Florida Vacations
Daytona Beach
In sunny Daytona Beach there's plenty of room for all the easy-going sunbathers that find their way to its shores, since these white-sand beaches on Florida's northeast coast run 23 miles long and 500 feet wide at low tide. Add to this Daytona's many other attractions, and it's clear why so many people - from students and car enthusiasts, to families and seniors - flock to the Daytona area all year long!
Off the beach, visitors can spend their days at the world-famous Daytona International Speedway, energetic jai-alai games, a huge flea market, a working lighthouse, and botanical gardens set on the grounds of an old plantation. So whether you're looking for quiet sun-splashed days at "The World's Most Famous Beach," or fast thrills in "The World Center of Racing," you'll have a great time in the Daytona Beach!
Florida Keys And Key West
Florida Keys And Key West Info
Trailing off the mainland like a fluttering kite tail, the celebrated Florida Keys are both unmistakably American and blissfully tropical - our own version of the easygoing, laid-back Caribbean. Land and water interweave for 155 miles to create a one-of-a-kind vacation of romance, history, adventure, and good old-fashioned party fun. Without a doubt, the Keys have the best diving, snorkeling, fishing, and boating in the continental US.
At the tail's end, you find yourself in Key West, where the wild, weird, and infamous nightlife is a big part of what makes Key West, Key West. The Conch Republic is a land of hammocks, palm trees, and frozen margaritas that's missing nothing but you!
Fort Lauderdale
Fort Lauderdale is one of Florida's most popular one-stop vacation hot spots, with a jovial, relaxed atmosphere that's ideal for lying on a wide beach, living it up at the many bars and clubs, dining by the sea, or shopping for souvenirs. An extra attraction to the area is that most activities are close together, nestled along the avenue that's known as A1A. People come with all sorts of plans in mind, but whatever the reason for visiting, make some time to stroll along the quaint and trendy Las Olas Boulevard, full of cafés, boutiques, restaurants, and stores that form the bustling crest of "the street of waves." No matter how many times you visit the "Venice of America," you're certain to enjoy yourself and find new things to do.
The playful ambiance of the strip, however, isn't the city's only bragging right. In this "yachting capital of the world," there are more than 300 miles of waterways and countless canals where you can enjoy recreational boating and get around by water taxi to the many waterfront attractions and restaurants. Go by air, land, or sea - just get there!
Ft Myers
The graceful, swaying palms that line the downtown streets of Fort Myers give the historic town its nickname of "The City of Palms." It wasresident Thomas Edison who imported 200 Golden Palms from Cuba and had them planted along McGregor Boulevard. Modern Fort Myers is filled with historical interest dating back to the earliest Native American inhabitants, abundant wildlife, and exotic flora. Vacationers also know it as Florida's fun center, with plenty of golf, tennis, scuba diving, and snorkeling to keep them entertained. Baseball fans love visiting during spring, since Fort Myers is home to the spring training camps of the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox. Fishing is terrific, the waters teeming with red snapper, grouper, snook and tarpon.
Along the coastline of the Gulf of Mexico, a multitude of barrier islands are the perfect place to kick back and experience the slow and easy pace of "island time." Known as "Florida's Tropical Island Getaway," many of these islands are reachable by boat, and you are invited to explore their many nature preserves. Whether you're taking a family vacation or a romantic holiday, Southwest Florida is a wonderful choice, where scenic waterways, protected wilderness, and more than 10,000 uninhabited islands offer more fun than you can have in one lifetime!
Jacksonville
Jacksonville long registered in the minds of road-trippers as a pit stop along I-95, but this fast-growing metropolis has much more to offer than a quick place to eat and stretch your legs. A youthful energy permeates the lively downtown full of shops, restaurants, parks, and museums along the St Johns River, which incidentally is America's longest north-flowing river.
Mild, sunny winters and long clean beaches attract people year-round, as does "lost in time" ambiance of Amelia Island. This is the southernmost island in a chain of Atlantic coast barrier islands that stretch from North Carolina to Florida. The un-crowded beaches, moss-covered oaks, Victorian seaside village, friendly locals, excellent golf, boating, and fishing make this island worth a vacation of its own. Jacksonville combines the charms of Old Florida with modern beach resort delights to please everyone from history buffs, to families, to recreational athletes.
Orlando
There are places we can barely imagine any way other than the one we know, and Orlando is a prime example. Yet, it's true that not so very long ago, Orlando was nothing but a sleepy little town amid citrus groves - until a certain mouse settled in. Walt Disney's grand dream of a world of fantasy has come true here. Where once there was only the Magic Kingdom® Park, the Walt Disney World® Resort is now made up of multiple parks and caters to everyone from families to seniors to club-hopping singles. But that's just the beginning! Although Walt Disney World® Resort dominates Central Florida, an explosion of other attractions over the years has resulted in transforming Orlando into one of the most popular vacation spots in the US.
There are 7 enormous theme parks, 2 nighttime entertainment districts, countless smaller attractions, restaurants, and cultural activities, including Universal Orlandoand SeaWorld. This is a great development for visitors, since it has resulted in cost-effective combo packages and a seemingly never-ending variety of activity and entertainment!
