Last Updated on July 21, 2023
We look forward to compiling our Florida Bucket List each year. 2023 is the year we plan to kick our Florida travel adventures up a few notches. We feature 23 items on our 2023 Florida Bucket list.
We encourage everyone to create their own Florida Bucket List (you can get many ideas by searching our website search box). It’s fun checking them off the list one by one and reviewing the whole list at the end of the year.
It’s also important to leave lots of space for unexpected hidden gems. However, a plan of action is always a great starting point. So, without further ado …
Our 2023 Florida Bucket List
1. Follow the Mermaid Tale Trail – Weeki Wachee
Due to Hurricane Ian being an unwelcome visit to Florida, the original Weeki Wachee 75th anniversary event was rescheduled to January 12, 2023.
The 75 year history of Weeki Wachee is full of wonder, brushes with greatness, and incredible memories. Whether it’s stories from the actual mermaids or photos from visitors from the past or present, this Florida State Park is still one of the most popular attractions in Florida. It offers something fun for everyone.
Festivities to celebrate Weeki Wachee’s 75th Anniversary will begin at 10 am with remarks by Park and County officials, along with the unveiling of the mermaid statues, and a dedication plaque recognizing the Adagio statue and Park as one of the National Historic Landmarks.
Dianne Wyatt McDonald, one of the first mermaids who performed on opening day in 1947 and co-creator of the Adagio pose, will be present for the dedication.
Afterward, there will be opportunities to meet and greet the artists and see their statues for The Mermaid Tale Trail!
This historic 75th milestone event and the unveiling of the Mermaid Tale Trail will be followed a few weeks later by the Florida Mermaid Trail Festival in Brooksville.
2. Report Reopenings in Southwest Florida & Central East Florida
Good Riddance 2022 and the havoc Hurricane Ian brought primarily to Southwest Florida (Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, and the surrounding areas).
A few weeks late, Hurricane Nicole stormed Volusia & Flagler Counties (New Smyrna Beach, Daytona Beach Shores, Flagler Beach, and the surrounding areas).
The one-two punch received from Ian and Nicole will continue tremendous hurricane relief efforts in 2023 (and beyond).
Our team is committed to monitoring the areas most affected by the wrath of these storms. We will report reopenings on our website and social media pages.
We encourage our readers to share any reopening updates and continue supporting small businesses by always shopping locally.
Here’s a sampling of Florida roadside attractions that are open and would love you to visit:
- Shell Factory Nature Park (TIP: Gumbo Fest – February 5th, 2023)
- The Wonder Gardens (TIP: First Sunday of every month are FREE for Bonita Springs Residents with photo ID)
- Naples Botanical Gardens (TIP: Frida and Her Garden exhibit – January 14th to September 10th, 2023)
- Edison and Ford Winter Estates (TIP: Mondays at 10 am they offer Yoga by the River. $15 for Edison Ford members; $20 for non-members per class — admission to the site is not included)
- Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens (TIP: If you have little ones, Safari Squad is almost back! Classes are designed for children 1 to 4 years old and adults. Classes start at $12 per class).
3. Visit More Florida State Parks
The Florida State Park consists of 175 state parks. Now is the perfect time to create park guides that not only showcase what the parks offer but also provide great places to eat, shop, stay and play nearby.
Parks are great getaways for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups. There are so many different places to visit. In winter, you can find manatees in the natural springs. Looking for warm weather fun? You can enjoy a boat ride, water sports, or horseback riding.
In 2023, our goal is to break these parks into specific Florida regions and focus on two parks per month. If they have a gift shop, unusual water activities, or unique stays, that info will be featured in our guides.
Here’s a sampling of what parks we will be focusing on in 2023:
- Anastasia State Park
- Bahia Honda State Park
- Falling Waters State Park
- Fort Clinch State Park
- Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park
- Grayton Beach State Park
- Henderson Beach State Park
- Honeymoon Island State Park
- Hontoon Island State Park
- Ichetucknee Springs State Park
- John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park
- Lake Louisa State Park
- Lovers Key State Park
- Manatee Springs State Park
- Myakka River State Park
- Oleta River State Park
- Rainbow Springs State Park
- Sebastian Inlet State Park
- Silver Springs State Park
- St. Andrews State Park
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
4. Discover Great Places to Walk
There are endless benefits of walking. Did you know walking for 2.5 hours a week—that averages to only 21 minutes a day—can cut your risk of heart disease by 30%?
How fortunate we are in Florida to have great weather and endless choices regarding cool places to walk.
