Florida, as we all know, is very famous for its beaches. It is the southeasternmost state, the Atlantic on one side and the Gulf of Mexico on the other side. Its most famous country, the city of Miami, is known for its beach and Latin- American cultural influences. The nightlife, theme parks including Walt Disney, famous Halloween events, and whatnot, there isn’t anything that the state doesn’t offer.
Due to a lot to explore and all the things that the state has to offer to its tourists, it is one of the top-rated travel destinations all over the world. The climate is well suited, the food is great and you’ll find tourist attractions at every step of your exploration.
Airports, Airlines and Accommodations
There are a total of 24 international airports in Florida!
The airports range from widely known ones like Miami and Tampa to the ones you might have never heard about.
While the Fort- Lauderdale International Airport is considered to be the cheapest airport to fly to Florida, the Tampa International Airport, Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), Orlando International Airport and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) make it to the top airports in the State.
The airlines that facilitate the travel between India and Florida ranges widely. Some of the most popular names include American Airlines, Qatar Airways, Japan Airlines, Emirates etc.
Since Florida is one of the most desired vacation destinations, it offers a wide range of luxury stays to tourists including famous names like The Boca Raton Resort, Four Seasons Resort, Orlando, Sunset Key Cottages In Key West etc. While they may seem a little pricey, the state also offers comparatively cheaper stay ins for a more budget-friendly trip.
The average cost of a solo traveller visiting Florida for 7 days would be around INR 1,05,000 to INR 1,50,000.
Miami – The captain of Latin America
The city of Miami is a financial, economical and cultural hub of South Florida. It is a major centre for media, culture, entertainment, commerce, arts and international trade. It’s also nicknamed the “Capital of Latin America”.
For tourists, one of the topmost attractions in Miami beach. It is located on a barrier island and is connected to the mainland by a series of bridges. It is a mix of quiet neighbourhoods, lively entertainment-focused areas, and long stretches of beaches. For the tourists the major destinations to explore include the South Beach, Espanola Way, Little Havana, the Art Deco Historic District, with pastel buildings and early 1940s sporting classic neon signs. The most famous street in this area is Ocean Drive. It is a section of road located along the oceanfront and is home to some extremely beautiful Art Deco buildings.
Miami is the hotspot for rich Latin American cuisine. It’s available almost everywhere so you can have it every night of the week. You will get to taste the best Cuban dishes there are, on the outside of Havana, a cup of the famous Cuban coffee, and, of course, the Cuban cocktails. Not only Cuban cuisine but you can also explore traditional cuisine from across the Caribbean and Latin America. On your way to cuisine hunt, you will find dishes that you thought you knew, but with twists that are distinctive to particular nations.
A night out in Miami is something you won’t wanna miss!
It is an experience that is distinctively Latin, with an American flavour, of course. You will find luxurious nightclubs everywhere but South Beach, in particular, has some of the most famed nightclubs in the world with the biggest DJs playing sets that are guaranteed to get your feet moving.
You will also find traditional Cuban music in almost all the local bars, all over the city. If you want to experience the ambience of the oldest bars in the city with utmost authenticity, Downtown Miami is the place for you. It is one of the craziest and fun-loving places on the earth but don’t worry if you’re tired with the loud and rush, we got you covered! There are many cosy and secluded spots around the Florida coast that will serve as the best escape.
Florida keys will give you some calm and laid island vibes and will serve as a great escape from the Miami hustle. Virginia key is also a very short drive from Miami central, and is full of picture-perfect beaches!
Let’s cut to the chase and talk about The Beaches in Florida!
The diversity of the shorelines and beaches in Florida is one of the things that attracts tourists from all over the world.
So, what beaches must you visit? Below mentioned are some of the favourites, that are must-visit beaches for everyone, while in Florida.
Destin beach is one of the most visited beaches in Florida because of its white sand. The gorgeous gulf waters and the frequent sunshine makes it even more desirable. The place is one of the most affordable beach towns but you might notice increased rates, mostly during summers due to a higher volume of visitors.
The beaches in Sanibel Island are quieter and calmer as compared to other beaches. These islands are more of a “shelling and relaxing under the sun” kind of beach and less of a “partying” kind. This is one of the best beaches for families.
Clearwater beach is yet another one of the favourites. What attracts the visitors here is its gentle water and white sand. You can play volleyball over here, go biking on the adjacent beach walk promenade, or just relax.
NaplesBeachh is a treat for travellers. It offers various boutique shops, restaurants, golf courses and luxury resorts. While it may come off as a little expensive, the beaches are free to enjoy!
St Petersburg beach offers the best of both, the relaxing as well as the urban cityscape world. Also, the city of St Petersburg holds the world record for having the most consecutive days of sunshine. Beach Pass-a-Grille is a hotspot for activities like windsurfing, parasailing and kiteboarding. Shell Key Preserve is also there which offers many opportunities to spot and gaze at the shorebirds while sunbathing.
