151 things to do in 26 coastal towns, listed north to south from Jupiter to Key West and grouped by county, then town: beaches, parks, attractions, markets and nights out. Filter by county or town, or tap Dog-friendly, Free or Kids to narrow the list. Each town name links to its full guide.
North to south, Jupiter to Key West · Updated September 2026
Park
11,500 acres on the Wild & Scenic Loxahatchee; 25 mi of hiking, 9-mi Camp Murphy mountain bike network. The kayak/boat-tour concession closed June 2026 — bring your own or launch from Riverbend Park. Scrub trails are brutal in Sept; go early or wait for Nov.
Park
Limestone blowholes spout 50 ft at high tide with big surf — most dramatic during a fall nor'easter or offshore hurricane swell.
Park · Free
680 acres, 10+ mi of shaded trails, best put-in for the cypress-canopied upper Loxahatchee. Jupiter Outdoor Center rents kayaks ($40) and bikes ($20) on site.
Park · Free
Short scrub trails; Juno Dunes climbs a 45-ft dune with ocean views.
Beach · Free
2.5 miles of off-leash beach, sunrise to sunset, free parking and bags. The gold standard; ~75 min away — pair it with a Jupiter dive, surf check or brewery.
Beach
Longest rights in the area on N-NE swell; Juno Pier is the most reliable fall wave and the best check-in spot.
Beach
Island Water Sports runs FREE group lessons every Saturday 7–9 am at Deerfield Pier (register online, gear included). Also Ocean Magic and Blueline (Jupiter), EZride and Living Water (Broward), South Beach Surf Lessons (Miami).
On the water
The headline fall dive. Hundreds of 300–500 lb goliaths stack on the Wreck Trek (Zion Train, Miss Jenny, Esso Bonaire), MG-111 and Tunnels Aug–Oct, peaking at the Sept and early-Oct new moons. Drift diving in 60–90 ft with current — Advanced or comfortable OW recommended. Jupiter Dive Center (new-moon night charters), Jupiter Scuba Diving, Black Flag Charters.
On the water
3-tank shark expeditions; lemon shark aggregation is Dec–Mar, but fall trips see bulls, silkies and goliaths.
On the water
Florida's first Wild & Scenic River, cypress-canopied and shaded — the best paddle in the region. 8 mi round trip or a one-way shuttle to the state park via Jupiter Outdoor Center (guided tours too).
On the water
Turquoise inlet, sandbar and lagoon at slack tide.
Attraction
Climb the 1860 tower (105 steps), sunset and moonrise tours in fall.
Market
Sundays. Waterfront; live music weekends Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted.
Shopping · Free
Open-air waterfront; free weekend music; Sunday market.
Dog-friendly
Birch State Park loop, Riverbend Park, Jonathan Dickinson, Loxahatchee NWR levee, Oleta, Bill Baggs, Big Cypress boardwalks, Barnacle Historic State Park grounds.
Attraction · Free
Sea turtle hospital; hatchling season wraps up through Oct.
Market
Sundays, Oct–May. City Hall campus Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted.
Shopping
Open-air lifestyle center next to an upscale enclosed mall.
Park
Boardwalk over Lake Worth Lagoon, 2 mi of beach, snorkel-from-shore reef at high tide, kayak rentals.
Swimming hole
South Florida has no natural springs — they all sit north of Orlando. Local stand-ins: the spring-fed Venetian Pool in Coral Gables (1924 lagoon pool, $23, closed Mondays), the atoll pool at Matheson Hammock, the Snyder Park dog lake, and Peanut Island's snorkel lagoon.
Beach · Free
Quietest natural beaches: Blowing Rocks / Hobe Sound NWR, MacArthur Beach, Mizell-Johnson, Cape Florida. Haulover's north section is Miami-Dade's legal clothing-optional beach. Closest everyday strand to Coral Ridge is Vista Park / NE 18th St with free street parking on the west side of A1A north of Sunrise. September heat rule: before 9 am or after 5 pm — sand and pavement burn paws midday.
