The Best Books About Florida Available Today

Written by Katie Melynn Wood
Updated: April 22, 2023
© Alexander Lukatskiy/Shutterstock.com

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  • The #1 Best Overall book about Florida is Florida Day Trips by Mike Miller.
  • There are books that give visiting guides to well-known sights as well as places that are more off the beaten path.
  • Florida is home to some amazing animals, such as alligators, panthers, and manatees.

Planning to visit Florida soon? Finding a book with tips, tricks, and trivia all about your destination is a great way to make the most of your trip. With many popular vacation destinations, including Disney World, beautiful beaches, and laid-back towns, Florida is a great place to visit any time of the year.

There are also fun books that Floridians will love that show a new side to the beloved Sunshine State. As home to many interesting animals, people who live in Florida can learn more about their animal neighbors and how to preserve their environment without risking getting bitten. Florida is known for gators, after all!

Because it is so close to Cuba and other countries, Florida is also home to world-class cuisine. For the foodies, a food guide to visiting Florida is sure to keep their taste buds happy. Florida has many distinct regions that each has its own personality, sights to see, and experiences. Here are some of the best books about Florida for every interest.

  1. Florida Day Trips
    • 160 pages.
    • A guide to the best sights to see and trips to take in Florida.
    • Part of the Day Trip series of books on U.S. states, which currently has books published for 14 states and counting.
    Check Amazon
  2. Birds of Florida Field Guide
    • 384 pages.
    • A new edition of a bestselling Florida bird guide.
    • Covers 146 species of birds.
    Check Amazon
  3. Florida's Seashells: A Beachcomber's Guide
    • 96 pages.
    • A guide to seashells found in Florida.
    • Covers 287 species of seashells.
    Check Amazon
  4. Fodor's South Florida: With Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Keys
    • 320 pages.
    • An experience guide that captures Florida highlights.
    • Includes color photographs and detailed maps.
    Check Amazon
  5. The Great Book of Florida: The Crazy History of Florida with Amazing Random Facts & Trivia
    • 182 pages.
    • Covers a broad range of Florida's history, including how it got its name, what famous pirate buried treasure on the state's coast, and how Walt Disney kept his Disney World plans secret.
    • Part of an 11-book series on trivia for multiple U.S. states.
    Check Amazon
  6. F Is for Florida
    • 20 pages.
    • Recommended for children ages 1 through 5.
    • A primer on the alphabet, inspired by Florida.
    Check Amazon
  7. The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2023
    • 768 pages.
    • An up-to-date guide on Disney World, just published in August 2022.
    • Offers insight on the best times to visit Disney World for smaller crowds and hotel discounts, details on COVID-19 impact and social distancing measures, and more.
    Check Amazon

#1 Best Overall: Florida Day Trips by Mike Miller

The best overall book about Florida is Florida Day Trips by Mike Miller.

This is a top book for Florida visitors as well as locals who want to have a bit more adventure in their home state. You can combine day trip outings to plan something on a larger scale or opt for just one adventure while making it back to your own comfy bed each night. The guide also details scenic ways to get to fun locations so the journey is just as enjoyable as the destination.

Day trips are organized by theme and there is something for everyone. These include lighthouses and other historic sites, outdoor adventures, amusement parks, and others. Some categories, such as festivals, are time-specific. So you may not be able to combine multiple festivals on one trip. Fortunately, you can use the other ideas in the book to plan a fun vacation or staycation.

If you want to keep your trip to one area, it can be difficult to mix and match different ideas. There are over 200 destinations that you can see and enjoy in just a day. You just might need to search through the various sections of the book to find which ones are nearby. Each destination has a few sentences highlighting the best aspects of visiting as well as contact info to learn more and make a reservation. Because contact information, hours, or procedures for visiting can change over time, it’s best to confirm with the destination before finalizing your plans.

