Skip These Florida Tourist Traps (And Where To Visit Instead), According To Travelers

The Sunshine State is a mecca of tourism in more than just one city. According to Visit Florida, the state's tourism department, over 137 million travelers visited the state in 2022. Popular attractions like South Beach in Miami or Walt Disney World in Orlando need no assistance drawing visitors in. However, travelers seeking authentic Floridian experiences may not know what their options are beyond the popular experiences that, more often than not, have turned into tourist traps.

We won't just leave you hanging by sharing with you what to pass over on your next trip to Florida. In addition to our "skips," we include recommendations on what to do in place of those tourist traps. By combining our own experiences, researching expert commentary online, and reading traveler comments, we've narrowed down our list of the most common tourist traps in Florida. You can read more about our methodology at the end of this article. Here are a few places you should make every effort to avoid in Florida and where you should consider going instead.

Aquarium visits can quickly add up, especially with added costs for animal interactions. Like themed water parks, aquariums are typically the same across the U.S., so unless you can find a discount for admission, your budget will thank you for skipping them. Crowded venues can detract from the experience, and some aquariums do not follow humane practices when it comes to their animals. A recent Tripadvisor review of Gulf World Marine Park said, "Although the dolphin show is nice everything else is outdated and lame. Even the playground is a waste of space."

As an alternative, visit and swim with manatees in Crystal River. This unique experience allows you to see these gentle giants in their natural habitat, and in many cases, the cost for the experience helps support conservation efforts. You can even add a Florida Everglades airboat tour to your swim with the manatees and knock out two activities at once.

With Florida's abundance of alligators in the wild, paying to see them in captivity is unnecessary. One such place that rated poorly on multiple travel articles we researched was Gatorland. "There were hundreds of gators crammed into a tiny little space. The Jumparoo show was probably the worst part, forcing those poor gators to jump for tiny meat scraps," one Tripadvisor reviewer wrote. While some reviewers left more positive comments, the issue of paying to see alligators in captivity remains. Even after paying to enter, visitors will still have to pay for extras such as photos or food to feed the gators.

Visit nearby Lake Jesup to see gators in the wild instead. The alligators can be seen at Lake Jesup without paying any fees, but there are also affordable airboat tours and wildlife expeditions. These tours offer a more authentic and ethical viewing experience.

Located in the Sarasota area, Siesta Key Beach is a beautiful spot to relax and enjoy the Florida sunshine. However, its popularity has led to crowded shores and inflated prices at restaurants, bars, and nearby lodging. The main attraction here is the sand — many Tripadvisor reviewers describe it as "powdery white" or "soft and cool," which is appealing when temperatures rise and just walking on beach sand can hurt. A review from October of 2023 said, "This beach is beautiful...but way too crowded."

If you're concerned about the crowds, head a few miles down the road to Venice Beach for a change of pace. Thirty minutes south of Siesta Key Beach, Venice Beach offers free parking, dog-friendly areas, and a unique opportunity to hunt for shark teeth. In fact, this beach is so full of shark teeth that it has been dubbed the "Shark Tooth Capital of the World."

Oranges are the fruit most commonly associated with Florida, but they aren't the only fruit the state has to offer. While its orange groves are iconic, some of the tours can be underwhelming. A Tripadvisor user recently shared their thoughts from a visit in January of 2024. "The truck ride was a SHORT 45 minutes and does not encompass the 2500 acres of the property like they make it seem when you read about it. There is little to do after you complete the truck ride. I would say it is not worth the 40 dollars we paid to take the short monster truck ride," they wrote.

Another sweet way to experience Florida would be to attend the Florida Strawberry Festival. The festival began in 1930 and is now considered one of the top festivals in North America. It starts in February and lasts for several weeks, so there are plenty of opportunities to visit on a less crowded date. Not only can you pick your own strawberries, but the festival has classic carnival rides, concerts, and all kinds of strawberry-focused foods to try.

Panama City Beach, or PCB for short, is another beach with a reputation for rowdy, spring break crowds. When crowds aren't the problem, one Tripadvisor reviewer said access to the beach was still an issue. "The beach is beautiful. But access to the beach could be better. Unless you are staying in a hotel on the beach, you have to find access points and parking," they wrote. Other reviewers mentioned in June reviews, which is during peak season for many beach towns, that double red flags flew for long enough that it made their vacations unenjoyable. A double red flag indicates that the beach is closed to the public, which can certainly ruin a beach-focused trip.

Avoid the crush and crowds by traveling down Highway 98 just a little further until you come upon Mexico Beach, Florida. This small town is free of high-rise condos, chain restaurants, and boisterous crowds. We have visited Mexico Beach multiple times over the years, and the residents are always welcoming and friendly. It truly feels like an untouched piece of paradise.

Medieval Times is the same, no matter where you see it. One of the most popular dinner show experiences, Medieval Times involves a tournament between "knights" who are cheered on by audience members who feasts on a four-course meal during all of the action. While most reviews of the show are positive, it does cost quite a bit for a family to attend the festivities. Adult admission is around $68, while children 12 and under can get in at just under $41. For a family of two adults and two children, that cost is over $200.

For a little more culture and theatrical endeavors, plan an evening at one of Orlando's finest performing arts venues. Orlando Shakes was founded by University of Central Florida Professor Stuart Omans in 1989. In cooperation with the university, the theater company produces "classic, contemporary, and children's plays, while showcasing William Shakespeare's legacy as the cornerstone of the company." Not only will you be supporting a local theater company, but your show ticket also helps support their mission of education and service to Central Florida schools.

Ocean Drive is the place to be when visiting Miami. Harry Stewart, a contributing writer for Hotels.com, wrote, "Ocean Drive is famous for its eclectic ensemble of art deco architecture. Development boomed here during the height of the movement (the 1920s and 1930s), and many of the original buildings remain proudly on display." Visitors flock to this area for the beautifully preserved buildings and architecture as much as they do the club scene. 

If you'd rather go somewhere without exorbitant cover charges or wall-to-wall people, head over to Sunset Harbor on the bay side of Miami. This area has become known for its trendy yet quieter alternative to the Ocean Drive club scene. That isn't to say you can't find fun nightlife — it just may be more laid back and less expensive than its counterparts over in South Beach. Sunset Harbor is also a great place to enjoy a South Florida sunset away from the crowds and other tourists.