We are going to Florida in early November for 2 weeks (It will be our 2nd visit).

Its a hard job deciding where to go and what to do. We do of course, enjoy the BIG attractions of Orlando, and will probably spend a couple of days there (But no more). We also love the smaller less known attractions, last year we visited the Edison-Ford Complex, went on an airboat ride, went shelling (although my husband wasn't so keen on this!).

We loved Florida last year and can't wait to come back. We've got some things in mind we'd like to do maybe, a boat trip, try some watersports, visit Homosassa Springs, go to St Augustine.

So to anyone else who has been to Florida or lives there, Where are your favourite attractions?

Sarasota has a small quaintly run place called Jungle Gardens which is priced right. I haven't been there in years but it always gets a good right up in the paper as being one of those lesser known great places. It's sort of what Busch Gardens used to be like in the 60's before all of the expansion. Also Mote Marine is here on Longboat Key and is worth a visit also for their aquariums, etc. The beaches at Siesta are pure white sugar sand and further south in Venice you can find fossil sharks teeth and bones on the beach by the pier. Ringling Museum in Sarasota is worth the visit for paintings by the old masters.

Hi Nic - I lived in St. Petersburg, FL quite a few years ago and I don't know if you and husband are going to be in that area, but a few of my favorite "touristy" things to do in that area were Botanical Gardens, The Pier and in nearby Tampa, Busch Gardens. On the east coast, the Kennedy Space Center is worth a visit, as well. Enjoy your vacation.

"Antiquing" and the Tea Rooms for lunch in Mount Dora, Swimming with the Manatees at Crystal River, Tubing down the Itchnachucknee River(very unique) and Rowlings' House(wrote "The Yearling")in Micanopy, The Kennedy Space Center(find out Shuttle Launch dates and go), Diving for Bay Scallops in St Marks(and eating them), Bok Tower and Spook Hill in Lake Wales, Ft Desoto and the Dali Museum near St Pete and Florida's 1st theme Park, Cypress Gardens in Winter Haven.
Welcome to Florida!

Opps,...meant Rawlins' not Rowlings, too much Harry Potter on my mind with an 8 year old.

I've said it before but here goes again.. Coral Castle near Homestead South of Miami is worth a visit if you will be going that far south. It was built entirely by the hands of one man who claimed to have rediscovered the way that the Ancient Egyptians built the Pyramids. Check out the Website anyway, it's a fascinating story:

WWW.CORALCASTLE.COM

Weeki Wachi springs in central (inland) Florida. It's an old, established off the beaten track attraction. There are two attractions side-by-side. One is a park with animal exhibits and a live, mermaid show in an underwater theatre. Next to this is a water park that is in a totally natural setting. The springs maintain a constant (a bit chilly) temp year-round. There are slides, swimming areas and an area where you can ride a tube on a natural current. Take goggles because you'll be swimming with the fishes and turtle and they're neat to watch underwater.

You must take an airboat ride if you've never done it. They are flat bottom boats with airplane propellers attached to the back so the boat can be pushed across impossible shallow water (half inch or less sometimes) and not destroy marine life with an in-water prop. They are a blast! They're all over the Everglades, but there's one place I know in central Florida called Lone Cabbage Fish Camp that gives airboat rides.