Pros and Cons of Florida Day Trips by Mike Miller

ProsCons
It is organized by interest.It can be difficult to plan a trip to a certain area.
It includes things you can do in just a day.Some of the contact information may be out of date.
It highlights the best aspects of each destination.
It includes contact information in case you need to make a reservation.
Best Overall
Florida Day Trips
  • 160 pages.
  • A guide to the best sights to see and trips to take in Florida.
  • Part of the Day Trip series of books on U.S. states, which currently has books published for 14 states and counting.
Check Amazon

2. Best for Bird Watchers: Birds of Florida Field Guide by Stan Tekiela

If you’re a bird lover then we recommend Birds of Florida Field Guide by Stan Tekiela.

With weather that allows outdoor adventuring year-round, Florida is a great place for bird enthusiasts to learn more about the native species that live there. Author Stan Tekiela has been a naturalist and wildlife photographer for more than 30 years and specializes in state-specific field guides. Each entry in this book includes notes and tips from him on where to see them, photographs, and interesting facts about each bird.

This book is organized by color and only includes birds that you would find in Florida. If you are new to birding and want a guide that will help you identify a bird that you see, this is a great choice. It is easy to flip to the appropriate page based on color, one of the most observable bird characteristics. However, it does get a bit tricky if the males and females have different plumage, which is common among birds.

There are 146 species depicted in this field guide, including some species that look alike. They are organized close together so that you can quickly flip from one to another and decide which one matches the bird that you see. If you are an experienced bird watcher then you might already know a lot of the species in this book. It doesn’t have a lot of obscure or rare birds that live in Florida.

Pros and Cons of Birds of Florida Field Guide by Stan Tekiela

ProsCons
This book is organized by color so you can find the bird species easily.It may be difficult to identify female and male birds if they have different plumage.
It is great for beginners trying to identify birds.It does not include rare or obscure birds.
It includes 146 species, including a lot of common birds.
There are photographs of every bird.
Best for Bird Watchers
Birds of Florida Field Guide
  • 384 pages.
  • A new edition of a bestselling Florida bird guide.
  • Covers 146 species of birds.
Check Amazon

3. Best for Beach Lovers: Florida’s Seashells: A Beachcomber’s Guide by Blair Witherington

The next time that you plan to visit Florida’s exquisite beaches, you can bring along Florida’s Seashells: A Beachcomber’s Guide by Blair Witherington to make the most of your trip.

With this book, you not only will you learn more about the different types of seashells and the role that they play in the natural environment, but you can also learn to observe the many details around you during a walk on the beach.

Florida beaches boast warm water and warm air, making them a popular choice for people who enjoy spending time at the beach swimming, walking, or just taking in nature. The book includes photos and illustrations of over 287 types of shells. There are also 175 maps that show where you can expect to find these various shells and how to look for them at the beach. However, it doesn’t include a lot of information about the species that the shells come from.

The author is a researcher at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in Florida. He also studied in Florida, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Central Florida and a doctorate in Zoology from the University of Florida. Basically, Witherington is the go-to expert when it comes to Florida’s natural life.

Pros and Cons of Florida’s Seashells: A Beachcomber’s Guide by Blair Witherington

ProsCons
The author is one of the best experts on Florida animals and nature.Doesn’t include a lot about the species that use shells.
This book features photographs of more than 287 species of shells.
It includes 175 maps to show where you can find the shells.
Best for Beach Lovers
Florida's Seashells: A Beachcomber's Guide
  • 96 pages.
  • A guide to seashells found in Florida.
  • Covers 287 species of seashells.
Check Amazon

4. Best for Foodies: South Florida: With Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Keys by Fodor’s Travel Guide

South Florida is known for some of the best food in the state so South Florida: With Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Keys by Fodor’s Travel Guide is the perfect option for those who love to eat.

This guide includes more than just restaurant recommendations so you can find something fun to do, then finish your day with a world-class meal. Most of the restaurants in this guide are must-see places so they tend to be busy and popular. There are fewer hole-in-the-wall options included.

