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Florida, the Sunshine State, packs many touristic attractions and activities. The North is just as beautiful, with many natural wonders and historical sights, as well as smaller crowds. Travel at a slower pace and relax in serenity. Read on to learn about the best things to do and visit in North Florida.

Ghosts in St. Augustine, North Florida

St. Augustine is the nation‘s oldest city, founded in 1565 by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain. And it‘s also considered one of the most haunted places in the states. So whether you are a history fan or a fan of the paranormal, you will definitely want to visit it!

For example, there is the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum. It’s famous for great sights from the top of the 219 step climb. And also for reported ghost sightings. In 1873, an unfortunate accident took place: daughters of Hezekiah Pittee, head of construction of the St. Augustine lighthouse, had fun riding construction carts until the cart flew into the water and drowned the girls. Their spirits are said to haunt the place.

Another scarily thrilling place to visit is the Old Jail Museum. Prisoners were held here from 1891 to 1953 in deplorable conditions, there were hangings and more than one unnatural and mysterious death. You could also stay in Casa de Suenos: a bed and breakfast that used to be a funeral home. Whatever tickles your fancy (or paranormal senses).

Castillo de San Marcos

In St. Augustine, we also recommend visiting Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest masonry fort in the US, built over 23 years from 1672 to 1695. You can visit soldier rooms, see cannon firing demonstrations and even drink from the Fountain of Youth!

The entrance fee is only $15.00 per adult. It’s open seven days per week from 9 AM to 5 PM. Just be aware that there is a maximum capacity of visitors so you might have to wait if you go on a popular day. The site is crowded the most during holidays and weekends.

Florida Theatre in Jacksonville, one of the only two high-style movie palaces in North Florida

Jacksonville, the largest Florida city, has much to offer, and theatre is among these things. The Florida Theatre was opened in 1927. It is one of the four remaining high‑style movie palaces in the state and one of the two in North Florida (the other is in Pensacola). Elvis played on this stage, as well as Hozier and Paramore.

You can see ballet and opera performances, music performances, or movies with live music played.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

Another great attraction in Jacksonville is the zoo. There are over 2,000 animals in a considerably large area. It is also one of the only seven zoos in the US with an animal wellness team, so the animals are well taken care of. The Gardens are also a great place to take a walk with unique plants and flowers. Learn more at their official website.

Cummer Museum of Arts and Gardens

It’s also in Jacksonville! You could spend at least a week here and not get bored. Cummer Museum is the largest fine arts museum in Florida so if you are interested in art, definitely visit it. The gardens are also one of the most interesting in North Florida. Cummer Museum offers a broad range of activities, such as lectures, classes, workshops, camps, concerts, parties, many free events.

Talbot Island State Parks to enjoy untouched nature

If you are in Jacksonville, we also recommend visiting Talbot Island State Parks. First, there is the Little Talbot Island State Park. You will see white beaches and green woodlands, with ferns and moss-covered oaks. You might also be lucky enough to glimpse some wildlife, such as deer, raccoons, rabbits, armadillos, and bobcats.

Later on, there is the Big Talbot Island State Park with the famous Boneyard Beach Trail. On this trail, you can see skeletons of live oaks and cedars and can even climb them. It makes for a great photography session and a retrieve from the city life.

Amelia Island and Fernandina beach

Amelia Island in Northeast Florida, close to Georgia, is somewhat of a hidden gem. It‘s beautiful but very quaint, so it‘s a great place if you want to relax.

Fernandina Beach is the main town on this island. Once, it used to be a haven for smugglers. Now it is a cute and peaceful town. You can find many beaches, a lighthouse, maritime and history museums, parks, shops and everything you might need. Visit Palace Saloon, which is the longest-operating saloon in Florida. Also, consider traveling by Amelia Island Trolley: it is a great way to see all the historical places on the island.

Ginnie Springs for water acitivities

Do you like water and water activities? Then you should definitely visit Ginnie Springs, one of the best springs in Florida!

You will see clear blue waters and lush green nature. The water temperature is 72-degrees all year round, perfect for all water activities. Ginnie Springs even has underwater cave systems to explore. So go swim, dive, tube, snorkel, kayak, canoe, paddleboard, and enjoy yourself!

Ginnie Springs is in Northwest Florida, about 2.5 hours from Jacksonville. The pass is $30 a night during the high season. Bring a dry bag to protect all your valuables if you go there!

Swim at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park

In this park, you will find one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the whole world. There is hardly a better place to cool off during hot Florida summers.

It is also very beautiful. Did you know that scenes from Tarzan and Creature of the Black Lagoon were filmed here? Nature fans will love it here. There are great hiking trails, where you might spot such wildlife as manatees, alligators, deer, turtles, and many birds. You can also take glass-bottom boat tours. It is also not far from the ocean: just a 30 minutes drive to sandy beaches at Alligator Point.

National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola

Opposite Jacksonville, there is Pensacola, the westernmost Florida city. One of the main attractions here is the National Naval Aviation Museum. If you like aircraft, the National Naval Aviation Museum is a must to visit. It features 150 restored aircraft and more than 4,000 artifacts, related to the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aviation.

Consider also visiting Fort Pickens. It was one of four Southern forts which the Confederate forces did not occupy during the Civil War. And explore Pensacola, with its Seville quarter, Palafox street, and more!

