It’s not hard to find beauty in the Sunshine State. Yes, there are the beaches, of course. With two coasts, there’s a picturesque stretch of sand for everyone. But Florida also has botanical gardens, historic hotels, nature preserves, incredible architecture, and so much more. Every time I visit my home state I find something new to marvel at and appreciate. This list covers a handful of these places, but each one is uniquely beautiful and worth a visit.
Alys Beach
Alys Beach
This beach town’s contrast of stark white buildings and turquoise ocean might make you feel like you’re in the Mediterranean. Alys Beach is known for its striking architecture, which blends Bermudian and Greek influences to create its own distinct look.
Bioluminescence Season
Space Coast
In the summertime, certain bodies of water on Florida’s Space Coast (roughly Titusville down to the villages of Grant and Valkaria) get an incredible nighttime show thanks to a natural phenomenon called bioluminescence. The presence of comb jellies and a marine plankton called dinoflagellates give the water a shimmering blue-green glow.
Lake Santa Fe
Melrose
This spring-fed lake east of Gainesville is a stellar fishing spot for bass, but it has such natural beauty—from the old cypress trees to a variety of water birds—that you could spend an entire day paddling around and taking in the views.
Park Avenue
Winter Park
With its blend of historic buildings, charming boutiques, sidewalk cafes, and gorgeous landscaping, Winter Park is the kind of place that’s instantly charming. The city’s main (cobblestone) street, Park Avenue, is one of the most pleasant places to spend an afternoon. The main business district is home to more than 140 businesses like long-time breakfast spot The Briarpatch, independent shops like Writers Block Bookstore, and big-name retailers like Lilly Pulitzer. Not to mention the fountains, rose bushes, and colorful planters in Central Park, just across the street.
John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
Key Largo
America’s first underwater state park opened in 1963 in Key Largo and is still a haven for snorkelers and scuba divers. The area is home to miles of protected coral reefs, mangrove swamps, seagrass beds, and a multitude of sea life. While much of the park’s beauty is found under the water’s surface, you can take a glass bottomed boat tour to see the reef’s colorful inhabitants.
The Don CeSar
St. Petersburg
In 2023, our readers voted the Don CeSar the best historic hotel in Florida, and it’s easy to see why. The ornate, flamingo-hued building is as stunning inside as it is viewed from the sandy shores of St. Petersburg beach, where it has resided since 1928. The Don Cesar was redesigned in 2021, but its opulent look nods to the hotel’s history, from the Art Deco-inspired geometric tile floor to the rich green hues and gold accents in the Lobby Bar.
Everglades National Park
Everglades City
Experience Florida’s wild, untamed beauty at the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. Once you’re inside, you’ll find something to marvel at no matter where you look—massive cypress trees, colorful waterbirds, breathtaking views of the wetlands, and maybe even a panther or two. You could visit the 1.5 million acre park hundreds of times and never have the exact same Everglades experience twice, but you’re guaranteed to see something that will take your breath away.
The Gasparilla Inn & Club
Boca Grande
This famous Florida inn has been welcoming guests for more than 100 years. And while the property has been updated many times since then, it still retains its colorful, old Florida charm. Whimsical details like hand painted walls and chandeliers that look like jellyfish are combined with a palette of pale pastel colors; bright, natural light; and ocean views. It’s a little slice of paradise.
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens
Miami
Formerly a vacation home built in 1916, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is one of the most scenic places in South Florida, and perhaps the state. The historic Mediterranean-style house is filled with art and antiques (including ancient Roman sculptures, one of the largest collections of Italian furniture in the U.S., and tapestries from the Renaissance). Outside, you can spend hours exploring European-style gardens in distinct styles (like a maze garden and a fountain garden). Tropical plants and sculptures are interspersed throughout the property, which runs along Biscayne Bay. It’s a truly transporting place.
Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
Crystal River
Manatees might not be described as ‘beautiful,’ but swimming with one in clear aquamarine water is certainly a beautiful only-in-Florida experience. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is the only place in the country, where you can legally swim with these endangered and protected mammals through licensed tours.
