From the coolest Florida beach to the hottest Florida
fishing to the revved-up thrills of a Daytona Beach spring
break, here are our top-ten Florida travel things to do:
10: Daytona Beach
Start your engines! Each February, Daytona Beach is home
to the Daytona 500, NASCAR’s Great American Race. In March,
Bikeweek thunders in to Daytona Beach with motorcycle races
and events. You can even drive on this Florida beach during
the Daytona Beach spring break festivities.
9: Florida Fishing
Freshwater, saltwater, or fly-casting, Florida fishing is
world class. Hook a trophy bass on Lake
Okeechobee (the "Big O"). If that’s not big enough,
charter a Florida fishing boat for sailfish, marlin, or
shark. Or cast a fly in the Keys for bonefish like tarpon
and wahoo.
8: Overseas Highway
Some say the epitome of Florida travel is island hopping
by car. Highway 1 travels 113 miles over turquoise waters,
via Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, and Big Pine. At the
end of the road you’ll discover the legendary history, culture,
and nightlife of Key West.
7: Cape Canaveral
No Florida travel countdown would be complete without the
Kennedy Space Center.
You might just catch a shuttle launch. If not, test your
space skills in the Astronaut Training Experience (ATX).
6: Florida Beach
South Beach, Palm Beach, Daytona Beach, Miami Beach – see
a pattern? Coastal expert “Dr. Beach” ranked a Florida beach
– Fort De Soto beach – as the #1 beach in America. Other
top Florida beach strolls include Caladesi Island and Bill
Baggs Cape Florida.
5: Theme Cruises
Disney offers seagoing alternatives to its Orlando attractions
on two cruise ships. Add the Bahamas to your Florida travel
plans aboard the Disney Magic, or St. Maarten on the Disney
Wonder. Each stops at Disney’s private island, Castaway
Cay.
4: Everglades Eco-touring
Florida’s natural wonder, the Everglades are both a National
Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. A popular Florida
travel destination for migrating birds – and birdwatchers
– it’s also one of few ecosystems you’ll find both alligators
and crocodiles.
3: Spring Break
Get the party started! Every March, thousands of students
who come to Florida travel for only one reason: spring break.
The original – Ft. Lauderdale – has toned down. Today’s
buff boys and bikinied girls go wild in the spring break
party towns of Panama City, Daytona Beach, and Key West.
Number 2: Miami Spice
Through fashion, music, movies, and television, Miami is
how the world views Florida, which makes it premiere Florida
travel destination. Supermodels grind in South Beach nightclubs,
Art Deco treasures glow over Miami Beach boulevards, while
Latin rhythms pulse through Little Havana’s Calle Ocho.
Simply hot, hot, hot.
Number 1: Orlando Attractions
Orlando attractions are Florida’s – and the world’s – favorite
playgrounds. Orlando has Universal Studios, Sea World, and
Busch Gardens. But topping the list is Walt Disney World:
The Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney’s Animal
Kingdom Park, Blizzard Beach, and Typhoon Lagoon.
