All Play

In Marathon, Florida, the Florida Keys Aquarium Encounters is an interactive marine park opened in 2014, offering hands-on experiences with tropical sea life. At 11710 Overseas Highway, it features guided tours through coral reef tanks, stingray touch pools, and predator lagoons with sharks and groupers. Unique encounters include snorkeling in a 200,000-gallon reef tank ($95) or feeding stingrays ($50), with educational talks on conservation. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m., admission is $25 for adults, $20 Read more…

Nestled on Hutchinson Island in Stuart, Florida, the Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center is a 57-acre marine life nature preserve dedicated to inspiring environmental stewardship since its founding in 1964 by the Florida Oceanographic Society. This nonprofit hub focuses on education, research, and advocacy for Florida’s coastal ecosystems, bridging the Indian River Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Unique features include a 750,000-gallon Gamefish Lagoon teeming with native species like snook and tarpon, interactive touch tanks for Read more…

Located in Perry, Florida, the Forest Capital Museum State Park commemorates Taylor County’s designation as the “Tree Capital of the South” in 1965, with the museum opening in 1968 to educate on Florida’s forestry heritage. This octagonal building with a glass-dome ceiling, shaded by pines, explores the industry’s past, present, and future through immersive exhibits. Unique features include displays on longleaf pine products—from turpentine to paper—a talking tree named Terry explaining forest ecology, a detailed Read more…

Established in 1997, the Downtown Fort Pierce Farmers Market has become a beloved Saturday tradition on Florida’s Treasure Coast, drawing residents and visitors from St. Lucie, Indian River, and Martin counties. Held rain or shine at Marina Square along the scenic Indian River waterfront, it features over 70 vendors offering farm-fresh produce, seafood, meats, cheeses, baked goods, gourmet sauces, spices, coffee, tea, honey, juices, smoothies, flowers, plants, and herbs. Unique aspects include live music enhancing Read more…

Overlooking Biscayne Bay in downtown Miami, Florida, the Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science—known as Frost Science—opened in 2017 as a state-of-the-art facility blending aquarium, planetarium, and interactive exhibits to inspire curiosity about science and technology. Spanning 250,000 square feet, it evolved from the former Miami Science Museum, emphasizing South Florida’s ecosystems. Unique features include the 500,000-gallon Gulf Stream Aquarium with a 31-foot oculus lens for underwater views of sharks and rays, the Frost Read more…

Tucked in Homestead, Florida, the Preston B. Bird/Mary Heinlein Fruit & Spice Park is a unique 37-acre subtropical botanical garden, the only of its kind in the U.S., showcasing over 500 varieties of exotic fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, and nuts from around the world. Established in 1944, it highlights Miami-Dade’s tropical climate, with collections including 150 mango types, 75 bananas, and 70 bamboos. Unique features allow visitors to sample fallen fruits along trails or at Read more…

Situated along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa, Florida, the Glazer Children’s Museum is a vibrant, interactive learning center opened in 2010 to spark imagination in kids through play-based exhibits. Founded by the Glazer family, it spans three floors with over 20 themed areas focused on STEM, arts, and community roles. Unique features include Water’s Journey, simulating a river adventure with climbing and splashing; Vet Clinic for animal care role-play; and Engineers’ Workshop for building Read more…

Based in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida, Gold Coast Scuba is a PADI 5-Star Dive Center under new owner Sam, offering boutique diving experiences with a focus on safety and fun since its establishment as a full-service shop. Multilingual staff (English, Arabic, French, Spanish) cater to diverse visitors, with services including PADI certifications like monthly Open Water courses, guided scuba and snorkel tours, gear rentals, and innovative tankless diving with the battery-operated Sea Lion 3rd Lung. Unique features Read more…

Sprawled across 52 acres in Miramar Beach, Florida, Grand Boulevard at Sandestin is a premier town center developed in 2003 as part of the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, blending upscale shopping, dining, and entertainment in a pedestrian-friendly, open-air setting inspired by European villages. Unique features include over 30 boutiques like Anthropologie and J.McLaughlin, diverse eateries from Emeril’s Coastal to casual spots like Tommy Bahama Restaurant, and an AMC theater for movies. The central Grand Read more…

Nestled in Gulf Breeze, Florida, the Gulf Breeze Zoo spans 50 acres and houses over 1,000 animals from nearly every continent since its opening in 1984, evolving into a conservation-focused attraction with AZA accreditation. Unique features include naturalistic habitats for rhinos, giraffes, and primates, interactive encounters like giraffe feeding, and a safari train ride offering scenic views. The petting farm and budgie aviary allow hands-on fun, while conservation programs support global wildlife through breeding and Read more…