Florida, also known as the sunshine state, is by far one of the most visited travel destinations in the world, and all for the good reasons.
The state has everything to offer for everyone regardless of their ages. It is mostly known for its vast theme parks, white sand beaches, sunshine, natural sites and seafood.
In addition, shopping lovers can enjoy endless shopping in numerous stores across the state, while entertainment enthusiasts are spoilt for choice with an array of fun-filled nightlife spots.
Florida is full of great beaches and home to some of the best Beach Vacation Rentals in the country.
There are also a lot of cultural and historical sites that will take you back in history, not forgetting amazing events that take place throughout the year.
Here are 10 places that you should definitely visit the next time you are in Florida.
1. Visit Everglades Holiday Park
If you are in for a thrilling experience, then an airboat ride across the River of Grass in Everglades Holiday Park is what you need.
Not to worry about your safety, all boats are state-of-the-art, built to withstand all weather conditions. In addition, you get to have an animal encounter with different interesting creatures, including alligators, raccoons, skunks, tortoises and snakes, among others.
This park is located in Fort Lauderdale and promises fun and excitement for kids and adults alike.
After the guided airboat ride, you get to enjoy a live presentation of alligators by the famous Gator Boys Alligator Rescue Team. You can also pay for a customized show excursion for your group.
Fort Lauderdale is also one of the most laidback and open-minded places in the USA and it ranks among the top cites in the country for LGBT couples in the USA. Fort Lauderdale might actually be the most friendly LGBT place on the planet.
2. Visit Disney World
This is another place that promises adrenaline-charging experiences that will leave you yearning for more. Get to experience Soarin, and other epic rides in Epcot theme park that will awe your imagination.
You can also enjoy other thrill rides inside the Walt Disney World, including some horror experience at the Tower of Terror.
The water parks are to die for, especially on a hot day. If you are craving some water fun, the Typhoon Lagoon is a must stop for some surfing lessons. You then get a chance to ride some waves up to six feet high.
The fun doesn’t stop there, get to explore other resorts in Disney World, each promising a distinct kind of fun experience. In addition, accommodation in Disney is affordable.
3. Visit the Kennedy Space Center.
This spaceport is located just an hour from Orlando that gets you to experience life in space, so to speak.
For starters, get to have an encounter with an astronaut as they narrate how it is like to travel into space. In addition, visit the Hall of Fame to learn about space heroes and their lives.
Have a thrilling experience at the Heroes & Legends where dangers of the earliest space missions in America are showcased in a 4D multi-sensory theatre.
See the Space Shuttle Atlantis as well as the Saturn V Rocket on display at the centre to get an image of them flying into space.
The visit wouldn’t be complete without an experience of how it is like to launch into space through the Shuttle Launch Experience and astronaut training at the Astronaut Training Simulator.
4. Visit ClearWater
For some sand and sun, you can’t afford to miss a visit to this amazing destination filled with pristine sand and natural beauty.
You get to view amazing sceneries of lush landscaping and palm trees as you take a walk along the beach.
Experience the crystal clear waters that are home to some of the best marine life, including sharks, turtles, dolphins and stingrays, among others.
Florida and the southern part of the USA are home to many amazing places worth a visit.
You can experience all these creatures at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium that houses the famous bottlenose dolphin named Winter.
In addition, cruise around the blue waters on Captain Memo’s Pirate Cruise ship or the Clearwater Ferry.
5. Visit Lori Wilson Park
For a place to relax and play with your gang, this park located in Cocoa Beach is a must-visit. You will enjoy the latte-coloured sand, especially with your shoes off.
If you have been planning to learn how to surf, the waves tend to be consistent and slow, which makes it the perfect place to learn. Explore the tropical maritime hammock on a 1000-foot boardwalk trail.
For play, the park has a playground, sand volleyball court and a large grassy area. You can also make your own barbeque at the grills found at the park and bond around the picnic tables.
6. Visit the summer Museum of Art
This art museum is located just outside downtown Jacksonville, in Riverside. You will get to savour almost 5000 pieces of artwork from various artists. Let your kids make their own masterpieces of art at the Art Connections.
Here, smaller versions of the artwork at the main gallery are displayed, and kids are allowed to touch, feel and paint their own with virtual paintbrushes.
After you are done seeing the artworks, take a stroll through the English and Italian gardens that are a sight to behold. Get inspired by the Cummer oak tree that is the highlight of the gardens.
7. Visit the West Martello Tower
Get to learn the history of the Civil War at this gem located in Higgs Beach, Key West. Learn all about the fort at the Joe Allen Garden Center.
Enjoy the collection of exotic, tropical and native plants and trees including bromeliads and orchids at the garden. The highlights of the fort are the gun mounts, and the vaulted ceilings, the water lily pond and gazebos.
The garden overlooks the ocean; get to enjoy the breathtaking ocean view from a gazebo located at the top of the hill.
8. Ponce Inlet Lighthouse & Museum
This is a popular landmark in Daytona Beach. It is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and one of the tallest in the United States. You will learn about the history of the state, especially on motorcycle racing and automobiles.
