Florida is one of the most appealing and popular travel destinations in the world with both US and international tourists. Everyone knows about the main attractions like Disney World in Florida but there are so many other reasons you should visit.
Some who visit Florida for the first time find nothing more than a man-made tropical paradise punctuated by strip malls and fast-food restaurants. But long before “The Mouse” made Orlando America’s favorite family destination, Florida was the place where the sun both rises and sets on an endless shore, a place where margaritas inspire music, a place where nature offers her unspoiled best.
Florida has its own distinct culture that inspires art, fashion, movies and TV shows. In Florida, inlets rush to meet the ocean and lighthouses stand guard over fishing boats and cruise ships.
Once upon a time, Florida was a place where pirates roamed; today, treasure hunters still prowl its coastline. Florida is home to the nation’s space program, the Everglades and rows upon rows of citrus trees. It’s also home to alligators, shore birds, and the friendliest people you will ever meet.
Florida’s distinctive character inspired my guide. I wanted to give you tips that are different, one that showed Florida from a unique perspective. You won’t see every place in Florida here, but the ones you see are worth a visit. And I’ll keep adding more, so please come back often to see what’s new.
In the meantime, please contact me if you think there’s someplace I should visit/add.
Weather and the Best Time to Visit Florida
Florida is a state which, unlike the UK, doesn’t have a specific ‘good month’ to visit. It does, however, have a wet season and a dry season.
November through to April is Florida’s dry season, or winter. The rest of the year is the wet season, or summer. The temperatures in summer are hot; the air is humid and sticky and can sometimes create the odd hurricane. This shouldn’t put you off though; the locals are used to it, and know exactly how to keep you safe.
Winter is probably more suitable for holidays. Temperatures are less humid, and you will feel more able to explore the area without getting too hot and tired.
Depending on your agenda while in Florida, you should pick the right season for it. Having an idea of what types of activities you want to take part in, before you go, will prove beneficial. Pre-bookers can sometimes get better prices when it comes to accommodation, beach and water sports.
Top Reasons to Visit Florida
When it comes to naming the home of the best theme parks in the world, the word on the majority of people’s lips is Florida. It has a plethora of parks, the wildest rides and the great weather to enjoy it all without fear of a washout. The Sunshine State has something for everybody whatever their tastes and it has been sending tourists home for years.
Are you the sort of person who enjoys peace and quiet? There are around 8,500 miles of coastline, with 663 miles of beaches to take in and relax by, or maybe even take a relaxing sunset stroll along. In the day you can pull up a sun lounger and watch the kids play while you soak up the warm American sunshine and get that perfect tan. Or are you an explorer?
Florida is rich in history, with places to visit and take in as and when you feel like it. Probably one of the more famous landmarks in Florida’s history is a more recent addition, Walt Disney World Florida. This keeps tourism in the state booming throughout the year. If you have kids or are just a child at heart, you’ll love a trip to Disneyworld. You can do this on day-long trip or longer as there is so much to see and do. Again, some package holidays contain parks in the price.
The more active among us should head to coastal resorts such as Miami, where you’ll be greeted with plenty to do both on and off the water. Miami remains a popular resort because of its sun, the sand and the activities.
Walking onto one of its beaches you can find parasailing, wakeboarding, sailing and diving at your fingertips. Many of these activities you will be able to get within the price of your hotel, and most tend to have their own staff to teach these sports. This is also available in other coastal resorts.
However, to experience the real Miami, or anywhere else in Florida, you want to find the local businesses and get to know what they can offer you. Usually this ends up cheaper.
Local spas can provide you with more relaxation while giving your skin a break from the sun. Plus, you can learn what it’s really like in such a destination from the people who live there. For those of you who enjoy nature and perfect views, head down to Biscayne Bay in Miami, or the Everglades National Park; you’ll witness breathtaking views with an array of colours and textures that will leave you stunned and gazing for ages. There are plenty of other parks and bays scattered all over Florida, so that wherever you decide to go for your holidays, you’re not far from similar beauty.
It should be said, however, that the parks in this state are more than just trees. Some feature underground caves, some contain historic forts and of course many boast some of the world’s most popular beaches. It doesn’t matter which destination in Florida you decide to visit, or what you plan to do while you are over there, you’re going to have the break of a lifetime.
If you are open to trying new things then you’re sure to find plenty to do. If, on the other hand, you just want to relax, you can do that as well. Just be sure to pack plenty of sun protection when you leave.
Destination Guides
These are some of the most popular places to visit in Florida.
