TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – When it comes to Florida, summer promises endless sunny days mixed with picture-perfect sunsets and fun in the sun. As temperatures rise, the Sunshine State offers many ways to beat the heat this summer season. From waterparks, natural springs and famous beachfronts to award winning beach bars and local beer trails, discover Florida’s variety of attractions to help you stay cool.
Tubing on the Ichetucknee Springs
One of the most natural ways to stay cool in Florida is swimming in a spring. Having one of the largest concentrations on Earth, Florida is home to more than 900 freshwater springs. Fed from the ground, the water is approximately 21 Celsius year-round.
Tucked away in northern Florida is the Ichetucknee Springs State Park. Here, you can swim around in the springhead, or spend hours floating along the Ichetucknee River. Hop on a tube and be guided by the gentle and natural flow of the water as you achieve complete relaxation. Become one with nature through the overhanging trees and green luscious foliage.
Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaids
Come one, come all to Weeki Wachee Springs, one of Florida’s most legendary and unique family destinations. Weeki Wachee has been dazzling visitors with its beautiful, mesmerizing mermaids who swim in its cool, crystal waters. This legendary enchanted spring is the only one of its kind in the world.
Swim with the Manatees at Crystal River
Enjoy the privilege that is exclusive to Citrus County Florida by swimming with the manatees in the spring-fed King’s Bay Wildlife Refuge. Crystal River is home to the world’s largest population of endangered manatees and having the chance to encounter these curious, gentle giants in their natural habitat is an adventure that your family will never forget. The springs are the only place in the U.S. where you can legally swim with manatees, with trained guides making sure the manatees are treated with care and respect.
Devil’s Den
Visit one of North America’s most prehistoric places, Devil’s Den Spring. This natural wonder has been transformed from a simple scuba diving site to a world-class tourist attraction. Located inside a dry cave, this underground spring promises a unique Florida adventure and Instagram-worthy photos.
Universal’s Volcano Bay
Experience an all-new adventure driven waterpark inspired by postcard-perfect tropical islands promising innovative and thrilling attractions at Universal’s Volcano Bay. Highlights include a multi-directional wave pool with sandy beaches, a tranquil winding river and twisting multi-rider raft rides. For the main attraction speed your way down body slides that drop from the top of the volcano into mystical waters below. Skip the hassle and enjoy the waterpark’s new technology that eliminates long lines and wrestling with tubes
Disney’s Blizzard Beach
Discover frosty fun for the entire family at Disney’s Blizzard Beach waterpark. Designed to look like a ski resort, Blizzard Beach has melted into a watery wonderland offering virtually thrilling rides, a large wave pool, two areas specifically designed for children and ski themed elements. Ride the “ski lift” to the top of Mount Gushmore where you will slide down its slushy slopes on one of the world’s tallest and fastest waterslides. Hit the slopes in your swimsuit!
Aquatica
It’s never a dull moment at Aquatica’s SeaWorld Orlando waterpark. Aquatica has something to offer everyone with animal encounters and rides for both the thrill seeker and calmer enthusiasts alike. The Dolphin Plunge provides riders with a first hand glance of their habitat as you’re sent racing through the dolphins’ environment within enclosed tubes.
Frozen Ever After
This ride is so cool that you may never want to leave. The first Disney Parks attraction inspired by the film “Frozen,” Frozen Ever After takes guests on an adventurous boat ride through the kingdom of Arendelle. You arrive just in time for Arendelle’s “Winter in Summer” celebration, where Queen Elsa uses her magical powers to make it snow during the hottest parts of the year. Embrace yourself for a downhill splash and a brief backwards glance into this enchanted land.
Cocoa Beach
Are you ready for an out-of-this world family vacation? Cocoa Beach, along Florida’s Space Coast has everything you’re looking for, from surfing, a world-famous pier, the world’s largest surf shop, hiking through nature preserves and exploring space at the nearby Kennedy Space Center. The Pier is a legendary landmark for surfing competitions worldwide. Surfing here is like catching a wave back into the sport’s history. Gnarly.
Florida Keys Diving and Snorkeling
Explore the United States’ only living-coral barrier reef along the breath-taking 120-mile Florida Keys island chain. The coral formations are famous for its abundance of fish about five miles offshore and offer scuba diving and snorkeling memories that last a lifetime. There is no more versatile marine destination in the world with coral-encrusted shipwrecks and intricate natural coral formations. Dive into a whole new world.
Paddleboarding the Dune Lakes
Coastal Dune Lakes are a very rare natural phenomena that only occur in a handful of locations. South Walton’s coastal dune lakes are said to be 10,000 years old and were formed by winds that redistributed sand and created the shallow basins. Walk on water with stand up paddleboarding. Have fun and explore the natural wonders of our many dune lakes through this relatively new watersport that is tailored to the South Walton lifestyle.
Marianna Caves
Stay cool and beat the heat by taking a cave tour in Florida Caverns State Park. A guided tour of the underground dry caverns is the only of its type in Florida. Witness firsthand the hidden formations that are roughly 38 million years old, while spotting the caves’ stunning creations of stalagmites, stalactites and rimstone pools. There is no cooler journey than the one down under!
Siesta Beach Sarasota
Cool off along the coast with some of the finest, whitest sand in the world. Siesta Beach is the gateway to the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico and ideal for a refreshing dip. Experience one of the nation’s best public beaches and its many beachside amenities.
Jimmy B’s Beach Bar
Jimmy B’s Beach Bar is part of the Beachcomber Hotel on St. Pete Beach and has been selected as the Best Florida Beach Bar for 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Jimmy B’s has everything you could ask for in a Florida beach bar, an amazing sunset view and the best local bands to get you out of your seats and dancing all night long.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando
The first Four Seasons property to open at Walt Disney World in Orlando, this resort aims to fill the park’s luxury lodging void. The Four Seasons Resort Orlando has three on-site pools, including an adults-only pool and a family pool. The hotel also boasts a 242-foot-long waterslide, and 11,008-square-foot lazy river and a complimentary Kids For All Seasons kids camp.
Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key
The centerpiece at Hawks Cay Resort on Duck Key is the beautiful crystal clear saltwater lagoon fed from the Atlantic Ocean. Totally unique, this pond makes for the perfect pool with the ability to snorkel with tropical fish, paddle about in a kayak or catch some rays poolside.
Conrad Miami
Go for a sky-high swim at the iconic Conrad Miami, which features a rooftop pool surrounded by chic luxurious poolside cabanas. Guests can kick back with a selection of handcrafted cocktails delivered from The Bar at LvL 25 while enjoying 360-degree views of the Miami cityscape and Biscayne Bay.
Jax Ale Trail
Time to hop on the Jax Ale Trail. Jacksonville is leading the way in the state of Florida with its impressive craft beer scene. The Jax Ale Trail lets visitors embark on a self-guided tour of the city’s award-winning craft breweries. Grab a Jax Ale Trail Craft Beer Passport, collect a stamp at each of the local stops and get some free swag to remember your journey.
Brag to your friends about how you beat the heat this summer with Florida’s diverse, off the beaten path, unique and cool experiences. From springs to waterparks to beaches to pools to craft beers and restaurants, you won’t even have to break a sweat.