Some of the first things that come to one’s mind when Florida is in question are sunshine, theme parks, and alligators.
However, there is much more to know about and see in Florida.
This is a former Spanish colony, and the 27th state to enter the Union.
It is surrounded by water, as there is the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other.
So, white sand beaches including Miami Beach are something that Florida can boast of.
Also, its Art Deco architecture, Cuban culture, and the Florida Keys are also features that have to be mentioned.
Once there, you can try scuba diving, snorkeling, and picturesque road trips.
If you think that this is enough, you are wrong, as there is also Cape Canaveral, home of NASA, and Orlando full of amusement parks, including Disney World.
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10. Panama City Beach
One of its amazing sandy beaches is definitely Panama City Beach which is 27 miles (43 km) long and located on the Emerald Coast.
This is an excellent travel destination that is frequently visited by the residents of the southern United States and high school and college students on spring break.
Panama city has 12,000 permanent residents and it has to offer various sports for entertainment, such as fishing on the gulf and golfing.
There are also alligators, amusement and water parks so that the whole family can enjoy.
9. Naples, Florida
Naples is the Gulf of Mexico city and it is considered the wealthiest city in the United States.
There are houses worth more than $40 million.
Its name comes from the Bay of Naples in Italy, as this bay is believed to be even more beautiful than the Italian one.
You can find beautiful city beaches, wildlife refuges, Everglades National Park, Florida Panther National Wildlife Reserve, and Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, just to mention a few.
8. Sanibel Island
Sanibel Island is situated in the Gulf of Mexico and linked to the mainland by a causeway.
This is an ideal place for a family holiday, as it is a quiet, natural travel destination.
It boasts wildlife refuges that cover half of this long narrow island, as well as amazing beaches where you can hunt for shells.
According to the legend, this island has harbored pirates.
Today, it has less than 7,000 permanent residents.
Some of its additional attractions include a historical museum, a botanical garden, a lighthouse, and an arts center.
7. Fort Lauderdale
Besides being the Spring Break destination, Fort Lauderdale is also a cultural center.
It is located on the Atlantic Ocean, north of Miami Beach.
Its nickname is the “Venice of America” due to its expansive canal system and impressive tourist infrastructure.
You can find the hotels, golf courses, marinas, museums.
The Port Everglades is considered one of the busiest cruise-ship ports in the world.
We cannot but mention the most popular section of the city beach – “The Strip”.
6. Clearwater Beach
Again, we have to mention all those white sandy beaches that Clearwater has to offer.
The city of Clearwater is considered Florida’s Best Beach Town, as swimming is not the only activity that you can do there.
You can try fishing, sailing, kayaking, and dolphin tours.
It is not uncommon to get married on the beaches here, as well.
Pier 60, a long fishing pier, is the best-known part for tourists who come to a playground, snack bar or just to buy crafts from local artisans.
There is a popular Beach Walk with fountains and showers.
Furthermore, Clearwater Beach has to offer a lively night scene.
5. Everglades
Everglades is the country’s best natural treasures.
In Everglades, you can find ecosystems including swamps, sub-tropical jungles, saw-grass prairies.
Furthermore, this is considered the largest mangrove complex in the Western Hemisphere.
Everglades is situated in South Florida and is protected within the Everglades National Park.
It is home to a variety of birds, fish, animals, and reptiles.
Also, there live some endangered species like the West Indian manatee, the American crocodile, and the Florida panther.
Being that this is the largest national park in the USA, the Everglades National Park has four different visitor centers, and the Shark Valley Visitor Center is the most famous of all.
Besides educational displays, there are tram tours during which you can see alligators, turtles, deer, and herons.
At Shark Valley, you can go to an observation tower and see some stunning views.
Another one is the Gulf Coast Visitor Center, which has to offer boat tours to the Ten Thousand Islands, a labyrinth of mangrove islands.
Tourists can rent canoes and kayaks and explore the Everglades by themselves.
The visitor centers of Ernest Coe and Flamingo offer an airboat tour, one of the most exciting ways to experience the Everglades.
4. Tampa Bay Area
The Tampa Bay area consists of Tampa Bay, a large natural harbor, and the city of Tampa and St. Petersburg.
It boasts the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Busch Gardens – a theme park that is believed to possess Florida’s best roller coaster rides.
There is also a zoo dedicated to animals from Africa’s Serengeti Plain.
For travelers who like sandy beaches, St. Pete Beach should not be missed as it is considered one of the best beaches in the United States.
3. Orlando
Orlando is known as a theme-park city, as it possesses more theme parks than any other place in the world.
Some of them are Walt Disney World, Epcot Center, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and Gator Park.
These parks bring about 51 million visitors a year to this city.
Being that it is not frequently hit by hurricanes, this is definitely a popular place to visit in Florida and it is one of American’s most visited cities.
Furthermore, Orlando is also home to the University of Central Florida.
2. Miami
Miami is certainly the most vibrant city in the USA.
Not only due to its Latin culture and sizzling nightlife, but Miami is also known as a major port city with a large number of passenger cruise ships.
Miami is located in southeastern Florida and it has to offer a variety of thrilling attractions and activities.
We cannot but mention sunny beaches, which include those family-friendly and those designed for parties.
Miami Beach has to be mentioned as well, as it is known for its Art Deco architecture and glamorous South Beach.
1. Florida Keys
The very last on our list is the Florida Keys, as they are the most attractive and should be a must-see when visiting Florida.
This is a 120-mile long chain of tropical islands.
The Florida Keys are connected to the mainland by a series of bridges and the Seven Mile Bridge in the Lower Keys is the most popular one.
Some scenes from films, including True Lies and Fast 2 Furious have been made there.
US Highway 1, which runs from Key Largo, Islamadora, Marathon, Lower Keys, and finally to Key West.
Key West is the most distant and most famous of the Florida Keys.
The islands belong to three groups, Upper, Middle, and Lower Keys.
At the Upper Keys, tourists can find accommodation, shopping, dining, and nightlife.
The Middle Keys and Lower Keys offer a more quiet atmosphere.
At Key Largo, which is the first Key reached on the Overseas Highway, there is the underwater Christ of the Abyss statue.
It can only be seen by divers and snorkelers.
At Big Pine, you can see the knee-high whitetail deer.
Islamorada Key is known as the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World” while Marathon is popular due to various amenities and facilities as well as the Seven-Mile Bridge.
At Key West, there is the former home of author, Ernest Hemingway.