While there isn’t a definitive answer to the question of the best places to visit in Florida, some locations are unforgettable.

The state of Florida has plenty to offer everyone on a trip: world-class resorts, family-friendly theme parks, outdoor activities for eco-aficionados and fascinating historical sites. While there isn’t a definitive answer to the question of the best places to visit in Florida, here are some locations that will make your trip truly unforgettable.

Walt Disney World Resort

Best Time to Visit: Avoid peak seasons like summer and major holidays to experience shorter lines and milder weather. Consider visiting during the fall or winter months for fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures.

Transportation Options: Walt Disney World Resort offers complimentary transportation between its parks and resorts, including buses, boats, and the monorail. Renting a car provides flexibility if you plan to explore other attractions outside the resort.

Where to Stay: Choose from a variety of Disney-owned resorts catering to different budgets and preferences. Stay at one of the themed hotels within the resort for convenient access to the parks and exclusive perks, like early admission and transportation.

Things to Do: Explore four enchanting theme parks, meet beloved Disney characters, enjoy thrilling rides and spectacular shows, and indulge in diverse dining options ranging from quick-service snacks to fine dining experiences.

What to Eat: Savor iconic Disney treats like Mickey-shaped ice cream bars, Dole Whip floats, and churros. Don’t miss dining at themed restaurants like Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom or the sci-fi-inspired Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Miami Beach

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Miami Beach is during the spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) when the weather is pleasant, and the beaches are less crowded. Avoid the hot and humid summer months if possible.

Transportation Options: Miami Beach has an extensive public transportation system, including buses, trolleys, and the free Miami Beach Trolley. Ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are also popular and convenient for getting around.

Where to Stay: Choose from luxurious oceanfront hotels along South Beach, boutique hotels in the Art Deco District, or upscale resorts in Bal Harbor. Consider staying in a vacation rental for a more authentic and budget-friendly experience.

Things to Do: Relax on the sandy shores of South Beach, stroll along Ocean Drive to admire the colorful Art Deco buildings, explore the vibrant neighborhoods of Wynwood and Little Havana. Those looking for a lovely evening scene can experience the city’s world-class dining and nightlife scene.

What to Eat: Indulge in Cuban cuisine with classic dishes like Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja, and picadillo. Sample fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants, and don’t forget to try a slice of key lime pie for dessert.

Everglades National Park

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Everglades is during the dry season (November to April). This window of opportunity arises when ambient temperatures are cooler, and wildlife is more active. This combination will overall make your visit to the Everglades more rewarding and enjoyable. Though summer is a popular time to visit Florida, avoid the hot and humid summer months when seeing the Everglades. The summer months, aside from their oppressive heat, also coincide with the rainy season and increased mosquito activity.

Transportation Options: Renting a car is the most convenient way to reach the Everglades. Doing so allows travelers to explore the park at your own pace. Guided tours are also available from nearby cities like Miami and Fort Lauderdale, offering transportation and expert guides.

Where to Stay: While there are no accommodations within the park itself, you can find comfortable lodging options in nearby towns like Homestead and Everglades City. Consider staying at a hotel or bed and breakfast with easy access to the park’s entrance.

Things to Do: If you’ve never been in an airboat, now’s your chance. Take an airboat tour through the mangrove swamps to spot alligators, manatees, and exotic birds. You can also hike or bike along nature trails, or go birdwatching and wildlife viewing. Don’t forget to visit the park’s visitor centers and educational exhibits.

What to Eat: Experience traditional Florida cuisine with dishes like fried alligator, frog legs, and swamp cabbage. Sample local delicacies like stone crab claws and fried catfish. Try a slice of gator tail pie for a unique dessert!

Key West

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Key West is during the winter months (December to February) when temperatures are mild, and the island is less crowded. Avoid the hurricane season (June to November) and the peak tourist season (March to May) if possible.

Transportation Options: Key West is a compact island, making it easy to explore on foot, by bicycle, or by renting a scooter or golf cart. If you’re arriving from mainland Florida, you can drive along the scenic Overseas Highway or take a ferry from Fort Myers or Miami.

Where to Stay: Choose from a variety of accommodations, ranging from historic bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels to luxury resorts and vacation rentals. Stay in Old Town for easy access to attractions like Duval Street and Mallory Square.

Things to Do: Explore historic landmarks like the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum and the Southernmost Point Buoy, snorkel or dive at the coral reefs, enjoy water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding, and watch the sunset at Mallory Square.

