Vacations can be exciting, especially in the Sunshine State where Orlando and Miami exist with plenty of attractions and beaches to visit all year round, as the weather is relatively warm most of the time, at least compared to other states! During the peak tourist season from December to April, people flock to Florida for winter sunshine, and college students on break head to Miami during March and April, which causes overcrowding in some of Florida’s most attractive locations.

The influx of tourists for those trying to plan a vacation around these times can dampen the excitement of the vacation as hotels can be booked up, and many miss out on enjoying Florida’s beautiful beaches and nightlife and for gambling enthusiasts, visiting Florida’s tribal casinos.

Since the 1980s, Native-American casinos have dominated tourism and the gambling market in Florida. As they are often governed by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, they don’t face the same tribulations American casinos do. Last year, casinos across the state made $3.25 billion as of the end of 2022. While pari-mutuel venues and casino boats also exist, tribal casinos have a monopoly on tourism.

It may be great for Florida’s economy and the Floridian nightlife, but these casinos sit in tourism hotspots. This means that casinos also become crowded during peak seasons which can be uncomfortable for visitors, so the casinos can suffer a loss in business during this time.

In this case, casino enthusiasts who visit Florida may instead choose to participate in online gambling at casinos away from the crowds so they can enjoy their games and wait for the tourist season to end. They may also do this because Floridian law does not permit state-operated online casinos and the laws around online casinos are vague, so casino enthusiasts will be less likely to engage actively in online gambling while visiting Florida.

For families and many other travel enthusiasts, they want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city and the crowded lines for attractions. This means it’s likely that they will choose other locations rather than Florida’s traditionally popular cities and may want to travel in off-peak season, which strangely, is coming up, so they have something to be excited about.

Do not fear, as this article will guide you on where to visit to unleash the excitement for your vacation, out of peak season!

1. Wander around the Wetlands of Everglades National Park

The Everglades are a natural wetland and national park. that totals up to 1.5 million acres. The park is the perfect place to get excited about some beautiful warm walks, scoping out wildlife water activities in the park like kayaking, guided boat tours, or fishing.

The boat tours are operated by the Florida Bay or the Whitewater Bay and they run each day. There are even programs sponsored by National Park Rangers that offer a safe and educational method of exploring the park. Perfect for families and big groups!

1. Take a stroll through Wynwood, Miami’s art capital

Miami is a city of arts and culture. Wynwood is Miami’s art district which often has packed streets and heavy traffic, due to its Instragrammable street art and shops. There are a lot of things to do in Wynwood, but it can be hard to enjoy the boutiques and indie shops around when you have people breathing your air!

If you want that shot at the Wynwood Walls, the walls filled with graffiti art and murals, you better book off-peak!

After all, you have to pay for it now, so better to go when there is a chance of a short queue than one that goes around the block! To enjoy that Wynwood second Saturday Gallery Night each month, you’d better either get to the streets early for that culture boost or simply just come again when the temperature has cooled and the crowds have dispersed.

1. Head down to the oldest Us City St. Augustine

St. Augustine is located on the northeast coast of Florida. It has been proclaimed to be the oldest city in the United States by some and it was founded in 1565.

St. Augustine is known for its Spanish-inspired architecture, as the Spanish once colonized it. The town has plenty of historic sites to visit including Flagler College on King Street or the theatrical Old Jail where visitors are guided through the eerie old prison cells by actors.

You can even join a guided running tour of the town if you’re a master athlete. For a slower-placed visit, explore the city’s natural attractions by walking.

Escape U will unleash your excitement in three escape rooms themed around St. Augustine for $37.99. It has a few gems for museums such as the Pirate and Treasure Museum and Shipwreck Museum.

For a quieter stay, you can enjoy golfing or some of the city’s live music venues to unwind after an evening of historical exploration.

1. Soak up the Culture of Sarasota

Sarosta’s best time to visit is around March to May and September and November, are a perfect way to get excited for an upcoming vacation! Sarasota is located south of Tampa and is on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Sarasota is great for a beach vacation as it’s home to gorgeous blue waters, many luxurious resorts, and lots of culture.

Sarasota County is home to many art galleries and museums for some relaxed cultural enrichment during off-peak season. Sarasota has its own Opera House, The Florida Studio Theatre and for gearheads, there is the Sarasota Classic Car Museum. You can catch a show at one of the theatres or even mosey over to the different art galleries that each have distinct focuses.

Into the night, get excited as there are tiki bars, live music performances, and more! End the night over at O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill on the bayfront, or head out for a last-minute drink before a show at the 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottleshop. Happy vacationing!