These Are The 16 Things You Should Do In Florida, According To A Florida Native

And no, Disney is not on the list.

The coronavirus pandemic is still impacting travel, and destinations around the world have different COVID-19 restrictions in place. Always check and adhere to local government policies as you're planning future trips.

Florida is a top winter destination for US travelers... probably because it's currently 83° here in December.

Rebecca Khera

If you're planning a trip to the sunshine state but your itinerary is lacking, here are my favorite things to do as a Florida native. 

1. Pick fresh fruit!

Rebecca Khera

Florida is best known for oranges, but there are plenty of other fruits and berries to go pick.

My favorite time of year is strawberry season (which typically lasts from November to April).

Trust me when I say it's worth driving through Brandon or Plant City for a fresh strawberry milkshake or a strawberry shortcake. You won't regret it! 🍓🍰🥤

Also, if you're visiting in March, you can go to the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City. This year's theme is "#1 For Fun" — whatever that means. It's March 3rd-13th, 2022 and headliners include The Beach Boys, Nelly, and Boyz II Men.

2. Spend the night in Dry Tortugas National Park.

Jeffrey K Collins / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Dry Tortugas National Park is just a ferry ride away from Key West — you can camp overnight on the island and wake up to crowd-free beaches before the ferry rolls in. It's truly a dream! Just ignore the other campers and it's like your own private island!

Garden Key in Dry Tortugas allows primitive camping, meaning there's no electricity...or showers...and only composting toilets. Camp sites are first-come, first-served and all visitors need to carry their own trash out when they leave. 

It's definitely not a trip you can take spontaneously, as spots on the ferry sell out months in advance. 

3. Walk along the beach and look for shark teeth.

Rebecca Khera

If you see a glimmer of black in the sand, it might be a rock... but every so often, it's a shark tooth! It's always fun to comb the beach for treasures.

4. Snorkel with manatees.

Pclark2 / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Some call them manatees, some call them sea cows. The people who call them sea cows are wrong. 

There are quite a few spots to snorkel with manatees, Crystal River being one of the most popular. You can head out on a guided tour...or just try your luck pretty much anywhere! I've seen manatees several times when going for a swim in the Atlantic or cruising through the intracoastal on the west coast. Sometimes these sweet friends just pop up out of nowhere! 

5. Visit the natural springs.

6381380 / Getty Images, Emily Davis / Via Instagram: @emilyelizabethh

People visiting Florida tend to flock to the beaches (or the theme parks), but there's so much more to explore! I love visiting the natural springs which are perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day — or really any day, because it's always hot in Florida.

Some of my favorite springs are De Leon Springs, Blue Springs, Wekiwa Springs, and Wakulla Springs.

6. Watch the sunrise on the East Coast... and then drive to the West Coast to watch the sunset.

Rebecca Khera

Perhaps the best part of living on a peninsula is getting to see the sunrise and the sunset over the ocean in the same day.

And you know how in movies the dolphins appear during sunset, that literally happens in real life! (sometimes)

7. Kayak through the mangroves.

Rebecca Cook / Via Instagram: @joyrebellion

Mangroves are trees and shrubs that grow out of the water along the coast and connected swamps. The mangroves are a great hiding places for all types of Florida wildlife, like herons, crabs, and barnacles. 

If you grew up in Florida, you've probably been on a few field trips to learn about the ecosystem of the mangroves. If you didn't grow up in Florida, ask someone who looks like they paid attention in fourth grade science class, and you'll be in for an ecological treat!

8. Try stand-up paddleboarding through the intracoastal.

Rebecca Khera

I don't know about you, but stand-up paddleboarding in a strong ocean current seems daunting...more like sit down paddleboarding, am I right? 

I much prefer paddleboarding in the intracoastal where there are minimal waves. If you're like me and scared of choppy waters you could always paddleboard on a lake, although you definitely won't see any dolphins, manatees, or sea turtles  — you could probably spot some in the intracoastal, though! 

9. Visit one of the many islands...not just the Keys!

Rebecca Khera

Yes, we all know about the Florida Keys, but did you know there are lots of other islands dotting the coast that are worth visiting?

Sanibel and Captiva Island in Southwest Florida, Amelia Island in Northeast Florida, St. George Island in the panhandle, and the list goes on. 

This means you don't have to fly into the Miami airport and then drive for four hours or even worse, fly into the tiny airport in Key West.

10. See a space shuttle launch.

Space Frontiers / Getty Images, Rebecca Cook / Via Instagram: @joyrebellion

There are a few different places in the US where you can watch space shuttles launch, but I'd argue that none are as beautiful as Florida. Sit by the water and watch the sky as the shuttles rocket towards space.

Some of the best spots are along the beach in Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, and Titusville.

You can find info about scheduled launches here.

11. Watching fireworks with a caramel apple.

Luis Almaguer

I know I said no Disney, but I lied...sort of. Disney Springs doesn't involve going into the parks themselves (or spending a ton of money on a ticket), so whenever I pass through Orlando, I make a pitstop at Candy Cauldron. These are quite literally the best caramel apples you will ever try and, if you stick around, you'll get to watch the fireworks for free. 

Also, as a connoisseur of Mickey-themed caramel apples, please note that the best way to eat one is by cutting it into slices with a very sharp knife (that caramel will give you a work out if the knife is too dull). So, don't pick one up until you're about ready to leave, otherwise you'll have to stare at it the whole day wishing you could eat it. 

12. Wake up early to catch a glimpse of sea turtles laying eggs.

Rebecca Khera, John Hancock Photography / Getty Images/iStockphoto

.... and if you're lucky, watch the turtles hatch and make their way into the ocean.

Sea turtle nesting season is from March through October, and most hatch between June and November. For the best chance to see turtles, you'll want to head to the beach right before sunrise.

As a reminder, Florida takes their turtles seriously! All Florida sea turtles are considered either endangered or threatened. Never touch turtles, their nests, or their eggs. And don't use flashlights (or lights of any kind), as this can confuse the turtles and disrupt their path to the ocean.

13. Go stargazing.

Rebecca Khera

Florida might be known for bigger cities, but there are so many spots that are rural enough to see the sky lit up with millions of stars. 

I love driving out to the middle of nowhere and stargazing on a clear night.

*please pretend I am capable of night photography*

14. Drive down the canopy roads.

Glen Richard / Getty Images/iStockphoto

Aside from the beaches and swamps, Florida is filled with gorgeous canopy roads. If you're taking a road trip through the state, don't be afraid to leave the highway and take the scenic route when there is one.

15. Look — but don't touch — the Spanish moss.

Rebecca Khera

Similar to the canopy roads, there is so much Spanish moss to see in the northern part of the state. I never thought this was interesting until I brought some non-Florida friends home and watched them ooh and ahh at the moss. 

Just make sure not to touch it because the moss is FILLED with chiggers! You don't want to spend your trip covered in itchy red welts.

16. Visit St. Augustine.

Rebecca Khera

As the first city in the state (and the country), you can bet that St. Augustine is packed with tourists. But it's still a fun place to visit as a local. 

I tend to avoid the museums and ye olde tourist traps, but I'm always down to grab some fried shrimp or an ice pop and walk around the historic downtown. It's especially nice to walk through the Flagler College campus, which is hands down one of the prettiest college campuses in the state (sorry FSU, but go Noles!)

Whether you were born there, are a recent transplant, or just passing through on vacation, what's your favorite thing to do in Florida?

Rebecca Khera