Don’t miss the Climb to the Moon event where visitors get to climb, 175 feet, 203 steps to the top of the lighthouse for an up-close experience with the stars and the moon.
You get to enjoy a 360 degrees view of the Atlantic Ocean from up there. It is a monthly event that is a popular sell-out, so you have to plan for it.
9. St. Augustine Nights of Lights
If you want to experience Christmas lights like never before, then this award-winning event should definitely be in your Florida bucket list.
This is a historical event in St. Augustine that businesses take part in lighting all the buildings from the roof to entrances and up the trees, creating a magnificent view. Visit the Plaza de la Constitucion to get a view of the massive Christmas tree and get to take some photos.
10. Tallahassee House of Terror
Test your bravery at these haunted houses located in Tallahassee for a complete Halloween experience. It is a real scare with no hints of what scare will hit you next.
Every corner has a different intense scare including bugs, pitch-black rooms, snakes and strobe lights, among other terrifying things. That is why anyone below 13 years is required to have parental guidance. This is a month-long event in October, so you can look out for the tickets.
Surprising Facts For Traveling To Florida This Summer
Florida, best known as the Sunshine State, is located along America’s East Coast. It is arguably the most touristy state in the southeastern U.S. It is home to the city of Miami, which makes it the home to Miami’s famous art scenes and Latin-American cultural influences. The state is bordered by the Atlantic to the East and the Gulf of Mexico to the West, and that gives it hundreds of miles of beaches. Cities along the beaches are known for their amazing nightlife and entertainment culture. Orlando, a city in central Florida, is famed for dozens of theme parks, notably Walt Disney World and the Magic Kingdom.
All the facts mentioned above make Florida popular among tourists from across the world. But Florida is more than that. There are many facts about the state that many outsiders don’t know. This article focuses on 8 surprising facts for traveling to Florida this summer.
1. Outdoor facts
· There are over 9,200 miles of hiking and off-road biking trails in Florida.
· Paddling trails in Florida are in excess of 4000 miles.
· There are 175 state parks and a dozen national parks in Florida, one national scenic trail, and 37 state forests and 3 national forests.
· The largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, the Florida Everglades Park, is located at the southernmost tip of Florida. The park stretches for 1.5 million acres, consisting of mangrove forests, marshes, wetlands, and hardwood hammocks.· Florida is home to Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park. This is the only state park in the US that has been certified by the IDSA (International Dark-Sky Association).
· Florida is your status to go if you are a golfer. The state has over 1,200 golf courses, which makes perfect sense that the state hosts the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum.
2. The highest point in Florida
The whole state is basically on the beach. It is interesting that the highest point in Florida, Britton Hill is in the Florida Panhandle, is only 345 feet above sea level.
3. The furthest you can be from a beach is 60 miles
There is a gorgeous beach 60 miles or less from your location, no matter where you are in Florida. Basically what that means is that you are free to find the best place to stay for your getaway in Florida, for your budget, and still be less than 2 hours from the beach. All family vacation rentals in Florida, for example, are just a stone-throw away from the beach. They are affordable, comfortable, located in tranquil neighbourhoods, and they offer unbeatable privacy for family getaways.
4. The bioluminescent kayaking night tours
Bioluminescent kayaking tours will take you to the Indian River Lagoon at night where you will see the river’s famous bright blue-green glow. You can book a regular kayak or family rafts any time of the year.
5. Florida is home to America’s oldest city
St. Augustine is a small city in Northern Florida. It was founded by Spanish explorers over 450 years ago, making it the oldest city in the US. The city is unique for its European-established settlement.
6. Shark tooth hunting is a thing in Florida
Tourists and locals go for fossilized shark tooth hunting along the rock formations along Venice Beach. All kinds of sharks have lived in Florida’s beaches over the years, so you can find all kinds of shark teeth even from species that have been extinct for over ten million years.
7. You can swim with manatees
You can book manatee snorkel tours into the spring fed Crystal River or Blue Springs State Park at any time of the year. The weather in this region is most favourable for swimming with manatees from January through March, but you can bet on finding manatees in Florida any time of year.
8. An underwater laboratory
About 5 miles from Key Largo, the Aquarius Reef Base sits 62 feet below sea level. This is the only lab in the world that sits atop the ocean floor. The underwater laboratory is covered in algae, but it has been crucial to the study of its surrounding marine ecosystem.
Conclusion
Florida’s weather is warm throughout the year, and that makes it your perfect travel destination any time of year. The chilly weather of winter doesn’t last 3 weeks, so any time is summer in Florida. You already are familiar with the many attractions that the Sunshine State has to offer, so the 8 facts above should only be 8 more reasons to visit Florida. Make it happen this year!
Conclusion
Florida is a magical state that has everyone covered. In addition, accommodation and transportation are readily available. Plan your vacations early to ensure that everything goes smoothly so you can enjoy your stay. You will have the time of your life at the above places and the nearby sceneries.
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