There are all manner of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers to purchase at the market, as well as skin care and natural perfume products. Food vendors serve breakfast and lunch, and sell pre-assembled picnic baskets with all the fixings, allowing you to grab what looks good and head off to one of the cities’ less crowded parks. Live music by talented local bands can be heard all morning, and mini-galleries by Tallahassee artists can be found side-by-side with the food and craft vendors. Public readings by poets and novelists are a regular occurrence as well.

Themed marketplace dates keep things interesting, with weekly focuses on certain types of products or special events like contests and fireman demonstrations. The Downtown Market can be a great way to experience the cultural side of the area without breaking the bank, and a delicious way to spend a Saturday morning as well.

The market can be found at 119 East Park Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32301.

The garden features winding brick pathways that snake through the foliage, running alongside and bridging across streams, fountains and waterfalls, The name seems increasingly applicable as you near the middle of the garden, where the path dips below sea-level to a large koi pond. Though you’re in the heart of the bustling city, the Sunken Gardens are incredibly peaceful and quiet. 50,000 plants from 50 different species are found here—palms, fruit trees,  bougainvillea and waterlilies. Portions of the garden are dedicated to butterflies, cacti, and Japanese formal arrangements. Chilean flamingos wander the grounds while parrots of various species are found in cages along the path.

And while enjoying nature on your own is always great, there’s more to the gardens than just the greenery. You can take yoga classes Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 and Sundays at 12:30, practicing your poses while surrounded by tropical plants. Various horticultural workshops also regularly occur, with one every week or so. Depending on when you’re in St. Petersburg, you can learn basic gardening techniques, beekeeping, how to grow bamboo, or even how to start your own koi pond. If you like guided group tours you can even arrange one of your own, complete with bus transportation and lunch at one of several nearby restaurants.

The gardens can be found at 1825 4th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL 33704.

Today there’s a designated viewing center, complete with a boardwalk pier, that’s free to visit and open to the public 10am-5pm between November and mid-April. And while your chances of encountering a manatee in the wild are fairly slim elsewhere, here you’ll likely see not just dozens but hundreds of the aquatic mammals enjoying the toasty water. Manatees are friendly and curious, and will often approach the pier and even emerge from the water for a close-up photo. And Trichechus manatus isn’t the only species that likes the warmth, either—there’s a good chance you’ll see eagle rays and spinner sharks leaping out of the shallow water, as well as Atlantic tarpon, sheepshead, jack, fiddler crabs and assorted birds.

There’s a 900-foot birding trail just a little ways away that makes its way through a coastal berm, and is lined with mangroves and all the flora and fauna they support. A butterfly garden further enhances the nature experience. If you can’t handle free, there’s the gift shop and concessions, and a tiny museum that educates visitors on both manatees and the power station, including not only the usual informational displays but hands-on exhibits like an assembleable manatee skeleton, video games, and a hurricane simulator.

The center can be found at 6990 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach, FL 33572.

First, some history. The1,918-seat Florida Theatre was built during the ’20s, an era when the term “movie palace” wasn’t just a convention of speech. Ornate buildings were the name of the game, designed in a style known today as Spanish Eclectic or Mediterranean Revival, mixing and matching features of 15th and 16th-century Spanish and Italian architecture for a new generation of American hotels and mansions. Only four movie theaters from this era still exist today in the entire state. This one in particular is features seven storeys of lavish brick, limestone and terra-cotta, topped by a Baroque parapet, two towers, and a tile roof. The north façade and the seventh storey are particularly ornamented, and terra-cotta griffins and mermaids can be spotted by those keen of eye. The interior is doubly impressive—restored in the ’80s to its original charm, the rich reds and gilt ornamentation pop just as vibrantly as they did in the good ol’ days. If you can, get a seat in the loge, the first four rows of the balcony, which still retain their original gold upholstery.

The Florida Theatre hosts over 200 events every year, so there’s no excuse to just drive by and admire the architecture. Have a look at the list of upcoming shows—if you like rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, or stand-up comedy, you’re sure to find something you want to see. In the early days it served doubly as a movie house and a space for live theatre, but both of those are somewhat more rare today. The closest you’ll get to the thespian arts is the occasional opera or ballet performance (and even those are few and far between), but weekends during the summer do give you a taste of the classic Florida Theatre. The building serves as one of the screening locations for the Jax Film Fest, and the Summer Film Series offers Sunday matinees from the golden age of Hollywood for only $7 a ticket. The Florida Theatre features a full bar and a diverse array of concessions, making any show that much more enjoyable.

The theater can be found at 128 East Forsyth Street, Jacksonville, FL 32205.