Beach · Free
Often called the best shore dive in the US: 5–20 ft, marked snorkel trail, seahorses, octopus, eagle rays. Go within an hour of high tide only. Force-E and Pura Vida rent gear nearby.
Beach
Snorkel lagoon and east-side reef; weekdays in October are quiet, weekends are a sandbar party.
On the water
Turtle-heavy drift dives on Breakers Reef and the Mizpah wreck corridor. Pura Vida Divers (also Open Water certification ~$500–600 and Blue Heron Bridge guided shore dives), Walker's, Narcosis.
On the water
Marsh loop with gators; mangrove islands with manatees and rays.
On the water · Free
Free FPL center at the warm-water outflow; manatee season opens Nov 15 (daily 9–4). Before that it's exhibits only.
Park · Free
Cypress boardwalk plus a 16.6-mi shadeless levee loop for gravel bikes (Nov only).
On the water
Ski Rixen (Quiet Waters Park, Deerfield — the original US cable park, Wibit aqua park), Miami Watersports Complex (Amelia Earhart Park), Shark Wake Park (Okeeheelee, WPB).
Attraction
The two big cultural stops in Palm Beach County: Norton (free Fri/Sat for FL residents — check), Whitehall Gilded Age mansion.
Attraction · Kids
Adjacent. Zoo Lights from ~Nov 21.
Attraction
14 acres, county's oldest garden; occasional 'Dog Days' events.
Attraction
MDPL Art Deco walking tour (daily 10:30 am, ~$35), HistoryMiami walking/boat tours (Little Havana, MiMo, cemeteries; $30–60), Miami Culinary Tours (Little Havana, Wynwood; $65–90), Craft Food Tours (FTL, Delray, Boca, WPB; ~$65–75), Wynwood golf-cart graffiti tours (~$35–50, often dog-friendly).
At night
Helicopter tours from FTL Executive ($150–350), hot-air balloons over Wellington ($250–300, season resumes Oct–Nov), Skydive Miami, iFLY Davie, Xtreme Action Park & K1 Speed (FTL), Topgolf, PopStroke Delray (dog-friendly outdoors), escape rooms, axe throwing, Publix Aprons and Sur La Table cooking classes, salsa lessons at Ball & Chain or Salsa Craze (FTL).
At night
Miami Improv, Dania Beach Improv, Palm Beach Improv — rotating weekly headliners, posted 3–4 weeks out.
Market
Saturdays 9–1, opens Oct 3. The region's best; 32nd season Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted.
Market
Nearly all markets are outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash. Several pause for summer and reopen in October (WPB GreenMarket Oct 3, Delray GreenMarket TBC, Lincoln Road Antique Market 2nd & 4th Sundays from Oct).
Shopping
Open-air, Wednesday music, Clematis by Night Thursdays.
Shopping
Steam Horse brewery, Steel Tie rum, Grandview Public Market, vintage; 40+ antique dealers on S. Dixie.
Dog-friendly
Bark Park at Snyder, Holiday Park, Riverside and Poinciana (FTL), Barkham at Markham, Woofing Waters at Quiet Waters, Tradewinds Park, Mizner Bark (Boca), Pooch Pines at Okeeheelee (WPB), Blanche & Kennedy parks (Coconut Grove).
Dog-friendly
Kimpton Shorebreak & Goodland (FTL; no fee, no size limit), The Ben and Canopy (WPB), Brazilian Court (Palm Beach), The Seagate and The Ray (Delray), Hard Rock Guitar Hotel and Margaritaville (Hollywood), Kimpton EPIC / Surfcomber and 1 Hotel (Miami Beach), Biltmore (Coral Gables), Mayfair House (Coconut Grove).
Beach
South Florida's big-wave spot — only breaks on major N/NE swell (hurricanes, Nov fronts). Experts only; residential walk-in parking.
