A man named Hullam Jones is credited with building the first glass-bottom boat in the late 1870s. More than a century later, those boats still float over clear Florida spring water.
That alone made me curious. Then I learned that manatees gather in certain springs as the weather cools.
Some of that water holds steady at 72 degrees all year, so Thanksgiving week is basically their beach trip too.
I love that some of the best holiday views in this state cost less than a tank of gas. A few charge entry fees smaller than a sandwich.
Plenty of beaches and town parks charge nothing at all.
So why spend the long weekend in theme park lines? I keep thinking about inland lighthouses, sponge docks, and bells that play from a tower.
Your turkey leftovers can wait one more day, right?
Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
Few Thanksgiving guest lists include a hippo, but Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park was once home to a beloved one named Lu. Today, the park remains a wonderful place to discover Florida’s native wildlife, including many rescued animals.
You can spot Florida panthers, black bears, bobcats, American alligators, and crocodiles along the way. Manatees steal the show, though.
They can be seen year-round in the natural springs, where the water stays at a steady 72 degrees.
Head to the underwater observatory for a fish-eye view. You can watch manatees in their spring home without getting your holiday sweater wet.
Admission includes access to the park’s wildlife exhibits and underwater observatory. Scenic boat tours are currently unavailable, so check the park’s website for the latest updates before visiting.
Children five and under get in free, which helps if you’re traveling with little ones.
The park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The ticket counter closes at 4:45 p.m., so don’t linger too long over pie.
Pack a lunch and use the picnic areas between animal sightings. A short hike afterward can help work off some of that stuffing, too.
Florida state parks are generally open on Thanksgiving, but individual facilities and services may have different schedules. Check the park’s official website before you drive.
Address: 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, FL 34446
Everglades National Park
Alligators don’t care what you’re having for dinner. They’ll still be sunning themselves in the Everglades on Thanksgiving week.
November through February is a sweet spot for visiting this park. Temperatures cool down, and there are fewer mosquitoes to crash your trip.
The park protects a huge subtropical wetland full of sawgrass marshes. You’ll find alligators and many kinds of birds living in one of the wildest corners of Florida.
One vehicle pass covers the whole car, which makes a family trip easier on the wallet. Split it with your carpool and it gets even better.
Shark Valley is a fun place to start. You can climb the observation tower, rent bikes, or ride a tram tour through the marsh.
The Shark Valley Visitor Center opens daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Holiday hours for visitor centers or tours can shift, so check ahead.
Airboat tours cost extra, but they’re loud, splashy, and exciting. If you’d rather save, biking the Shark Valley loop gives you plenty of gator time on your own power.
The main entrance sits near Homestead. Shark Valley sits on the Miami side, along the Tamiami Trail.
Address: 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, FL 33034
Cedar Key
Mapmakers marked this spot back in 1542 and called it Las Islas Sabines. That means The Cedar Islands, and the name stuck in a shorter form.
Native Americans lived on these islands for at least 1,000 years. Later, Cedar Key became one of Florida’s oldest ports and a big supplier of seafood and timber.
Today, the town runs on island time. Nobody’s going to rush you through your Thanksgiving weekend here.
Stroll Dock Street, walk the pier, and watch for birds. These simple pleasures don’t cost a thing.
The Cedar Key Historical Society Museum has a small fee, and kids under 12 get in free. Hours run Thursday through Sunday, so time your visit around that.
Cedar Lakes Woods and Garden spreads across 20 acres with waterfalls and koi ponds. The entry fee is tiny, but it’s closed on Wednesdays.
Families can head to the public beach and Lil’ Shark Park Playground. It has a basketball court, outdoor workout gear, picnic tables, and restrooms.
Curious eaters can follow the Cedar Key Clam Trail. Kayaking through the coastal estuaries is another great way to see the area.
Address: 450 2nd Street, Cedar Key, FL 32625
Mount Dora
A lighthouse in the middle of Florida sounds like a trivia trick. Mount Dora has one at Grantham Park, and it’s among the state’s few inland lighthouses.
The town calls itself Festival City for good reason. Its Christmas lights festival usually kicks off the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
That timing is pretty great for a holiday trip. You can eat turkey on Thursday and see twinkling downtown streets two days later.
