bigtravelbuzzFlorida is a southeastern state in the United States, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The state is known for its warm climate, beautiful beaches, theme parks, and natural attractions.
Here are some of the top things to see and do in Florida:
Walt Disney World: This world-renowned theme park is located in Orlando and is a must-visit for families and Disney fans. The park features several themed areas, including Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Animal Kingdom.
South Beach: Located in Miami, South Beach is a popular destination for its stunning beaches, Art Deco architecture, and vibrant nightlife.
Everglades National Park: This unique national park is located in southern Florida and is home to a variety of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and panthers. Visitors can explore the park’s swamps, marshes, and wetlands by boat, kayak, or hiking trails.
Kennedy Space Center: Located on the east coast of Florida, the Kennedy Space Center is the launch site for NASA’s space exploration missions. Visitors can tour the center and learn about the history of space exploration.
Key West: This picturesque island is located at the southernmost point in the continental United States and is known for its colorful architecture, historic landmarks, and laid-back atmosphere.
Universal Studios Florida: This theme park is located in Orlando and is a popular destination for its thrilling rides and attractions, including the Wizarding World of Harry Potter.
St. Augustine: Known as the oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine is located on Florida’s northeast coast and is rich in history and culture. Visitors can explore the city’s historic landmarks, museums, and art galleries.
Places to Visit in Florida
Florida is a popular tourist destination with plenty of attractions and things to do. Here are some of the best places to visit in Florida:
Walt Disney World: This world-renowned theme park is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Florida.
Miami Beach: A beautiful beach destination with plenty of entertainment options, including shopping, dining, and nightlife.
Key West: A tropical paradise with stunning beaches, historic architecture, and a laid-back atmosphere.
Universal Studios: This theme park offers thrilling rides and attractions based on popular movies and TV shows.
Everglades National Park: This unique ecosystem is home to a variety of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, and panthers.
St. Augustine: The oldest city in the United States, St. Augustine is a charming destination with historic landmarks, museums, and galleries.
Kennedy Space Center: This iconic attraction features exhibits and displays about NASA’s space programs and launches.
Clearwater Beach: Another popular beach destination with crystal-clear waters and soft sand.
Tampa Bay: This area is known for its museums, aquariums, and water sports.
Sarasota: A cultural hub with museums, art galleries, and theaters, as well as beautiful beaches and parks.
Best Time To Visit Florida
The best time to visit Florida depends on your travel preferences and what activities you want to do during your visit. Here are some things to consider when deciding on the best time to visit Florida:
Weather: Florida is known for its warm, sunny weather. However, the state also experiences hurricanes and heavy rainfall during certain times of the year. The best time to visit Florida for good weather is from November to April when temperatures are cooler and there is less chance of rain.
Crowds: Florida is a popular tourist destination, and crowds can be especially heavy during school holidays and major events like Spring Break and the winter holidays. To avoid crowds, it’s best to visit Florida in the off-season, typically from May to October.
Activities: The best time to visit Florida also depends on what activities you want to do. For example, if you plan to visit the theme parks, it’s best to avoid peak season and visit during the weekdays instead of weekends. If you want to go to the beach, the summer months offer the warmest water temperatures.
Overall, the best time to visit Florida is during the shoulder season, between April and May or October and November, when the weather is pleasant, crowds are smaller, and prices are lower.
How to get around in Florida
Florida is a large state with several cities and attractions, and getting around depends on where you are going and what mode of transportation you prefer. Here are some options for getting around in Florida:
Car rental: Renting a car is the most popular and convenient way to get around Florida, especially if you plan to travel to different cities or attractions. There are several rental car companies at major airports and cities in Florida.
Public transportation: Many cities in Florida have public transportation systems, such as buses, trolleys, and trains. These are affordable options for getting around, but they may not be as convenient as renting a car.
Ridesharing: Uber and Lyft are available in most cities in Florida and can be a convenient option for getting around if you don’t want to rent a car or use public transportation.
