By James Roland
If you want theme park crowds, white sandy
beaches, some cool, clear water for diving, or a look at our primordial past in the swamps of the Everglades, Florida has what you want. It's a big state, so be prepared to drive between locations. And in the summer when the kids are off from school, it's hurricane season, which makes travel planning a dangerous proposition.
Below are a few highlights worth remembering when you start planning your Florida travels.
Orlando Theme Parks
You can spend a week just visiting the mix of theme parks in central Florida, including Walt Disney World (Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and dozens of other Disney attractions, such as water parks, golf courses and resorts), Sea World, Universal Studios, and even Busch Gardens, down Interstate 4, an hour away in Tampa.
The Space Coast
Cape Canaveral's Kennedy Space Center is great for visitors 8 years old and up, because you can actually walk around inside a cutout of an actual space shuttle, see and touch the rockets that make up the United States' space adventure, hear talks given by real astronauts and learn more than you could even imagine about the past, present and future of space flight.
The Everglades
The unique corner of the United States, the area Marjory Stoneman Douglas called "River of Grass," is worth seeing at least once, but understand that whether you approach it from the east coast (Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale) or the west Coast (Naples, Fort Myers), you'll have a bit of a boring drive facing you. Check out Everglades National Park or some of the smaller Indian camps that offer air boat rides, historical and natural tours, and a chance to see ancient cypress forests, alligators and things you just can't find anywhere else.
Spring Break and Spring Training
When March rolls through the Sunshine State, thoughts turn to the beaches and the bleachers. Up and down the coasts, and even into the Orlando area, visitors come to soak up some of Florida's best weather. Daytona, Panama City, Fort Lauderdale, Clearwater, Key West and Miami are still some of the best spring break destinations. And baseball fans can follow the Yankees in Tampa, the Red Sox and Twins in Fort Myers, the Phillies in Clearwater, the Rays in Port Charlotte, the Pirates in Bradenton, the Braves in Orlando and, well, the list goes on. Spring Training runs from the end of February to the end of March, while Spring Break season (and its squeeze on hotels and restaurants) generally runs from mid-March through mid-April, so book your trip early, or if you prefer, plan a vacation around the college kids and families relaxing in Florida.
South Beach
It's about as close to a European beach as you can get in the United States. Miami and its South Beach sand, resorts and clubs draw a hip, international crowd throughout the year, but a visit between November and April will allow you to miss the hurricane season and catch the best weather of the year. South Beach offers plenty of eye candy on the beaches and celebrity viewing at the clubs, but bring your wallet and sunscreen to survive both locales.
Key West
Key West is really just the farthest stop along the chain of islands known as the Florida Keys. Along the way, you can find plenty of cool places to dive (Key Largo, Islamorada) and escape to "old Florida" and family-friendly way of life (Marathon). If you want to get your Jimmy Buffett or Ernest Hemingway on, truck all the way to Key West, but beware the tourists and the tourist traps, and enjoy tours of Papa's old home and the island that occupies the closest point between the United States and Cuba.
Resources
About the Author:
James Roland is the editor of a monthly health publication that has approximately 75,000 subscribers in the United States and Canada. Previously, he worked as a newspaper reporter and editor, covering issues ranging from the environment and government to family matters and education. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Oregon.