Cafe Prima Pasta
Authentic Italian dishes at quite reasonable prices makes Cafe Prima Pasta a restaurant Miami Beach visitors and residents alike come back to again and again. There’s a juice bar, martinis, more varieties of pasta than you ever thought possible, and veal, chicken and seafood for those who’ve had enough of the restaurant’s namesake. The hardwood decor and chandeliers set a great atmosphere, accented by photos of celebrities who’ve visited. A happy-hour-style situation offers half-off prices on almost everything between 5 and 6pm. And if you’re gluten intolerant, this is the place for you—perhaps the only restaurant on South Florida to serve gluten-free pasta.

The restaurant can be found at 414 71st Street, Miami Beach, FL 33141.

La Gloutonnerie
With both food and service ranking well above the South Beach average but prices somewhat below it, La Gloutonnerie is a charming French bistro that’s definitely worth checking out. The restaurant is aptly named, with generous portions of excellent Old World cuisine, served in a romantic and surprisingly quiet atmosphere. Visit this bistro with a hearty appetite or friends you can share your food with! The terrace is a beautiful place to enjoy a meal during good weather, and the champagne brunch on weekends is not to be beaten.

The restaurant can be found at 81 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

Indomania
A restaurant unlike any in Miami Beach, Indomania is simultaneously homey and exotic. The tiny, 14-table restaurant is open only for dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays, and is run by a husband-and-wife team. The service is excellent and the food is quite good, with a home-cooked taste that is simultaneously authentic Indonesian. You absolutely have to try the rijsttafel, or “rice table,” a specialty dinner that you’re unlikely to find in many other U.S. restaurants. The dish, and its Dutch name, comes from the colonial era, when landowners wished to impress guests with the variety of the native fare—a collection of several little plates (here up to 17!), each with a different type of Indonesian cuisine.

The restaurant can be found at  2601 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140.

Joe’s Stone Crab
It’s something of a Miami Beach landmark—the restaurant’s been around since 1913, and they claim to be the original discoverers of their signature delicacy. Stone crab claws are delicious, and they’ve been attracting visitors to the area since long before the beaches did. Sometimes this can prove a problem, since Joe’s only offers reservations for a handful of tables, and even though the restaurant occupies an entire city block, its popularity means wait times can be over two hours. If you tip the  maître d’ at the door you can often cut down on the wait, or head next door to Joe’s Take Away to eat your stone crab and key lime pie elsewhere—Joe’s even ships!

The restaurant can be found at 11 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

Katana
The best sushi in Miami Beach in a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that feels like it’s right out of Tokyo. You can order sushi the way you’d choose your meal in any other restaurant, or you can simply grab what looks good from the little sushi boats floating down the river. That’s right—an endless flotilla of tiny wooden boats carrying different varieties of sushi travels along a tiny river at the bar, allowing you to sample anything you like in a classy version of the system known in Japan as kaiten-zushi. The prices are very reasonable, and you can watch the chef at work, too. There’s no reservations, though, so arrive early to avoid the lines.

The restaurant can be found at 920 71st Street, Miami Beach, FL 33141.

Khong River House
It’s Thai food from the Mekong region, and it’s really good. If a rich variety of strong spices is your thing, Khong River is a place to visit, with their variety of curries and noodle dishes, delicious duck and pork dishes and tongue-tingling sauces. The decor is also an essential part of the experience, illuminated by Edison-style lightbulbs set in antique birdhouses and made up of high ceilings, rustic wood and imposing stone Buddhas. And as the wall of gin might suggest, their cocktails are even better than the food—try the Kha Chili or Killer B for a potent Southeast Asian mix.

The restaurant can be found at 1661 Meridian Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

OLA
Found in the Sactuary Hotel, OLA is a warm and inviting restaurant with a Latin American menu. Whether you love ceviche or have never tasted the seafood dish before, you have to try it here—the ceviche is probably the most celebrated item on OLA’s menu. The deserts are diverse and equally fantastic (try “da bomb;” it is), and the wine list is superb. This one’s a bit more expensive than some of the other restaurants on this list, but if you’re not on a tight budget this is a Miami Beach dining location you simply can’t miss.

The restaurant can be found at  1745 James Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

Prime 112
The wait is long and the service is far from exceptional, but that’s not what you come to Prime 112 for—this is the restaurant that’s all about paying top dollar to eat delicious food in a beautiful setting surrounded by beautiful (and wealthy) people. Make your reservation for an hour before you want to eat, check in, go elsewhere for a drink, and wait for a text message announcing that your table is ready. If you know the drill, the rest of the experience will be wonderful. It’s a fresh, modern steakhouse with brick-and-crystal decor, and while you enjoy the meal there’s plenty of opportunity for both people- and car-watching.

