In 2023, Florida was visited by 135 million tourists. This is a decrease from 2022, but it’s still enough to show just how big of a tourist powerhouse the state of Florida actually is. This is the place with the most theme parks, national parks, some of the biggest beaches, and the most luxurious resorts in the world. It’s also a place that’s deeply embedded in our worldview and pop culture. After all, it’s the place that everyone dreams of retiring to and a place where so many films and shows take place. If you are a traveller keen on going to Florida, here’s a brief travel guide that you can stick to.
Places to visit in Florida
Making a list of places to visit in Florida is an incredibly ambitious task.
Miami, Florida Keys, and St. Augustine are just at the very top of the list. Orlando, Tampa, and Crystal River should be on the list, as well. Just keep in mind that you shouldn’t limit your visit to a single metropolitan area. Instead, you need to consider the region itself.
People who plan a visit to Florida have no idea how ambitious this undertaking is. A single vacation shouldn’t be long enough for you to see everything in the Tampa area.
So, you need to start by making a list and then turning this place into a priority list. The nature of your travel makes a difference here, as well. If you’re traveling with Family, a stop at Walt Disney World is a must. On the other hand, a solo traveler or someone traveling with a group of friends may have a different priority list.
Overall, Florida is a place that has too much to offer for just one trip, which means that you have to get better organised and better-prepared for your trip. As always, this involves some initial preparation.
Ways to travel around Florida
Speaking of Florida, the best way to travel around is definitely via a rental boat. So, rent a boat in Florida and see what it’s like to explore this state from a completely different perspective. These rental boat travels are amazing for solo travellers, group travellers, and families alike. In the case of the latter, you can turn the trip into a fun and educational adventure.
Another way to travel around this state efficiently (and fully in charge of your commute) is to get a rental car. Just keep in mind that you do your research on the rental agencies and pick the ones with the best reputation. This way, you get all the safeguards necessary.
Lastly, Florida buses, shuttles, and trains are pretty decent. After all, this state is the country’s most popular tourist destination (both for U.S. citizens and foreign travellers), which is why these are always a priority when it comes to maintenance, innovation, and service.
Moreover, there are often some locally available rental options that you’ll be surprised by.
If you have a helicopter license, you might even get it as a rental, seeing as how the weather in Florida favours this way of transportation, as well.
Time to visit Florida
Florida is warm all year round, which means that it has visitors all over the season. Temperatures are hot and humid during the entirety of the year, and the winters are so mild that if an out-of-state traveler woke up from a coma mid-winter, they would have no way of guessing the season.
In other words, a lot of people migrate to Florida when it’s too cold at home.
Generally speaking, a lot of people aim for December through May for their visit to Florida, seeing as the temperature is a bit lower than average (which is a good thing for Florida). The sun is still shining; the weather is dryer and easier to tolerate. Most importantly, the rain is minimal. While this may sound strange to someone who’s not from Florida, December is the driest month.
When it comes to beach activities, however, the majority of people go there between June and August. Regardless of if you’re into swimming, diving, surfing, or snorkeling, summer seems like an obvious choice.
The problem with this kind of list is that, while we didn’t state it anywhere, there’s an implication that there’s, for some reason, the wrong time to visit Florida. When it comes to this state, it’s simply not the case.
The food you must try in Florida
Florida is a cosmopolitan area and a major tourist hub. In fact, it’s one of the most visited places in the world. This means that, in Florida, you can find any kind of restaurant you want. Regardless of if you want some Chinese food, pizza, or BBQ, you should have no problem finding the right venue in Florida.
One interesting saying about Florida is that the further north you go, the deeper south you get. In Central and North Florida, you can enjoy some of the tastiest Southern culture and cuisine. This is an area with great BBQ and shrimp that you should definitely try out.
Now, while this is generally not how Florida is perceived, the truth is that Florida has some of the most European dishes on the menu. It was originally colonised by the Spanish and later had a huge Cuban migration, which means that it is home to some of the most authentic Iberian and Caribbean dishes out there. Moreover, it also had a huge Greek migration, which has to be taken into consideration.
Aside from just food, parts of this Spanish heritage can also be seen in the architecture of some areas.
People who go regularly to Florida are excited over the oyster season.
Just keep in mind that Florida, even aside from these influences, is a unique place with a unique cuisine.
Wrap up
Ultimately, you need a journey that gives you personally what you want/need. The good part is that Florida is such a place. The downside of this is the fact that you’ll be facing the paradox of choice. This means that unless you do your research and make a plan, you risk exposing yourself to too much spontaneity. This only sounds fun but, in reality, robs you of your optimal travel experience.