Beach
Fall is the season: Sept–Oct tropical systems send groundswell; November's first cold fronts bring 2–4 days of NE windswell each. Surfline cams at Juno Pier, Reef Road, Deerfield and South Beach; NOAA buoy 41114 (Fort Pierce) for incoming swell; the National Hurricane Center for swell-producing storms.
On the water
Fort Lauderdale Community Sailing / LYC (basic keelboat, Wednesday-night racing), Blue Water Sailing School (Bahia Mar; ASA liveaboard courses incl. Bahamas passages — Nov is prime), Coconut Grove Sailing Club, Palm Beach Sailing Club.
On the water
Sept–Oct mullet run: snook, tarpon and sharks blitzing bait off every pier and inlet (Anglin's, Juno, Deerfield, Pompano, Dania piers, $5–7; Juno Pier allows leashed dogs). November: sailfish season opens with the first fronts — Jupiter/Palm Beach is 'Sailfish Alley.' Drift boats (Sailfish Marina, Lady Pamela II, Kelley/Reward Fleet); private half-day ~$700–1,000.
Dog-friendly
LauderAle, Yeasty Brews, Saltwater, Civil Society, Grandview Public Market, The Oasis Wynwood, Lagniappe, Yellow Green market, LOOP market, Aventura Mall, Gulfstream Village, Wynwood streets, Worth Ave, Design District, Coconut Grove.
Beach
Mellow sandbars north of the pier; Boynton's south jetty is a classic.
Market
Saturdays. Under the bridge on the Intracoastal Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted.
Park
Northern Everglades: cypress boardwalk, 12-mi levee bike loop, 5.5-mi canoe trail. Wintering ducks arrive in Nov.
Park · Free
Elevated boardwalks over wetlands — the region's best easy birding, excellent at fall migration.
On the water · Kids
Splashdown Divers / Loggerhead — 40–60 ft drift with the county's most turtles; snorkelers ride the same boat.
On the water
Regular season open through Mar 31; 6/person/day, 3-inch carapace, saltwater license + lobster permit. Night lobster dives out of Pompano and Boynton are a fall staple.
Beach
Snyder Park dog lake (FTL), Canine Cove at South County Regional Park (West Boca), Lake Ida Dog Park (Delray), Amelia Earhart Bark Park dog pools (Hialeah), Perrine Wayside (Palmetto Bay).
Attraction
16 acres of gardens, Cornell Café, Saturday tea ceremonies; Lantern Festival mid-Oct.
Market
Saturdays 9–2, opens Oct (TBC). Then stroll Atlantic Ave Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted.
Shopping
Boutiques, galleries, the best strolling main street in the region.
Dog-friendly
Snyder Park dog lake (FTL), Canine Cove (West Boca), Lake Ida (Delray), Amelia Earhart Bark Park pools (Hialeah).
Dog-friendly
Fairchild Dog Dates (monthly), Riverwalk 'Mutts & Martinis' / Hound Halloween (Oct), LOOP Pooch Parade, Delray Howl-O-Ween (late Oct), Wynwood Halloween dog costume contest, Humane Society of Broward Walk for the Animals (typically Nov). Check goriverwalk.com, bringfido.com/event and Eventbrite as dates post.
Park
Sea turtle rehab tanks and hammock boardwalk; park free at Gumbo Limbo and walk across A1A to snorkel Red Reef.
Beach · Free
Artificial reef 20–50 yd out in 2–12 ft — the easiest beginner snorkel. Park free at Gumbo Limbo.
Beach · Free
Deerfield is the Broward standard and where the free lessons happen.
Market
Sundays. Small; combine with the Boca Museum Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted.
Shopping
Open-air with amphitheater and museum; Town Center is the big enclosed mall.
Park
430 acres, paved loop, MTB trails, Ski Rixen cable park, Woofing Waters dog park.
Beach
The local checks; small, uncrowded, learner-friendly on windswell.
On the water
'Wreck capital of Florida': Lady Luck (324-ft tanker with underwater art), Captain Dan, Guy Harvey, Rodeo 25, Tenneco Towers, SS Copenhagen. South Florida Diving Headquarters (night dives, lobster trips, a Halloween dive), Pompano Dive Center, Scuba Monkey.