• Amelia Island
• Cape Canaveral
• Clearwater
• Cocoa Beach
• Daytona Beach
• Destin
• Florida Keys
• Fort Lauderdale
• Fort Myers
• Fort Walton Beach
• Jacksonville
• Jupiter
• Key West
• Miami
• New Smyrna Beach
• Orlando
• Palm Beach
• Panama City Beach
• Pensacola
• Sarasota
• St. Augustine
• St. Petersburg
• Tampa
Disney and Theme Parks
Classic cartoon fans, movie aficionados and less mainstream theme park desires are all catered for in Florida.
Walt Disney World is the benchmark for grand attractions, and for most the love of the brand can be traced back to childhood. For fans of classic cartoon characters like Mickey and Goofy, Walt Disney World is the place to visit.
It is even home to Cinderella’s castle! Magic Kingdom captures the essence of Disney with its recreation of childhood worlds, which is why people keep buying Disney Florida tickets. It remains popular with both young and old, even if the old aren’t quite ready to admit it so freely.
Universal Studios Resort has a whole other connection to our inner child. Hands up who ever wished they could take off from the ground on their BMX with an extra terrestrial in their front basket. Perhaps it wasn’t every child’s dream, but the familiar movie rides and recreations make Universal tickets a must-purchase – whether you loved E.T. or not. With The Simpsons Ride, Despicable Me Minion Mayhem, Shrek and Terminator 2 3D, there is a veritable banquet of movie-inspired fun to be had.
However, if you prefer your theme parks to be magical in a much more literal manner, then look no further than the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, part of Universal Studios. Ride rollercoasters like Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff and watch on as the Triwizard Spirit Rally unfolds in front of you.
There isn’t much doubt that can be cast on Florida’s claim to be the earth’s theme park paradise. Catering for fans of Walt Disney, Harry Potter and any number of movie characters, it even has its own Christian-themed park. Holy Land features exhibits and attractions, proving that Florida really does offer a theme park for everyone.
National Parks & Outdoors
While Florida – and Orlando in particular – is famous for its world-class theme parks, it would be a mistake to assume this is all that the state has to offer. If you’re planning to spend part of a gap year here, consider hiring a car to discover some of its other attractions.
Among the best places to visit to get a balance of urban life and natural sights are the national parks, of which Florida has several. We’re going to concentrate on three of its best ones to give you an idea of what you’ll find if you rent a motor and do a bit of exploring. While we’re on the subject of hiring a car, make sure you check out the deals available from companies like Auto Europe, so you don’t end up spending too much of your gap year money on transport.
Everglades National Park
We’ll begin with the best known of Florida’s national parks – the Everglades. Spanning close to 1.5 million acres, it’s a huge wetland area and is home to some fascinating flora and fauna. What’s particularly great about it is the range of ways in which you can get about in the park.
Hiking and cycling are two of your options, but for something a little different, take an air-boat ride. There’s only one part of the park where these crafts are permitted (in the north), so book a tour and see how much wildlife you can spot as you cruise around. A more sedate way to travel – and a great option if you want to get close to some of the reserve’s animals – is by canoe.
There are several recommended canoe trails, giving you the chance to look out for the likes of crocodiles, flamingos, frogs, hummingbirds and sandpipers, to name just a few of the creatures that inhabit the region.
Ocala National Forest
If you want to visit the Ocala National Forest shortly after collecting your hire car from Orlando airport, you’ll need to travel north of the city to the reserve. It is considerably smaller than the Everglades (at 383,000 acres) and was established to protect the largest contiguous sand pine scrub forest in the world.
As well as the forest, the reserve is also home to around 600 lakes, in addition to numerous rivers and springs, making it a wonderful place to get out and about. Hiking is one of the easiest ways to get around in the park, but horse riding is another option if you want to cover more ground.
At the lakes and springs you can hop in a canoe or even go snorkelling as the waters here are so clear. It’s a great place for wildlife watching, too, with black bears, scrub jays, Sherman’s fox squirrels and Florida sand skinks among the animals that live here.
Big Cypress National Preserve
My final suggestion if you want to discover the great outdoors in Florida is to head to the Big Cypress National Preserve, another area of swampland that’s next to the Everglades. This protected area covers 729,000 acres and, as with the Everglades, you can explore on foot, by canoe or in a boat.
However, because this is a preserve, not a national park, it’s also possible to go on off-road excursions in vehicles such as swamp buggies or airboats. You need a permit to drive one, so it’s best to book a tour with a licensed operator if this is something you’re interested in.