Downtown is packed with shops, art galleries, and museums. Check out the Modernism Museum Mount Dora and the Mount Dora History Museum.
Most public parks here are free, which keeps your budget happy. Gilbert Park has a playground with a pirate ship and climbing features.
Out on the water, you can kayak, paddleboard, or join an eco-tour. The Dora Canal is a scenic paddle, and Lake Dora is popular for bass fishing.
Electric Golden Carriage Rides offer a relaxed way to see the streets. The Lakeside Inn is billed as the oldest hotel in Florida.
Start at the visitor center inside the historic Atlantic Coast Line Train Depot. Pet-friendly parks and places to stay make it easy to bring your dog too.
Address: 341 N Alexander St, Mount Dora, FL 32757
Tarpon Springs
Sponges built this town, and not the kind under your kitchen sink. Tarpon Springs proudly calls itself the Sponge Capital of the World.
Greek sponge divers arrived around the turn of the century and brought their Mediterranean heritage. You can still feel that history along Dodecanese Boulevard and the famous sponge docks.
Walking the docks and browsing shops costs nothing. Grab some Greek food and your Thanksgiving weekend suddenly has a whole new menu.
A self-guided audio walking tour covers the Greektown Historic District. Downtown Tarpon Springs is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ready to stretch your legs? The paved Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail runs 47 miles, so walk or bike as far as your pie allows.
Fred Howard Park and Sunset Beach are great for swimming, kayaking, and bird watching. Public parks and trails are generally free to enjoy.
For a little adventure, take a ferry to Anclote Key Preserve State Park. It’s a remote wildlife spot with pristine beaches and camping.
The Tarpon Springs Aquarium and Animal Sanctuary and the Safford House Museum add more options. The visitor center on the docks opens daily from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Address: 100 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Anna Maria Island
Hunting for fossilized shark teeth beats hunting for a parking spot at the mall. On Anna Maria Island, it counts as a legit holiday activity.
The barrier island stretches about seven miles. Its white sand beaches have won awards, and they’re free to visit.
Pick your favorite stretch of sand. Bean Point, Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach, Manatee Beach, and Anna Maria Beach are popular choices.
Shelling, swimming, and snorkeling are all on the table. Gulf sunsets make a pretty fine dessert after Thanksgiving dinner.
Shops line Pine Avenue and Gulf Drive in Anna Maria. Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach adds even more spots to browse.
The Anna Maria City Pier and Bradenton Beach City Pier are great for a stroll. Leffis Key Preserve and Anna Maria Bayfront Park give you more outdoor room.
Kayak tours through mangrove tunnels offer chances to see manatees. Dolphin-spotting boat tours are another fun option.
Families can play a round at The Fish Hole Miniature Golf. Art lovers can visit the Anna Maria Island Art League, and history buffs can check out the Florida Maritime Museum nearby.
Address: 5313 Gulf Dr. N., Holmes Beach, FL 34217
Bok Tower Gardens
A 205-foot tower that plays music sounds like something from a storybook. The Singing Tower holds a 60-bell carillon with concerts at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. daily.
One heads-up before you load the car. Bok Tower Gardens will be closed on Thanksgiving Day 2026, so plan your visit for Friday or the weekend.
Edward Bok founded the gardens in 1919 as a bird sanctuary. They were dedicated in 1929, and visitors have been coming ever since.
Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. designed the landscape. Milton Medary designed the tower itself.
Nearly 50 acres of flowers, ferns, palms, oaks, and pines surround it. The Reflection Pond mirrors the tower and is home to colorful koi.
Kids under six get in free. The Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden has water features, climbing spots, and a stage for pretend play.
Hikers can try the 3.5-mile Pine Ridge Preserve trail. Pinewood Estate, a 1930s Mediterranean-style mansion, offers tours for a separate fee.
Leashed, well-behaved dogs can join for an added fee. The Blue Palmetto Cafe can handle a snack break between bell concerts.
Address: 1151 Tower Blvd, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Navarre Beach
Most places don’t brag about being sleepy. Navarre Beach is often called Florida’s Most Relaxing Place, and it wears that title proudly.