The restaurant can be found at 112 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

La Sandwicherie
It’s a sandwich shop like none other—it’s open from 8am to 5am (21 hours a day!) and offers sandwiches, smoothies and salads that are fast, fresh and delicious. There’s no indoor seating, but an outdoor bar seats 10. Of course, during busy hours that means you might not get a stool, so unless you’re here for a midnight sub, why not take the sandwich to the beach? There’s plenty of possibilities for your custom-made sandwich, and many of them are very European—there’s a wide variety of cheeses you’ve probably never heard of, tiny pickles known as cornichons and house-made French vinaigrette dressing. You can even buy a bottle of it for $5.

The restaurant can be found at 229 14th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

Scarpetta
Some of Miami Beach’s finest restaurants are found in hotels, and Scarpetta is no exception. Connected to the Fontainebleau oceanfront resort, this nautical-themed Italian restaurant is one of the few places where you can enjoy a delicious meal and get a great view of the Atlantic Ocean at the same time. The service here is among the best you’ll find, with waiters who achieve the perfect degree of attentive-but-not-overbearing. The award-wining cuisine is definitely worth the price, whether you’re here for a classic Italian dinner or to relax over a hearty prix fixe Sunday brunch.

The restaurant can be found at 4441 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33140.

Yardbird Southern Table & Bar
You haven’t tasted Southern country cooking until you’ve tried Yardbird. Their frog-legs are unbeatable, and there’s endless fried chicken and flaky biscuits. It’s a remarkably new restaurant for its reputation (founded in 2012), but it tastes like it’s been here since the days of the Old South. Reserve a table early, because this place is popular. Yardbird’s raw, industrial/homestead crossover decor sets a great ambiance. The lightbulbs are in Mason jars and so are the drinks—try the bourbon, or the caramel bourbon bacon sundae for dessert.

The restaurant can be found at 1600 Lenox Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

footnotes

* Because the rest of the internet does top-10 lists, and why be a copycat? Also, sometimes it’s hard to narrow down a list.

Over half of the beach is actually part of Lummus Park, which extends inland past the sand itself to include a wavy walkway known as the Promenade and a beautiful palm grove. If you want to take a seaside stroll this is the perfect place to do it—or you can relax on the grassy lawn beneath the palm trees and enjoy the shade and the ocean view. Rollerblading, biking and Segwaying are also popular activities. Head down to the beach to catch some rays or enjoy the waves. The park and beach are among the best-cared-for around, with immaculate grass and sparkling white sand, graded and cleaned each morning by the city of Miami Beach. Here you can play some volleyball on the courts or work out with the pull-up bars and other equipment installed on the beach. And topless sunbathing is A-ok at South Beach—no tan-lines required. If architecture’s more your thing, look in the other direction at the classic Art Deco buildings that line the park, or check out the colorful lifeguard stands, each one unique, designed by architect William Lane.

The beach and the park are completely free to access, but if you feel like spending money there’s plenty of opportunities to do so. Finding parking space can be very difficult in the area, so be prepared to either walk several blocks or pay top dollar. The parking conundrum may be South Beach’s biggest drawback—no matter how much you’re willing to spend, it can be almost impossible to find a place to leave your car nearby on the busiest days. The spending opportunities once you’re on the beach are much more enjoyable. Concession stands abound, and you can rent almost anything you want—beach chairs, umbrellas, bikes, Segways, and even parasailing equipment. Different vendors supply different stretches of beaches, so if you’re price-conscious, shop around. Umbrella and chair rentals are all-day (until 5pm), so arrive early to get your money’s worth. And note that club and party promoters tend to cruise the beach for tourists—whether you consider that your ticket to Miami Beach nightlife or a vacation annoyance, it’s something to be aware of.

The beach can be found between 5th and 21st Streets, Miami Beach, FL 33139.

The most important thing for visitors from more temperate climates to understand about the Everglades is the distinction between the dry and rainy seasons. The rainy season covers the months between May and October, and generally makes for a less enjoyable vacation. Higher water levels and increased rainfall means that mosquitoes are plentiful—in some areas, so plentiful that hiking the trails becomes unbearable. Humidity is usually very high and temperatures tend to be in the vicinity of 80°F, but that doesn’t mean that you should stay out of the Everglades entirely. A summer visit allows you to experience nature without the company of the millions of mosquito-shy tourists that visit during the winter, and is the season when the most gorgeous blooms can be found. The beautiful flowering plants and the incredible towering storm clouds are enough to justify seeing the Everglades in July. If you can’t handle the bugs, however, the November–April dry season has a lot to offer. The Everglades are teeming with life—both human and animal—during the winter. Hundreds of species of migratory birds hang out here while the snow is falling in their usual domains. And even the animals that call the Everglades their home year-round are easier to find in the dry season. Lower water levels means that animals must travel to ponds and canals for sustenance, and if you happen to be there too, you’re almost guaranteed to see something amazing.

