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Top 5 Things To Do In Florida 

What to do and where to go.

Florida beach

Florida is a dream destination for millions of travelers. With spectacular year-round weather, miles upon miles of white sandy beaches, world-class shopping, and nightlife to rival the best in the world.

It is a destination that offers you diversity like no other. Visit the botanical gardens in the morning, spot bald eagles in the afternoon, and wrap up the day with sundowners on a yacht in the Keys.

Here are 5 of the top things to do next time you visit The Sunshine State.

Island Hopping the Florida Keys

The Florida Keys are a string of tropical islands starting off the southern tip of Florida and stretching for 120 miles into the Gulf of Mexico. The best way to experience them is by boat.

There are many ​​yacht rentals in Fort Lauderdale you should consider. Take in the epic view of Miami from the sea. 

The Keys is home to an incredible array of plant and animal species, many of which aren’t found anywhere else in the country. Red maple trees, gumbo limbo, Jamaican dogwood, Key Deer, and American crocodiles are all common in the area. It’s also home to some of the world’s best angling.  

Take The Family To A Theme Park

Commonly named the Theme Park Capital of the World, Orlando boasts a variety of attractions. Walt Disney World (WDW) is obviously the crown jewel. 

With classic attractions including Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the Pirates of the Caribbean, and Splash Mountain, it’s little wonder that they welcome around 50 000 visitors a day.

Not to be overlooked, are Universal Studios, Legoland, and Sea World, and with summer temperatures soaring, Florida has plenty of water parks. Splash Harbour, Treasure Cove Water Park, Sun Splash, and Ship Wreck Island are all fantastic days out with the family.

Take A Hike In The Everglades

The Everglades National Park, the third-largest in the US, is a tropical wetland that stretches from the Kissimmee River near Orlando, all the way down to Lake Okeechobee. It is a tropical wetland and this ecosystem cannot be found anywhere else on earth. 

The Everglades offers amazing bird watching, hiking, and camping. Portions of the Everglades are perfect for dark sky observations. In the ‘Dark Sky Sites’, spectacular views of stars and the milky way can be seen.

To spot some local flora and fauna, you can head to Corkscrew Swamp, which boasts the largest stand of old-growth cypress trees anywhere on earth. 

Perhaps you would prefer the alligator-lined banks of Big Cypress. For those looking to see something a little rarer, you can try Fakahatchee Strand, home to black bears, the Florida panther, and the world-famous ghost orchid.

Experience The Daytona 500

Florida is NASCAR country, and The Daytona 500 is by far one of the most prestigious races in the NASCAR series. So making a turn at Daytona International Speedway is a must, even if you aren’t a massive race enthusiast.

The best way to enjoy the race is to take in the whole weekend of festivities, these include all the practice and qualifying rounds for the main event, but also a whole range of truck and motorcycle events too. 

There are hospitality packages that give you access to all the highlights, fan parks, and special events that start at around $30, with free entry for kids under-12, which makes it a great event to take the family to. 

The first edition of the race was run in 1959, which also coincided with the opening of the speedway. It is also one of two Cup races held every year at Daytona. Every year since 1995, the Daytona 500 has been the highest rating auto race on US television, so take some time to watch this iconic race in person.

Explore The Museums And Gardens

If you are looking for a little change of pace on your vacation, Florida has some amazing cultural attractions to consider too. With museums covering just about everything from the military and aviation all the way to art and science, there is bound to be something for everyone. 

Some must-see museums include; Salvador Dali Musem. John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, WonderWorks, St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum, and the Ernest Hemingway Museum.

Those who are looking to soak in beautiful surroundings can also spend time exploring Florida’s botanical gardens and parks. From the world-famous Busch Gardens to gems like Bok Tower Gardens, McKee Botanical Garden, Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, there is no shortage of spectacular surroundings to lose yourself in.

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