From the Southernmost Point to Amelia Island to Panama City Beach and the other stunning, white sandy beaches of the Panhandle (or any of the best beaches around Florida), there’s no better way to explore and check off bucket list items than by foot.
Whether it’s a guided tour, a hike, or just taking the road less traveled in an area you’ve never explored before, the good news is the opportunities are endless throughout Florida.
NOTE: We discovered incredibly cute and comfortable walking shoes recently called OOFOS and reached out to the team at this shoe company about a possible partnership. Whether anything becomes of it or not, we have committed to getting those steps in by exploring walkable areas throughout the state.
If you follow us on social media, look for weekly #WednesdayWalk posts and tweets. We may go LIVE from time to time.
Do you have a favorite place you like to walk in Florida? Let us know in the comments below. Maybe one day we’ll join you for a stroll!
5. Revisit “Florida Stories” Walking Tours
In addition to our commitment to walk more, we will also be revisiting the Florida Stories app. This free app is the best way to get to know the Sunshine State’s unique cities and communities.
Each tour is high-quality, packed with photos and rich audio. It opens your eyes to cities and towns in a way that’s both entertaining and informative.
The app can be downloaded for all iOS and Android devices or viewed on the Florida Humanities website app.
Walking Tours currently available include:
- Apalachicola – The Hill
- Bartow
- Boca Grande
- Bradenton (Old Manatee)
- DeFuniak Springs
- DeLand
- Eau Gallie
- Fernandina Beach
- Fort Lauderdale
- Fort Myers: Dunbar
- Fort Pierce
- Fort Pierce – Lincoln Park
- Indian Key
- Indian Rocks Beach
- Islamorada
- Key West
- Lake Mary
- Lake Wales
- Miami (Downtown)
- Miami (Little Haiti)
- New Smyrna Beach
- Ormond Beach
- Pensacola
- Phillippi Estate Park
- Safety Harbor
- St. Andrews
- St. Augustine – Colonial Florida
- St. Augustine – Flagler College
- St. Augustine – Gilded Age
- St. Augustine – Lincolnville
- St. Augustine – South of the Plaza
- St. Petersburg
- Tallahassee
- Tarpon Springs
- Virginia Key Beach
- Ybor City
6. Discover Unique Places to Stay in Florida
In 2022, we stayed in the coolest Airbnb in St. Augustine. We originally found it on Facebook. We knew immediately if Authentic Florida were a vacation cottage, it would be this place. It’s called Tropical Tiki Shack and is one of three rentals owned by Elissa Schee.
There is an incredible (and heart-wrenching) backstory to the three fun cottages in the Oldest City in the United States. We had the honor of getting to know Elissa and visited the other two vacation rental cottages she owns.
First, we will write about these three vacation rentals located in St. Augustine since they are worthy of their own story. Second, we will seek out new places across the state to stay throughout the new year.
When we book a vacation rental, we love to speak to the owners (from local fishermen to local artisans and beyond) about their rental properties.
Although it’s harder and harder to find rentals that aren’t corporate-owned or managed by real estate companies, they still exist, and we will find them. Stay tuned!
7. Find More Treasures in Florida’s Adventure Coast
Hernando County is a short drive west of Orlando and north of Tampa and offers several bucket list experiences. Yes, it’s home to Weeki Wachee, but it has lots more to offer visitors.
Whether you crave delicious food or just want an escape from one of the big cities, there’s always a good reason to visit Florida’s Adventure Coast.
As we discover more hidden gems and unique treasures, we will update this article: Exploring Florida’s Adventure Coast, Brooksville – Weeki Wachee.
We discussed things to do near Weeki Wachee in our Unique Attractions article (Stop #1).
8. Plan a Meet Up in Cedar Key
Last year we placed it on our 2022 bucket list and attended the Old Florida Festival of the Arts, a.k.a. the Cedar Key Spring Art Festival.
In 2023, we will be attending the Festival again and plan to do a casual Meet Up with our Authentic Floridian community of friends, followers, and fans.
Cedar Key is beyond charming. This art festival is a perfect time to enjoy this Old Florida town first-hand. If you visit during a festival weekend, make sure to reserve a golf cart in advance. It’s a great way to get around.
The art, artists, food, and fun Florida atmosphere are exactly why we booked a vacation rental the day the 2023 Old Florida Celebration of the Art dates were announced.
Mark your calendar: April 1st & 2nd, 2023.
9. Collect Items for Floridania Fest
There are lots of folks who love all things vintage Florida. In fact, one of the highlights of 2022 for us was attending Floridania Fest in Gulfport.