What to Eat: Indulge in fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants, including conch fritters, Key West pink shrimp, and stone crab claws. Don’t miss sampling Key lime pie, the official dessert of Florida, and enjoy tropical cocktails at beach bars and tiki lounges.

St. Augustine

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit St. Augustine is during the spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) when the weather is pleasant, and the city hosts various events and festivals. Avoid the hot and humid summer months if possible.

Transportation Options: St. Augustine is a walkable city, with many attractions located within easy walking distance of each other. Alternatively, you can explore the city by trolley or rent a bicycle to cover more ground.

Where to Stay: Choose from charming bed and breakfasts, historic inns, and waterfront hotels located within the historic district of St. Augustine. Consider staying at a hotel with views of the Castillo de San Marcos or the Matanzas River.

Things to Do: Explore historic sites like the Castillo de San Marcos, the Lightner Museum, and the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, stroll along St. George Street for shopping and dining, and take a scenic cruise along Matanzas Bay.

What to Eat: Savor Spanish and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with dishes like paella, tapas, and empanadas. Indulge in Southern comfort food like shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, and pecan pie, and enjoy craft beer and cocktails at local breweries and bars.

Kennedy Space Center

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Kennedy Space Center is during the spring (March to May) or fall (September to November) when the weather is mild, and crowds are smaller. Check the center’s website for scheduled rocket launches and special events.

Transportation Options: The Kennedy Space Center is located on Florida’s Space Coast, approximately 45 minutes east of Orlando. Renting a car is the most convenient way to reach the center, but guided tours are also available from Orlando and other nearby cities.

Where to Stay: Stay in nearby cities like Titusville or Cocoa Beach, which offer a variety of accommodations, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to beachfront resorts. Consider booking a hotel with views of the Kennedy Space Center for a unique experience.

Things to Do: Explore the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where you can learn about the history of space exploration, see real spacecraft and artifacts, meet astronauts, and experience interactive exhibits and simulators.

What to Eat: Enjoy classic American fare like burgers, hot dogs, and barbecue at the on-site restaurants and cafés. Don’t miss trying astronaut ice cream, a freeze-dried treat that’s out of this world!

Sarasota

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Sarasota is during the winter months (December to February) when temperatures are mild, and the city hosts various cultural events and festivals. Avoid the hot and humid summer months if possible.

Transportation Options: Sarasota has a limited public transportation system, so renting a car is recommended for exploring the area. Alternatively, you can use ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft or rely on taxis for short trips.

Where to Stay: Choose from beachfront resorts, boutique hotels, and vacation rentals located along Sarasota’s stunning coastline. Stay in the downtown area for easy access to cultural attractions like museums, theaters, and galleries.
Things to Do: Visit the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art to admire its impressive collection of Baroque masterpieces, explore the beautiful grounds of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, and relax on the sandy shores of Siesta Key Beach.

What to Eat: Savor fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants, including local favorites like stone crab claws, grouper sandwiches, and seafood paella. Don’t miss sampling farm-to-table cuisine at trendy eateries and dining al fresco at sidewalk cafés.

For F-1 visa holders studying in the US, travel in 2025 demands caution. Stick to destinations with clear entry policies, carry your I-20, passport, and enrollment proof, and avoid risky re-entry delays. Tightened immigration policies under the Trump administration, including visa revocations and re-entry uncertainties, have made international trips riskier.

With processing delays averaging 4–6 months and enhanced scrutiny at US borders, many are opting for destinations that minimise visa hassles and ensure safety. Here are six safe travel options for F-1 visa holders for this year.

Canada

Because of its accessibility and ease of admission for F-1 students with a valid US visa, Canada continues to be a popular option. Stays up to six months are permitted with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA), which may be purchased online for roughly $7. Canada scores highly on safety indices such as the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection rankings because of its thriving cultural scenes and low crime rates in cities like Toronto and Vancouver.

Mexico

For F-1 holders, Mexico offers a 180-day visa-free access period for anyone with a valid US visa. From Mexico City’s historic alleys to Cancún’s beaches, it’s a reasonably priced and varied vacation destination. Tourist destinations are well-protected, and the short travel distance eases re-entry issues. Perfect for a short semester break, you can easily pass the customs with your I-20 and confirmation of enrolment.