One of the most helpful foodie parts of the Fodor’s guide is the cheat sheet for great authentic dishes. You can learn more about Cuban food in particular so that you know what to order at any restaurant that you decide to try. There are also map guides that show popular restaurants as well as sightseeing destinations nearby. Just make sure that you double-check with the restaurant if reservations are needed, since those policies can vary, based on the day or time of year.

Pros and Cons of Fodor’s South Florida: With Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Keys

ProsCons
This book is a comprehensive travel guide for South Florida.Most restaurants included are well-known and busy and there are not as many lesser known options included.
It includes fun attractions and destinations to round out your day as well as places to eat.
It features a map to show the proximity of restaurants to sightseeing destinations.
It includes a cheat sheet for great authentic dishes.
Best for Foodies
Fodor's South Florida: With Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the Keys
  • 320 pages.
  • An experience guide that captures Florida highlights.
  • Includes color photographs and detailed maps.
Check Amazon

5. Best for History Buffs: The Great Book of Florida: The Crazy History of Florida with Amazing Random Facts & Trivia by Bill O’Neil

The best option for history buffs is The Great Book of Florida: The Crazy History of Florida with Amazing Random Facts & Trivia by Bill O’Neil.

This trivia book is available in Kindle, paperback, and audio formats. It has amazing facts about Florida’s history, how it developed as a state, and even current events and pop culture. There are plenty of fun facts that will keep your interest as you travel through Florida. It also makes a great gift for new residents of Florida or those who are dreaming of relocating to the sunny area.

However, you shouldn’t expect much from this book as a travel guide. There are interesting tidbits about some of the most popular Florida destinations, including Spring Break beaches and Disneyworld, but it won’t help you plan a trip. There isn’t information about the best times to visit, contact information for making reservations, or travel information about the best routes. Instead, this book makes a great companion to learn fun and obscure facts after you are already on your vacation.

Pros and Cons of The Great Book of Florida: The Crazy History of Florida with Amazing Random Facts & Trivia by Bill O’Neil

ProsCons
This book includes amazing facts about Florida’s history and how it developed as a state.It does not include a lot of travel information.
It includes information on current events and pop culture.It won’t help you plan a trip as it lacks information about the best times to visit.
There are Kindle, paperback, and audio editions available.
Best for History Buffs
The Great Book of Florida: The Crazy History of Florida with Amazing Random Facts & Trivia
  • 182 pages.
  • Covers a broad range of Florida's history, including how it got its name, what famous pirate buried treasure on the state's coast, and how Walt Disney kept his Disney World plans secret.
  • Part of an 11-book series on trivia for multiple U.S. states.
Check Amazon

6. Best for Kids: F is for Florida ABC Primer by Christin Farley and Stephanie Miles

In our opinion, the best book about Florida for kids is F is for Florida ABC Primer by Christin Farley and Stephanie Miles.

You can introduce young babies and toddlers to the magic of Florida with this fun board book. Each page has a letter of the alphabet, going from A to Z, and features a Florida connection. For example, C is for Cape Canaveral and shows a rocket ship about to blast off. Florida was the center of the Apollo project that put a man on the moon and still plays an active role in space exploration today.

This book is best for kids under the age of three. Older children can enjoy the fun illustrations but they won’t learn much beyond their ABCs and a few facts about Florida. If you know more, you can use this book as a jumping-off point for older kids to gauge their interests. It can also be a fun book for older siblings to read to younger siblings.

Pros and Cons of F is for Florida ABC Primer by Christin Farley and Stephanie Miles

ProsCons
This is a fun board book that can be used to teach children literacy skills.It is not suitable for older children.
It features fun illustrations.
It is aimed at children under the age of three.
Best for Kids
F Is for Florida
  • 20 pages.
  • Recommended for children ages 1 through 5.
  • A primer on the alphabet, inspired by Florida.
Check Amazon

7. Best for Disney Enthusiasts: The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2023 by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa

If you’re a Disney enthusiast then we suggest you check out The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2023 by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa.

