(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
It's early summer in Florida. The Fourth of July vacation rush hasn't yet started, and we're still (hopefully) at least a couple of months away from worrying about hurricanes. Now is a perfect time to get out and do some Florida experiences. For residents of Southwest Florida, 2 of them are just a short drive away.
Florida Experiences And More
TripAdvisor released their list of Top Experiences in the US. It's less of a list of things to see, and more of a list of things to do. It's a list made for museum lovers, foodies, and thrill seekers that aren't just observing. But doing.
If you're looking for experiences outside of Florida, here's their top 5 in the US:
- Oahu Circle Island Tours, Oahu, Hawaii
- Honolulu Xtreme Parasail, Honolulu, Hawaii
- History and Hauntings of Salem Guided Walking Tour, Salem, Massachusetts
- Juneau Wildlife Whale Watching, Juneau, Alaska
- Pearl Harbor Remembered Tour, Honolulu, Hawaii
Parasailing in Hawaii and whale watching in Alaska are bucket list items for sure, but I'm poor. So let's check the list for things to do closer to home.
Clear Kayak Tour of Shell Key Preserve and Tampa Bay Area
Grab the sunblock for this one. This adventure has you paddling through the calm waters of Shell Key Preserve in the Tampa Bay area in a clear kayak. Bask in the sun, find shade in the mangrove tunnels, see dolphins, and collect shells on the beach. There's lots of selfie opportunities on this guided tour, and at $80 a person (or less!) this fits my budget. I'd go early, before the afternoon storms kick up.
Little Havana Food and Walking Tour in Miami
The only one of the Florida experiences on the list that includes food! As TripAdvisor puts it" Taste your way through Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood on a food walking tour." Enough tastings for a full lunch, you'll sample Cuban cooking and Cuban coffee, meet local artists, watch cigar rollers, and maybe even get in a game of dominoes. Put together by Miami Culinary Tours, they keep the groups small, and at $70 a person. **One note, if the Instagam post isn't showing, just refresh this article and usually that'll make it show up. The internet can be weird sometimes.
3hr Manatee Swim Tour + In-Water Guide
Since so many Florida experiences involve water, this one should also be on your list. A guided tour of the Crystal River and you get to swim with manatees. At $70 per adult, that price also includes snorkeling gear. An amazing experience that fits the budget. Also, rather than risk your phone, professional underwater photos are available.
Want more Florida experiences? TripAdvisor also just released a list of Top Attractions that featureseven more great things to do in Florida.
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