Planning a Florida vacation can be both exciting and tiring because of the endless options of where to go and what to do. Choosing more specific towns or cities and priority activities and attractions to check out during the trip can significantly help in trimming down one’s choices.
Florida is one of the two U.S. states that feature a tropical climate following Hawaii, which is the only state that is entirely tropical. Florida primarily offers a subtropical climate in its northern and central regions and a tropical climate in its southern region. Much of the state’s land mass is a large peninsula surrounded by bodies of water, mainly the Gulf of Mexico on the west, the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Florida Strait and Caribbean on the south.
Sports and Recreation Activities
A number of water sports and recreation activities are available in different parts of Florida. Aside from the world-famous theme parks in Orlando, Florida visitors can also take sports lessons in swimming and tennis, bond with families and friends in playgrounds and camps and even host private parties at Fort Gatlin Recreation Park. Golf enthusiasts can try Orange Tree Golf Club, which is known for its excellent fairways and greens. Aquaworld Miami provides a variety of water adventure activities such as jet skiing, shipwreck snorkeling and parasailing. Fort Lauderdale’s Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is a great place for running, camping, picnicking, swimming and canoeing, while the Everglades Holiday Park allows tourists to glide over grass and water lilies in an airboat tour.
Cruises
The world’s best cruise lines are all over Florida. Fort Lauderdale has over 6 miles of pristine beaches lying straight across the Atlantic Ocean. Miami accommodates millions of cruise passengers every year. Port Canaveral is an ideal cruise location for those in the Orlando area. Tampa features some of the more daring adult cruise offerings in America.
Museums and Exhibitions
Art lovers have varying museum choices around the state including the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota and Southeast Museum of Photography in Daytona Beach.
Children can enjoy the Orlando Science Center and Wonderworks in Orlando, Emerald Coast Science Center in Fort Walton Beach, Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa and Miami Museum of Science and Planetarium in Miami.
Other recommendable attractions and special interest destinations for tourists include the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum in Dania Beach, Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum in Sanibel, Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala and International Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale.
Dining Spots
Choosing the best dining spots around Florida is perhaps, one of the most challenging tasks when planning out an upcoming vacation. It is always ideal to look into the local scene’s offerings based on proximity to the actual attractions being visited. Yet, for those who already found themselves in bliss after trying out some of the best restaurants and cafes in town, the said ones always become worth mentioning and trying out.
American seafood lovers in Key West can try Blue Haven. Those preferring a waterfront dining experience in Fort Myers Beach can check out Matanzas Inn Restaurant. Miami visitors can enjoy Mango’s Tropical Cafe, as long as they are willing to wait in long lines, which attest to how in demand it is in the area. When in Orlando, sushi cravings are often best satisfied at the Sushi House of Orlando, while buffet fancies are best served in Texas de Brazil.