Many visitors to Florida include a few days at Walt Disney World in their vacation. Known as the “Happiest Place of Earth,” Disney is a great place that is made even better by some advanced planning. This guide was updated for 2023 and includes the best tips for making the most of your Disney days and budget. A lot of the planning is focused on getting discounts on tickets, amenities, and experiences. There are also guides to reducing time spent in line and inside looks at some of the park’s newer rides.

The guide focuses just on Disney World so if you plan to visit Universal Studios or one of the other parks, you will need to get a separate guide. Fortunately, there are similar guides in this series. If you like the way that this guide is organized and presented, chances are the other ones will work for you as well.

Pros and Cons of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2023 by Bob Sehlinger and Len Testa3

ProsCons
This is a complete guide to Walt Disney World and has been newly updated for 2023.It does not include information about other parks, such as Universal Studios.
It includes tips on how to make the most of your trip and budget.
It includes information about discounts on tickets, amenities, and experiences.
It offers an inside look at some of the newer rides in the park.
Best for Disney Enthusiasts
The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2023
  • 768 pages.
  • An up-to-date guide on Disney World, just published in August 2022.
  • Offers insight on the best times to visit Disney World for smaller crowds and hotel discounts, details on COVID-19 impact and social distancing measures, and more.
Check Amazon

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

When deciding on the best book about Florida, there are a few things to consider such as the type of adventure you plan to take, your interests, and if you are local. Let’s look at these in more detail.

Adventure

Do you want something that you can do in a day or are you looking for a more comprehensive trip-planning guide? Some books about Florida focus on day trips while others include information about hotel stays, making the most of your vacation budget, and driving directions. Think about how long you have to explore and what kind of adventure you want to have.

Interest

General guides to Florida are helpful but if you have a specific interest, such as visiting theme parks or identifying native birds, look for a more specialized guide. You can find a guide for just about any interest but sightseeing destinations, food, and wildlife are some of the most popular. Florida is known for its cuisine (especially South Florida), popular theme parks, and unique animals.

Local vs. Visitor

Some guides are great for people visiting Florida. Others are best for those who live in the area and want some insider knowledge about places to visit. Whether you are planning a vacation or staycation, there is a book about Florida that is ideal for you. Even if you are local, don’t turn away from a guide to well-known attractions. Disney World and many other popular places offer fantastic discounts for Florida residents.

The Different Types of Books about Florida

There are different kinds of Florida books, often based on your interest and age. Some popular types of books include:

  • Sightseeing books: These include popular places to visit. In Florida, that often includes great restaurants, museums and historical sites, beaches, and theme parks. Some feature day trips that people can take and others have more comprehensive information about hotels and airfare. These can include well-known destinations that are popular with tourists or lesser-known destinations that you can enjoy without the large crowds.
  • Field guides: If you love seeing Florida wildlife, look for a field guide that can tell you where to find native species, how to take steps to conserve their habitat, and identifying markers and behavior. If you are new to Florida or just starting to learn about animals and plants, a general field guide can be very helpful to learn how to identify and photograph species you can see in Florida.
  • Kids’ books: Board books, picture books, and kids’ encyclopedias are all great ways to get your kids interested in visiting Florida. If you are planning a move to the Sunshine State, kids books can also build up interest in your new home while being fun to read and teaching other literacy skills, such as letter recognition and phonics.

About the Author

Katie is a freelance writer and teaching artist specializing in home, lifestyle, and family topics. Her work has appeared in At Ease Magazine, PEOPLE, and The Spruce, among others. When she is not writing, Katie teaches creative writing with the Apex Arts Magnet Program in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. You can follow Katie @katiemelynnwriter.

The Best Books About Florida Available Today FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What are the different types of books about Florida?

There are many different types of books about Florida available. These include travel guides, food guides, and books about the native animals.

What are some of the most popular things to do in Florida?

There are tons of things to do in Florida, so there’s certain to be something that catches your interest.  There’s beaches to explore, local shops and restaurants, theme parks, and much more!

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