If you’re looking for a place to have a relaxing holiday, one that will make you forget all the worries in life, then you need to visit Okeechobee in Florida. It is a city in the county with the same name and offers you a glimpse into old-fashioned Florida. With all the natural wonders and the laidback atmosphere, this is the holiday you so much needed! Okeechobee is near Okeechobee Lake, which is Florida’s inland sea, where lots of activities are offered, like cycling, hiking, fishing, boating, and more. As for accommodation, you can either book a room at a hotel, live in a trailer, rent a vacation rental, or just camp out in the wild. In case you’re wondering about the adventure that awaits you, read on, and discover our list of the fun things to do in Okeechobee, Florida.
1. Learn how to fish at Lake Okeechobee (from USD 326.0)
One of the most fulfilling things to do in Lake Okeechobee is learning how to fish and actually catching one. All this will be possible if you avail of the fishing tour offered by Viator. The activity will take about four hours, and you can choose between a morning and an afternoon schedule, depending on your preference. Here, you’ll be fishing at the best fishing spots in the lake, where locals usually go, and it is also where you can reel in big fishes. In case you’re a beginner, no need to worry, for the experienced captain will teach you everything there is to know about fishing, especially how to cast.
Lake Okeechobee Fishing Trips Near Fort Pierce Florida
Duration: 4 to 12 hours
2. Bike along Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
Whether you’re an experienced biker or not, you’ll love biking leisurely down the Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail. It is a long trail with a distance of 109 miles ( 175.42 km) that loops around Lake Okeechobee. Make sure to view the gorgeous sunset or sunrise across the waters and the marshes, when you visit. It also has the most spectacular view when you climb atop the Herbert Hoover Dike. Strolling along this picturesque trail should be on your list of what to do in Okeechobee.
Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail
Address: Lake Okeechobee Scenic Trail, Okeechobee, FL 34974, USA
3. Camp out at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
If you’re looking for a place to enjoy a feeling of peace and be away from the pollution and busy streets of a big city, then you have to camp out at Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. You will experience nature at its finest. It is expansive grassland with much wildlife. It is also kid friendly so better bring the whole family with you. Just a fair warning, bring everything with you when you camp because you won’t find a any convenience store here.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Address: 33104 NW 192nd Ave, Okeechobee, FL 34972, USA
Website: Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
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4. Enjoy a sunset stroll in Lake Okeechobee Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Located on the shores of the Lake Okeechobee Park, this park with the same name is ideal for a romantic stroll date with your special someone. Make sure to bring her/him before sunset so you can watch the sunset as you stroll around this scenic park. Also, there are other activities you can do here like boating, fishing, cycling, or having a picnic with the family. This attraction is one of the best places to see in Lake Okeechobee, so make sure you don’t miss out!
Lake Okeechobee Park
Address: Okeechobee, FL 34974, USA
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
5. Commemorate Florida's history at Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
If you’re into history and at the same time want to bond with the family, then you should not miss going to the Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park. Every year, during the month of February, a reenactment of the Battle of Okeechobee is performed here to honor the soldiers who fought on Christmas day in 1837. But apart from the history, this place also has amenities for a picnic, which will come in handy if you bring the whole family with you. They have picnic pavilions, restrooms, parking, and more, thus making one’s trip very convenient.
Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park
Address: 3500 SE 38th Ave, Okeechobee, FL 34974, USA
Website: Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park
Opening hours: 24/7
6. Visit the Arnold's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
A nonprofit organization that thrives on donations from willing people, Arnold’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center aims to rehabilitate, take care, and later on free animals into their natural habitats. Here, you’ll see over 1000 in-and-out animals annually plus 300 animals that are already a resident at the Center. The top priority of this zoo is to take care of the animal’s well-being until they are ready to be set free in the wild and for those who can no longer live in their natural habitat, they are taken care of here.
Arnold's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Address: 14895 NW 30th Terrace, Okeechobee, FL 34972, USA
Website: Arnold’s Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
Opening hours: 9am - 4pm (daily)
Price: 10 USD
7. Test your skills at the Time to Escape rooms
Editor’s note: Establishment is Permanently closed.
Are you looking for an adrenaline-rush kind of activity in Okeechobee? If so, get your friends to come with you and visit the Time To Escape. Choose a themed room that you will need to escape within an hour. In order to escape, you need to solve some mysteries and puzzles throughout the 60 minutes’ allotted time. This activity will test your wit and your teamwork, so show them what you’ve got.
Time to Escape
Address: 2825 SW 3rd Terrace, Okeechobee FL, 34974
Website: Time to Escape
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 6pm - 8pm; Sat: 12pm - 9pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: 34.99 USD
8. Walk among gators at Taylor Creek Stormwater Treatment Area
Nestled in Okeechobee County, with an area of 170 acres (68.80 hectares), Taylor Creek Stormwater Treatment Area is a place where you’ll see many of Florida’s wildlife. You’ll be literally walking among the gators when you visit. Also, this area is perfect for picnics, hiking, jogging, biking, and many other nature activities. Bring your children along for them to witness the ecosystem present in Okeechobee.
Taylor Creek Stormwater Treatment Area
Address: Okeechobee, FL 34972, USA
Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)
9. Enjoy a seafood buffet at Lightsey Fish Co & Seafood
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
All you can eat SUNDAY BUFFET all day!!
