Looking for some fun things to do in Florida during spring? You’ve come to the right place! From amusement parks to beaches and everything in between, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you busy during your vacation.
If you’re looking for fun activities to do in Florida during spring, there are dozens of options.
Explore the Manatee season, explore caves, hike, or visit the zoo. No matter what you choose, Florida is sure to provide the perfect getaway!
Listed below are some of the best things to do in Florida during spring.
You’ll love all the activities!
1. Manatee Season
Manatees live in a few springheads in the Tampa Bay area and swimming with them can be an exciting experience. If you’ve never seen a manatee up close, now is your chance to experience it for yourself.
The spring heads are designated as manatee sanctuaries, so it’s illegal to harass them.
During this time, manatees still venture into the channels. Swimming with manatees is the ultimate manatee activity!
To participate in a manatee swimming session, make sure to book ahead. Bring your wetsuit, snorkel gear, and flotation device.
During the winter, manatees migrate to warmer waters to avoid the cold Gulf of Mexico.
From mid-November to late March, you can view manatees in their natural habitat at Crystal River and Three Sister’s Springs. You can get up close to the manatees by kayak and even swim with them.
can also enjoy the wildlife up close by interacting with them and spotting baby ones.
The best place to view manatees without a boat is Blue Springs, State Park. It has several boardwalks and overlooks where you can observe the creatures.
You can also visit the Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center, which is designated as a manatee sanctuary and features interpretive signs and an educational center. You can take the family to watch manatees in their natural habitat and learn about their habits.
Visiting a manatee spring may also be an exciting experience.
In addition to the manatee sanctuary, you can enjoy the spring’s natural beauty and enjoy its unique landscape.
You can go swimming with manatees in a natural cenote, or take a scuba certification course. Taking a pontoon boat ride on a spring is a wonderful and informative experience, and you can also view manatees at an underwater observatory.
2. Exploring Caves
While you are in Florida, do not miss the opportunity to explore one of the state’s many caves. This is definitely one of the fun things to do in Florida during spring!
Florida is a state of limestone, which means there are many above and underwater caves.
While some of these caves are accessed only by certified scuba divers and snorkelers, there are plenty of dry caves that are available to the public.
For a truly unique experience, consider diving or snorkeling into a Florida cave.
Located about an hour and a half east of Tampa, Dames Cave is Florida’s oldest cave.
It is accessed by hiking 1.2 miles from County Road 491.
To reach the cave, you must cross an ancient roof collapse, which has left a huge opening. Once inside the cave, you can continue exploring on the land bridge or continue on to Dames Cave. Parking is free, though there are no designated parking spots.
Another fun activity to do in Florida in the spring is diving.
You can explore a cave by scuba diving or taking a tour of a sinkhole. If you have certification, you can explore the Blue Grotto Cave, the largest cave in the state.
The water in the cave is 72 degrees throughout the year. You can even have a picnic on the cave’s picnic pavilion.
If you are a spelunk, you may want to explore Florida’s underwater caverns.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a veteran, exploring caves in the state is a thrilling experience. The water is crystal clear and the temperature stays fairly warm throughout the year.
You can also snorkel and spelunk in the water if you have the right gear.
Also Read: Where in Florida is the Most Fun?
3. Hiking
One of the best things about the warm spring weather in Florida is the opportunity to go hiking! There are numerous hiking trails throughout the state, and the state boasts a wide range of ecosystems.
Take your camera and snacks and explore a new area. If you’ve never been hiking in Florida, now is the time to start. You can find trails in Ocala National Forest, a state park covering nearly 600 square miles.
Blue Spring State Park offers a variety of fun activities.
You can bird watch, go fishing or canoe or kayak on Blue Spring Run. You can also snorkel or scuba dive, which is not available from mid-November to early March. The park is also a haven for manatees, which can be seen swimming in the freshwater.
Whether you prefer a day at the beach or a relaxing hike on a tropical island, Florida has a great variety of outdoor activities and things to do in Florida during Spring for you to choose from.
For a truly relaxing day of adventure, head to one of Florida’s state parks. From lush foliage to towering live oaks, Florida’s state parks offer a peaceful retreat and plenty of opportunities for picnicking and hiking.
If you’re looking for a challenge, you can try climbing the towering trees of the Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach.
If you’re looking for a more secluded spot for a family outing, you can visit Myakka State Park.
This park features a variety of hiking trails, including a bird walk through the marshland. Another excellent activity is exploring the wetlands along the river.
The park also offers opportunities for boat tours, hiking, wildlife viewing, and geo-hunting.
4. Visit a Zoo
If you are looking for fun things to do in Florida during spring, consider visiting a zoo!
Visiting a zoo allows you to get up close and personal with animals and learn about their natural habitats.
There are many zoos in Florida, including Zoo Orlando and Zoo Miami, which is the largest zoo in the United States.