Miami Key Biscayne
The railroad built here in 1896 linked Miami with "civilization" and cleared the way for a property boom that has never stopped. Miami bursts with energy and character, like a fresh-faced sassy showgirl that lives to entertain. Far and away one of the most exciting cities in the world, it was a favorite getaway spot for celebrities in the 50s, and then had a few quiet decades until the designer cop show Miami Vice gave the city a vision of what it could be. That was all it took for Miami to reinvent itself in an amazing example of life imitating art. "The Magic City" is a sprawling, eclectic place with many separate neighborhoods, each with a distinctive character and some, like South Beach, that are small enough to explore on foot. The beaches are clean and bright, touted by most people as some of the most beautiful in the world. Clubbing is practically a career for the SoBe flocks. Nature is so pervasive and irrepressible that soft grass and tender flowering plantsgrow right through the sidewalks. The air is so clean that the sun seems to shine brighter than anywhere else.
The spirit of the city is tropical, vibrant, and exotic, like a non-stop party with a culture of diversity so infused into its character that it's known as "The Crossroads of the Americas." The alluring thing about Miami, really, is that it makes you feel like you've left the United States, swept through Latin America, and landed on a Caribbean island. If you're looking for a bit of la vida loca without needing a passport, go to Miami!
Melbourne-Cocoa Beach
Florida's Space Coast runs 72 miles along the Atlantic Ocean, combining technological marvels and pristine nature for a vacation that's out of this world! Home of the space shuttle, the Kennedy Space Center near Cocoa Beach is one of the area's main attractions, and a tour of Spaceport USA is certainly a worthwhile mission. A look up to the sky could mean spotting an eagle soaring across the blue canopy or the silver bullet of a shuttle streaking into orbit.
For a more down to earth adventure, you can explore the wild side at Canaveral National Seashore, where 6.2 million pound space shuttles co-exist with hundreds of species of shore birds, nesting loggerhead sea turtles, alligators, and many other protected creatures. In fact, the 220-square-mile Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is home to more endangered species than any other refuge in the United States! Along the shore, the tropical climate and exotic landscapes beckon you to surrender to surfside life. Spend your days and nights swimming in the perpetually warm ocean, diving off pristine reefs, falling asleep under a palm, or dancing under the stars wearing a bathing suit in winter!
Palm Beach
Palm Beach is one of the Sunshine State's top destinations, with a gorgeous island setting off Florida's central east coast. Beaches dotted with swaying palms and sea oats beckon you to relax and swim in the warm Atlantic. Across the Intra-coastal Waterway to the west lies the rest of Palm Beach County, including West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, and Jupiter, but it is the small island that is most popular as a winter getaway for discerning travelers. Palm Beach's year-round temperate climate welcomes sun lovers, anglers, and all who delight in the ocean. It's a great destination for swimming, surfing, boating, and scuba diving. On land, there's golf, golf, and more golf; Palm Beach County is home to more golf courses than any other county in the nation!
It's within close proximity to one of the world's most renowned playgrounds, Orlando, and there are countless local attractions to keep you occupied, from art museums and performance halls to some of the state's most impressive shopping malls. There's fine dining, trendy cafés, theatres, and even discos! But perhaps the best thing about Palm Beach is the chance to do nothing and be proud of it. During the day, you can have no more ambitious a plan than to sip a frozen drink while dozing in a hammock, then end your leisurely day with a peaceful sunset stroll along the shore. Aaaahhh?that sounds just about right, doesn't it?
Sarasota
If you're looking for a relaxed and totally laid-back place to soak in the sun and wade around the surf, you've found it. John Ringling, one of the fathers of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, was right on when he chose this historical town for the winter home of his traveling show. With weather that rarely falls below 60 even on winter nights and an average of 364 days of sun a year, who wouldn't want to spend some time here?! When you've had your fill for the day of the ivory white beaches and gentle surf, venture through the lush forests buzzing with wildlife, or go for a stroll around the many lovely public gardens!
Beyond the intoxicating richness of the environment, Sarasota's civilization has its lures too. You'll find everything from art galleries and dramatic theatre to a respected symphony orchestra. As you move closer to downtown Sarasota, the artistic influence becomes more obvious in the architecture of the surrounding buildings. Spanish and Native American influence speckles the historic areas with their festive and nature-inspired cultures. Enjoy all the best of Florida without the crowds!
Tampa - St.Petersburg
Tampa, the third largest city in Florida, is such a dynamic city with so many activities that it's hard to imagine the sleepy little fishing town is once was. Cuban immigrants founded Ybor City in the 1880s, and by the early 1900s, this historic city was considered the cigar capital of the world. The old cigar factories and beautiful cobblestone streets remain, but today it's home to the bay area's hottest nightlife. On the many sun-drenched days, visitors have a choice of bustling waterfront activities, world-class golf, renowned museums and aquariums, riveting sports at several family-oriented arenas, and exhilarating theme parks. The most famous of these is Busch Gardens-Tampa Bay, where you can practically feel the breath of wild animals on the monorail safari through the "African Plains."
Nearby St Pete (as the locals call it) is an island connected to the mainland by two bridges and a causeway, and though it's several miles long, it's only four city blocks wide - so you're always near the beach. Clearwater, in turn, is a sprawling extension to St Petersburg and has some of the best beaches on the Suncoast. So whether you want the tranquillity of a Gulf beach or nonstop city fun, you'll find it in Tampa/St Pete!
