Florida Travel Ideas

The Florida Keys consist of five islands that divide the Atlantic Ocean from the Gulf of Mexico. The Keys are a great place to visit if you like beaches, snorkeling, fishing, diving, eco-tours, sunsets, cultural events and a casual vibe. Begin your journey in Key Largo with snorkeling. View the Statue of Christ of the Abyss or historical shipwrecks. On the island of Islamorada, visit Long Key State Park for nature trails. Shop in the boutiques and galleries. On Marathon Island, take a historical trip to Pigeon Key and visit the railway museum. At Big Pine Key go bike riding, visit tiki bars and the lower islands. Key West is the last island of the Florida Keys. This is where Ernest Hemingway wrote. Visit his home for a cultural experience. At the end of the day, you can gather with others at the southern most part of the United States and watch the sunset.

For a memorable trip, take a vacation on the west coast of Florida and get out on the water. From Fort Myers, rent a boat and take a trip on the Calooshahatchee River. Ice cream boats float along for those who need refreshment. Stop at a nearby island for a quick swim. Watch for dolphins. Travel towards the Gulf of Mexico and stop at Sanibel Island where you can hunt for seashells.

Three hours north of Tampa, Florida, is Cedar Keys, a small fishing village. Come for a day or stay for a week. This quaint village is home of the Cedar Keys National Wildlife Refuse. If you like fishing and you like bird watching, this is an ideal place to visit and rest. Walk down the streets and see pelicans perched everywhere. This is old Florida with art shops and plenty of seafood.

Central Florida boasts Disney World and Universal Studios, but central Florida offers other types of vacations, as well. Fifty-five miles northwest of Orlando is the renowned retirement communities called The Villages: Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter Landing. Whether you are thinking of retirement or want to visit, these two communities offer small town shopping, golf and entertainment. Walk the streets and see parking for golf carts. Listen to music that is playing throughout the community square. See a movie in a replica old movie theater. Walk or bike the paths throughout the town.

Twenty-four miles north is Ocala and Silver Springs. Ocala is the horse capital of the world. Take a carriage ride and see the spacious horse farms. Go horseback riding in the Ocala National Forest. Near Ocala is the town of Silver Springs. Silver Springs has glass bottom boats, so you can cruise down the Silver River known for its alligators, turtles and birds. Visit the botanical gardens. In the afternoons, stay for an outdoor concert.