The famous Sunshine State, a place of retirement, but also a place of youth. Florida is hot for about three-fourths of the calendar year, making it the perfect place to go to escape the winter chill or to spend the rest of your life tanning and sipping on margaritas. Whatever your pleasure is, Florida is likely to have it, whether that is outdoor fun, rich historic locales, shopping, fine dining, or partying until the sun comes up. Here are just ten places you need to visit in Florida.
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1: Orlando
If you haven’t been to Orlando, then you’re missing what it’s like to be surrounded by magic and adventure around every corner. From Disney World itself, to the high-octane rides of Universal Studios, and the wet and wild adventures of Sea World, this is where fun happens for all ages. Orlando is also a pretty decent place to live, even if you’re not a huge amusement park fan. The city receives a lot of big-name artists every year and has the country’s second-ranked University for college enrollment at UCF.
If you want to explore the vibrant cultures of Latin America without actually traveling to one of the region’s countries, Miami is the pinnacles of latino communities in America. Miami is the city of sugar, spice, and everything nice. If anything, you will never grow bored here in Miami, with miles of beaches, stunning hotels, and more latin dishes to try than there is time in one’s life, this city should go on everyone’s bucket list.
Tampa is the best place to go in Florida to be introduced to the Gulf. This is a city that is not too busy and has a lot of great natural attractions. Busch Gardens and Adventure Island are two popular attractions, for example. The historic town of Ybor City is a great place to go to take a peek at Tampa’s historic Cuban community, where you can watch cigars being rolled by hand and eat authentic Spanish cuisines, like the famous Colombian Restaurant that has the original decorative tile mural on the outside of its walls.
The most famous and farthest island to the south of Florida, Key West offers a breath-taking view of the chain of islands that make up the Florida Keys. The drive to this stunning city is an event in of itself. You’ll cross a series of bridges that will have you marveling at the engineering that went into making this vacation resort into a reality. Don’t forget to visit all the many attractions along the way, like the botanical gardens, theaters, and museums in between all the sun bathing, snorkeling, and sandcastle building.
This city is famous for its iconic canals that resemble that of those in the famous city of Venice, Italy. You can head to Fort Lauderdale before you reach Miami, as it is a common hub used to reach Miami, both on land and by sea. This is an absolute tourist treat, with a very accessible infrastructure, despite the whole canal setup. You’ll find plenty of great restaurants, cafes, museums, and performing arts centers. An ideal destination for adults and couples.
You can get to Sanibel Island via Fort Myers. This tranquil little escape is like a private commune surrounded by lush wildlife and plenty of white sandy beaches. You’ll find that this is a great place to go on vacation with the family because of how safe and exploratory the whole island is, it encourages those who visit to forge their own path, toss out your clocks, and do whatever you want to do while you enjoy your stay.
Before leaving for Sanibel Island, take a look around at this popular beach town. Similar to what you would find up north in places like Myrtle Beach or Daytona, Fort Myers is all about the boardwalk treats, fresh seafood, surf, sun, and fun. The beaches are often less crowded, when compared to other big name Florida destinations, so take advantage of it while you’re down in Fort Myers.
It might not be at the tips of everyone’s tongues when naming off cities in the country that are known for luxury and wealth, but Naples has grown into one of the hottest real estate ventures for the rich and famous, with the average house going for over $50 million. Naples is a nod to the same city in Italy, because of its amazing waters, clean beaches, and colorful wildlife. You have plenty of natural attractions to choose from here, like the Everglades and Florida National Wildlife Reserve, it’s no wonder this is such a popular place to call home in Florida.
The oldest city in Florida, and, arguably the entire country. Spanish Colonialists left their mark after being under the rule of King Phillip II. You’ll find old buildings lining the streets with plenty of stories and historic relevance behind them. It’s almost a requirement to have tour guide read you the history behind each one, while also providing guidance to the nearby museums and attractions, such as the Castillo and Fort Matanzas.
This one-of-a-kind national park is part swamp, prairie, and mangrove system, living in perfect harmony. This is a staple for class field trips among Florida schools in the region, as kids and adults take a trip on the famous air boats that glide past the diverse population of wildlife and famous mangrove trees jutting above the murky waters.
