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Florida

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Florida is one of the most beloved vacation spots for people year after year because it has so much to offer! The Sunshine State, as its lovingly known, is able to provide the perfect setting for college kids looking to get away for Spring Break, families who are planning Christmas or summer vacations, couples that are planning a romantic getaway, and the older community, who are seeking a place that will be comfortable in temperature, big enough to provide everything they need, and a bustling atmosphere that will bring everything right to their door! Once thought of as a place for only the wealthy to visit to escape the cold, harsh temperatures of other areas of the world, more and more people are beginning to find out not only everything Florida has to offer but how affordable it is for everyone to do!

Areas

Florida can be divided into four distinct areas. The Florida Panhandle is often the area of the state that people most often associate with Florida and it encompasses the State Capital, Tallahassee, as well as Panama City Beach, Pensacola, and Destin. North Florida is largely a college and university area and includes cities such as Jacksonville, Gainesville, and St. Augustine.

Central Florida and South Florida are the two areas that are most often visited by tourists. Central Florida has many amusement parks and other popular destinations such as Kennedy Space Center, Walt Disney World, and Universal Studios Florida. South Florida is popular not only for the beautiful Florida Keys but also for the beautiful beaches of Miami.

Weather

Most people know Florida for its hot and humid temperatures. This is one reason why the entire state became such a hot spot for retirees. The summers can be extremely hot, with temperatures reaching approximately 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Florida does have a rainy season, due to its close proximity to the water but many enjoy this fantastic relief from the heat. The rain combined with the humidity can also provide some spectacular thunder and lightning shows and although you may miss this during your visit, be sure to pack for at least two days of rain during your stay as it rains often. The summer months can also be dangerous times to visit as this is during their hurricane season that lasts from June to November. The winter months for the entire state usually average approximately 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Getting There

By plane

Many visitors choose to travel to Florida by way of airplane simply because it is so easy and convenient. Most of the major cities within Florida have an airport serving either domestic or international flights. Some of the cities include Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Daytona, and Sarasota, to name just a few. Connecting from one airport to another is also very easy and is a great way to tour the state during your stay!

By train

There are three different ways that you can travel to Florida by train. The first is suitable for those travelling from the Washington, D.C. area and can be done using the Amtrak Auto Train. This line not only carries the passenger but also allows them to bring their car, which can be convenient for some. Amtrak also has two other routes that travel from New York to Miami. Both routes take slightly different paths once in Florida but the trains each stop in the major cities.

By car

Driving is an inexpensive way to get to Florida and those who wish can access Florida through three different major highways. From the northeast, take the I-95; from the Midwest, take the I-75; and from the west take the I-10. The U.S. Highway 1 also runs right through Florida and provides quick transportation for getting to the eastern coast.

Getting Around

By car

While staying within one city, renting a car is a great way to get quickly to all of the attractions. Rental car agencies are available throughout the state and service desks can be found at any major airport. Driving is fairly easy but can get hectic when in the downtown areas. Taxis can also be found just about anywhere within the state and are always available to take you where you want to go. Every airport has a taxi area outside that will take you to the city's center within minutes.

By bus

Just about anywhere you are in Florida there will be a public bus transportation system available. Major cities will have opportunities for you to either stay within the city using a city bus or to use a bus line such as Greyhound to get to one city from another. Schedules and times are generally specified at the stations but bus stops will also sometimes have this information. Annett Bus Tours is also a bus line within the state that offers tours of the entire state.

Food & Dining

What you will be eating on your trip to Florida will largely depend on where you are eating it. While the northern part of the state is known mostly for its southern food, the lower part of the state has a more Caribbean feel to its menus. Of course citrus fruit is a huge export of Florida and you'll notice a taste of orange, papaya, mango, passion fruit, and coconut in many sauces and marinades as you travel through many of the fine restaurants. However, these homegrown fruits are also widely available at fruit stands and street vendors that you will see in Florida. Being so close to the ocean, much of the food here also consists of only the freshest saltwater fish and seafood. Alligator is a dish true to Florida that you must try while here. It is usually prepared as chicken would be and has been said to taste just like it as well!

Beaches

Daytona Beach (Sand beach) Location: Orlando This is perhaps one of the most famous beaches in the world! Although one may imagine miles of endless sand when thinking of Daytona Beach, the sand is a very narrow strip. Packed onto this are t-shirt vendors, food carts, bars, restaurants, and an atmosphere that is much like a carnival. The sand is fine and white and the water is just fine as it crashes against the shore. Many people enjoy watching the tide retreat when you can see the sandbar and gauge just how far out the tide goes!

Cocoa Beach (Sand beach) Location: Approximately one hour south of Daytona Beach If you're not coming for the beach, come for the town that revolves around the beach! It's all about a laid-back attitude here as people walk around with their surfboards over their heads and beach bags draped over there shoulders. Everyone, including the locals, want to constantly experience Cocoa Beach for its beautiful sands and crashing surf that will refresh and rejuvenate you! Walk along the pier and get rewarded at the very end with a tiki bar or wait until after dark when partying becomes a big part of this beach's scene.

Clearwater Beach (Sand beach) Location: West Central Florida This beach is a favorite among young people not only due to the numerous activities that are available at this beach but also because it also has one of the best nightlife scenes in all of Florida! During the day, these tourists spend time on fishing boats, watching dolphins, spending money in the fine shops, and dining in the wonderful restaurants and then at night, they let down their hair and kick up their heels! Because this is such a popular spot for so many people, it often does become crowded and parking is often a problem.

Turtle Beach (Sand beach) Location: Siesta Key This beach is narrower and the sand is a little bit rougher than what you will find at Siesta Key Public Beach but what you will find in exchange is that you will also receive much fewer crowds. Even on a Saturday afternoon, there is still plenty of room to run around and collect seashells on the seashore! The water is very beautiful and even more refreshing but people coming with children should be warned that this water gets very deep very quickly.

Sights & Activities

Orlando

Of course this is one of the first cities to come to mind when anyone mentions visiting Florida. This is in large part due to the fact that this is where Walt Disney World is located as well as Typhoon Lagoon, Epcot Center, SkyVenture Orlando, and many, many more attractions! Although this was once known as a prime vacation spot for families, it's becoming more popular among the young adult crowd and is a very popular choice for destination weddings.

St. Augustine

For those that are looking to escape the major tourist attractions but still want entertainment and plenty of things to do, historic St. Augustine is the perfect place. Here there are many museums, forts, tours, golfing opportunities, beaches, historic churches, and so much more! The calm atmosphere and the relaxing nature of this town have made this one of the most popular choices for seniors who wish to retire to Florida.

Daytona

Although many people come for the Daytona International Speedway, the location of the Daytona 500, they stay for the charm of the museums, tours, shopping experiences, and beaches. Of course, the home of the "Great American Race" is a huge part of this city and so, you will be able to immerse yourself in it just about anywhere you go in Daytona! If you want to take things from the racetrack to the water, you can enjoy a lovely morning or evening stroll along the boardwalk of famous Daytona Beach. Play some games and mingle with the vendors as you watch out across the water at all the different water sports available.

Pensacola

It is here that you can truly revisit America's history. This is a part of Florida with a strong military backbone and so some attractions you will find include the National Naval Aviation Museum, the Pensacola Naval Air Station, Historic Pensacola Village, Fort Barrancas, and Veterans Memorial Park.

Destinations

Miami Beach Miami Beach is one of the hottest hot spots to travel to in Florida. Both literally and figuratively, this city in the Sunshine State is both a place of hot temperatures and a thriving entertainment lifestyle! What is now known as a place to lie out on the beach, dance until dawn, and check out all ...