Siesta Key is a fun-filled island that sits right off the coast of Sarasota. It is considered one of the best beaches in the nation. It features 8 miles of white quartz sand and turquoise water which makes it extremely eye-pleasing. It also offers great dining options, shopping and nighttime entertainment. Crescent Beach and Turtle beaches and another one of great options for long walks and shell collection.
Marco Island features many high-end resorts and also unspoiled habitats which makes it a great destination to explore. The most popular pastime over here is boating. Seafood lovers will love the island as it serves one of the best seafood dishes in Florida. But the best feature here remains its spotless beaches.
75 miles southwest of Tallahassee, St George Island is located. It is a treat for those seeking relaxation. It features zero high rise buildings and is one of the few islands that remain untouched. To fish, kayak and camp, you should head towards St George Island State Park.
These are just a few of the beaches that Florida has to offer, there are many other great beaches too like Islamorada and Panama City beach which offer a wide range of pursuits to travellers of all ages. From camping to fishing, there isn’t anything that the beaches don’t offer.
Tourist Attractions and places to go!
Florida is one of the most visited states in the USA. It is because of the beaches, amusement parks, national parks, and an array of unique tourist attractions that gets the tourists and travellers are attracted to it like bees to a flower.
Orlando is visited by families in the flock due to the activities it offers, which are, of course, family-friendly. Like theme parks for kids and adults and similar events and destinations.
While solo travellers and sunseekers head to coastal cities like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, etc.
In summers, some might feel the excessive heat due to a rise in temperatures so they often escape it and head to the cooling breezes and white-sand beaches of the Florida Panhandle.
There is nothing quite like the Florida Keys if you’re looking to taste the island life where it is calm and slow. Places like this and Key West seem a world away from the mainland, due to the pace at which life runs, which, if compared to mainland life, is very slow.
There is a long list of sites to see, spread all over the state.
If you’re a foodie, St Petersburg is just the place for you! It has an incredible foodie scene, with lots of bars and restaurants serving everything from Cuban food to Mexican cuisine.
It is located on the Gulf of Mexico, has a beautiful downtown area and incredible beaches that are well worth visiting.
Next comes St. Augustine. It is known as the oldest city in the USA. It is located on Florida’s Atlantic Coast and is a gem of a city. It can easily make it to the top three in the list of the best places in Florida to visit. If your tummy asks for a feast, head over to Woodpeckers Backyard Barbeque that’ll have your tummy satisfied in no time! They serve the tastiest ribs out there!
Tallahassee, located in the panhandle area of the state, is very different from the rest of the state and offers some beautiful sites to see, like rolling hills and pretty forests. To know about Southern history visit the Goodwood Museum and Gardens. It is the site of a former cotton and corn plantation. Pop into a reconstructed 17th-century Spanish mission, called Mission San Luis, or experience outdoor adventures at the nearby Apalachicola National Forest and Tate’s Hell State Forest.
Now, let’s talk about this tropical delight in the state, Florida Keys. It stretches for about 193 km off the south coast. The sunsets here are worth every hassle you went through to get to the state, not that that is any, but still!
A cocktail in one hand and key lime pie in the other, and off you go to experience one of the best evenings the state has to offer.
Another well-known area of the keys is the Key West. It has a lot of things to see and do but if you’re a literature geek, it might be one of the best places to visit, why? Because Ernest Hemingway’s home is located there!
And for appetizers, you can go and visit Duval Street, which is very popular for its bars and shops.
Not a literature geek but a space geek? It’s okay we got you covered again!
Visit Kennedy Space centre, which is just a 90 minutes drive from Orlando, where you can explore things related to space, NASA and rockets.
Fort Jefferson is one more thing not to miss during your trip to Florida. Its shoreline shouldn’t be missed as well. It’s a great place to go for snorkelling and seeing some of the best coral reefs.
Events and theme parks
The theme parks of Florida are world-famous. Especially the Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Parks and Resorts. But these are only some of the names, and the list just goes on and on. These places won’t fail to bring out your inner child and make you want to add a couple of days more to your vacation!
Not only the theme parks, but every year Halloween events also take place there only, so if you’re in Florida during the Halloween season, you shouldn’t want to miss these events!
Best time to visit Florida
Florida experiences hot weather all year round, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. With its beaches and activities, there isn’t anything that you can’t enjoy because of the temperatures. A good tan never harms!
So, the best time to visit Florida is usually between February to May, but if you want to experience the theme park events as well, you should visit around the Halloween season.
Trip Summary
Florida is one of the most desirable vacation destinations all over the world. With the beaches so incredible, and city hustle and island calm, all at the same place, it definitely should be on your bucket list for your coming vacations.
Not only the places but the experience of wandering through the shorelines or just sitting in one of the oldest bars in Downtown Miami is an experience in itself. It is a must-visit holiday destination that everyone should travel to, for at least once in their lifetime!