Everglades National Park is unlike the vast majority of national parks in its purpose for existence—while most of the parks were created to protect notable landmarks and geographic features, the Everglades are all about the ecosystem. There are no mountains, canyons or geysers here, but the wildlife is truly amazing. A total of 36 protected or threatened animal species are found within the park, including the nearly-extinct Florida panther, with less than a hundred individuals in the wild. The Everglades are home to a fascinating variety of wading birds, including ibises, herons, spoonbills, and brown pelicans, as well as birds of prey like the Everglades snail kite, found nowhere else in the world. Alligators, American crocodiles and West Indies manatees are also a classic part of the Everglades population. Much of the park is made up of freshwater sloughs and marl prairies, frequently-submerged ecosystems that are dominated by 6-foot-tall sawgrass. There are also mangrove and cypress swamps, and rises of dry ground known as hammocks, where live oak, poisonwood and saw palmetto grow.

As the third-largest park in the lower 48, there’s understandably quite a lot to see and do in the Everglades. Hiking and biking trails can be found in every part of the park—few of them are very long (usually between 2 and 8 miles), making the trails the perfect choice for an afternoon encounter with nature. If you’re here in the summer, you’ll probably want to stay on the water to avoid the mosquitoes. Everglades National Park has numerous “canoe trails” which you can navigate in your own craft or with a rental, following a marked path through the parts of the park too wet for travel on foot. You can go boating and fishing in many parts of the park as well, or take a tram tour along many of the paved trails. There’s boat tours, too, and if you want you can even rent a houseboat. Staying overnight but want to sleep on land? Take your pick of the two main campgrounds—Long Pine Key Campground, just 7 miles from the park entrance, which operates on a first-come-first-serve basis and has everything you could want for tent or RV camping except for showers, and the even-larger Flamingo Campground, deep within the park, where campers can and should make reservations ahead of time.

And for the more adventurous, there’s wilderness camping. At most national parks, that means backpacking to some remote location, but in the Everglades you’ll do it by canoe, kayak or motorboat. The park has 46 back-country campsites—some on high ground, some on the beach, and some on elevated platforms called chickees in the middle of the swamp. This can be one of the most exciting ways to experience the park, but be sure to carefully plan ahead before you set out.

The park entrance can be found at 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is where everything starts, and the site of many of the main attractions. Here you can see displays on the history of space exploration, including the original mission control consoles from the Mercury space program. You can even explore the actual Space Shuttle Atlantis, housed here in its retirement, and see up close what it was like for the astronauts aboard. Dozens of multimedia presentations and simulators enhance the Atlantis exhibit, and the $60 million state-of-the-art Shuttle Launch Experience allows you to feel the sensations of actually taking off. The Kennedy Space Center is big on multimedia shows and exhibits, with many straddling the lines between game, theatre and museum display. It’s fun for the whole family—there’s Robot Scouts, a narrated exhibit on the Mars Rovers, the live interactive show Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted, IMAX movies on the Hubble Telescope and the International Space Station, and rotating attractions like Angry Birds: Space Encounter. Kids can goof around on the Children’s Play Dome or sit and listen to actual astronauts relate their experiences. You can even have lunch with an astronaut, or dine on your own at one of the Visitor Complex’s cafés. One of them looks out on the Rocket Garden, which you can step outside to explore on your own or learn about in one of the regularly-scheduled guided tours. Either way, you can see the entire history of space flight up close, and climb inside the Gemini or Apollo capsule.

The price of admission includes a complimentary bus tour that takes you to all the points of interest outside the Visitor Complex itself. The first stop is the United States Astronauts Hall of Fame, found six miles to the west. Honoring notable space pioneers, it contains not only the world’s largest collection of astronaut memorabilia, but also the Sigma 7 Mercury spacecraft. The Apollo/Saturn V Center is another destination, a small museum dedicated to the Apollo missions that contains a slice of moon rock visitors are invited to touch. The bus will also take you to the LC-39 Observation Gantry, a 60-foot tower that overlooks the Space Shuttle launch pads. If you want to pay more you can see more, by taking one of the KSC Up-Close specialized bus tours.

And just because NASA currently finds itself between manned space vehicles doesn’t mean that you’ll have to wait several years to see a rocket launch. Unmanned government launches still occur, putting satellites and other payloads into orbit from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station just next door. Private space programs such as SpaceX use Cape Canaveral facilities for their launches, as well, such as their current missions to provide supplies to the International Space Station. There’s a launch or three every month—you can keep track of upcoming launches online so you can time your visit to coincide.

The center can be found at 6225 Vectorspace Boulevard, Titusville, FL 32780.