Iceland

Iceland tops safety lists for 2025, thanks to its low crime rate and peaceful environment. F-1 students need a Schengen visa, but a valid US visa simplifies the process at Icelandic consulates. Reykjavik’s geothermal pools and the Northern Lights offer a serene escape. With volcanic activity monitored closely, it’s a stable bet for nature lovers willing to plan ahead for visa approval.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a tropical paradise that allows F-1 holders with a US visa to enter and remain for up to 90 days. In places like Arenal Volcano National Park, it is a safe place for eco-adventures and is renowned for its political stability and biodiversity. Diversity is added by San José’s metropolitan appeal. Re-entry is easy if you have the proper documentation because of its proximity to the US.

Georgia

Georgia, a country in Eastern Europe, grants 90-day visa-free admission to those having a US visa. The combination of the Caucasus Mountains and Tbilisi’s modern and historical elements makes for an affordable cultural immersion. Georgia is a hidden gem because of its low crime rate and stable political system. Plan your re-entry time carefully to prevent any issues with your visa status because flights from the US are longer.

Dominican Republic

With a valid US visa, F-1 students can enter the Dominican Republic visa-free for 30 days. Punta Cana’s beaches and Santo Domingo’s colonial charm are highlights. It’s a Caribbean standout for safety and accessibility, with short flights from the US easing border re-entry stress. Check passport validity (six months minimum) to stay compliant.

Follow this advice before, during, and after your flight — especially when it’s time to order a drink.

If you’re planning to travel by plane over the holidays or for a winter vacation, a little extra preparation may be wise if you have (or are at risk for) heart disease. For most people, the simple precautions described below will suffice. But check with your doctor before booking a flight if you’ve recently had a heart attack or undergone any type of heart procedure.

Before takeoff

Write down the phone numbers for your primary care doctor (and cardiologist, if applicable) on a card or in small notebook, just in case your cellphone dies. Include your current medical conditions and a list of your prescriptions, which you’ll need in the event of an emergency.

“Keep all of your prescription medications easily accessible in your carry-on bag, and make sure to bring extra doses in case of travel delays,” says Dr. Yuliya Mints, a cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital. It’s safer — and in many states and countries, required — to leave them in the original labeled container.

Make note of any time difference between your home and destination. Ideally, you should stick to a consistent schedule and take your medications (especially blood pressure and anti-clotting drugs) based on your home time zone, says Dr. Mints. Set an alarm on your phone or watch as a reminder, she suggests.

At the airport, the full-body scans commonly used for security screening are safe for people with pacemakers or implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. But these devices may trigger alarms on walk-through metal detectors, which are used in certain circumstances. Carry the ID card for your device in case you need to show it to security personnel, says Dr. Mints.

In the air

When the flight attendants offer up drinks, resist the temptation to order an alcoholic beverage. “Even on the ground, drinking alcohol can raise the risk of atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure,” says Dr. Mints. But inflight drinking may pose added dangers, particularly for people prone to cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online June 3, 2024, by the journal Thorax.

For the study, researchers randomly assigned 48 healthy adults to spend two nights sleeping at normal air pressure or at the equivalent of airplane cabin pressure. The participants stayed sober for one night but drank alcohol (the equivalent of two beers or two glasses of wine) the other night. They also wore devices measuring their blood oxygen and heart rate.

Compared to people sleeping in normal air pressure, those sleeping in airplane cabin pressure had lower blood oxygen levels and higher heart rates. Adding alcohol to the mix lowered oxygen levels even more and boosted heart rates even higher. Such changes could be dangerous for older adults at risk for heart problems, says Dr. Mints.

But do drink plenty of water, which has the added advantage of requiring you to get up to use the restroom. On a long flight, walking a little every hour or so will help improve circulation in your legs; so can flexing your feet and circling your ankles. Doing so may reduce the chance of developing a blood clot, although the overall risk of such a clot (known as deep-vein thrombosis, or DVT) is quite low. Doctors often recommend that people with a history of DVT wear compression stockings (elastic, below-the-knee socks that gently squeeze your calves) when they fly.

At your destination

If your vacation involves more activity that you’re accustomed to doing regularly, take it easy the first day or so. That’s especially important if you travel to a high-elevation destination, such as a ski resort. The higher the altitude, the less oxygen concentration in the air (see “Oxygen levels at high-altitude destinations in America”). In response, your heart rate and blood pressure rise temporarily until your body adapts to the lower oxygen level, usually within a few days. As a general rule, don’t go above 8,000 feet the first day, and give your body time to adapt before going higher or doing any strenuous exercise. Ascending up to 12,000 feet is considered fine for most people with stable heart disease.

