Superficially, Florida’s attractions are no secret. Blissful beaches, amazing theme parks, fabulous shopping and nightlife make this a “no-brainer”, as the locals say, whether for families, couples, seniors or solo travellers. But dig below the surface and what at first might seem a two-dimensional destination bursts into vivid 3-D with an array of possibilities that keep people coming back year after year.
Orlando, which lives up to its name as the theme park capital of the world, is the honeypot that draws most of the state’s 90 million-plus annual visitors. It’s a captivating place of elaborate fantasy, yet only the starting point on a journey that now encompasses eco-adventures and wildlife expeditions as well as a growing trend in outdoor pursuits, from kayaking and cycling to fishing and golf. And, while its core business remains the mass market, there is ever more luxury in hotels, spas and dining.
Florida has a real ability to surprise: it has America’s oldest city (St Augustine), a rich Native American heritage (with the Seminole tribe), a legacy of early 20th-century expansion (Henry Flagler’s railroads) and the home of space exploration (at the Kennedy Space Center). It’s also home to the Ringling circus business, which promises “the Greatest Show on Earth”.
Sea World Orlando
Much like Walt Disney World, SeaWorld Orlando has long been an important part of family vacations to Florida. This huge amusement park features to dolphin and whale shows, opportunities to experience close up encounters with marine life and see a wide variety of species in the various tanks, and also offers thrill rides for all ages.
Miami Beach
Miami Beach, including both the town and the actual beach, is the main attraction for most tourists heading to Miami. Located on an island connected to the mainland by bridges, Miami Beach features an historic Art Deco District and a wide swath of sand stretching along the oceanfront. The Art Deco buildings along Ocean Drive contain hotels and restaurants with nice views over the beach.
Dry Tortugas National Park
The beautiful reef islands that make up Dry Tortugas National Park are not accessible by car. Most people visit as a day trip from Key West. The Park is home to Fort Jefferson, an impressive complex built by the US Government in the 1800s. Visitors can tour the fort and then spend some time on the beaches, snorkeling, or enjoying a picnic.
A unique group of islands off the Florida Keys, this National Park is home to a pre-Civil War fort. Fort Jefferson is not only impressive, it’s actually the largest brick structure in the Americas, with over 16 million blocks. Built between 1846 and 1875, the massive fort was never finished.
But that doesn’t make it any less incredible to behold, full of ornate masonry accents and upwards of 2,000 carefully constructed arches.
Walt Disney World
Florida’s hottest attraction, and not just for kids and families any more, is Walt Disney World in Orlando. The magic of Disney has not worn off over the decades as millions of visitors flock here each year to enjoy the Magic Kingdom and the many other attractions of this mega amusement park.
Disney World Florida is huge. Spanning 25,000 acres (larger than Greater Manchester!) it’s a jungle of creativity, excitement and magic, which envelops all your senses and sends you reeling, not knowing where to begin.
To help you and the kids make the most of your Disney break and avoid feeling completely overwhelmed when you first step foot in the park, I headed to Orlando to discover the must-see attractions, hotels, restaurants and activities for families.
Everglades National Park
The Everglades National Park is the second largest in the country after Yellowstone and the largest subtropical wilderness in the continental U.S. It is a 1.5 million-acre tract of marshy land and swamp and an important and fragile ecosystem that supports alligators, American crocodiles, Florida panthers, deer, turtles, egrets, manatees, river otters and many other species.
Everglades National Park re-opens to visitors today. Visitors can access all visitor facilities at Everglades National Park including five Visitor Centers and bookstores (Homestead, Royal Palm, Flamingo, Shark Valley, and Everglades City), all park campgrounds, park roads, and recreational waters. Guided ranger tours will begin as normally scheduled tomorrow (Friday, October 18). Tram tours and bike rentals at Shark Valley, the Flamingo Marina, Boat Tours in Everglades City and Flamingo, and airboat tours along Tamiami Trail are all back up and running today. Visitors should contact the concessions directly to make reservations and/or check their websites. Everglades National Park has been closed since October due to the lapse in Congressional appropriations.
The whole area is composed of a wide, shallow river that flows from Lake Okeechobee to the Bay of Florida. The bottom of this river is porous limestone over top of a bedrock base called the Tamiami Formation. It catches rainfall and acts as southern Florida’s main water reservoir.
St Augustine’s Historic District and the Castillo de San Marcos
Known for being one of the oldest settlements in Florida, St Augustine’s historical sites and beautiful old architecture definitely make it worth a visit. At the top of the list of things to see is the late 19th century Flagler College, one of the most photographed buildings in the city. It was originally built as a hotel by railroad magnate Henry Flagler.
Also not to be missed is the Castillo de San Marcos, famous for being the “oldest masonry fort in North America,” according to the National Parks Service. Built in the 17th century, it is remarkably well preserved and an impressive site, even for those with little interest in history. The view over the coast is also quite spectacular.
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