Posted by Lightsey's Seafood Restaurant on Sunday, July 11, 2021
After a day of walking in the park and visiting tourist attractions, you’ll be starving for sure. You will definitely need to replenish that energy for the next activity. Why not dine in the Lightsey Fish Co & Seafood? It is a seafood spot with a cozy ambiance and cute fish decors throughout the place. It has a main dining area with many seating options as well as an outdoor seating arrangement. As for their menu, they serve Southern food, an all-you-can-eat buffet, as well as a kid’s meal. This restaurant is family-friendly and will surely be enjoyed by each member.
Lightsey Fish Co & Seafood
Address: 1506 S Parrott Ave, Okeechobee, FL 34974, USA
Website: Lightsey Fish Co & Seafood
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 10pm
10. Indulge your sweet tooth at Brown Cow Sweetery
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Come on by before 6:00 for your Carrot Berries (while they last)!
Posted by Brown Cow Sweetery on Saturday, April 3, 2021
After a hearty meal, head down to the local’s favorite dessert shop, Brown Cow Sweetery and satiate your sweet tooth cravings. This cafe offers pastries, custom-made sandwiches, soups, as well as coffees and ice creams. Many people go here for the ice cream, so make sure to order one of their bestsellers, the chocolate-flavored ice cream!
Brown Cow Sweetery
Address: 103 SW Park St, Okeechobee, FL 34972, USAaddress
Website: Brown Cow Sweetery
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 7pm; Sat: 8am - 8pm (closed on Sun)
11. Admire Mission Revival architecture at Freedman-Raulerson House
If you’re into architecture as well as history, you need to visit the Freedman-Raulerson House and admire its grandeur. It is a two-store house with eight bedrooms and was built in the year 1923. It was owned by Abraham and Maud Freedman and was later on added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Moreover, this beautiful house features Mission-Revival architecture, which is rare nowadays.
Freedman-Raulerson House
Address: 600 S Parrott Ave., Okeechobee, Florida 34974
Website: Freedman-Raulerson House
12. Hunt for sparkling treasures at Fort Drum Crystal Mine
If you want to try a different kind of activity, one that is a far cry from walking tours, then you have to visit Fort Drum Crystal Mine and search for your very own gem. From afar, it will look like a pile of rocks in a grassy field, but when you come closer you’ll find it glistening, which is a promise of good things! Apart from mining calcite crystals and the like, this place is also a full-service campsite, where you can swim and fish.
Fort Drum Crystal Mine
Address: 28320 NE 55th Ave, Okeechobee, FL 34972, USA
Website: Fort Drum Crystal Mine
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 60 USD
13. Browse through assorted stalls at Big O Flea Market
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Posted by The Big O Flea Market on Sunday, April 25, 2021
If you’re looking for fresh produce, souvenirs, and bargained items, then you can never go wrong with the Big O Flea Market. This market is the biggest in Florida and has almost everything that you need from quality fruits, vegetables, spices to home items, and unique things you can only find in Florida. Make sure to visit this market before heading home.
Big O Flea Market
Address: 3600 US-441, Okeechobee, FL 34974, USA
Facebook: Big O Flea Market
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 8am - 3pm
14. Get some high-stakes entertainment at Seminole Brighton Casino
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Do you feel lucky today? Why not try your luck and win some big amount at the Seminole Brighton Casino. This casino has a high-energy vibe and offers many gambling activities like slot machines, poker, and bingo. It also has an on-site 24- hour American restaurant, in case you get hungry from all that gamblng.
Seminole Brighton Casino
Address: 17735 Reservation Rd, Okeechobee, FL 34974, USA
Website: Seminole Brighton Casino
Opening hours: 24/7
15. Party like the locals at Stampede Nightclub
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
It's Saturday night. You just ordered a cold beer. DJ's taking song requests.. what song do you put in for?
Posted by Stampede Night Club on Tuesday, June 8, 2021
If you’re not into casinos and looking for some millennial night scene, don’t worry, for Okeechobee has the Stampede Nightclub. It is the largest night club in the Tri-County area and offers the latest music as well as the top forty hits. The dance floor is so big that you will love line-dancing the moment the DJ plays the beats. Apart from the music and the venue, the club also offers a wide range of exquisite drinks and bar grubs, which will make your night more fun.
Stampede Nightclub
Address: 3751 NE 4th Trail, Okeechobee, FL 34974, USA
Website: Stampede Nightclub
Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 8pm - 2am
16. Pose with giant butterfly sculptures at Flagler Park
Flagler Park is an interesting military memorial where you’ll see lots of military equipment up close. You’ll also find here a memorial to honor the fallen and you can pay your respects for they have sacrificed their lives for the country. Moreover, this park is also beautiful with lots of butterfly sculptures that will surely look good in the pictures. So make a lot of memories by taking many photos in the park.
Flagler Park
Address: 201 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994, USA
Website: Flagler Park
Opening hours: 6am - 12am (daily)
Hello Okeechobee
Have a stress-free holiday in the laidback city of Okeechobee and don’t forget to take lots of photos to be shared back home. Make sure to check out our list of the best things to do while you’re in Okeechobee, Florida.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Okeechobee
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