Travelling experiences feed the mind and the soul. With the development of transportation services, everyone gets the chance to explore the world with all its wonders. However, we often feed our experience pool on behalf of planet Earth. As it is today, tourism poisons our Mother Planet – transportation that has enormous gas emissions, reckless tourists, and so many more things are a big issue. Sure, it’s more comfortable sometimes to travel by plane, but if we told you that sustainable travel is better for you, would you be eager to try it? Let’s go through these six ways to improve your health and happiness by travelling sustainably.

1. You can build muscle and improve your physical health

Travelling by bicycle is one of the great sustainable means of transportation that have been gaining popularity in recent years. Of course, you can’t ride a bike across the ocean. So, for a portion of your trip to Europe, for example, you’ll need to take a plane. But, when you land, instead of going straight to a rent-a-car company, why don’t you try renting a bicycle instead? Hear us out.

By riding a bicycle, you will:

• build some muscles
• decrease the risk of atherosclerosis and hypercholesterolemia
• strengthen your heart
• reduce BMI and all the risks that come with high body mass index

2. You’ll get more hormones of happiness

Those are pretty good reasons to hop on a bike, right? But – there’s more! Every hour of riding a bicycle increases the secretion of adrenaline, dopamine, endorphins and many more hormones. Why would you want that? Dopamine is a hormone that helps you feel satisfied, and endorphins already have a pretty cute nickname that showcases their effect – people call them hormones of happiness.

So, every time you decide to put some work into sustainable transport instead of just passive gas emission – your body rewards you with a lot of happiness and joy.

3. You’ll see more things when you take it slow

Travelling sustainably often means travelling slower. Meaning instead of reaching the destination in the Maldives shortly with a speed boat, you’ll wander through the waters slowly on a traditional boat. But that has its perks. When you storm through some area with modern means of transportation, you don’t get to see it all. You don’t get to experience all the little bumps in the road and every little wave.

Meet all the little creatures you didn’t even know existed

But that’s a shame because, when you genuinely take a moment to enjoy the whole experience, you can bond with nature and it will reward you with a peace of mind you didn’t even know was possible. So, next time, try hiking at least a portion of the road instead of using a motor-powered vehicle to climb the mountain. That way, you’ll meet all the little flowers and animals you didn’t even know existed. Your experience will be way richer, and you’ll feel happier and more satisfied.

4. Meeting people and new cultures can only add to it

The thing that is truly valuable about travelling is meeting different cultures. Expanding your horizons and points of view and stretching them to the extent you didn’t even know was possible. Don’t get us wrong, chilling in nature is an awesome experience. But, the truly valuable food for your soul is talking to all the different people from different countries. And, you can’t really do it by fast, massive travelling. If you take a ride by bicycle, you’ll have to stop many times, in many villages you didn’t even know existed.

There, you’ll meet truly extraordinary and very ordinary people. They’ll probably offer their authentic food and hospitality. And, you won’t even notice your whole world changing for the better.

It can be a major difference

Slowly experiencing and sharing other people’s lifestyles can, in fact, help you appreciate everything you have right now. Struggle and suffering mixed with happiness can be truly motivating for fighting your inner demons. Sharing all of this while travelling is a powerful tool to do so successfully and regain your full mental and physical health.

5. You’ll eat healthier

Since we touched on the subject of food, we need to mention that part of travelling sustainably. If you want to be eco-friendly while you travel, you’ll eat locally instead of in large hotels and vast chains of restaurants (so, yes, McDonald’s and KFC are off the table). This will not only allow you to experience different things. But, you’ll also avoid all these harmful chemicals that big companies put in their meals. You’ll know where your food came from and that it is made one hundred per cent with love.

6. Saving the planet will save you in the long run

All those little things you care about when travelling sustainably – not using plastic bags, avoiding gas emissions, being careful where you put your garbage – are really helping you in the future. When you do them, you’re slowing down global warming and therefore making the safer and just a bit healthier planet for you and the future generations. It’s also important to do it with your kids if you’re travelling with them. That way, you’ll educate the future generation to be more responsible towards the planet and their own health.

So, can you improve your health and happiness by travelling sustainably?

The answer is – absolutely yes! There are many ways eco-friendliness combined with new experiences can help your outer and inner being.

The travelling itself is pretty beneficial, but bringing eco-consciousness to the table is another level. So, make sure to travel and feed your body and soul while caring for nature and Mother Earth. Improve your health and happiness by travelling sustainably and having a lot of fun.