Florida is one of those unique states with experiences unlike anywhere else in our country. From pristine beaches to one-of-a-kind attractions, we all know just how special this state really is. When it comes to winter though, Florida never got on board with the cold weather so to experience your typical seasonal activities it’s bound to look a lot different than the rest of the country. That’s okay because while everyone else freezes we get to enjoy our paradise with some amazing events, activities, and places to stay. So here is your guide to some of the best things to do in Florida in winter.
Holiday Events In Florida
Although you won't find much snow in the forecast Floridians have long ditched the idea of a white Christmas and instead made up for it in spirit. The Christmas time events are second to none up and down our lovely state. You won’t miss the cold when you dive into these phenomenal and fun things to do in Florida in winter.
1. Ice!, Kissimmee
Location: Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee
Popularity: Popular
Price: Adults: $32.99, Child: $22.99
Ice! is an incredible event in which massive and interactive ice sculptures can be seen. Fully immerse yourself into the impressive design throughout the building, set to a fridged 9 degrees. Grab a complimentary blue parka to stay warm and witness this annual event. Each year is themed after a popular Christmas classic and each new scene will depict big moments throughout the movie. Children and adults alike will be astounded by this impressive art display and it is a great option when looking for fun family things to do in Florida in winter.
2. Holiday Lighted Boat Parade, Tampa
Location: Tampa
Popularity: Popular
Price: Free
Christmas time in Florida is already very different from the rest of the country so why not embrace the holiday season in the most “Florida” way yet? That’s right every year in Tampa you can see a boat parade with vessels decked out for the occasion. Not only is the event fun and family-friendly for all to see it is also a competition so you should expect to see big and amazing displays. The Holiday Lighted Boat Parade is a great way to gather and celebrate the holiday season all while holding true to what makes us truly Floridians.
3. Enchant, St. Petersburg
Location: Tropicana Field, St.Petersburg
Popularity: Popular
Price: Adults: $34, Children: $25, Infants: Free
When it comes to Christmas events this might be the best one ever. Baseball season is over and Tropicana Field gets taken over by all things sparkly. This place is decorated Throughout the holiday season in the most elaborate and magical display of Christmas Spirit. Every inch is shimmering with glittering lights to immerse guests in a truly enchanting and magical atmosphere. Glide across the skate trail, work your way around the light maze, hang out in the village, visit with Santa, and so much more. Make some family memories this year and spend Christmas at this absolutely mind-blowing event called Enchant.
4. Magic Lights, Daytona
Location: Daytona Speedway, Daytona
Popularity: Popular
Price: Prices increase the later the season goes so before Nov. 2nd: $18, Nov. 3rd-Dec. 7th: $22, Dec.8th-31st: $27. These discounted prices are for online purchasing only.
The Daytona Speedway is synonymous with the most epic races in the entire world. For this Christmas event however, you won’t feel the rumble of cars and the roar of the crowd, no things take a much slower pace around the holidays. Magic Lights is a marvelous event that has guests driving through lit-up tunnels and witnessing millions of lights. Drive the 1.5-mile-long course and see some of the most interesting and elaborate light displays around.
5. Winterfest, Pensacola
Location: Downtown Pensacola
Popularity: Popular
Price: Various tours are available ranging from $10-$50.
You might not experience real snow in Florida so we have to just make it ourselves when we want to experience a winter wonderland. That is what you will find downtown Pensacola for Winterfest. The whole holiday season is full of fun events ranging from theatrical performances to magical train rides. The downtown area is transformed to look like something plucked right from the North Pole. While the snow is flying, and you sip hot chocolate, you might forget altogether that you are even still in Florida.
Christmas Towns In Florida
Christmas decorations are a big deal in Florida. One of my favorite things to do around the holidays is to take a road trip to these little magical towns to walk around and see all of the sparkling lights. 3 towns, in particular, shine brighter during the holiday season so when you are looking for cheap things to do in Florida in winter, check out these Christmas towns and you’ll fall in love due to their undeniable charm.