For a day full of fun, take the kids to a zoo. ZooTampa has the highest accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Children will love the interactive exhibits and can even try their hand at dangling a pole over the hungry crowd.
For a day of family fun, you can also take advantage of the planetarium and a ropes course.
Palm Beach Zoo offers visitors the chance to see more than 550 animals from 190 species.
The zoo is operated by a nonprofit organization that sponsors various animal conservation projects throughout the world.
Located in Coconut Creek, the Zoo also houses Butterfly World, the world’s first and largest butterfly park. Here you can see exotic butterflies and birds.
There are zoos throughout Florida, so make sure to visit the one closest to your home.
If you’re looking for other fun activities to do in Florida during spring, you might want to consider visiting the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
This zoo is located in a wetland ecosystem and is home to more than 2,000 animals, including a rare African lion. Other attractions here include live animal encounters, a miniature train ride, and a Gator Wrestlin’ Show.
5. Visit one of the Many State Parks
Visit a state park and experiencing its wildlife is one of the most sought-after things to do in Florida during spring!
These state parks are designated natural preserves that are managed on a subnational level. Many state parks are home to endangered species, but some areas are open to the public for recreation.
Blue Spring State Park, for example, features the Volusia Blue Springs, a first-magnitude spring that is the largest on the St. Johns river. Located within the park, you can enjoy its pristine, crystal clear waters and the surrounding vegetation.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park is located in southeastern Florida. This state park has miles of hiking trails and a mountain biking trail that’s popular with bikers.
During winter, you can try horseback riding, and you can also enjoy camping at this park or stay in a cabin.
Visiting a state park also has a history that is worth learning. During World War II, the park was home to Camp Murphy, a top-secret radar training school.
Many of these parks are free and offer great opportunities for nature lovers!
Check out Florida’s state parks, and plan to visit one before summer ends. There are so many to choose from that you’ll have no trouble finding one that suits your needs. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll be delighted by the many activities on offer.
The Sunshine State is home to dozens of beautiful state parks. Take your family out to Rainbow Springs State Park, located an hour and a half north of Orlando and St. Petersburg.
This picturesque spring park is a relaxing and peaceful escape for the whole family. If you enjoy hiking, a picnic, or a dip, it’s sure to be a memorable day.
Things to Do in Florida During Spring Break
Looking for things to do in Florida during Spring break?!
The beaches are always full of people, so a trip to one of the state’s premier spring break spots is the perfect way to spend your time! Jacksonville is home to many different things to do during Spring Break.
Located just 45 minutes south of Jacksonville, Big Talbot Island and Little Talbot Island offer both families and college spring breakers a memorable experience.
You can also check out the famous beach bars and enjoy the live music.
For those who want to stay away from the crowds and explore nature, head to one of Florida’s many springs (as outlined above).
Many springs have camping facilities on-site, which saves you money and adds another dimension to your vacation. These springs are the perfect way to unwind from the hustle and bustle of a typical spring break.
A few important spring break safety tips when looking for things to do in florida during spring break:
- Always stick to your friends. You may want to go out for a night at a club or enjoy the beach with your friends, but never drink alone!
- Always keep an eye on your friends while they’re having fun.
In addition to these safety tips, remember to always follow the buddy system.
Of course, no trip to Florida would be complete without spending some time at the beach. Whether you’re looking to relax on the sand or take part in some of the many water activities available, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for along the coast.
Popular beach destinations include Clearwater Beach, Panama City Beach, and of course Daytona Beach! Daytona Beach is known as the “World’s Most Famous Beach,” Daytona Beach offers a unique spring break experience!
It’s home to the Daytona 500, an event that brings the spring break crowd to this iconic beach. The Main Street Pier is a great place to meet new people.
For spring breakers, the space coast’s beaches are no longer rocking as hard as they were during the early 2000s, but the area still has plenty to offer.
Theme parks are another great option for families in Florida during spring break.
Disney World, Universal, and SeaWorld are all close by. If you’re not into theme parks, you can visit the Kennedy Space Center. There are also airboat adventures in the wetlands south of Orlando.
The last island in the Florida Keys chain is Key West. It’s a tropical paradise, and spring break activities in Key West include snorkeling trips to the surrounding reefs and a trolley tour of the Old Town.
The latter can be easily done from nearby Fort Lauderdale.
Islamorada is a 90-minute drive south of Miami and has many exciting activities. Founder’s Park, a sandy beach, an Olympic-size pool, and palm trees will make your stay at this coastal resort a great one.
You can also enjoy some great hiking along the Santos Trailhead and the Vortex trail.
Wrapping Up…
The best time to go on a Florida vacation is springtime. These are just a few suggestions of things to do in Florida during Spring!
There are many other things you can do in Florida during spring.
Plan your next Florida vacation now, and don’t forget to include these unique ways to spend time with family.
There are many things to do in Florida during spring break, so make sure to plan ahead.