Biking and walking: Some cities in Florida, such as Miami Beach and Key West, are pedestrian and bike-friendly. Renting a bike or walking can be a great way to explore these areas and get some exercise at the same time.
Taxis: Taxis are available in most cities in Florida, but they can be expensive compared to other options.
Ferries and water taxis: In some coastal areas, such as Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, you can take ferries or water taxis to get around and explore the waterways.
Overall, renting a car is the most convenient way to get around Florida, but there are plenty of other options depending on where you are going and what you want to do.
Where to eat in Florida
Florida is known for its diverse culinary scene, with many delicious and unique dining options available. Here are some places to eat in Florida that you shouldn’t miss:
Joe’s Stone Crab (Miami Beach): This iconic seafood restaurant has been serving up fresh stone crab since 1913 and is a must-visit for seafood lovers.
The Columbia Restaurant (Tampa): This historic restaurant has been serving Spanish and Cuban cuisine since 1905 and is famous for its paella and sangria.
Bern’s Steak House (Tampa): This legendary steakhouse has been serving up premium steaks and fine wines since 1956 and is a favorite among foodies.
La Sandwicherie (Miami Beach): This casual sandwich shop serves up delicious French-style sandwiches and salads, perfect for a quick and affordable lunch.
Versailles Restaurant (Miami): This Cuban restaurant has been a Miami institution since 1971 and is famous for its classic Cuban dishes like ropa vieja and Cuban sandwiches.
The Rusty Pelican (Miami): This waterfront restaurant offers stunning views of Biscayne Bay and serves up fresh seafood and modern American cuisine.
The Salty Donut (Miami): This artisanal doughnut shop offers unique and delicious doughnut flavors, like maple bacon and guava and cheese.
The Edison (Fort Myers): This restaurant and bar is located in Thomas Edison’s former laboratory and serves up American cuisine and craft cocktails.
The Fish House (Key Largo): This seafood restaurant offers fresh seafood and waterfront dining, perfect for a romantic dinner or a family outing.
The Floridian (St. Augustine): This Southern-style restaurant serves up comfort food like fried chicken and biscuits, shrimp and grits, and sweet potato pancakes.
These are just a few of the many great dining options available in Florida.
Famous street stalls in Florida
Florida is home to many popular street food vendors and food trucks. Here are some of the most famous street stalls in Florida:
El Rey De Las Fritas (Miami): This Cuban street food stall is famous for its fritas, a Cuban-style burger made with chorizo and topped with crispy potato sticks.
Knaus Berry Farm (Homestead): This family-owned farm is famous for its cinnamon rolls, which are made from scratch and served warm out of the oven.
La Camaronera (Miami): This seafood stand is famous for its pan con minuta, a fried fish sandwich that is a Miami classic.
Coyo Taco (Miami and other locations): This popular food truck and restaurant serves up delicious Mexican street food, including tacos and burritos.
The Rolling Stove (Fort Lauderdale): This food truck is known for its gourmet burgers and sandwiches, including the award-winning Cubano sandwich.
Mr. Bing (Miami): This food truck serves up authentic Argentinean-style ice cream, known as helado, as well as other sweet treats like churros and alfajores.
King of Racks BBQ (Orlando): This food truck serves up delicious smoked meats, including ribs, brisket, and pulled pork.
The Melt Down (Orlando): This food truck is famous for its gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, including unique options like the lobster grilled cheese and the mac and cheese grilled cheese.
The Empanada Lady (Tampa): This food truck serves up delicious empanadas, a popular Latin American pastry filled with savory or sweet ingredients.
These are just a few of the many popular street food vendors and food trucks in Florida.
Where to stay in Florida
Luxury accommodation
Florida is home to many luxury accommodations, from beachfront resorts to boutique hotels. Here are some of the best luxury accommodations in Florida:
The Breakers Palm Beach: This iconic hotel is a Palm Beach institution, offering luxurious rooms and suites, multiple pools, a private beach, and a spa.