6. St. Augustine
Location: St.Augustine
Popularity: Popular
Price: Free
St. Augustine is known as the oldest city in America and that historical charm is found everywhere within the city limits. All year long the astonishing architecture, unique shops, and fascinating history make this a wonderful place to visit. Now take all of that charm and blanket it with millions of twinkling lights. The whole place is transformed into an enchanted Christmas wonderland. They call the event Nights of Lights and throughout the entirety of the holiday season, there are fun events to join in on or just simply walk around looking at the lights which is always a fantastic time.
7. New Smyrna Beach
Location: New Smyrna Beach
Popularity: Popular
Price: Free
To have a great Christmas town you need to deck out the whole place in beautiful holiday lights and embrace the season fully with fun events. That is what you will find in New Smyrna Beach. This place is decorated and fills November and December with holiday shopping, special markets, a parade, a boat parade, and more! When you are looking for fun things to do in Florida in winter head on over to Canal Street for a plethora of holiday joy.
8. Captiva Island
Location: Captiva Island
Popularity: Popular
Price: Free
What better way to experience the holidays than on an island? It is Florida after all so this is the perfect place to find holiday cheer. Captiva Island is guaranteed to make you feel warm inside, and not just because of the hot Florida sun. With holiday decor displayed in storefront windows, lit-up palm trees, and Christmas trees set the atmosphere. Fill your holiday calendar with several Christmas events throughout the season and be immersed in this small town and charming island.
Outdoor Activities
Although it might seem like an oxymoron to have Florida winter activities there are actually plenty of them throughout the state. Surviving winter in Florida isn’t hard but certain activities can only take place in the colder months. You might have to deal with a couple more snowbirds and normal outdoor activities you would typically find in the north have to be indoors, but there are amazing things to do in the state nonetheless.
9. Go To A Beach
Location: All up and down the coast, seriously there are over 900 miles of beaches.
Popularity: Not busy to very popular
Price: The price for parking will vary some beaches are free others have a fee.
The summer in Florida just gets way too hot to visit the beach, so the winter is the perfect time for a little fun in the sun. There are tons of beaches all up and down the state's coast with lots of great spots. Play in the pristine white sand, splash in the waves, or just work on your tan, no matter how you like to stay beaches in Florida in the winter are the best. I’m a big fan of the Gulf Coast so my personal favorites are Fort Desoto, Pass-A-Grille, and Clearwater Beach, and I would highly recommend both. Find your favorite spot and enjoy the warmth even if the calendar says it's supposed to be cold. Isn’t Florida the greatest?
10. See Christmas Lights
Location: Various neighborhoods, state parks, and gardens.
Popularity: Not busy to very popular
Price: Most of these can be done for free.
I have always been blown away by how Florida decorates for Christmas. In my travels across the USA, I still have yet to find a place that celebrates quite like the Sunshine State. So when it comes to winter activities search out some Christmas lights. Take a drive down neighborhoods and visit elaborate decor in various gardens and parks across the state. Lots of these places are perfect for parking your car and just strolling through at a slow pace taking in the twinkling lights. One of my favorites growing up was Candy Cane Lane so pick several during the holidays and enjoy synronized lights, flashing displays, and massive opulent designs. Theme parks get in on the fun too, head on over to Orlando and witness a magical display at Walt Disney World.
11. Kendall Ice Arena, Miami
Location: Miami
Popularity: Not very busy
Price: Bring your own skates: $13 Rental plus free skate: $16
Ice Skating is a classic winter activity loved by so many people and in the Sunshine State, you just have to take the fun indoors. Kendall Ice Arena is located in Miami and is the perfect place to get on the ice year-round. There is certainly something special about skating in the winter and at this arena, they offer free skate almost every day. Keep an eye on their calendar because they often have DJ-led skate nights, teen nights, and so much more to fully take advantage of this chilly sport.
