Florida is world-renowned for its plethora of outdoor places to visit, thrilling activities to take part in, and exotic wildlife to get up close and personal with. Whenever I find myself in search of adventurous places near me, I turn to the PHF directory for inspiration. In this article, we wanted to take a bit of a deeper dive into some of our favorite adventure destinations throughout the state and share them with our readers. We hope this inspires and sparks some ideas on adventurous places near you.
Experience the Sunshine State the Water State to the fullest with the help of our list of the top Florida adventures of the land, sea, and sky. Let’s get started!
Adventurous Places Near Me: Florida Land Adventures
Axe throwing: First brought to America by frontiersmen and lumberjacks that used the tools of their trade for entertainment in their spare time, axe throwing has never truly disappeared from the American south. In recent years, its popularity has begun to pick back up throughout the country, and after experiencing an axe-throwing competition first-hand, it isn’t hard to see why. There’s a kind of satisfying simplicity and power to the feel of the heavy weight of an axe leaving your hand to spin gracefully through the air and cut deep into your target in the blink of an eye. Below are a handful of excellent places around Florida that host axe throwing events:
- Autobahn Axe Throwing (Jacksonville)
- Chops + Hops Axe Throwing (Fort Lauderdale)
- St Pete Axe & Ale (St. Petersburg)
- Bury the Hatchet (Tampa)
Motocross & Mud Bogging: When some people think of Florida they think of bustling cities, crowded beaches and glowing nightlife. However, those who are familiar with the Sunshine State know that it isn’t all big city life in Florida. Get back to your country roots and enjoy a day getting down and dirty at one of Florida’s mud bogging or motocross events! Mud Bogging is a popular motorsport in Florida that involves driving a truck or other large off-road vehicle through a mud track or pit. Motocross is an off-road competition that involves racing specially designed motorbikes around a hard-packed dirt track. If you’re interested in taking part in one of these fast-paced off-road events, check out one of the links below:
Skeet & Trap Shooting: Test your skills of hand-eye coordination, balance, and timing in this classic high-speed southern sport. Trap and skeet shooting are shotgun sports in which a person aims to shoot a moving target, often referred to as a “clay pigeon,” out of the air. Trap and skeet shooting mimic the sport of bird hunting, and aim to test competitor’s marksmanship. Whether you are a novice or an expert, have your own shotgun or require a rental, there’s a place in Florida for all of your skeet & trap shooting needs. If you would like to try your hand at trap or skeet shooting, be sure to check out one of the links below:
- Sarasota Trap, Skeet & Clays
- Saltwaters Shooting Club (St. Augustine)
- Volusia County Skeet and Trap Club
Adventurous Places Near Me: Florida Air Adventures
Skydiving: Skydiving is an activity that’s on everyone’s bucket list, but one that few people ever actually get around to trying. As you probably already know, skydiving is an activity that involves jumping from an aircraft while wearing a parachute that you open as you descend. Florida is an especially pristine location to try your hand at this mind-blowing sport due to its excellent weather conditions, smooth terrain, and a plethora of expertly trained instructors. If you would like to finally give skydiving a try, some excellent skydiving centers include:
Parasailing: Also known as parakiting, parasailing is an exhilarating activity in which a person attaches themselves to a specially-designed parachute-like device and is pulled by a vehicle, such as a boat, car, or truck, in order to ascend into and glide in the air. Parasailing can be conducted over either land or water, and parasailers typically reach heights of up to 500 feet. If you are interested in giving parasailing a try for yourself, check out the links below:
Adventurous Places Near Me: Florida Water Adventures
Kiteboarding: if you truly have a lust for adrenaline-pumping adventure, then kiteboarding may be the sport for you. Kiteboarding, also known as kitesurfing, is an extreme watersport in which a rider balances on a board (such as a boogie board or surfboard) while holding onto a handle connected to a large kite. Using the wind as the method of propulsion, the kiteboarder then glides across the water, typically reaching speeds of 15-25 mph but sometimes reaching speeds of up to 50 mph! If you would like to try your hand at this fast-paced water sport, you can book an appointment at one of the locations below:
- Island Style Sports (Sarasota)
- Good Breeze Kiteboarding (Cocoa Beach)
- Ibis Bay Paddle Sports (Key West)
Kayaking: If you’ve never gone kayaking before, you should definitely add it to your bucket list. This invigorating activity can be either fast or slow-paced (depending on the river you’re riding on,) a solitary activity or a chance to spend time with friends or family, and is an excellent low-impact aerobic workout. Take time to relax and get closer to nature by booking a kayaking tour at one of these beautiful Florida locations:
Airboat Tours: If your idea of adventure involves encountering rare and exotic animals in their natural habitats, then you should probably consider booking a Florida airboat tour. With its incredibly diverse subtropical biome of rare and unique creatures, Florida is one of the best outdoor vacation spots for animal lovers. Whether you’re hunting for a sight of the elusive American crocodile in the swampy subtropical haven of the Everglades or cruising through open marshland surrounded by flocks of bright pink flamingos, a Florida airboat tour will certainly be a trip to remember. Don’t forget to pack a camera! Some excellent choices for airboat rides around the state include:
Surfing: There is perhaps nothing that symbolizes the sense of freedom and exhilaration that the ocean brings to us more perfectly than the sight of a surfer gliding effortlessly through the roaring roll of an enormous, sparkling ocean wave. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer or a newbie on the board, Florida’s bevvy of surf shops and schools can accommodate for your needs. Some of these include:
- Next Generation Surf School (Cocoa Beach)
- Sobe Surf (Merritt Island)
- St. Augustine Surf School
- Surfari Surf School (Ormond Beach)
Florida is by far one of the best places to travel for adventure seekers due to its pristine climate, impressive biodiversity, and the opportunity to easily and affordably explore the land, sea, and sky all in one trip. Want more ideas for adventurous places near you? Click the banner below and discover them today on Play Hard Florida.
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