On the water · Kids
Fort Lauderdale Watersports / Splash Watersports (Pompano & FTL), Boucher Brothers (Hollywood & South Beach).
On the water
The easy way to bar-hop the Intracoastal. Dog policy conflicts between sources (site says service animals only) — call.
Attraction
Boat ride to the lighthouse grounds and a climb; one Saturday a month via a preservation-society membership.
Beach
The only Broward town with a reef within easy swim (~100 yd); the SS Copenhagen wreck is a longer swim or kayak. Flat, low-wind days.
Park
Broward's biggest mountain-bike system (~12 mi), 3.5-acre Barkham dog park.
Shopping
Largest outlet mall in the US; Colonnade and Oasis wings are open-air.
Park
10 min from Coral Ridge. 1.9-mi paved loop, freshwater lagoon paddling, beach via the A1A tunnel. The default after-work dog walk.
Park · Free
Lakes and trails plus the city's fenced Bark Park with a dog swim lake (7–7).
Swimming hole
The one 'spring' on the southwest coast: 85°F mineral pool, spa vibe. Closest true spring to Fort Lauderdale.
Beach
The neighborhood dog beach. Fri–Sun only, evening hours (roughly 3–7 pm in winter, later in summer — hours conflict across sources; call 954-828-7275). Permit required, bought in person at Holiday Park with vaccination records.
On the water
The easy one: 2-hr glass-bottom boat + snorkel trip and two-tank dives off Fort Lauderdale beach; Discover Scuba for first-timers. Walkable from Coral Ridge.
On the water
Minutes from Coral Ridge. SUP/kayak plus mini powerboats; sunset paddles past the yachts in Oct–Nov are the sweet spot. Many outfitters allow dogs on boards on request.
On the water
The Grove rentals, 9 am–8 pm. Calm freshwater lagoon inside the park.
On the water
90-min narrated New River / Millionaire's Row cruise; 4-hr BBQ dinner & show cruise ~$70–80. Touristy, fun once.
On the water
2-hr catamaran sunset sails and snorkel-sail combos; November sunsets with cool air are the best of the year.
Attraction
35-acre estate across from the neighborhood: monkeys, orchids, house tours.
Attraction · Free
NSU $16 (free first Thursdays); MODS science + IMAX ~$27; Stranahan 1901 house tours $15; History FTL $15 with frequent evening events.
Market
Saturdays 9–2. Closest to home; very dog-friendly; Friday Night Sound Waves concerts resume in fall Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted.
Shopping
Last-Saturday art walk, breweries, Sistrunk Marketplace.
Park
2.5 mi of undeveloped beach, glass-calm Whiskey Creek paddling with rentals, jetty snorkeling.
Beach
Rock ledges and jetty; lobstering at night in season (permit + gauge).
Shopping
Open-air lifestyle centers; PopStroke, Lucky Strike, racing.
Park
1,500 acres of mangrove estuary, 5-story observation tower, marked kayak trails with rentals.
Beach
Fri–Sun afternoons (3–7 or 4–8 pm). Small friendly crowd.
Market
Sat–Sun 10–6. 300+ vendors, bars, food stalls, live music — a half-day outing Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted.
Shopping
Third-largest US mall — and officially dog-friendly (leashed; on-site dog park).
Park
Florida's largest urban park: 15 mi of MTB single-track, mangrove kayak trails, Friday sunset and full-moon paddles.
On the water
Mangrove trails to the Sandspur Island sandbar; Friday sunset paddles, monthly full-moon tours, Sunday SUP yoga.
Attraction
12th-century cloisters shipped over by Hearst. Often closed weekends for weddings — call.
Beach
The only seven-day-a-week dog beach in the region (8 am–sunset) plus fenced runs.
Beach · Free
Daily morning windows (7–9 or 9–11 am) and Fri–Sun afternoons.
