As the summer begins to get closer to its end, we're thinking about all the experiences that we've been adding to our bucket list to explore. While you still have free time, it might be time to gas up the car, grab your BFFs and take a bucket list trip through the Sunshine State.
On this list, you'll find historic cities, haunted halls, sweets & booze, and some of the coolest experiences with nature you could possibly imagine. Get ready to update your bucket list with these 13 bucket list things to do in Florida this August.
Rent a Vintage Van for Your Road Trip
Price: $700 for 3 days and 2 nights - includes taxes, fees, vehicle prep, checkout, liability insurance, and 100 free miles. Additional nights can be added for $250/night, including an extra 50 miles.
Address: 6330 46th St N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781
Hours: Business hours are by appointment only. Availability for each van is subject to change, depending on other bookings, and can be obtained by filling out their availability form, here.
Why you need to go: If you want to turn your summer bucket list into a bucket list road trip with your BFFs, you just gotta rent one of these bad-boys! You'll be hitting up all the coolest destinations in style ~ The top pops up for that cool camping feel with some creature comforts like a bed and stove to cook a meal.
Go to Tarpon Spring's Free Hippie Fest
When: Saturday, August, 10th 2pm-10pm
Where: Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks - 735 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Price: FREE - any money you decide to spend will be on vendors and food trucks or shops on the Sponge Docks.
Why you should go: A free hippie festival reminiscent of Woodstock and UC Berkely. Enjoy food trucks, live entertainment, street performers, contests, prizes, arts and crafts, music and a 70's bus rally. You can also visit all the attractions, shops, and dining along the waterfront at the World Famous Sponge Docks.
Try a Donut & Beer Pairing at Orlando Brewing
Price: $20/per person
When: Every 3rd Wednesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The next one will be on Wednesday, August 21st.
Where: Orlando Brewing - 1301 Atlanta Ave. Orlando, FL 32806
Why you should go: Get four 5-ounce craft beers and four delectable donuts for only $20 - each is organic and crafted especially for the pairing with complimentary flavors; Get tipsy and indulge your sweet tooth all in one go. Great value for the price, and a super unique tasting event.
Visit a Hidden Fairytale Inspired Cottage in the Woods
Price: Free - donations are welcome.
Hours: Dawn until dusk; you just park at the end of the trail and walk up to the cabin through the woods.
Address: 1401 High Rd, Tallahassee, FL 32304
Why you need to go: This beautiful little place is hidden just a few blocks from Florida State University's main campus that you have to check out; it gives all those fairy tale cottage vibes situated on over 3 acres of land - it even has a Shakesperian Garden and giant oak.
Explore Historic St. Augustine
Price: will vary depending on what all you decide to do during your visit
Where: St. Augustine, Florida
Why you need to go: Tons of old Spanish architecture that will make you feel like you're in another country. Explore the city taking in the sights and find hidden gems, especially on the historic St. George Street - enjoy gourmet food and coffee at an adorable hut, get a massive milkshake at The Sweet Spot, or oggle-the-odd at the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum. Visit an old wooden schoolhouse, military fort, the Flagler College, Lightner Museum, and so much more - a historical treasure trove.
Take a Ghost Tour of the Haunted St. Aug Lighthouse
Price: $25 for a standard Ghost Tour$50 for an Investigation Only Tour
Address: 81 Lighthouse Avenue; use 100 Red Cox Road St. Augustine, FL 32080 for GPS.
Hours: Tour times are generally between 9 and 10:30 pm for start time. You'll get to choose your time slot when purchasing your ticket. General hours are 9am-7pm daily.
Why you need to go: A spooky tour through one of St. Augustine's allegedly most haunted locations, confirmed haunted by Ghost Hunters (T.A.P.S) on Sy-Fy. Whether you're a skeptic looking to investigate first hand or are simply fascinated by the paranormal, the Dark of the Moon tour will get your heart racing.
Touch the Jellyfish at this Aquarium
Price: varies a little depending on the day - the price stays around the $30/adult mark for single-day admittance.
Address: The Florida Aquarium - 701 Channelside Drive Tampa, Florida 33602
Hours: Open daily - 9:30 am-5pmClosed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day
Why you need to go: Experience a creature you probably never have up close and personal. Touch the jellyfish in the touch tank or admire them as they float gracefully in a lighted tank, and learn more about them and their surprising survivability. Of course, you can explore the rest of the aquarium too - the Shark Exhibit is a fan fave.