These are just ten of all the great places to visit in Florida. For example, there is the Devil‘s Millhopper, a 10,000-year-old and 120-foot deep limestone sinkhole. Kanapaha Botanical Gardens have the largest display of bamboos in Florida. You can see live butterflies from all over the world at the Florida Museum of Natural History. And much, much more!

We hope that you found some interesting objects to visit in North Florida. Perhaps you are a boater? Check out the best boating destinations in South Florida!

Did you know that Florida has the most registered boats out of all states? It is not very surprising, though, when it is called the Sunshine State and has so many great boating destinations, especially in the south. Out of our top 7 boating destinations in the US, we dedicated two to South Florida. Of course, it definitely has more! In this article, we will look at the best boating destinations in South Florida.

The boating capital in South Florida: Fort Lauderdale

Let us start with the Venice of America and one of the greatest boating cities: Fort Lauderdale. Some even call it the boating capital of the world! One of the reasons is because the city hosts the International Boat Show every year at the end of October. Also, you can boat both in the ocean – it has 24 miles of beach on the Atlantic coasts – and in the Intracoastal waterways, which last for 165 miles in Fort Lauderdale and 3,000 miles in total.

Just 28 miles south of Fort Lauderdale is the well-known Miami. Miami is known for its long, white beaches and also as the cultural capital of Florida. So if you are planning to boat in Fort Lauderdale, definitely consider visiting Miami too!

Quieter boating in Biscayne Bay

Biscayne National Park is quite close to Miami but much, much quieter. Here, you can relax from all the hustle and bustle of the cities. There are also many things to do here. Biscayne Bay is known for its biodiversity: there are four ecosystems here. You can explore it on land, by hiking and camping. And, of course, on water, by boating, snorkeling, and other water activities.

Two of the most popular islands in Biscayne National Park are Boca Chita and Elliot Key. On Boca Chita, there is a historic 65-foot lighthouse. Elliot Key is the largest island in this park, perfect for swimming, camping, picnicking, and barbecuing.

A hidden South Florida gem: Everglades National Park

This park is not just a Florida treasure and the largest subtropical wilderness in the US: it is also a World Heritage Site, a Wetland of International Importance, and an International Biosphere Reserve. You can find both unique landscapes and rare species here. And you can observe it all from your boat! Of course, you must be responsible and protect this unique natural reserve. Boaters cannot harass wildlife, collect plants and animals, even snail shells, and must also complete Boater’s Education Program. Learn more about the boating requirements in Everglades National Park on their site.

No need to go to Bahamas: go boating in Florida Keys

From Miami and Fort Lauderdale, it is easy to reach the Florida Keys. Florida Keys is a coral cay archipelago and the southernmost part of mainland US. And it’s very, very beautiful! As well as rewarding for anyone with so many activities you can do. Try snorkeling, diving, water sports, fishing, swimming, exploring the reefs, and more.

The closest location to reach is Key Largo, the uppermost island. Some of the most famous places here are John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. In the Middle Keys, there is Long Key, a quaint place but great for birdwatching. Duck Key with Hawks Cay Resort and Sugarloaf Key in the Lower Keys are also very popular. Finally, Key West on the very end of the archipelago is a must-visit for many. Many famous personalities, such as Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, spent quite some time here. There is even an Ernest Hemingway Museum.

The remote Dry Tortugas National Park

Want even more remoteness? Sail for a hundred miles west of Key West and find Dry Tortugas National Park: a group of fascinating islands in the middle of nowhere. They are only accessible by boats and seaplanes. If you prefer not to boat there yourself, you could also take a ferry from Key West. The main attraction here is Fort Jefferson, one of the biggest 19th-century forts in the US, which takes up almost the whole island. You can also observe tropical birds, swim on sandy beaches with pristine water, and, of course, explore the islands by boat.

Tired of seas? Try Lake Okeechobee

When people go boating in South Florida, they usually don’t plan to go to a lake. But if you are coming down from the north, we recommend you stop by Lake Okeechobee. This lake is the largest freshwater lake in Florida, and it literally means “big water”. The lake has very scenic views and is very popular for bass fishing. If you want to boat in more protected waters, there is also Lake Okeechobee Waterway.

Did you know that California is a great state for boating in lakes? Check out our article about the best lakes in California.

Go north to a boater’s paradise: Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is a bit more to the north, but it features on many lists of the best boating destinations in the US and is definitely worth visiting. It is a large region, and there are many boating activities for all types of boaters – maybe that’s why it’s known as a boater’s paradise?

So, what are some things to try in Tampa Bay? First, visit many of the islands nearby. For example, there is the Beer Can Island, also known as Pine Key, and Tiki Bay Island, which is especially popular for parties and opening some beer cans, of course. Egmont Key is a natural reserve and also has a 19th-century fort and a lighthouse. Shell Key is a secluded island where you can snorkel on the Gulf side, as well as fish, swim, and sunbathe, of course. If you would like to explore urban Tampa more, go up the Hillsborough River. For watersports, like water skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding, visit Riviera Bay. Finally, go to Lake Tarpon a bit north to enjoy some bass fishing.

We did not mention all the great boating destinations in South Florida, just a few. There is also Palm Beach, South Beach, Stuart, Peanut Island, Boca Lake, Lake Sylvia, and more. Perhaps you are looking to rent a boat or a yacht? Learn how to charter yachts affodarbly.

Top 10 Things to Do and Visit in North Florida