Acqualina Resort & Residences (Sunny Isles Beach): This oceanfront resort features elegant rooms and suites, multiple pools, a private beach, and an award-winning spa.
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples: This beachfront resort offers luxurious rooms and suites, multiple pools, a private beach, and a spa, as well as access to nearby golf courses.
Four Seasons Resort Orlando at Walt Disney World: This resort offers luxurious rooms and suites, multiple pools, a water park, and access to nearby theme parks.
The Setai Miami Beach: This boutique hotel offers elegant rooms and suites, multiple pools, a private beach, and a spa, as well as access to nearby shopping and dining.
The Mandarin Oriental, Miami: This waterfront hotel offers luxurious rooms and suites, a spa, multiple pools, and access to nearby shopping and dining.
The Faena Hotel Miami Beach: This stylish hotel offers luxurious rooms and suites, multiple pools, a private beach, and a spa, as well as access to nearby shopping and dining.
The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort: This oceanfront resort offers luxurious rooms and suites, multiple pools, a private beach, and a spa, as well as access to nearby shopping and dining.
These are just a few of the many luxury accommodations available in Florida.
Where to stay in Florida
Budget accommodation
Florida has plenty of budget-friendly accommodation options, including motels, hostels, and budget hotels. Here are some of the best budget accommodation options in Florida:
Motel 6: This budget motel chain has locations throughout Florida and offers basic, no-frills rooms at an affordable price.
HI Miami Beach Hostel: This beachfront hostel offers shared dorm rooms and private rooms at a budget-friendly price, as well as a communal kitchen and free breakfast.
The Freehand Miami: This hostel and hotel offers both shared and private rooms at an affordable price, as well as a pool, a bar, and a communal kitchen.
The TropiRock Hotel: This budget hotel is located in Fort Lauderdale and offers clean, comfortable rooms at an affordable price, as well as a pool and a continental breakfast.
The Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club: This Art Deco hotel is located in Miami Beach and offers budget-friendly rooms with ocean views, as well as a pool and a beach club.
The Vagabond Hotel: This boutique hotel in Miami offers stylish rooms at an affordable price, as well as a pool and an on-site restaurant.
The Art Deco Walk Hostel: This hostel is located in the heart of South Beach and offers shared dorm rooms and private rooms at an affordable price, as well as a communal kitchen and free breakfast.
These are just a few of the many budget accommodation options available in Florida.
Travel Tips Florida
Here are some travel tips to keep in mind when visiting Florida:
Stay hydrated: Florida can get very hot and humid, especially in the summer months, so make sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated.
Wear sunscreen: With so much sunshine, it’s important to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Be sure to wear sunscreen with at least SPF 30, and reapply often.
Pack light, breathable clothing: Again, Florida can get very hot and humid, so pack light, breathable clothing to stay cool and comfortable.
Be prepared for rain: Florida is known for its afternoon rain showers, especially during the summer months. Be sure to bring a raincoat or umbrella, just in case.
Rent a car: While Florida does have public transportation options, renting a car is often the most convenient way to get around, especially if you plan to explore outside of the main cities.
Plan ahead for popular attractions: Many popular attractions in Florida, such as theme parks and museums, can get very crowded, especially during peak travel seasons. Plan ahead and consider purchasing tickets in advance to avoid long lines and wait times.
Explore beyond the tourist hotspots: While Florida’s beaches and theme parks are certainly popular attractions, don’t be afraid to venture off the beaten path and explore some of the state’s lesser-known destinations and hidden gems.
Respect the local wildlife: Florida is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including alligators, snakes, and manatees. Be sure to keep a safe distance and avoid disturbing the animals.
Be mindful of the environment: Florida’s natural environment is a key attraction, so be sure to be respectful and mindful of the impact of your actions, such as avoiding littering and respecting wildlife habitats.
These are just a few tips to help make your trip to Florida a safe and enjoyable one.