It’s no secret that Florida is one of the top vacation destinations in the world, thanks to the year-round warm climate, family-friendly activities, and welcoming locals. However, how do you narrow your Sunshine State vacation to just one place?
Florida is packed with things to do, so it all depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re a theme park lover, visit Orlando. And for those who want all the relaxation of a beach getaway, there are plenty of those to choose from. But, beaches and thrill rides aren’t the only strings to Florida’s bow.
Florida Vacations For Nature Lovers
The Everglades National Park, which spans 1.5 million acres of southern Florida, is one of the biggest national parks in the U.S. Home to a unique eco-system not found anywhere else on the planet, there is indigenous flora and fauna to be seen all over the park, and it is a haven for wildlife spotting year-round.
If you’re a keen twitcher, bring your binoculars as there are over 350 different species of bird in the Everglades, such as the great blue heron, snowy egret, osprey and the roseate spoonbill. Typically, the drier winter season is the best for spotting wading birds feeding in the shallows and on mud flats, as the tides are lower during this time of the year. Don’t forget to look out for the alligators and crocodiles basking in the sun — just don’t get too close!
Florida Vacations For Thrill Seekers
If there’s one thing Florida has in abundance, it’s thrills. Florida is the theme park capital of the world, playing host to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, Legoland, and several water parks in the Orlando area.
The great thing about the theme parks here is that even if being shot up in the air upside down at 60 mph isn’t for you, there are plenty of other things to do in the parks including shops, spectacular shows, characters to meet, gentler rides to enjoy, immersive experiences, and so much more.
Florida Vacations For The Beachy Keen
Florida has more than 1,800 miles of coastline, more than any other state in the U.S, so you will never be short of a stretch of sand to unfurl your towel on and relax. If you’re looking for your beach to come with a bit of something extra, then Daytona Beach should be top of your list.
Daytona Beach Boardwalk and Pier fringes the beach, and is packed with things to do for when you’ve had your fill of sand in your toes. You’ll find shops, restaurants, bars, arcades, rides, and lots of entertainment for the whole family, so there’s plenty to keep everyone occupied well into the evening.
Daytona is also home to NASCAR and the Daytona International Speedway, where you can watch a race, tour the Speedway, visit the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America, and soak up the exciting atmosphere among the racing fans. It’s brilliant fun for the whole family.
Florida Vacations For Keeping It Calm
The Florida Keys is a 113-mile stretch of islands which you can explore at your leisure and makes for an epic road trip with some stunning scenery. The Seven Mile Bridge (pictured above) connects Knight's Key in the Middle Keys to Little Duck Key in the Lower Keys and from experience, this is a drive you won’t want to miss.
Each Key has something different to offer. Key Largo, the northernmost island, is all about the underwater world, being home to the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park — the first underwater park in the U.S.
Right at the bottom of the chain of islands is Key West, which is a gorgeous place to wander around with its Colonial-style homes, tree-lined streets, and friendly locals. Literature lovers must visit Ernest Hemingway’s house to see where he penned his masterpieces.
If you really want to tick something off the travel bucket list, head down to the Southernmost Point in the Continental United States and have your picture taken next to the famous buoy. Then, reward yourself with a slice of the delicious key lime pie from the Key West Key Lime Pie Company afterwards.