Beach
Fires only on strong N-NE swell after fronts, but it's a scene when it does.
On the water
Private boats to Nixon Sandbar / Stiltsville; Getmyboat lists pet-friendly rentals.
Market
2nd & 4th Sundays, resumes Oct Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted.
On the water
90-min Star Island / Millionaire's Row bay cruise.
Attraction
PAMM free first Thursdays and second Saturdays; bayfront Verde restaurant. Leashed dogs OK on the Museum Park lawn.
Attraction
The surrounding streets are free, mural-covered and very dog-friendly.
At night
Regular season through late Oct; check miamifc.com for Sept–Oct home dates.
Shopping
Open-air multi-level; Saks, Casa Tua Cucina food hall.
Park
Man-made atoll pool flushed by the bay, mangrove trails, next to Fairchild Garden.
Attraction
83 acres. Monthly 'Dog Dates' admit dogs — check ticketapp for Oct/Nov dates.
Attraction
Spring-fed 1924 lagoon pool (closed Mon); free Sunday history tours at the Biltmore.
Attraction
Two historic homes on 444 bayfront acres; October ghost tours, canoe tours, Nov 15 vintage auto show.
Market
Sundays 9–2 Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted.
Shopping
Open-air Neiman/Nordstrom; restaurant row and pedestrian Giralda Plaza.
On the water
Reef snorkel $115; sail-paddle-snorkel $209; Boca Chita lighthouse cruise $83; Stiltsville tour $70; evening bay cruise $65 from Nov. The best-value way to see the park.
Market
Saturdays 10–7 Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted.
Market · Free
Sundays 9:30–2:30, Nov–May. Free; $5 Sunday yoga Outdoors and dog-friendly on a leash unless noted.
Shopping
Open-air; Saturday organic market; the most dog-forward neighborhood in Miami.
Park
Lagoon-calm beach, kite launch, then the lighthouse (free tours Thu–Mon 10 & 1) and a 1.5-mi bike path.
Park
9+ mi of purpose-built MTB trails; Sunday morning scene.
Beach
Unofficial: shallow calm bay water where dogs swim all day; also the windsurf/wing launch. No facilities.
On the water
Underwater 'Atlantis' cemetery-reef in 40 ft via Tarpoon Lagoon or Divers Paradise (Crandon Marina; also shallow snorkel trips).
On the water
Miami Kiteboarding (IKO; $200/hr private, 3-hr $650) and Miami Kiting. Season starts with November's fronts (steady 15–25 kt); Sept–Oct are for light-wind lessons and foiling. Adventure Sports USA teaches on Pompano/Hillsboro beaches — closest to home.
Park
15-mi paved loop to a 65-ft tower: tram $34, bike rental $27, or bring your own. Wait for mid/late Nov when the dry season concentrates gators along the canal.
Park · Free
Kirby Storter boardwalk, Oasis Visitor Center gator canal, 24-mi Loop Road gravel scenic drive. Best in November.
Park
The best 0.8-mi wildlife boardwalk in the park; Flamingo has boat tours.
On the water
Sawgrass Recreation Park ($31; private sunrise or 'Red Eye' night boat from $325) and Everglades Holiday Park (from $30, Gator Boys show). Further out: Billie Swamp Safari on the Seminole reservation (airboats + swamp buggies; more wild) and the Tamiami Trail operators (Coopertown, Gator Park, Everglades Safari Park, Miccosukee). Mornings or nights in Sept; anytime in Nov.
On the water
Fast ferry ~2 hr each way, roughly Wed/Fri/Sun; passport required. Snorkel the Sapona wreck and Radio Beach. Book November for the smoothest crossings.
Attraction
Hand-carved limestone oddity ($18), 500 fruit varieties with tasting table ($12), tropical fruit wine + Miami Brewing in a tiki courtyard (dogs OK outdoors), the famous fruit stand and milkshakes, and Knaus Berry Farm cinnamon rolls when it reopens ~late Oct/Nov.
Things to Do in a single town, north to south from Jupiter to Key West.