On April 15, 2023, we will be revisiting the charming city of Gulfport once again for the annual Floridania Fest. Ken Breslauer spearheads this event and always has the best collectibles for sale.
We were inspired last year and will bring our own Florida collectibles to sell at the event this year. It will balance out since we’ll probably buy anything we see with flamingos.
Not only does this event attract collectors and great collectibles from yesteryear, but it also attracts awesome Authentic Floridians. We hope to see lots of you there.
10. Learn a New Florida Fact Each Week
Florida is often referred to as Flori-duh! Between Florida Man and breaking news of craziness, it motivates us to focus on all the positive traits and characteristics that make this state great!
We started sharing Florida Facts in 2022 in our weekly newsletters and received a lot of positive feedback.
We plan to continue to share more Florida facts each week that reinforce why Florida is one of the best places to live and visit. It’s also full of facts that could help anyone into Trivia Pursuit or Jeopardy.
Make sure you subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on our social pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest), so you don’t miss out!
11. Explore Things to Do in Highlands County (Sebring, Lake Placid, Avon Park)
The Heartland of Florida hasn’t been given the attention it rightly deserves by us. In 2023, we put a spotlight on Highlands County.
Sebring, Avon Park, and Lake Placid – Be prepared to take a BOW as we seek out the best things to do, places to eat, shop and stay in each city!
Some incredible events take place throughout the year in this destination. These events are the perfect reason to book a getaway. Here are just a few events to consider attending:
- Crazy Pepper Chili Cookoff
- Lake Placid Arts & Crafts Country Fair
- Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
- Sebring Soda Festival
- Avon Park Bluegrass Blueberry Festival
- Caladium Festival
- Downtown Sebring Carousel of Lights
- Lake Placid Christmas Parade
12. Paint at the Bob Ross Art Workshop and Gallery
Did you know New Smyrna Beach is home to the Bob Ross Art Workshop and Gallery? That’s right! PBS-star Bob “The Joy of Painting” Ross, opened this gallery in 1993, and it has remained open ever since.
The Workshop hosts a large collection of Bob Ross’ original oil paintings. They also offer landscape, seascape, floral, and wildlife art classes.
All classes are taught by Ross Certified Teacher Trainers, and they train instructors there, too.
13. Take a Tiki Boat Tour
We’ve admired tiki boats from afar for several years. In 2023, we promise to venture out on a tiki boat tour. Not sure where or when, or with who we will sail, but it’s made our list.
Wondering where we’ve spotted these tiki boat rentals? Here’s a list off the top of our heads:
- Sarasota
- Clearwater
- Charlotte Harbor
- Panama City Beach
- Destin
- Tarpon Springs
- St. Pete
- Naples
- Key Largo
- Key West
- Ft. Lauderdale
- Miami
14. Paint Rocks and Leave Them When We Travel
Over the holidays, we were busy like little elves painting rocks. We plan to leave them all over the state in 2023.
If you find one, you are welcome to keep it. Pay it forward and create your own rock to leave for someone else to discover.
15. Get Educated on Edible Landscaping
The pandemic, inflation, shortage of supplies, you name it — there are many reasons to create a self-sustaining, environmentally friendly space.
2023 will be the year we research, seek out experts and start adding edible landscaping to our own yard.
In Central Florida, there is a non-profit group called Fleet Farming that started a bike-powered urban farming program. Their mission is to empower all generations to grow food to increase local food accessibility.
They have an off-shoot called Edible Landscapes, which makes it super easy for you to grow food and heal the planet.
They offer free consultations in the Orlando area to see how to transform your space into a beautiful and abundant garden! Sign us up!
16. Support Florida Conservation Efforts
Maya Angelou said it best: “When you know better, you do better.” There are many, many Floridians who are doing better and we plan to shine a light on them and their causes.
Grounded by a deep love for Florida and a desire to protect it, people are working statewide to conserve natural and agricultural lands, water, wildlife, and our way of life.
Whether it’s through effective advocacy, education, and/or outreach programming, they are making a difference. But they need our help to fulfill their vision — for nature, for people, forever.
17. Find the Best Waterfront Dining Establishments
One question we get asked over and over, no matter where we travel, is this: where’s the best place to eat on the water?
Whether it’s the ocean, gulf, intercoastal waterway, river, lake, or any other body of water, humans enjoy water views.
Our team is committed to finding the best waterfront dining establishments (restaurants and bars), throughout the Sunshine State and reporting our findings to you.
