It's summer time and that means families across the nation are selling all worldly possessions to pay for the gas to take them on a wonderful getaway. Many people are eyeballing America's Sunshine State as a destination. The only problem is Florida's an awfully big state, how do you know where to go? Easy…you read this article. Here's the lowdown on where in Florida you should go based on the type of fun you're looking for.
The Beach 1, Nice and Quiet: Destin
La playa. Looking for fun in the sun? There's plenty of that. Now let's be more specific. If you want one of the most beautiful beaches in the nation WITHOUT all the noise and activity, your spot is Destin. Most people around the country don't know about Destin, but the locals sure do. The water is crystal clear and the sand is sugary white. Be careful in the winter though, it's on the panhandle and you won't be sunbathing in January this far north.
The Beach 2, Caribbean Style: Key West
Want the closest thing to Jamaica? Beautiful beaches along with jet skiing, parasailing, swim up bars and steel drums? Go to Key West. Great deep sea fishing, scuba diving, and all other outdoor beach activity. It is, literally, Margaritaville. You shant be disappointed.
Kid's Paradise: Orlando
No brainer, Orlando and the surrounding area. The amusement park capital of earth. Disney, Universal Studios, Epcot (for you brainy types), Animal Kingdom, Sea World, water parks and believe it or not there is adult fun to be had as well.
Nightlife After The Beachside Daiquiri: South Beach, Miami
Looking for the beach and a little something after dark? Your place is South Beach, Miami. Expensive? Yes. But ol' So Be has a great daytime atmosphere with a real buzz of activity, of course the infamous South Beach itself and at night a litany of bars and clubs. It's not just for supermodels and NBA stars either (although it wouldn't hurt to be one of those).
History to Go With That Beachside Daiquiri: St. Augustine
Want to hit the beach but also enjoy a little historical sightseeing? Go to St. Augustine, America's oldest founded city. A massive Spanish fort sits on the water and is open to the public. You can still visit Ponce de Leon's famous Fountain of Youth site, and some of the nation's oldest locations are on the historical tour. The historical downtown district is wonderful and still has trolley cars and horse and carriage rides.
Toga, Toga: Panama City, Tallahassee
Ah, to be young. Looking for keg stands, beer pong, and a lot of drunk people that still have to pay extra to rent a car for being under 25? The old standby of Daytona Beach is so 1980's. Panama City is the standard for Spring Breakers, but if it's not Spring Break, the crowd of revelers may be thin. When in doubt, go to college: Seminole country in particular, Tallahassee. You won't need your surfboard but the college nightlife is one of the tops in the nation.
Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous: Palm Beach
Looking for big houses and boats? Skip Dade and Broward counties and try further north in the Palm Beach area, where the wealthy live to avoid the constant fury of Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Palm Beach and the adjacent coastal areas are home to some of the most lavish mansions and yachts in the country. It's also a good pick for a mix of beach, outdoor activity, nightlife and golf without an overwhelming crowd of people.
Other sites of interest: Kennedy Space Center, Everglades
If you get a chance, check out Kennedy Space Center on the central-east coast, where America launches rockets and shuttles out into space. If you happen to time it with a scheduled launch, you better not miss out. Even if you don't, and you don't mind paying a little, take the tour. Also, the Everglades has a national park chock full-a gators and crocs, along with other wildlife.
Make no mistake, there's much more to Florida than just these tasty picks. For you golfers you can't go wrong in south Florida no matter where you end up. The Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater area is another beautiful locale and would make for a nice spot to sample a little of everything (beach, shopping, golf, nightlife). There are also too many small islands to name, from protected environmental areas to private residences. And for the outdoorsy-types Florida is engulfed in state and national parks. So pack up, send the kids to grandma's (ok…they can come too), and get yourself down for some fun in the sun!
