island State Park has a beautiful trail to Boneyard Beach, where old live oaks have been salt-washed and are scattered along the beach creating an eerie feel. Read the full Insider's Guide to Jacksonville.

Want to add in more beach time?

Check out these 8 beach adventures you can add on to your trip:

• Kayak Camp on the East Cape, FL - Camp along a 3-mile stretch of beach while you view wildlife and sleep under the stars.
• Visit St. Marks Lighthouse - What's a beach trip without the towering beauty of a lighthouse? 
• Beach Day at Bahia Honda SP  - Spend the day on white sands and take a dip in clear waters.
• Hike the Florida Scrub Nature Trail at Archbold Research Station - Discover a compacted white sand trail nestled within the local local flora and fauna.
• Photograph a Gulf Coast Sunset at Clearwater Beach - Catch your first Gulf Coast sunset then hop over to the nearby beach bar and grill. 
• Explore the Ruins of Fort Dade - History buffs and treasure hunters alike can discover the ruins left behind from the Spanish-American War. 
• Fishing in St. Andrew's Bay - Take a detour to Panama City and fish in the shallows - look out for crab underfoot!
  

Part 3: Family Fun

Maybe you’re looking for some ideas on how to experience Florida with your whole family without the fuss of the crowds and with the ease of accessibility and convenience. 

This list of activities are ideal for every family member and can be peppered throughout your itinerary or you can plan out these trips on their own and extend the time for each stay.

Mount Dora, Florida - A Little Bit Of Life Farm is near Mount Dora’s downtown area so families with older kids have a location close by, while still being able to take younger ones to the farm. You can even camp there and wake up to the sounds of the roosters, horses and goats, and then take a tour of the farm that has the cutest bred, rescued and retired working animals. Read the full Experiences to Remember in Beautiful Orlando.

Camping at Curry Hammock State Park, Florida Keys - With just 28 campsites on the grounds, this intimate campground is deemed as one the most beautiful camping areas by a fellow Outbounder. Great for anyone who wants to experience balmy breezes near the water and have plenty of options for nearby fun. Oh and this state park is just 11 miles south of the one above which means you'll have easy access to two great places. Read the full A Tropical Adventure in The Florida Keys!

South Beach, Miami Florida - Part tourist-y, part arts and culture. You can rent bikes and ride down Ocean drive. An arts district all on its own, Wynwood is home to many art galleries, boutiques, and plays hosts to amazing events such as Art Basel. If you don’t want to miss any of the highlights of the Art Murals take a Wynwood Golf Cart Buggy Tour and make sure to get some awesome pictures at the Wynwood Wall. Read the full Miami Insider's Guide.

Day Trip To Amelia Island, Jacksonville Florida - Take a paddle on the wild side and learn about the fauna of some of Florida’s ecosystems. A tour kayaking Egan’s Creek or Lofton Creek with Amelia Adventures is a great way to get an ecological tour and understanding of the waterways surrounding Jacksonville. See spoonbills, hawks, eagles, alligators, and turtles, as well as break a little sweat! Read the full Insider's Guide to Jacksonville.

Canals of Las Olas Isles, Fort Lauderdale Florida - A paddling trip with a family community service touch. Rent some kayaks and Paddle along rows of catamarans, sailboats and mega yachts with a backdrop of multi-million dollar mansions. And if you launch from Victoria Park, you might even pass through some hidden mangrove channels. Take a few trash bags with you and pick up litter in the waterways during high tide for feel-good fun. Read the full Adventures in Ft. Lauderdale.

Part 4: A Foodie's Dream

There’s no way we could end sharing our top picks for an all-encompassing adventure visit to the sunny state without mentioning food. Besides, you’ll be famished after all the activity you packed in on any given day. The more obvious choice for food would be centered around seafood. We decided to give you options including everything from family favorites to beach bars, as well as a smattering of American classics.

Here are our favorite places that are odes to the various cultures and favorites that Florida offers by way of cuisine.

Cuban

925 Nuevo's Cubano's - Casual dining, breakfast options, and live music. Come here for a fantastic Cuban lunch and on the weekends enjoy live salsa and bachata music during your meal! For my coffee aficionados- make sure to try a colada. While most America may run on Dunkin, South Florida runs on cuban espresso. Read the full Adventures in Ft. Lauderdale.

Versailles Restaurant - Night out and window ordering. Featured on an episode of Anthony Bourdain, Versailles Restaurant is the place where you can have a sit-down meal, served with class or just grab a cortadito at a window with an empanada for something more low key. Read the full Miami's Insider Guide.

Seafood

Lazy Lobster - Casual dining, to-go ordering, and seafood options. The lobster is lightly breaded and fried, not overly seasoned so the flavor shines through, topped with crisp bacon, and big enough that you'll be stuffed but also, somehow, still wanting another. Read the full Tropical Adventure in The Florida Keys!

YUPPI - Black chef eatery, unique flavors, and to-go, riverfront dining. This Black Chef Eatery in Ybor City hits the spot. The Yuppi Wings and Yuppi Shrimp are so tasty and unique. You won’t find this flavor anywhere else. The macaroni and cheese is cheesy and savory and the collard greens are delicious. Read the full Your Insider Guide to Tampa Bay.

Burgers & Beer

Lemon Bar - Casual dining, outdoor space, and dessert nearby. A few short miles north brings you to Neptune Beach, a classy area with amazing restaurants like The Flying Iguana, The Poe Tavern, and ice cream heaven at Whit’s. Also, they have one of the best beach bars with great food and live music at the world-famous Lemon Bar. Read the full Insider's Guide to Jacksonville.

Islamorada Beer Company - casual dining, and to-go beer. Cold, delicious beers in a cool, laid-back outdoor setting complete with palm trees and an on-site food truck? And a distillery?! Read the full A Tropical Adventure in The Florida Keys!

Sweet Tooth

Augustine’s Cheesecake - Pre-order, mini cheesecakes. Augustine’s offers a variety of unique flavors as mini gourmet cheesecakes via a weekly pop up bakery in South Tampa. They make the flavors announcement via Instagram the week before for pre-order, and cheesecake pick up day is on Thursdays. Read the full Your Insider Guide to Tampa Bay.

Mount Dora Confectionary - Classic candies and surrounding shops. The shop has a plethora of fine chocolates, candies and fudges that make for the perfect treat after lunch or dinner. Read the full Experiences to Remember in Beautiful Orlando. 

Now that you’ve gained insider knowledge on what all to do in Florida, we hope you can get out with your partner, friends, and family. Florida is not only a destination location for anyone wanting to vacation, but it offers so much more in terms of the rich culture and recreation that support the diverse ecosystems and people that dwell there.

While you’re out exploring, be sure to refer to these 5 tips for adventuring responsibly.