Florida

IT’S TIME FOR A FLORIDA VACATION Whatever it is you are imagining, you can make it real here. Explore the wide-open beauty of Florida.

The Sunshine State is best known for its beaches and theme parks. You shouldn’t forget the luxury hotels, widespread natural areas, international cuisine, and laid-back energy. Lots of destinations claim to have something for everyone, but Florida truly means it.

At over 65,000 square miles, Florida is a big state that contains several large metropolitan areas. There are four major airports, numerous regional airports, and plenty of highways crossing the entire state. This makes traveling to and through Florida easy and accessible. 

The Sunshine State

The southeasternmost state in the US, Florida borders both the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico with Georgia and Alabama lying to the north. Strung out along the Florida Straits is the idyllic coral cay archipelago of the Florida Keys which is located not too far from both The Bahamas and Cuba.

A very popular destination with retirees and snowbirds, the country’s third-most populous state has lots of fantastic cities to visit that boast a unique blend of cultures and communities. The metropolis of Miami for instance is an important center of Caribbean and Latin American culture, renowned not only for its incredible Art Deco architecture but its beaches and nightclubs too.

Although Tallahassee is the state capital, the most-visited city is Orlando as the ‘theme park capital of the world’ is home to Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld, with the Kennedy Space Center also lying nearby. Pensacola is also a popular draw for its stunning white sand beaches while Fort Lauderdale – the ‘Venice of America’ – attracts just as many visitors due to its brilliant beaches, canals and boating.

Aside from its enthralling cities, Florida also has the unique and enormous ecosystem of Everglades National Park to explore which is full of mangroves and wetlands home to alligators, manatees and panthers. Also well worth checking out are the gorgeous Florida Keys which are famous for their stupendous scenery, laidback lifestyle and magnificent watersports

Best of Florida

The larger cities and the prettiest beaches are the most popular destinations in Florida. Hotels, attractions, and restaurants are plentiful in these areas.

  • Miami – The perfect mix of tropical weather, luxury hotels, nightlife, and tasty restaurants
  • Orlando – Theme parks are the main draw to this family-friendly destination
  • Florida Keys – Find a piece of Caribbean paradise without leaving the United States
  • Panhandle Beaches – A spring break and family vacation destination that is a short drive or flight from the Southeast
  • Fort Lauderdale – Miami’s northern neighborhood offers gorgeous beaches and a relaxed atmosphere

Things to Do in Florida

Whether you want to parasail over the Gulf of Mexico, meet Mickey Mouse, or visit historical sites, Florida has something exciting for you to do. 

  • Snorkel in the Florida Keys – See the reefs, wrecks, and statues that are located along both sides of the Keys 
  • Walt Disney World – This is the most visited vacation resort in the world, does it need an introduction? 
  • Kennedy Space Center – Meet an astronaut, see a shuttle that has been to space, or watch a rocket launch
  • Visit the Beach – A majority of the coastline of Florida is sandy beaches and the great weather makes them a year-round attraction
  • Explore St. Augustine – Founded in 1565, this city has centuries of history for you to discover

Best Beaches

Every Floridian will tell you a different “best beach” because there are so many fantastic ones to choose from and we all have our favorites. 

  • Miami Beach – This is the beach to see and be seen, complete with beach clubs and luxury resorts
  • Jupiter Island – In addition to the long stretch of Atlantic sand, Blowing Rocks Beach offers unique limestone formations
  • Clearwater Beach – White, sugar sand and a warm Gulf breeze help make this beach one of the best in the country
  • Sanibel Island – Sanibel is a shell-lovers paradise, but there’s plenty of beachfront to sit and relax also 
  • Lido Key – As the less-touristy neighbor of popular Siesta Key, you can enjoy the same beautiful water without all the crowds

Best Road Trips

The major cities and attractions in Florida are all located a couple of hours away from one another, making a road trip the perfect way to see all the best things. 

  • Miami to Key West – The most beautiful road trip in Florida takes you over turquoise water as you cross the many bridges of the Overseas Highway
  • A1A – A1A runs along the east coast of Florida, giving you an endless number of beach towns to stop at 
  • Everglades – The southern part of the state has multiple small towns and plenty of swampland to explore
  • I-10 – This highway crosses the northern part of Florida, from Pensacola to Jacksonville

Best Theme Parks

For many families, this is the reason they visit Florida. Central Florida is home to all the major theme parks, but smaller attractions can be found throughout the state. 

  • Magic Kingdom – From Cinderella’s Castle to Mickey Mouse, this park is a classic 
  • Islands of Adventure – Universal’s thrill-ride park has attractions and themed lands for all ages
  • Hollywood Studios – With the addition of Star Wars and Toy Story areas, this park is more exciting than ever
  • Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – Roller coaster lovers and animal lovers can enjoy the best of both worlds at this park 
  • LEGOLAND – Kids and families find themselves immersed in the land of Legos