Florida Bucket List: 25 Things You Must Do in Florida Before You Die

Florida is known for amazing beaches, Disney World, and being an ideal place for vacation but there are so many unique adventures to experience in the Sunshine State.

I’ve curated this list of awesome things to do in Florida before you die. Welcome to the Outdoorsy Diva’s own personal Florida Bucket List.

Some of these Florida Bucket List adventures I have experienced and some of them are things I’m still looking forward to trying. They are not in any particular order.

1. Tree Canopy at Mayakka River State Park – Walk among the tree tops in Florida’s only tree canopy trail.

2. Devil’s Den Underground Spring – A prehistoric underground cavern where you can snorkel or dive. It’s an experience much like the cenote’s of Mexico.

3. Swim at a Florida freshwater spring – Florida’s pristine spring water system deserves to be experienced. We have some of the most beautiful natural springs in the world.

4. Horse Surfing – Florida Beach Horses offers horse surfing on the beach in Bradenton. It’s the only place in Florida where you can do this amazing adventure.

5. Dude Ranch – The Westgate River Ranch in Lake Wales offers a real-life dude ranch experience. You can stay in the lodge, glamping tents, or teepees. They also have a rodeo, horseback riding, skeet shooting, archery, and airboat rides.

6. Cabbage Key Island – Have a lunch at a restaurant you can only get to by boat. This unique Florida gem is located just off the coast from Sanibel and Fort Myers.

7. Power Hang Gliding – Florida Adventure Sports in Amelia Island offers power hang gliding. Think of it like a motorcycle that flies. It’s alot of fun and safe for the kids too.

8. Rapids at Hillsborough River State Park – The only Class II rapids in the state are on the Hillsborough River in the state park. While they are beautiful to look at you can’t swim in them or navigate them by boat.

9. See a Manatee Gathering – Manatees gather by the 100s every year during the colder winter months. Visit one of the many places where they are known to huddle up for a really cool experience.

10. Jupiter Lighthouse – Climb the 105 steps to the top of this gorgous red lighthouse overlooking the Jupiter Inlet.

11. Hang Gliding – Hang Gliding at Wallaby Ranch offers hang gliding with a pilot via air tow. It’s still the most exhilarating experience I’ve ever had.

12. Ride Horses on the Beach – Amelia Island is one of the few places in Florida where you can go horseback riding by the ocean.

13. Swim with Sharks – Florida Shark Diving offers cage free encounters with sharks off the coach Palm Beach.

14. Zip Line over alligators – at the Florida Alligator Farm in St. Augustine

15. Visit the Everglades National Park – The Everglades of Florida should definitely be explored at least once in your lifetime, but with 3 different areas and gate entrances of the park you really need to go more than just once.

16. Florida Keys – Experience the beauty of the Florida Keys at least once in your life.

17. Visit the only International Dark Sky designated park in Florida – Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

18. See the wild Rhesus Monkeys – A colony of rhesus monkeys inhabits the forests surrounding Silver Springs State Park. Catch a glimpse of them while hiking through the park or from a kayak on the river.

19. Drive on the beach – Daytona Beach is one of the few Florida beaches that allow you to drive on the beach.

20. See the Florida Oceanside Cliffs – The anastasia rock out croppings at Blowing Rocks and Hutchinson Island

21. See wild bison and wild horses at Paynes Prairie – Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park is near Gainesville and home to a herd of wild bison and wild horses.

22. Hike the Ancient Boardwalk of Highland Hammocks State Park – This ancient boardwalk is narrow and only has a railing on one side as it winds over a Florida swamp. It’s intimidating but a thrilling adventure if you’re brave enough to try it.

23. Three Sisters – Three Sisters is a special oasis that you can either get to by kayak or see from above on a boardwalk. It’s one of the most beautiful serene scenes in the world and worth the trip to Crystal River to see it.

24. Florida’s tallest waterfall – Falling Waters State Park is home to Florida’s tallest waterfall with an occasional flow that drops 70 feet into an underground cavern. It’s not always flowing so you are really lucky if you get to check this one off of the list.

25. Bok Tower Gardens – Although the Tower at Bok Tower is man-made it is still a beautiful marvel worth seeing in person. The surrounding gardens are breathtaking.

Tell me what other places or experiences you would add to this Florida Bucket List in the comments below.