About 12 miles of white shoreline give you plenty of space. Public beaches and parks are generally free, which is music to any budget.
The Navarre Beach Pier is the big draw. You can fish, walk, look for dolphins, and snap wide views of the Gulf.
On Thanksgiving Day, the pier runs special hours from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Walking or fishing on it does come with an admission fee.
Curious kids will love the Navarre Beach Sea Turtle Conservation Center. The Navarre Beach Marine Science Station sits in the same marine park, along with snorkeling reefs and picnic areas.
Calmer water waits on Santa Rosa Sound. It’s a favorite spot for kayaking and paddleboarding.
Soundside Park and Boardwalk has shallow water for little ones and good bird watching. Bring your own kayak and launch there for free.
Navarre Park adds a waterfront splashpad and playground. Just remember that glass, fires, and pets aren’t allowed on the beach.
Address: 8543 Navarre Parkway, Navarre, FL 32566
St. George Island
Crowds seem to forget about this barrier island. That’s great news for anyone who wants a quiet Thanksgiving with their toes in the sand.
St. George Island is known for uncrowded, pet-friendly beaches. Your dog may enjoy the holiday more than anyone else in the family.
St. George Island State Park covers miles of undeveloped beaches, dunes, forests, and marshes. The entry fee is small and covers a whole carload.
Boardwalks and observation platforms make bird watching easy. Look for pelicans, ospreys, and herons along the shore.
Walk the East Slough Trail or Gap Point Trail for a change of scenery. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the ranger station.
Camping in the park can save a bundle compared to a hotel. A public beach near the island’s center also has picnic areas and restrooms.
Fishing, crabbing, shelling, and beachcombing fill the days nicely. Paddleboarding and boating are other easy ways to spend an afternoon.
Don’t skip the St. George Island Lighthouse and Museum. It shares stories from the island’s past and makes a great photo stop.
Address: 2 East Gulf Beach Drive, St. George Island, FL 32328
Myakka River State Park
Walking above the treetops sounds like something squirrels get to do. At Myakka River State Park, a canopy walkway lets you join them.
The park ranks among Florida’s oldest and largest. It covers 58 square miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands.
The Myakka River runs through it all. It was Florida’s first state-designated Wild and Scenic River.
A boardwalk stretches over Upper Myakka Lake for wildlife viewing. More than 39 miles of trails wait for hikers, including routes to Deep Hole and the Birdwalk.
Bring a canoe or kayak, or try your luck with freshwater fishing. Airboat lake tours are available for an extra fee.
Overnight options keep costs low. Campgrounds and primitive sites are budget friendly, and five palm log cabins add rustic charm.
Those cabins were originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The park was formally dedicated in 1941, and many CCC structures are still in use.
The concession stand reportedly closes early on Thanksgiving Day. Pack extra snacks, grab a grill at a picnic area, and you’re set.
Address: 13208 S.R. 72, Sarasota, FL 34241
Silver Springs State Park
For generations, Silver Springs has been one of Florida’s best-known tourist attractions. It drew visitors long before Disney World opened, with crowds coming to admire its clear waters and natural beauty.
The famous glass-bottom boats helped make the springs a household name. Hullam Jones is credited with building one of the first glass-bottom boats here in the late 1870s.
Here’s the good news for your wallet: admission costs $8 per vehicle carrying two to eight people. Single-occupant vehicles and motorcycles pay $5, while pedestrians and bicyclists pay $2 each.
Children under six get in free.
The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset, including holidays, so Thanksgiving Day is a chance to enjoy the springs.
Thirty-minute glass-bottom boat tours run daily. Longer 90-minute tours are available on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and reservations are recommended.
Prefer to paddle? Paddling Adventures rents canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards.
You can also launch your own boat for a fee.
Swimming isn’t allowed in the springs, so keep your hands inside the kayak. Leashed pets are welcome on trails and in picnic areas, but they aren’t permitted on boats.
Hungry? Springside Cafe and Paradise Treats offer food and sweets.
The Silver River Museum is also worth a stop near the park’s camping entrance.
Address: 5656 East Silver Springs Boulevard, Silver Springs, FL 34488
