Top 5 Florida Sightseeing Tours: Your Ultimate Guide
Planning a trip to Florida and looking for a way to see the Sunshine State? Sightseeing tours might be what you’re after. They can offer a way to experience what makes Florida so special. It’s a chance to uncover its attractions, maybe those that everyone knows about, and the somewhat lesser known spots too. So, with this guide, let’s discover the top tours. Each option has something different, maybe something to suit different tastes and interests.
1. Everglades Airboat Tour
First on the list, experience the thrill of gliding across the Everglades on an airboat. It’s almost a classic Florida adventure, seeing alligators, birds, plus lots more. It gives a cool peek into this special ecosystem, especially if you enjoy wildlife.
What to Expect on an Everglades Airboat Adventure
Expect some speed, the sound of that big fan of an engine, and of course, a chance to see wildlife that calls the Everglades home. That’s not all though; the tours typically include educational talks to deepen your understanding of the unique ecosystem, so you don’t just see things. Very often, there’s a bit about the history of the area too.
- See alligators up close – it’s almost a guarantee.
- Birdwatching ops, keep an eye open for herons and egrets.
- Gain insights from experienced guides, those that really know the area.
Choosing the Right Airboat Tour
When picking out an airboat trip, you should probably think about tour length, group size, and what people who’ve been on it have said about it. Some tours, too it’s almost, offer night rides, which may give a different feel. See what other tourists wrote about it too!
2. Kennedy Space Center Tour
If you’re after the place where the dreams of space get real, it might be Kennedy Space Center. This tour shows off the of rocket science and the history of space travel, from the early days right through to the latest happenings. So, it’s really something for those interested in science.
Highlights of the Kennedy Space Center
Get a good view of rocket launchpads, touch a moon rock, plus see real spacecraft. The tour also features films, lots that have stories from astronauts and mission control. It’s quite amazing really. It’s often awe inspiring. Sometimes you can chat with an astronaut.
- See the Space Shuttle Atlantis up close and personal.
- Experience what it might be like during a launch in the Shuttle Launch Experience.
- Visit the Apollo/Saturn V Center.
Planning Your Visit
Think about allowing a whole day, that might be about the right time to take in all that the Space Center has to show. Checking the schedule for launch dates could also make your trip that much more memorable. Yet, it’s almost best to book tickets beforehand to beat lines, since it gets rather busy sometimes.
3. St. Augustine Historic City Tour
Want to go to what some call the oldest city in the US? St. Augustine has streets paved with stories of the past. St. Augustine is that place! With walking and trolley tours, you will probably take in what feels like different eras of time in this place. See landmarks and hear all about the characters who the town was, that’s its story basically.
Discovering St. Augustine’s Historic Charm
Tours will typically show you places like the Castillo de San Marcos and the Lightner Museum. Some lead you through the small, quiet streets where time sort of, in a way, seems to stands still. Often, these visits bring to life tales of explorers, pioneers, and all sorts of characters who have graced its old streets, giving those places depth.
- Visit the Castillo de San Marcos, the old fort that is thought to protect the city for ages.
- Stroll down St. George Street, with shops and cafes.
- Hear ghost stories, so prepare for spooky tales, especially if you are on the tour at night.
Making the Most of Your Historic Tour
Wear shoes that are going to be fine if you’re walking, since a bunch of the tours might have you wandering cobblestone streets. A hat and sunscreen too it’s almost are good choices when the sun shines bright. Bringing a camera will help you get that perfect picture. Maybe make a note of what spots catch your attention so that you can then visit those later at your leisure, getting to try those different restaurants.
4. Miami City Tour
A Miami tour could be something, for that big, busy city experience, if you are ready to dive into a diverse metropolis with the flavor of Little Havana. Not just that, Miami offers beautiful beaches plus a night scene! A guided tour gives the story behind what each part of Miami is all about. You’ll hear of the Art Deco district too.
Exploring Miami’s Hot Spots
A hop-on, hop-off bus tour, arguably, could give you a way to visit places like South Beach, Wynwood Walls, and Coral Gables. You might also get a peek at spots favored by famous folk, so those are, basically, peeks that most may not get. The tour will generally reveal what makes Miami special, the blend of cultures, beautiful architecture plus much more, just how alive it feels there.
- Visit South Beach for, obviously, its unique vibe and style.
- Look at the art at Wynwood Walls.
- Experience the vibes of Little Havana and grab a cuban coffee.
Tips for a Great Miami Tour
Put sunscreen on, wear cool clothes, especially for those outside walking portions, and grab water. Plan what parts you’d definitely like to explore, perhaps doing that before the day you head out, and that way you do that part of the planning early on, since there is really so much to see.
5. Key West Day Trip
Want to feel like you’re at the edge of the US? So, Key West is where the land stops, at least to the south. It might be very worth doing a day trip to this spot, so this way, maybe, you’ll get a view of the island, its laid-back feel plus those colorful streets. The trip south takes you across bridges plus through the Florida Keys, all the while offering great, vast, open views, over clear blue waters.
What Key West Offers
Go see Hemingway’s home, visit the Southernmost Point Buoy (said to be that ultimate end point of America) and wander Duval Street. There might also be water activities to jump into such as snorkeling and sailing too it’s almost. So it’s pretty diverse really.
- Visit the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum.
- Take a photo at the Southernmost Point Buoy.
- Taste the conch fritters, apparently a thing everyone enjoys!
Making the Most of Your Day Trip
See what kind of transport option is, that could save energy and help you conserve steps for those must-sees, so research that transport beforehand. Definitely bring swimwear and also a towel in case there is water-based recreation involved, plus sunblock.