Feed and Pet the Sloths (or Rhinos) at Busch Gardens Tampa
Price: Base park admission$59.99 for the animal encounter - must have base park admission. They're known to offer great ticket deals, so always keep an eye out.
Hours: 10am-10pm, 7 days a week.
Address: 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612
Why you need to go: Get a chance to pet and feed adorable sloths or rhinos up close while learning more about them and their care in one of Busch Gardens new animal encounters! Of course, you'll also have base park admission, so you can have yourself a full theme park day after your experience with the sloths. We still need to ride the Tigris!
Take A Magical Horseback Ride Through The Florida Wilderness
Price: $50 for a 45-minute tour through some of Florida's most lush, diverse, and untouched landscape.
Location: Forever Florida - 4755 N. Kenansville Road, St. Cloud, Florida 34773
Hours: Horseback tours can be scheduled at 9am, 11am, and 2pm; Forever Florida's park hours are 8:30am-5pm daily
Why you need to go: A stunning ride through the most scenic sights that Florida has to offer on Forever Florida's Allen Broussard Conservancy. Great for riders of all experience level, as you mosey through the forest trails, fields, and water. This relaxing and raw excursion will also get nature lovers up close and personal with gentle cracker horses. You can also be a cowboy for a day here!
Ride The Only Zipline Roller Coaster In The U.S.
Price: $80/person for 3 separate zipline adventures including the coaster, 45-foot free drop, and the Peregrine Plunge zipline. Minimum of 2 people per tour.
Location: 4755 N Kenansville Rd, St Cloud, FL 34773
Hours: Forever Florida park hours are 8:30am-5pm daily; you book your zip coaster ride in an available timeslot online through the website.
Why you need to go: It's the only zip-line roller coaster in the entire U.S., and it will fill your need for speed! You'll soar through the Florida tree-tops at speeds up to 30 miles per hour, with nothing between you and nature as you suspend almost 80 ft in the air and plummet down the tracks many dips.
Swim, Snorkel, or Dive with the Devil
Price: Monday - Friday: $15.00/personSaturday, Sunday, & Holidays: $20.00/person
Admission fee does not include mask, snorkel, and fins which are required - snorkel equipment is $10.00/person and includes Mask, Snorkel, & Fins.
Location: Devil's Den Prehistoric Spring - 5390 NE 180th Ave Williston, FL 32696
Hours: Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday-Sunday 8am-5pm; last water entry 1-hour before close.
Why you need to go: Swim in the historic underground spring; Admire amazing rock formations, snorkel the depths, and look up to the sky through the nature skylight formed in the rock at the top. A beautiful and unique place you have to visit at least once in your life!
Swim in Florida's Clearest Spring
Price: $5.50/person day-use fee; If you're camping out, the average campsite plot is only $21/night here.
Address: Alexander Springs Recreational Area - 49525 County Road 445 Altoona, Fl 32702
Hours: 8am-6pm 7 days a week, unless you're camping out here that is.
Why you need to go: Florida's clearest spring due to being a 1st magnitude spring - the best underground stream-fed spring with the clearest water for snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, and the most gorgeous (and clear) underwater shots imaginable. A deep blue dream perfect for keeping cool this summer.
Take an Underwater Alligator Tour with Crocodile Chris
Price: Varies depending on what all you want out of your tour; email chrisgillettewildlife@gmail.com for booking and a quote.
Address: The Everglades Outpost - 35601 SW 192nd Ave, Homestead, FL 33034
Hours: Tour time will vary depending on when booked; The Everglades Outpost is open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm or 10am-6pm on Sat & Sun.
Why you need to go: The experience of a lifetime swimming up close and personal with Casper, a gator Christopher Gillette, aka Gatorboy_Chris on Insta, has worked with for years and knows well; Gillette will be with you the whole time for safety, as well as take photos for you if you'd like.
What are you waiting for? The summer is almost over - add these items to your bucket list and take advantage of your free time to get out and experience some of the most amazing experiences the Sunshine State has to offer.
We strongly advise that before you go swimming or visit a potentially hazardous location, you check for the most recent updates on potential hazards, security, water quality, and closures. If you do plan to visit a location, always respect the environment.