It’s a tough job, but we are up to the challenge. Of course, if you own, work at, or like to frequent a waterfront restaurant, you can let us know about it in the comments below.
18. Spotlight Spectacular Florida Springs (tips, eat, stay, shop nearby)
Authentic Florida was established in 2011, and one of our favorite things to do is to visit freshwater Springs in Florida.
Florida is not lacking when it comes to natural springs. In fact, we are blessed with more than 700 springs. Each freshwater Florida Springs offers locals and visitors an array of recreational opportunities and adventures.
Most are found within the state and national parks in the central and northern regions. We aim to take each Spring and look at them as the epicenter for a great getaway.
Our team will dig deep to provide tips, including places to eat, stay, play, and shop near these Spring destinations. We may even turn these into future guidebooks.
19. Chase Waterfalls in Florida
2023 will be the year of the waterfall! That’s right! Even in a state known for being flat, it’s amazing how many waterfalls we stumble upon.
From the 70-foot-tall waterfall at Falling Waters State Park in Chipley to the man-made falls of Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens in Williston, there’s nothing better than spotting a waterfall.
The sound, the sight, everything about a waterfall force you to stop and take a mindful breath. We have our list and plan to “go forth and conquer.”
20. Make New “Friends” in each Florida Region
Ever wonder why and what “Friends” do? Well, in 2023, we plan to uncover what “Friends” exist in Florida and exactly what they do.
Some friends are citizen support organizations, some are non-profit organizations. All are made of passionate volunteers and people who have special connections to Florida.
Some of our new “Friends” include:
- Friends of Weeki Wachee Springs
- Friends of Highlands Hammock State Park
- Friends of Rookery Bay
- Friends of Blue Spring State Park
- Friends of Myakka River
- Friends of Anastasia State Park
- Friends of the Florida Panther Refuge
- Friends of A1A Scenic and Historic Coastal Byway
- Friends of Jonathan Dickinson State Park
- Friends of the Everglades
- Friends of Wakulla Springs State Park
- Friends of Lake Baldwin Park
21. Highlight Florida Historical Villages
There’s something special about visiting a Florida historical village. It’s like being transported back to a simpler time and a great way to experience a taste of the past.
One of the items on our 2023 Florida Bucket list is to track down these slices of yesteryear. From Historic Pensacola Village to Barberville Pioneer Settlement to Cauley Square Historic Village.
We’ve shared some of these in our Native American Museums & Parks article. We can’t wait to hit the road and discover more historical treasures.
22. Showcase a Florida Non-Profit Each Quarter
Did you know, according to the Florida Association of Non-Profits:
- Florida has incorporated approximately 12,000 nonprofits annually for more than 10 years
- Florida’s nonprofit sector employs 429,800 people, 7% of the state’s workforce
- Of the 168,590 domestic nonprofit corporations reported by the Florida Department of State Division of Corporations, there are 69,310 active nonprofit organizations: 50,655 501(c)(3) public charities, 5,960 501(c)(3) private and public foundations, and 12,695 other 501(c) nonprofit organizations
- Florida nonprofits generate more than $86 billion in annual revenues
- Florida nonprofits control nearly $192.9 billion in assets
- Floridians give $11.1 billion to charity each year representing 3.4% of household income
- The average charitable contribution of Florida itemizers in 2011 was $4,102
- Florida foundations annually give over $1.4 billion
We will select four non-profit organizations in Florida to feature. The first one up is the Florida Springs Council.
The Florida Springs Council is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on ADVOCACY for Florida’s springs and spring-fed waterways.
Their mission is to build the power, influence, and resources of springs advocates across the state. They focus on the culture and policy changes that will lead to the protection and restoration of Florida’s springs and waterways.
The council is putting those who pollute and abuse our springs on notice. They do whatever is necessary – through Science, Local Governments, the Legislature, and the Courts — to reverse the destruction of North Florida’s springs and waters. Go Florida Springs Council Go!
23. Attend a Florida Event Each Month
- Jan – Blue Springs Manatee Festival – Orange City, 1/28 & 1/29
- Feb – Swamp Cabbage Festival – 2/25
- March – Florida Strawberry Festival – 3/2 – 3/12
- April – Old Florida Art Festival in Cedar Key – 4/1 & 4/2
- May – Tupelo Honey Festival
- June – Grand Fiesta Parade in Pensacola – 6/2
- July – Mango Days of Summer
- August – Wausau Possum Festival
- September – Florida Keys Lionfish Derby
- Oct – Datil Pepper Fall Fest
- Nov – Miami Book Fair
- Dec – St. Augustine Nights of Lights