What to do in Gulf Coast

Activities, attractions and tours
Lady Bird Lake showing cbd, landscape views and a skyscraper

Gulf Coast Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Gulf Coast has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Gulf Coast, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to Gulf Coast with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Gulf Coast, and make it a breeze to explore Gulf Coast and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Gulf Coast to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to Gulf Coast, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in Gulf Coast.

Gulf Coast attractions

Gulf Coast has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in Gulf Coast to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Gulf Coast.

Looking for things to do in Gulf Coast can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of Gulf Coast or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Gulf Coast attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!


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Top places to visit

1. Walt Disney World® Resort

Walt Disney World® Resort is the perfect place to stay in Orlando as a large number of the area’s star attractions are within easy driving distance. Two sights that should be at the top of every visitor’s itinerary is the wonderful Disney's Boardwalk and the ever-popular Disney's Osprey Ridge Golf Course. Two other great attractions you’ll find within a short distance of Walt Disney World® Resort are the Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and the Disney's Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.
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Magic Kingdom® Theme Park showing interior views and rides as well as a couple

2. Universal Studios Florida

Universal Studios Florida® has working film sets and it was also built specifically as a theme park. Its mission is to show you inside movie making through thrilling rides, interactive adventures and shows. You can even shop in a replica version of Kwik-E-Mart, the convenience store made famous by The Simpsons.
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Movie sets and thrill rides combine to create this internationally acclaimed theme park.

3. Universal Orlando Resort

A visit to Universal Orlando Resort offers a memorable vacation for all the family, with accommodation, entertainment and theme park thrills all in one place. You can choose a hotel from eight options that include standard rooms and a multitude of suites to accommodate every style, size and budget.
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Universal Studios Florida® showing rides, a city and street scenes

4. Magic Kingdom® Park

The first of the Florida-based theme parks, the Magic Kingdom® Theme Park is still central to most Orlando vacations. Six fantasy lands across 107 acres (43 hectares), morning-through-night entertainment and animatronic Disney characters all help to create an unforgettable experience for the entire family. Magic Kingdom® Theme Park was created from the vision of Walt Disney and opened in 1971.
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Magic Kingdom® Theme Park showing château or palace and rides as well as a family

5. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Busch Gardens is an African-themed adventure park featuring more than 2,000 exotic animals, roller coasters, thrill rides, shows and exhibits. The 335-acre (135-hectare) site is divided into eight themed areas. Each area has its own attractions, and animals living in natural-style habitats.
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Busch Gardens showing rides

6. Disney's Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

Visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park, where Disney magic meets Mother Nature. While watching elephants meandering across the Sahara and tigers stalking through the jungle, you will feel miles away from Orlando. This popular park in the Walt Disney World® Resort family delights visitors young and old.
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Anchored by the iconic Tree of Life® Attraction, Walt Disney World® Resort’s animal-themed park transports you from lush jungles to soaring mountains.

Popular places to visit

Explore areas of Gulf Coast

South Beach which includes landscape views, swimming and a sandy beach

South Beach

4.5/5(411 area reviews)

Sunbathe, shop, people-watch, or party with the stars at one of Miami’s most famous beach promenades, also regarded as the art deco capital of the world.

South Beach
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Rosemary Beach

Rosemary Beach is popular for its beaches, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Rosemary Beach or Alys Beach.

Rosemary Beach
French Quarter featuring a city, heritage architecture and street scenes

French Quarter

4.5/5(151 area reviews)

One of New Orleans’ oldest neighborhoods is popular for an ecclectic blend of romantic history, stunning architecture, jazz and black arts.

French Quarter
Seaside which includes a coastal town and general coastal views

Seaside

Sit at a seafood restaurant overlooking the white-sand beaches and speak with friendly locals in the lively farmers market.

Seaside
Downtown Austin showing street scenes and an administrative building

Downtown Austin

4.5/5(36 area reviews)

This happening area is the place to go for the top-quality entertainment, dining and shopping that has made Austin famous.

Downtown Austin
Discovery Green showing city views, modern architecture and a high-rise building

Downtown Houston

4/5(25 area reviews)

Tour the beautiful green spaces, buzzing theater district and professional sports arenas nestled beneath a dramatic cityscape of gleaming skyscrapers.

Downtown Houston