12. Blue Spring State Park, Orange City
Location: Orange City
Popularity: Not very busy
Price: $6 per vehicle
This popular hot spring state park is often seen as a reprieve from the hot summer sun in Florida but in the winter something magical happens. Hundreds of manatees seeking consistently warm water find their way from the ocean to this state park. Guests can walk the boardwalk trail and see literally hundreds of these gentle giants floating around. This is certainly a unique experience and one that can really only be experienced like this in Florida. So if you are looking for some fun things to do in the winter this unexpected surprise should be high on your list. As a bonus, the Crystal River is also a great place to see these lovable sea cows.
13. Snowcat Ridge, Dade City
Location: Dade City
Popularity: Popular
Price: $26.95-$66.95 Prices vary depending on which ticket you purchase (Ticket sales are $5 cheaper online)
Forget the sunshine, kayaking, alligators, and beaches Florida is famous for, and fully embrace the winter with the state's only alpine snow park. Snowcat Ridge offers a plethora of activities all revolving around the colder months. Go tubing down the massive 400-foot Snowy Slopes equipped with LEDs for nightly music and dancing lights. Go down single lanes or gather your family for a wild 10-person ride. Snowcat Ridge is your go-to destination for all things winter from the quaint Alpine Village to the private igloo rentals. Spend the day ice skating, playing in the snow, making smores, and so much more at this one-of-a-kind attraction.
Winter Getaways
From beachfront getaways to themed and glorious resorts Florida certainly has alot of unique places to stay. If you come from out of state to visit Florida you may be surprised to know there is more to do than chase down gators in the Everglades National Park in an airboat, although that can be fun too. When it comes to winter getaways there are also lots of varieties so we hand-picked a couple of classic fits for the wintertime. So if you just want to get away from it all for a whole week filled with family fun this is a great place to start.
14. Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee
Location: Kissimmee
Popularity: Very Popular
Price: $273-$469
When it comes to Christmas trips this has to be one of the greatest in central Florida. Gaylord Palms is a massive resort with a paradise awaiting you inside with tons of water activities. During the holidays the whole place is decorated with some of the most amazing Christmas lights and decorations around. This is also the location of the incredible annual Ice! event where you can walk among massive ice sculptures themed on classic Christmas movies. If you want to spend the holidays away then Gaylord Palms is one of the number one places to do it.
15. The Gasparilla Inn & Club, Boca Grande
Location: Boca Grande
Popularity: Popular
Price: $520-$3,750 There are many different rooms and accommodations so rates will vary.
I was visiting family one time and we took a trip to Boca Grande, I had never been before but was blown away. If you are dreaming of a pristine paradise with glistening white sands and clear blue water this is the place for you. Up-scale only begins to describe this little island so when you want to experience a fancy winter stay this is your best bet. If you happen to be looking for romantic things to do in Florida in winter a stay at this inn will be perfect. The Gasparilla Inn also features a special event during Christmas time called the 12 Days of Christmas where every day features a new theme filled with fun activities.
16. Garden Key, Dry Tortugas
Location: Dry Tortugas
Popularity: Very Popular
Price: Park entrance and ferry ride: $15, Campsite: $30.
Sometimes when you want to escape the cold winter months going on a tropical island is one of the best things to do. How about an island that is also a national park? Dry Tortugas is one of the most unique ways to spend a weekend getaway and won't break the bank. Take a ferry ride from Key West to a bucket list park for an amazing getaway. Spend the day snorkeling among the coral, exploring the old fort, then at night rest under the most incredible blanket of stars you have ever seen. Tent camping will certainly be primitive but remove all the distractions of modern life and you can really get away from it all here in Florida.
Thank you for joining us as we take you through some of the best things to do in Florida in winter. I hope this list inspires you to look at the Sunshine State just a little bit differently during the colder months. One thing is always true there is not a single state quite like Florida and we are truly blessed to have this tropical paradise all to ourselves.
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